Access Point Spring 2022

DES PLAINES IS DOING MORE & GETTING MORE DONE

FOR YOU!

Rosemary S. Argus Friendship Park

Access Point

NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS FROM THE CITY OF DES PLAINES

Spring 2022

Phone: 847.391.5300 | Web: desplaines.org | Address: 1420 Miner Street, Des Plaines IL | Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

It’s been about one year since I took office as your mayor, and I’m excited and energized about what’s happening in our city and what’s in store for our future!

There is a great deal of DOING and getting things DONE in Des Plaines. In the following pages, you will get a closer look at the progress happening in this special city of ours.

The City Council recently adopted the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan for the City of Des Plaines. This important plan serves as a road map for the City. It guides our efforts at every level, influences all decisions and aligns the City team.

Our top four Strategic Goals remain unchanged.

And, last but not least, Municipal Excellence remains a top goal, ensuring financial stability and delivering reliable, responsive, effective and efficient services.

You can read the plan at desplaines.org/strategicplan to learn more and read about the strategies and actions that are in place to advance these overarching goals.

And, while we can see progress and signs of our thriving City nearly everywhere we look, it’s important to understand that major changes take time and come as a result of steady, gradual incremental improvements.

I’m proud to serve as your mayor and look forward to continuing OUR work together to achieve a better Des Plaines.

Sincerely,

Andrew Goczkowski, Mayor

Strengthening Community Character continues to be a top priority, which includes robust communications and engagement strategies, community events and creating outdoor gathering places. (Get a preview of our summer events on page 5.)

Re-Imagined Growth is another strategic goal, which includes revitalizing downtown and the Oakton Street corridor, among other things.

We also continue to focus on Investing in Infrastructure and Mobility. This includes our transportation and stormwater systems, and City facilities.

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Contact Info agoczkowski@desplaines.org

847.391.5301 desplaines.org

C i t y Snapshots JANUARY Bridge Projects Get a Major Funding Boost Mayor Goczkowski and other city officials, along with state and federal officials, gathered near a 93-year-old bridge on Rand Road over the river to announce historic federal funding that will be used to repair bridges in poor condition. Illinois will receive $1.4 billion over five years to repair bridges as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Funding from the infrastructure law will allow IDOT to repair or replace more bridges, including this one in Des Plaines, which is scheduled to begin later this year or next year.

FEBRUARY City Leaders Recognize Officers for Impressive Investigative Work Mayor Andrew Goczkowski and Police Chief Dave Anderson recognized Sergeant Bill Rochotte and Officer Alfonso Galvan at a City Council meeting for their extraordinary police work. Sgt. Rochotte and Ofc. Galvan worked tirelessly to bring a fugitive, wanted for the 1999 murder of Young Kavila, to justice. DPPD worked alongside the FBI and Interpol to locate and apprehend the suspect, Luis Rodriguez-Mena, who had fled to Mexico. Both men were relentless until the arrest was made in June 2020 and displayed the true characteristics of great police work.

Thank you, Sgt. Rochotte and Ofc. Galvan, for the many hours you sacrificed and your dedication to the City of Des Plaines and all its community members!

Front row from left to right: Alderman Sean Oskerka (Ward 3), Mayor Andrew Goczkowski, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Alderwoman Patsy Smith (Ward 7), Congressman Mike Quigley, City Clerk Jessica Mastalski Back row: Congressman Brad Schneider, State Senator Laura Murphy, Alderman Artur Zadrozny (Ward 4), Bob Reiter, President, Chicago Federation of Labor

MARCH Mayor Goczkowski and local elected officials from the City and across Des Plaines, along with business representatives, chamber members and stakeholders attended the 2022 Mayor's Annual Address to Business and Community Enhancement Awards sponsored by the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The event was held at our downtown theatre.

From left to right: And rea Biwer, Executive Chamber Director; M ayor Andre Michael B w Goczkow artholomew sk , City Man Wise, River ager; Corey i; sC Onesti, One asino General Man ag sti Enterta er; Ron inment; D Executive on Miletic Director, D , es Plaines 2022 Cha Park Distr mber Boa ict & rd Presiden t

APRIL Community-Wide Plastic Bag Drive for Earth Month!

The City participated in the 2022 community-wide plastic bag drive sponsored by Clean Up - Give Back during Earth Month. City Hall was one of several locations across the community to collect plastic bags that will be upcycled to create a community bench.

