the frankfort villager

The Freedom of Informationin an Age of Transparency

By Dr. Jerry Ducay, Administrator

Continued on page 19

Continued on page 19

FrankfortFactsInside thisissue of theVillager, youwill findFrankfortFacts, a

publication that provides statistics about your village government. The trustees and I hope that the publicationexplains Frankfort Village revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities and services in a reader friendly format. Thefinancial information found inFrankfort Facts is taken from the Comprehensive AnnualFinancial Report. You can findthe complete report athttp://www.vofil.com/live/government/financial information.

Your eight elected village officials, forty one resident committee members and eighty-nine village employees continually seek ways toimprove services to all Frankfortresidents while living within ourfinancial means. Frankfort Factspoints out the importance ofsales tax revenues to all of ourservices. As we approach thisholiday season, we hope that youwill shop in Frankfort.

meetings or formal action by thegoverning body. One particular section of the law specifies themanner in which the local government shall answer requestsfor information. Commonlyreferred to as the Freedom ofInformation Act (FOIA), the legislation requires that municipalities answer requests forinformation within five days ofreceipt of the request. An extensionof time can be requested by thegovernment for more complex document retrieval efforts. InFrankfort, such requests do notneed to be submitted using an official form to be considered valid– although, that is the preferredmedium for such requests. Whilenot required to create documents in response to FOIA requests, governmental agencies are requiredto provide all documents inresponse to specific requests forinformation. In some rare casesdata is precluded from publication

Mayor’s Message By Mayor Jim Holland

In an era of instant access, institutions such as local government struggle to meet theever-increasing need for information on a real-time basis.The use of web pages, pressupdates, live video streaming, andpublic document releases, while astep in the right direction, neverseem to be enough to keep up withthe ever-changing demand. Thedesire to be “transparent” is regularly at odds with the need toprovide meaningful and relevantinformation in a timely manner.The desire to share data that conveys a message in line with the organization’s goals is often juxtaposed against the need to provide raw, unaltered, and significant data.

The laws of the state of Illinois provide a process by which information shall be disseminated.They also provide a standard fornotifying the public about pending

T H E F R A N K F O R TVILLAGERVILLAGE OF FRANKFORT NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2016

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Trustee Talk ………………… 3

Land Use Planning …………… 6

Tax Dollars ………………… 7

Thank You ……………… 10-11

Frankfort Facts ………… Insert

Villager News November 16_Layout 1 10/21/16 4:46 PM

http://www.vofil.com/live/government/financial information

VILLAGE OF FRANKFORT

Mayor ………………… Jim HollandClerk…………………Adam BorrelliTrustees ……Cynthia Corso Heath

Robert J. KennedyKeith Ogle

Mike StevensRichard TrevarthanR. Douglas Walker

Administrator………… Jerry Ducay

Administration Building432 W. Nebraska StreetFrankfort, IL 60423Phone: (815) 469-2177Fax: (815) 469-7999www.villageoffrankfort.com

Village Board RoomVillage Board meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.in the Administration Building.Meetings are available on cable TV and online at www.villageoffrankfort.com. Special meetings and standing committee meetings are scheduledmonthly, or on an as-needed basis, and are announced. The public is invited to all meetings.

THE FRANKFORT VILLAGERis circulated three times yearly to residents and businesses in theVillage of Frankfort. Circulation iscurrently 7,200.

Statement of Purpose: To inform the community of issues, policies,and personalities pertaining to government in our village.

Quality Services Come From Quality PeopleBy Rob Piscia, Assistant Village Administrator

Over the years, cities and townshave struggled to provide a balance between the costs of providing necessary services andcreating environments that fostereda “quality” of life. Thankfully, theelected officials, business owners,developers and residents ofFrankfort have all done their partto shape desirable places thatdefine a quality community. This“quality” can be seen in ourvibrant “downtown” streets; in therestaurants and businesses whereour neighbors interact daily; and insafe, inviting open spaces wherecitizens of all ages gather.

To this end, it is often the subtletiesthat impact that sense of quality inrelatively unseen ways. How oftenhave you driven or walkedthrough the historic downtownarea and commented about the“inviting feel”. Was it the size andvibrancy of the hanging flower baskets along the street side thatcaught your attention; or was it the intricate brick work in many ofthe streetscapes; or was it the well-manicured flower beds?Certainly, it can be these or manyother subtle things that enhance

your sense of quality.

What may not be known is thatVillage of Frankfort employees aredirectly responsible for working onmany subtle details. Recently,Public Works staff completed stonework on the new Breidert VillageGreen sign and sitting wall. Theywere also responsible for much ofthe brick paver work throughoutthe downtown area. In addition,they constructed both signs as partof the Village Hall expansion andbuilt the rock outcropping adjacentto the Puent building at the mainpark. Their efforts helped savevaluable tax dollars while still providing other important services.

Additionally, the Frankfort PoliceDepartment has done their part tosubtly enhance the quality of ourcommunity. Our police havestrived to continue to interact withthe community when many othermunicipal departments are cuttingback. Frankfort officers still walk“foot patrols” to provide a morepersonal interaction with residentsand business owners. TheDepartment still conducts drug

PAGE 2 NOVEMBER 2016THE FRANKFORT VILLAGER

New sittingwall atBreidert Green was constructed byPublic WorksVillage Staff.

Continued on next page


Trustee Talk: Ease on Down the RoadBy Trustee Mike Stevens

The Village ofFrankfort spends $400,000- $500,000 annually on roadmaintenance.This includesresurfacing,

striping, crack sealing, and curbrepair. The bulk of the funding forthis endeavor comes from MotorFuel Tax money collected by theState of Illinois from gasoline salesstatewide. Funds collected are prorated to communities across the state based upon population.Frankfort receives $450,000 annually from this program.

In addition to the road maintenance funded with Motor

Fuel Taxes, the Village frequently pursues grant funding for roadimprovements throughout thecommunity. In the last decade thevillage has obtained nearly$15,000,000 in grant funding forlocal roads. This funding comesfrom the federal government and is allocated regionally through anapplication rating process. Federalfunding covers 80% of the projectcosts with the village paying theremainder. Currently, Steger Roadis being reconstructed as part ofthis program. St. Francis is slatedfor reconstruction next year.

Today the village finds ourselves ata crossroads. Our maintenance andgrant-funded efforts of the past arenot enough to keep up with the

ever-demanding need to improveexisting roadways. Recent longterm planning suggests that a timewill soon come when we need toenhance the road maintenancefunding dramatically. This increasewill be necessary to meet the agingcondition of our current roads andmaintain the standards of qualityour residents have come to expect.

This board and previous boardshave worked hard to be effectivefiscal stewards when it comes tolong range financial planning. Theconservative leadership of the pastprovides multiple opportunities forus to move forward as we meet thefuture head-on. Continuing to usereserve capital funding is an effective short-term solution whilea long-term dedicated funding program option is examined. Suchlong-term programs could include acapital funded program that matches bond revenue with operating funds to allow for alarge-scale comprehensive community roadway enhancementeffort. This effort, coupled withgrant funding opportunities, wouldallow Frankfort to effectively meetthe needs of our residents for thenext decade.

Long term planning and vision arean essential part of transportationplanning. Such work is necessary so that we can continue to “ease on down the roads” of Frankfort.Thank you and I hope to see youaround town. ❅

and alcohol awareness programs inour schools to foster long lastingpositive relationships with parentsand students. Most importantly, ourpolice view themselves as community servants.

PAGE 3NOVEMBER 2016 THE FRANKFORT VILLAGER

Public Works staff completes new Breidert Green sign.

While it is a very subjectivedescriptor, “quality” is a prevailingfeeling throughout the Village. Theelected officials and staff are committed to doing their parts tocontinue with the tradition ofenhancing quality. ❅

Quality Services, from page 2


be a fun place to play by building afort or sledding down them, however this is not a good idea.The Village of Frankfort snowplows often continue to clear streetsmany days after an initial snow.This includes pushing back largepiles that may seem to be greatplace for a snow fort or tunnel.These forts and tunnels can quicklycollapse and trap people inside.Sledding on or around these piles isalso not a good idea. It is never agood idea to play in an area neartraffic. With little control of a sled it

As winter approaches it is a goodtime to think about safety. I am notjust talking about extra care drivingin hazardous conditions or having ahazardous weather kit in your car,but keeping you and your familysafe from winter hazards that canaffect anyone at any age.

These hazards start with playing or walking near or on lakes, pondsor frozen water areas. Althoughthere are detention areas, pondsand small lakes throughout thecommunity that appear to be agreat place to play, skate or sledonto, they can be very dangerous,even deadly. What appears to befrozen solid can sometimes be avery thin layer of ice. Ice forms atdifferent rates and can be affectednot only by air temperature, butalso wind, the underlying watertemp and the size of the water area.What is frozen one day can thawthe next day. No one should play,walk or trespass on to these waterareas under any circumstances. Ifyou want to skate go to an ice rink that is designed for winter activities.

Remember that freshly plowedsnow may provide what appears to

Stay Safe This WinterBy John Burica, Chief of Police

can enter onto a roadway creating a possibility of going into a path ofa vehicle. Remember too that roadways can remain slippery causing increased stopping distances for vehicles travelling onthem.

Be careful when shoveling snowtoo! Shoveling can exert your bodymore than you realize. When shoveling take your time, don’trush and try lifting heavy shovelloads especially when it’s wetheavy snow. Use your legs to lift,never your back. When clearingyour driveway and sidewalks try to push snow rather than lifting. If you start to feel like you overexerted, stop immediately. Ifyou feel as if you are getting dizzyor faint call 911.

Stay safe and Happy Holidays toall from the Men and Women of theFrankfort Police Department. ❅


Frankfort TownshipFood Pantry

Frankfort Township’s food pantry assists peoplein the Township who are experiencing difficult times.

Food donations are always welcome and may be dropped off at theFrankfort Township Office,11000 W. Lincoln Highway.

For more information, please contactJeannine Hetfleisch at (815) 806-2761.


Granting Benefits to Our CommunityBy Terry Kestel, Superintendent of Public Works

The Village of Frankfort routinelyapplies for grants for various projects throughout the Village.These grants have been for projectsthat include road widening, roadresurfacing, bike path installation,energy saving projects, and other beneficial projects for our community. Not all projects areawarded grants due to many communities applying for the samefunds; however the Village hasbeen very successful in receivingmany of these grants.

When awarded, the grants provideanother funding source other thanVillage funds to complete projects.Some grants may cover the entireproject cost, while other grants arean 80/20 split, the grant coveringthe 80 percent and the Village the20 percent.

Some current road projects that arebeing paid for with grants includethe Steger Road widening and

bridge replacement between Route 45 and Scheer Road. TheSteger Road project is scheduled to be completed by the end ofNovember. An upcoming roadproject for this spring receivinggrant funding is St. Francis Roadfrom 88th Avenue to 80th Avenue;this will include widening,

resurfacing, bridge replacement,and the installation of a multi-usepath.

A new bike path that will be constructed on Pfeiffer Roadbetween the Old Plank Road Trailand Sauk Trail has also receivedgrant funding. The path will alsohave a pedestrian crossing at therailroad tracks. This bike path willbe a piece to the puzzle that ultimately connects the residentsthat live on the southeast side ofour community to Old Plank Road Trail.

As always, the Village will continue to apply for grants as they become available to fund these construction projects.Hopefully we will continue to begranted these additional funds. ❅

Snowfall Parking ReminderPer Village Ordinance, it is

unlawful to park any vehicle,or for any vehicle to remainparked, on any street in the

Village between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM

after a 2” snowfall.

We also ask that driveway snownot be pushed out intoa recently plowed street!

Thank youfor your cooperation


Construction on the bridge replacementon Steger Road over Jackson Creek.

Do you have a questionor comment for theVillage Boardduring the live

Village board meeting?

Just [email protected] the meeting!


The principal of diversification canbe applied to many disciplines andlife in general. Most often it isthought of in terms of financialinvestment and risk tolerance. Inthe world of local governance,diversification is important to provide stability in the cost andlevel of services provided. One way local government diversifies its operations is through land useplanning.

Although land use planning is notlikely to be a frequent conversationtopic at the dinner table, it is relevant every day a garbage truckor snow plow drives by, your kidventures off to school, or you signup for a class offered by the ParkDistrict. Since many of the servicesprovided by your local govern -mental agencies are funded in partby property taxes, it is important tomaintain diversity in the demandfor services and the tax base supporting those services.

For example, a senior housingdevelopment may have a higher

rate of demand for emergency medical services. Therefore, youmight conclude the demand outpaces the amount paid to support the service. However whenyou look at the bigger picture, theapparent imbalance is arguably offset by the dollars paid forschools or parks. In this case, thedemand for service is small yet alarger sum is typically paid to support the service. Overall, a community with diverse land usesbenefits as supply and demand fordifferent services are spread acrossmany uses.

Another example is how industrialdevelopment contributes to thecommunity. By and large, industrialbusinesses require relatively fewpublic services when compared toother land uses. So like the seniorhousing example, industrial businesses pay property tax thatsupports a variety of public services, yet they consume a smallportion of the services they support. These businesses alsoemploy workers who often

contribute to the local economythrough their support of local retailbusinesses.

It is in this context we must consider the long-term benefits ofdevelopment opportunities inFrankfort’s southeastern growtharea. Over time the village strategically annexed several acressouth and east of Steger Road andHarlem Avenue. Planned for industrial and business park development, the I-57 corridor isquickly becoming a magnet for newinvestment. Contributing to the corridor’s attractiveness is a newinterchange at Stuenkel Road andthe recent announcement thatAmazon is constructing a new850,000 square foot facility near thevillage’s southernmost boundary.

Although such large scale industrialdevelopment is not often associatedwith Frankfort, following throughon long-term strategic plans andinvestments most assuredly isFrankfort. In this case, capturingnew industrial development insidevillage limits will positively contribute to the diversity of landuses in Frankfort and go on to produce long-term benefits for thecommunity. ❅

Diversification Through Land Use PlanningBy Jeff Cook, Director of Development Services


A Safety MinuteUsher in the New Yearwith a safety check and

replacement of all batteriesin carbon monoxide alarms

and smoke detectors.


NOVEMBER 2016 THE FRANKFORT VILLAGER

located. Your property tax bill maydiffer slightly from what is shownhere depending on where you livein Frankfort. To find out the property tax distribution specific toyour property, refer to your mostrecent tax bill. The detailed property tax information used forthe pie chart in this article is shownbelow. ❅

levy. Next year the county will prepare the property tax bills, collect the taxes paid by the property owners, and they will then distribute them to the appropriatetaxing bodies based on the amountlevied by each district.

The example below is representa-tive of tax code 1906. The totalproperty tax rate is determinedbased on where your property is

Property taxes are a major source of revenue for local governments.Property tax is based on a property’s value. Everyone is affected by property taxes –whether you pay the tax, receivethe services or benefits that are paidfor by the taxes or in most cases, acombination of both. Anyone whoattends a public school, has policeand fire protection, drives on roads,or utilizes many other public services, benefits, at least in part, by property taxes.

As seen in the pie chart above,approximately 4% (or $.04) of everyproperty tax dollar you pay islevied by the Village of Frankfort.In other words, if your property taxbill totaled $10,000 for the year, justunder $400 is levied by the Villageof Frankfort. This equates toapproximately $2.7 million of property tax revenues. This property tax revenue, along with aportion received for road & bridge(approximately $800,000, levy is setby the Township), is used to helppay for a quarter of the essentialservices the Village provides whichare budgeted at $13.6 million dollars for the current year.

