Huntley, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Huntley is a rapidly-growing village in McHenry
and Kane Counties
, Illinois
. In 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the village's population to be 22,923. As of the 2000 Census, the village had a mere 5,730 people, meaning the village's population has more than tripled in eight years. Huntley has adopted a very aggressive development strategy
that would fit more into place in the Sunbelt rather than in an outer suburb
of Chicago
. Currently, the village has 11.75 sq mi (30.4 km²).
Huntley is best known for its Prime Outlets mall and Sun City
retirement community, the largest in the Midwest. The old part of Huntley is also known for its public square which features a gazebo, as well as a full brick-paved street (Woodstock St.) and 50s-style diner, The Huntley Dairy Mart. The village's slogan is "The Friendly Village with Country Charm."
The Chicago and Galena Railroad constructed a railroad in 1851, which reached as far northwest as Huntley’s Grove. The railroad owners hosted an excursion trip on September 5, 1851, which marked the maiden voyage, to Huntley’s Station, and that was the beginning of Huntley (the “Grove” and “Station” words were later dropped). The Chicago Tribune article that described the 1851 excursion trip stated that there were a few frame houses near the railroad and Mr. Huntley soon built a general store there as well.
Procurement of land was based on government grants. Louise Kreutzer, a Huntley native, tells of land regularly changing hands due to settlers’ inability to make mortgage payments and wealthy landowners being quick to foreclose. Despite early hardships, the village grew slowly and steadily. Stewart Cummings was the first postmaster in 1851 and when the village was incorporated in 1872, John S. Cummings, a Civil War veteran became the first mayor.
The Chicago and Galena Railroad became the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, and later, Union Pacific Railroad, and served the community for over 150 years, though passenger service was eliminated in about 1950. The railroad was critical to the economic development of Huntley because it provided the means of sending agriculture products to the Chicago market and led to Huntley’s preeminence as a dairy center. In addition to shipping dairy products directly to Chicago, milk producers sold milk to local factories, which processed condensed milk, butter and cheese. There is a strong possibility that passenger train service will be reinstated in the future.
The town center was a thriving locale with a variety of retail and service businesses. In 1906, the Elgin and Belvidere Electric Railroad constructed a system linking the two larger cities with all the communities between and provided hourly passenger service in each direction. When more roads were paved and automobiles became prevalent, the use of the electric railroad diminished, and it closed in 1930.
When Huntley was platted in 1853, land was set aside in the center of town for a town park. Maps as early as 1872 show the area as open space. A wooden pump stood in the center of the park serving as a water supply for both horses and firefighting. With Huntley’s development as a dairy center, horses were tied to the hitching rail surrounding the park every morning while farmers visited stores after delivering their milk cans at the railroad or factory. On milk contract signing days, the four sides of the park were thickly clustered with horses and wagons. The park was and is an object of pride to the residents. A band shell stood near the center of the park where the brass band performed patriotic music before some of the members marched off to the Civil War. After WWI, Andrew Schmitt, a stonemason, was commissioned by the Huntley Women’s Club to set a stone as a memorial for those who served in the war. He also set a small cannon on a rock base as a memorial. A new gazebo replaced the band shell in the 1990s and is surrounded by trees and shrubs and beautiful flowerbeds. A memorial brick sidewalk marking Huntley’s Sesquicentennial surrounds the gazebo, where a time capsule marking the event is buried. The square was named James Dhamer Park in memory of the 14-year mayor after his death in 1999.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 11.75 sq mi (30.4 km²), of which, 11.72 sq mi (30.4 km²) of it is land and 0.03 sq mi (0.0776996433 km²) of it (0.26%) is water.
of 2000, there were 5,730 people, 2,324 households, and 1,756 families residing in the village. The population density
was 489.1 PD/sqmi. There were 2,501 housing units at an average density of 213.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 94.94% White, 0.44% African American, 0.17% Native American, 2.13% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.26% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. 4.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,324 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.3% were married couples
living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the village, the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $60,456, and the median income for a family was $65,433. Males had a median income of $44,524 versus $30,363 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $27,451. 2.8% of the population and 1.9% of families were below the poverty line. 2.2% of those under the age of 18 and 1.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Currently, the Village President is Chuck Sass. The trustees currently serving the Village are John Piwko, Pam Fender, Harry Leopold, Niko Kanakaris, Nick Hanson and Ron Hahn.
The day-to-day operations of the Village are operated by a number of departments, and is headed by the Village Manager. These departments handle resident concerns, execute and enforce the legislation passed by the Board of Trustees, and maintains order in fulfilling the daily operations of the Village. The four main departments in the Village are Administration/Finance, Development Services, Public Works, and the Police Department. The Village Manager is David Johnson. The Senior assistant to the Village Manager is Lisa Armour. Other important staff include, Director of Administration Jennifer Chernak, Village Clerk Rita McMahon, Chief of Police John Perkins, Public Works Director Jim Schwartz and Village Attorney Mike Coppedge.
The Village was able to finance the construction of the building without increasing the taxes of citizens or seeking a referendum. Much of the construction was financed by collecting already-set-in-place utility taxes over the years and wise saving.
The police department handled over 8,000 calls for service in the year 2005, a number which continues to grow at a rate of 1,000 additional calls each year. As a result, the police department continues to plan for the future as the village's population grows.
