Let the Good Times ‘Roll in Meadows’ Central Road Block to Anchor Meadows’ June Events Schedule Rolling Meadows’ annual community cial appearance by the Rolling Meadows block party will once again mark the start Cruise Nights car club, and more. of “Summer in the Meadows.” The party At a new location! This year’s block party will simply be taking place in a different is moving to Central Road (between Barker location. Avenue and Jay Lane) to avoid the ongoing Family-friendly fun! Join fellow residents Kirchoff Road resurfacing project. Fridays ROCK! with free live music in Kimball Hill Park. and community members Friday, June 7th, Other events on tap for June include: Spoken Four to ‘ROCK’ Friday Night 4:30 – 8:30 pm, for a seasonal celebra- Friday, June 14th, 7 - 10 p.m. tion with food trucks, live music (courtesy Pooch-a-Palooza at City Markets Kimball Hill Park of The Blooze Brothers), law enforcement Saturday, June 22nd, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. vehicle displays, kiddie train rides, a spe- Community Church (2720 Kirchoff Road) The pop, rock, and country sounds of Spoken Four will kick off this summer’s Locally-grown produce, freshly-made Fridays ROCK! series. Bring a din- cuisine, live music, local merchants, and ner (or purchase food from onsite food trucks) a host of other draws are all staples of for this free, all-ages “Ravinia-style” event the City’s 7th annual summer bazaar. that showcases popular live acts. This month’s Market theme is “Pooch- a-palooza,” so make sure to bring your Note: Mark your calendars for additional four-legged family members! Fridays ROCK! shows set for July 19th and September 13th. Note: Additional markets are scheduled The City’s annual community block party helps welcome for July 20th, August 24th, and Septem- Access a complete listing of upcoming summer to Rolling Meadows. ber 28th. community events here.

Independence Day Itinerary: Morning Parade, In This Issue Afternoon Bash and Evening Fireworks City ‘Showcase’ connects local businesses Got plans for July 4th? Celebrate Inde- Independence Day Parade (11:30 am) and residents ...... 2 pendence Day with Rolling Meadows’ The City’s 2019 Independence Day Events Foundation honored with annual parade and fireworks,PLUS an Parade, featuring the world-famous Chamber’s Circle of Success Award...... 2 afternoon community party with music, Budweiser Clydesdales, will step off from Operational Review spurs new service drinks, food, and fun! Rolling Meadows High School. Partic- initiatives at Community Development. . . . .3 ipants will head west on Central Road Daisy’s Café opens on Kirchoff Road . . . . . 3 to Owl Drive, proceed north on Owl to Kirchoff Road, and turn east on Kirchoff Euclid Avenue bike path extension before ending at the Rolling Meadows nears completion ...... 4 Shopping Center. Annual Salt Creek Cleanup clears trash, invasive plant species...... 4 Local businesses, community groups, schools, and other groups are invited join Boy Scouts to lead June 17th flag retirement ceremony...... 5 this year’s spectacle. Showcase your Red, White, & Blue spirit by building amazing This Month in Rolling Meadows...... 5 floats and specialty vehicles; decorating Kirchoff Road resurfacing update...... 6 bikes, trikes, wagons, and strollers; enter- City officials are proud to welcome the Budweiser New fire station construction update...... 6 Clydesdales to this year’s parade. …continued on page 2

