Official updates, public notices, and community news from Village Hall
We are pleased to announce the launch of our newly redesigned village website. The new site features easier navigation, online bill payment, access to meeting minutes and agendas, and this dedicated News & Announcements page to keep residents informed. We welcome your feedback — please contact Village Hall with any questions or suggestions.
Join us Saturday, October 17th from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM for Gardner's 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat, hosted by Creative Gemz!
Calling all local businesses, organizations, and individuals: register, decorate your vehicle's trunk, and pass out candy. It's free to participate!
The Village of Gardner will mail Cross Connection Control and Lead Service Line surveys to all water customers the week of October 5th. This survey is legitimate and is required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). Every home and business connected to the village water system must complete one; it only takes a few minutes and is repeated every three years.
Skip the paper and fill it out online now:
🏠 Residential Property Survey →
🏢 Commercial Property Survey →
Prefer paper? Return the completed survey with your water bill. If you rent, please ask your property owner to complete the survey. Printable copies: Residential (PDF) · Commercial (PDF) · Program Letter (PDF)
Why it matters: The survey helps protect our drinking water from contamination through cross connections (for example, in-ground sprinklers, boilers, or pools) and builds the village's Lead Service Line Inventory, which helps determine eligibility for grant funding if a service line ever needs replacing. Per the EPA and IEPA, failure to submit a survey may result in termination of water service until it is completed.
Good to know: Most homes do not need a backflow prevention device. If you answer "Yes" to any survey question, please contact the water superintendent to find out whether you need one. Any backflow device that is installed must be tested every year by a certified backflow tester. State plumbing code also requires vacuum breakers on all outdoor faucets; hose bibb vacuum breakers are available at local hardware stores and are easy to install yourself.
Questions or need your service line inspected? Contact TEST Inc. (Chris Perra) at (815) 252-9637 or Village Hall at (815) 237-2592.
Join us Friday, October 9th from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Depot Street in Downtown Gardner for the Gather in Gardner Farmers Market! Enjoy fresh flowers, locally grown produce, unique vendors, live entertainment, children's activities, and more.
The market supports small businesses, raises funds to improve and enhance our local parks, and celebrates the history and spirit of Historic Route 66. Touch-A-Truck: the Gardner Fire Department will be there too!
Village Hall's phone lines are temporarily down while we work on switching phone service providers. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.
In the meantime, please contact Village Hall by email at lwagner@villageofgardner.org, or stop by in person during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM) at 302 North Center Street. We appreciate your patience and expect phone service to be restored soon.
Update: While our main phone line is being serviced, you can temporarily reach Village Hall at (815) 237-3001. This number is temporary and will be discontinued once regular service is restored.
Grundy County Health Department is holding free flu shot clinics at three locations this fall, including the South Grundy Resource Center right here in Gardner. Flu shots are also available for homebound individuals by appointment.
Grundy County Housing Authority has affordable 55+ apartment communities available in Grundy County, including Gardner Village Commons right here in Gardner. Utilities are included, and current incentives include last month's rent free on a 12-month lease and a $500 referral bonus. Income limits apply — call (815) 942-6198 for details.
Union Pacific closed the railroad crossings at Washington Street and Jackson Street for maintenance work from 6:00 PM Monday, September 14 through 7:00 AM Wednesday, September 16. Both crossings have since reopened to traffic.
Petition packets for candidates in the April 6, 2027 Consolidated Election are available at Village Hall beginning Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Countywide Election Information (Grundy County)
The Grundy County Clerk's Office will also begin distributing petition packets on August 25 for several other local offices, including fire and library district trustees, park district commissioners, school board members, regional school trustees, and community college trustees. The statutory petition filing period runs November 16–23, 2026. Questions can be directed to the Grundy County Clerk's Elections Division at (815) 941-3222.
The Perseid meteor shower had its best nights earlier this month, but it's still putting on a show through August 24. Gardner's wide-open, low-light surroundings make it an easy spot to step outside and watch a few streak by.
A few pointers if you go out:
Face northeast after midnight for the best odds of catching one.
Can't make it to a Village Board meeting? You can still stay informed. A meeting agenda is published ahead of each meeting and lists the topics, reports, and votes the Board plans to address — agendas are posted at Village Hall and may take a bit longer to appear on the website. Meeting minutes are the official written record of what was discussed and decided; they're posted online only after being approved by the Board at the following meeting.
Both are open to any resident to review at any time. Residents may also sign up for public comment at each meeting — contact Village Clerk Pat Malinowski by the Friday before the meeting to be added to the agenda.
The Village of Gardner is seeking residents interested in serving on the Planning & Zoning Board of Appeals. Board members are compensated per meeting attended, with the board meeting monthly to review zoning requests, variances, and land-use matters that shape our community.
If you'd like to get involved in local government and help guide Gardner's growth, we'd love to hear from you.
Both Gardner Grade School and Gardner-South Wilmington High School begin the 2026–2027 school year on Monday, August 17th.
As students head back, please slow down and watch for kids and school buses in neighborhoods and along roadways. Remember: it's illegal to pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing.
Scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, July 22nd, the repaving of streets that have been ground will begin. Crews will spray primer early in the morning and start paving around 7:00 AM. Please avoid the areas if possible for everyone's safety.