The Police Department has built a solid partnership with the community and hosts a number of programs throughout the year which enhance the bond between citizens and the police department including C.E.R.T. (Citizens Emergency Response Team), National Night Out, Bike Rodeos, Safety Camp, Operation Traffic Watch, Walk and Talk, D.A.R.E. and the School Resource Officer, Project Childsafe, Bicycle Patrol, and crime prevention programs such as Neighborhood Watch.
and Algonquin
, surrounding unincorporated communities, and a 9 miles (14.5 km) stretch of Interstate 90
. The district is 55 square miles (142.4 km²) and contains 35,000 people, with a district population of 60,000 residents expected by 2010.
The Huntley Fire Protection District currently has 54 full-time firefighters/paramedics, as well as 30 part-time firefighters/paramedics. The Department is staffed by a Chief, Deputy Chief, Fire Marshal, Director of Training, three Captains, and nine Lieutenants. The entire department is under the direction of a 5-member elected Board of Trustees.
There are three stations serving the fire district: the headquarters on Coral Street in downtown Huntley, Station #2 on Reed Road in the far northeast part of the Village (near Lake in the Hills), and Station #3 on Regency Parkway in the southwest part of the Village, in close proximity to Del Webb's Sun City Huntley. A fourth station is currently under construction near Square Barn Road and Algonquin Road, it is due to open July 5, 2011.
. Originally headquartered in Huntley, the administration offices have since moved to a new campus in Algonquin
.
The village used to be entirely served by an elementary school and a high school located in town, but the growing district has since discontinued use of those buildings, and has since built five elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school on three different campuses districtwide.
Only one campus is within village limits. The Harmony Road Campus in the western part of the village contains Huntley High School
and Leggee Elementary School. The other two campuses, which serve parts of Huntley are located in nearby Algonquin
and Lake in the Hills
.
The Huntley Area Public Library district serves all of Huntley as well as portions of Lake in the Hills and Algonquin. The library used to be housed in a very small 1,000 or 2000 sq ft (185.8 m²) building at Algonquin Road and Church Street. As the area's population exploded in the 1990s and 2000s, new facilities were needed.
In 1999, the former building was closed and a new 15000 sq ft (1,393.5 m²) building constructed on Ruth Road, just north of East Main Street. The building was architecturally designed with both the rural character and fast-paced growth of the community in mind, as it features country-style architecture, yet is designed so that additions to the building can be made. Since then, the library has doubled the amount of its materials and services several times over, to serve the needs of the growing community.
Over 23,000 patrons within the Huntley Area Public Library District have library cards. Circulation figures for the district are currently over 468,000+ per year and the library's collection exceeds 100,000 pieces. This rapid growth rate and the need for more materials and space for programs has forced the district to start looking at plans to expand the current building. The library district has tried once unsuccessfully to get a referendum passed in 2005 to expand the building and its services. In September 2006, the library underwent a remodeling project to reorganize the collection, which resulted in the loss of the library's public meeting and program room. The library is currently holding programs outside of the library. The library board voted not to try for a referendum in 2007. The Friends of the Huntley Area Public Library have set up a fund through the McHenry County Foundation to help raise money for the library expansion. In February 2008 the board announced that it would add a Referendum question to the November 2008 ballot. The 2008 Referendum also failed and the library is currently looking for other ways to expand.
, located in Crystal Lake, Illinois
, about a 15 to 20 minute drive away.
and a General RV dealership.
s Huntley Grove, Huntley Village Green, and Regency Square, all located on the south end of the corridor in Kane County. All of the centers are planned to be expanded as the Huntley area continues to grow. Smaller neighborhood centers and stand-alone retail buildings are located further north, in addition to the larger community retail plaza Huntley Center, the village's first shopping center. These retail areas are currently home to anchors Walmart Supercenter, Jewel-Osco, Walgreens
(2 locations), Wisted's Supermarket, and Ace Hardware
. Home Depot is also planned to be constructed in the immediate future. Restaurants along the Route 47 corridor include McDonald's
, Taco Bell
, Culver's
, Subway
(3 locations), Baskin-Robbins
/Dunkin' Donuts
, Papa Saverio's Pizza, Rosati's Pizza, Honey Fluff Donuts, China Palace, Goodfella's Beef, Alvaro's Tacos & Pizza, Jimano's Pizzeria, Dairy Mart, Papa G's, Famous Red Hots, and Del-Toro's Tex Mex Grill. Banks along Route 47 include Harris Bank
, Chase Bank, PNC Bank, Citizens Bank, Castle Bank, McHenry Savings Bank, American Community Bank & Trust, TCF Bank
, Woodforest Bank, and Wells Fargo
. Auto-related services include Auto Zone, Huntley Collision Center, JDM Automotive Services, the Huntley Car Wash, Penske Truck Rental, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and service stations Mobil
(2 locations) and 7-Eleven
. In addition, Bowl-Hi Lanes and Westland Miniature Golf & Driving Range, located near the intersection of Route 47 and Algonquin Roads, both provide entertainment options for Huntley area residents.
Large businesses present in Huntley include a Weber Grill
factory, a Dean Foods
dairy processing and distribution center, Freund International trucking center, Allied Asphalt paving company, and Union Special, an industrial sewing equipment factory. Huntley used to be home to several agribusinesses, such as Marlowe Feed and FS, but as the area has grown and developed, these businesses are no longer in operation.
