Mission :

Our purpose is to provide quality, cost effective municipal services for a diverse user base by:

- delivering services in a timely, professional manner, realizing that citizens are our customers; and

- providing recreational opportunities in conjunction with volunteer organizations to the needs of all age groups and various competitive levels; and

- ensuring protection of citizens' investments through creation of thoughtful and consistent long-term planning and zoning, to guide Village staff and officials today and in the future; and

- ensuring residents will feel safe and secure in the quality of all municipal services.

History:

The Village of Lake Zurich is located in southwestern Lake County approximately 37 miles from downtown Chicago. The Village is an established residential community, which traditionally served as a market center for surrounding rural areas and, earlier in the 20th century, as a popular summer resort. The population has more than quadrupled since 1960, as the Village has shared in the economic growth that has come from an expanding Chicago metropolitan area. Lake Zurich has developed into a community with above-average wealth and housing values, and has a balanced tax and revenue base.Settlers first came to the area in the 1830's. George Ela settled in the area of Deer Grove, not far from Cedar Lake (now Lake Zurich) in 1835. Seth Paine, a Chicagoan, came to the area in 1836, and built a number of commercial establishments in what is now Downtown Lake Zurich. New England farmers and German immigrants followed, and the Village was incorporated on September 19, 1896.

The Village grew slowly after its incorporation. The Palatine and Lake Zurich and Wauconda Railroad was built in 1910, but the line was discontinued in 1920. Rand Road (now U.S. Route 12) was paved through town in 1922, and helped establish Lake Zurich, with its rural setting and 250-acre lake, as a summer resort community. The east-west State Route 22, which also runs through Lake Zurich, was constructed in 1927. Population growth accelerated after World War II, with the Village's population increasing from 850 in 1950 to 3,458 in 1960, and further to 4,082 in 1970, 8,225 in 1980 up 101.5% from 1970, and 14,927 in 1990 up 81.5% from 1980. The Village's population was 17,591 as of January 27, 1998 Special Census up 17.8% from 1990. The Village estimates that its current population is 18,373. The land area of the Village is 6.75 square miles.The Village's municipal neighbors include North Barrington to the west, Deer Park to the south, Kildeer to the south east and east, and Hawthorn Woods to the north. Transportation links include U.S. Route 12 and State Route 22, and freight rail service by the EJ&E Railroad. Commuter train service to Chicago is available in Barrington, five miles from Lake Zurich. O'Hare International Airport is approximately 30 miles from the Village.