Plastic bags don’t biodegrade and CANNOT be recycled in your regular pickup (bags can harm machinery used in the hauling/sorting process). But, you can bring them to places to be recycled! City Hall will continue to be a drop-off site all year! For other locations, visit cleanupgiveback.org.

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DES PLAINES IS DOING

MORE AND GETTING MORE DONE!

Now MORE than ever – Des Plaines is a desirable destination to live, work, play, and for others to discover. That’s why MORE people are calling Des Plaines home (topping 60,000 residents).

Investing MORE

Building MORE

This year, we’re investing $34M into capital projects, which include improving roads, streets, alleys, sidewalks, water mains, storm sewers, and investing in equipment, facilities and technology improvements. The City is investing $6.6M for a new 2-story addition at the Police Department and over the last several years, we’ve invested millions in new Scan here to fire equipment and vehicles to enhance check out our service delivery, including a new ambulance, Progress Report! ladder truck and new mini-rescue squad.

New businesses are locating here and existing companies are expanding. Key projects include:

Delivering MORE “WOW” We are doing more to support our businesses and help them succeed by providing financial incentives and grants. We’re delivering robust communications and engagement, reaching more people than ever before. Check out our fresh, new website at desplaines.org, and sign up for E-News. Also connect with the City, Police and Fire Departments on Facebook. This summer, we are planning more fun, family events, including Community Fireworks and the Independence Day Parade.

Saving MORE The City maintains a Aa2 municipal bond rating from Moody’s Investors Service (among the highest ratings possible). The City has taken advantage of this rating to refinance its outstanding debt for better interest rates and pay off debt early to save on future interest costs. We have reduced our debt by 88% since 2005. We will be debt free in a matter of a few years.

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Downtown: The Theatre is attracting patrons; the City is actively recruiting new businesses to develop here Metropolitan Square: Plans underway to create a gathering place for families and friends to eat, drink, shop and play Rivers Casino Expansion: 78,000 sq ft casino and 725 additional slot machines and table games Bayview-Compasspoint: 200+ luxury apartment units downtown Cumberland Crossing: 300+ residential rental units and 2,000 sq ft of commercial development Halston Market: 125 townhomes planned for Oakton Corridor

Mannheim/Pratt: Mix of retail and

restaurants

Oakton and Lee Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District: Planning continues to bring a Metra Train Station here and transit-oriented development

Budget Overview WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM…

DID YOU KNOW?

The City gets revenue from a variety of sources, including property, income, sales and gaming taxes, charges for services and more. Our primary source of revenue is property tax, which supports the day-to-day operations, funds public safety pensions, and repays previously committed debt.

City Council has kept the property tax levy flat over the last 10 years. As a result, the tax rate (or the amount of tax levied for each $100 of assessed valuation) has decreased.

The City receives a small portion of property tax payments (11.74% for Maine Township property owners and 13.06% for Elk Grove Township property owners). The majority of property taxes go to schools.

Water Reclamation Park Cook District Library District County 4.03% 2.92% 4.94% 4.84% Other 1.54%

WHERE DO YOUR PROPERTY TAXES GO?

Des Plaines 11.74%

School Districts 69.99%

MAINE TOWNSHIP PROPERTY TAX BREAKDOWN ELK GROVE TOWNSHIP PROPERTY TAX BREAKDOWN Des Plaines 13.06%

School Districts 65.54%

Other 1.73%

Park District Cook Library Water 6.57% County Reclamation 3.25% 5.37% District 4.48%

WHERE THE MONEY GOES…

The average home value in Des Plaines is $308,000 (Zillow, 2021) – which has been steadily rising over the past several years. The estimated property tax total for this property is $9,300 a year. The City’s portion of this equals $91 a month (less than the cost of a monthly cable bill), and this pays for the vital services you receive every day, including police, fire, public works and more! Where your $91 goes each month:

$0.91

Elected Office

$0.14

$6.18

Police & Fire Comm.

City Manager’s Office

$3.46

$1.78

Community/ Econ. Dvlp.

Finance Department

$11.85

$32.35

Public Works Department

Police Department

$3.69

$30.73

Fire Department

Overhead Expenses

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Visit desplainestheatre.com for show info and tickets!

DINE, DRINK & DANCE - ALL UNDER ONE ROOF

The City’s summer events are back!

2022 Taste of Des Plaines - Free Admission!

Friday, June 17, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Saturday, June 18, 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Kick off your summer with us by grabbing a bite to eat and listening to live music at Taste of Des Plaines! The event is held at Library Plaza in downtown near the Metra Station.