Huntley also has two industrial business parks, one at the intersection of East Main Street and Ruth Road, and another along Kreutzer Road at Smith Road. Several companies have facilities in these areas.
The village has been served for many years, by three churches all located in downtown:
As the Village has grown in the 1990s and 2000s, additional churches have sprouted. They include:
Huntley, IL 60142
McHenry County, Illinois
McHenry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 308,760, which is an increase of 18.7% from 260,077 in 2000. Its county seat is Woodstock. This county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. It is the sixth largest county, in...
and Kane Counties
Kane County, Illinois
Kane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 515,269, which is an increase of 27.5% from 404,119 in 2000. Its county seat is Geneva, and its largest city is Aurora.- Geography :...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. In 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the village's population to be 22,923. As of the 2000 Census, the village had a mere 5,730 people, meaning the village's population has more than tripled in eight years. Huntley has adopted a very aggressive development strategy
Strategy
Strategy, a word of military origin, refers to a plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal. In military usage strategy is distinct from tactics, which are concerned with the conduct of an engagement, while strategy is concerned with how different engagements are linked...
that would fit more into place in the Sunbelt rather than in an outer suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. Currently, the village has 11.75 sq mi (30.4 km²).
Huntley is best known for its Prime Outlets mall and Sun City
Sun City
-South Africa:* Sun City, North West, a luxury casino resort, situated in the North West Province-United States:* The Sun City is a nickname or moniker for El Paso, TX because of the fact that sun shines for more than 302 days on average in the city....
retirement community, the largest in the Midwest. The old part of Huntley is also known for its public square which features a gazebo, as well as a full brick-paved street (Woodstock St.) and 50s-style diner, The Huntley Dairy Mart. The village's slogan is "The Friendly Village with Country Charm."
History
McHenry County was established in 1837, and in 1838 the first settlers, mostly from New England, came to Grafton Township. One of these families, Prescott and Lucy Geer Whittemore, of Grafton, New Hampshire, settled west of the future town. Thomas Stillwell and Eliza Fox Huntley and children, Charles, Harriet, and William arrived in 1846. The Huntleys acquired land north of the future village and later expanded their holdings to the south.The Chicago and Galena Railroad constructed a railroad in 1851, which reached as far northwest as Huntley’s Grove. The railroad owners hosted an excursion trip on September 5, 1851, which marked the maiden voyage, to Huntley’s Station, and that was the beginning of Huntley (the “Grove” and “Station” words were later dropped). The Chicago Tribune article that described the 1851 excursion trip stated that there were a few frame houses near the railroad and Mr. Huntley soon built a general store there as well.
Procurement of land was based on government grants. Louise Kreutzer, a Huntley native, tells of land regularly changing hands due to settlers’ inability to make mortgage payments and wealthy landowners being quick to foreclose. Despite early hardships, the village grew slowly and steadily. Stewart Cummings was the first postmaster in 1851 and when the village was incorporated in 1872, John S. Cummings, a Civil War veteran became the first mayor.
The Chicago and Galena Railroad became the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, and later, Union Pacific Railroad, and served the community for over 150 years, though passenger service was eliminated in about 1950. The railroad was critical to the economic development of Huntley because it provided the means of sending agriculture products to the Chicago market and led to Huntley’s preeminence as a dairy center. In addition to shipping dairy products directly to Chicago, milk producers sold milk to local factories, which processed condensed milk, butter and cheese. There is a strong possibility that passenger train service will be reinstated in the future.
The town center was a thriving locale with a variety of retail and service businesses. In 1906, the Elgin and Belvidere Electric Railroad constructed a system linking the two larger cities with all the communities between and provided hourly passenger service in each direction. When more roads were paved and automobiles became prevalent, the use of the electric railroad diminished, and it closed in 1930.
When Huntley was platted in 1853, land was set aside in the center of town for a town park. Maps as early as 1872 show the area as open space. A wooden pump stood in the center of the park serving as a water supply for both horses and firefighting. With Huntley’s development as a dairy center, horses were tied to the hitching rail surrounding the park every morning while farmers visited stores after delivering their milk cans at the railroad or factory. On milk contract signing days, the four sides of the park were thickly clustered with horses and wagons. The park was and is an object of pride to the residents. A band shell stood near the center of the park where the brass band performed patriotic music before some of the members marched off to the Civil War. After WWI, Andrew Schmitt, a stonemason, was commissioned by the Huntley Women’s Club to set a stone as a memorial for those who served in the war. He also set a small cannon on a rock base as a memorial. A new gazebo replaced the band shell in the 1990s and is surrounded by trees and shrubs and beautiful flowerbeds. A memorial brick sidewalk marking Huntley’s Sesquicentennial surrounds the gazebo, where a time capsule marking the event is buried. The square was named James Dhamer Park in memory of the 14-year mayor after his death in 1999.
