Cary Municipal Center Hours

April 7

The Cary Municipal Center will be closed on Friday, April 7, 2023. Normal business hours resume on Monday, April 10 at 8:30 a.m.

Public Meeting - TIF #3

April 12, 2023

Pursuant to Illinois State Statutes, the Village will be holding a public meeting regarding the proposed Central Cary TIF District (TIF #3). The meeting is for the purpose of enabling the Village to advise the public, taxing districts, property owners, and residents within the proposed Central Cary TIF area as to the Village’s intent to prepare a redevelopment plan, designate a redevelopment project area, and to receive public comment. The Village of Cary will be hosting a public hearing on:

Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 6:00 PM 

Village Board Room 

Cary Municipal Center

755 Georgetown Drive

Cary, IL 60013

If you are unable to attend the meeting, the meeting will be live streamed on our Village YouTube channel: 

https://youtube.com/live/3uIhpYaVOo8?feature=share

For more information, visit our website:

http://www.caryillinois.com/247/TIF-Districts

Meet & Greet with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky

Monday, April 10

Congresswoman Schakowsky will be hosting a meet and greet at the Village of Cary Municipal Center on Monday, April 10 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

All residents are invited to attend. Registration is encouraged and can be done at:

https://SchakowskyMeetandGreet.eventbrite.com.

Job Opportunities

The Village of Cary has the following open positions:

• Maintenance & Utility Workers (Full-time)
• Public Works Laborer (Seasonal)
• Police Officers (Full-time)
• Records Clerk (Part-time)
• Custodian (Full-time)
• Graduate Intern

For more information, visit our website at: https://www.caryillinois.com/291/Apply-For-A-Job

Spring Clean-Up Dates

April 15 - SOUTH of Railroad Tracks

April 22 - NORTH of Railroad Tracks

The Village and Flood Brothers Disposal are pleased to offer Spring Clean-Up as an opportunity for residents to get rid of unwanted items. The Village hopes residents take advantage of this great opportunity to kick start their spring cleaning. To review Spring Clean-Up program guidelines, visit our website at:

https://www.caryillinois.com/592/Spring-Clean-Up

Hydrant Flushing Continues

Through April 14

Hydrant flushing occurs twice a year; once in the spring and once in the fall, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

During the process of hydrant flushing, your tap water may become discolored and appear rusty. This discoloration is temporary. Residents are encouraged to let the water run for several minutes until it appears clear before washing clothes.

For additional information, visit the Hydrant Flushing information page on our website at https://www.caryillinois.com/452/Hydrant-Flushing-Maintenance or email the Public Works Department at CaryPW@CaryIllinois.com.

2nd Annual Earth Day Clean-Up

The Cary Park District and Village of Cary invite you to join the Earth Day Clean-Up!

Between Friday, April 21 and Sunday, April 23, residents are invited to help clean up our parks/neighborhoods! Residents may pick up free refuse and recycling bags on Friday, April 21, 2023 at the following locations/times:

The Park District Community Center, 9:00AM to 4:00PM

The Village Municipal Center, 8:30AM to 12:00PM

Residents may use the provided bags to help clean-up their local parks or their own neighborhoods. Village and Park District staff will retrieve the bags by the morning of Monday, April 24th. All volunteers must fill out a waiver prior to participating.

The Village and Park District thank you for helping keep our community clean and beautiful!

For information on what is recyclable, see the the Earth Day Clean-Up Cheat Sheet at:

https://www.caryillinois.com/DocumentCenter/View/5316/2023-Earth-Day-Clean-up-Cheat-Sheet

Flood Brothers Yard Waste Pick-Up Has Begun

Flood Brothers yard waste pickup has begun. Residents may place their yard waste bags out on their regular day of service.

Flood Brothers will collect an unlimited amount of properly prepared yard waste in brown biodegradable kraft paper bags placed at the curb. Residents are also able to use containers (33 gal or smaller) for yard waste. Yard waste consisting of bundles of brush or branches must be securely tied, using biodegradable cord, string, rope, or twine and may not exceed fifty (50) pounds in weight, two (2) feet in diameter, and four (4) feet in length.

If you are interested in renting a yard waste cart, please contact Flood Brothers at 630-261-0400.

For yard waste disposal information, visit the Flood Brothers-Cary web page at https://www.caryillinois.com/253/Refuse-Recycling.

