Fox River Grove, IL, Website

Fox River Grove, Illinois. The Village of Fox River Grove is strategically located 40 miles northwest of Chicago at the crossroads of McHenry, Cook, Lake and Kane counties in northeastern Illinois.

Population
Since the village's incorporation on August 21, 1919, the population and number of households have continually increased as the village grew from an agricultural community and resort destination to a year-round residential community. Population growth has been moderate since 1970 when the Village had a population of 2,245. The population had risen to 2,515 by 1980 and 3,551 by 1990. Today, Fox River Grove is a growing village with a population of 4,862 (2000 Census).

Community
The well-rounded community of Fox River Grove offers the ideal blend of business opportunity and hometown flavor. The village offers an array of single and multifamily housing opportunities, and is supported by a variety of specialty shops, restaurants and professional services. Good Shepherd Hospital is only minutes away. Construction at Hunters Farm, a 81-home upscale development abutting Route 22 is now underway. A key objective of the village's comprehensive plan is to preserve existing neighborhood quality through larger-lot and quality single-family housing development.

Residents enjoy a wide variety of recreational choices along the village's picturesque namesake river, including fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking and a wealth of sports activities. The village maintains more than 100 acres of public parks and recreational facilities, and is working to develop a proposed walking/bicycling path connecting the river with the commercial district.

Government
The village is governed by the Village Board comprised of a President and six Trustees. Residents are welcome to attend Village Board meetings on the third Thursday of every month at 8:00 p.m. in the Village Hall at 305 Illinois Street, Fox River Grove. A number of committees also advise the Board on specific issues. See "Meetings Calendar".

Commercial and Light Industrial Districts
Historically, the principal commercial areas of the Village was the "central business district" (CBD) which is located along Route 14 and is generally focused around the Lincoln and Illinois street area. The CBD contains a mix of convenience and specialty retail/service establishments such as restaurants, offices, upholstery, clothing shops and gas and retail sales stores. The development of the Stone Hill Shopping Center created a second major business area at the northwest corner of State Route 22 and U.S. Route 14. This center has a supermarket, miscellaneous retail and service uses, offices on the second level and the Fox River Grove Post Office.

Nearby access to the Northwest Tollway (Interstate Route 90), local commuter rail service and good arterial roadways have helped Fox River Grove develop into a comfortable residential community with a variety of retail shops. The village may be accessed via two major arterials: U.S. Route 14 and Illinois State Route 22. Interstate 90 is 10 miles away. O'Hare International Airport is only 45 minutes away.

Profile: Fox River Grove

By Joanne Kanter
Tribune staff reporter

Fox River Grove is a combination of old and new housing, from starter homes to sprawling estates.

"There is definitely a sense of community in this town," said Sylvia Van Dyke, the village clerk. The village holds special Christmas events and a community picnic.

The population of about 4,200 is located primarily in McHenry County. However, the village recently annexed a portion in Lake County. Van Dyke said there is not a lot of difference in the taxes between the two counties.

Homes in Fox River Grove consist of bungalows, 1-story homes, ranches and concrete-block houses.

Starter homes sell for as little as $89,000. Jeanne Kolar, an agent with Century 21 Sketchbook in Cary, recently sold an 800-square-foot house with L-shaped living room, one bedroom, a den-office, a kitchen, one bath, a yard and an attached garage.

"A home on the river on a small lot goes for approximately $330,000," Kolar said. "The mean is probably $155,000 to $160,000 in the older portion of town."

People moving up from a starter home would probably move into the early 1980s subdivision Foxmoor, Kolar said. Beyond the houses at Foxmoor's entrance are three ponds with townhomes built around them, then more single-family homes.

Townhomes in Foxmoor typically sell for $112,000 to $120,000 with a one-car garage and no basement, or $150,000 to $160,000 for a home with a two-car garage and a walkout basement. Single-family homes range from $82,000 to $400,000.

There are 90 acres in the Old Picnic Grove subdivision, with homes from the low $300,000s to well above $400,000, Kolar said.

There are nine parks on the river. Residents interested in launching their boats can sign up with the village for a pier spot at a local yacht club.

There are eight apartment buildings in the older section of town, a mixture of condos, rentals and two-flats.

"We are kind of landlocked," Van Dyke noted. "We border the river on the northwest side and Barrington and Barrington Hills surround us. There is some unincorporated area, but we have not actively sought to annex them."

"When Hemphill builders proposed Foxmoor in 1979, we had to scramble to get our comprehensive plan finished," added Kolar, a onetime village trustee and Cary Grove High School teacher.

There are few businesses, and the village has created a tax-increment financing district to entice development along U.S. Route 14. Grayhill Inc., a company that makes switches, is one of the village's largest employers.

Fox River Grove has its own police department and a volunteer fire-protection district.

"It is a nicely located community," Van Dyke said. "We are a small village and are trying to keep that flavor."