Connect with us

Illinois

Wonder Lake is now the fastest-growing Illinois town. How it’s trying to manage its expansion

Published

1 year ago

on

Wonder Lake is now the fastest-growing Illinois town. How it’s trying to manage its expansion


Wonder Lake Village Administrator William Beith heard about the community’s new claim to fame last weekend via a text from one of the trustees.

“We knew we were going to grow, but I would not have guessed the fastest in the state,” Beith said.

But according to data newly released by the U.S. Census Bureau, Wonder Lake’s population as of July 1, 2023, was estimated at 4,889, up from 3,966 since 2020 – an increase of 23.27%, the largest of any municipality in Illinois. That growth can be attributed to two housing developments: The Meadows of West Bay and Stonewater.

The building boom in Wonder Lake started shortly after Beith started working for the village in June 2021.

Advertisement

“Two weeks after I started here, the guy from [Stonewater builder] D.R. Horton came in with 60 building permits. We had two in all of the previous year,” Beith said.

In May alone, there were 15 approved home construction permits in the village, he said.

Stonewater is expected to bring a total of 3,400 to 3,700 homes, and an additional 10,000 residents, to the village in the next 20 years. The section now underway now has 711 housing units in it, Beith said, including single-family houses, townhomes, duplexes and an age-targeted, attached four-unit model.

The Meadows of West Bay, a Wonder Lake subdivision, is being completed by a builder after the original company, Neumann Homes, went bankrupt in 2007. It is one of two developments that has made Wonder Lake the fastest-growing town in Illinois. (Janelle Walker)

The Meadows of West Bay was a Neumann Homes development, left unfinished after the builder when bankrupt in 2007. Another developer, Lennar, bought and is finishing the development, which has between 300 and 400 homes in it, Beith said.

Advertisement

Village officials knew that eventually, Wonder Lake would be on the map for new residents.

“It was a matter of time until the universe aligned to get it moving,” said Village President Dan Dycus. The village and developer Andy Teegen of McHenry-based NRB Land worked together to get Stonewater ready for development, including city water and sewer, far in advance of any homes being built there.

“Wonder Lake will be a lot stronger if we lean into ourselves. We can benefit if those tax dollars go to our municipality, versus being sent to the county.”

—  Wonder Lake Village President Dan Dycus

Those utility systems were designed to serve east-side Wonder Lake residents and businesses too. The village hopes that by later summer or early fall, it will begin the project of extending both utilities from Stonewater to businesses along Hancock Drive that are currently on private well and septic systems. The village’s de facto downtown, the commercial corridor was annexed into Wonder Lake in February.

Other preparations the village has made in advance of the growth include using grant funds to purchase additional vehicles for the police department, increasing department salaries and expanding its parks.

Advertisement

“New public parks and pickleball courts have been added in Meadows of West Bay, a frisbee golf course was added in Woods Creek Park and Stonewater has a center park with over 11 miles of walking paths,” Dycus said.

Homes in the Stonewater development on Thursday, June 6, 2024. New census data reports Wonder Lake is the fastest growing town in the state because of Stonewater and Meadows of West Bay.

Homes in the Stonewater development on Thursday, June 6, 2024. New census data reports Wonder Lake is the fastest growing town in the state because of Stonewater and Meadows of West Bay. (Gregory Shaver/Gregory Shaver )

Wonder Lake making news headlines for its growth is a little nerve-rattling, Dycus added.

“It puts us on the radar. I want to make sure the village lives up to the reputation” that buzz creates, he said.

At the same time, Wonder Lake wants to appeal to its longtime residents, as well as those who are not in the village. Another 4,000 residents around Wonder Lake are not inside the village limits.

“That is what we have to balance, the generations of people who have lived in Wonder Lake all of their lives” who want to retain the small-town feel, Dycus said.

Advertisement

The Hancock annexation and utility improvements also means those utilities will soon be closer to other, unincorporated sections of the village. Dycus hopes that encourages others to seek annexation.

“Wonder Lake will be a lot stronger if we lean into ourselves. We can benefit if those tax dollars go to our municipality, versus being sent to the county,” Dycus said.

What the growth also could bring to Wonder Lake is additional commercial investment, Trustee Joe Houston said.

More rooftops and residents “gives us that boost to attract new business to the downtown area,” Houston said.



Source link

Advertisement
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Illinois

3 Big IL Lottery Prizes Set To Expire Soon, Remain Unclaimed

Published

10 hours ago

on

November 20, 2025

By

3 Big IL Lottery Prizes Set To Expire Soon, Remain Unclaimed


Three lottery tickets purchased in the Chicago area are set to expire soon, meaning the unknown lucky winners could be out thousands of dollars if they do not step up to claim their prizes.

Among the cash prizes are two tickets valued at $100,000 each that will expire in March and another with a $200,000 payout, which will expire next week, according to Illinois Lottery officials. The $200,000 Powerball winner was purchased at a Citgo at 44 E. Sibley Avenue in Dolton on Nov. 30.

The other two tickets that have winners that have not claimed prizes include:

  • A $100,000 Powerball ticket bought on March 12 at the Speedway, 110 Arrowhead Drive, Hampshire
  • A $100,000 Powerball ticket bought on March 19 at the Shell, 4900 S. Cicero Avenue, Chicago.

