Algonquin, Illinois


Algonquin is a village in McHenry and Kane counties, Illinois, in the United States. It is a suburb of Chicago, located approximately northwest of the Loop. As of the 2010 census the village's population was 30,046, and as of 2019 the estimated population was 30,897.
The village is known as "The Gem of the Fox River Valley", referring to the location of its downtown. Established in 1890 and long known as a small river community, the village is making the transition into a major regional hub, as it has experienced considerable suburban growth over the past 20 years. Now stretching all the way west to the busy Randall Road corridor, Algonquin has become a major commercial center, with popular shopping centers and restaurants, as well as a growing corporate campus. Additionally, the village continues to see considerable residential growth. With this growth, the village has had to deal with challenges including traffic congestion and overburdened schools, yet has managed to increase the commercial tax base, preserve its character and history, and substantially increase its recreational offerings and quality of life.

Geography

Algonquin is located in southeastern McHenry County and northeastern Kane County at . It is bordered to the north by Lake in the Hills, to the northeast by Cary, to the east by Barrington Hills, and to the south by Carpentersville.
As of the 2010 census, Algonquin had a total area of, of which were land and, or 1.45%, were water. Approximately 78% of the village area is in McHenry County, with the remainder in Kane County.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 30,046 people, 10,247 households, and 8,170 families living in the village. The population density was 2,452.7 people per square mile. There were 10,727 housing units, of which 480, or 4.5%, were vacant. The racial makeup of the village was 87.2% White, 1.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 7.3% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.8% some other race, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.8% of the population.
Of the 10,247 households in the village, 44.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.3% were headed by married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.3% were non-families. 16.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93, and the average family size was 3.32.
29.0% of the village population were under the age of 18, 6.5% were from 18 to 24, 27.3% were from 25 to 44, 29.2% were from 45 to 64, and 8.1% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.
For the period 2013-2017, the estimated median annual income for a household in the village was $103,291, and the median income for a family was $115,111. Male full-time workers had a median income of $77,443 versus $56,544 for females. The per capita income for the village was $40,155. About 2.5% of families and 3.7% of the total population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

History

Long before Europeans settled in Algonquin, the Potawatomi Native Americans originally inhabited the land. Algonquin was the location of Indian burial mounds known in the 1800s as the Algonquin Mounds. By 1834 the first settler of Algonquin, Samuel Gillilan, came to the area from Virginia. Settlers Dr. Cornish, Dr. Plumleigh, Eli Henderson, Alex Dawson, and William Jackson arrived shortly thereafter. There was some dispute regarding the original name of Algonquin, and numerous other names were suggested including Denny's Ferry, Cornish Ferry, Cornishville, and Osceola. But Samuel Edwards suggested the name Algonquin and on December 23, 1847, the name Algonquin became official.
The first signs of economic growth occurred in 1855 when the town saw the construction of the railroad, which enabled farmers in the neighboring area to have other means of getting their products to the markets in Chicago. Finally on February 25, 1890, the Village of Algonquin was formed.
The Village Hall of Algonquin was erected on January 31, 1907, at 2 South Main Street, and is still standing today, where it functions as a historical landmark and community gathering place. It served as the village hall of Algonquin until a new village hall was built at 2200 Harnish Drive in 1996.
From 1906 to 1913, the automobile companies began to go to the Algonquin Hill Climbs, which was an event where if an automobile was able to make it up a series of steep hills in the village, it would be given the stamp of approval. And because of that, the Algonquin Cup was formed which received national recognition at the time. The two hills used in the race were the Phillips Hill which extends from Illinois Route 31 to the cemetery and Perry Hill, located south of downtown, and which is now Lundstrom Lane. The village created a new hill for the race called Huntington Hill, which is now Huntington Drive. A park stands in place of the finish line of Huntington Hill at the intersection of Huntington Drive and Circle Drive which is called Hill Climb Park. The festival in recognition of the event continues to be held each year.
Algonquin road route 62 now, was once noted as the first bridge to be installed on an incline. The first bridge was level with a steep incline headed east. It was later replaced with a 4 lane bridge with an incline to reduce stress on vehicles headed east.
For much of the 20th century, Algonquin was a quasi-resort town and people from the Chicago area would visit the town in order to escape urban life. The Fox River offered immense recreational opportunities and several summer homes were constructed. Soon, more people began living in Algonquin year-round. Algonquin remained a small town for much of the 20th Century, growing steadily, until the 1980s, when the village's population exploded with new residential construction. The development continued in earnest in the 1990s and 2000s. The village's first shopping center, Algonquin Town Center, was constructed in the late 1980s on East Algonquin Road and numerous die & mold industries were established west of downtown. In the 1990s, development shifted to Randall Road, which saw the construction of numerous retailers, restaurants, and services, beginning in 1993. In 2004, the 80-store Algonquin Commons outdoor mall opened for business, followed by the Algonquin Galleria outdoor mall, which is under development and saw its first stores open in 2006. In the mid-2000s, development also began on the Algonquin Corporate Campus, which is slated to include industrial and office development spread over on the southwest side of the village, bringing hundreds of high-paying jobs to the area.

