Huntley, Illinois

Huntley is a rapidly-growing village in McHenry County, Illinois and Kane County, Illinois. In 2005, the village did a "special census" that revealed a population of 16,719. In the 2000 Census, the village had a mere 5,730 people, meaning the village's population has grown 300% in five years. Huntley has adopted a very aggressive development strategy that would fit more into place in the Sunbelt rather than in an outer suburb of Chicago. Currently, the village has 10.45 square miles. A consultant for the village has predicted that by 2020, Huntley will be home to 50,191 people and will max out at 62,560. In 2003 alone, the village gave out 1210 building permits. The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission predicts the village will have a population of 44,435 in 2030.

File:Gazebo.gif

Huntley's gazebo, the centerpiece of the village's downtown square

Huntley is best known for Prime Outlets outlet mall and a Sun City retirement community, the largest in the Midwest. The old part of Huntley is also known for its public square which features a gazebo, as well as a full brick-paved street (Woodstock St.) and 50s-style diner, The Huntley Dairy Mart. Huntley may also be known for the innovations and controversies of Consolidated School District 158.

The village's slogan is "The Friendly Village With Country Charm."

Geography

Location of Huntley, Illinois

Huntley is located at 42°9′52″N 88°25′28″W (42.164524, -88.424330)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 30.4 km² (11.8 mi²). 30.4 km² (11.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.26%) is water.

Huntley is a predominantly rural community. There are many farms and few woods.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 5,730 people, 2,324 households, and 1,756 families residing in the village. The population density was 188.8/km² (489.1/mi²). There were 2,501 housing units at an average density of 82.4/km² (213.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 94.94% White, 0.44% African American, 0.17% Native American, 2.13% Asian, 1.26% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.28% of the population.

There were 2,324 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.3% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the village the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $60,456, and the median income for a family was $65,433. Males had a median income of $44,524 versus $30,363 for females. The per capita income for the village was $27,451. About 1.9% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The village is served entirely by Consolidated School District 158. Originally headquartered in Huntley, the administration offices have since moved to a new campus in Algonquin.

The village used to be entirely served by an elementary school and a high school located in town, but the growing district has since disconintued use of those buildings, and has since built 5 elementary schools, 2 junior highs, and a high school on 3 different campuses districtwide.

Only 1 campus is within village limits. The Harmony Road Campus contains Huntley High School and Leggee Elementary School. The other two campuses, which serve parts of Huntley are located in nearby Algonquin and Lake in the Hills.

The village is also served by McHenry County College.

Recreation

Most village recreational services are under authority of the Huntley Park District, which serves Huntley and portions of neighboring communities.

• The heart of the Park District is Deicke Park located just southwest of downtown Huntley, on the west side of Route 47, and south of Main St. This is the village's largest park and one of the larger parks in the local region. Various community events are held here. It features multiple ballfields, picnic shelters, a large slide, playground equipment, basketball and tennis courts, park district offices, and the following major additions adjacent to it:
  • a Community Recreational Center housed in the renovated former high school building. It features a large gymnasium, a fitness center, a mess hall, classrooms for workshops and programming, and the Cosman Cultural Arts Center, an auditorium/theater attached to the building.
  • Betsey Warrington Park, an extension of the park area when the park district acquired a narrow piece of farmland off of W. Main St. Much of the original farmstead remains intact and remains for historical and recreational use.
  • Stingray Bay Aquatic Center, the park district's pool which features a zero depth entrance, water slides, water features, a snack bar, a patio, and locker rooms.
• Ol' Timer's Park, a medium-sized park featuring ballfields and playground equipment, located just off Church St. and near Douglas Ave. in downtown Huntley
• Jim Dhamer Square, the village's town square which features a small gazebo and garden in the heart of the community, re-named for the late Village President.
• Pinecrest Golf Course, a golf course and country club off Algonquin Rd. acquired by the park district in the early 00s.
• Marvin A. Weiss Park, a medium-sized park located in the Southwind neighborhood, featuring ballfields, playground equipment, and picnic shelters.
• Kiley Park, a smaller park located in Wing Pointe, featuring ballfields, playground equipment, and picnic shelters
• Tures Park, a smaller park located in the Heritage neighborhood, featuring ballfields, playground equipment, and picnic shelters

Non-park district related recreational facilities include:

• Westland Golf Center, a miniature golf course, pro shop, and driving range off the Algonquin Rd. extension, west of Route 47.
• Whisper Creek Country Club, a semi-private golf course located within Del Webb's Sun City. There are also many other recreational opportunities, including all the offerings of the Prairie Lodge, which features a pool, a large lobby and gathering area, the Drendel Ballroom, workshop and programming rooms, exercise equipment, graceful outdoor fountains and lush landscaping, and an on-site restaurant.
• Numerous public areas, marshes, ponds, and open grassy areas within the many subdivisions and neighborhoods of Huntley

Neighborhoods

Huntley used to be a small town, yet has sprawled out in recent years and gained many new subdivisions. However, there are also distinct neighborhoods built before then which form the core of the old part of Huntley. Both subdivisions and neighborhoods are listed below:

• Del Webb's Sun City, a master-planned community of 6,000 homes for active adults over age 55. Includes two community recreation centers, an 18 hole golf course, numerous recreational areas and facilties, and several neighborhoods and varying housing sytles within. Located southwest of downtown Huntley, and having major frontage along I-90 and Route 47. The Kishwaukee River runs through here, and was actually rerouted in parts. A water tower is in the northern part of the development along Main St.
• Talamore, a master-planned community of 2,000 homes by multiple developers under construction on Huntley's far northside, located in the isthmus west of Route 47 and east of Union Rd. Plans are for nearby retail and a large sports complex within.
• Lion's Chase, a neighborhood of about 200 homes located on the western edge of town, south of W. Main St. and north of Del Webb's Sun City.
• Covington Lakes, a middle class neighborhood of about 500 single-family and townhomes in the northern part of Huntley, northeast of the intersection of Route 47 and Reed Road. Features commercial properties along Route 47 and several lakes within.
• Northbridge, an upper middle class neighborhood of about 350 homes in the $250-410K range, located east of town, north of Algonquin Rd., south of Reed Rd., and east of Pinecrest golf course. Includes Faith Community Church.
• Southwind, a middle class neighborhood of about 700 homes in the easternmost portions of Huntley along Reed and Haligus Roads, and constructed in various phases from about 1997-2003. Includes a large pond. Largely single family homes, but has an enclave of townhomes as well. Includes one of three Huntley fire stations and a water tower.
• Huntley Meadows, one of the younger developments of middle-class neighborhoods of about 200 homes on Huntley's North East corner south of Algonquin Rd. and west of Haligus Rd. Nearby excellent schools and Tom's Farm, a popular vegetable market, and close to Algonquin Commons shopping mall and a variety of religious establishments.
• Georgian Place, a middle class neighborhood of about 350 homes due east of the old town of Huntley. Located south of Algonquin Rd., east of Ruth Rd., west of Haligus Rd., and north of E. Main St. Features a wetland preserve. Abuts the library and municipal center.
• Heritage/Cider Grove, a middle class neighborhood of about 600 homes on Huntley's southeast side famous for its colonial design and barn entrance. Located south of E. Main St., north of Huntley Rd., and east of Haligus Rd.
• Wing Pointe, a middle class neighborhood of about 600 single family homes and townhomes on Huntley's southeast side. Located south of Huntley Rd., and north of Kreutzer Rd. Abuts the massive St. Mary's Catholic Church and a water tower.
• Oak Crest Estates, a very small and exclusive neighborhood of upper middle class homes on Huntley's far west side along the extension of Algonquin Rd. and along the railroad tracks.
• Huntley Highlands, a very small neighborhood east of Dean St. and abutting the southern edges of the downtown area near Dean Foods and the St. Mary's Cemetery, featuring a mix of ranches and two-stories.
• Woods Creek: a neighborhood of a variety of home styles and including Huntley's largest apartment complex
• North Church Street, an older neighborhood located just north of town between Algonquin and Reed Roads, east of Route 47, featuring predominantly ranch homes and a couple apartment buildings. Abuts the Huntley Center shopping center and the village's first water tower.
• West Main Street, an older neighborhood with a mix of housing styles. Includes predominantly ranch homes on Janice, Bonnie Brae, Sunset, and Lincoln Streets, with old two-story Victorian homes on Main Street. This was in the vicinity of the former Huntley School Campus until recently, when the elementary school was torn down and the old high school turned into a recreation center.
• Douglas Avenue, a neighborhood just northwest of town with a mix of housing styles, including ranches, two-stories, townhomes, and a few apartments. Abuts Ol' Timers Park.
• Town, the heart of Huntley and featuring the oldest of homes, mainly country and Victorian styles dating back 100 years. Includes Church, Woodstock, Grove, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Myrtle, Mill, and Dean Streets. Also includes shops, the square, the post office, the American Legion hall, the old fire department, and Trinity Lutheran and First Congregational Churches.

Shopping

The village has a pretty sizable and growing retail base. Some of the shopping centers include:

• Huntley Prime Outlet Mall, an outlet mall located at north of I-90, east of Route 47, and south of Freeman Rd. Built in 1994 and under the original name "Huntley Factory Shops", it contains primarily brand name clothes and home accessory stores. There are about 50 stores total. An outdoor mall, the mall features lush landscaping, brick walkways, and over-hangs that shield shoppers from the elements. There is also an indoor food court serving as the centerpiece, with a fountain in front and a children's playground in the rear. The mall soon fell out of favor starting around 1999 and continuing into 2004. However, with a rapidly growing residential base to serve and a massive makeover featuring the latest and hottest brands, the mall appears to be back on stable ground again.
• Huntley Automall, located in front of Prime Outlets with good Route 47 frontage, it features the dealers Tom Peck Ford and Huntley Chevrolet.
• Huntley Village Green is a shopping center on the east side of Route 47, just north of Prime Outlets and across the street from Del Webb's Sun City. This shopping center's centerpiece is regional grocer Jewel Osco. Current outlots include a combined Mobil gas station and Culver's restaurant, as well as a branch of Mid America Bank. A recent addition in 2005 added gift store Hallmark, as well as other shops including Four Seasons Dry Cleaners, Liberty Tax Service, World Savings Bank, Supercuts, and Subway. The shopping center is still under development and future phases will include big box retailers, and other shops and restaurants. Current plans indicate that Taco Bell could come to the center.
• Regency Square Shopping Center is an elment of a mixed use business park that will bring more retail to the village. It is located at the southwest corner of Route 47 and Kreutzer Rd. Currently, retailers in the center include 7-Eleven / Citgo, Walgreens, Chase Bank, Citizen's Bank, Century 21, Domino's Pizza, Baskin Robbins / Dunkin' Donuts, Papa Saverio's Pizza, Vicaro's Deli, and the Hair Cuttery.
• Huntley Towers and Huntley Plaza are two small strip centers located on the east side of Route 47, south of Algonquin Rd. and north of Main St. These plazas include the following businesses: Subway, Alvaro's Tacos & Pizza, Goodfella's Beef, Beardsley's Barber Shop, Honey Fluff Donuts, Rosati's Pizza, China Palace, Cleaners, a coffee shop, and ReMax.
• Stand-alone businesses along Route 47 include McDonald's, Dairy Mart, Harris Bank, Pet Vet, Randy's Cycle, Tobacco Hut, Hoppy's Barber Shop, Huntley Banking Center, Huntley Motor Werks, Huntley Collision Center, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Mobil, and Speedway.
• Huntley Center is one of the village's oldest shopping centers. Located east of Route 47, north of Algonquin Rd., and south of Reed Rd., it features Cugini Market, Del Toro's Tex-Mex, a branch of the McHenry Savings Bank, Videos 'n' More, Ace Hardware, Huntley Floral, Huntley 47 Cleaners, Bowl-Hi Lanes, Choppers, Papa G's, and Huntley Country Store.
• Covington Lakes Center is a neighborhood convenience center along the northern reaches of Route 47, north of Reed Rd. and adjacent to the Covington Lakes neighborhood. It includes Armanetti's Wine & Liqours, Java Delites, Coldstone Creamery, and Great Clips for Hair. There is also The Learning Tree children's day care center nearby.
• In Town shops, those located in the heart of Huntley in its original central business district in old buildings along Main St. and Woodstock St. include Family Credit Union, Chazio's hair salon, Luigi's Pizza, Allstate Insurance, Fleck photo studio, The Village Inn, Strode's Colonial Furniture, Parkside Pub, and another bar.

Economy

The village is a haven for industrial businesses, as it is located along the high truck-traffic corridors of Illinois Route 47 and I-90, as well as having low taxes, wide open spaces, equal proximity to Chicago, Rockford, and Wisconsin, and being along a branch of the Chicago & Northwest rail line. Industrial areas and large businesses include:

• Weber Grill factory located east of Route 47, near the Huntley Village Green shopping center on the village's southside.
• Duo-Fast, a fasteners company located west of Route 47, north of I-90, and south of Jim Dhamer Dr.
• Freund International, a trucking distribution and maintenance center located at the northeast corner of Route 47 and Kreutzer Rd.
• Allied Asphalt Paving Company, located on Kreutzer Rd., just east of Route 47.
• Dean Foods, a dairy processing and distribution center located in the heart of the village, just south of downtown and at the intersection of Mill St. and Dean St., along the railroad.
• Catty Corp, a wrapping and packaging company located at Mill St. and Church St., north of the Dean plant and immediately south of downtown.
• FS and Marlowe Feed, agribusinesses in the center of town no longer in full operation
• Union Special, a machine company that specializes in industrial sewing equipment.
• The business park featuring about 8-10 industrial buildings south of Kiley Rd. and north of East Main St., west of Ruth Rd., as well as nearby businesses along Huntley-Dundee Rd.
• The business park north of Kreutzer Rd., centered on the railroad and along the horseshoe-shaped Smith Rd.

Transportation

• The village is located along the "Golden Corridor" of Interstate 90/The Northwest Tollway. It has direct access to I-90 via an interchange at Illinois Route 47.
• Illinois Route 47 serves as the chief north-south artery in Huntley. Handling over 20,000 vehicles a day, the road is often choked with traffic on the 1-mile stretch between Main St. and Algonquin Rd.
• Algonquin Rd. and Main St./Huntley Rd. act as the village's primary east-west routes.
• Other important streets in the village include Ruth Rd., Reed Rd., Kreutzer Rd., Haligus Rd., Del Webb Blvd., and Church St.
• The village is also located along a branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and thus many of the village's industries are near the railroad for convenient access to Elgin, Rockford, Chicago, and essentially the rest of the world.
  • Metra has long-term plans to eventually establish a commuter rail station in Huntley, which would be a new terminus on the Milwaukee District/West Line, which currently terminates at Big Timber Road in Elgin. The station would likely be placed on Kreutzer Rd., on the village's southern end. Plans also indicate that a 2nd station could be placed on Coyne Station Rd., just northwest of current village limits.

Residential Activities

Since, Huntley is mostly rural and is still undergoing a suburban makeover, "Huntlians" usually end up going to Lake in the Hills, Illinois & Algonquin, Illinois to do their shopping. However Huntley does have a nice park by the name of Deicke Park. As mentioned before it also has the Huntley Outlet Mall. One extremely popular spot for local flavor is Dairy Mart. Dairy Mart is a little 50s' style ice-cream and fast food place that is enjoyed solely outside or in your car. There are two main Grocery Stores in Huntley. The biggest being Jewel-Osco and the other being Cugini's which used to go by the name of Huntley Supermarket. Also of great importance to the residents of Huntley is its Library: The Huntley Library. This library is built to look like an old farm with extremely high ceilings and exposed roof beams.

Note: Huntley is part of an area known as the Huntley-Lake in the Hills Area.

Also see Consolidated School District 158 for information on the school serving the Huntley area.

Festivals/Traditions

• Huntley Home & Business Expo, sponsored by the Huntley Chamber of Commerce and other organizations which showcases local businesses and services of all kinds and gives residents and businesses an opportunity for positive interaction. Held in late February.
• Huntley High School Fine Arts Festival, decade long tradition which showcases student artwork as well as musical and dramatic performances. Held in late April.
• Memorial Day: parade through downtown Huntley, where various groups come together and honor veterans who died in wars, and culminating with an honor at the Huntley Cemetery.
• Huntley Town Picnic: running for almost 15 years, held in Deicke Park in late June.
• Fourth of July: fireworks celebration, held at varying locations in recent years.
• Huntley High School Homecoming: parade, held in varying locations over the years, culminating with the Friday football game. Usually in September or October.
• Turkey Testicle Festival: held the day before Thanksgiving at Parkside Pub, usually spreading into the streets of downtown Huntley
• Summerfest: originated in 2001 for village's sesquicentennial celebration, but has been canceled in recent years. Held by Jaycees group.
• Pancake Breakfasts: held in American Legion hall, hosted by the Boy Scouts
• Rummage Sales: occurring all the time at the village's downtown churches, Trinity Lutheran and First Congregational
• Del Toro's Cinco De Mayo Celebration : held in the Del Toro's parking lot on or around May 5th

Churches

The village was served for many years, by three churches all located in downtown:

• First Congregational Church, located at Main St. and Church St.
• Trinity Lutheran Church, located on Church St.
• St. Mary Catholic Church, originally located on Woodstock St.
  • As the village has grown, St. Mary's has since moved into a much larger church built on Huntley-Dundee Rd. on the village's southeast side. The old church is still occasionally used for special occasions.

Many community churches have also sprouted up. They include:

Springbrook Community Church

• Morning Star Church and World Outreach Center, on Powers Road (near the Del Webb community) since 1994.
• Faith Community Church, at Algonquin Rd. and Haligus Rd.
• Springbrook Community Church, on Algonquin Rd. across from Tom's Farm.
• Westlake Community Church, which meets at Huntley High School
• Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, which meets at the Cosman Cultural Center.
• Lighthouse Fellowship Church

External links

• Village of Huntley website
• Huntley Area Public Library
• Huntley Park District
• Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce
• Consolidated School District 158