No property tax funds are used tosupport the Utilities’ operations.These operations are supported bywater and sewer charges.As the end of the calendar yearapproaches, the Village (as well asall of the other taxing districts) willagain send their levy request to thecounty clerk. The tax rate needed toproduce the amount of revenues iscalculated and limitations areapplied to determine the amountthat each taxing district can legally

Do You Know Where Your Property Tax Dollars Go?By Jenni Booth, Director of Finance

This pie chartshows the percentof every propertytax dollar you paythat is levied by theVillage of Frankfort.


NOVEMBER 2016THE FRANKFORT VILLAGER

Dialing it Back… Every Little Bit HelpsBy Tony Minette, Director of Utilities

Over the past few years the Villagehas worked hard to help its residents and customers under-stand the complexity of the violation the Village Waste WaterSystem received for Chloridethrough our “Public EducationCampaign” (pamphlet, articles andonline PSA). The IllinoisEnvironmental Agency (IEPA) has denied all options the Villagehas presented as possible solutionsand given no guidance as anappropriate measure to remove theviolation. (The most recent denialcame this September). Howeverrather than just accept the lack ofdirection from the IEPA the Villagewill continue its efforts with thecommunity to reduce its salt usage,because every little bit helps.

So let’s summarize what we havedone so far: Step one: an educational pamphlet was sent outto everyone in their water bill

asking everyone to “Dial it Back”.Step two: the Mayor’s NovemberVillager Article outlining thedetails of the violation in 2015.Step three: we produced an informational public serviceannouncement (PSA) providingvarious tips for residents and customers on how to reduce oursalt usage, affectionately dubbed“The Dial it Back Video”.

So what’s next? Moving forwardwe will continue with more videos,more pamphlets, and more articles

to do our part to reduce the amountof salt we put into our creeks untila reasonable solution is presented.Ultimately the Village and its residents want to do the right thing,either end the violation or reach anagreement with the IllinoisEnvironmental Agency (IEPA) toaccommodate the 10,000 plus watersofteners in our system that is thesource of the chloride.

If you have any questions or concerns about anything mentionedin this article or any other topic,please feel free to call the UtilityDepartment at (815) 469-2177. Theentire “Dial it Back” pamphlet isavailable at the Village website,www.villageoffrankfort.com under“Live/Village Services/Water”. ❅

Your Opinion Counts!Let us know your thoughts, concerns, or suggestions on ways to improve our village. Let us know about acts ofpeople who deserve special recognition. The Village will review submissions for appropriate response and action.

Dear Village Board, ___________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address & Phone (optional)____________________________________________________________________________

Drop the completed form off at the Village Administration Building or mail to:Village Board, Village of Frankfort, 432 West Nebraska Street, Frankfort, IL 60423

or logon to www.villageoffrankfort.com and click on “Contact Us.”



You’re Invited…Village of Frankfort

Tree Lighting Ceremony

Thursday, December 1, at 6:30 PMBreidert Green, Downtown Frankfort

Welcome:Mayor Jim Holland

Musical Selections Performed By:Hickory Creek Middle School Choir

Tree Lighting Countdown:Mayor Jim Holland & Village Board

Santa’s Arrival

Refreshments Will Be Served By Volunteers From:Lincoln-Way East Interact Club



Thank You…Mayor Jim Holland and the Frankfort Village Board would like to thank the people who have made Frankfort’sspecial events in 2016 so successful. We extend our appreciation to the volunteers, the civic groups, the sponsors,

the Frankfort residents and all the visitors who attended Frankfort’s special events in 2016.

Thanks to the“Winter on theGreen” event sponsors for warming

up our Sundaysin January &February.

Thanks tothe loyal customers of theFrankfortCountryMarket forthe most successfulyear to date.

Thanks toeveryonewho attends our annualWellnessFair inFebruary.

Thanks tothe FrankfortCar Club forlining thedowntownFrankfortstreets withclassic carseveryThursdayevening.

Thanks to themany civicgroups and

volunteers whohelped keepour Village clean duringEarth Day2016.

Thanks to ouryoung Frankfortanglers and theirfamilies whoenjoyed the

“Get Hooked onFrankfort” fishing

derby atPrairie Park.

Thanks tothe “Movieson theGreen” committeefor hours of summermovie

enjoyment atBreidertGreen.

Thanks to the FrankfortChamber of Commerce, thehundreds of volunteers, various civic groups, schoolbands, B.E.T.A. Team, LionsClub, parade participants,

historic downtown merchants,local businesses, residentsand the thousands of visitorswho continue to make theFrankfort Fall Fest one of thebest festivals in the Midwest!



Thanks to theFrankfort AreaJaycees, FrankfortLions Club and allthe amateur chefswho have madeour annual“Amateur RibCook-Off” heldevery August ahuge success.

Thanks to theLincoln Way Special

RecreationAssociation forsponsoring the“Bike the Trail”event in Augustalong Old PlankRoad Trail.

Thanks toeveryone whoattended our“Night OutAgainst Crime”event inAugust.

Thanks to the“Concerts onthe Green”committee forSunday eveningmusical

entertainmentduring thesummer.

Thanks to the Bluegrass Festival committee for anothersuccessful event this summer.

Thanks to the runners, walkersand volunteers ofour annual OldPlank Road Trail5K Run/Walk.

Thanks to the families who bravethe cold to visitwith Santa duringthe annual TreeLighting Ceremonyon Breidert Green.

Thanks tothose whoattended ourannual

Memorial DayObservation tohonor our veterans andtheir service toour country.

Thanks to our talented artists and all our visitors whoenjoyed their beautiful artwork during our annual

Fine Arts Fair in June.

Thanks to allthe youngfamilies whoenjoyed the“Library onthe Green”series in Julyand August.

We look forward to your continued support of all our events in2017! Check the website calendar for 2017 event dates and timesor sign up at www.villageoffrankfort.com and click on “ReceiveEmail Updates” for automatic event information every month!



Share hot chocolate & cookies with family & friends at these free winter events!

Please Note: No Winter on the Green event on February 4 – Super Bowl Weekend!

Details for each event will be available soon at www.villageoffrankfort.com

Sponsored by the Village of Frankfort&

Thanks to our Special Sponsors:Frankfort Chamber of Commerce Frankfort Park District Frankfort Lions ClubFrankfort Boys Scout Troop 270 Tinley Park-Frankfort Rotary Club

Winter on the Green 2017 SeasonSATURDAYS – NOON UNTIL 2:00 PM

Breidert Green in Downtown Historic Frankfort

Beat the winter blues and join us for 5 fun-filled SaturdaysJanuary & February, 2017!

January 7Ice Fest

Ice Sculptures, Demo

January 28Amateur Chili Cook-OffChili Competition, Free Samples

January 14Winter Carnival

Kids Carnival Game, DJ

January 21Winter Sports

Enjoy Winter Sports

February 11Valentine’s WeekendTaste Fondue & Hot Cobbler

New Day &Time!

SATURDAYNoon - 2



Submit Your WinterBeautification AwardNominations!

Saturday & Sunday, December 3-4Noon to 4:00 PM

Highlights include:• German Lantern Parade with St. NicholasSaturday, December 3 at Dusk - Free lanterns for kids

• Cookie Walk, Noon to 4:00 PM - Saturday & SundayTicket required - Only 300 tickets will be sold

• Live reindeer visit on Sunday, December 4 from Noon to3:00 PM

• Horse-drawn wagon rides

Cookie Walk Tickets go on sale in mid-November.Visit www.shophistoricfrankfort.com for ticket information

and details

Sponsored by theFrankfort Historic Business Association

Frankfort AreaHistorical Society

Candlelight House Walk Friday, December 25:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Tour homes decorated for theholidays and stop by our open house

for homemade cookies.

Special stops at theChamber, Museum & CD&ME

For Tickets Call (815) 469-6541

Christkindl & Cookie Walk Weekend

Mission Statement:The mission of the Village of FrankfortBeautification Awards Program is to give publicrecognition to projects that exhibit functionaland tasteful design and enhance the Village ofFrankfort.

Submittals Due:Winter 2016 beautification award nominationsare due no later than December 16 for presentation before the holidays.

Nomination Form:Log on to www.villageoffrankfort.com and click on “Hot Topics” to download the form.Complete the nomination form and return it tothe Village Administration Building, 432 W.Nebraska.

Award Categories:Residential Buildings, Commercial Buildings,Industrial Buildings

Nominate a neighbor, a business, or a home -owner association for a beautification award!

Shop Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 26

The Village of Frankfort celebrates ourlocal small businesses and their contributions

to our local economy and community. Residents are encouraged to support theSaturday after Thanksgiving as a day toshop small and shop local in Frankfort!



Midnight! So grab your friendsand get ready for some great dealsthat are only available on this onenight! New this year, the Chamberwill have busses to move patronsfrom one shopping area to another.We hope this will make shoppingALL of Frankfort even easier. So,gather at one of our many localrestaurants for an early Holidaymeal and then shop the night away! Participating businesses will be listed at www.frankfortchamber.com.

As we move into 2017 don’t forgetthe Annual Chili Cook-Off – start toget those Chili recipes ready!

The Frankfort Chamber wishes youand yours a Merry Holiday Seasonand a Happy New Year! ❅

Keeping the fun going, FrankfortHistoric Business Association willhost Christkindl Weekend,Saturday, December 3 and SundayDecember 4. The downtown will bebrimming with activities includingthe annual Lantern Parade, cookiewalk, horse-drawn wagon rides,and cookie decorating, as well asSanta’s Secret Workshop! TheChamber is once again proud tosponsor the live reindeer that willattend this weekend as well! Therewill certainly be something forevery member of the family!

In case you are still looking forsomething for that special someone,Midnight Madness will be in fullswing on Friday, December 9.Frankfort Chamber businesses willbe open from 6:00 p.m. to

The leaves have changed their colors and lights are starting to goup; must mean winter and theHoliday season are rapidlyapproaching! The Holidays are abusy time of year everywhere andFrankfort is no exception!

