Community & Economic Development Director, City of Crest Hill, IL

Crest Hill, Illinois (pop. 20,459). The City of Crest Hill is seeking a collaborative and assertive professional for its next Community & Economic Development Director. The Director manages the activities of the City’s Community Development Department and directs programs to encourage and support residential and commercial development activity in the City of Crest Hill.

About the City

The City of Crest Hill is a strategically located community of strong neighborhoods, bustling commercial districts and beautiful open space in Will County that was incorporated in 1960 to preserve its small-town character. The City is located about 40 miles southwest of Chicago and is bordered by Romeoville to the north and Joliet to the south, with close access to I-55, I-80 and I-355. Crest Hill is home to Carillon Lakes, a highly desirable senior living community with 1,100 homes; an industrial park anchored by Amazon, and two active TIF Districts, and a third district in process. The City is making multi-million-dollar upgrades to its wastewater treatment plants and has joined the Joliet Water Commission to purchase Lake Michigan water in 2030.

Year-round recreational opportunities are provided by the Lockport Park District. Residents can enjoy an 18-hole golf course, recreational programming, a community center, pool and numerous playgrounds throughout the community. Residents and visitors alike flock to Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm, which hosts an annual Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze and other seasonal activities.

Crest Hill is a full-service community with a $50 million total budget (including a $10.6 million General Fund), a ‘AA’ bond rating, low bonded debt and healthy reserves. A professional City Administrator oversees a staff of 68 full-time employees (70 FTEs) in the departments of Community Development (includes the planning and building divisions), Police, Public Works & Streets, Water & Wastewater, and Finance. Fire and emergency medical services are provided by two outside Fire Protection Districts.

The City is nearing completion of a new municipal building, which will encompass the administrative offices, council chambers, community center, police department, and memorial garden. Planned development on the 18-acre site includes a 4-acre park/community gathering space, retail, and residential, with walking and bike trails. The White Oak Public Library is also located on the site.

Future development opportunities include retail and commercial along Weber Road, 74-acre and 200-acre sites with residential and retail, expansion of an existing industrial park, sale of the old city hall for a retail development, and over 600 acres of desirable State-owned and unincorporated land primed for development.