Happy New Year to everyone and my wishes for all the best in 2012! I want to begin by thanking all who sent greeting cards and get well wishes to me over the holidays. My breast cancer treatment is going extremely well and I intend to continue to serve as the Mayor of Glendale Heights and be available to the community residents and businesses as much as possible. I'm looking forward to a healthier New Year!

As our front cover of the January/February 2012 News announces, I was so very proud of our Police Chief, Michael S. Marron, and his command staff for achieving CALEA reaccreditation, which nationally recognizes the entire Police Department for their professional excellence. The process to become reaccredited was very complex and required an extraordinary effort over the past several years to achieve this status. The benefits to our community include strengthening crime prevention and control, and the quality of law enforcement services.

You may have read articles or seen newscasts over the last several months citing financial issues and a higher rate for purchasing Lake Michigan water from Chicago that has caused DuPage Water Commission to charge all of their member communities, including Glendale Heights, higher water rates. Thus, on January 1, 2012 the Village will implement rate increases to reflect the higher cost DuPage Water Commission is charging us to purchase water (see page 11 for water rate increase schedule). I realize this increase comes at a time when many residents and businesses continue to deal with the affects of the downturn in our national economy. The water increases could not be avoided and are directly related to the increase in the cost of water from the City of Chicago. The best way to manage the increase in the water and sewer rates is to implement water conservation. These efforts are good for your budget and our environment! For water conservation tips, visit the Go Green section of the Village's website.

Stay informed throughout the year by reading the Glendale Heights Newsletter and visiting the Village website. Please watch the newsletter for the Grand Opening of the new Police Headquarters and improvements to the west entrance of the Village Hall. Construction is now underway for the expansion of the Aquatic Center that is scheduled to be completed by July, 2012. We also appreciate your patience during our remodeling work at the Sports Hub.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our community events that are scheduled throughout the year. Based on last year's success of increasing volunteerism at Village events, my office will be launching a volunteer initiatives program in 2012 to increase civic engagement through volunteer service activities and community projects. If you are interested in becoming involved, call my office at 630.909.5303, or send us an e-mail at volunteer@glendaleheights.org. Resolve to make a difference!

From my family to yours, I wish you peace, joy, and good health in 2012!

Sincerely,

Linda Jackson
Village President

To contact Village President Jackson:
Phone: 630.909.5302
Click here to email