Villages
BROOKFIELD
As the home of a world-class zoo and the Salt Creek Trail, the Village of Brookfield is a regional destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts seeking nature, biking, kayaking and recreation opportunities. The village is also a destination for businesses, featuring a business-friendly environment with convenient access to thousands of customers and suppliers – both in downtown Chicago (13 miles away) and downtown Naperville (17 miles away) as well as the many communities in the western Cook County region.
Whether you operate a retail, commercial or industrial business, you’ll find the village an ideal, business-friendly place to set up shop. Brookfield has an educated, affluent population and workforce, close proximity to the Interstates (I-55, I-290 and I-294), favorable taxes and access to business-building tools through our Chamber.
Brookfield is a popular suburb combining the best of city and suburban living. As a gateway to downtown Chicago, the village represents a diverse community of 19,000 people. Here you’ll find good schools, three Metra stations and a municipal staff dedicated to professional city management. Brookfield’s many assets support a real estate market that is on an upward trajectory, by any measure.
� 2016 Crain’s ranked Brookfield No. 1 in Cook County for home sales activity.
� In 2017, Brookfield marked five years of commercial and residential investment growth of nearly 100 percent over the past five years (based on municipal permits).
� Chicago magazine recognized Brookfield in 2013 as one of the top destinations in metro Chicago for first-time homebuyers. “Like nature? You’ll love this western suburb, which is home to Brookfield Zoo and a stretch of the Salt Creek forest preserve. You can easily find a brick bungalow or a postwar Georgian for under $200,000,” stated Chicago magazine.
Come join the many businesses and real estate investors making Brookfield its home.
Michael J. Garvey
Village President
708-485-7344
brookfieldil.gov
hodgkins
The Village of Hodgkins was originally known as Gary, until the community was incorporated in 1896. At that time, the Village of Hodgkins was adopted as the official name. The village was named Hodgkins after the owner of the Kimball and Cobb Stone Quarry, Jefferson Hodgkins. In 1897, the Kimball and Cobb Stone Quarry was sold to Vulcan Materials, which remains in business today and is a top tier member of the WSCCI.
For most of the 20th century, the small village was made up of mostly hard-working laborers who worked at the stone quarry and the railroads. As times changed, so did the community. In the 1980s the village began to think of future development opportunities. The trucking industry was shrinking and as it collapsed, the village saw an opportunity to create a shopping mall along our northern border. The successful Quarry Shopping Center was born and the redevelopment did not stop there.
Today, the village includes a balance of industrial, commercial and residential areas. We have a beautiful Park and Library District. Residential life has been tremendously improved with the amenities offered by the redevelopment in the community. You can shop, be entertained and enjoy just about any social environment from restaurants, microbreweries and movie theaters, to off-track betting and video gaming. Welcome!
Ernest Millsap
Village President
708-579-6700
villageofhodgkins.org
Indian Head Park
Rich in history and native culture, the Village of Indian Head Park is home to some 4,000 people, nestled where I-55 and I-294 converge. Tucked into an abundantly green area, the inviting village atmosphere features a natural beauty balanced with a vibrant service, retail and commercial business scene. With large lots, this designated “Tree City” remains “the best-kept secret in Chicago” and a great place to live, work and play.
The Joliet Road area serves as the retail corridor, packed with fine restaurants, quaint shops and wellness spots — hair, beauty and spa services among them. Both Wolf’s Head Inn and Willow Hill Restaurant are culinary favorites for the locals and visitors throughout the region. Just minutes from downtown, airports and major malls, our municipal services excel. Police, fire and paramedic services and response times are phenomenal. In addition, our schools deserve their reputation as being the best in the state.
Indian Head Park has several public parks with playgrounds and a historic community center — Blackhawk Park, Sacajawea Park and the Heritage Center. Additionally, part of the village is served by the Pleasantdale Park District, which provides recreational programs for all ages and access to the Flagg Creek Golf course. Modern-day Indian Head Park was one of the last campsites of the Great Lakes Potawatomie Native Americans. Later it became part of a stagecoach route that ran from Chicago to Ottawa, Illinois, at the Illinois River.
Amy Jo Wittenberg
Mayor
708-246-3080
Indianheadpark-il.gov
Location and Transportation
The West Suburban region is easily accessible from every direction. Interstate 290, Interstate 55, Interstate 355 and the Tri-State Tollway (294) provide easy auto and truck access. O’Hare International Airport, Midway Airport and the Chicago Loop are both about 30 minutes or less away. Milwaukee can be reached within two hours.
Daily commuter rail service is provided in Brookfield, LaGrange and Western Springs by Metra on the Chicago to Aurora line and in Willow Springs on the Joliet to Chicago line. Amtrak also serves the area and Pace has numerous bus routes that connect each of the communities to the rest of the West Cook County area.
Rail freight service is provided by the Indiana Harbor Belt Line and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Line. Barge traffic can be accommodated on the sanitary canal.
La Grange
From a small planned community to the dynamic destination it is today, La Grange has always been a welcoming community, drawing people here to work, live or visit.
Downtown La Grange and its charming West End are home to independent businesses with friendly owners who are devoted to our local community. The wide sidewalks are lined with specialty boutiques, coffee shops and outstanding restaurants, making downtown the perfect place for families, teenagers and adults to get together for food, fun and entertainment year-round. From classic steakhouses, family diners and new American craft cuisine to Thai, Mediterranean, Italian and Mexican, La Grange features over 50 restaurants and eateries. These diverse dining options alongside independent and leading national retailers make La Grange “everyone’s downtown” and a destination in the western suburbs.
La Grange appeals to those looking to be in a village with a distinct character — while close to the city of Chicago — and thoughtfully landscaped tree-lined streets, beautiful historic homes, an exceptional school system, parks and unparalleled transportation options. Interstates 290, 55 and the Tri-State Tollway (294) provide easy connections to the region, passengers take advantage of the Metra BNSF commuter rail options accessible at La Grange’s two stations — La Grange Road and Stone Avenue.
A vibrant village with a warm, inviting ambiance, La Grange feels unexpected. With a strong appreciation for the past and a powerful vision toward the future, La Grange civic leaders, residents, business owners and economic development partners like the West Suburban Chamber work together to keep La Grange ahead of the curve. We invite you to visit La Grange and experience our positive and forward-thinking energy.
Mark Kuchler
Village President
708-579-2300
www.lagrangeil.gov
