Carol Stream, Ill. — Carol Stream held its 2025 State of the Village Meeting at the beginning of the month. Here’s a brief summary of what was shared during the meeting. The full video recording from the meeting is available online.
After opening words from Jeff Berger, the Carol Stream Chamber of Commerce President and a Village Trustee, Mayor Frank Saverino took the stage to explain the process for the meeting.
Saverino introduced the first speaker, Jon Batek, who gave updates on the Village finances. Batek shared the projected revenues and expenditures for the 2025 fiscal year (FY25). He noted that projected revenues exceeded expectations by two percent.
The Village Board approved the 2026 fiscal year (FY26) budget on April 7 of this year, with the fiscal year beginning May 1. This budget includes a 2.2% spending increase compared to the FY25 budget. Additionally, the general fund budget includes a 1% grocery tax effective January 1, 2026 that will replace the same tax repealed by the General Assembly in 2024. There will be no increase in the property tax.
The Water and Sewer Fund budget includes a 3.9% increase in purchase cost effective May 1, 2025, and a 5% rate adjustment to cover operating costs. Batek also noted that Carol Stream has among the lowest water and sewer rates in DuPage County.
Next, Batek introduced Brad Fink, who gave updates from the Public Works Department. Fink shared some highlights of accomplishments from the department, such as planting 133 parkway trees as well as flushing and inspecting 2,101 fire hydrants. The department also performed an annual sidewalk inspection which led to the replacement of 71 sidewalk squares. Fink shared that they made improvements to the Public Work Center and completed the Water Reclamation Center.
Future projects for the department include the Water Reclamation Center Headworks Improvement Project and Water Meter Infrastructure Replacement.
Adam Frederick came up next to share about Carol Stream’s Engineering Services. Frederick shared the recent roadwork and construction projects that were made in the last year around the Village, such as replacing the Klein Creek Trail Bridge. One ongoing project in the department is Klein Creek Streambank Stabilization. Upcoming projects include the North Avenue and Schmale Road Water Main Project, the Southeast Bike Path, Old Gary Avenue Reconstruction and Culvert Replacement, Fullerton Avenue Rehabilitation, two sidewalk construction projects, Morton Road Reconstruction and Bike Path, and Klein Creek Watershed flood control.
Deputy Chief Brian Cluever of the Carol Stream Police Department shared police community engagement opportunities and some department awards and recognition. Cluever also explained the Law Enforcement Drone Program and how drones were used in a lifesaving response in March of this year. He also shared that the department has used Automated License Plate Readers and other training and technology tools. Cluever shared some of the grants the department received this year for different training and technology tools. Finally, Cluever reviewed the 2024 Calls for Service and 2024 objectives, which included Tier I Accreditation with the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program and enhanced scenario-based training and micro-training.
Lastly, Don Bastian gave updates on Carol Stream business and development. His updates included new businesses that have opened this year, the growing industrial sector and new residential areas.
To close the meeting, Mayor Saverino returned to the stage with Village Manager Bill Homer to answer questions and give closing comments.
