2023
Village of Niles Annual Report
A near northwest Chicago suburb of over 30,000, Niles is a family-friendly community that nurtures arts, culture and outdoor recreational experiences. Here, neighbors gather at block parties, celebrate first-rate schools, enjoy services that are second-to-none and benefit from a free bus service thanks to our partnership with Pace. And we have that one magnificent photo op — the Leaning Tower. Table of Contents Letter From The Mayor............................ Board of Trustees....................................... Strategic Values.......................................... Fiscal Strength............................................ Grants............................................................. Awards........................................................... Strategic Planning..................................... Business Development............................ Infrastructure............................................... Bike and Pedestrian Experience.......... Golf Mill Park................................................ Marketing Initiatives.................................. Fire Department......................................... Police Department..................................... Human Services.......................................... Special Events............................................. Arts and Culture......................................... By the Numbers.......................................... Village Finances.......................................... Communicate with Us..............................
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Year in Review Welcome to a celebration of the past year in our beloved Village of Niles. e hope this letter finds you well, as we introduce the 2023 Annual Report. Last year’s award-winning inaugural edition started a new tradition of sharing your Village government’s accomplishments in a more transparent and visually engaging way. After the great response we received, we are here with another edition that once again brings the past year to life. After reviewing this Annual Report, several recurring themes come to mind: fiscal responsibility, redevelopment and expansion, and caring for neighbors. You’ll see throughout the report that the Village is combining these elements to make Niles the absolute best place to live—now and for future generations. Moving forward, we will continue to focus on much-needed capital improvement projects in Niles. In particular, we’ve committed to increasing our investment in our roads, and doing so responsibly. For the first time in the Village’s history, we did not rely on bonds for road projects, which has ultimately saved our taxpayers $7 million in bond fees and interest.
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
Thank you for being a part of this great community. I hope you enjoy the stories, photos, and statistics that await you on the following pages. An engaged community is a successful community, and this report is one more opportunity to remain an informed and active part of this thriving Village. Keep this publication as a reference guide for the future. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Mayor’s office, and I will follow up personally. Sincerely,
Mayor George D. Alpogianis and the Board of Trustees Village of Niles
Board of Trustees John C. Jekot Trustee (2013-2017, 2017-2021, 2021-2025) Chair, General Government & Information Technology Committee Danette O’Donovan Matyas Trustee (2013-2017, 2017-2021, 2021-2025) Chair, Public Works Committee JOHN C. JEKOT
DANETTE O’DONOVAN MATYAS
DEAN H. STRZELECKI
Dean H. Strzelecki Trustee (2015-2019, 2019-2023, 2023-2027) Chair, Public Safety Committee Craig Niedermaier Trustee (2019-2023, 2023-2027) Chair, Building and Zoning Committee Morgan Dubiel Trustee (2023-2025) Chair, Finance Committee Marryann Warda Trustee (2023-2027) Chair, Human Services Committee
CRAIG NIEDERMAIER
MORGAN DUBIEL
MARRYANN WARDA
NILES FORM OF GOVERNMENT The Village is a “home-rule” municipality, as defined by the 1970 Illinois State Constitution. Homerule municipalities have significantly broader authority and latitude to manage the financial issues of government, most significantly in the ability to issue debt and increase taxes. The Village of Niles operates under the Trustee-Village form of government. Policy making and legislative authority are vested in a governing Village Board of Trustees
(“Village Board” or “Board”) consisting of the Village President, (often referred to as the Mayor) and six Trustees. The governing Board sets the policies for short-term and long-term Village initiatives. In support of the policy goals, the Board will adopt all necessary ordinances and resolutions, will approve an annual budget, and will approve all contracts that exceed an expected cost of $25,000. Board members are elected at large, and serve four-year staggered terms. The Village President and three
Trustees are usually elected on the first Tuesday in April following U.S. Presidential election years (years divisible by four), while the other three Trustees are usually elected on the first Tuesday in April two years later. The Village Manager is responsible for carrying out the policies and ordinances of the governing council and for managing day-to-day Village operations.
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Village Strategic Values Look for these icons throughout the Annual Report to see how these values affect Village operations year-round.
As part of the Village leadership’s strategic planning process in 2020, five key strategic priority areas were identified, highlighting activities and initiatives that the Village should focus on in both the shortand long-term. The strategic priority areas identified as a result of the strategic planning process are described here.
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
Foster Community Identity The Village of Niles prides itself on being a place where a diverse population of residents and businesses call home. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements in creating a community where everyone feels welcomed. Adding to our quality of life, the Village strives towards promoting and supporting arts and culture as well as creating personal and digital gathering spaces to break down barriers and develop a sense of a connected and engaged community.
Financial Stability and Transparency Continuing our legacy of fiscal strength and stability is key for the Village of Niles. Routinely undertaking financial assessments to understand the Village’s current financial profile, recognize changing trends, and identify opportunities for revenue enhancements and/ or cost-cutting measures is vital to giving elected officials a high level of confidence to make tough decisions. This type of financial stewardship will allow the high level of service that Niles is known for to continue.
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ENTRY RENOVATION NILES VILLAGE HALL
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Diversified Economic Development
Infrastructure Planning and Funding
Economic development is a vital tool in creating a thriving community and enhancing revenue streams. This is especially important for the Village of Niles which depends heavily on a diverse sales tax base and much less on property taxes as compared to surrounding municipalities. It is important for the Village to identify diversified development and redevelopment opportunities to support the Village’s financial stability and add to the quality of life for all community members and visitors. No matter the size of the development, follow-through and completion of projects will be critical.
Physical infrastructure is the foundation of any community. It is critical to plan for—and adequately fund—infrastructure improvement projects to ensure sustainability, high-quality delivery of core services, and improved quality of life. In an ever-changing world where technology allows people more options for where they work and live, meeting the needs and expectations of potential and current residents and businesses is even more important.
Marketing and Communication It is important that the Village of Niles markets and communicates its unique character, variety of service offerings, and community assets to attract and retain residents, businesses, and visitors. Through marketing and highlevel engagement efforts, Niles demonstrates what makes it stand apart from the rest. See more information about Village communications on page 44, including social media, emergency alerts, and new outlets like Roku.
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Fiscal Strength One of the Village’s most important responsibilities is being fiscally responsible and accountable to residents. One method to achieve these goals is through strong financial policies. In the past year, the Village has worked on three separate policies: Purchasing Policy For the second year in a row, the Village Board approved an update to the Village’s Purchasing Policy. The purchasing policy is a manual that lays out a purchasing code of ethics and specifies all steps of acquisition of goods and services.
Debt Policy In September 2022, the Village Board passed an entirely new Village Debt Policy. Issuing debt is important to supporting capital needs like buildings and infrastructure, and this policy provides a comprehensive set of rules and guidelines for the issuance, management, and reporting of debt.
Niles is a $1.8 Billion Retail Market 6
2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
Fund Balance Policy Fund Balance provides operational stability for the Village of Niles, and provides the capacity to offset revenue shortfalls and provide funds for unforeseen expenditures. Staff analyzed recent economic situations and came to the determination that the existing 40%-45% level of unassigned fund balance was unnecessarily high. In April 2023, the Village Board updated its Fund Balance Policy to a range of 25%-30%, which is more in line with most other well-run governments. The revised policy allows funding for current roadwork projects without a corresponding increase in taxes.
AA
The Village of Niles maintains an AA bond rating from the Standard and Poor’s rating agency, which is in the “High Quality” range and demonstrates very strong creditworthiness.
At $910 sales tax per capita, Niles topped the list of highest grossing sales tax municipalities in Illinois.
Local Economy There are several factors that influence the economy of a community. Four objective measures are the level of retail sales, the employment level, the per capita income levels, and the measure of building activity. Retail Sales The Village boasts a $1.8 billion retail market with two Walmart stores, two Target stores, two Home Depot stores, two Fresh Farms stores, three Jewel-Osco grocery stores, four car dealerships (Ford, Chevrolet, Infinity, and Nissan), and a Costco, among others. In FY22, Niles was one of the 20 highest grossing sales tax municipalities in Illinois. At $910 sales tax per capita, it topped that list and was 35% higher than the runner-up sales tax
per capita municipality. Learn more about sales taxes in the Sales Tax and Debt section on page 35. Employment Level The Niles unemployment rate on April 30, 2022, was estimated by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) to have been 3.2% compared to 4.4% statewide. Those figures are down from the previous year’s end rate of 6.8% (7.1% statewide). The most recent IDES data has a preliminary March 2023 Village of Niles unemployment rate of 3.2% compared to 4.3% statewide.
Building Activity The Village’s past and current TIF redevelopment districts serve as catalysts for retail growth. The major shopping centers in the Village offer an attractive mix of goods and services. There is a vibrant local business community supported by residents who are aware of the impact of keeping commerce local. To continue to offer shopping and employment opportunities, as well as diversifying the tax revenue mix, the Village dedicates extensive resources to further economic development. Learn more about recent economic development activity on page 14.
Per Capita Income Level The estimated median household income in Niles was $63,490 at the end of FY22.
The new Greenwood Stormwater Basin at Golf Mill Park is a community gathering place and an economic driver.
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Grants To reduce reliance on tax dollars and make the best use of revenue, the Village of Niles is persistent in its pursuit of operational efficiencies, grants and other funding sources. The Mayor and Board of Trustees work hard with County, State, and Federal officials to obtain these dollars, reducing reliance on property taxes. The impacts of these efforts are significant, as they lead to providing services at a lower cost to residents, and often allow the Village to complete an otherwise impossible project or service. Applying for grants and identifying efficiencies require a great deal of time and effort, but yield enormous benefits to the Village of Niles. In Fiscal Year 2023, the Village received $6.7 million in grants. The Village also requested a further $3.7 million in additional funds that remain pending.
Rendering of the New Niles Teen Center Interior
Below are just a few of the grants awarded to the Village of Niles in Fiscal Year 2023.