Geography
Huntley is located at 42.1615479°N 88.4342740°W (42.1615479, -88.4342740).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the village has a total area of 11.75 sq mi (30.4 km²), of which, 11.72 sq mi (30.4 km²) of it is land and 0.03 sq mi (0.0776996433 km²) of it (0.26%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,730 people, 2,324 households, and 1,756 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 489.1 PD/sqmi. There were 2,501 housing units at an average density of 213.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 94.94% White, 0.44% African American, 0.17% Native American, 2.13% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.26% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. 4.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,324 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the village, the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $60,456, and the median income for a family was $65,433. Males had a median income of $44,524 versus $30,363 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $27,451. 2.8% of the population and 1.9% of families were below the poverty line. 2.2% of those under the age of 18 and 1.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Government
Huntley is governed as a Village with an elected Village President and a six member Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees serves as the legislative branch and is responsible for adopting ordinances and having the final word on all legislative issues in the Village. Trustees serve the Village as a whole, and are elected to four-year staggered terms.Currently, the Village President is Chuck Sass. The trustees currently serving the Village are John Piwko, Pam Fender, Harry Leopold, Niko Kanakaris, Nick Hanson and Ron Hahn.
The day-to-day operations of the Village are operated by a number of departments, and is headed by the Village Manager. These departments handle resident concerns, execute and enforce the legislation passed by the Board of Trustees, and maintains order in fulfilling the daily operations of the Village. The four main departments in the Village are Administration/Finance, Development Services, Public Works, and the Police Department. The Village Manager is David Johnson. The Senior assistant to the Village Manager is Lisa Armour. Other important staff include, Director of Administration Jennifer Chernak, Village Clerk Rita McMahon, Chief of Police John Perkins, Public Works Director Jim Schwartz and Village Attorney Mike Coppedge.
Municipal Complex
In mid-2006, the Village of Huntley completed a new Municipal Complex to serve the needs of the growing Village, as the former Village Hall in the center of town on Coral Street had become too cramped, out-dated, and disconnected from other Village buildings. A large building, the new Municipal Complex houses all functions of the Village including the Village Hall, Police Department, Public Works, and Board Room. The complex was designed with the growth of the community in mind, as it is able to serve the village up to a population of 50,000. Considerable surrounding land exists for future expansion. It is located at 10987 Main Street in Huntley, near the intersection with Ruth Road, across from the library, and just a half-mile due east of downtown Huntley.The Village was able to finance the construction of the building without increasing the taxes of citizens or seeking a referendum. Much of the construction was financed by collecting already-set-in-place utility taxes over the years and wise saving.
Huntley Police Department
The Village is served by the 33-member Huntley Police Department, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of people in the Village and upholding and enforcing the laws of the community. The police department has five sergeants, sixteen officers, two records clerks, and one administrative assistant, all under the direction of Police Chief John Perkins. Operations are run out of the new municipal complex at 10911 Main Street.The police department handled over 8,000 calls for service in the year 2005, a number which continues to grow at a rate of 1,000 additional calls each year. As a result, the police department continues to plan for the future as the village's population grows.
The Police Department has built a solid partnership with the community and hosts a number of programs throughout the year which enhance the bond between citizens and the police department including C.E.R.T. (Citizens Emergency Response Team), National Night Out, Bike Rodeos, Safety Camp, Operation Traffic Watch, Walk and Talk, D.A.R.E. and the School Resource Officer, Project Childsafe, Bicycle Patrol, and crime prevention programs such as Neighborhood Watch.
Huntley Fire Protection District
The Huntley Fire Protection District is a separate taxing body which handles fire protection and emergency rescue service for the Village of Huntley and surrounding communities including western portions of Lake in the HillsLake in the Hills, Illinois
Lake in the Hills is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 23,152 at the 2000 census. A 2006 special census put the village's population at 29,175....
and Algonquin
Algonquin, Illinois
Algonquin is a village in Illinois located in both McHenry and Kane counties. It is a northwest suburb of Chicago, located approximately 40 miles from the Loop...
, surrounding unincorporated communities, and a 9 miles (14.5 km) stretch of Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
. The district is 55 square miles (142.4 km²) and contains 35,000 people, with a district population of 60,000 residents expected by 2010.
The Huntley Fire Protection District currently has 54 full-time firefighters/paramedics, as well as 30 part-time firefighters/paramedics. The Department is staffed by a Chief, Deputy Chief, Fire Marshal, Director of Training, three Captains, and nine Lieutenants. The entire department is under the direction of a 5-member elected Board of Trustees.
There are three stations serving the fire district: the headquarters on Coral Street in downtown Huntley, Station #2 on Reed Road in the far northeast part of the Village (near Lake in the Hills), and Station #3 on Regency Parkway in the southwest part of the Village, in close proximity to Del Webb's Sun City Huntley. A fourth station is currently under construction near Square Barn Road and Algonquin Road, it is due to open July 5, 2011.
Consolidated School District 158
The village is served entirely by Consolidated School District 158Consolidated School District 158
Community Consolidated School District 158 is a school district in Illinois. The district serves some nearly 8,200 students living in Huntley as well as western portions of Lake in the Hills and Algonquin and surrounding areas. The district employs over 1000 staff members...
. Originally headquartered in Huntley, the administration offices have since moved to a new campus in Algonquin
Algonquin, Illinois
Algonquin is a village in Illinois located in both McHenry and Kane counties. It is a northwest suburb of Chicago, located approximately 40 miles from the Loop...
.
The village used to be entirely served by an elementary school and a high school located in town, but the growing district has since discontinued use of those buildings, and has since built five elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school on three different campuses districtwide.
