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Regional Synopsis

The Greater Chicago area includes the City of Chicago and the "Collar Counties" (Suburban Cook, Lake, DuPage, McHenry, Kane, and Will). The Highway system includes the Edens, Kennedy, Eisenhower, and Stevenson Expressways, as well as the Tri-State (I-294), East-West (I-88), and North-South (I-355) toll-ways. Public transportation consists of the Regional Transportation Agency (RTA), 1-800-972-7000, which includes Metra, www.metrarail.com (train service to & from the suburbs), PACE (bus service in the suburbs), and CTA (bus & train service in the city and certain close-by suburbs). ComEd (1-800-334-7661) provides electric service to most communities in the area, and similarly for NICOR (1-888-642-6748) with gas service. Ameritech (1-800-244-4444) and AT&T (1-800-362-9689) both provide local telephone service. The 911 system serves most communities for emergency police and fire department calls.

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Note: The private school count for each community uses two sources: 1) Schools included in ParentLink's publication School's In-Chicago, and 2) the State of Illinois list of recognized private schools. The child care count for each community uses two sources: 1) centers and preschools included in ParentLink's publication Child Care Connections and 2) centers and preschools listed in the State of Illinois (Dept. of Children & Family Services) list of centers and/or various online directories (Yahoo yellow pages listings), web sites, etc.

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Community Synopses for City of Chicago, Southern Kane County & portions of Kendall County (Alphabetical order after Chicago)

City of Chicago: Population 2,701,926 (2005 estimate +/- 35,660)

Government: City Hall, 120 N. LaSalle St., 312-744-6861 (City Clerk) Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: District 299, Grades K-8: District 299. About 350 private schools are located in Chicago.

Child Care: About 400 child-care centers and/or preschools are located in Chicago.

Public Library: Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St., 312-747-4396.

Park District: Chicago Park District, 312-742-7529

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 44/56.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $245,000*. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,678**. Median Rent: $783

*2005 Estimate, +/- $3,824 ** 2005 Estimate, +/-$185 ***2005 Estimate, +/-$10

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Aurora: Population 143,000. Zip Codes 60504, 60505, 60506

Location: 40 miles from Downtown Chicago in Southern Kane County (small portion in DuPage County). Local roads: Farnsworth Rd., New York St., Butterfield Rd. (Rt. 56), Rt. 59

Government: Village Hall, 630-892-8811    Community Web Sites: Aurora Online, Village Profile

Schools: Grades 9-12: Aurora West Unit District 129, Aurora East Unit District 131, Indian Prairie Unit District 204. Grades K-8: Aurora West Unit District 129, Aurora East Unit District 131, Indian Prairie Unit District 204. Eighteen private schools are located in Aurora.

Child Care: Thirty-six child-care centers and/or preschools are located in Aurora.

Public Library: Aurora Public Library: 1 E. Benton, 630-896-9761 (Main branch), 555 S. Eola Rd., 630-264-3400 (Eola Road branch), 233 S. Constitution Dr., 630-264-3600 (West branch)

Park District: Fox Valley Park District, 712 S. River St., 630-897-0516

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 70/30.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $135,500. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,316. Median Rent: $700

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Batavia: Population 23,900. Zip Code 60501

Location: 35 miles from Downtown Chicago in Southern Kane County. Local roads: Roosevelt Rd. (Rt. 38), Routes 25, 31, & 56 (Butterfield Rd.).

Government: Village Hall, 630-879-1424 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Batavia Unit District 101, Grades K-8: Batavia Unit District 101. Two private schools are located in Batavia.

Child Care: Eight child-care centers and/or preschools are located in Batavia.

Public Library: Batavia Public Library: 335 W. Wilson, 630-879-1393

Park District: Batavia Park District, 327 W. Wilson, 630-879-5235

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 78/22.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $202,700. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,562. Median Rent: $771

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Burlington: Population 500 Zip Code 60109

Location: 50 miles from Downtown Chicago in Southern Kane County. Local roads: Keslinger Rd., County Line Rd.

Government: No Village Hall in Burlington, 630-557-2202 (Kaneville township supervisor), 630-377-4400 (St. Charles village hall)

Schools: Grades 9-12: Central C. U. District 301. Grades K-8: Central C. U. District 301. No private schools are located in Burlington.

Child Care: One child-care center and/or preschool is located in Burlington.

Public Library: St. Charles Public Library: One South 6th. Ave., 630-584-0076

Park District: St. Charles Park District, 8 North Ave., 630-584-1055

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 68/32.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $145,400. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,250. Median Rent: $688

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Geneva: Population 19,000 Zip Code 60134

Location: 37 miles from Downtown Chicago in Southern Kane County. Local roads: Roosevelt Rd./State St. (Rte. 38), Keslinger Rd., Randall Rd.

Government: City Hall, 630-232-7494 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Geneva C. U. District 304, Grades K-8: Geneva C. U. District 304. Three private schools are located in Geneva.

Child Care: Eight child-care centers and/or preschools are located in Geneva.

Public Library: Geneva Public Library: 127 James, 630-232-0780

Park District: Geneva Park District, 710 Western Ave., 630-232-4542

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 84/16.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $217,900. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,645. Median Rent: $860

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Kaneville: Population 500. Zip Code 60144

Location: 50 miles from Downtown Chicago in Southern Kane County. Local roads: Keslinger Rd., County Line Rd.

Government: Village Hall, 630-557-2202 (Township supervisor).

Schools: Grades 9-12: Kaneland C. U. District 302. Grades K-8: Kaneland C. U. District 302. No private schools are located in Kaneville.

Child Care: No child-care centers and/or preschools are located in Kaneville.

Public Library: Kaneville Public Library: 2S101 Harter Rd, 630-557-2441

Park District: Fox Valley Park District in Aurora, 712 S. River St., 630-897-0516

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 83/17.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $196,900. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,373. Median Rent: $609

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Maple Park: Population 800. Zip Code 60151

Location: 50 miles from Downtown Chicago in Southern Kane County. Local roads: Keslinger Rd., County Line Rd.

Government: No Village Hall in Maple Park, 630-557-2202 (Kaneville Township supervisor)

Schools: Grades 9-12: Kaneland C. U. District 302, Central C. U. District 301. Grades K-8: Kaneland C. U. District 302, Central C. U. District 301. No private schools are located in Maple Park.

Child Care: No child-care centers and/or preschools are located in Maple Park.

Public Library: Kaneville Public Library: 2S101 Harter Rd, 630-557-2441

Park District: St. Charles Park District, 8 North Ave., 630-584-1055

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 79/21.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $129,300. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,184. Median Rent: $650

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Montgomery: Population 5,500. Zip Code 60538

Location: 40 miles from Downtown Chicago in Southern Kane County. Local roads: Montgomery Rd., Routes 30, 31, 25.

Government: Village Hall, 630-896-8080 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Aurora West Unit District 129, Oswego C.U. District 308U. Grades K-8: Aurora West Unit District 129, Oswego C.U. District 308U. Two private schools are located in Montgomery

Child Care: One child-care center and/or preschool is located in Montgomery.

Public Library: Aurora Public Library: 1 E. Benton, 630-896-9761 (Main branch), 555 S. Eola Rd., 630-264-3400 (Eola Road branch), 233 S. Constitution Dr., 630-264-3600 (West branch)

Park District: Fox Valley Park District in Aurora, 712 S. River St., 630-897-0516.

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 75/25.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $135,200. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,221. Median Rent: $659

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North Aurora: Population 10,600. Zip Code 60516

Location: 40 miles from Downtown Chicago in Southern Kane County. Local roads: Butterfield Rd., Randall Rd., Orchard Rd.

Government: Village Hall, 630-897-8228 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Aurora West Unit District 129. Grades K-8: Aurora West Unit District 129. No private schools are located in North Aurora.

Child Care: Three child-care centers and/or preschools are located in North Aurora.

Public Library: Messenger Public Library: 113 Oak St., 630-896-0240.

Park District: Fox Valley Park District, 712 S. River St., 630-897-0516.

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 78/22.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $149,400. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,328. Median Rent: $725

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Oswego: Population 13,300. Zip Code 60543

Location: 50 miles from Downtown Chicago in Kendall County. Local roads: Ogden Ave. (Rt. 34), Routes 25 & 31

Government: Village Hall, 630-554-3618 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Oswego C.U. District 308U. Grades K-8: Oswego C.U. District 308U. No private schools are located in Oswego.

Child Care: Six child-care centers and/or preschools are located in Oswego.

Public Library: Oswego Public Library 32 W. Jefferson St. 630-554-3150

Park District: Oswegoland Park District, 313 E. Washington, 630-554-1010, Fox Valley Park District in Aurora, 712 S. River St., 630-897-0516.

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 92/8.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $171,200. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,518. Median Rent: $737

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Plato Center: Population (Figure not available). Zip Code 60170

Location: 40 miles from Downtown Chicago in Southern Kane County. Local roads: Dittman Rd. (Rt. 51), Rt. 47, Rt. 32.

Government: No Village Hall in Plato Center, 630-557-2202 (Kaneville township supervisor), 630-377-4400 (St. Charles village hall).

Schools: Grades 9-12: Central C. U. District 301. Grades K-8: Central C. U. District 301. No private schools are located in Plato Center.

Child Care: No child-care centers and/or preschools are located in Plato Center.

Public Library: St. Charles Public Library: One South 6th. Ave., 630-584-0076

Park District: St. Charles Park District, 8 North Ave., 630-584-1055

Housing Statistics: Not available.

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St. Charles: Population Number 27,900. Zip Codes 60174, 60175

Location: 40 miles from Downtown Chicago in Southern Kane County. Local roads: North Ave. (Rt. 64), Kirk Rd., Rt., 25, Rt. 31

Government: Village Hall, 630-377-4400    Community Web Sites: St Charles, Village Profile

Schools: Grades 9-12: St. Charles C.U District 303. Grades K-8: St. Charles C.U District 303. Three private schools are located in St. Charles.

Child Care: Eleven child-care centers and/or preschools are located in St. Charles.

Public Library: St. Charles Public Library: One South 6th. Ave., 630-584-0076

Park District: St. Charles Park District, 8 North Ave., 630-584-1055

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 74/26.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $196,200. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,581. Median Rent: $797

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Sugar Grove: Population 3,900. Zip Code 60554

Location: 45 miles from Downtown Chicago in Southern Kane County. Local roads: Rt. 56 (Butterfield Rd.), Rt. 47.

Government: Village Hall, 630-466-4507 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Kaneland C. U. District 302, Grades K-8: Kaneland C. U. District 302. Nor private schools are located in Sugar Grove.

Child Care: One child-care center and/or preschool is located in Sugar Grove.

Public Library: Sugar Grove Public Library 54 Snow St. P.O. Box 1049 630-466-4686

Park District: Sugar Grove Park District, 41 Main St. (Mailing: PO Box 176, Sugar Grove IL 60554), 630-466-7436

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 88/12.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $184,000. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,593. Median Rent: $889

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Yorkville: Population 6,200 Zip Code

Location: 50 miles from Downtown Chicago in Southern Kane County. Local roads: U.S. Rt. 34 (Ogden Ave.), IL Rt. 47

Government: Village Hall, 630-553-4350 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Yorkville District 115. Grades K-8: Yorkville District 115. Two private schools are located in Yorkville.

Child Care: Two child-care centers and/or preschools are located in Yorkville

Public Library: Yorkville Public Library: 902 Game Farm Rd., 630-553-4354

Park District: Yorkville Rec. Dept., 908 Game Farm Rd., 630-553-4357, Fox Valley Park District, 712 S. River St., 630-897-0516

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 72/28.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $157,700. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,369. Median Rent: $752

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