Village of Cary Curbside Brush Pick-Up Program

Week Beginning May 1 - NORTH of Railroad Tracks

Week Beginning May 8 - SOUTH of Railroad Tracks

The Village's Curbside Brush Collection is a free service offered to Cary residents to assist them with their landscape maintenance. The program is designed to dispose of large branches and tree limbs that cannot be collected through regular refuse collection.

For full program guidelines, visit the Village of Cary's Curbside Brush Collection webpage at:

https://www.caryillinois.com/409/Curbside-Brush-Collection

State of Illinois Announces $175 Million in Back to Business Grants for Restaurants, Hotels and Creative Arts Businesses

The Back to Business (B2B) grant program provides recovery grants for businesses in the hardest-hit industries. Through the state’s B2B and Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Programs, DCEO has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

The program design for B2B Restaurants, B2B Hotels, and B2B Arts, respectively, are based on legislation which established the Restaurant Employment and Stabilization Grant Program (20 ILCS 605/605-1100), Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program (20 ILCS 605/605-1095), and the Illinois Creative Recovery Grant program (30 ILCS 709/40).

Applications will be open between April 5 and May 10, 2023 at: https://www.illinois.gov/. DCEO encourages applicants to familiarize themselves with program eligibility requirements and reach out to local community navigators with any questions. 

Board of Zoning, Planning and Appeals Applications Available

The Board of Zoning, Planning & Appeals consists of seven regular members and one associate member who are residents of the Village and appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Village Board.

The main duties of the Board of Zoning, Planning & Appeals is to make recommendations to the Village Board regarding land use issues pertaining to the Village Zoning Ordinance, including proposed variations, conditional use permits and appeals of decisions made by the Zoning Administrator. The Board of Zoning, Planning & Appeals typically holds meetings on the 2nd Thursday of the month as needed.

Interested individuals should submit a letter of interest, resume and a completed application to:

Mayor Mark Kownick

Village of Cary

755 Georgetown Drive

Cary, Illinois 60013

Application for Board of Zoning, Planning and Appeals

Downtown Streetscape Construction Continues

Week 2 of the Village’s Downtown Streetscape Project is in the books! This week, temporary traffic signals were installed and preliminary project setup was completed. 

Next week, the contractor anticipates performing fire hydrant relocations, sawcutting, and curb & sidewalk removals along the north side of W. Main St.

Residents can learn more about the improvements to W. Main Street from High Road to Spring Street on the project website at www.CaryStreetscape.info. The website offers an opportunity for residents to view plans, conceptual renderings, and stay informed with construction updates.

Cary Area Public Library Used Book Sale

April 21, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

April 22, 9:00 a.m-4:00 p.m.

April 23, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

The Friends of the Cary Area Public Library will be holding their Used Book Sale on Friday, April 21 (1:00-4:00pm), Saturday, April 22 (9:00am-4:00pm) and Sunday, April 23 (1:00-4:00pm).

Find bargains on books and AV for all ages. Sunday's bag sale is $5 per supplied bag. Special pricing for teachers with current ID (except for bag sale). Check or cash only.

Downtown Social District Open

The Downtown Social District is in effect from March 1 to December 15 between the hours of 6:00AM to 11:00PM. There are four participating establishments: Cary Alehouse, Orchard Prime Meats, The Tracks Bar & Grill, and 750 Cucina Rustica. Visitors may purchase an alcoholic beverage from a licensed establishment. Only beer, wine, or mixed drinks may be purchased for consumption in the Downtown Social District. If you intend to drink within the Downtown Social District boundaries, please let the establishment know and you will be provided with a specific cup for this purpose. Sidewalk signs are placed along the District's boundaries indicating when a visitor is leaving the defined area.

Click here to see the Downtown Social District Map

Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center Opens May 27

The Cary Park District has announced the Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center will open for the season on May 27, 2023.

For information regarding hours of operation, season passes, daily fees, swim lessons, aqua fitness, rentals and special events, visit the Cary Park District website at carypark.org or view their Summer Program Guide.

Maplewood Access Road Extension Website

The Village of Cary has launched a website to give residents access to information on the ongoing Phase 1 Engineering Study for the Maplewood Access Road Extension project. This phase 1 analysis is the first step towards evaluating the potential for a future roadway extension between Cary-Algonquin Road and High Road in downtown Cary and positioning the project for future outside funding opportunities. Details of the project and how the project aligns with the Village's Downtown Strategic Plan are available at www.MaplewoodAccessRoad.info.

