Western Springs guide

• Population: 2000 Census - 12,493
• Incorporated Date: 1886
• Type of Government: Village Form; Council-Manager
• Overall Tax Rate: $7.094 (2001) per $100.00 of Equalized Assessed Valuation
• Distance to O'Hare Airport: 15 miles
• Distance to Midway Airport: 8 miles
• Area: 2.32 square miles
• Median Family Income-2000 Census: $101,002
• Vehicle Tax/Sticker: $35.00 per auto
• Village Tax Rate: $0.758 (2001) per $100.00 of Equalized Assessed Valuation
• Distance to Chicago Loop: 16 miles, driving time 25 to 40 minutes

SERVICES
Three (3) wells provide for the Village's water needs. A private contractor is available for garbage removal, and sewage is disposed of by the Metropolitan Sanitary District. Six (6) full-time paramedics and 40 paid on-call volunteers provide paramedic and fire protection. A police force of 19 sworn officers and 7 civilians serves Western Springs.

MEDICAL
Columbia-LaGrange Memorial Hospital and Hinsdale Hospital are in the adjacent communities of LaGrange and Hinsdale, respectively.

SHOPPING
Plaza shopping facilities are available at the Garden Market, and a picturesque downtown shopping district continues to grow with ample unmetered parking available. Oak Brook Center, Yorktown and Orland Square malls are easily accessible.

Being primarily a bedroom community, quality detached and attached single family homes are situated in all areas of the community. The median home value in 2000 was estimated at $337,956. Since the early 1990's residential fill-in construction, rehabilitation, housing additions and demolitions have occurred on a consistent basis so that housing stock is being greatly improved or completely turning over.

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The Burlington Northern provides 25 minute express and 36 minute local service to Chicago's Loop. The Tri-State Tollway cloverleaf at the suburb's northwest corner provides access to the tollroad and expressway system.

CHURCHES
Two Lutheran, two Presbyterian and one each: Baptist, Catholic, Christian Reformed, Congregational, Episcopal, and United Methodist.

The Recreation Department offers a full range of activities through its two recreation centers and numerous programs in the parks. Programs range from summer camps, tennis instruction, sports, after school activities, basketball classes, early childhood and toddler groups, dance, music, day care, science, adult fitness and leagues. The Park District maintains over 80 acres of parks and provides 10 neighborhood parks, 1 community park, 15 tennis courts, and several soccer and ball fields. Little League offers baseball programs and the American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO) organizes soccer. The Theatre of Western Springs is an area highlight having received critical acclaim time and again. A community pool is available on a membership-fee basis. The Bemis Woods Forest Preserve is north of the Village along Salt Creek, offering picnic areas, bike trails, toboggan runs, cross country skiing, and nature studies. Nearly a dozen golf and country clubs are within 5 miles of the community. Other recreational activities are offered by 24 civic, fraternal and neighborhood clubs.

AYSO Soccer
The American Youth Soccer Organization offers soccer for girls and boys ages 5-14. Registration for the AYSO program is held in November and December. The spring season runs form April to mid-June, and the Fall season runs from September through October. One fee covers both seasons. A uniform is provided and each player receives a trophy at the end of the season. All players will play a minimum of 2 quarters every game. AYSO is an ALL volunteer organization and EXPECTS that each family volunteer their services as a coach, referee, or in some other capacity. More information can be obtained by writing to AYSO, P.O. Box 74, WS 60558.

Lyons Township Soccer Club
Lyons Township Soccer Club (LTSC) is an all volunteer, not for profit organization that fields boys and girls competitive soccer teams from 9 to 19 years old. The club is affiliated with Lyons Township High School and the vast majority of players come from the high school district. Visit their web page at http://www.ltsc.info.

Western Springs Little League
The Western Springs Little League (WSLL) holds registration in January at the WS Recreation Center for the spring program. Children must be age 6 and not older than 12 by August lst. WSLL provides Tee-Ball through competitive levels of play. Bring a checkbook and a copy of birth certificate to registration. Hotline Number is 630-572-4792.

