Village of Willowbrook, IL

A Quiet Community Thinking Big

Investing in Its Residents and a Progressive Future That Lies Ahead

 

For decades, the Village of Willowbrook has quietly gone about its business. Tucked into DuPage County and home to fewer than 10,000 residents, it has long been described as a “hidden gem.” Today, that quiet confidence is paired with bold thinking, disciplined governance, and a forward-looking vision that is reshaping what a small municipality can achieve. Through strategic investment in parks and infrastructure, a proactive, relationship-driven approach to economic development, and a steadfast commitment to public safety and fiscal responsibility, Willowbrook demonstrates that size does not dictate ambition.

Location Without Compromise

“Willowbrook has always been kind of a hidden gem in our area,” Frank Trilla, Mayor of the Village of Willowbrook, reflects, drawing on nearly four decades as a resident. “It’s very quiet. We don’t make a lot of news, typically.”

That understated profile belies a community with enviable geographic advantages. Located just off the Stevenson Expressway and bisected by Route 83, Willowbrook offers residents and businesses convenient access to downtown Chicago, O’Hare International Airport, and Midway Airport, all within roughly 30 minutes. During the day, the village swells with shoppers, commuters, and workers drawn to its retail corridors and light industrial areas. In the evening, however, Willowbrook returns to its residential roots, offering a quieter pace that many residents value.

“We quadruple in size during the day,” Mayor Trilla explains. “At night, we go back to being a sleepy little town.”

Land use within the village reflects this balance. Approximately 70 percent of Willowbrook is residential, with the remaining 30 percent designated for light industrial and commercial uses. That mix has enabled the village to rely heavily on sales tax revenue rather than property taxes, a financial approach that has become a defining feature of its governance.

“We have the lowest real estate taxes in DuPage County,” Mayor Trilla notes, pointing out that the county includes 35 municipalities. “We’ve been committed since day one to avoiding property tax increases and supporting the village through sales tax instead.”

Vision That Guides Action

Now in his fourth term as mayor, Mayor Trilla has spent more than a decade emphasizing transparency, communication, and reinvestment as cornerstones of effective local government. Building trust among residents, businesses, and village leadership has been a consistent priority, particularly as the village has undertaken more ambitious projects.

“One of our big focuses has been building better communication between the village and the residents,” he adds. “We’ve reinvested in our parks, reinvested in our neighborhoods, and we’re tackling big infrastructure issues as time and money allow.”

That philosophy extends into daily operations. “This organization thinks a lot differently than a lot of municipalities,” says Sean Halloran, Village Administrator. “We never do things just because that’s the way they’ve always been done.”

Halloran notes that from his earliest conversations with village officials, there was a clear expectation that Willowbrook should think beyond traditional limitations often associated with small municipalities.

“There’s really no dream that’s too big,” he explains. “The mayor and the board set a very high standard, and that standard is driven by wanting the best for residents.”

Foundations for Future Growth

One of the most visible examples of Willowbrook’s infrastructure-first approach is the $4 million reconstruction of Executive Drive, completed last year. For a village spanning just two square miles, the project represented a major financial and logistical undertaking.

“For a two-square-mile town, $4 million is a big deal,” Mayor Trilla emphasizes.

The roadway, which runs through the heart of the village’s industrial area, had long suffered from flooding. Designed decades ago to hold stormwater, it routinely overflowed during heavy rains, forcing businesses to close for days at a time and disrupting economic activity.

“We were knocking businesses out of business for three or four days at a time,” Mayor Trilla recalls. “We made it a priority.”

Beyond resolving long-standing drainage issues, the project reinforced the village’s commitment to supporting its business community through practical, long-overdue infrastructure investment. Looking ahead, Willowbrook is preparing for even larger undertakings. Halloran points to a recently released stormwater master plan outlining $25 million to $30 million in projects over the coming years, alongside a comprehensive water infrastructure master plan focused on long-term system resilience.

Parks as Community Anchors

Few areas illustrate Willowbrook’s transformation more clearly than its park system. Over the past several years, the village has invested between $12 million and $15 million in park improvements, including a nearly complete $7.8 million community park project supported by approximately $2 million in grants.

“We’re not just doing one part of town,” Mayor Trilla points out. “We’re going around the entire village.”

Willowbrook’s approach is especially notable because it operates its own Parks Department, an uncommon model in Illinois. “We’re one of only four municipalities in DuPage County with a Parks Department,” Halloran explains. “That means we’re saving residents from an additional taxing body.”

The department has grown to four full-time staff and now offers programming for residents of all ages, from preschoolers to seniors in their nineties. “Our parks department probably runs about 600 events a year,” Mayor Trilla adds, underscoring the role parks now play in strengthening community life.

Meeting an Unmet Need

One of Willowbrook’s most innovative initiatives has been to expand senior programming through partnerships with neighboring communities that had scaled back their offerings.

“We took over senior programming for several surrounding towns,” Halloran notes. “What we were told wouldn’t work financially has turned into a sustainable new revenue stream.”

Participation has grown to more than 5,000 registrants, and revenue has increased nearly eightfold in just three years to approximately $800,000 annually. The program has also evolved to serve Willowbrook residents better.

“We’re now at about a 55–45 split between residents and non-residents,” Halloran says. “It’s a service our residents never had before, and it’s being largely supported by outside participation.”

A Proactive Approach to Economic Development

Economic development in Willowbrook is guided by discipline and intentionality, with a clear focus on attracting and retaining businesses that generate sales tax.

“Our board has been very disciplined,” Halloran explains. “We’re not going to use property tax to advance revenue streams.”

Anchor businesses such as Willowbrook Ford and Willowbrook Kia are planning significant expansions, while major retailers, including Target and Whole Foods, continue reinvesting in their properties. A recent relocation of Binny’s Beverage Depot into a former Bed Bath & Beyond nearly doubled its footprint.

“What we’ve been told is that this is the number one Binny’s in the entire state,” Halloran adds.

The village also worked proactively to ensure the former Binny’s location did not remain vacant, securing an Ace Hardware tenant. Updated zoning regulations and a revised comprehensive plan now guide development priorities for the next 10 to 20 years.

Removing Barriers to Business

For Mayor Trilla, supporting entrepreneurs is deeply personal. A small-business owner himself, he emphasizes direct access and open communication as essential to a healthy business environment.

“When I go to the chamber of commerce, my first line is, ‘I’m one of you,’” he explains. “I understand what a village can do for you and what it can do against you.”

Early in his tenure, he visited every business in town and shared his personal contact information. “That changed everything,” he adds. “We went from being seen as anti-business to being approachable.”

Operationally, the village supports that philosophy with streamlined permitting processes and online tracking tools. “We’re trying to make it easier for people to do business here,” Halloran emphasizes.

Building Safety Through Connection

Public safety remains Willowbrook’s top priority, accounting for roughly 60 percent of the village’s $14 million operating budget.

“Everything starts with keeping our people safe,” Mayor Trilla stresses.

Community-based policing initiatives, neighborhood nights, and park-based roll calls allow officers to build relationships with residents before issues arise. “We want people to know the officer before they need the officer,” Halloran explains.

Momentum in Housing

As Willowbrook’s investments gain visibility, housing demand has surged.

“The secret’s out,” Mayor Trilla acknowledges.

Vacant lots are being developed quickly, and recently approved homes are exceeding $1 million in value, reflecting the village’s growing appeal as a desirable place to live.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

As Willowbrook plans for the next decade, its priorities remain clear: safety, quality of life, and fiscal responsibility.

“We’re sales tax-driven because we don’t want to hurt seniors or residents with property taxes,” Halloran notes. “That makes us an anomaly in Illinois.”

With substantial reserves, disciplined planning, and a pipeline of infrastructure and development projects, village leadership believes the next three to five years will be transformative.

For Mayor Trilla, the long-term vision is rooted in a simple principle. “While everyone’s running away from Mayberry, I’m running back,” he says. “I want neighbors talking to neighbors.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Village of Willowbrook

What: A welcoming residential community known for its quiet neighborhoods, local businesses, and strong sense of community.

Where: DuPage County, Illinois, just southwest of Chicago.

Website: www.willowbrookil.org