CASA of McHenry County Advocate Informational Meetings

The Illinois Juvenile Court Act states that all children in abuse and neglect court in Illinois shall be appointed a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). CASA volunteers are assigned to a single case involving children who have suffered abuse or neglect. The volunteer gets to know the child and advocates for the child’s needs through a report to the juvenile court. CASA volunteers give a voice to abused and neglected children by being a consistent, stable adult in the child’s life and by providing the court with needed information regarding the child’s well-being.

150 CASA volunteers currently serve more than 200 children in McHenry County’s juvenile court system.

CASA of McHenry County conducts quarterly trainings for new Advocates. To fill these sessions, CASA is hosting informational meetings about the volunteer role of a CASA. The final virtual information session will take place on:

• Thursday, April 13, 7:00-7:45PM, virtual via Zoom

For more information, access the CASA of McHenry County website: https://www.casamchenrycounty.org/ or attend the informational meeting.

Cary Winter Farmer's Market

Shop for local produce, baked goods, eggs, crafters and more on the first and third Sundays of the month, October through April, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Algonquin Township Building #6. 

Algonquin Township is located at 3702 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, IL. 

McHenry County Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The McHenry County Housing Authority administers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and has begun accepting applications for winter heating assistance for all income eligible families.

LIHEAP is a state and federally funded energy assistance program for low-income families, in which either a family receives a one-time, lump-sum payment toward energy bills, or is enrolled in a monthly Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP), as funding allows.

All appointments will be conducted by phone. Book your telephone appointment online with Appointments Plus by following the link on the McHenry County Housing Authority's website:

www.mchenrycountyhousing.org

Residents may also book directly at:

https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/b0kk9my2/,

If booking an appointment by phone, call 815-308-6057. 

Please be aware that it may take several weeks to receive a return phone call as call volume is high. The program ends May 31, 2023, or when program funding is exhausted.

Click here for informational flyer.

Recent Village Board Actions

This past week, the Village Board took the following major actions at the April 4, 2023, Village Board Meeting. For a complete listing of all past Village Board actions and minutes, go to www.caryillinois.com. Minutes are posted after they are approved.

Approved the Village of Cary Police Commission Annual Report for 2022

Approved an Ordinance Declaring Certain Police Department Equipment as Surplus Property

Approved the Closure of First Street from Three Oaks Road to Route 14 and Park Avenue from First Street to Franke Street for the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on May 29, 2023, Beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Approved a Resolution Authorizing the Village Administrator to Execute a Construction Services Agreement with HR Green, Inc., McHenry, IL, for Services Associated with the 2023 Roadway Resurfacing Program in the Amount Not to Exceed $81,298.00 and Authorize the Village Administrator to Approve a Ten Percent Contingency for Unforeseen Changes in Scope for a Total Project Budget of $89,427.80

Approved a Resolution Awarding the 2023 Road Program Contract to the Lowest Responsive and Responsible Bidder, Geske & Sons, Inc., Crystal Lake, IL in an Amount Not to Exceed $1,269,765.66 and Authorize the Village Administrator to Approve a 10% Contingency for Unforeseen Changes in Scope for a Maximum Project Budget of $1,396,742.23

Approved a Resolution Approving a One-Year Extension of the Contract for the 2022 McHenry County Municipal Partnering Initiative Street Sweeping Services Joint Bid with Lakeshore Recycling Systems and Authorizing the Village Administrator to Execute a Contract in an Amount Not to Exceed $65,000.00 in FY2023-24

Approved a Resolution Authorizing the Village Administrator to Execute a One-Year Contract Extension for Landscape Maintenance Services to RB Enterprises, Aurora, Illinois in an Amount Not to Exceed $103,000.00

Approved a Resolution Appropriating $1,380,000.00 in Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the Purpose of Maintaining Streets and Highways under the Applicable Provisions of Illinois Highway Code for FY23-24

Approved a Resolution Authorizing the Order for the 2023 Model Year Light-Duty Half-Ton Pickup Trucks as Part of the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Vehicle Leasing and Replacement Program through Enterprise Fleet Management, Inc.

Approved the Employment Agreement for the Village Administrator

Approved a Resolution Adopting the Village of Cary Fiscal Year 2024 - 2028 Capital Improvement Program (CIP)

Approved the Village of Cary Annual Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024