GUIDER GROUP, LLC
Niles Police Department In calendar year 2022, the Niles Police Department received grants totaling $64,260. This includes grants for body-worn cameras, traffic enforcement, bulletproof vests, Operation Santa grants from Exelon and Wal-Mart, and a tobacco enforcement grant.
INTERIOR DESIGN RENDERING #2 COMMUNITY ROOM AREA NILES TEEN CENTER - 8824 N. MILWAUKEE AVE.
Niles Teen Center New Location In partnership with the office of Senator Dick Durbin, the Village was awarded a $200k grant to aid in the construction of a new, strategically placed Teen Center to be located in close range to local schools. The new center will be outfitted with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) equipment, video game equipment, a creative suite housing video and graphic design software, a commercial kitchen and a performance stage.
New Salt Dome and Public Works Campus Renovation The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded the Village a $2,000,000 grant to be utilized for construction of a new salt dome and Public Works campus restoration. The Village’s salt dome, constructed in 1984, is showing signs of advanced deterioration. Once complete, the new salt dome will boast a capacity of 6000 tons, a capacity of 150% above average salt use, as recommended by the Clear Roads Consortium.
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
Amount of Grants Received by the Village in 2023
Howard Street Bridge Under the Federal Surface Transportation Local Bridge Program, the Village of Niles will receive $166,400 toward preliminary engineering costs for the replacement of the Howard Street Bridge.
A deep appreciation is extended to Senator Ram Villivalam, Representative Mike Kelly and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky for their efforts to secure the funding that will allow for: •
State Budget Appropriation & Congresswoman Schakowsky Community Project Funding List Dobson Outfall Project In an effort to mitigate flooding, the Village partnered with State and Federal Representatives to secure funding. As a result, $5,500,000 will be allocated to the Oasis Neighborhood Dobson Outfall Stormwater Improvement Project.
$27 MILLION Amount of Grants Awarded to Village of Niles Over the Past Two Years.
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Flood mitigation for 66 homes in the Oasis neighborhood and Lawrencewood Gardens Flood mitigation along Harlem Avenue (SR 43) Construction of new stormwater infrastructure into an outfall at the North Branch Chicago River.
For more information regarding the Oasis Neighborhood Dobson Outfall Stormwater Project, visit vniles.com. ComEd EV Grant The Village of Niles is the recipient of the Powering Safe Communities Grant. The $10,000 grant, administered by ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, made possible the installation of an electric vehicle charging station on Church Street. The new charging station promotes alternative modes of transportation and reduces the use of fossil fuels, thereby reducing carbon emissions and improving public health of Niles residents.
SHIP BASIC Grant - $3,056 Navigating Medicare can be confusing. The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) helps seniors and caregivers understand and manage their Medicare coverage. The Village of Niles sought and received a grant for the Niles Senior Center to assist Niles area seniors in maximizing their Medicare insurance benefits by making informed health insurance decisions. Contact the Niles Senior Center at (847) 588-8420. Covid Reimbursements The Niles Fire Department has meticulously tracked and submitted COVID-related expenses for reimbursement to cover expenses such as disinfecting supplies, PPE, and equipment usage. As of May 2023, the Village has received $204,582.84 in reimbursements from FEMA for pandemic-related expenses, with an additional $8,056.59 pending. The Village also received $594,846.20 from the Cook County Relief Program and $10,763.83 in reimbursement for paramedic-provided COVID vaccine efforts for the community.
Additional Grants Awarded in FY23
$1,500
$2,500
MMAI Option 11 Grant to Senior Center from Age Options
ComEd/Metro Mayor’s Caucus “Powering the Holidays” Grant for Holiday Decorations
$1.8
MILLION
DCEO “Build Illinois” Grant for Village Hall South Entrance
$1,981,952 STP Rehab of Shermer Road, Dempster to Waukegan
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Awards
Niles TV Award-Winning Programming The Village’s government access video production division received two awards in FY23 for its video about the Howard Street Crossing Improvements. In May, Niles TV was honored with a Bronze award in the 43rd annual Telly Awards in the “Television – Information” category. Later in the year, the Village was recognized in the NATOA Government Programming Awards. Niles took first place in its category, besting fellow finalists from Moreno Valley, California and San Angelo, Texas.
Village of Niles FY22 Annual Report Last year’s inaugural edition of the Annual Report was recently honored in the 19th annual Communicator Awards as the recipient of an “Award of Excellence,” its top tier of recognition. Niles was one of five organizations across the country to receive this award in the “Annual Report – Government” category for corporate communications.
Mayor of the Year The United Hellenic Voters of America (UHVA) honored Mayor George D. Alpogianis as their 2022 “Mayor of the Year.” Mayor Alpogianis was selected by the UHVA for his exemplary service and commitment to the people of the Village of Niles. Fellow UHVA honorees included Secretary of State Jesse White, who received the UHVA’s “Lifetime Achievement” award, and Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who was named “Person of the Year.”
THREE APWA AWARDS Smart Street Lighting and Fiber Optic Infrastructure Improvements The Niles Streetlight replacement project won a trio of Awards from the American Public Works Association (APWA). The project was recognized for excellence in technical innovation by the suburban branch, the Chicago metro area, and also nationally.
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
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Niles
The project was recognized for three technical innovations in particular: 1. Real-Time Digital As-Builts into GIS 2. Fiber Optic Networking 3. Smart Lighting Control Systems
Winning the APWA national award is quite a accomplishment: This is the Public Works equivalent of winning an Oscar award!
A Village with a Plan (or Several) The Village of Niles government prides itself on structured plans that foster the development of an ideal home for residents and businesses— now, and for years to come.
Village Strategic Plan A Strategic Plan is a planning document that provides guidance and operational direction for an organization.
The Strategic Plan provides a vision forward for the Village of Niles to achieve several milestones toward improving quality of life, increasing economic opportunities, and improving the overall health of the Niles community. The Plan includes success indicators utilized by each theMetal Village SCENE 02 - Horizontal Panelsof - Silver Finish departments NTS to track and measure progress in meeting the milestones. Through the strategic planning process, Niles has been able to clarify the organizational values, articulate a vision of future goals to identify challenges, develop steps to meet mandates, and implement strategies to adapt to environmental change.
The Board identified five overarching priorities and the stakeholders developed each of the priority goals in each of the sections: Diversified Economic Development Infrastructure Planning and Funding Marketing and Communication Foster Community Identity Financial Stability and Transparency
The Village Board adopted the Strategic Plan and will revisit the plan annually to refresh goals and objectives, as needed. A copy of the Strategic Plan can be found on the Village website at vniles.com/ strategicplan.
Niles Comprehensive Plan ENTRY RENOVATION (2030/2040 Plans) NILES VILLAGE HALL The Comprehensive Plan is the Village’s official policy guide for decision-making related to land use and development, physical improvement, and growth in Niles. The Plan is comprehensive in every sense of the word. By its nature, it provides a high level of guidance for the future of the Village in areas such as land use, transportation and circulation, community facilities, community character, open space and environmental features, and sustainability. This policy framework provides the foundation upon which Village regulations, programs, actions, and decisions should be based. In short, the Comprehensive Plan exists to preserve and protect important features, guide growth and change, manage development and redevelopment efforts, and improve the community’s overall appearance and image. Adopted in 2011, the Niles 2030 Comprehensive Plan set forth a policy framework to guide growth
and change over the ensuing 10 to 15 years. Since then, the Village has made great progress toward the goals and objectives of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and determined that an updated plan was warranted. Over the past 3 years, the Village has worked toward a comprehensive update to the Comprehensive Plan—the Niles 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The way we live, work, shop, connect, and recreate is constantly evolving. The Niles 2040 Comprehensive Plan will explore how the Village can better understand and address these changing times, such as a radically changed retail environment, transportation mobility innovations, an aging population, evolving housing preferences, changing work and commuting habits, and an increased focus on environmental issues and sustainability. The Planning and Zoning Board is in the process of reviewing the document and, when complete, a recommendation will be forwarded to the Village Board for formal action.
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A Village with a Plan (or Several) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11
Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan The Village of Niles Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was adopted in 2014. Building off recommendations from the Village’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan and the Environmental Action Plan, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan developed an implementable strategy for creating a more walkable and bikeable community. In 2022, the Village Board approved a revamped edition of the plan. The updated plan provides guidance for the implementation of infrastructure improvements, including sidewalks, bike lanes, shared-use paths, and intersection upgrades for improved walking and bicycling in the Village. Visit www.vniles.com/bikeandped for more information.
Communication, Community Partnerships and Engagement, and Crime Prevention. The plan serves as a guiding document in setting the Department’s strategic framework with focus on performance and exemplary service to the Niles community.
Police Department Strategic Plan The Niles Police Department (NPD) Strategic Plan for 2022-2023 embodies NPD’s Five Elements of Policing — Accountability, Transparency, Technology and
Road Pavement Management Plan A recent analysis revealed the need for increased attention to infrastructure needs of the Village’s roadways. Road condition is measured by the Pavement Condition Index (PCI), and the
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
Capital Improvement Project Budgeting As a component of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget process, a viewerfriendly, digital budget was made available. The new format allows for increased transparency and better stakeholder understanding of the capital projects in the budget, which are often the largest items in terms of dollars and impact on the lives of citizens.
PCI of roads in Niles was rapidly decreasing to a rating below satisfactory. While deferring road maintenance to save money might seem fiscally responsible, costs actually increase by delaying repairs. Resurfacing projects needed due to delayed repairs could result in excess spending in the millions. Presented with this information, Village leadership made a decision to increase funding for roads to achieve a more acceptable overall PCI, thereby improving road conditions while saving taxpayer dollars. Stormwater Management Plan Since its inception in 2008, the Stormwater Commission has worked diligently to improve the management of stormwater in the Village and reduce flood risk. Its 2009 report identified prioritized initiatives that were implemented in 2009 and 2010. In 2012, the Village adopted the Stormwater Relief Program to address Village stormwater issues.
Bicyclists riding on the North Branch Trail
$14 MILLION The Village of Niles has completed $14 million in stormwater projects since the creation of the commission in 2008.