Government

Village of Algonquin

Algonquin has a council-manager form of government, where an elected Board of Trustees, led by the Village President, establishes policy & vision and approves ordinances & resolutions, while an appointed Village Manager leads a team of professional staff that carries out the policies and daily operations of the village.
The current Village President is John Schmitt and the current Trustees are Brian Dianis, Jerry Glogowski, Robert Smith, Debby Sosine, John Spella, and Jim Steigert. The Village Clerk, who handles village records, is Gerald Kautz. All officials are elected to four-year terms which are staggered to maintain consistency.
The current Village Manager is Tim Schloneger. The Assistant to the Village Manager, Michael Kumbera, leads the General Services Administration Department, Police Chief John Bucci leads the Police Department, Director Robert Mitchard who leads the Public Works Department, and Director Russell Farnum leads the Community Development Department.
The General Services Administration Department is responsible for village records, water billing, recreation programs, public information, technology & GIS, human resources, finance, and the municipal court. The Police Department is responsible for law enforcement and public safety. The Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining village streets, utilities, parks, and internal services. The Community Development Department handles planning & zoning, economic development, and building permitting & inspections.
The village maintains a staff of approximately 130 people and an annual budget of approximately $38 million.

Fire protection

Algonquin's fire protection and rescue services are handled by either the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District, the Huntley Fire Protection District, or the Carpentersville Countryside Fire Protection District, depending on what part of the village. These agencies are separate entities from the village and levy their own taxes. The ALITHFPD covers most of the village, including all areas along Randall Road and eastward. Two ALITH fire stations are located in the village: one on the east side of the village along Cumberland Parkway just north of Algonquin Road and one on the west side of the village along Harnish Drive just east of Randall Road. The district's headquarters are at the intersection of Algonquin and Pyott Roads in nearby Lake in the Hills. The HFPD covers the far western sections of the village, generally following the boundaries of School District 158. The HFPD has a station in the village, located at the southwest corner of Algonquin and Square Barn Roads. The CCFPD includes a small section of the far south end of the village, along Sleepy Hollow Road, which is serviced by a station in nearby western Carpentersville.

Education

School District 300

, a large district generally along and east of Randall Rd. The District 300 schools serving Algonquin include:
is headquartered in Algonquin, and the schools on the Square Barn Road campus serve the village's far western side, as well as portions of neighboring communities Huntley and Lake in the Hills. School District 158 schools serving far western Algonquin include:
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran School and St. Margaret Mary Catholic School, both located in the heart of Algonquin, offer private K-8 education. On the west side of town is Foundations Montessori School.

Community colleges

The nearest community colleges are McHenry County College and Elgin Community College. Generally speaking, McHenry County College serves residents residing in District 158 boundaries, while serves residents residing in District 300 boundaries.

Libraries

The majority of the village is served by the Algonquin Area Public Library District which includes two facilities, the main branch on Harnish, just west of Randall Road, and a second branch on Eastgate, south of Algonquin Road. Both offer exceptional educational and reading programs. Huntley Public Library, Dundee Township Library, and the Barrington Area Library also serve certain sections of the village.