Only one campus is within village limits. The Harmony Road Campus in the western part of the village contains Huntley High School
Huntley High School
Huntley High School is a rapidly growing, public high school in northern Illinois. The school serves the entire Consolidated School District 158 area, which includes all of Huntley, Illinois, and portions of Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, and other surrounding communities and rural...
and Leggee Elementary School. The other two campuses, which serve parts of Huntley are located in nearby Algonquin
Algonquin, Illinois
Algonquin is a village in Illinois located in both McHenry and Kane counties. It is a northwest suburb of Chicago, located approximately 40 miles from the Loop...
and Lake in the Hills
Lake in the Hills, Illinois
Lake in the Hills is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 23,152 at the 2000 census. A 2006 special census put the village's population at 29,175....
.
Huntley Area Public Library
In 1999, the former building was closed and a new 15000 sq ft (1,393.5 m²) building constructed on Ruth Road, just north of East Main Street. The building was architecturally designed with both the rural character and fast-paced growth of the community in mind, as it features country-style architecture, yet is designed so that additions to the building can be made. Since then, the library has doubled the amount of its materials and services several times over, to serve the needs of the growing community.
Over 23,000 patrons within the Huntley Area Public Library District have library cards. Circulation figures for the district are currently over 468,000+ per year and the library's collection exceeds 100,000 pieces. This rapid growth rate and the need for more materials and space for programs has forced the district to start looking at plans to expand the current building. The library district has tried once unsuccessfully to get a referendum passed in 2005 to expand the building and its services. In September 2006, the library underwent a remodeling project to reorganize the collection, which resulted in the loss of the library's public meeting and program room. The library is currently holding programs outside of the library. The library board voted not to try for a referendum in 2007. The Friends of the Huntley Area Public Library have set up a fund through the McHenry County Foundation to help raise money for the library expansion. In February 2008 the board announced that it would add a Referendum question to the November 2008 ballot. The 2008 Referendum also failed and the library is currently looking for other ways to expand.
McHenry County College
The district's community college needs are served by McHenry County CollegeMcHenry County College
McHenry County College is a community college serving residents residing in Community College District 528, which covers most of McHenry County, Illinois, as well as portions of surrounding counties....
, located in Crystal Lake, Illinois
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Crystal Lake is a city located in southeastern McHenry County in northeastern Illinois, in the Chicago suburbs. It is named after Crystal Lake, a lake located west-southwest of downtown. Crystal Lake is also a suburb of the city of Chicago. The population was 38,000 at the 2000 census, but as of...
, about a 15 to 20 minute drive away.
Huntley Park District
Most village recreational services are under authority of the Huntley Park District, which serves Huntley and portions of neighboring communities.- The heart of the Park District is Deicke Park located just southwest of downtown Huntley, on the west side of Route 47, and south of Main St. This is the village's largest park and one of the larger parks in the local region. Various community events are held here. It features multiple ballfields, picnic shelters, a large slide, playground equipment, basketball and tennis courts, park district offices, and the following major additions adjacent to it:
- a Community Recreational Center housed in the renovated former high school building. It features a large gymnasium, a fitness center, a mess hall, classrooms for workshops and programming, and the Cosman Cultural Arts Center, an auditorium/theater attached to the building.
- Betsey Warrington Park, an extension of the park area when the park district acquired a narrow piece of farmland off of W. Main St. Much of the original farmstead remains intact and remains for historical and recreational use.
- Stingray Bay Aquatic Center, the park district's pool which features a zero depth entrance, water slides, water features, a snack bar, a patio, and locker rooms.
- Ol' Timer's Park, a medium-sized park featuring ballfields and playground equipment, located just off Church St. and near Douglas Ave. in downtown Huntley
- Jim Dhamer Square, the village's town square which features a small gazebo and garden in the heart of the community, re-named for the late Village President.
- Pinecrest Golf Course, a golf course and country club off Algonquin Rd. acquired by the park district in the early 00s.
- Marvin A. Weiss Park, a medium-sized park located in the Southwind neighborhood, featuring ballfields, playground equipment, and picnic shelters.
- Kiley Park, a smaller park located in Wing Pointe, featuring ballfields, playground equipment, and picnic shelters
- Tures Park, a smaller park located in the Heritage neighborhood, featuring ballfields, playground equipment, and picnic shelters
Other recreational areas
Non-park district related recreational facilities include:- Whisper Creek Country Club, a semi-private golf course located within Del Webb's Sun City. There are also many other recreational opportunities, including all the offerings of the Prairie Lodge, which features a pool, a large lobby and gathering area, the Drendel Ballroom, workshop and programming rooms, exercise equipmentExercise equipmentAn apparatus or device used in any given physical activity for shaping and forming muscle groups for specific areas of the body. A mechanism or machine that is intended to promote health and fitness by using motion with varying degrees of resistance either fixed or adjustable.-Exercise...
, graceful outdoor fountains and lush landscaping, and an on-site restaurant. - Numerous public areas, marshes, ponds, and open grassy areas within the many subdivisions and neighborhoods of Huntley
Neighborhoods
Huntley used to be a small town, yet has sprawled out in recent years and gained many new subdivisions. However, there are also distinct neighborhoods built before then which form the core of the old part of Huntley. Both subdivisions and neighborhoods are listed below:- Del Webb's Sun City, a master-planned community of 6,000 homes for active adults over age 55. Includes two community recreation centers, an 18 hole golf course, numerous recreational areas and facilities, and several neighborhoods and varying housing styles within. Located southwest of downtown Huntley, and having major frontage along I-90 and Route 47. The Kishwaukee River runs through here, and was actually rerouted in parts. A water tower is in the northern part of the development along Main St.