Arts and Culture are alive and well in Niles, including at the Niles-Maine District Library’s popular Maker Fest
The latest update of the Village’s Stormwater Master Plan was published in 2018. Over the past decade, the Village has embarked on massive stormwater relief projects, most recently including the Cleveland Corridor Sewer Improvement Project, and the Greenwood Stormwater Basin project near Golf Mill.
Arts and Culture Master Plan To fulfill the recommendations of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, the Niles Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council was created to advance and promote existing arts and culture in Niles and to provide direction for future events and projects. The Council determined that a strategic arts and culture plan was needed to guide the Village, the Public Arts and Culture Advisory Council, local businesses, institutions and residents in facilitating cultural and artistic opportunities that will promote Niles as a culture destination in the Chicago metropolitan region.
A new trail to Niles West High School was constructed this year along Oakton Street that will improve safety and walkability in Niles and neighboring Morton Grove
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Investing in Our Community: Business Development Projects
Deli 4 You 8526 W Golf Rd Unit T The new Deli 4 You grocery store opened at Golf Milwaukee Plaza in February 2023 in the former Blast Fitness location. 16,392 Square Feet Value of Construction: $480,000 BEFORE: BLAST FITNESS
AFTER: REMODELED
Crumbl Cookies 5704 W Touhy Ave The Crumbl Cookies store opened on December 16, 2022, located adjacent to Melt n Dip and Poke Bros. at Pointe Plaza on Touhy Avenue. 1,904 Square Feet Value of Construction: $100,000 BEFORE: LEE NAILS
AFTER: REMODELED
Dunkin’ Donuts 8584 W Dempster Street The new Dunkin’ Donuts ribbon cutting was on November 17, 2022. The new owner tore down the old Bakers Square and constructed a new Dunkin’. 3,094 Square Feet Value of Construction: $619,020 BEFORE: BAKERS SQUARE
AFTER: NEW CONSTRUCTION
The Dog House 7254 N Milwaukee Ave The Dog House is located immediately south of the Niles Animal Hospital, which will create synergies for dog owners. 9,023 Square Feet Value of Construction: $150,000 BEFORE: SKOKIE AUTOMOTIVE CORP
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
AFTER: REMODELED
F45 5663 W Touhy Ave A new F45 fitness center opened mid July 2022. 4,067 Square Feet Value Of Construction: $40,000
BEFORE: VACANT
AFTER: REMODELED
NAPA 7900 N Milwaukee Ave Unit 7 Napa Center opened early this year in March 2023. 7,944 Square Feet Value Of Construction: $354,000
BEFORE: VACANT
AFTER: INTERIOR BUILD OUT
Luxury Barbershop 8936 N Greenwood Ave A new Luxury Barbershop, which opened in January 2023, now occupies a previously vacant commercial space. 864 Square Feet Value Of Construction: $30,000 BEFORE: VACANT
AFTER: REMODELED
Multi Share Building 7509 - 7525 Oakton A new multi-share building is in its final stages of being built. A new Starbucks recently opened in the building, and will be joined soon by Buffalo Wild Wings Go. 4,849 Square Feet Value Of Construction: $1,250,000 BEFORE: PARKING LOT
Coming Soon More new developments and business openings are expected in the months ahead:
AFTER: NEW CONSTRUCTION
Bear Paddle Swim School 5637 W Touhy
Ati-Athina Grill 7649 N Milwaukee
Maryville’s Walsh Academy and Career Tech High School 6935 W Touhy
Friends House Bakery 7245 Dempster
Mochinut 8530 Golf Rd
Buffalo Wild Wings Go 7509 Oakton
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Infrastructure Senior Center Parking Lot The Senior Center parking lot was resurfaced in the summer of 2022. The parking lot was in need of rehabilitation and now provides a nice clean surface for the various festivals that use the space. The project design was prepared by inhouse engineers, who also oversaw the construction phase. The project was completed on time and $34,925 below budget.
Milwaukee Streetscape Phase VI of the Streetscape Project addressed Howard Street through Jonquil Terrace in 2022. This included the replacement of the east and north crosswalk legs at Howard Street and Milwaukee Avenue with updated crosswalks. Phase VI of the Streetscape Project at Milwaukee Avenue and Waukegan Road and the intersection of Oakton Street and Waukegan Road will include decorative medians, crosswalks, planter boxes, pavement improvements and more. Construction is dependent upon funding and is scheduled for 2025.
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
Greenleaf Sewer Repair Project After receiving multiple calls for service, Public Works used cameras to inspect the sanitary sewers within the Chesterfield Gardens area, revealing that a more significant repair was required. In summer 2022, spot repair and lining of the sewer was completed and came in at $27,357 under budget.
Cured In Place Pipe - Sewer Lining Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP) has many advantages. CIPP allows for rehabilitation of pipes without disturbance to surface structures or other utilities. It produces a seamless, jointless pipe lining from the inside, without greatly reducing the diameter of the original pipe. It also leaves no gaps, eliminating the need for grouting after the liner is installed. The smooth interior of the liner reduces friction, thus increasing flow capacity. The finished product has a 50-year design life, the same as that of a brand-new pipe.
Locations of sewer lining: • Oleander Avenue from Kedzie Street to Main Street • Madison Street from Milwaukee Avenue to Oriole Avenue • Oriole Avenue from Monroe Street to Kedzie Street • Kedzie Street from Milwaukee Avenue to Oriole Avenue • Main Street from Oketo Avenue to Harlem Avenue
Pace Pulse Pace began construction on the Pace Pulse Dempster line in the summer of 2022. Station construction in the vicinity of Niles includes stops at Dee Road, Western Avenue, Cumberland Avenue, Milwaukee Avenue, Harlem Avenue, and Waukegan Road, and will continue through summer 2024. The rapid transit bus system connects the CTA Purple Line and O’Hare Airport, and began limited “preview” service in summer 2023.
Village Hall Plaza Just as the Village of Niles incentivizes residents to maintain and improve their own homes, the Mayor and Village Board are SCENE 01 -leading Horizontal Panels the- Silver wayMetal byFinish caring for NTS the “home” of Niles government: Village Hall. The Village of Niles received a Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) grant in the amount of $1.8 million to re-envision the entrance plaza to Village Hall. The Civic Center hosts popular gatherings such as the Holly Jolly Fest and the Last Call Before Fall Art and Music Fest, but it was not designed with these sorts of events in mind. The new campus concept will provide a functional public space, while enhancing community identity, strengthening civic pride, and improving the business
environment within the campus. The project has two components: At the lower plaza level, a more RENOVATION inviting functionalENTRY public space NILES VILLAGE HALL will be created for everyday visitors, outdoor fitness programs, and evening community events. The upper plaza level will include new gathering spaces and improved access points via the grand staircase. The plaza will be large enough for informal gatherings and allow for public art installations. The combination of these upper and lower areas will not only re-energize the facility but will also create an inviting “front door” to Village Hall. The project is currently under design and targeting a spring 2024 groundbreaking.
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Milwaukee and Touhy Crosswalks At the recommendation of the Milwaukee Corridor Committee, the existing Milwaukee Avenue brick crosswalks will soon be replaced with decorative thermoplastic crosswalks. The crosswalks will be identical to those installed on Milwaukee Avenue intersection at Howard Street and Touhy Avenue, which have proven to have an improved appearance as well as lower maintenance cost than the existing brick pavers. 17
Infrastructure Gross Point and Touhy Intersection Improvement
The Gross and Touhy Intersection project was awarded by the State of Illinois in April 2023. The Project Includes a multimodal trail connection on Touhy Avenue from the Touhy Triangle to the North Branch Trail. The project will also fill multiple sidewalk gaps around the Forest Preserve triangle of Caldwell Avenue, Gross Point Road and Touhy Avenue. Construction preparation started in 2023 with a scheduled completion date in 2024. Following the completion of the intersection improvement, IDOT will replace the Touhy Avenue Bridge over the North Branch of the Chicago River. The bridge replacement (pictured below) will include a 15-foot multimodal path on the North side of the bridge and over 7-foot-wide sidewalk on the south side.
Touhy Bridge Elevation
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
IDOT Summer 2022 Resurfacing Projects The summer of 2022 was one of the busiest, with multiple active IDOT resurfacing projects. Elected officials pushed hard on behalf of residents to get this work completed. Projects included the resurfacing of: • • • • •
Waukegan Road from Milwaukee to Oakton Street Harlem Avenue from Oakton Street to Dempster Street Oakton Street from Cumberland Avenue to Lehigh Avenue Lehigh Avenue from Touhy Avenue to Howard Street The culvert under Ballard Road
A quarry strike cost the industry about 1.5 months of the construction season, but IDOT, with the help of the Village engineering team, was able to make it all come together.
Street Resurfacing and Alley Improvements Each year, the Village performs street resurfacing for areas of Niles, based on carefully monitored pavement conditions over time. The condition of the roads are carefully crossreferenced with any upcoming underground utility projects, so as not to resurface a road only to excavate after completing the work. Work for 2022 included portions of: • • • •
Courtland Avenue Crain Street Fargo Avenue Kedzie Street
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Lyons Street Main Street Maryland Street Merrill Street Neva Avenue Nora & Oakton Court Nottingham Avenue Oleander Avenue Oriole Avenue Ottawa Avenue Ozark Avenue Seward Street
Portions of the following streets were scheduled for rehabilitation during 2023. Visit www.vniles.com for the latest construction progress and updates: • Birchwood Avenue • Clifton Avenue • Davis Street • Grace Avenue • Kedzie Street • Keeney Street • Madison Street • Mulford Street • Niles Avenue • Neva Avenue • New England Avenue • Newcastle Street • Newland Avenue • Nordica Avenue • Oriole Avenue • Peter Terrace • Rusch Drive • Along with several alleys
Creating a More Walkable Niles The Village of Niles prioritizes the bike and pedestrian experience. Through a combination of educational initiatives and strategic infrastructure projects, Niles is making a better environment for residents and visitors to get around without a car—whether on bike or on foot.
Rendering of the new North Branch Trail extension and gateway at Caldwell and Touhy.