"Pony Tail" Girls Summer Slow Pitch Softball League
For all girls completing grades 3rd-8th. Registration information will be in the Summer Brochure that comes out in mid-April. Call the Recreation Office for additional information at 246-9070.

Youth Tackle Football
The Western Springs Junior Football Association offers 7 through 13 year olds full contact, full equipment football. Learn and play just like the pros! All teams are broken down to appropriate ages and weights. This league emphasizes fundamentals and everyone plays! Registration is held in the spring for the fall season. Additional information can be obtained by calling Marty Kearney @ 708-873-7530.

Ice Skating Instruction and Hockey Leagues
Downers Grove Ice Arena offers Beginning through Advanced instructional ice skating or freestyle lessons for tots through adult. Also, Huskies Hockey League for youth is available. For a complete listing of available days, times and costs, contact the WS Recreation Dept. at 246-9070. For details, contact the Skating School at 630-971-3780. All sessions are held at the Downers Grove Ice Arena, 5501 Walnut Ave., DG 60515

Darien Sportsplex
Offers Pre-Hockey/Learn to Skate instruction for children and a Youth Ice Hockey League for ages 4-8 years. For a complete listing of available days, times and costs, contact the WS Recreation Dept. at 246-9070. For details, contact Sportsplex at 630-789-6666. All sessions are held at the Darien Sportsplex, 452 Plainfield, Darien 60561.

Horseback Riding Lessons
Beginner, intermediate and advanced levels are offered through Palos Hills Riding Stables in Palos Hills. Students must be 7 or 8 years old. Adult classes, too. All riders must wear a safety helmet. Register at the Recreation Office in the WS Recreation Center. Several classes are offered at various times and days. Remember to take your WS Recreation issued receipt to class. Call the Rec. Office at 246-9070 for the schedule or the stables at 598-7718 for details.

View websites in Western Springs of things and places to shop.

Public High School ~ District 204, Lyons Township High School District, has two campuses.  South High School is located in the Village and serves the freshman and sophomore classes.  North High School, serves the juniors and seniors and is located in nearby LaGrange.

Private ~ St. John of the Cross Roman Catholic elementary school is the only private school located within the community. It serves students from the Village and surrounding communities.

Incorporated in 1886, the Village received its name from the water of its clear, cool springs which have since withered away. Western Springs is located in Cook County, one of the most highly populated counties in the United States, lies about fifteen (15) miles southwest of Chicago’s Loop and is considered to be a high quality inner ring suburban community of the Greater Chicagoland area. It is a quiet, affluent Village with beautiful homes on various sized, meticulously maintained lots. The presence of no industry plus excellent commuter rail service and immediate access to the Northeastern Illinois expressway system has established the Village as a quality bedroom community with a high average family income and a commitment to family values.

The Tower, which is located in the middle of town at the Village Green, is the symbol of Western Springs. Built in 1892 from 156 carloads of Naperville stone, it is 112 feet tall, 36 1/2 feet in diameter at the base, and has served the Village in a variety of ways over the years. Currently the Tower is a museum maintained by the Western Springs Historical Society.

The Village's 2000 population was measured at 12,493 by the U.S. Census Bureau. The Village housing stock is made up of almost exclusively high quality single family detached units ranging in value from $250,000 to $1,300,000. The Village's population is mostly professionals including lawyers, doctors, engineers, and other management personnel living throughout the Village.

Reinvestment in the Village continues at an unprecedented pace. A record number of new homes are being constructed and commercial redevelopment of the downtown has begun and will continue with projects already in the planning stages. In 2004 construction will include a new train station, reminiscent of the historic station which served Western Springs for so many years, and the first of two pedestrian underpasses of the railroad right-of-way.  In 2003, the Board of Trustees funded an accelerated infrastructure program by issuing more than $6 million in capital improvement bonds. The program is in full swing during 2004 with reconstruction and resurfacing, including watermain and sewer relief improvements, for 7.8 miles of roadway.  

The Village continues to be an excellent place to live and raise a family as it has been since its founding in the last century.