Channahon, Illinois

Channahon
Village
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Grundy, Will
Townships	Channahon, Troy, Aux Sable
Area	7.9 sq mi (20 km2)
- land	7.9 sq mi (20 km2)
Population	12,560 (2010)
Density	1,019.0 / sq mi (393 / km2)
Village President	Joe Cook[1]
- Leader 1	Jamie Bowden[1]
- Leader 2	Missey Schumacher[1]
Timezone	CST (UTC-6)
- summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
Postal code	60410
Area code	815
Location of Channahon within Illinois
Wikimedia Commons: Channahon, Illinois

Channahon is a village in Grundy and Will counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 12,560 at the 2010 census. Channahon is also the name of the township in which most of the village resides. The current village president is Joe Cook.

Geography

Its name meaning "Meeting of the Waters" in the language of the area's original Potawatomi inhabitants, Channahon is located at the confluence of the Des Plaines and Kankakee rivers, where they form the Illinois River. The Illinois and Michigan Canal (including several locks) runs through most of the village, where it is fed by the water of the DuPage River. The local Channahon State Park celebrates the region's unique geographical history.

Later in the 19th century, a railroad line that eventually came under the control of the Santa Fe Railroad was laid through the eastern portions of the township, but no railroad actually passed through the village itself. In the late 1920s, U.S. Highway 6 came through Channahon; Interstates 80 and 55 followed in the 1960s (although I-80 runs approximately two miles to the north of the village limits).

History of the Village of Channahon

The Village of Channahon grew along the I & M Canal at the intersection of three rivers (i.e., Du Page, Des Plaines, and Kankakee Rivers.) An early archaeological excavation in the 1900s unearthed mound remnants that pointed to three to four thousand years of history. The Potawatomie Indians named this area and called it Channahon, which means "meeting of the waters.". The Potawatomie Indians solely inhabited this area until white settlers looking for good farmland began to settle here in 1832.

In 1836, construction began on the I & M Canal and Channahon became the site for one of the locks that were needed along the waterway. The village itself was laid out by Myrvin Benjamin, and for awhile it was called DuPage, after the river that cut through the area.1 In the 1840s, the name of the area became Swifton, after the I & M Canal board president. This area continued to thrive until the railroad replaced inland boat travel, which caused business to decline. In the early 1900s, the automobile began to emerge as a new form of transportation. In June 1908, the owner of an automobile planned to sue the village after their automobile plummeted into the Du Page River due to a bridge failure. That incident was one of the factors in the decision of the village fathers to discard an earlier established corporate charter, according to legend.1

In 1962, the area was once again incorporated as the village of Channahon. Serious development finally began in the 1970s, as the village's proximity to two trunk line interstates resulted in both industrial growth (a Mobil oil refinery, two petrochemicals plants, a gigantic soybean oil production facility, and numerous support businesses for the freight hauling industry) and residential development. The village also saw an influx of population from eastern Kentucky in the wake of the closure of many of that area's coal mines. Beginning in the 1990s, development in Channahon took on a more upper middle-class bent, with subdivisions sprouting in the former gravel quarrying and dairy farming areas near the I&M Canal in the village's western areas, and a widely acclaimed, award winning public golf course opening in the hilly southeastern area of the village near I-55.

A major natural gas pipeline to the Chicago area from Canada had its southern terminus built in Channahon in 2000, bringing even more jobs and tax revenue to the now fast-growing village. Because the village had no downtown area, the Village of Channahon is currently working with Platinum Properties, LLC, and several other developers. The new town hall acts as a landmark to the new downtown area. The downtown area will host upscale stores and homes, along with St. Ann Parish.

In spite of the recent economic downturn, Channahon's economy remains vibrant and strong. Today with Channahon's central location between the industrial complex of the Joliet and Morris region at the cross roads of America, combined with the recreational potential of the I & M Canal area and the close proximity to interstate highways 55 and 80 sets the stage for prosperous growth and recognition. The community also has a wonderful park district including the title of 1996 National Gold Medal Awards Program finalist for outstanding parks and a golf course.

With a strong local government, good living, award winning schools and a growing business community, it's no wonder why over 12,000 residents proudly call the Village of Channahon, home.

Park District

Formed in 1971, the award-winning Channahon Park District maintains numerous parks, facilities and plans a variety of programs and activities for all ages throughout the year.

The Park District is governed by an elected Board of Commissioners, who set policy and review operations. Over 200 staff work to provide a quality experience for park visitors and program participants. The Park District is the area’s largest employer of High School and College age youth, in many cases providing these young adults with their first work experiences.

The boundaries of the Channahon Park District include all of the Village of Channahon; unincorporated areas in Channahon Township; and the portions of the Village of Minooka in Will County serving more than 20,000 residents.

