Will You Vote for Kenilworth to Become a Home Rule Community?

Village hopes becoming a home-rule community could help finance a long-term infrastructure plan, which is projected to cost between $17 to $20 million over 10 years.

UPDATE: Kenilworth Home Rule Referendum Fails When Kenilworth residents head to the polls tomorrow, they will be asked to vote on whether the village should shift some decision-making abilities from the state to the local level by becoming a “home rule unit”. Kenilworth Village President Fred G. Steingraber said in August that the village needs to improve its infrastructure but currently lacks the funds. 78 percent of sewers, 81 percent of water mains and 55 percent of fire hydrants in the village are more than 100 years old, Steingraber said. Home rule allows communities a broad range of powers, such as taxing, zoning and licensing, unless exempted by the State.  “We’ve concluded the best starting point for [financing a long-term …

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Kenilworth Home Rule Referendum on Nov. 6 Ballot

Village hopes becoming a home-rule community could help finance a long-term infrastructure plan, which is projected to cost between $17 to $20 million over 10 years

Kenilworth Puts Home Rule Referendum on Nov. 6 Ballot

Village hopes becoming a home-rule community could help finance a long-term infrastructure plan, which is projected to cost between $17 to $20 million over 10 years.

Facing the need to improve Kenilworth’s infrastructure but lacking the funds, Kenilworth trustees approved putting a referendum on the upcoming election ballot that asks voters if they would give the village greater decision-making powers.  “We’ve concluded the best starting point for [financing a long-term infrastructure plan] is to go into Home Rule for this community,” said Fred G. Steingraber, village president, during the Aug. 20 village board meeting. “The long-term infrastructure plan is going require $17 to $20 million of capital over 10 years.”  When Kenilworth voters head to the polls on November 6, they will be asked whether they approve shifting decision-making abilities from the state level to the local level.  Home rule …

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Kenilworth President: 'He's Leaving Kenilworth in Far Better Shape'

Brad Burke, Kenilworth's now former village manager, will start a new position in Lincolnshire on Aug. 20.

Officials from Kenilworth, Winnetka and Wilmette bid farewell to Brad Burke, Kenilworth's village manager for six years on Aug. 9.  Related article: Kenilworth Village Manager Accepts New Position in Lincolnshire Stay up to date on the latest news in Wilmette and Kenilworth! Sign up for our newsletter and "like" us on Facebook!

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Kenilworth Railroad Crossing to Close for 10 Days in July

The village board approved weekend hours for Union Pacific, hiked water meter fees and signed off on paving projects for four streets Monday night.

Kenilworth should prepare for a big traffic headache in July — the village's lone railroad crossing at Kenilworth Avenue will be closed for 10 days, as Union Pacific repairs the rough passage. The Kenilworth Board of Trustees approved a waiver during Monday night's meeting that will allow Union Pacific to work extended hours as well as on Sunday, when construction work is typically banned. Union Pacific plans to close the crossing from July 18 to 27, at which time Metra trains will be delayed 10 to 20 minutes. Pedestrians will be allowed to cross, but not motorized vehicles. Village Manager Brad Burke said a second crossing would be repaired this summer in Wilmette, causing additional delays for commuters and detours for motorists. The …

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