To kick off the season, on Friday,December 2 the FAHS will againsponsor The Candlelight HouseWalk which will showcase areaFrankfort homes. The Chamber willbe a special stop where visitors canpop in for some light refreshmentsprovided by some of our Chamberrestaurants. The Historic Societywill also be serving delectable cookies and wassail. Certainly somearea businesses will stay open lateso you can get a jump start on thatHoliday shopping!

Celebrate the Holiday Season With the ChamberBy Alicia M. Joebgen, Frankfort Chamber Executive Director

through our electronic newsletter aswell as directly reaching out. Wewelcome your individual input aswell: in-person with the Director orvia email [email protected]. Your contribution to thefacebook group 300 Frankfort Ideascan also help build a shared platform for creating your future!

Now in our 50th year, we are reaching out to the people of ourdistrict for ideas. What do youwant the library to be, do and planfor the future? ❅

presentations, individual and groupstudy. Library programs reach outto learners of all sizes to engagethem in studies of technology, science and the arts.

FPLD is beginning a new series ofstrategic planning sessions toaccompany the community into thenext “Roaring Twenties.” The mostimportant step in planning is tofind out as much as possible aboutthe plans, wishes and needs of ourcommunity. To this end, FPLD willbe conducting a survey that willhopefully receive your input. Wewill be providing on-line and papercontent which will be promoted

“The best way topredict your future

is to create it.”

–AbrahamLincoln

The Frankfort Public LibraryDistrict’s (FPLD) mission is toenrich the community throughinnovation, imagination and information, inspiring and empowering individuals to exploreexcellence. Libraries are becomingprominent community centers; providing space for entrepreneurs,small group meetings, local

Create the Future at the LibraryBy Pierre Gregoire, Library Director


http://www.frankfortchamber.com

mailto:[email protected]


Operations & Maintenance Fundfunding for general painting andflooring. Carpet in the main officeand the North end of the buildingand older tile near the lunchroomwere replaced with bright new tile.Two original boilers for the Southend of Chelsea were replaced withmodulating and energy efficientboilers, tuck-pointing and preventative masonry repairs werecompleted and the skylights androof were repaired in the Atrium.

We believe that our students thrivein a safe and healthy environmentand are proud of all three of ourschool facilities. We invite you tovisit our schools during our community events to see where ourFrankfort students spend much oftheir day. Learn more about ourdistrict at www.fsd157c.org. ❅

As students move between classesat Chelsea Intermediate School thisyear they might be inspired to ponder a quote by Helen Keller ona wall or practice answers to multiplication problems on thestairways. The added graphics arejust one example of new warm andwelcoming touches at the school.

Originally constructed as two separate buildings in 1974 and 1981and connected by an addition in1995, before completing a finaladdition in 2009, Chelsea was renovated with a “mini-facelift”over the summer. Located at 22265S. 80th Avenue, Chelsea has acheerful vibe starting with new signage on the outside of the schoolstating “Home of the Tigers” highlighting the school mascot.Visitors, staff and students can seeother positive changes immediatelyas they enter the school due to newdecorating and a tiger logo in themain office. There is also a newmural in the lunchroom. Existingmurals have been accented withbrighter colors by teacher and artistSusie Corkery, and motivationalquotes and accent colors have beenadded to some walls. The improvements were supported by

District funding and individualfamily donations, the District 157-C Education Foundation and Family School Partnership (FSP) organization.

Along with these visible enhancements, many foundationalitems have been updated orreplaced. The District provided

Improvements Made at Chelsea Intermediate SchoolBy Dr. Maura J. Zinni, Superintendent of Schools, Frankfort School District 157-C

Chelsea thirdgraders on one of the stairways featuring newgraphics highlightingmath problems.The graphics wereadded during a renovation of theschool over thesummer.

Miss Your FavoriteProgram on Channel 6?

All FCTV programs are available to watch on your iOS devices(i.e, iPad, iPod, iPhone). Just visit www.villageofrankfort.com, click on the “FCTV ON DEMAND” logo, select the program

you’d like to watch, and ENJOY!

Watch FCTV 24 Hours ADay with “Live Stream”

You can now view FCTV programming, including Village BoardMeetings, from the Village website, www.villageoffrankfort.comin full HD quality 24 hours a day with “FCTV LIVE STREAM”.

Accessing the new feature is easy—visit www.villageoffrankfort.comand click on the button “LIVE STREAM” on the home page–

it’s that easy!



Solar Panel Energy ProjectBy Barb Rains, PHR, Superintendent of Summit Hill District 161

energy project allows students toutilize solar data collected on-sightto be actively engaged in the NextGeneration Science Standards. Thesolar panel energy project is aneducational tool and will only beused for educational purposes.

Science Teacher Roxanne Rodgersspearheaded the grant applicationprocess for the solar panel projecton behalf of the Summit Hill Jr.High science team.

Over the course of the school year,this educational tool will be utilizedto prompt discussions of how solarpanels work to convert sunlight

Summit Hill Jr. High’s solar panelproject is up and running, thanks to grant funding from the IllinoisClean Energy CommunityFoundation and Earth, Wind, andSolar Energy. Four 16 ft. x 16 ft.solar panels have been installed on Summit Hill Jr. High School’srooftop. The solar array is connected to the school's electricalsystem and the internet for monitoring.