The Channahon Park District operates many of the area’s premier recreation destinations. Heritage Bluffs Public Golf Club is a nationally aclaimed 18 hole golf course. A complete golf shop and a newly remodeled, full service gourmet restaurant provide every amenity for golfers and non-golfers alike. The course is also designated as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, the 379th in the world to receive the honor, in recognition of the course’s environmental stewardship practices.

Heritage Crossing Field House features two gymnasiums, a three lane, eight lap to the mile indoor track, and Dimensions Fitness Center. The partnership with Channahon School District 17 to build the facility has received national attention for innovation, cost sharing and community cooperation.

Tomahawk Aquatic Center, one of the area's premier water parks, and hosted over 23,000 visits annually. A waterslide and zero depth pool highlight the facility, which also includes expansive deck and turn sunning areas, and special water and sand play areas for kids. The Park District’s Learn to Swim program provided almost 1,300 kids with important lifetime skills in swimming last year.

Arrowhead Community Center houses Park District offices and indoor program space, including a dance/aerobics studio, two racquetball courts, and the popular Fun-N-Learn Preschool Program.

The Park District has over 210 acres (0.85 km²) of public parks. Major facilities include 122-acre (0.49 km²) Community Park, and 41-acre (170,000 m²) Central Park. These locations include lighted sports fields, winding trails, playgrounds and beutiful picnic space. Community Park includes a Disc Golf course and a scenic trail system. Central Park is the home of SK8 Zone skate park and serves as the location for the community’s annual Three Rivers Festival. Neighborhood parks are currently located in 16 areas, with five new locations planned.

Over 10,000 recreation program registrations are processed annually in toddler, preschool, youth, teen, adult, senior and family programs. The Park District sponsors many special events throughout the year, including an Independence Day celebration with fireworks; the Frosty 5 Mile which is the oldest consecutively scheduled running event in Will County; Movie in the Park; a Kids Triathlon; the Halloween Happenings; and annual craft show.

Geography

Channahon is located at 41°26′17″N 88°12′59″W / 41.438156°N 88.216520°W / 41.438156; -88.216520Coordinates: 41°26′17″N 88°12′59″W / 41.438156°N 88.216520°W / 41.438156; -88.216520.^[2]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 7.9 square miles (20 km²), of which, 7.2 square miles (19 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (8.50%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census^[3] of 2000, there were 7,344 people, 2,279 households, and 1,989 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,019.0 people per square mile (393.3/km²). There were 2,346 housing units at an average density of 325.5 per square mile (125.6/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.22% White, 0.42% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.27% Asian, none Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 3.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,279 households out of which 50.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.6% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.7% were non-families. 10.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.22 and the average family size was 3.47.

In the village the population was spread out with 32.8% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 105.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $71,991, and the median income for a family was $74,481. Males had a median income of $52,479 versus $31,692 for females. The per capita income for the village was $22,867. About 1.8% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Channahon is run by a Village Board of Trustees. The current President of the Board of Trustees is Joe Cook (re-elected on April 5th, 2011).^[1] At the county level, Will County residents are located within Board District 6,^[1] and are represented by Don Gould (R-Shorewood), Sharon May (D-Channahon), and Deborah Rozark (R-Wilmington).^[4] Grundy County residents are part of Board District 2,^[1] and they are represented by John Almer (R), John Galloway (R), Mike Lutz (D), Jeremy Ly (D), Jackie McKinney (D), and Ron Severson (R).^[5] In the Illinois State Senate, Channahon is represented by^[1]:

District		Name	Party	First Served	Area(s) of Channahon Represented
	38	Gary G. Dahl	Republican	2005	Aux Sable Township, Channahon Township
	42	Linda Holmes	Democratic	2007	Troy Township
	43	A.J. Wilhelmi	Democratic	2005	Troy Township

.

In the Illinois House of Representatives, Channhon is represented by^[1]:

District		Name	Party	First Served	Area(s) of Channahon Represented
	75	Pam Roth	Republican	2011	Aux Sable Township, Channahon Township
	84	Tom Cross	Republican	1993	Troy Township
	86	Jack McGuire	Democratic	1991	Troy Township

.

At the federal level, Channahon is represented by: Senators Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), Mark Kirk (R-Illinois), and Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-11th District).^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} Channahon, Village of. "Village of Channhon Illinois". http://www.channahon.org/good-government/directory.htm. Retrieved 2010-06-03. 
2. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
3. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
4. ^ Will County Board (2009). "District 6". Illinois Government, Will County. http://www.willcountyboard.com/district_6.htm. Retrieved 2010-06-03. 
5. ^ Illinois Government, Grundy County. "grundyco.org - County Board". http://www.grundyco.org/countyboard/countyboard.php. Retrieved 2010-06-03. 

External links

• Channahon Park District
• Heritage Bluffs Public Golf Club
• Village of Channahon