Village Manager's Message

Today we celebrate Flag Day to honor the day in 1777 when the Continental Congress passed a resolution adopting the flag of the United States of America. A year earlier on July 4th the same body approved the language of the Declaration of Independence, and some may have signed it (most signed on August 2nd).  This year we will celebrate July 4th in Villa Park.

Planning and Zoning considered an application last night to grant a Special Use Permit for an additional cannabis dispensary on North Avenue and it received a 6-1 positive recommendation. The Village received about $200,000 in revenues from the assessment of a 3% Municipal Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax in 2022 and 2023. Those funds are divided in three equal portions to the police pension fund, the fire pension fund and to fund Parks and in particular to the Recreation Center.

I met with the Police leadership and Cecilia Diaz and Levi Thompson from the Federal Railroad Administration. They came to put their eyes on our train station. They were in town to work with communities to reduce trespasses on train tracks, particularly those that result in fatalities. It was a good discussion, and they were encouraging about our efforts to get a grade separation project (underpass/overpass).

Continue on to read the full message from the Village Manager.

Matt Harline,
Village Manager