The solar panel project is anotheropportunity to bring real-world science activities into Summit Hillclassrooms in an interactive andengaging way. The solar panel

into electricity. Students will utilizethe data collected from the solarpanels to learn how to calculatepower in watts. As they advance intheir knowledge of solar energy,students will monitor how the system behaves over time inresponse to changing seasons andweather patterns. Since the beginning of the school year, solarenergy production reports indicatethat 295 kilowatt hours of energyhave been produced which contributed to offset emissions ofgreenhouse gases the equivalent of two trees. ❅

Lincoln-Way East students attend TeenConservation Leadership conference.

Lincoln-Way District 210 UpdateBy Dr. R. Scott Tingley, Lincoln-Way High School District 210

Last year, our students and teachers had an incredibly strongfinish, receiving various academicaccomplishments for the 2015-2016school year. National recognitionsfrom Newsweek and U.S. Newsand World Report brought greatpride to our high schools, andDistrict 210 was again recognizedat the start of this school year whenChicago Magazine ranked allLincoln-Way High Schools in the“Top 5 High Schools in WillCounty.”

By the numbers, we had an excellent year. The ACT average forthe graduating class of 2016 was a23.1 composite: the highest ACTaverage of a graduating class inLincoln-Way history. Furthermore,our graduation rate reached an

all-time District 210 high at 97.9%.These great accomplishments are a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our teachers, students, and staff.

Students have begun the 2016-2017

school year with energy, positivity,and class. We have seen increases inparticipation in athletics, activities,and clubs at each school, which haskept our teachers and coaches busythroughout our first semester. Our athletes continue to bond with their teammates and prove to befierce competitors for rival schools.Students continually volunteer,donating time and energy into bettering their community and connecting with local residents. The combined Lincoln-WayMarching Band has performed atnumerous community events,amazing us all with their dedica-tion and incredible talent. TheBoard of Education, administration,and faculty look forward to an outstanding school year. ❅


fall and winter months. The Districtmaintains 387 acres of park space in19 different parks. When the colderweather arrives, residents can enjoysledding at Commissioners Parkand/or ice skating at Main Park.

During the colder months, theDistrict offers increased indoor programming opportunities. Thepartnership with the District 210allows for residents to stay activethrough purchasing an annual passor punch visit card for the fitnesscenter and the field house for opengym at Lincoln-Way East HighSchool. Current hours and availability are provided on theDistrict’s website or by calling theoffice. Programing opportunities atthe Frankfort Park District cross allspectrums and ages. The list belowis a highlight of upcoming eventsand new programs being offered.

Frankfort Park District – Parks Provide a Sense of Community!By Gina Hassett, Executive Director

Have you visited a Frankfort parkthis year? Did you watch the July4th fireworks light up the sky atMain Park? Take your best friend tothe Bark Park? Push your child inthe swing at Jackson Park? Attendthe annual Egg Hunt or Back-To-School Bash? Watch a sportingevent at Commissioners Park?

Experiences like these help to facilitate a sense of community.Your use is motivated by an activitybut what you take away is muchgreater. The park district providesresidents a place where communitymembers can develop a sense ofcommunity and where healthybehavior is modeled. People gatherto share experiences, socialize andbuild a sense of communitythrough community parks.

The parks are open all year. TheDistrict encourages use during the

• Dinner with Santa – December 2

• Trim-A-Tree Workshop (adult) –December 1

• Movie Madness – December 9• Polar Express Movie Night –December 22

• Holiday Hoops Camp –December 27-29

• Lego Winter Break Camp –December 27-29

• Drive-In Movie – January 3• Color Therapy (adult) – January 5

The Winter/Spring brochure will bemailed in December. Registrationfor residents is Dec. 27. For moreinformation on the Frankfort ParkDistrict programs and parks, visitwww.frankfortparks.org or contactthe office (815) 469-9400 and follow us on Facebook. ComeJoin the Fun! ❅

detectors are good for 5-7 years andshould be replaced after that timeframe. Typically, the units have atag or date stamp on the back toindicate its “age” or expirationdate. While you have the ladderout, this is an opportune time toalso quickly test the smoke alarmsin your home as well. We recommend changing the batteriesboth types of alarms at this time.

• CO alarms should be installed ina central location outside each

alarm to ensure yours are up todate and protecting your family asdesigned. Most carbon monoxide

The Frankfort Fire District isreminding all residents to ensurethat each home has a working carbon monoxide alarm. When theweather starts to cool and furnacesare being started for the first time,the fire departments calls for carbon monoxide alarm activationsalso increase. While we encourageresidents to call the fire departmentwhen the alarms sounds, we wouldlike to present a few safety tips tohelp eliminate false activations.Take a quick moment today to lookat your own carbon monoxide

Frankfort Fire Protection District: Fall Safety MessageBy Fire Chief Robert Wilson

Continued on next page



Frankfort Square Park District Awarded a Tree Replacement GrantBy Jim Randall, Executive Director, Frankfort Square Park District

Frankfort Square Park District(FSPD) realizes the importance ofparks, open spaces, clean air, water,and the improved quality of lifethese areas provide, and takes itsmission of environmental stewardship seriously. As in manycommunities throughout our area,Frankfort Square was greatlyimpacted by the Emerald AshBorer, losing 30% of its green andwhite ash trees to this invasivepest. Advocating for environmen-tally positive actions, the FSPD’sGreat Lakes Restoration Grant forEmerald Ash Borer tree replacement was approved. Thegrant award, $7,777, combinedwith matching FSPD funds, willprovide a total amount of $15,554towards the purchase, planting,and care of twenty-seven trees tobe installed throughout FSPDparks and properties. FSPD willwork with certified arborist, PaulBeebe, of Arbor Care in Frankfort,to plant a variety of native Illinois

tree species, ensuring biodiversity,important to their long-term healthand success. Thanks to the grantaward, the Frankfort Square community will enjoy the environmental benefits these treeswill provide for generations tocome.

Also, the FSPD is happy to havebeen granted use of the LWN campus that provides communityaccess to indoor and outdoor athletic/fitness facilities through

the F.A.N. program. This past fall,expanded hours were made available, and park staff are developing many new programs forall ages and interests. Please visitwww.fspd.org to learn more aboutthe F.A.N. program’s Novemberopen house, and new programopportunities that will be available!

For more information on the FSPD,please contact us at 815-469-3524 orwww.fspd.org. ❅

Paul Beebe ofArbor Careplanting a treeat the FrankfortSquare ParkDistrict’sCommunityCenter duringan Earth Dayevent.

sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required byapplicable laws, codes or standards

• Test CO alarms at least once amonth; replace them according tomanufacturer’s instructions.

• If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh airlocation outdoors or by an openwindow or door. Make sureeveryone inside the home isaccounted for. Call 911 for help

Frankfort Fire, from page 17


from a fresh air location and staythere until emergency personnelarrive.

• During and after a snowstorm,make sure vents for the dryer,furnace, stove, and fireplace areclear of snow build-up.

• A generator should be used in awell-ventilated location outdoorsaway from windows, doors andvent openings. ❅

Village ofFrankfortMobile App!

Download a free mobile appfrom iTunes (Apple products) orGoogle Play (Android products)

and stay connected to theVillage with your mobile device!

Search “Village of Frankfort” to download the free app!

You’re on the goand so are we!


Frankfort’s downtown boutiquesand Frankfort’s modern shoppingcenters provide unique gifts as well as nationally advertised products. Shopping in Frankfort isconvenient. Frankfort stores chargethe lowest sales tax in the Chicagoregion and a portion of the sales tax paid goes back to your village.Frankfort stores hire local residentswhich circulates money back to ourcommunity. Frankfort shops arebeautifully decorated for the holidays and they are near qualityrestaurants and holiday activitieswhich make the shopping experience more fun for the entirefamily.

The Frankfort Historic BusinessAssociation lists thirty-nine shops,boutiques and restaurants inFrankfort’s downtown. These shopsprovide unique gifts includingantiques, stationery, sports memorabilia, musical instruments,bicycles, children’s clothing, petsupplies, china, home accessories,men’s and women’s clothing andflowers. Consider gift certificatesfor the children’s museum, nail and

hair salons, quilting, yoga, photography, restaurants or bowling. Don’t forget Frankfort’sholiday events including shopsmall business Saturday onNovember 26, the Tree Lighting ceremony on December 1, theHouse Walk on December 2,Christkindl Weekend and cookiewalk on December 3 and 4 andMidnight Madness shopping onDecember 9.

Our modern shopping centers provide Frankfort residents withelectronics, hardware, jewelry, toys and other goods that areadvertised nationally. All Frankfortmerchants bring us great productsand prices in a convenient funshopping experience. They makeFrankfort the best place to shop for gifts.

The trustees and I wish each of youa happy holiday season. We hopethat you have the opportunity toenjoy time with family and friendsand we hope that you will shop inFrankfort. ❅

Mayor’s Message, cont. from page 1


Shoppers enjoy the holiday season in Frankfort.

Freedom of Information, from page 1

if it falls under one of the followingcategories:(1) private information such as

social security number; (2) personal information that

intrudes on a person’s right to privacy;

(3) law enforcement records thatwould interfere with a pendingproceeding;

(4) information that endangers lifeor physical safety;

(5) preliminary drafts or notes;(6) business trade secrets; (7) bids prior to final selection; and(8) requests that are “unduly

burdensome” or vague.Under the law, the first 50 pages of records are provided withoutcharge with a 15 cent per pagecharge thereafter. The use of electronic copies is a way that many chose to avoid copy costs and expedite response times.

The Illinois Attorney General’sOffice handles all disputes andcompliance issues related to FOIArequests. This responsibility isunder the authority of the PublicAccess Counselor who can bereached via the FOIA Hotline (877) 299-FOIA. Additional information can also be obtained bythe Attorney General’s publicationfound at http://foia.ilattorneygeneral.net/. In Frankfort, RobPiscia serves as our FOIA officer.He is responsible for assuring thatall FOIA requests are handled in atimely and accurate process. Mr.Piscia can be reached at the VillageAdministration office by email [email protected] or by phone at(815) 469-2177. ❅


http://foia.ilattorneygeneral.net

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGEPAID

PERMIT NO. 130FRANKFORT, IL

TO: POSTAL CUSTOMERFRANKFORT, IL 60423

432 W. NEBRASKA ST.FRANKFORT, IL 60423

A Happy,Healthy and SafeHoliday Season

to Our Residents andTheir Families


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