Sidewalk Infill The Village of Niles maintains a proactive sidewalk infill program, continuously looking for opportunities to add or improve sidewalks throughout the Village. In FY2023, the Village constructed infill along both sides of Church and Maryland Streets from Milwaukee Avenue to Cumberland Avenue. A number of sidewalk infill projects are on the horizon. Thanks to a number of grant opportunities, the Village and its partners will improve pedestrian access along Golf Road and Milwaukee Avenue near Golf Mill. Pedestrian crossing and safety studies are being conducted on Milwaukee Avenue at both Monroe Street and at Mulford Street. Additional studies are in place for projects along Maryhill Cemetery, Cumberland Avenue, and Culver School. Oakton Street Multi-Modal Trail In March, construction started on a trail which will extend from Oakton and Caldwell to Niles West High school. The project also includes pedestrian network connections to the Miami Woods and LoVerde Center. Phase 1 of this project was completed in fall 2023.
Bunker Hill North Branch Trail Connection A healthy bike and pedestrian network is vital for a connected, healthy and sustainable community. The North Branch Trail connection will provide a scenic connection from the trail to the Touhy Triangle. In keeping with the goals of the triangle plan, the trail is meant to enhance economic vitality, foster a sense of community, and provide recreational and entertainment opportunities while promoting arts and culture. Cleveland Corridor Bike and Ped Crossings Intersections along Cleveland St. at Waukegan Rd. and Caldwell Ave. have been identified as highpriority locations for bicycle and pedestrian safety enhancements. The Department of Transportation (IDOT) has required left turn lanes be included to this proposed solution for the aforementioned intersections. After review by the Village’s Bike and Pedestrian Plan Advisory Group (BPAG), the group has approved the concept.
The Caldwell Ave. and Cleveland St. design went through three successive design revisions with IDOT and the final design is nearing approval. The Caldwell project is projected to break ground in spring 2024. Now that the Waukegan and Cleveland crossing has an approved concept, the project will move into preliminary and final engineering phases. Due to the IDOT approval and funding requirements, the Village expects to see the Waukegan and Cleveland Project break ground in 2025 at the earliest. Shermer Road The Village has obtained $2 million in federal funding for the rehabilitation of Shermer Road in 2026. The project will include bike lane markings for the corridor. The new and improved multimodal corridor will connect to the Village’s Amling Trail as well as improvements planned by Morton Grove and Glenview. The Village has engaged the community for input on potential designs.
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Building Community: The New Golf Mill Park
Before
The new Golf Mill Park and Greenwood Stormwater Basin, located at 9101 Greenwood on the site of a former bank, is a legacy project that combines aesthetics and functionality. 20
2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
The Greenwood Stormwater Basin includes approximately 14 acrefeet of stormwater storage in a pond and underground storage chambers. A system of drainage structures and approximately 5,400 feet of relief storm sewers was built to carry water to the storage basins. New storm sewer was installed along Church Street and Maryland Street, crossing Milwaukee Avenue and continuing to Courtland Drive. The multi-purpose event lawn (over the underground storage chambers), aesthetically pleasing park area around the pond, streetscape revitalization of Church Street, and adjacent added parking complement planned redevelopment in the area, provide desirable new green space, and will benefit the entire Village. History and Schedule The Greenwood Stormwater Basin Project was recommended by the Village’s 2012 Stormwater Relief Program. The area experienced flooding due to undersized storm sewer systems and inadequate overland drainage routes. Following the construction of two stormwater basins elsewhere in Niles in 2014 and a large sewer project in 2016, the Greenwood Stormwater Basin Project was the next project on the list—and the most ambitious. The Village of Niles committed to accommodating the Maria SS. Lauretana Italian Festival at the site over Labor Day weekend in both 2021 and 2022, meaning the construction project needed to be substantially completed between those two dates. Originally scheduled for completion in May 2022, funding logistics delayed the project a few months, but by September 2, 2022, the site was ready and the Festival took place as promised—complete with their processions and famous “Flight of the Angels.” This festival served as the unofficial grand opening of the new space, while a formal ribbon cutting took place on Arbor Day 2023.
Construction Management The Village of Niles performed construction engineering for this project with in-house staff, while developing a close link with the contractor’s field personnel. DiMeo Construction went above and beyond to minimize impacts to residents. The contractor was able to complete the majority of the storm sewer work by March 2022, benefiting area residents who received flood reduction before the spring thaw and rain season. One final element that was critical to the success of this project was quality design. The Village partnered with Hey and Associates to prepare the design for the project. Community Relations and Public Involvement This project emphasized community outreach at every stage, including: • Open house presentation during design stage • Preconstruction resident information bulletin • Project highlighted at Public Works Open House • Weekly email updates to affected residents • Webpage updates • Project camera with daily pictures and live video • At-the-door notifications for project impacts • Full-time on-site oversight by Village personnel
Environmental Considerations & Sustainability A major goal of the project was to promote sustainability and provide environmental benefits. The project provides stormwater flow rate reduction, sediment collection, and runoff removal. Pollutants from cars, lawns, litter, yard waste and pet waste are now captured before they enter area waterways. Over one hundred new trees were planted around the open event area. Also, Church Street was reconstructed with permeable pavers, which provides temporary storage for stormwater, allows stormwater infiltration, and reduces runoff and flooding. Other “green” design elements include an electric vehicle charging station, bicycle racks, and new sidewalk connections from Greenwood Road to Milwaukee Avenue. These elements will promote cleaner transportation options and reduce the use of fossil fuels. This project also promotes appreciation of the environment through its thoughtful design and amenities. It has become a gathering place for people and wildlife. Ducks, herons and other birds are frequently seen at the basin. Parents and children can be seen chasing butterflies around the pond, and teenagers playing catch on the open event space. It has even become a popular spot for wedding photoshoots!
This project truly was an intergovernmental and interagency success. Among the agencies involved in the project: • Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) • Illinois Environmental Protection agency (IEPA) – Funding Partner • Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) – Funding Partner
• Niles Park District • Cook County Housing Authority • ComEd, Nicor Gas, AT&T, and Comcast • Village of Niles departments, elected officials, and Stormwater Commission. 21
Building Community: The New Golf Mill Park CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21
Project Finance The primary funding source is a 0.25% sales tax increment directed towards stormwater. The project maximized the value of taxpayer dollars by securing additional funding sources, including: • MWRD Funding – Niles secured $2,000,000 in reimbursement from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, which helped offset costs and expanded the scope of the project.
• ComEd Powering Safe Communities Grant – The Village secured a grant for the electric vehicle charging station. ComEd recognized that these stations will reduce carbon emissions, improve public health outcomes, and advance community resiliency.
project team, a new destination space for special events and everyday recreation has been created, while contributing to regional stormwater success. It is a space that is uniquely Niles and will be treasured for generations to come.
Thanks to the vision of the Village Mayor and Trustees and the Greenwood Stormwater Basin
Learn more about Niles community events at Golf Mill Park on page 28.
• Construction of the project is partially funded with Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) funding. The State Revolving Fund program is administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and receives a portion of its money to fund these types of projects from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Using a low-interest IEPA loan reduced the amount of future capital that would be directed to debt service.
Building the new Golf Mill Park included the construction of underground stormwater storage vaults (bottom center and right photos above) as well as decorative park elements and entryways (bottom left and top photos above).
22
2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
Marketing Initiatives
555
Basins cleaned
The Love Niles campaign is about showing love for our community. This initiative highlights what makes Niles great, including firstrate schools, a welcoming community, access to the city and outdoors, and quality Village services. The Love Niles campaign appears on billboards and bus shelters throughout Chicago as well as on Village vehicle stickers, gateway signage, social media, email, newsletters, and in surrounding suburbs on Pace buses. Niles was once again named a Top Town by Chicago Parent magazine. People who live here, love it. Won’t you join us? LoveNiles.com 23
Fire Department The Niles Fire Department (NFD) is an all-hazards agency tasked with responding to a wide variety of emergency incidents. The NFD provides community risk reduction, public education and outreach, school visits, and offers a variety of services and programs to the community. Operating out of two stations, the NFD is equipped with two Advanced Life Support (ALS) fire engines, an ALS tower ladder, and two ALS ambulances. In 2022, NFD companies responded to a record 8,603 calls for service, a 9.5% increase from the previous year. Notable Accomplishments The NFD was awarded a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant totaling $207,400.00 in order to purchase 45 new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses. The NFD was recognized by the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance as the first fire department in Illinois to install 1,000 smoke alarms as a part of the “Be Alarmed” Smoke Alarm Installation Program. Three hundred residential smoke alarms were installed by the NFD in 2022 alone.
The Fifth Annual Niles Fire Department Open House and Pancake Breakfast welcomed over 1,000 members of the community to share a meal, conversation and public safety awareness. Community Risk Reduction Throughout the year, the NFD has provided CPR classes, installed smoke alarms, presented fire safety information at the Niles Senior Center, given demonstrations to many school classrooms, hosted station tours, observed fire drills. Ground Emergency Medical Transportation Program The Ground Emergency Medical Transportation Program, or GEMT, is a federally funded Medicaid Program which allows municipalities to receive supplemental reimbursement for unrecovered costs associated with serving that population. The GEMT Program federal funding serves as a bridge between current Medicaid ambulance service reimbursement rates and the actual costs associated with delivery of services to Medicaid patients. In calendar year 2022, the NFD received reimbursement revenue totaling $2,424,836.
Niles Firefighter/Paramedic Dominick Ferrara operates a hose line on a residential garage fire.
Fire Chief Marty Feld (left) and Mayor George D. Alpogianis (center) receive an award of recognition from Philip Zaleski, Executive Director of the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, for installing 1,000 smoke detectors in Niles through the “Be Alarmed” program.
NFD Firefighters strive to provide the best possible services to the community with loyalty, integrity, and pride. They consistently find new ways to engage and educate the public, and participate in training and learning throughout the year to ensure they’re ready for whatever hazards they face next. The dedication, compassion, and versatility shown by NFD firefighters continue to inspire the next generation of first responders.
