Happy Rainy Friday, Antioch! And, Happy Homecoming ACHS!!
It was an incredible evening at the homecoming parade last night, watching students and alumni light up Main Street with their spirit and pride. Join us in supporting our awesome 7-0 football team, talented students, dedicated band members, and faculty at tonight’s game against Grayslake Central, kicking off at 7 p.m. The homecoming dance is tomorrow night. I hope everybody has a fun, safe, and enjoyable homecoming weekend.
If you live near the CN Railroad train line, I am sure that you are already aware that the Lake County Quiet Zone has been suspended. This is something that the village, along with the nine other communities that make up the Lake County Quiet Zone, are working to rectify as quickly as possible. Later this month, the Lake County Department of Transportation will be making necessary rail crossing repairs to the North Avenue CN crossing. These tracks have been an issue, and I look forward to having a safe rail crossing, and a rail crossing that doesn’t feel like it is going to make my car fall apart. More information about the Lake County Quiet Zone can be found here: https://www.antioch.il.gov/2023/10/11/village-of-antioch-train-horn-quiet-zone-community-update-10-11-2023/
At our Village Board meeting this past Wednesday, we received an update from Village Administrator Jim Keim on the latest progress with the open space redevelopment project at Main and Orchard. In the past couple of weeks, significant progress has been made with the construction of the bed and sides of the portion of Sequoit Creek that runs through the property. To say I’m excited is an understatement! The progress that has been happening at the site is exciting! Moving forward, we’ll see more foundation work for the bridge and other structures. I’ve included some pictures below of the progress.
Tomorrow looks to be another busy day downtown! The Antioch Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Craft Beer Walk from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and later in the evening, the Village of Antioch will host the first of two SOLD-OUT evenings of Downtown Ghost Tours. Our special events team has put in tremendous effort to make these tours unforgettable. I can’t wait!
The 62nd Annual Boy Scout Troop 92 All You Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner is this Sunday, October 15th. The event runs from 12 Noon to 6 p.m. at the Antioch Moose Lodge 525. Tickets are $10 each. Kids 5 and under are free!
On Thursday, I had an opportunity to attend the ribbon-cutting for the grand opening of the new Consume Dispensary on Main Street (just south of the state line). The opening of a cannabis dispensary in Antioch has been a long time coming. In 2019, the Antioch Village Board first approved the operation of a dispensary in our community. Earlier this year, our current village board approved the proposed Consume dispensary on Route 83, which opened for business this week. The dispensary can operate out of its temporary trailer for six months while the new, permanent structure is built on the site. I completely understand that this is a complicated and controversial topic. Simply put, due to our proximity to the Wisconsin border, cannabis sales were coming to the Antioch area. Having the dispensary located within the village limits allows us to have more control of its impact on our community, while also creating another tax revenue for the village. Other dispensaries were looking in the township/60002 area, which would have left us with increased traffic, no control over the dispensary, and zero tax dollars for the village. For more information about our local cannabis laws, visit the village’s Cannabis FAQ webpage: https://www.antioch.il.gov/cannabis/
In closing, I want to express my deepest condolences and prayers for all those affected by the recent violence in Israel. I strongly condemn these terrorist attacks on Israel, its people, and other innocent victims. Acts of terrorism against civilians have no place in our society, and we stand united for peace and understanding.
Have a fantastic weekend, Antioch! Can’t wait to see you around town!
Scott J. Gartner
#antiochil #antiochmayorsupdate #antiochmayorsmessage
Upcoming Village Events:
October 14 & 21, 2023, 7 p.m. – Downtown Antioch Ghost Tours
October 28, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Antioch Treat the Streets / Harvest Fest 2023
October 31st, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Halloween Trick or Treating