- Talamore, a master-planned community of 2,000 homes by multiple developers under construction on Huntley's far northside, located in the isthmus west of Route 47 and east of Union Rd. Plans are for nearby retail and a large sports complex within.
- Lion's Chase, a neighborhood of about 200 homes located on the western edge of town, south of W. Main St. and north of Del Webb's Sun City.
- Covington Lakes, an upper middle class neighborhood of about 500 single-family and townhomes in the northern part of Huntley, northeast of the intersection of Route 47 and Reed Road. Features commercial properties along Route 47 and several lakes within.
- Northbridge, an upper middle class neighborhood of about 350 homes in the $250–410K range, located east of town, north of Algonquin Rd., south of Reed Rd., and east of Pinecrest golf course. Includes Faith Community Church.
- Southwind, a middle class neighborhood of about 700 homes in the easternmost portions of Huntley along Reed and Haligus Roads, and constructed in various phases from about 1997-2003. This subdivision includes a large pond. Largely single family homes, but has an enclave of townhomes as well. Includes one of three Huntley fire stations and a water tower.
- Huntley Meadows, is a younger middle-class neighborhood of about 200 homes on Huntley's northeast side, south of Algonquin Rd. and east of Haligus Rd. Surrounded by Tom's Farm, a popular vegetable market and close to several new churches.
- Georgian Place, a middle class neighborhood of about 350 homes due east of the old town of Huntley. Located south of Algonquin Rd., east of Ruth Rd., west of Haligus Rd., and north of E. Main St. Features a wetland preserve. Abuts the library and municipal center.
- Heritage/Cider Grove, a middle class neighborhood of about 600 homes on Huntley's southeast side famous for its colonial design and barn entrance. Located south of E. Main St., north of Huntley Rd., and east of Haligus Rd.
- Wing Pointe, a middle class neighborhood of about 600 single family homes and townhomes on Huntley's southeast side. Located south of Huntley Rd., and north of Kreutzer Rd. Abuts the massive St. Mary's Catholic Church and a water tower.
- Oak Crest Estates, a very small and exclusive neighborhood of upper middle class homes on Huntley's far west side along the extension of Algonquin Rd. and along the railroad tracks.
- Huntley Highlands, a very small neighborhood east of Dean St. and abutting the southern edges of the downtown area near Dean Foods and the St. Mary's Cemetery, featuring a mix of ranches and two-stories.
- WoodCreek: a neighborhood of a variety of home styles and including Huntley's largest apartment complex, Woodcreek Apartments.
- North Church Street, an older neighborhood located just north of town between Algonquin and Reed Roads, east of Route 47, featuring predominantly ranch homes and a couple apartment buildings. Abuts the Huntley Center shopping center and the village's first water tower.
- West Main Street, an older neighborhood with a mix of housing styles. Includes predominantly ranch homes on Janice, Bonnie Brae, Sunset, and Lincoln Streets, with old two-story Victorian homes on Main Street. This was in the vicinity of the former Huntley School Campus until recently, when the elementary school was torn down and the old high school turned into a recreation center.
- Douglas Avenue, a neighborhood just northeast of town with a mix of housing styles, including ranches, two-stories, townhomes, and a few apartments. Abuts Ol' Timers Park.
- Town, the heart of Huntley and featuring the oldest of homes, mainly country and Victorian styles dating back 100 years. Includes Church, Woodstock, Grove, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Myrtle, Mill, and Dean Streets. Also includes shops, the square, the post office, the American Legion hall, the old fire department, and Trinity Lutheran and First Congregational Churches.
Shopping and Dining
The village has a pretty sizable and growing retail base, offering primarily neighborhood convenience retailers, but is also becoming a significant regional retail area.Huntley Outlet Mall area
The Huntley Outlet Mall is a regional outlet mall located north of I-90, at the southeast corner of Illinois Route 47 and Freeman Road. Built in 1994 under the original name "Huntley Factory Shops", it contains primarily brand name clothing and home accessory stores. There are about 50 stores total. An outdoor mall, the mall features lush landscaping, brick walkways, and over-hangs that shield shoppers from the elements. There is also an indoor food court serving as the centerpiece, with a fountain in front and a children's playground in the rear. In the early 2000s, the mall appeared to decline, but has resurrected since the mid 2000s, thanks to a rapidly growing residential base to serve, combined with a makeover, that included new additions to the tenant roster. Niko's Restaurant is located across from the mall on Freeman Road. The Huntley Automall is located in front of Prime Outlets, fronting Route 47, and features Tom Peck FordFord Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
and a General RV dealership.
Route 47 Corridor
The Route 47 Corridor is also home to the power centerPower center
In geometry, the power center of three circles, also called the radical center, is the intersection point of the three radical axes of the pairs of circles...
s Huntley Grove, Huntley Village Green, and Regency Square, all located on the south end of the corridor in Kane County. All of the centers are planned to be expanded as the Huntley area continues to grow. Smaller neighborhood centers and stand-alone retail buildings are located further north, in addition to the larger community retail plaza Huntley Center, the village's first shopping center. These retail areas are currently home to anchors Walmart Supercenter, Jewel-Osco, Walgreens
Walgreens
Walgreen Co. , doing business as Walgreens , is the largest drugstore chain in the United States of America. As of August 31st, the company operates 8,210 locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1901, and has since expanded...
(2 locations), Wisted's Supermarket, and Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware Corporation is a hardware cooperative based in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States. ACE Hardware Corporation, with 4,444 stores, does over $3 billion in retail hardware sales annually down from its peak of $12.5 billion in 2007.-History:...
. Home Depot is also planned to be constructed in the immediate future. Restaurants along the Route 47 corridor include McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
, Taco Bell
Taco Bell
Taco Bell is an American chain of fast-food restaurants based in Irvine, California. A subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., which serves American-adapted Mexican food. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, other specialty items, and a variety of "Value Menu" items...
, Culver's
Culver's
Culver’s is a privately owned and operated fast casual restaurant chain that operates primarily in the Midwestern United States. The first Culver’s opened in 1984 in Sauk City, Wisconsin...
, Subway
Subway (restaurant)
Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
(3 locations), Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins is a global chain of ice cream parlors founded by Burt Baskin and Irvine Robbins in 1953, from the merging of their respective ice cream parlors, in Glendale, California. It claims to be the world's largest ice cream franchise, with more than 5,800 locations, 2,800 of which are...
/Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts is an international doughnut and coffee retailer founded in 1950 by William Rosenberg in Quincy, Massachusetts; it is now headquartered in Canton...
, Papa Saverio's Pizza, Rosati's Pizza, Honey Fluff Donuts, China Palace, Goodfella's Beef, Alvaro's Tacos & Pizza, Jimano's Pizzeria, Dairy Mart, Papa G's, Famous Red Hots, and Del-Toro's Tex Mex Grill. Banks along Route 47 include Harris Bank
Harris Bank
BMO Harris Bank is a subsidiary of Montreal-based Canadian bank Bank of Montreal. Today the bank holding company is formally named BMO Bankcorp, Inc....
, Chase Bank, PNC Bank, Citizens Bank, Castle Bank, McHenry Savings Bank, American Community Bank & Trust, TCF Bank
TCF Bank
TCF Bank is the wholly owned banking subsidiary of TCF Financial Corporation, a bank holding company headquartered in Wayzata, Minnesota. TCF Bank is nationally chartered and operates 440 bank branches....
, Woodforest Bank, and Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. Wells Fargo is the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by assets and the largest bank by market capitalization. Wells Fargo is the second largest bank in deposits, home...
. Auto-related services include Auto Zone, Huntley Collision Center, JDM Automotive Services, the Huntley Car Wash, Penske Truck Rental, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and service stations Mobil
Mobil
Mobil, previously known as the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, was a major American oil company which merged with Exxon in 1999 to form ExxonMobil. Today Mobil continues as a major brand name within the combined company, as well as still being a gas station sometimes paired with their own store or On...
(2 locations) and 7-Eleven
7-Eleven
7-Eleven is part of an international chain of convenience stores, operating under Seven-Eleven Japan Co. Ltd, which in turn is owned by Seven & I Holdings Co...
. In addition, Bowl-Hi Lanes and Westland Miniature Golf & Driving Range, located near the intersection of Route 47 and Algonquin Roads, both provide entertainment options for Huntley area residents.
Downtown Huntley and other retail areas
Huntley's downtown area, along Main Street, just east of Route 47, includes several shops, restaurants, and bars, centered on Jim Dhamer Square and the village's signature gazebo. Downtown restaurants and/or bars include Luigi's Pizza, The Village Inn, Parkside Pub, and Offie's Tap. Strode's Colonial Furniture serves as an anchor for the area. There are also several churches in downtown, in addition to the Post Office, the original fire station, and the American Legion Hall. A small neighborhood center, located southeast of downtown Huntley at the intersection of Huntley-Dundee and Haligus Roads, includes small shops, Snap Fitness, and Higher Grounds coffee shop.Economy
The village is a haven for industrial businesses, as it is located along the high truck-traffic corridors of Illinois Route 47 and I-90 and a branch of the Chicago & Northwest rail line, and also maintains comparably low taxes, wide open spaces, and equal proximity to Chicago, Rockford, and Wisconsin.Large businesses present in Huntley include a Weber Grill
Weber-Stephen Products Co.
The Weber-Stephen Products Co., founded in 1893, is headquartered in Palatine, Illinois. It is best known as a manufacturer of charcoal and gas grills, grilling accessories and other outdoor room products....
factory, a Dean Foods
Dean Foods
Dean Foods is an American food and beverage company with two operating divisions: Fresh Dairy Direct and WhiteWave-Morningstar. The company maintains plants and distributors in the United States and the United Kingdom. Dean Foods products are sold throughout the USA.-History:In 1925, Samuel E...
dairy processing and distribution center, Freund International trucking center, Allied Asphalt paving company, and Union Special, an industrial sewing equipment factory. Huntley used to be home to several agribusinesses, such as Marlowe Feed and FS, but as the area has grown and developed, these businesses are no longer in operation.
Huntley also has two industrial business parks, one at the intersection of East Main Street and Ruth Road, and another along Kreutzer Road at Smith Road. Several companies have facilities in these areas.
Transportation
- The village is located along the "Golden CorridorGolden CorridorThe Golden Corridor is a term used to describe the area around the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, formerly known as the Northwest Tollway in the Chicago metropolitan area. It is coined as such since the corridor generates a "gold" mine of economic profit for communities in the area...