Winners have one year from the draw date to claim their prize, according to the Illinois Lottery.

The Illinois Lottery is urging players to check their tickets as the deadline approaches to claim a $200,000 winning Powerball ticket purchased nearly a year ago in Dolton, Illinois. The ticket will expire in two weeks if not claimed.

Advertisement

The Illinois Lottery encourages the ticket holder to sign the back of their winning ticket immediately and store it in a safe place until they are ready to claim their prize.

A full list of unclaimed prizes can be found on the Illinois Lottery’s website.



Source link

Continue Reading

Illinois

Illinois vs. Alabama Prediction, How to Watch, Odds, Channel

Published

1 day ago

on

November 19, 2025

By

Illinois vs. Alabama Prediction, How to Watch, Odds, Channel


The No. 8 Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0) will attempt to extend a four-game home win streak when they take on the No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-1) on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at United Center. The matchup airs at 9 p.m. ET on FS1.

The Fighting Illini, who are favored by 2.5 points, are set to take on the Crimson Tide. The matchup’s over/under is set at 180.5.

Advertisement

Continue scrolling to get everything you need to know ahead of betting on the Illinois-Alabama contest.

Illinois vs. Alabama How to Watch & Odds

  • When: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 9 p.m. ET
  • Where: United Center in Chicago, Illinois
  • TV: FS1
  • Streaming: FOXSports.com, FOX Sports App and FOX One (Try free for 7 days)
  • Odds: Illinois is favored to win the game. Check out the latest odds.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Illinois vs. Alabama Prediction

Take the Illini to take down Alabama tonight. Illinois is riding high on their 4-0 record and has shown impressive defensive prowess, limiting opponents to just 66.8 points per game. Their frontcourt, led by players like David Mirkovic, could prove to be a significant matchup advantage against Alabama.

Alabama, on the other hand, is coming off a tough loss to Purdue, where they were outrebounded by 24 and struggled from three-point range, going 16-for-43. However, they’ve shown they can score, averaging 91.3 points per game. Labaron Philon Jr. is having a standout season, averaging 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 6 assists per game.

  • Pick ATS: Illinois (-2.5)
  • Pick OU: Under (180.5)
  • Prediction: Illinois 86, Alabama 83

Prediction provided by FOX Sports’ Sports AI. Download the FOX Sports App for free access to Sports AI.

Illinois vs. Alabama Betting Insights

Betting Line Implied Predictions

  • Per the spread and over/under, the implied score for the game is Fighting Illini 92, Crimson Tide 89.
  • The Fighting Illini have a 60.5% chance to collect the win in this matchup per the moneyline’s implied probability.
  • The Crimson Tide have a 43.9% implied probability to come out on top.

Key Spread Facts

  • Illinois won 18 games against the spread last season, while failing to cover 17 times.
  • Alabama covered 21 times in 37 games with a spread last year.
  • Illinois had an ATS record of 15-12 when playing as at least a 2.5-point favorite last season.
  • Alabama was an underdog by 2.5 points or more six times last year, and covered the spread in four of those matchups.

Key Total Facts

  • Four times last year, the Fighting Illini and their opponent combined to score more than 180.5 points.
  • Last year, 15 Crimson Tide games featured more than 180.5 points scored.
  • Last year’s combined scoring average for these two teams (174.3 points per game) is 6.2 fewer than the total for this contest.

Key Moneyline Facts

  • Illinois went 19-7 in games it was listed as the moneyline favorite last season (winning 73.1% of those games).
  • Last season, Alabama was the underdog nine times and won five of those games.
  • Illinois had a record of 19-6 in games it played as a moneyline favorite with odds of -153 or shorter last year (76%).
  • Alabama had a record of 2-3 when it was set as the underdog by +128 or more by sportsbooks last season.

Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.

FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Illinois

Illinois transportation crews prepare for winter weather

Published

2 days ago

on

November 18, 2025

By

Illinois transportation crews prepare for winter weather


MILAN, Ill. (KWQC) – The Illinois Department of Transportation held a “Winter Weather, Get It Together” event Tuesday as crews prepare for the upcoming winter season.

Crews want drivers to pay extra attention to crews working to clear roads during winter weather events.

“Definitely just keep in mind, slow down when you see our trucks,” Devin McNeill, Illinois DOT lead worker at the Silvis yard said. “Our drivers are doing multiple things while they’re operating the trucks so they can’t see everywhere.”

He also said drivers should be patient.

Advertisement

Crews in District 2, which covers several counties in northwest Illinois, have nearly 4,100 miles of roads to plow.

Guidelines from the Illinois Department of Transportation:
  • Give yourself extra time for trips
  • Slow down and increase the distance between other vehicles
  • Prepare an emergency kits with jumper cable, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, an ice scraper, traction material, blankets, food and a first-aid kit
  • Keep a cellphone charger in your vehcile
  • Check your battery, tires, lights, charging system and belts
  • Look out for black ice and slippery conditions, even with no snow
  • Be careful at intersections, ramps, bridges and shady areas
  • Don’t travel in bad weather unless you have to. If you do, share your route and check the forecast
  • Give plows and other equipment treating the roads space

Copyright 2025 KWQC. All rights reserved.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending