Mayor’s Message – February 2, 2024
February 2, 2024
Good afternoon, Antioch! Happy Groundhog Day!
It looks like we’re in for an early spring! Both Punxsutawney Phil and Woodstock Willie are calling for an early spring this year! The sunshine yesterday has put me in the mood for spring and summer to get here. Fast! Before you know it, we’ll be announcing the summer line-up for the It’s Thursday summer concert series. I can’t say much yet, but I can tell you that you are going to love this year’s line-up and we have added 4 extra Thursday concerts this year!
The relatively mild winter has been great news for the open space redevelopment project at Main and Orchard. The weather has had a minimal impact on the project, which has allowed construction to continue during more of the winter. This means, as of now, we’re still on schedule for a mid-summer completion! (All of this is of course weather permitting.) I have included some pictures (below) that were taken at the work site this afternoon. It’s incredible to see how much progress has been made since the last time I posted pictures!
February is the month-long Lake County February Flavor Festival, hosted by the Lake County convention and visitor’s bureau, Visit Lake County. They’ve taken the popular Restaurant Week, and made it into a month-long celebration! Through February 29th, Visit Lake County has combined the renowned Lake County Restaurant Weeks and Libation Trail initiatives into one delicious month-long event! The Village of Antioch has six participating restaurants in this year’s event; Casa Ruiz, Johnny’s Snack Shop, Lovin Oven Cakery, Oliverii North, Station 51 Truck Company Bar & Grill, The Rivalry Alehouse, and Vigneto del Bino Winery. For more information, visit: https://www.visitlakecounty.org/Flavor-Festival-Listings
Have you signed up yet for the Shamrock Shuffle 5k family fun run/walk? Village staff have been working hard this winter to launch this new family-friendly event that will take place on the Saturday of St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The Shamrock Shuffle run/walk will take place on Saturday, March 16th, at the Tim Osmond Sports Complex. The run/walk will be followed by music, food, family friend events, and of course – green beer! For more information, visit https://fb.me/e/3tpXPZqLD
Finally, Valentine’s Day is coming up in less than two weeks. I say this every year, but it’s important to remember: the Village of Antioch business community has everything you need for Valentine’s Day! There isn’t a better place in Lake County to shop for gifts than right here in Antioch! We have dozens of shops for gifts, flowers, or candy. Plus, our restaurants and theaters are great destinations for a Valentine’s date night! It’s not too early to make reservations and start shopping for gifts. The local Antioch business community is looking forward to seeing you!
One more happy note and one sad note:
We would like to congratulate Trustee Mary Pedersen on retirement TODAY! We wish her a long and healthy retirement, with lots of travels and time with her family.
On a sad note, the Village lost a great man this week. Dave Moore, Sr., owner of Strang Funeral Home, passed away on Monday surrounded by his family. Dave was actively involved in the community and always giving back. Those of us who called him our friend will miss him greatly and we send our condolences to his wife Kris, his four children, and nine grandchildren.
Scott J. Gartner
#antiochil #antiochmayorsupdate
Upcoming Village Events:
February 10, 2024, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – 2024 Village of Antioch Sweetheart Luau Dance
February 25, 2024, 12 Noon – 3 p.m. – 2024 Village of Antioch Hot Chocolate Walk
March 16, 2024, 11 a.m.. – 5 p.m. – 2024 Village of Antioch Shamrock Shuffle 5k family run/walk
$600,000 matching grant will be used to revitalize playground, other amenities in 2026.
PRESS RELEASE The Village of Antioch welcomes two new employees to Village Hall ANTIOCH, Ill. (October 1, 2024) — The Village of Antioch welcomed two new employees to its team last month who will work to support local economic development and enhance public communication and engagement. Their combined efforts aim to support local economic development and create marketing and communications strategies for the Village of Antioch’s government services, news, events, and general information. With more than 15 years’ experience in executive leadership, Business Liaison Specialist Kim Biederman’s career highlights include serving as Executive Director for the Niles Chamber of Commerce & Industry, as well as for the Publicity Club of Chicago, the Chicago Area Public Affairs Group, and Chicago Women in Government Relations. Biederman is also a former Planning and Zoning Commissioner and Trustee for the Village of Niles. Prior to that, Biederman served as the Operation Manager for the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), serving as the organization’s Chief Event Planner for AAOMS’ annual conferences and workshops. In her new role, Biederman will serve as the primary liaison between the Village of Antioch and local businesses, working to retain existing businesses, attract new investments, and promote economic development initiatives. “I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of the Village of Antioch,” said Biederman. “I look forward to working closely with the community to create a vibrant and thriving local economy.” While Biederman focuses on local business, Communications and Event Specialist Kelley Crimmins is charged with enhancing resident engagement and awareness through digital marketing campaigns, community events, town halls, and other public events. Serving in a similar capacity for the City of Plano Parks and Recreation Department in Plano, Texas, Crimmins’ background also boasts a decade of experience as a news reporter before entering public service. “Transparency promotes accountability and provides information about what their government is doing, something many Americans expect from their local leaders. Working together with stakeholders and our residents, I hope to build upon the Village’s reputation of excellence and engagement, and look forward to forming positive relationships with our community and its residents in the process,” she said. Antioch Mayor Scott Gartner says is he is excited to announce the addition of the two new team members who will play key roles in advancing economic development and fostering stronger community engagement. “Welcoming Kim and Kelley to our team represents an exciting step forward for the Village of Antioch,” said Gartner. “Their combined expertise will be instrumental in continuing the village’s forward momentum of local economic growth, enhancing communication, and deepening engagement with our residents and business community.” ### Contact: Kelley Crimmins Communications & Event Specialist, Village of Antioch, kcrimmins@antioch.il.gov
The Village of Antioch’s Fall leaf vacuuming starts soon and runs throughout November. Here are some things to know: Exact pick-up dates will vary depending on the weather. Residents should rake their leaves to within five feet of the edge of the road for vacuuming. Groot trucks will be in different areas of the village on different days of the week to vacuum leaves. Leaves will not be picked up if they are too wet and heavy; in that case, pick up will be delayed. If you are concerned about leaves blowing back into your yard, or if you worry that you might have missed a pick-up, you may still use labeled yard waste cans/bags for your leaves. Groot will collect them during regularly scheduled garbage day (Thursday) for the village. If you have any questions, please call Village Hall at 847-395-1000 or Groot at 877-404-668.
The Village of Antioch Wastewater Treatment Facility, with a design average flow of 2.0 MGD and design maximum flow of 9.2 MGD, is experiencing ragging and other fibrous material bypassing the existing screening equipment, causing issues with downstream equipment and processes. The current fine screen is a 16-year-old Lakeside Raptor with a compaction and dewatering system. The bar screen size is ¼ inch. The Village is seeking to upgrade its existing mechanically cleaned cylindrical Fine screen equipment with technology that can produce a better capture rate of the material. This project will be divided into two phases. In phase one, the select firm will provide the Village with assessments, recommendations, and a detailed cost analysis of the solution. In phase two, the engineering firm will prepare the bid package, which will include the equipment and various contractors and subcontractors. The firm will assist the Village with overseeing the installation of the new Fine Screen equipment, ensuring the project will come either at projection cost or below and providing seamless installation of the equipment. Please click here to review the entire request for qualifications.
The Antioch Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with Impressions Count in Antioch to offer Sweatshirts and Hoodies for sale celebrating our North Pole Train program this year. Orders provide the option of picking up at Impressions Count on Main Street in Antioch or by shipping. Just click on the type of shirt you’d like, create an account and order a great keepsake of a cherished holiday memory! Buy here: https://schools.impcount.com/
Parks & Recreation Administrative Assistant POSTED ON NOVEMBER 20, 2024, AND WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED. Overview: The Village of Antioch is a community of approximately 15,000 people and is located on the Illinois-Wisconsin border halfway between Milwaukee and Chicago at the northwest corner of Lake County. The Village of Antioch is seeking a qualified, and team-oriented applicant for the position of Administrative Assistant in the Parks Department. The lists of responsibilities listed below are not all inclusive. The role may transition to an expanded Administrative Assistant role, with a potential relocation to the Village Hall in the near future. • Performs routine clerical, administrative and customer service duties • Answers incoming calls and reroutes as necessary • Schedules park pavilion and pool rentals • Cashier responsibilities related to processing transactions, balancing cash drawer daily • Distribute mail and manage postage machine • Ordering office supplies • Processing program registrations. • Assist with Parks programs and events • Establish and maintain files • Other administrative duties as assigned Qualified applicants will develop and maintain a positive community image, provide exceptional guest services, and maintain safe working conditions. Knowledge of community events and festivals, principles and methods of office management and standard office procedures is required. A full position description is available upon request. Qualifications: High school diploma or GED Equivalent required. Minimum one (1) year of schooling including secretarial courses and work-related experience required. Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the essential job functions of this position. Salary & Benefits: The minimum hourly range is $19.88 dependent on qualifications, and an excellent benefits package is available. How to Apply: Interested applicants should submit a completed application (available on our website); cover letter, resume and three work-related references to: Village of Antioch Attn: Lori Romine, Human Resources 874 Main St Antioch, IL 60002 Or email to: lromine@antioch.il.gov Equal Opportunity Employer: The Village of Antioch provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Hello, Antioch! Happy Friday!! As we dive into the weekend, I want to thank everyone who came out for our end-of-summer BBQ and Country Music Smokeout event last Saturday at the bandshell. What an incredible way to wrap up the season! I have no doubt that this event will continue to grow into one of Antioch’s must-attend annual events. We’re already getting ready for next year! Also last weekend, yoga classes at Sequoit Creek Park from Trillium Yoga started! The Parks and Recreation Department has teamed up with Antioch’s Trillium Yoga to offer Yoga at the Park every weekend through the end of next month. For more information, visit: https://secure.rec1.com/IL/village-of-antioch/catalog/index/2f7d6e7a1347154f7fef6be3a530f53c?filter=c2VhcmNoPXlvZ2E= But the fun doesn’t stop there! Next Saturday, join us for our Antioch Fall Wine Walk in downtown Antioch from 12 noon to 4 p.m.. 🍷 There are still a few tickets available, so grab yours from the Parks and Recreation Department or online. It’s shaping up to be another fantastic day, and while you’re here, be sure to support our amazing local shops and restaurants! You can buy tickets online, here: https://secure.rec1.com/IL/village-of-antioch/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTMyMDU1NTE= Next week, I’ll be heading to Chicago with several trustees and village staff for the Illinois Municipal League Conference. This annual conference is an incredible opportunity for us to connect, learn, and bring back the best practices to serve you even better and give our residents the most efficient and effective government possible. I’m bummed to miss it, but I know you’ll all be out in full force for the ACHS Homecoming Parade on Thursday night! 🎉 The parade kicks off at 7 p.m. downtown and ends with a pep rally and bonfire at the high school. Let’s cheer on our Sequoits as they gear up to take on Lakes High School in Friday’s big game! 🏈 Hello, Dolly! heads into its second week of performances this weekend at the PM&L Theatre. More information and tickets are available online: https://pmltheatre.com/ Enjoy your weekend, Antioch! Be safe, have fun, and maybe grab dinner downtown, shop local, or catch a movie or play performance! I hope to see you around town! Scott J. Gartner #antiochil #antiochmayorsupdate #antiochmayorsmessage Upcoming Village Events: September 15, 2024. 10:30 a.m. – Antioch Chamber of Commerce Strut Your Mutt event September 21, 2024, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Village of Antioch Fall Wine Walk October 4, 2024, Antioch Rotary Club Pork Chop Dinner and Auction at the Antioch VFW October 26, 2024, Treat the Streets / Harvest Fest – Downtown Antioch
Happy Friday, Antioch! This weekend features some of my favorite things – Beer, BBQ, Bands, and of course the Chicago Bears! I’m excited to see you at our first-ever Small Town Smokeout BBQ and Country Music Event tomorrow. The event will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the bandshell/ We’ll have several barbecue vendors and great live music. The music starts at 3 p.m. with the Saturday June Band, and headliners Ultimate Eric Church Tribute will perform at 6:00 p.m. and Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton Tribute will go on at 8:15 p.m. Come out and enjoy an evening of food, fun, and entertainment! Additionally, the Antioch Veterans Memorial organization and the Antioch VFW and the American Legion will be on hand collecting donations for the Antioch Veterans Memorial. I hope you’ve had a chance to visit Sequoit Creek Park! It’s been wonderful seeing families and children enjoying the space. I couldn’t be happier with how this turned out. Next Thursday marks the last Antioch Farmers Market of the year. Let’s show our support for the loyal vendors who’ve been with us all season by coming out and shopping. In addition to local farmers and other vendors, we’ll have food from The Polish Plate! Looking ahead to later in September – we’re just two weeks away from the Fall Antioch Wine Walk on September 21st, from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy great wine while supporting our local businesses. Your participation is vital to helping our stores and restaurants thrive! You can buy tickets online, here: https://secure.rec1.com/IL/village-of-antioch/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTMyMDU1NTE= We have our next Antioch Village Board meeting next week. I encourage you to join us in person or tune in via Zoom. The Village Board meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. It’s a great way to stay connected with what’s happening in Antioch. The agenda will be posted on the village’s website by Monday afternoon. Let’s fill downtown this weekend and show our support for local businesses! Scott J. Gartner #antiochil #antiochmayorsupdate #antiochmayorsmessage Upcoming Village Events: September 7, 2024, 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Small Town Smokeout at the bandshell September 12, 2024, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Farmers Market (Main and Orchard) September 15, 2024. 10:30 a.m. – Antioch Chamber of Commerce Strut Your Mutt event September 21, 2024, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Village of Antioch Fall Wine Walk October 4, 2024, Antioch Rotary Club Pork Chop Dinner and Auction at the Antioch VFW
Happy Friday, Antioch! Congratulations, Mary Quilty! Today is Antioch Parks and Recreation Department Director Mary Quilty’s last day with the village. Starting tomorrow, Mary will be enjoying retirement following an impactful career in Parks and Recreation. Mary has been with the Village for the past 11 years and spent over three years as our Parks and Recreation Director. Thank you Mary for your dedication and service to our community! We’ll miss you! I hope you enjoy a healthy and happy Labor Day weekend! It looks like the weather is going to be hot, I hope you’re able to enjoy some time on or near the water. This is the last weekend that the Aqua Center pool will be open. General admission this weekend is only $7 per person/per day to swim ($5 for people aged 55 or older and kids 2 and younger are free!) The pool is open tomorrow (Saturday, 8/31) through Monday (9/2), from 12 Noon to 5 p.m. each day. With Monday’s Labor Day holiday, administrative offices for the village will be closed on Monday, with everything reopening Tuesday morning. We wrapped up the It’s Thursday summer concert series last night with an amazing show by Eagles cover band One of These Nights! They were so good, that I asked them to play an extra half-hour. 😊 Not only was the band incredible, but the crowd that came out last night was amazing – the bandshell was packed! We had a great season at the bandshell, and it couldn’t have happened without the support of our many sponsors, including It’s Thursday summer concert series Title Sponsor, Raymond Chevrolet Kia. Thank you, Mark Scarpelli and his team at the Raymond Auto Group for your continued support of village events! Our next event at the bandshell is next weekend’s Village of Antioch Small Town Smokeout. This fun, family-friendly event will feature BBQ vendors, several bands, and a even mechanical bull! We’ll have a full afternoon of music, featuring four bands, including headliners Ultimate Eric Church Tribute and Tennessee Whiskey: Tribute to Chris Stapleton. More information: https://www.facebook.com/share/x43L6TwsuqADT66U/ Three weeks from tomorrow is the Village of Antioch 2024 Fall Wine Walk! The Wine Walks are fun ways to spend time downtown supporting our local business community. We’ll have about 30 stops with over 50 types of wine! If you haven’t got your tickets yet, you better buy them soon. For tickets, visit the Parks Office at 806 Holbek Drive or buy online at: https://secure.rec1.com/IL/village-of-antioch/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTMyMDU1NTE= It has been amazing to see the amount of families enjoying Sequoit Creek Park! I have the opportunity to walk through most of the park every day, and it has been incredible not only to see the