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
Police Department Neighborhood Police Officer In order to strengthen the relationship between the community and its residents, the Niles Police Department (NPD) has implemented the Neighborhood Police Officer Program (NPO). The program, currently active in the Chesterfield Gardens and Ballard Terrace neighborhoods, pairs a police officer with a neighborhood to provide familiarity and assist with any challenges that may be present. The future expansion of the program into more neighborhoods is planned. Park, Walk, and Talk The Park, Walk, and Talk program is instrumental in building trust, partnerships and creating an overall decrease in crime in the implemented areas. Niles Police and Community Service Officers walk the neighborhoods and interact with residents, learning their concerns, solving issues before they escalate and creating a deterrent to any would-be crime in the area.
Educational Presentations In 2022, a rising number of community education presentations on gun safety, fraud prevention and crime-free housing were provided by the Niles Police Department to the community. Catalytic Converter Catalytic converter thefts are one of the fastest growing crimes in the region. The NPD is enacting the following measures to help decrease the scope and frequency in Niles: • In partnership with Cassidy Tire & Service, the NPD hosted a catalytic converter anti-theft event. Over 100 residents brought their vehicles in to have the catalytic converters painted, making them less of a target and more identifiable if stolen.
• The NPD increased residential patrols, with night shift officers completing 4,202 “stop and watches” in 2022. • The NPD utilized crime data analysis to determine key targeted locations of catalytic converter theft, allowing for intentional placement of police personnel. Traffic Info As drivers return to the roads following the COVID-19 pandemic, Niles is seeing more visitors and motorists than ever. Accidents involving vehicles, despite the rise in vehicular traffic, were half of what the were in 2021. This is a result of the enforcement and education efforts of the Niles Police Department.
• The NPD partnered with other law enforcement agencies to develop multi-jurisdictional strategies to combat thefts.
On May 19, 2023, Chief of Police Luis C. Tigera and the Niles Law Enforcement Memorial Committee officially unveiled the Niles Law Enforcement Memorial in front of the Police Station. This memorial, funded completely through donations, honors all law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty, including NPD Officer Steven M. Zourkas.
25
Human Services: A Community That Cares goods, all made possible by donations to Niles Family Services.
Niles Family Services “Giving” was the theme this year for the Niles Family Services (NFS) Department as they made good use of the generous donations received from Walmart and Costco to distribute to the community. They hosted a festive marketplace at Niles’ inaugural Winter Wonderland event where over 145 area families visited to “shop” for gifts for their loved ones and take a holiday photo. Community Clothing distribution events provided over 500 residents with new clothing and
500+
Community Members Benefited from Community Clothing Distribution Events
Niles Family Services and Village of Niles staff and volunteers posed for a photo at the Winter Wonderland event at the Niles Human Services building On December 17, 2022.
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
Over 75 volunteers donated their time throughout the year. Enhanced community partnerships enabled the offering of sensory supports and vocational services. Through cooperation with local mental health partners, even more resources are available for those in crisis. The NFS team provided in-school support, offering responsive initiatives to address grief/loss and bullying. Group support offerings for seniors, parents and children were broadened and include counseling, crisis assistance and professional support.
Engage The Niles Family Services Engage Program is a support network built to provide a comprehensive response to those in family crisis from addiction or domestic violence. Residents and families seeking to improve and enhance their wellbeing are provided with local, accessible resources for recovery and case management. This past year, NFS hosted Tom Farley, brother of actor Chris Farley, to talk about the impact of addiction on families. The Department also hosted its first ever Veteran’s Fair, featuring veterans support service organizations. As the Engage program looks ahead, opioid awareness will be a key focus.
Niles Teen Center The Niles Teen Center provides a wide range of programs and activities to support local teens including: • Homework assistance • Craft/cooking projects • Table game and video game tournaments • Check-in sessions with social workers • Movie nights • Recreational trips • Dances for middle school students • Cooperative events with Golf Mill Shopping Center, Maine East High School, and Niles-Maine District Library • Participation in Village-wide events like the 4th of July Parade
The Teen Center continued the Teen Sports Brigade program over Winter Break at the Niles Park District and added a Sports Skills Competition over Spring Break. Niles Teen Center outreach increased its presence at area parks offering community barbecues, games and more. Learn more about the Teen Center at nilesteencenter.com.
Recently, Engage staff and volunteers placed signs in front of public buildings, parks, and businesses promoting a “One Pill Can Kill/Fentanyl Is Fatal” awareness campaign. Niles Family Services also became a Narcan distribution site.
Niles Senior Center The Niles Senior Center provides active and engaging programs for seniors living in Niles and the surrounding communities. From day trips and delicious dinners, to health and wellness programming, tournaments, and informational events, the Niles Senior Center is a beloved organization offering exceptional service to the community. Throughout Fiscal Year 2023, membership rose from 965 members to 1084 members, as staff welcomed new and returning members to the Center. The Niles Senior Center expanded its partnership with Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois with the opening of the Niles Café, open Monday–Fridays (excluding holidays) from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Café has become a welcoming space for people to enjoy a delicious meal with friends, both old and new.
In August, the Senior Center offered an overnight trip to Starved Rock, which included the I&M Canal Boat Tour, Downtown Utica, Hiking, Art in the Park and an evening concert.
Niles Family Fitness Center The Niles Family Fitness Center continues to be a “Fit for EveryBody.” Whether it’s swim classes for 6-month-olds or Zumba for 96-year-olds, there’s something for everyone. Members have access to a full line of fitness equipment, weights, group exercise classes, aquacize, spinning, pilates reformer, pool and waterslide, hot tub, sauna, indoor track, basketball courts, and even childcare while you work out. In addition to health and fitness, the Fitness Center also provides recreational classes for children. Their Learn To Swim classes for ages 6 months to 14 years old are held year-round and classes for preschool-aged children are offered throughout the school year, from parent-tot classes like Tumble Bees and Mini Sportsters, to “on-my-own” classes like Me Two and Just For Me. The Niles Family Fitness Center’s preschool classes are designed to allow children to learn through play and help jumpstart their early childhood education.
Renovations are underway for the Niles Family Fitness Center! Capital investment is important to ensuring the facility remains popular well into the future. The Center recently unveiled a brand-new fitness floor with a new layout and new strength and cardio equipment. The Niles Family Fitness Center will enhance the great features that are already at the Center with the latest technology and the best equipment to improve health in the Village of Niles. EQUIPMENT & LAYOUT PROVIDED BY
Niles Family Fitness Center Offerings SWIM LESSONS 6 sessions offered each year with over 375 kids registered each session PRESCHOOL CLASSES AQUACIZE PILATES REFORMER GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES 31 classes in the aerobic studio and 15 classes in the pool each week BIRTHDAY PARTIES 164 parties in 2023 CAMP In summer of 2023, over 75 campers participated in either Camp Little on Mondays and Wednesdays or Summer Blast on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This year, 90% of campers are returning participants. PERSONAL TRAINING
Senior Center offered an overnight trip to Starved Rock in August.
The Niles Teen Center provides yearround fun for area teens, such as the Niles Teen Center dance.
CHILDCARE
27
Special Events In 2023, Niles was home to many festivals that embrace cultures and customs from a myriad of diverse ethnicities, including: Nepal Festival, St. Haralambos Big Greek Food Fest, Maria SS. Lauretana Italian Festival and Festival Polonaise (all of these events were located at Golf Mill Park Festival Grounds, except St. Haralambos Big Greek Food Fest which is held at St. Haralambos Church on Caldwell Avenue). In addition to the events produced by outside organizations, the Village of Niles plans and hosts three marquee annual events to celebrate our community. Since 1926, Niles has held an Independence Day parade, honoring veterans and proudly paying tribute to our great nation on the 4th of July. For the second year, the Last Call Before Fall Art & Music Fest was held at Civic Center Plaza with entertainment, food, music and art for all ages. The year ended with the Holly Jolly Fest and Tree Lighting right after Thanksgiving to kick-off the holiday season. Local businesses and sponsors help to offset costs of the events and celebrations.
Niles Park District Harvest Hustle 5k
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
Last Call Before Fall Art and Music Fest
Nepal Cultural Fest
Feast of Maria SS. Lauretana Italian Fest
Concerts in the Park
Big Greek Food Fest
Holly Jolly Fest
Arts & Culture
Events & Celebrations Annual events demonstrate the importance of traditions and build Niles’ identity and brand as a community that values art, music, food, family and culture. Over the past several years, Niles has grown as a regional destination for events that celebrate cultures from around the globe. These popular cultural events returned in 2023, with many being held at Golf Mill Park. A Hub for Local Artists Niles continues to develop opportunities for local artists. Artists are regularly featured at the art gallery in the Niles Family Fitness Center. In November 2022, in partnership with the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, and in honor of Native American Heritage Month, artist Tony Tiger was
featured as the opening artist for the gallery. Artists that are interested in displaying should visit vniles.com. The Public Arts and Culture Council and Maine East High School saved twelve pianos from going into a landfill by turning them into works of art. These pianos Native American Artist Tony Tiger Art Exhibit had lived a long life at the high school (some were from Maine North High Public Art School which closed in 1981) but The Village of Niles Public Arts after decades of playing, they were and Culture Council is embarking no longer fit for instrumental use. on an initiative to bring worldPianos were painted outside of the class artists and one-of-a-kind Niles Historical Society at 8970 N. artwork like sculptures and murals Milwaukee Avenue on Saturday, to Niles. These artistic installations September 17, 2022 as a Paint-awill improve aesthetics, build a Piano Party. Some were painted greater sense of identity and be an by school groups expression of Niles’ values. including Clarence E. Culver School, Maine Neighborhood Engagement East High School, In addition to promoting block and Northridge parties, the Village of Niles hosts Prep, and others by two annual contests for residents independent artists. to show off their talents, enjoy Pianos can now be the holidays and connect with admired at various neighbors: The Halloween Home locations around Decorating Contest, and the Twinkle town. and Lights Holiday Decorating Contest.