City of Rolling Meadows • www.cityrm.org • 1 April ‘Showcase’ Fosters Connections Between Local Businesses & Residents Rolling Meadows’ second annual Business & Community Showcase offered extensive opportunities for local business owners/ operators to strengthen connections with their customers and colleagues. The April 25th event, held at Meridian & Conference Center (1701 W. Algonquin Rd), featured nearly 50 B2B networking helps forge new connections. participating exhibitors in many business Community Events networking opportunities among area fields, including real estate/development, companies – and boosting residents’ Foundation Joins restaurant/hospitality, banking, insurance, awareness of their services. ‘Circle of Success’ healthcare, finance, technology, retail, and construction. “The feedback provided by this year’s The City’s Community Events Foun- participants was extremely favorable. The The annual Showcase is gaining a dation was among the organizations B2B networking portion of the program, reputation among local business leaders and individuals honored at the in particular, drew high marks from as an excellent tool for increasing Rolling Meadows Chamber of Com- those in attendance,” Business Advocate merce’s May 30th “Circle of Success” Martha Corner explained. “At its core, the awards dinner. Showcase is a vehicle for business leaders The Foundation and its volunteers to forge stronger ties with their peers and earned the Special Recognition Award their customers. But it also encourages for their efforts to bring “exceptional residents to shop locally by providing family-friendly a forum where they can learn more events and about the types of products and services activities to Residents learn more about services offered by local available from Rolling Meadows-based our commu- businesses and community organizations. companies.” nity for the enjoyment of Independence Day Itinerary…from page 1 residents and businesses,” ing four-legged friends (patriotic pooches, music, kid-friendly attractions, a bounce Chamber Execu- anyone?); or simply marching in-step with house, and more. Performers confirmed tive Director Linda Liles fellow parade-goers. for the event include DJ Mixx, Fool Ballantine explained. House, and Hillbilly Rock Stars. Online parade application forms are avail- Other 2019 Circle of Success award able at www.cityrm.org/669/Communi- Fireworks Over Salk Park recipients are: ty-Events. Submit by Thursday, June 27th (9:15 pm/Dusk) • Frank Schoen, TransAmerica to reserve a place in this year’s event. Independence Day wouldn’t be complete without an “explosive” grand finale. Jour- Financial Advisors, Inc. – Business Post-Parade Party Sponsored by Rep’s ney over to South Salk Park for another Leader of the Year Place (1:00 – 8:00 pm) installment of Rolling Meadows’ dazzling July 4th fun continues after the parade • Dave Whitney, Planning & Zoning fireworks display. Commission member – Community with an all-ages community celebration Leader of the Year in the Rolling Meadows Shopping Center Parking Lot. • Rafal Piontkowski, Village Bank & Trust – Chamber Volunteer of the Purchase a variety of great tastes – food, Year beer, sangria, soft drinks, and more – from event co-sponsor Rep’s Place while • BEAR Construction – Business of enjoying an afternoon of laughs, live the Year

• Rep’s Place – Community Outreach Post-Parade Party Set List • Rolling Meadows Shopping DJ Mixx...... 1:15 – 2:00 pm Center – Community Enhancement Fool House. . . . .2:30 – 4:00 pm Hillbilly Rock Stars. . 4:45 – 7:15 pm

2 • June 2019 • E-News & Views Recognizing Public Works’ ‘First Responders’ By Rob Horne, Assistant Public Works Director June has arrived, and, at this writing, I can finally say with confidence that the harsh winter weather has moved on – for at least the next several months, anyway. June is also an appropriate time to rec- ognize the success achieved by Public Works crews in providing snow and ice removal services during an especially difficult winter. Department employees responded to 25 different snow events Time to Play at between November 1st and April 27th, New Daisy’s Café! which dropped 51 inches of snow on Rolling Meadows. City officials gathered for a May 10th grand opening ceremony to welcome In January alone, crews battled 10 City plows prepare for snow removal operations. Daisy’s Café to Rolling Meadows. snow events in 19 days – most of which respond to winter storms with just one occurred during “off” hours and required The new café, located at 3334 Kirch- division. We all pitch in and then return employees to spend time away from their off Road, features slots and video to our “normal” duties once City streets families. poker, food and drink menus, a are cleared of snow: everything from Wi-Fi lounge, and space for lun- In total, Public Works staff spent nearly repairing water main breaks and City cheons or private events. Its motto is 2,400 hours focusing on snow and ice building heating systems to clearing “Eat, Drink, Play.” removal. Sleep is often at a premium in downed trees and fallen branches. those situations. And they still have to Owners Tim and Todd Yormark Without exception, the entire Public go home and shovel their own driveways welcomed guests by providing com- Works staff performed extraordinarily in after working a 12- to 16-hour shift. plimentary food and soft drinks, a all areas. With the continued support of variety of raffle prizes (Cubs & White Rolling Meadows’ snow removal opera- the City Council – and with gratitude for Sox tickets, a 55" LED TV, free game tions have long been the envy of residents the many jobs they perform so admira- plays, and more), and the chance to in surrounding communities. That’s due bly – I offer my personal thanks for their try their luck in the gaming lounge. to Public Works’ “team” approach. Our dedication, professionalism, and determi- organization is not large enough to nation. Learn more at www.daisyscafe.com.