Independence Day Celebrations Community Fireworks - Friday, July 1 Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to watch the fireworks extravaganza at Oakton Community College! This event is weather dependent and updates will be communicated through our Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofdesplaines.

Independence Day Parade - Monday, July 4, 10 a.m.

This year's theme is "Celebrating our Heroes and Community."

Kicking off at 10 a.m. (intersection of Center and Wicke streets), the parade features community floats, live music and loads of family fun!

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Your Spot for Summer Fun! Mark your calendars and round up the whole family! And don’t forget to check the Des Plaines Theatre marquee for upcoming live entertainment and shows to see.

So, no need to go far for summer fun, as you can see Des Plaines is the place to be! Find more info at desplaines.org/events.

Talkin’ Transportation The sounds and scenes of spring—birds singing, blue skies, warm sun on your face AND bright orange cones, jackhammers and construction zone signs. Spring and construction season go hand in hand. In the coming weeks, the City will get started on a number of street and alley improvements, along with stormwater improvements. Visit desplaines.org/construction to review the list of 2022 projects, sign up for traffic and construction email updates and check out our construction web map. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to improve our city.

Transportation Spotlight: Algonquin Road Bridge Project The City is advancing a game-changing transportation project to build a bridge on Algonquin Road and remove the railroad crossing at Mount Prospect and Wolf Roads.

Multiple studies showed that this was the most feasible location and would provide the most benefits, including: improved traffic flow, reduced traffic congestion and emissions and improved response times for emergency vehicles.

With our population and business growth, vehicular and rail traffic are only going to increase, and this problem is going to get worse. That’s why this project is a top City Council priority. A major project likes this can take five to six years to get to construction. We will do our very best to get this done sooner, if possible. The first phase which will take about a year is already well underway.

The City will seek federal dollars to support this very expensive project, estimated at $35M. With the new unprecedented infrastructure funding at the federal level, we are optimistic that we will be able to apply for and secure funding from our partners in Congress, given the significant benefits of this project, not just here in Des Plaines but across the region.

Scan to watch video of Mayor Goczkowski giving an overview of this project.

Protect Yourself and Prevent Crime with These Tips The Des Plaines Police Department reminds residents about these important safety and prevention tips:

ASK & CHECK

Ask questions – whether on the phone or if someone is at your door. Never make payments or share private information with anyone over the phone or let anyone in your home without checking their identification.

LOOK Look out for suspicious work trucks or vans in the area; they will often pull up into your driveway or on the street in front of your house.

LIGHT Park vehicles in well-lit and crowded places to help prevent costly catalytic converter theft. At home, consider a motion sensor light if parking outdoors.

LOCK

Lock your vehicle doors. Also make sure to lock all exterior doors of your home. Be sure to keep your garage door closed and double-check that it’s closed at bedtime.

REMOVE

Remove all valuables from your vehicle. Don’t assume because it is out of view that criminals won’t look for it. Do not keep spare keys inside the car - with key fobs, this will prevent the doors from locking.

REPORT

Report suspicious vehicles and activity to police by calling 911 or non-emergency dispatch at 847.391.5400. Report phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission at 1.877.FTC.HELP or at ftc.gov/complaint.

Be aware! Ruse burglaries are when someone impersonates a utility or City worker and attempts to gain access into your home. Meanwhile, a second subject enters your home and ransacks accessible bedrooms and other areas.

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PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID DES PLAINES, IL PERMIT #5

1420 Miner Street, 60016

YOUR ELECTED LEADERS

First Ward Mark Lysakowski

Mayor Andrew Goczkowski

agoczkowski@desplaines.org 847.391.5301

Second Ward Colt Moylan

Third Ward Sean Oskerka

City Clerk Jessica Mastalski

jmastalski@desplaines.org 847.391.5311

Fourth Ward Artur Zadrozny

mlysakowski@desplaines.org 847.514.8526

cmoylan@desplaines.org 847.530.3345

soskerka@desplaines.org 847.514.6318

azadrozny@desplaines.org 847.894.4719

Fifth Ward Carla Brookman

Sixth Ward Malcolm Chester

Seventh Ward Patsy Smith

Eighth Ward Shamoon Ebrahimi

cbrookman@desplaines.org 847.812.6463 Phone: 847.391.5300

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mchester@desplaines.org 847.372.1097

Web: desplaines.org

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psmith@desplaines.org 847.878.5289

Address: 1420 Miner Street, Des Plaines IL

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sebrahimi@desplaines.org 847.878.5291

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.