" of Interstate 90Interstate 90Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
/The Northwest TollwayNorthwest TollwayThe Jane Addams Memorial Tollway in Illinois is a 79-mile segment of Interstate 90 from Interstate 190 in far northwest Chicago to Illinois Route 75, one mile south of the Wisconsin state line. For 16 miles , Interstate 90 is concurrent with Interstate 39 and U.S. Route 51...
. It has direct access to I-90 via an interchange at Illinois Route 47. A full interchange is planned for a 2012 start date. - Illinois Route 47Illinois Route 47Illinois Route 47 is a largely rural north–south state highway that runs from the Wisconsin state border at Highway 120 near Hebron, to Illinois Route 10, just south of Interstate 72 near Seymour. This is a distance of . Even though Route 47 is primarily rural, in several suburbs of Chicago,...
serves as the chief north-south artery in Huntley. Handling over 20,000 vehicles a day, the road is often choked with traffic on the 1 miles (1.6 km) stretch between Main St. and Algonquin Rd. This stretch of road is currently under construction to widen it to five lanes. The project is about 60% complete and is scheduled to be fully complete by November 2011. - Algonquin Rd. and Main St./Huntley Rd. act as the village's primary east-west routes.
- Other important streets in the village include Ruth Rd., Reed Rd., Kreutzer Rd., Haligus Rd., Del Webb Blvd., and Church St.
- The village is also located along a branch of the Chicago & Northwestern RailroadChicago and North Western RailwayThe Chicago and North Western Transportation Company was a Class I railroad in the Midwest United States. It was also known as the North Western. The railroad operated more than of track as of the turn of the 20th century, and over of track in seven states before retrenchment in the late 1970s...
, and thus many of the village's industries are near the railroad for convenient access to ElginElgin, IllinoisElgin is a city in northern Illinois located roughly northwest of Chicago on the Fox River. Most of Elgin lies within Kane County, Illinois, with a portion in Cook County, Illinois...
, Rockford, Chicago, and essentially the rest of the world.- MetraMetraMetra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by...
has long-term plans to eventually establish a commuter rail station in Huntley, which would be a new terminus on the Milwaukee District/West LineMilwaukee District/West LineThe Milwaukee District/West is a commuter rail line provided and operated by Metra in Chicago, Illinois, and its surrounding suburbs...
, which currently terminates at Big Timber Road in Elgin. The station would likely be placed on Kreutzer Rd., on the village's southern end. Plans also indicate that a 2nd station could be placed on Coyne Station Rd., just northwest of current village limits.
- Metra
Festivals/Traditions
- Huntley Home & Business Expo, sponsored by the Huntley Chamber of Commerce and other organizations which showcases local businesses and services of all kinds and gives residents and businesses an opportunity for positive interaction. Held in late February.
- Huntley High School Fine Arts Festival, decade long tradition which showcases student artwork as well as musical and dramatic performances. Held in late April.
- Memorial Day: parade through downtown Huntley, where various groups come together and honor veterans who died in wars, and culminating with an honor at the Huntley Cemetery.
- Huntley Town Picnic: running for almost 15 years, held in Deicke Park in late June.
- Fourth of July: fireworks celebration, held at varying locations in recent years.
- Huntley High School Homecoming: parade, held in varying locations over the years, culminating with the Friday football game. Usually in September or October.
- Turkey Testicle Festival: held the day before Thanksgiving at Parkside Pub, usually spreading into the streets of downtown Huntley.
- Summerfest: originated in 2001 for village's sesquicentennial celebration, but has been canceled in recent years. Held by Jaycees group.
- Fall Fest: originated in 2006 and held in September. The Fall Fest is hosted by a volunteer committee under the Huntley Park Foundation.
- Pancake Breakfasts: held in American Legion hall, hosted by the Boy ScoutsScouting in IllinoisScouting in Illinois has a long and rich tradition, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live. Illinois is the homestate of the BSA founder, W.D...
- Rummage Sales: occurring all the time at the village's downtown churches, Trinity Lutheran and First Congregational
Local newspapers
- Northwest Herald - daily newspaper based in Crystal Lake which serves the greater McHenry County area.
- Northwest Herald MyHometown - Northwest Herald's Huntley MyHometown homepage.
- Daily Herald - daily newspaper based in Arlington Heights; serves cities in five counties incl. McHenry & Kane
- Huntley Farmside - weekly newspaper edited in St. Charles (Kane Co.), published in Downers Grove.
- Huntley Journal - weekly Huntley newspaper.
Churches
- First Congregational Church, located at Main St. and Church St.
- Trinity Lutheran Church, located on Church St.
- St. Mary Catholic Church, originally located on Woodstock St. As the village has grown, St. Mary's has since moved into a much larger church building built on Huntley-Dundee Rd. on the village's southeast side. The old church building is still occasionally used for special occasions.
As the Village has grown in the 1990s and 2000s, additional churches have sprouted. They include:
- Morning Star Church and World Outreach Center, on Powers Road (near the Del Webb community) since 1994.
- Faith Community Church, at Algonquin Rd. and Haligus Rd.
- Springbrook Community Church, on Algonquin Rd. across from Tom's Farm.
- Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, which meets at 10805 Main Street
Huntley, IL 60142
- Westlake Community Church, which meets at Huntley High School
- Lighthouse Fellowship Church