Paint-a-Piano Party
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By the Numbers Read on for statistics from each Village department, showing how your tax dollars are being put to work. Except where noted otherwise, these statistics are for the period from May 1, 2022 through April 30, 2023 (Fiscal Year 2023).
The Village of Niles Population
30,912
The results of the 2020 Decennial Census were certified by Secretary of State Jesse White in October 2021.
PUBLIC WORKS
4,094
Feet of sewers lined
Total street sweeping miles
8.5
Miles of roads completed
555
4,252
15,542 Miles of snow-plowed roads
Basins cleaned
114,000 Pounds of crack sealant used
2,481 Tons of salt used
4,752 Feet of new sidewalk completed
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
2,656 Public Works service requests logged
Water Quality Report Please visit vniles.com/ CCR2023 to view your 2023 Annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report). This report contains important information about the source and quality of your drinking water during 2022. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call (847) 588-7900.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
805
$49,933,482 777
Rental licenses
Total value of construction
43 Zoning applications
Code cases
1,846
1,567
Permits issued
Total number of business license/ registrations issued
738
Number of contractors licenses
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (I.T.)
6,200 Average number of email messages processed per day in FY23
500
450
On average, defend against malicious emails per day in FY23
1,900
Number of computing devices in operation daily
Number of internal I.T. support tickets from Village staff
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
$1,854,879,444 Total retail sales in Niles (calendar year 2022)
The I.T. Department is finding many new efficiencies and using new technology, and those efforts are reflected in their stats. Due to the implementation of Cloud Email Security (Barracuda), the Village of Niles is more effectively remediating and reporting while improving email screen efficiencies for the user community. The reduction in support requests is attributed to migration to Microsoft Office 365 cloud migration, and refreshing end-user devices. 250 of the Village’s computing devices were refreshed/replaced this year.
ADMINISTRATION
843
1,245 8,431
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests
Tons of recycling materials collected in Niles
Tons of refuse collected in Niles
31
By the Numbers NILES POLICE DEPARTMENT
9,229
51,747
Traffic Citations/Tickets
2,537
Calls for service
986 Arrests
Warnings
137
DUI arrests
1,937
848
Number of traffic collisions reported and investigated
Calls for Animal Control Services
NILES FAMILY FITNESS CENTER
NILES SENIOR CENTER
1,874
Center of Concern Lunch With Us Program
781 Residents
Total Memberships
1,093 Non-Residents
191 2,369
Total Swim Lesson Participants
Members
129
83.14%
1,987
338
Meal recipients
Lunch boxes
Total number of birthday parties hosted
1,084
9,935
Member retention rate
Exercise classes
Frozen meals
2,250 Total Group Swim Lesson Participants
202 Medicare appointments
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
NILES FIRE DEPARTMENT
5,704 21
Structure fires
54
3,040
3,816
Counseling sessions
Total requests for services
705
Total visits to food pantry
Residents Served
271 103 170 Contacts for crisis assistance
Contacts for assist with homelessness
8,603 Calls responded to
Number of other fires
NILES TEEN CENTER
NILES FAMILY SERVICES
4,618
Number of Rescue & EMS calls
Case Referrals from Niles Police for follow-up
Individuals Teen Center programming presented to:
7,200
3,668 897
Check-ins to the Teen Center
199
Teen Center first-time guests
Student registrations for Teen Center events in the community
33
Village Finances
The Fiscal Year 2024 budget book is formatted as a website, rather than a large PDF document. Staff encourages residents to visit the site and browse the document, which is conveniently broken down by fund and department, with detailed data available. For those who wish to read the book as a PDF document, the “print” button on the site allows users to deliver a more conventional document directly to their email.
There are two primary ways to access the website. Enter the URL manually: https://village-niles-il-budgetbook.cleargov.com/9918/budgetoverview/executive-overview Visit the Niles website, and click on the following links in this order: Government > Departments > Finance > Budget & Annual Comprehensive Financial Report > “Most Recent Annual Budget”
The Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Book
TY21 Property Tax Levy Distribution The Village of Niles is only one component of your property tax bill. The illustration shows the other taxing bodies and the proportion that each contributes to the total amount you pay. Source: Cook County Clerk
10% 34
2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
Village
10%
Schools
74%
Other
16%
of a resident’s property tax bill goes to the Village of Niles. Much of the Village’s portion is used to make State-mandated payments towards Police and Fire pension funds.
In the Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area, Niles is ranked: Cook
The Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area
#2 General Merchandise #3 Home Improvement #10 Total Sales #12 Drugs & Miscellaneous #13 in All the Core Mall Markets Source: Illinois Department of Revenue and Melaniphy & Associates, Inc.
What does it all mean? Property Tax Property tax is a tax assessed on real estate. The tax is based on the value of the property (including the land) you own and is assessed by the County. A municipal tax levy is the total tax collected from all property owners in order to fund Village services and amenities. As a home rule community, the Village does not have a tax rate limit. Accordingly, the actual tax rate is dependent upon the dollar amount of taxes levied and the equalized assessed valuation (“EAV”) of property within the Village. Eleven percent (11%), or ten percent (10%) taking into consideration the Tax Year 2022 (TY22) abatement detailed below, of a resident’s annual property tax bill goes to the Village to partially fund debt service payments, the Village’s required employee public safety pension fund contributions, roads, and garbage. Niles Sales Tax The Village collects a one percent (1.00%) sales tax on most retail sales, as well as a one-and-a-quarter percent (1.25%) home rule sales tax on most non-titled retail sales. Debt/GO Bonds General Obligation (G.O.) bonds and installment contracts are debt instruments issued by local
governments to raise funds for a variety of purposes. This G.O. debt is backed by the full faith and credit of the issuing municipality. Village practice is to issue G.O. debt to fund specific, one-time capital projects when current operating revenues and/or available fund balances are not sufficient to cover the cost of the project. The Village also takes out low-interest Illinois EPA (IEPA) revolving loans, which are based upon revenue receipts and are not G.O. backed, to fund water, sanitary sewer, or stormwater projects.
Where does it all go? In the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 (FY22) the Village and the public safety pension plans received $13,398,369 from property taxes. Eighty percent (80%) of the resulting TY22 Village total extended property tax levy of $13,944,447 goes to fund those Village police and fire pension contributions. Subsequently, due to the difficult economic conditions for some businesses and residents, the Village Board in 2023 used fund balance to abate $1.8 million dollars for TY22, thus reducing for one year the property taxes levied on Niles property owners.
occurred via the internet, to the community of the good’s destination. A good indicator of local economic health is the trend in these retail sales and the sales taxes that are generated. Net total Sales Tax receipts (all funds) on food and general merchandise collected by the State of Illinois in FY22 was $31,487,936, 14.1% higher than in the prior year. This increase is partially due directly to an increase in inflation (the unadjusted CPI-U was 8.3% for FY22, and sales taxes are a percentage of the sale price), partially due to the reasons for inflation (falling unemployment, higher average personal savings, and pent-up demand), and some new businesses (a new Chevrolet dealership in June 2021, a Burlington Coat Factory in October 2021, and a Chick-Fil-A in October 2021). Fees collected through utility billing fund most of the operations of the water, sewer, and storm water utilities. In FY22, the Village received $11,185,524 from these utility billing fees.
In Illinois, Sales Taxes are allocated back to the community where the sale occurred or, if the sale 35
Morton Grove-Niles Water Commission In 2016, Niles, in cooperation with the Village of Morton Grove, launched perhaps the most consequential infrastructure project in Village history—changing water suppliers from Chicago to Evanston. With Morton Grove’s participation, the Morton Grove-Niles Water Commission was established. The Commission oversaw the project for providing water to residents in Morton Grove and Niles. The Commission’s first order of business was to design, finance, construct and operate a new, wholesale water delivery system. Why change water providers in the first place? The impetus for the project was the aggressive, ongoing rise of water rates for suburban customers being set by Chicago.
Evanston Savings vs. Chicago Over 40 Years
The exterior of the new water tank during construction just south of Oakton Street in Morton Grove.
The Promise In addition to providing safe, clean Lake Michigan water to residents, the Commission seeks to do so at a rate lower than that offered by the City of Chicago. The Commission continues to meet that goal, and water costs for both Niles and Morton Grove remain lower than Chicago’s.
The infrastructure improvements yielded by the partnership will save the village approximately $125,140,210 over the course of the next forty years. $125,140,210
$120,000,000
$100,000,000
$99,661,212 $64,635,041
The Loan
$80,000,000 $51,475,113
$60,000,000
$40,000,000
$39,068,964 $31,114,382
$20,000,000 $10,837,847
$0
36
An important part of the Commission’s ability to achieve this goal is the contractual right to use a formula-based contract. That kind of contract allows the Commission to pay for only those parts of the system that deliver Evanston water to the receiving station at McCormick and Emerson in Evanston.
$13,608,608
$6,233,870
$7,827,597
Morton Grove
Niles
1-10 years
11-20 years
21-30 years
31-40 years
2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
Drastically changing two municipal water systems was no simple process, and it required significant investment. Niles provided the Commission with advancements of $3,000,000 in total, with the understanding that the Commission would fully repay each municipality over the next few years. The Water Commission worked quickly to construct the $79 million delivery system to allow Niles to “turn off” its Chicago water supply prior to contract expiration on December 27,
A new Water Pump station on Church Street in Evanston during construction. It was built to facilitate the Morton GroveNiles Water Commission. A new pump was needed to move water all the way to Morton Grove and Niles.
2018. The Village permanently shifted to Evanston’s supply in August 2019 and has been fully repaid the $3 million, with the final payment coming in 2022.
The Team There are three seats on the Commission’s board. Niles, Morton Grove, and Cook County each hold one for representation. The Commission also includes an attorney, treasurer, and FOIA officer. The representatives from Niles and Morton Grove alternate serving as Chair of the Commission, and lead the way with their vision and commitment to the project. Additionally, Niles’ water department staff provides outstanding services to the Commission, which contracts with the Village to operate the Commission’s delivery system.
Further Contributions The project has provided over $8.5 million in capital improvements to the Villages of Morton Grove, Niles, and Skokie. These improvements included the reconstruction of streets, curbs, and gutters along the project route. In addition, property owners whose water service lines were impacted by the new water main had the option to replace a lead service line with a new copper service line at no cost.
Fiscal Year Sales Tax State Sales Tax Distribution for Village of Niles (By Fiscal Year) $33,000,000 $31,000,000 $29,000,000 $27,000,000 $25,000,000 $23,000,000 $21,000,000 $19,000,000 $17,000,000
2013
2014
2015
The graph above depicts fiscal year distributions of Retailer’s Occupation Tax, Service Occupation Tax, and Use Tax for the Village of Niles. Occupation tax is the formal name for Sales Tax, while Use Tax mostly applies to online and outof-state sales. This graph, then, is a combination of the Village’s State and local sales tax components.
2016
2017
2018
2019
The continued growth of sales tax for the Village is related to the strong retail sales environment nationwide. Low unemployment and a high rate of inflation are key contributors to that pattern. Additionally, Niles’ already large sales tax portfolio grew this fiscal year, adding a car dealership, Burlington Coat Factory, and
2020
2021
2022
Chick-Fil-A. Barring any major economic shifts, staff expects strong sales tax performance for FY23. Sources: Illinois Department of Revenue
Ratio of Bonded Debt Ratio of Net General Obligation Bonded Debt to Assessed Value 2.00% 1.50% 1.00% 0.50%
0.46%
0.43%
0.30%
0.21%
0.11%
0.00%
2013
2014
2015
The Village of Niles’ Net General Obligation Bond debt at the close of fiscal year 2022 was $12,958,000. That debt amount compared to the Assessed Value of $1,356,231,000 creates a ratio of 0.96%. The Village’s net GO debt, in other words, is equal to about 0.96% of its assessed value. For comparison’s sake, that’s sort of like having a $3,300 mortgage on a $350,000 home.
2016
2017
1.13%
1.00%
0.93%
0.96%
2019
2020
2021
2022
0.01%
2018
Most of the Village’s debt, however, lies in retiree benefit debt. Net Pension Liability is $95,049,199, and OPEB liability—Other Post Employment Benefits—is $4,781,271. Together that totals $99,830,470. By adding that number to the Village’s Gross General Obligation Bond debt from earlier, the debt-toEAV ratio increases to 8.6%, which is more like a $29,100 mortgage on that $350,000 home.
The Village continues to prioritize the responsible fulfillment of pension obligations.
Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census; Office of the County Clerk; Village Records; Village of Niles FY22 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
37
Fiscal Year 2024 Budget The FY2024 operating budget, which includes all costs other than capital and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) costs, is $85.8 million. This number increases to $98.9 million when including overall expenses and to $119.4 million when considering transfers. Some of the organizationwide highlights for this year’s budget are:
most common method for garbage billing—out of 20 comparable surrounding towns, only one does not utilize a direct bill to residents.
Municipal Waste Fund Restructuring Direct billing to customers by Groot, the Village’s garbage collection vendor, enables the Municipal Waste Fund to decrease as it now only includes expenses paid for billing fees to Groot and to the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC). This change went into effect on May 1, 2023.
Transfers to Risk Management Transfers to the Risk Management Fund increased organizationwide by $625,937, or 49%. The increased transfers are to address increased spending from the Risk Management Fund in recent years and ensure a healthy fund balance. About 63% of those transfers come from the General Fund.
It is important to note that this direct bill is not a tax. Removing garbage collection fees from the property tax bill allows the Niles government to budget more effectively while still providing good value to residents through the Village’s negotiated rates with Groot. Direct billing is also by far the
Revenue Overall, all FY24 fund revenues excluding transfers total $87.8 million. Adding in transfers, that number increases to $105.8 million. Much like last year, though, the revenue highlights for the FY24 budget are sales tax and ambulance fees. Sales Tax is the largest revenue source for the General Fund. In FY22, true sales taxes generated up to 50% of revenue for the Fund. The revenue consists of a 1% State allocation and a 1.25% Home Rule allocation. Niles historically ranks in the top 15 communities in the State of Illinois for annual total Sales Tax receipts. On a per capita basis, Niles has been at the top of the list. In the FY24 budget, the three sales tax categories combine for 38
2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
changes for non-union, full-time employees Another important change to the budget process this year is the shift from an appropriations ordinance to a budget ordinance. The budget ordinance not only gives greater transparency (multiple years, adding the revenues, etc.) but also provides a budget to work from by the time the fiscal year begins, rather than requiring its passage after the fiscal year begins—thus allowing for better financial management.
Salary Adjustments Non-union employees and parttime employees will receive a 3.5% cost of living adjustment for the FY24 budget. Department directors will receive a 3% adjustment. This is a departure from recent years, which have focused on a strictly merit-based system to calculate pay
There is much more detail about the budget on the website (villageniles-il-budget-book.cleargov. com/9918/budget-overview/ executive-overview) including information about changes to which funds are fully budgeted for. We encourage you to check it out!
$34,470,000 in the General Fund. That’s an increase of roughly 16% from last year. That calculation is performed based on actual receipts and is influenced by a strong sales tax portfolio in Niles.
increase from FY23. There are two reasons for the large increase. The first is an increase in the village’s billing rate for ambulance service, and the other is the continued growth of the Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT) costsharing program. The fact that this revenue is associated with a costsharing program means that there is a cost associated directly with it; in FY24, the cost paid into the program totals $1.2 million.
Niles relies on Sales Tax for supporting its services. Utilizing effective economic development planning and taking advantage of a good location, Niles has positioned itself as one of the top Sales Tax generators in the State of Illinois. Since the Village relies on this revenue stream, the Village is vulnerable to swings in the economy. Therefore, staff monitors the economy and Sales Tax receipts very closely. Ambulance Billing fees are the second largest revenue source for the General Fund. The FY24 budget amount for the revenue is $5,000,000. That figure is a 127%
As a reminder, the General Fund does not receive Property Tax revenues. The General Fund’s portion of the levy was reduced to $0 on the TY20 levy. Instead, all property tax revenues from the levy are sent to the Public Safety Pension funds, Municipal Waste fund, or Street and Bridge fund. The individual amounts are determined annually.
FY24 Budget Expenditures by Category
FY24 Budget Revenue by Category
Source: Village of Niles FY24 Budget
Category
Amount
Capital Outlays
$32,271,329
Commodities
$12,270,032
Contractual
$9,286,436
Debt Service
$2,234,631
Other
$5,323,168
Employee Salary & Benefits
$37,500,122
Category
Amount
Sales Tax
$34,470,000
Other Taxes
$16,338,825
Property Tax
$5,181,797
Charges for Services
$10,703,285
Licenses, Fees & Fines
$11,834,242
Grants & Reimbursements
$3,758,642
Interest
$484,500
Miscellaneous
$5,039,098
Loan Proceeds
–
39
Net Position Table The financial information on pages 40-43 includes data from the Village’s FY22 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). This first table on pages 40 and 41 summarizes the Village of Niles’ assets and liabilities. You can view the full ACFR document on the Village’s website, www.vniles.com. “Business-Type Activities” includes Enterprise Funds, which in our case includes only the Water Fund. “Governmental Activities” includes the following funds: General, Municipal Waste, Capital Projects, Street and Bridge, Foreign Fire Insurance, Fitness Center, Motor Fuel Tax, DUI, Drug Asset Forfeiture, Article 36 Asset Forfeiture, Federal Equity Share, Gross Point-Touhy TIF, Oakton-Waukegan TIF, Milwaukee-Harlem TIF, Milwaukee-Oakton TIF, Milwaukee-Dempster TIF, Debt Service.
2021 Governmental Activities
2022 Governmental Activities
2021 Business-type Activities
2022 Business-type Activities
2021 Total
2022 Total
Cash and cash equivalents
$41,462,486
$43,684,455
$10,743,658
$13,128,606
$52,206,144
$56,813,061
Investments
$283,885
$148,478
—
—
$283,885
$148,478
Receivables
$7,500,937
$9,803,596
$3,900,718
$2,953,379
$11,401,655
$12,756,975
Inventory
—
—
$24,098
$218,823
$24,098
$218,823
Due from other governments
$9,984,228
$9,854,104
—
$1,958,820
$9,984,228
$11,812,924
Other assets
$60,494
$2,677
$688,770
$833,488
$749,264
$836,165
Net pension asset
$2,006,592
$8,842,124
$277,519
$1,569,280
$2,284,111
$10,411,404
Capital assets, not being depreciated
$72,032,718
$78,282,178
$7,986,872
$14,936,376
$80,019,590
$93,218,554
Capital assets being depreciated, net of accumulated depreciation
$39,874,410
$38,229,842
$44,484,853
$46,830,437
$84,359,263
$85,060,279
Total assets
$173,205,750
$188,847,454
$68,106,488
$82,429,209
$241,312,238
$271,276,663
Pensionrelated
$19,382,296
$17,317,681
$199,711
$237,365
$19,582,007
$17,555,046
OPEB-related
$611,153
$531,672
$17,440
$14,708
$628,593
$546,380
Total deferred outflows
$19,993,449
$17,849,353
$217,151
$252,073
$20,210,600
$18,101,426
Total assets and deferred outflows of resources
$193,199,199
$206,696,807
$68,323,639
$82,681,282
$261,522,838
$289,378,089
Assets
Deferred Outflows of Resources
Source: Village of Niles FY22 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
40
2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
2021 Governmental Activities
2022 Governmental Activities
2021 Business-type Activities
2022 Business-type Activities
2021 Total
2022 Total
Accounts payable
$472,765
$2,700,407
$97,659
$1,793,483
$570,424
$4,493,890
Accrued liabilities
$1,223,246
$1,448,320
$69,180
$80,025
$1,292,426
$1,528,345
Claims payable
$916,329
$1,198,390
—
—
$916,329
$1,198,390
Other liabilities
$1,479,809
$1,596,572
—
—
$1,479,809
$1,596,572
Customer deposits
—
—
$382,716
$384,129
$382,716
$384,129
Accrued interest payable
$229,011
$213,432
$45,198
$87,997
$274,209
$301,429
Unearned revenue
$512,243
$5,848,103
—
$620,226
$512,243
$6,468,329
Due within one year bonds, installment lease/purchase, compensated absences
$3,039,018
$359,490
$610,941
—
$3,649,959
$359,490
Net pension liability
$106,503,204
$105,193,603
—
—
$106,503,204
$105,193,603
Net OPEB liability
$4,865,399
$4,361,529
$138,841
$120,654
$5,004,240
$4,482,183
Bonds, installment lease/purchase
$13,754,398
$12,697,451
$8,779,324
$14,561,845
$22,533,722
$27,259,296
Total liabilities
$132,995,422
$135,617,297
$10,123,859
$17,648,359
$143,119,281
$153,265,656
Property taxes
$5,506,716
$8,767,691
—
—
$5,506,716
$8,767,691
Pension-related
$18,401,489
$17,453,012
$871,273
$1,716,061
$19,272,762
$19,169,073
OPEB-related
$639,290
$890,497
$18,243
$24,634
$657,533
$915,131
Total deferred inflows of resources
$24,547,495
$27,111,200
$889,516
$1,740,695
$25,437,011
$28,851,895
Total liabilities and deferred inflows of resources
$157,542,917
$162,728,497
$11,013,375
$19,389,054
$168,556,292
$182,117,551
$97,359,477
$102,356,573
$43,190,983
$46,698,629
$140,550,460
$149,055,202
Capital Outlay
—
$1,956,724
—
—
—
$1,956,724
Debt service
$31,711
$31,711
—
—
$31,711
$31,711
Tax increment financing allocation for project areas
$4,393,089
$9,137,334
—
—
$4,393,089
$9,137,334
Public safety
$288,371
$339,434
—
—
$288,371
$339,434
Highways and streets
$697,704
$403,776
—
—
$697,704
$403,776
Unrestricted
$(67,114,070)
$(70,257,242)
$14,119,281
$16,593,599
$(52,994,789)
$(53,663,643)
Total net position
$35,656,282
$43,968,310
$57,310,264
$63,292,228
$92,966,546
$107,260,538
Liabilities
Noncurrent liabilities:
Deferred Inflows of Resources
Net Position Net investment in capital assets Restricted for:
41
Statement of Activities Table The Statement of Activities Table provides a summary of the Village’s finances, but in a more intuitive sense. The tables on these pages show more clearly the data of “the money coming in and the money going out.”
Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances (Deficit) - Governmental Funds For the Year Ended April 30, 2022 (with Comparative totals for 2021)
Total Government Funds 2021
2022
Taxes
$53,580,738
$58,038,108
Licenses and permits
$801,514
$902,947
Intergovernmental
$3,633,240
$2,415,131
Charges for services
$4,470,011
$6,407,928
Fines
$438,723
$854,115
Investment income
$65,539
$2,211
Other revenues
$948,421
$1,238,510
Total Revenues
$63,938,186
$69,858,950
General government
$10,679,743
$11,246,363
Public health and safety
$32,671,339
$39,373,753
Highways and streets
$9,452,392
$10,149,601
Economic development
$212,681
$56,392
Culture and recreation
$1,345,325
$1,273,260
$9,122,694
$9,187,693
Principal retirement
$480,000
$600,262
Interest and fees
$541,381
$517,381
Total expenditures
$ 64,505,555
$ 72,404,705
Revenues over (under) expenditures before other financing sources (uses)
$(567,369)
$(2,545,755)
Transfers in
$3,739,397
$442,205
Transfers out
$(3,739,397)
$(442,205)
Proceeds from sale of capital assets
—
$22,845
Loan Issuance
—
$501,312
Total other financing sources (uses)
—
$524,157
Net changes in fund balances (deficit)
$(567,369)
$(2,021,598)
Fund balances (deficit), beginning of the year
$47,961,044
$47,393,675
Fund balances (deficit), end of the year
$47,393,675
$45,372,077
Revenues
Expenditures Current
Capital outlay Debt service:
Other financing sources (uses):
42
2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
Source: Village of Niles FY22 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Fund Net Position - Proprietary Funds
For the Year Ended April 30, 2022 (With Comparative Totals for Business-type Activities)
Business-type Activities
Governmental Activities
Water Fund 2021
Water Fund 2022
Internal Service Funds 2021
Internal Service Funds 2022
Water sales
$8,592,914
$9,776,017
—
—
Water penalties
$190,245
$202,830
—
—
Other charges for services
$698,488
$871,359
—
—
Other services
$289,746
$335,318
$4,193,651
$4,250,240
Total operating revenues
$9,771,393
$11,185,524
$4,193,651
$4,250,240
Administration division
$2,581,270
$2,591,841
—
—
Supply division
$5,371,283
$5,316,027
—
—
Transmission division
$395,269
$346,518
—
—
Sewer division
$399,675
$486,117
—
—
Stormwater relief division
$2,953
$61,138
—
—
Internal service division
—
—
$4,451,892
$5,436,961
Depreciation
$844,564
$1,152,511
$1,114,747
$1,028,486
Total operating expenses
$9,595,014
$9,954,152
$5,566,639
$6,465,447
Operating Income/(loss)
$176,379
$1,231,372
$(1,372,988)
$(2,215,207)
Sales tax
—
$1,193,964
—
—
Gain on sale of asset
—
$(2,806)
$3,450
$72,483
Intergovernmental grant
$15,945
—
$876,704
$934,967
Investment income
$7,164
$556
$65
$1
Interest expense and fiscal charges
$(222,884)
$(257,650)
$(58,396)
$(39,389)
$(199,775)
$934,064
$821,823
$968,062
$(23,396)
$2,165,436
$(551,165)
$(1,247,145)
$1,850,547
—
—
Operating Revenues
Operating expenses
Non-operating revenues (expenses):
Total Non-Operating revenues/(expenses) Income (Loss) before Capital Contributions & Transfers Capital Grants & Transfers Capital Grants
—
Transfers In
—
$1,965,981
—
—
Total Capital Grants & Transfers
—
$3,816,528
—
—
Changes in net position
$(23,396)
$5,981,964
$(551,165)
$(1,247,145)
Net position, beginning of the year, as adjusted
$57,333,660
$57,310,264
$2,983,577
$2,432,412
Net position, end of the year
$57,310,264
$63,292,228
$2,432,412
$1,185,267
Connect With Us Stay informed with the Village of Niles!
Niles TV Niles TV can be found on Comcast Xfinity channel 6, U-Verse TV channel 99, and streaming at www.vniles.com/NTV. Niles TV originates from Village Hall, and includes live coverage of Board of Trustees meetings, public informational programming, and post-event replays of key speeches and events throughout the year. NEW – Streaming on Roku and Amazon Fire TV These days there more options than ever for watching television content, and the Village of Niles is following that trend! Now anyone can watch the Village’s government access programming live and ondemand—even without a cable TV subscription—through their favorite streaming device! Currently, the Village of Niles offers a channel on Roku streaming devices and Amazon Fire TV devices, with more options expected in the future. Search for “Niles TV” in the channel listings on these devices.
44
2023 ANNUAL REPORT VILLAGE OF NILES
Social Media The Village of Niles uses social media as an additional way to deliver timely information to the public. Follow these pages to stay in the know. Note that “X” is the new name for Twitter. • Village of Niles on Facebook • Village of Niles on X @vnilesIL • Village of Niles on Instagram • Niles Police Department (IL) on Facebook, and @nilespdIL on X • Niles Fire Department on Facebook • Niles Teen Center on Facebook and Instagram • Niles Senior Center on Facebook • Niles Family Fitness Center on Facebook, X and Instagram NEW – “SeeClickFix” Customer Service Requests The Village has unveiled a new tool to help residents get the most out of government services! SeeClickFix is an online tool that lets you submit requests to the Village of Niles and easily track progress. There’s even a mobile app that lets you submit concerns about issues like potholes and code violations from anywhere in town. Click on the “Customer Service Requests” button on www.vniles.com. Rave Alert Rave Alert is the Village’s “Reverse 9-1-1” automated phone call system. During emergencies, the Village can call all subscribers in a matter of minutes to deliver important, timely information. Today, when more and more people rely on cell phones instead of publicly listed landline phones, it’s more important than ever that you opt-in to alerts to receive these emergency calls. There are also options for text messages and emails. Subscribe at www. vniles.com/alert.
Website: www.vniles.com The Village’s website houses agendas and minutes for Village meetings, along with forms for numerous permit processes. Pay your utility bill online or by direct debit from your bank account. The Village debuted a redesigned website in FY23. YouTube The Village posts a variety of content to YouTube, including features on special topics from Niles TV, Public Service Announcements for upcoming services and events, and videos from Village events. Search for and subscribe to “Village of Niles,” “Niles Teen Center,” and “Niles Police Department” accounts on YouTube.com to see the latest Niles content. E-Newsletter The Village’s biweekly e-newsletter contains more service updates and stories about your community. Subscribe today at www.vniles.com/ enews for the latest scoop! Public Meetings and Committees All official Board of Trustees meetings are open to the public and public attendance is encouraged. Board of Trustees regular meetings typically take place on the fourth Tuesday of the month (November and December dates differ). The Village government also makes extensive use of committees to accomplish official business, and these meetings are also open to the public. Visit the “Government” section of www.vniles.com for more information and to explore participating in a committee. Always Look for Official Information Remember: Always go to official Village information sources to obtain accurate information about current events and emergencies.
Village of Niles Annual Report Village Manager: Joseph S. La Margo Public Information Officer/Communications and Multimedia Coordinator: Mitch Johnson Design: a5 Branding & Digital Principal Photography: Marina Samovsky Copy Editor: Nabeha Zegar
Photo: Niles Teen Center 2022 Dance 45
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Niles makes it possible. An education system that cares about every child. Neighbors that love their community, businesses that deliver every day. A design district focused on home improvement. A government that cares about all its residents. And one magnificent photo op: the Leaning Tower of Niles. twitter.com/VNilesIL facebook.com/villageofniles instagram.com/villageofniles