Countrysides NEW Property Inspection Program begins 2009

In order to protect public health, safety and welfare, Countryside is establishing a property maintenance program for all buildings in the City which will be implemented in the first quarter of 2009.The purpose is to ensure that all buildings are maintained to a minimal standard.

This fee-supported program has three parts:
Rental Licensing and Inspection Licensing and periodic inspections for all rental commercial and residential properties as well as condominium common areas is required. All property, other than owner occupied housing, will be subject to inspections. All commercial properties and residential common areas will be inspected once per year and rented residential units will be inspected once every three years.

Pre-Sale Real Estate Transfer Inspections Pre-sale City inspections for all residential and commercial properties will be required before the City will issue a real estate transfer stamp.

Vacant Property Licensing A license is required for all vacant commercial and residential properties. A commercial property is considered “vacant” when it is boarded or unoccupied for 120 consecutive days. A residential building with 20% or more unoccupied units for 120 consecutive days also is considered “vacant.” The license can be renewed but another inspection is required.

The City is developing a list of rental and vacant property and will soon be contacting each property owner to schedule an inspection. Copies of the applicable ordinances and fee schedules are available at the City’s Web site. �� For more information, please call Steve Tisinai at TPI Building Code Consultants (630) 443-1567.

Click here to view Countryside Illinois City Codes

LaGrange Park District Wide Kindergarten Registration Set

Calling all kindergartner wannabes! A district wide kindergarten registration is set for 7-8 p.m., Thursday, February, 12th in the Park Jr. High auditorium, 325 North Park, La Grange Park. This district wide registration replaces the home school registration format used in previous years. To be eligible for either full day or half day kindergarten, children must be 5 years old before September 2009. A certified copy of your child’s birth certificate is required, along with proof of residency. The registration fee for full day kindergarten will be $80 and the half day kindergarten fee will remain at $40. More information is available by calling the District Administration Center at 708-482-2400.

Tax credits expand for "green" upgrades.

Starting Jan. 1, 2009, per the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, homeowners can benefit from tax credits for energy efficient home improvements (windows, doors, roofs, insulation, HVAC, and non-solar water heaters). Learn more from Energy Star.gov.

LaGrange Park Garbage Rates Increase

Effective February 1, 2009, the Village of La Grange Park Garbage Sticker fee will increase from $2.30 to $2.45. The monthly minimum Service Charge will increase from $3.75 to $4.20. The prices for the 96 Gallon Roll-Out Cart Service will also increase from $19.75 to $21.20 per month. Residents can expect to see this increase on their water bill beginning in March. Service fee increases are consistent with rates established in the contract with Allied Waste, previously approved by the Village Board in May 2007. These are the first garbage fee increases La Grange Park residents have seen in 18 months. For additional information, please contact Village Hall at 708-354-0225, or Allied Waste directly at 708-345-7050.

End of Year 2008 Real Estate Market Statistics!!

The links below will give you market statistics for Single Family and Condo/townhouse Homes for most of Chicagolands cities/towns.

Statistics provided by:

MAINSTREET ORGANIZATION OF REALTORS

Year to date Trends through December 2008 Single Family Homes

Year to date Trends through December 2008 Attached Condo/Townhomes

2008 Market Statistics Detached single Family

2008 Market Statistics Attached Condo/Townhomes

December 2008 Trends Detached Single Family

December 2008 Trends Attached Condo/Townhomes

Disclaimer:
Statistics provided using data from Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois.
The Association makes no claim as to the accuracy of this data and has provided this data as a service to our members.

Free Dinner & Presentation!

Create Optimal Health and Vitality!

· Reach Your Ideal Weight

· Cutting Edge 12 Minute Workouts That Burn Twice The Fat

· Build Health, Increase Energy and Decrease Stress

· Live A Life Without Sickness & Disease

· Create Personal Vitality & Healthy Longevity

Dr. Gordon Firmreite

at: Cafe 36

22 Calendar Ave

LaGrange, IL 60525

When: Tues January 13th @ 7:00pm

Reserve by calling 708.352.3352

LaGrange Park Christmas Tree Collection

Once again this year, Allied Waste will collect live Christmas trees through Thursday, January 29 at no charge to residents. Trees should be set at the curb on your regular garbage collection day, and since the trees are composted, they should be free of all ornaments, tinsel, wire, and other inorganic material. “Flocked” Christmas trees are not accepted during this collection.

Starved Rock – Discover the Eagles Tour

Take this fantastic trip, sponsored in part by the Community Park District of La Grange Park. The event takes place on February 7th, where the bus departs from Plymouth Place at 8:00 a.m. and returns at 5:00 p.m. The cost is $42 per person and includes a trolley ride to the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center and lunch. Call 708-354-4580 to register by Friday, January 23rd.

Organizing for the Home: Focus on Paper – January 12th

This helpful session will be held at the La Grange Park Library on Monday, January 12th at 7:00 p.m. The presentation is designed for residents who are buried in clutter at home. Ms. Barbara Tischler, The Clutter Coach, will provide several organizing principles, tips, and decision-making guidelines designed to help you get organized in your home. There will be a special focus on paper management. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For more information, call 352-0100.

LaGrange Park H.E.L.P. Volunteer Program – Thanks for Lending a Hand!

Special thanks go out to the residents of La Grange Park for responding to previous requests for H.E.L.P. snow volunteers. The Village has added several new names to the list! However, there are nearly three months left of winter! With each snowfall, seniors in our community are in need of snow shoveling/blowing assistance. Helping Everyone in La Grange Park or H.E.L.P. is designed to meet this type of need. The program matches community volunteers with residents needing assistance. When the Village receives a request, we respond by providing a list of individuals who have indicated a willingness to be contacted. At this time, the list of volunteers is limited and we need your help. If you are willing to provide assistance, please contact Julia Cedillo at 354-0225, extension 108 or email: jcedillo@lagrangepark.org. Residents needing assistance contact the volunteers directly. Please call Ms. Cedillo for a list of volunteer names. Services provided are free of charge or for nominal payment. Any payment must be worked out between the volunteer and the resident requesting service.

Organizing for the Home: Focus on Paper – January 12th

This helpful session will be held at the La Grange Park Library on Monday, January 12th at 7:00 p.m. The presentation is designed for residents who are buried in clutter at home. Ms. Barbara Tischler, The Clutter Coach, will provide several organizing principles, tips, and decision-making guidelines designed to help you get organized in your home. There will be a special focus on paper management. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For more information, call 352-0100.

Sunday Open House in LaGrange Park

Stop by this Sunday January 11th for an Open House at 1139 Newberry in LaGrange Park from noon until 2:00! This is a very nice brick home that is looking for a new owner!! Priced at $244,000 offering 2 bedrooms and 1 full bath with a two car garage!!
Great House at a Great Price!!
Call Katrina for directions and more details.

Canadian National (CN) Rail Purchase - Update

On December 24th, the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) approved Canadian National Railway’s purchase of the EJ&E (Elgin, Joliet & Eastern) from U.S. Steel Corp. for $300 million. However, the Board imposed conditions on the purchase that will help offset the environmental impact on towns through which the EJ&E runs. The ruling becomes official on January 23rd. The STB will monitor CN’s compliance with the conditions of the purchase for the next five years. For towns along the existing CN lines, including La Grange Park, the purchase will mean fewer delays at rail crossings.