Shopping and dining

The village of Algonquin is a major center for shopping activities, both regionally and locally. The village is known for its chic lifestyle centers, power centers, grocers, and growing variety of restaurants. Most of the village's retail is confined to Randall Road and, to a lesser extent, Algonquin Road.

Randall Road Corridor

The Randall Road corridor is a regional shopping, dining, and entertainment corridor that is home to a variety of shopping centers, including lifestyle centers such as Algonquin Commons, the Algonquin Galleria, and the Esplanade, power centers like Woods Creek Commons, Oakridge Court, and River Pointe, as well as stand-alone big-box stores and small retail shops. The retail corridor also extends partially into nearby Lake in the Hills and Carpentersville. In addition to serving the needs of the local western Algonquin area, the corridor also functions as a major destination retail area serving a vast region that includes most of McHenry and northern Kane Counties.
Major retailers along the Randall Road corridor in Algonquin include Jewel-Osco, Office Depot, Guitar Center, Aldi, Butera Market, Home Depot, Meijer, Super Target, Kohl's, Michael's, HomeGoods, Famous Footwear, Pier 1 Imports, Kirkland's, Party City, Petco, JC Penney, Toys "R" Us/Babies "R" Us, TJ Maxx, Dollar Tree, Five Below, Binny's Beverage Depot, Walmart Supercenter, Dick's Sporting Goods, Old Navy, DSW Shoe Warehouse, Ross Dress for Less, Ulta, Discovery Clothing Co., Trader Joe's, Art Van Furniture, Nordstrom Rack, Half Price Books, Men's Wearhouse, Best Buy, La-Z-Boy, Jo-Ann, Hobby Lobby, Ashley Furniture, Harlem Furniture, and the Great Escape. In addition, the corridor is home to family entertainment facility Bowlero and fitness centers Lifetime Fitness and Fitness 19.
Restaurants along the corridor include Rosati's, Yen Ching Express, Baskin-Robbins, Subway, Kobe, McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, Papa John's, Georgio's Pizza, Chipotle, Panda Express, Yogurtland, Jimmy John's, Burnt Toast, Colonial Cafe, KFC, Red Robin, Panera Bread, Buffalo Wild Wings, Buona Beef, Starbucks, Woow Sushi, Sonic Drive-In, Georgia's Pancake House, Chili's, Giordano's, Montarra Grill, Oberweis Dairy, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Golden Corral, Lumes Pancake House, Houlihan's, On the Border, Bonefish Grill, Thirsty Whale, Jiang's Mongolian Grill, Ta Wan Thai Restaurant, Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano, and Village Vintner Winery & Brewery.
Banks along Randall Road include BMO Harris Bank, American Chartered Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Algonquin State Bank, PNC Bank, Chase Bank, TCF Financial Corporation, U.S. Bancorp, and Woodforest Bank. Auto-related businesses include Rosen Hyundai dealership, Napa Auto Parts, and Citgo, Meijer, and BP service stations.

East Algonquin Road Corridor

The East Algonquin Road retail corridor is primarily a neighborhood retail area that serves the general needs of eastern Algonquin and also portions of nearby Carpentersville and Barrington. The area is centered on Algonquin's first shopping center, Algonquin Town Center, which was constructed in the late 1980s.
Major retailers along the corridor include Dollar Tree, Goodwill Industries, Jewel-Osco, and Walgreens. Restaurants include Nero's Pizza, McDonald's, Bad Monkey Bar & Grill, Subway, India Curry House, China Dragon, Jimmy John's, Starbucks, Quiznos, Chubby's Gyros, Gourmet House, and Mandile's. Auto-related uses include Merlin Muffler, Super Wash, Goodyear Tires, Francen & Son, Marathon, and Phillips 66. The corridor also includes fitness centers Snap Fitness and Pro Fitness. Chase Bank, First Merit Bank, Algonquin State Bank, and Stop & Store Self Storage are also present along the corridor.