Operational Review Spurs New Initiatives at Community Development Rolling Meadows’ Community Devel- with customers, and built a team atmo- materials that highlight Community opment Division is in the midst of a sphere that has empowered our employ- Development services. wide-ranging initiative to improve cus- ees to perform more efficiently.” Additional operational and service tomer service and convenience, guided by In fact, the focus on improving Commu- upgrades – including revisions to the City’s findings gleaned from an ongoing evalua- nity Development’s operations helped fee schedule – are scheduled for imple- tion of internal operations, Assistant Pub- facilitate improvements in its customer mentation over the next several months. lic Works Director Rob Horne reports. service delivery. Examples include: “Staff members have made tremendous These efforts, also designed to strengthen • Developing updated application strides in improving division operations the Division’s ability to fulfill its regulatory forms that are more concise and and customer service while being at responsibilities (i.e. code enforcement and user-friendly. the center of significant organizational building inspections), follows an organi- change,” Horne said. “They have also zational restructuring in which the Com- • Establishing clearly defined time helped update the City’s Comprehensive munity Development Department became frames for plan reviews/issuing permits. Plan and are currently in the process of a division of Public Works in May 2017. • More efficient approval of applications updating the City’s Zoning Code.” for business, home occupation, special “Immersing ourselves in the Division’s event, and temporary sign licenses. Visit the Community Development Divi- day-to-day operations helped identify sion’s webpage or call 847-506-6030 to areas where we could make a major Division employees are also exploring learn more about available services. impact,” Horne recalled. “We’ve estab- ways to reduce supply costs through lished consistency in our planning/zoning effective inventory management and operations, improved communication creating a series of “quick reference”

City of Rolling Meadows • www.cityrm.org • 3 Euclid Road Bike Path Extension Nears Completion Rolling Meadows’ bike path system is expanding this summer, with construc- tion of a new extension that runs along Euclid Avenue between Rohlwing Road and Salt Creek. The project is scheduled for completion in June. “The Euclid Avenue bike path connects two existing paths and will greatly The new Euclid Avenue bike path (shown in in yellow) runs from Rohlwing Road to Salt Creek. improve the safety of cyclists and pedes- trians in the area,” explained Elizabeth also be able to reach destinations such the benefits of the new path while reduc- Payne, Public Works’ Administrative Ser- as the Rolling Meadows Courthouse and ing each side’s financial contributions vices Coordinator. “Nearly 25,000 vehi- Arlington Racetrack. through cost-sharing. cles travel on Euclid every day and, until Planning for the Euclid extension began In addition, Rolling Meadows secured now, there has been no bicycle/pedestrian in 2012. It has been a collaborative effort grant funding for the project from the accommodations in that area.” between Rolling Meadows and Arlington State of Illinois Transportation Enhance- Once the path is completed, users will Heights – where approximately half of ment Program, which allows the City have greater access to the Rolling Mead- the new path is located. An intergov- to recoup up to 80% of its engineering, ows Library, local schools, and the Kir- ernmental agreement between the two design, and construction costs (up to choff Road shopping district. They will communities helps local residents reap $691,000).

Volunteers Clear Trash and Invasive Plant Environmental Species at Salt Creek Earth Day Cleanup Committee to Lead Nearly 50 community volunteers joined Summer Bike Rides Rolling Meadows’ May 5th Earth Day cleanup to remove garbage, debris, and The Rolling Meadows Environmental invasive Buckthorn from a section of Salt Committee is hosting monthly bike Creek near Algonquin Road and Barker rides throughout town this summer Lane. for family members of all ages. Each ride will coincide with City Markets “Buckthorn is on the Illinois exotic weed RMHS students gave a boost to this year’s cleanup. list. It poisons the events scheduled for the following fer the dense, thorny soil so that nothing Saturdays: thicket barrier it cre- else can grow in ates in their yards.” • June 22nd the area,” explained • July 20th Environmental Gill said this year’s • August 24th Committee member event – originally • September 28th Karen Gill. “The scheduled for Satur- Residents interested in participating Environmental Com- day, April 27th but should gather in the Community mittee and other rescheduled due to Church parking lot (2720 Kirchoff local groups have snow – benefitted Road) at 9 am. Each 8-mile ride will been battling Buckthorn for many years, from added participation by more than be led by experienced cyclists and but it is difficult because some people pre- two dozen Rolling Meadows High School include a 10-minute equipment students seeking to earn community ser- safety check before departure. vice hours. Rides will conclude at the same loca- “We also thank everyone at Public Works tion, allowing participants to enjoy City for their help organizing this year’s event, Market festivities that begin at 10 am. and to all the hard-working Committee volunteers who give their time and energy All riders must wear helmets. Rides every month,” she added. will be canceled if temperatures fall below 45-degrees, or in cases of Learn more about the City’s Environmen- heavy rain/lightning. tal Committee online and on Facebook. The annual Creek Cleanup draws volunteers of all ages.

4 • June 2019 • E-News & Views Local Events Showcase RMPD’s Support for Special Olympics Illinois Rolling Meadows police officers are proud to support Special Olympics Illinois through a series of local events designed to generate awareness of, and raise money for, thousands of athletes across the state with intellectual disabil- This Month ities: in Rolling Meadows Dunkin’ Cop on a Rooftop (May 17th) June 4: Economic Development Police officers and residents joined forces Police Chief John Nowacki (center), and Officers Patryk Committee, 6 pm; Environmental to raise more than $4,600 for Special Niemiec (left) and Robert Suchecki wave from atop the Committee, 6:30 pm; both at City Olympics Illinois during the 2019 ‘Cop Dunkin store at 3350 Kirchoff Road. Hall on a Rooftop’ event. These “Guardians of the Flame” will June 6: Adjudication Hearing While Department personnel stood watch travel from Route 53 to Algonquin Road (Parking), 2 pm, City Hall on top of the Rolling Meadows Dunkin’ (approximately 1.4 miles). Residents June 7: Community Block Party, (3350 Kirchoff Road), store visitors interested in participating, purchasing 4:30-8:30 pm; Cruise Night, made financial donations to the cause. commemorative T-shirts, or supporting 5-8 pm, both on Central Rd. In return, they received coupons for free Department efforts in other ways may (between Barker Ave. & Jay Ln.) donuts, coffee mugs, and t-shirts (while contact Detective Michael Katsenios (847- supplies lasted). 255-2416 or [email protected]). June 10: Board of Fire & Police Commissioners, 9 am, City Hall Law Enforcement Torch Run (June 2nd) Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for- Each year, the Law Enforcement Torch profit organization offering year-round June 11: Crime Stoppers, 5:30 pm; Run guides the “Flame of Hope” across training and competition in 18 sports for City Council Meeting, 7:30 pm, Illinois to the Special Olympics Illinois more than 23,000 athletes with intellec- both at City Hall Summer Games in Normal, IL. RMPD tual disabilities – and over 17,000 young June 13: Adjudication Hearing, members will escort the Flame along Golf athletes ages 2-7 with and without intel- 1 pm, City Hall Road in Rolling Meadows on Sunday, June lectual disabilities. Learn more online at 2nd, at 8:30 am. www.soill.org. June 14: Cruise Night, 5-8 pm, Meadows Christian Fellowship; Fri- days ROCK! & Roll in Meadows, Boy Scouts to Lead June 17th Flag Retirement 7-10 pm, Kimball Hill Park Local Boy Scouts will conduct a flag welcome to bring unservicable flags to the June 18: City Council Committee retirement ceremony Monday, June 17th, ceremony or drop them off in advance at of the Whole, 7:30 pm, City Hall 7 p.m., at Kimball Hill Park. Residents are City Hall (3600 Kirchoff Road). June 20 Water bills due; Adjudi- cation Hearing (Red Light), 2 pm, City Hall City Water Quality Surpasses EPA Standards June 21: Cruise Night, 5-8 pm, Rolling Meadows drinking Printed Reports Available Meadows Christian Fellowship water has again met all Customers may request a printed copy of June 22: Environmental Commit- standards established by the report by contacting the Public Works tee Bike Ride, 9 am; City Market, the Environmental Pro- Department at 847-963-0500. 10 am-2 pm, both at Community tection Agency, according Share with Others Church to the City’s annual Con- We encourage landlords, businesses, sumer Confidence Report June 25: City Council Meeting, schools, and other groups to share this (CCR) that provides information on the 7:30 pm, City Hall information with their tenants, employ- source and quality of the water used by ees, students, and other water users at June 27: Community Blood Drive, residents and businesses. your location who do not receive monthly 1-7 pm, City Hall The complete 2018 report will be avail- City utility bills. June 28: Cruise Night, 5-8 pm, able on the City’s website by June 30th. The City’s 2018 Consumer Confidence Meadows Christian Fellowship Posting the CCR online helps streamline Report will be posted by June 30th the process of delivering this information at www.cityrm.org/Archive.aspx?A- to water customers (which is required by DID=5825. law) and reduces printing/mailing costs.

City of Rolling Meadows • www.cityrm.org • 5 Street Reconstruction Program to Begin in June Six residential side streets in the vicinity of Euclid Avenue and Quentin Road will undergo full reconstruction this summer, following City Council’s approval of a $796,000 contract with Hillside-based Builders Paving, LLC. The project will completely rebuild: Curb and gutter replacement occurred in May. • Arlingdale Drive (East) • Highland Drive Kirchoff Road • Jessica Court City officials will keep area residents Upgrades Underway • Kevin Lane updated throughout the course of the • Michael Court project in order to help minimize any Construction crews replace existing • Prairie Lane inconvenience. curb structures on Kirchoff Road in this mid-May photo – the initial Vehicle access to these roads will be lim- Construction is expected to begin in June phase of a long-anticipated project ited at certain times during the construc- and be completed sometime in September that will: tion phase. (weather permitting). • Completely resurface 1.75 miles of road between Hicks and New Wilke Roads. • Reconfigure the medians located near Route 53. • Upgrade the bridge that spans Salt Creek in the City’s downtown area. • Replace below-ground signal loops that regulate traffic flows at inter- New Fire Station 15 at 3201 Algonquin Road sections. City officials secured grant funding Rolling Meadows Fire Department’s that covers 80% of the nearly $2 million upgrade. Current timetables Future Takes Shape on Algonquin Road anticipate the project’s completion by The future of the Rolling Meadows Fire dential areas across the City within the late summer (weather permitting). Department is beginning to take shape at Fire Department’s benchmark response 3201 Algonquin Road, with construction goal of 4 to 6 minutes. Road Construction proceeding quickly on the City’s newest The combined $11 million project is fire station. Updates Available Online being funded by City-issued bonds that Stay informed about roadway and Relocating both City fire stations(a sec- will be repaid over 20 years. The bond underground utility construction ond station is also being built at 2340 Hicks also covers various underground utility projects taking place around Roll- Road) will enable firefighters to provide projects to promote long-term utility rate ing Meadows this summer: visit the more effective fire/emergency medical stabilization. City’s homepage and click “Con- services to the entire community. Current Keep current on fire station construction structon Projects” on the lower left station locations prevent responders from milestones and learn more about the proj- section of the page. reaching multiple commercial and resi- ect’s history online.

Contact City Officials: City Hall Hours: 8 am to 4 pm Monday-Friday MAYOR and CITY COUNCIL SERVICES Mayor: Joe Gallo ...... 847-814-9271 Fire & Police Emergency ...... 911 1st Ward Alderman: Mike Cannon . . . 847-687-3276 Fire Non-emergency ...... 847-397-3352 2nd Ward Alderman: Nick Budmats . . .847-202-0855 Police Non-emergency ...... 847-255-2416 3rd Ward Alderman: Kevin O’Brien . . . 847.212.2587 Public Works ...... 847-963-0500 www.facebook.com/ cityofrollingmeadows 4th Ward Alderman: Vacant Community Development Division . . 847-506-6030 5th Ward Alderman: Jon Bisesi . . . . .847.772.8428 Finance/Utility Billing Questions . . . .847-394-8500 www.twitter.com/ 6th Ward Alderman: John D’Astice . . . 847-409-9367 Senior Handyman Program ...... 847-506-6030 @CityofRM1 7th Ward Alderman: Lara Sanoica . . . 847.770.3097 Crime Stoppers ...... 847-590-7867 Find Us on the Web: City Manager: Barry Krumstok . . . . .847-394-8500 ComEd ...... 1-800-EDISON-1 www.cityrm.org

6 • June 2019 • E-News & Views