Hello Everyone,
I want to thank everyone for your patience during our downtown renovation project - from the bridge being out to the fiber optic problem and other issues that arose. The project is now completed and it really looks nice. All the sidewalks were replaced to make it safer for our kids and pedestrians to ride bikes or walk to school. The bridge was made wider to take the sidewalk off the road and created a safe route to cross the creek. Drainage was improved, new blacktop installed, and the downtown square has a complete new face lift with diagonal parking, new sidewalks and lantern-style lighting.
Our vision is to continue to renew our downtown with grants or donations. Once COVID-19 is gone we would like to hold events in the town square. I would like to thank Neil and Patty Anderson for working with the village on the much needed land to make this project a success.
I also would like to thank Bill and Tammy Linardos for making an investment in The Grove Pub & Grill, adding a new outdoor patio, heaters and roof system. I believe all these improvements will help revitalize our downtown and attract more businesses.
Please take a ride and check out our downtown and remember to shop and eat locally! We need to keep all our businesses alive and well.
Mark Eisenberg
Village President
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New Downtown Parking & Lighting |
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New heated patio on left at The Grove |
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There is still time to respond to the 2020 Census to help make sure our community does not miss out on funding and representation for the next 10 years. Thanks to all who have responded. Out of over 19,000 cities in the U.S., Spring Grove is at number 80 with an 88.9% response rate. Let's get to 100%! Learn more and complete your form at 2020CENSUS.GOV today!
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Winn Road Adopt-a-Highway Section Open |
Winn Road from Monterra Drive to Brentwood Drive is open to adopt by your group, business or family starting January 1, 2021. Your name will be displayed on the Adopt-A-Highway sign. The agreement runs for two years and litter must be collected a minimum of four times a year. Bags and vests are supplied by the village. Please call 815-675-2121 for more information.
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Halloween Drive Sober Campaign |
The Spring Grove Police Department is stepping up impaired driving enforcement for Halloween. Motorists are reminded of the importance of planning for a sober ride home and keeping watch for little goblins walking along the road after dark. Read some simple tips to help keep everyone safe this Halloween:
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Nature's Feed Event - Healthier Eating for your Dog or Cat |
Did you know how you feed your pet is just as important as what you feed them? Does your pet eat their meal too quickly, take their food out of their bowl, or suffer from food aggression? Stop by this Saturday, October 17 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m, to get answers to these and other questions when Nature’s Feed hosts an in-store demo with Carol Gailen, owner of The Original mine Pet Platter. Plus, receive 20% off the mine Pet Platter and a FREE can of pet food with your Pet Platter purchase. Nature's Feed is located at 2440 Westward Drive.
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Trick or Treating will be held on Saturday, October 31, with recommended hours from 3 - 7:00 p.m. Those going door-to-door should wear face coverings at all times (over the age of 2). Those interested in participating in trick-or-treating are asked to turn on porch or outdoor lights. Those who are not interested, please keep outdoor lights off. Read more about precautions that should be taken this year.
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Photo of the Week
After the storm images: Cabet Ashwill's peaceful double rainbow and Mike Cooke's stormy sunset over Spring Grove fields. If you have a photo of Spring Grove you would like to share, email it here.
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Hatchery Park Closure & Fall Trout Fishing this Week |
In preparation for Fall Trout Fishing, Hatchery Park will be closed Thursday, October 15 until Saturday, October 17, at 7:00 a.m. when Fall Trout Fishing season starts and anglers can keep a daily catch limit of five. A valid fishing license and Inland Trout Stamp are required, except for those under 16, blind or disabled, or an Illinois resident on leave from active duty from the Armed Forces. View more information here.
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The Spring Grove Firehouse will not be a polling place for the upcoming General Election on November 3. If you have voted there in the past (or live in Burton Township), this year you will vote at Spring Grove Elementary School.
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September 24 – Early voting starts in the McHenry County Clerk’s office at 667 Ware Rd., Woodstock. Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM—4:30 PM.
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October 19 - Early voting starts at the McHenry Township building located at 3703 N. Richmond Rd., Johnsburg. Check hours and other locations here
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October 29 - Last day to request an absentee ballot on-line here. When returning, it must be postmarked by Nov. 3 or put in a ballot drop box.
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November 3 - Vote in person at your polling place. Where do I vote?
If you need to register to vote, the last day to register to vote on-line is October 18. You can also register the same day you vote, but only at the County Clerk's office in Woodstock. View a Sample Ballot. A Ballot Drop Box will be available at the McHenry Township building at 3703 N. Richmond Road in Johnsburg during early voting hours. View more information on voting here.
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Vehicle Stickers Past Due |
The 2020-2021 vehicle sticker fee has now doubled to $40 per vehicle. Drop the envelope in the Municipal Centre drop-box, purchase in person, or make a payment at the PD website here (choose one-time payment/police payment/vehicle stickers).
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Lake County is now one of 26 counties at a warning level for Coronavirus Disease. Counties enter a warning level when two or more COVID-19 risk indicators that measure the amount of COVID-19 increase. So, please, keep practicing the 3 Ws: Watch your distance, wear a mask properly (covering your mouth AND nose) and wash your hands frequently.
A map and information of the status of every Illinois county can be found on the IDPH website here. View a map of the United States and other countries to view potential risks associated with traveling. Areas with increased risk of COVID-19 are based on case rates.
If you have health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 800-889-3931 or email questions here.
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State Fish Hatchery circa 1915 (Hatchery Park)
- Indoor hatching jars and raceways. 2. Seining the pond to catch fingerlings. 3. Fingerlings which will be transported to other ponds, lakes, or streams.
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Natural cold water springs and the proximity to many lake and ponds made Spring Grove the perfect place for the State's first fish hatchery. In 1915, the Spring Grove Fish Hatchery was the country's premiere hatchery, annually producing as many as 35,000,000 fingerlings to be released through the state, in streams, ponds and lakes, including Lake Michigan, for anglers to enjoy the sport of fishing.
Bass, bluegill, and crappies were hatched in the ponds and released in the fall. Walleye, northern pike, and salmon eggs were hatched in large open jars and then placed in tanks in the hatchery building before being shipped out in milk cans by truck and train.
Production continued until 2004, when the state closed the operation due to the aging of the facility and cost concerns. In 2007, the village received the deed to the property and after fundraisers were held and grants secured, the ponds were cleared of weeds, walls & fences repaired, piers were built and walking paths were mowed.
Today it is a quiet place for visitors to spend time with family or friends for a day of fishing, walking or just relaxing.
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