Will County Regional Synopsis

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, Will County (Alphabetical order after Chicago)

City of Chicago: Population 2,896,016

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): $132,400. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,216. Median Rent: $616

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Bolingbrook: Population 56,300. Zip Code 60440

Location: 25 miles from Downtown Chicago in Will County. Local roads: I-53, Boughton Rd., Lily Cache Rd.

Government: Village Hall, 630-226-8400 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Valley View District 365U, Indian Prairie School District 204. Grades K-8: Valley View District 365U, Indian Prairie School District 204. Two private schools are located in Bolingbrook.

Child Care: Twelve child-care centers and/or preschools are located in Bolingbrook.

Public Library: Fountaindale Public Library: 300 W. Briarcliff Rd. 815-886-2030

Park District: Bolingbrook Park District, 201 Recreation Dr., 630-739-0272

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 85/15.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $142,000. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,381. Median Rent: $786

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Crest Hill: Population 12,000. Zip Code 60435

Location: 40 miles from Downtown Chicago in Will County. Local roads: I-53, Weber Rd., U.S. 30/Lincoln Hwy.

Government: Village Hall, 815-741-5102 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Joliet Township District 204, Grades K-8: Chaney-Monge District 88, Richland District 88A. No private schools are located in Crest Hill.

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

Public Library: Crest Hill Public Library: Theodore & Crest Drive. 815-725-0234.

Park District: Lockport Township Park District, 1911 S. Lawrence Ave., 708-815-1183

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 64/36.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $111,400. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,025. Median Rent: $655

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Crete/Monee: Population 7,300 (Crete), 1,050 (Monee). Zip Code 60417 (Crete), 60449 (Monee)

Location: 32 miles (Crete), 25 miles (Monee) from Downtown Chicago in Will County. Local roads: Rt. 1, Crete-Monee Rd, Western Ave., Cicero Ave.

Government: Village Hall, 708-672-5431 (Crete), 708-534-8301 (Monee) Community Web Sites: Crete Monee

Schools: Grades 9-12: Crete-Monee C U District 201U, Grades K-8: Crete-Monee C U District 201U. Four private schools are located in Crete. None are located in Monee.

Child Care: Three child-care centers and/or preschools are located in Crete. None are located in Monee.

Public Library: Crete Public Library: 534 First Street. 708-672-8017

Park District: Crete Park District, 515 First St., 708-672-6969

Housing Statistics: Crete: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 89/11.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $154,900. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,434. Median Rent: $654

Monee: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 87/13.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $151,900. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,398. Median Rent: $620

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Frankfort: Population 10,400. Zip Code 60423

Location: 37 miles from Downtown Chicago in Will County. Local roads: U.S. 45, U.S. 30/Lincoln Hwy.

Government: Village Hall, 815-469-2177, www.lincolnnet.net/frankfort.vil/

Schools: Grades 9-12: Lincoln-Way District 210. Grades K-8: Frankfort District 157C, Summit Hill District 161, Peotone C U District 207U. No private schools are located in Frankfort.

Child Care: Five child-care centers and/or preschools are located in Frankfort.

Public Library: Frankfort Public Library: 516 S. Cedar. 815-485-2605

Park District: Frankfort Park District, 400 W. Nebraska, 815-469-9400

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

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $245,900. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,794. Median Rent: $705

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Homer Township: Population 22,000. Zip Code 60441 (Lockport)

Location: 35 miles from Downtown Chicago in Will County (includes Lockport). Local roads: Archer Ave., Joliet Rd., 159th. St.

Government: Township office, 815-301-4534.

Schools: Grades 9-12: Lockport District 205, Grades K-8: Will County District 92, Homer District 33, Fairmont District 89, Taft District 90, Lockport District 91. Three private schools are located in Lockport.

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

Public Library: Lockport Public Library: 121 E. 8th. 815-838-0755.

Park District: Lockport Township Park District, 1911 S. Lawrence Ave., 708-815-1183

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 97/3.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $217,800. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,561. Median Rent: $793

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Joliet: Population 106,200. Zip Codes 60431, 60433, 60435

Location: 40 miles from Downtown Chicago in Will County. Local roads: I-53, Lincoln Hwy., Joliet Rd., Jefferson St., Rt. 7.

Government: City Hall, 815-724-3780 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Joliet Township District 204, Plainfield District 202U. Grades K-8: Joliet District 86, Plainfield District 202U, Union District 81, Laraway C.C. District 70-C, Rockdale District 84. Twelve private schools are located in Joliet.

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

Public Library: Joliet Public Library: 150 Ottawa St. 815-740-2660; 3340 Mall Loop Dr # 1244 815-439-7279

Park District: Joliet Park District, 3000 W. Jefferson St., 708-741-7275

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

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $119,900. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,177. Median Rent: $549

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Lockport: Population 15,200. Zip Code 60441

Location: 35 miles from Downtown Chicago in Will County. Local roads: Archer Ave., Joliet Rd., 159th. St.

Government: City Hall, 815-838-0459 Community Web Site

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

Public Library: Lockport Public Library: 121 E. 8th. 815-838-0755.

Park District: Lockport Township Park District, 1911 S. Lawrence Ave., 708-815-1183

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 96/4.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $149,700. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,345. Median Rent: $649

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Mokena: Population 14,600. Zip Code 60448

Location: 35 miles from Downtown Chicago in Will County. Local roads: U.S. 45/LaGrange Rd., U.S. 30/Lincoln Hwy.

Government: Village Hall, 708-479-3900 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Lincoln-Way District 210. Grades K-8: Mokena District 159, Frankfort District 1, Summit Hill District 161. Three private schools are located in Mokena.

Child Care: Five child-care centers and/or preschools are located in Mokena.

Public Library: Mokena Public Library: 11327 W. 195th. St. 708-479-9663

Park District: Mokena Park District, 10925 LaPorte Rd., 708-479-1020

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

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $217,000. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,657. Median Rent: $644

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New Lenox: Population 17,800. Zip Code 60451

Location: 36 miles from Downtown Chicago in Will County. Local roads: Cedar Rd., U.S. 30/Lincoln Hwy.

Government: Village Hall, 815-485-6452 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Lincoln-Way District 210. Grades K-8: New Lenox District 122. Two private schools are located in New Lenox.

Child Care: Four child-care centers and/or preschools are located in New Lenox.

Public Library: New Lenox Public Library: Livingston Dr. at Greenbriar Dr. 815-485-2605

Park District: New Lenox Community Park District, P.O. Box 512. W. Manor Dr., 815-485-3584

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 90/10.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $180,000. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,455. Median Rent: $683

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Peotone: Population 3,400. Zip Code 60468

Location: 40 miles from Downtown Chicago in Will County. Local roads: Rt. 50.

Government: Village Hall, 708-258-3279 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Peotone C U District 207U, Grades K-8: Peotone C U District 207U. No private schools are located in Peotone.

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

Public Library: None in Peotone.

Park District: None in Peotone.

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 73/27.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $148,600. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,186. Median Rent: $579

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Plainfield: Population 13,000 Zip Code 60544

Location: 37 miles from Downtown Chicago in Will County. Local roads: Rt. 59, Lockport Rd., Rt. 30.

Government: Village Hall, 815-436-7093 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Plainfield District 202U. Grades K-8: Plainfield District 202U. Two private schools are located in Plainfield.

Child Care: Ten child-care centers and/or preschools are located in Plainfield.

Public Library: Plainfield Public Library: 705 N. Illinois. 815-436-6639

Park District: Plainfield Township Park District, 100 W. Ottawa St., 815-436-3314

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

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $198,300. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,593. Median Rent: $713

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Romeoville: Population 21,200. Zip Code 60441

Location: 32 miles from Downtown Chicago in Will County. Local roads: I-53, Romeoville Rd., Normantown Rd.

Government: Village Hall, 815-886-7200 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Valley View District 365U, Grades K-8: Valley View District 365U. Two private schools are located in Romeoville.

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

Public Library: Fountaindale Public Library: 201 Normantown Rd. 815-886-2030

Park District: Romeoville Recreation Department, 900 W. Romeo Rd. (135th. St.), 815-886-6222

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 86/14.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $118,100. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,190. Median Rent: $933

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Shorewood: Population 7,700. Zip Code 60431

Location: 40 miles from Downtown Chicago in Will County. Local roads: I-53, Rt. 52.

Government: Village Hall, 815-725-2150

Schools: Grades 9-12: Joliet District 204, Minooka District 111. Grades K-8: Troy District 30-C. Two private schools are located in Shorewood.

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

Public Library: Shorewood-Troy Public Library: 650 Deerwood Dr. 815-725-4510

Park District: Joliet Park District, 3000 W. Jefferson St., 708-741-7275

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 96/4.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $162,900. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,371. Median Rent: $994

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University Park: Population 6,700. Zip Code 60466

Location: 35 miles from Downtown Chicago in Will County. Local roads: Western Ave., Cicero Ave.

Government: Village Hall, 708-534-6451 Community Web Site

Schools: Grades 9-12: Crete-Monee C U District 201U. Grades K-8: Crete-Monee C U District 201U. One private school is located in University Park.

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

Public Library: University Park Public Library: Hickok Avenue. 708-534-2580

Park District: University Park Parks & Recreation Department, 578 Farmview Rd., 708-534-6456

Housing Statistics: Percentages (%) of Owner-Occupied/Rental Housing: 59/41.

Median Price of Housing (Owner-Occupied): $94,000. Median Mortgage/Selected Owner Costs: $1,096. Median Rent: $663

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