Oswego Village President Ryan Kauffman touted some of the village’s key infrastructure projects including the transition to Lake Michigan water and Wolf’s Crossing Road improvements in his first State of the Village address last week.
The village president delivered the address on Feb. 29 at an event hosted by the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce at the Classic Cinema Kendall 11 Theater, where he also announced that a national retailer was looking to open a new location in town.
The village has received an application to convert a former garden center outdoor space into an enclosed space next to the Hobby Lobby on Route 34 for national retailer Home Goods.
“Oswego is changing, growing and thriving,” said Kauffman.
Kauffman was elected village president in a two-way race in the April 2023 election.
“With a balanced approach to progress, growth and development can co-exist with our treasured traditions and community identity,” he said.
Community support and collaboration are vital to ensure the prosperity of the village, he added.
He said a recent community survey showed 89% of residents identified Oswego as an excellent or good place to live, almost twice the regional and national averages. In addition, 90% of residents listed Oswego as an excellent or good place to raise children, Kauffman said.
“This is a tremendous achievement and speaks volumes for Oswego,” he said.
He praised the work of the Oswego Police Department, Oswego Fire Protection District and Public Works Department, and also said the village’s successes could not have been done without the “unwavering dedication and tireless efforts” of staff and leadership.
“Their commitment to serving our community with excellence is truly commendable and created a profoundly positive impact on the lives of our residents,” he said.
Oswego has embarked on infrastructure projects that will “sustain the present and shape the village’s future,” he said, including the transition to Lake Michigan as an alternative water resource. Oswego is partnering with Montgomery and Yorkville to join the DuPage Water Commission to bring in Lake Michigan water.
The village in 2023 received a water allocation from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources which permits the village access to Lake Michigan water.
“That is a big step in the process,” he said.
The move to Lake Michigan water is happening because of concerns about the region’s aquifer. The Illinois State Water Survey has used projections showing the region could run out of ground water from the aquifer it currently uses in the next 20 to 40 years.
“That’s why it’s crucial we move full speed ahead,” Kauffman said of the Lake Michigan water project.
Kauffman said the village board in 2023 adjusted the water and sewer rate structure to make sure non-residential users are paying their fair share for the project. The latest estimate for the overall project for Oswego, Montgomery and Yorkville is $228 million, with roughly $73 million – or 32% – of the cost to be paid by Oswego, although the estimates are subject to change, he said.
The village president also highlighted the work to improve Wolf’s Crossing Road as the village grows.
“Wolfs Crossing is a testament to our focus on enhancing road infrastructure,” he said.
Wolf’s Crossing is an east-west road that stretches 4.5 miles from Route 34 to Eola Road. The improvements should create not only smoother traffic flow and increased safety but also heightened economic growth, he said.
The improvements are expected to cost approximately $75 million. The village has already invested about $10.5 million. The project is split into 10 segments, he said. The village recently completed the first segment and the installation of the village’s first roundabout on the road, he said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.