West Algonquin Road Corridor

Like the East Algonquin Road Corridor, the West Algonquin Road Corridor is a neighborhood retail area, composed mostly of small retail shops, restaurants, and neighborhood services. This is a newer retail area, with most of the retailers having been constructed in the 1990s and 2000s. The corridor predominantly serves western Algonquin and Lake in the Hills.
A Walgreens at the corner of Algonquin and Square Barn Roads serves as an anchor in an area that features an abundance of small shops. Algonquin Bank & Trust is also nearby. Restaurants include Fradillio's Hot Dogs, Buddyz Chicago Pizzeria, Aroma Tapas, Domino's Pizza, China Bistro, Kosta's Gyros, Subway, @Bangkok Thai, and Taylor Street Pizza. Auto-related uses include Jiffy Lube/Super Brite and Discount Tire.

Old Town District

The village's Old Town District, focused primarily along Main Street/Illinois Route 31 includes dozens of independent retailers and franchises, offices, and fine restaurants. Other strip centers can be found nearby along Route 31 including the Fox River Center and Edgewood Plaza. Restaurants in the Old Town area include Cucina Bella, Port Edward, the Texan BBQ, Buena Vista, Reese's, Bella's Short Stacks, Wine & Roses, the Riverview, Downtown Dogs, Cafe Firefly, Old World Pizza, Dairy Queen, Yin & Yang's, and Algonquin Sub Shop. Bars include Martini's on Main, Tavern on the Bridge, Creekside Tap, and Main Street Billiards. Algonquin State Bank has a branch downtown and the Shell service station is also in the area.

Industry

A growing number of businesses can be found in Algonquin. From a manufacturing corridor along Algonquin Road between Pyott Road and Route 31 to a planned corporate campus on the west side of Randall Road, industry is a significant part of the Algonquin area economy.

Algonquin Industrial Park

Just west of the village's Old Town District is the Algonquin Industrial Park, located along Algonquin Road. Several major companies can be found in this area, including tool, die, and mold industries, plastics industries, and transportation-related businesses. Major businesses located in this area include Wauconda Tool & Engineering, Kenmode Tool & Engineering, Schiffmayer Plastics, Crystal Die & Mold, VCP Printing, Burnex Corporation, and Lion Tool. Algonquin's main Post Office is also located in this area. The post office also serves nearby Lake in the Hills, even though the two municipalities have separate zip codes.

Algonquin Corporate Campus

Under development is the Algonquin Corporate Campus on the village's west side along Randall Road. Set on over stretching from Randall Road west to Square Barn Road, and north of Huntley Road, the development is aimed at providing more jobs to the greater Algonquin area. As a result, any potential business or building in the park that brings high-paying jobs has the opportunity for incentives and to have the development review process expedited. Located in the park is Young Innovations, a company that specializes in oral healthcare supplies; and Advantage Moving and Storage, a moving and storage company. Two multi-tenant industrial/office buildings have also been constructed, Rothbart Building #1 and the Algonquin Corporate Condominiums, both of which already have tenants, including Progressive Solutions and DirecTV. Additional buildings are planned for construction. Businesses the village is targeting for the park include those specializing in healthcare, technology, and research and development. Located directly adjacent to the Algonquin Corporate Campus are the village's outdoor malls Algonquin Commons and Algonquin Galleria. Also part of the park is the mixed-use Esplanade development, which currently includes 2nd and 3rd story office space for several companies.

Other industries

Other major industries in Algonquin include Duro-Life, a manufacturer of machine parts located along Randall Road, and Meyer Material Service, a mining company located along Route 31.
There is also over. of small office and medical office space located in various buildings throughout town, most heavily concentrated along Randall Road, Algonquin Road, and Illinois Route 31. The largest such series of office buildings is the Briarwood Center at the intersection of Randall Road and County Line Road.

Lodging

The village is unique in that it does not have an actual park district, as park operations are run by the village itself. Nevertheless, the quality of parks, trails, and programs is nearly unmatched. In addition, the village's scenic waterways remain a regional draw. Some noteworthy recreational opportunities in Algonquin include:
Algonquin is a center of transportation for McHenry and Kane Counties. Some of the major roadways include:
Churches in Algonquin include: