Business View - August 2015 37
residents work in the local commercial, industrial, and
retail sectors. In 2011, CNN’s Money Magazine ranked
Carol Stream number 49 on its list of the 100 Best
Places to Live in America.
The Village boasts modern schools, a park system with
38 parks and playgrounds, an outdoor water park, two
recreation centers, sports fields, a full service library,
two gymnasiums, a mini-golf course, and nature and
biking trails. The Village has constructed two bike
paths totaling 4.9 miles, and has plans to construct
another five projects, adding 6.2 more miles. And be-
cause of its strong industrial and commercial base,
Carol Stream’s residents can take advantage of a full
array of these and other municipal services without
having to pay a local property tax.
In 1998, its Town Center was completed. This award-
winning public development includes pedestrian walk-
ways, landscaped reflecting ponds, a fountain display,
a 22,000 square foot grass amphitheater, and a 30-
foot diameter Octagon Pavilion which serves as the
community’s performing arts venue. Every summer
the town hosts free weekly, outdoor concerts there,
as well as a spectacular July 4th celebration. In 2011,
when budget constraints threatened the annual sum-
mer concert series, local corporate sponsors and civic
groups stepped up to salvage the popular community
tradition.
According to Jim Knudsen, the Village’s Engineering
AT A GLANCE
WHO:
The Village of Carol Stream
WHAT:
A village in DuPage County, Illinois
WHERE:
About 35 miles west of Chicago
WEBSITE
:
INFRASTRUCTURE