amounts of people who have been enjoying the park, but to also talk with some of the park visitors to get their feedback. One of the common questions I get is about hours and rules for the park. This past week, the Village Board provided direction to our village staff on park rules and hours. The splash pad and fire pits are now limited to the hours between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. We’ll have more information about the rules posted at the park and online, soon! Finally, there are still a few enrollment opportunities for the Antioch Parks and Recreation Department’s Camp Crayon preschool. For more information on the 2.5 Year-Old, 3 Year-Old, and 4 Year-Old class registration, call the Parks and Recreation office at 847-395-2160. I hope you have a restful Labor Day weekend! Please remember, shop local! Scott J. Gartner #antiochil #antiochmayorsupdate #antiochmayorsmessage Upcoming Village Events: September 5, 2024, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Farmers Market (Main and Orchard) September 7, 2024, 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Small Town Smokeout at the bandshell September 12, 2024, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Farmers Market (Main and Orchard) September 21, 2024, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Village of Antioch Fall Wine Walk
Happy Friday, Antioch! Of course, the first thing I’m going to talk about this week is the new park – have you had a chance to visit Sequoit Creek Park? WOW! Now that the construction fences are down and the park is filled with people, it looks even more incredible. Thank you to everyone who packed the park last Saturday for a memorable grand opening. The best part for me has been watching children enjoy the splash pad and playground seemingly non-stop since the park opened. I invite you to enjoy the park this weekend. We’ll have Keith Christophersen Jr., TCK playing guitar at the new performance pavilion tomorrow afternoon between 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. At next week’s Village Board meeting, the Village Board will be voting on updated rules for the park, including operational hours of the splash pad and fire pits. The adopted rules will be posted on the village’s website once they’re passed. Today has been a fun day of golf at the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s annual golf outing. I am posting this message while I’m out at the second annual Northern Illinois Mayors’ Cup at the Fox Lake Country Club. As always, this is a fun event! Thank you to all the participating mayors from across the county, and everyone else out playing today. Also, thank you to Chamber Director Barbara Porch and her team of volunteers who put together this fun event! This Sunday is the last Food Truck FEASTival of the season. The Village has scheduled an appearance of at least nine food trucks along Toft Avenue on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food trucks confirmed so far, include Tropical Chill – Hawaiian Shaved Ice & Ice Cream, The Latte Cafe & Bakery Food Truck, The Polish Plate, Fresh Fix Food Trailer, Wisconsin Style Barbecue LLC, Zo D’licious, Rot’s Hots, Crazee Ice, and Crash Burgers & Tacos. Plus, music from School of Rock Libertyville! I hope to see you there! Anyone who is signed up for the Hyper-Reach notification system received a phone call this afternoon alerting of Monday’s closure of Depot Street at the rail crossing in front of the Metra Station. Canadian National will be doing track work starting Monday, with an expected completion date of Tuesday, September 3rd. Check out the Village’s Facebook page for any updates. BBQ, bands, and a mechanical bull – it’s the Village of Antioch Small Town Smokeout! Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 7th for this family-friendly fun event. We’ll have four bands playing, including headliners Ultimate Eric Church Tribute and Tennessee Whiskey: Tribute to Chris Stapleton. We’ll also have several BBQ food vendors and even a mechanical bull! It will be a fun way to wrap up summer! More information: https://www.facebook.com/share/x43L6TwsuqADT66U/ There are still enrollment opportunities for the Antioch Parks and Recreation Department’s Camp Crayon preschool. For more information on the 2.5 Year-Old, 3 Year-Old, and 4 Year-Old class registration, call the Parks and Recreation office at 847-395-2160. Finally, I want to remind you that registration has started for the fall and winter Antioch Parks and Recreation programs. Check out the online catalog for the programs, including pickleball basics for adults! To see the online catalog, visit: https://www.antioch.il.gov/download/Program%20Guides/Fall%20Winter/Binder1.pdf I hope to see you around town this weekend. Remember, shop local! Scott J. Gartner #antiochil #antiochmayorsupdate #antiochmayorsmessage Upcoming Village Events: August 25, 2024, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Village of Antioch Food Truck FEASTival on Toft August 29, 2024, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Farmers Market (Main and Orchard) August 29, 2024, 7 p.m.: It’s Thursday concert with One of These Night (Eagles Tribute). September 7, 2024, 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Small Town Smokeout at the bandshell September 21, 2024, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Village of Antioch Fall Wine Walk