Streets include: North Street, Center Street by the Grade School, and East Street from 53 to Washington Street.
An audit of the funds of the Village of Gardner, Illinois for the year ending April 30, 2026, has been completed by the audit firm of Mack & Associates, P.C., Certified Public Accountants.
A copy of the audit report has been filed with the Grundy County Clerk and is available for public inspection between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM at the Gardner Village Hall, located at 302 North Center Street, Gardner, Illinois 60424.
Operating a golf cart or other alternative transportation vehicle on Village streets? Make sure your permit is current! Permits run June 1 – May 31, require an annual equipment inspection and proof of insurance, and cost $25.
A few reminders: only drivers 18 or older with a valid license may operate the vehicle, the permit must be displayed on the front and rear, and vehicles can't be driven on sidewalks, in parks (other than parking lots), or on state/county highways except to cross.
We've put together a handy one-page poster covering the full rules and required safety equipment — check it out below.
The Village of Gardner has engaged Chamlin & Associates to oversee new sidewalk installation and sidewalk replacement throughout town. Work is anticipated to begin Monday, July 6th at 7:00 AM, weather permitting.
If your property has a driveway that crosses the proposed sidewalk location, your driveway will be temporarily impacted and will need to be removed and replaced to accommodate the new concrete sidewalk. This work will be done at no cost to you — it is fully funded by the Village. Please note that newly poured concrete requires a curing period of 3 to 5 days with no vehicular traffic, so driveway access will be limited during that time.
If anyone in your household has physical limitations that require full driveway access, please contact the Village-appointed project representative in advance to arrange accommodations.
Questions or concerns? Contact David Farrell with Chamlin & Associates at (815) 252-2351 or davidf@chamlin.com.
Official Notice of Proposed Work
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Grundy County, including Gardner, with dangerously high temperatures and heat index values expected to reach 100°F or higher through the week. Please take the following precautions to stay safe:
☀️ Staying Cool
🐾 Pet Safety
👵 Checking on the Elderly & Vulnerable
❄️ HVAC & Home Cooling Tips
🔌 Appliance & Energy Safety
Residents without air conditioning can find a list of cooling centers statewide. Questions? Contact Village Hall at (815) 237-2592.
The Village of Gardner wishes everyone a safe and happy Independence Day! As you enjoy the holiday, please keep the following in mind:
Wishing you and your family a wonderful and safe 4th of July, Gardner!
With summer in full swing, the Village reminds residents planning a backyard pool to review the guidelines below before digging or installing:
Questions about permits or inspections? Contact Village Hall at (815) 237-2592.
Severe weather is forecast for the Gardner area on Wednesday, June 17th. Residents should be prepared for the following hazards:
Residents are urged to:
Questions? Contact Village Hall at (815) 237-2592.
The Village of Gardner Public Works Department will begin hydrant flushing this week. This routine maintenance helps ensure water quality and proper fire protection throughout the Village.
During flushing, residents may experience:
If you notice discolored water, run your cold water tap for a few minutes until it clears before using water for drinking, cooking, or laundry. We appreciate your patience as we work to maintain your water system.
Questions? Contact Village Hall at 815-237-2592.
The Gardner Area Band is back home after an unforgettable four-day trip to New Orleans! Students performed at the iconic Jackson Square in front of the historic St. Louis Cathedral — drawing visitors from around the world — and represented Gardner with outstanding professionalism, even pushing through a mid-performance rain shower without missing a beat.
Beyond the performance, students visited the National WWII Museum, took a swamp tour through the Louisiana bayou, enjoyed a dinner cruise aboard the historic Steamboat Natchez on the Mississippi River, and explored the culture and history of the French Quarter. Band Director Michael Leone praised the students not only for their musicianship but for the respect and character they showed throughout the entire trip.
On June 9th, approximately 5,000 classic cars will be traveling down Route 66 through Gardner as part of the Hot Rod Power Tour! The majority of cars will be passing through in the morning hours around 8–9 AM.
Bring the whole family out to watch this incredible parade of classics roll through town — it's a once-a-year spectacle you won't want to miss!
The Village of Gardner's annual water quality test results are now available for residents to review. Our water supply is tested regularly to ensure it meets all state and federal safety standards. We encourage all residents to review the report.
Today is the last day of school for local students! As children will be out and about throughout the community this summer, please slow down and watch for children in neighborhoods, near parks, and along roadways. Let's all work together to keep our kids safe this summer.
Residents are advised that May 29, 2026 is the last day to make payments through courtmoney.com. Please ensure any outstanding payments are submitted before this deadline. For questions, contact Village Hall at (815) 237-2592.
Online payments can now also be submitted directly through our website. For questions, contact Village Hall at (815) 237-2592.
Update: The Village is no longer carrying buttons or koozies for the raffle. Both must be purchased directly through Cassi Carlson or Betsy Hennessy. All proceeds go directly toward Gardner Parks!
Residents can now view their utility bills online through the Village's utility billing portal. To sign in you will need:
If you have not yet registered your email with the Village, please contact Village Hall to get set up:
SURF Internet will be resuming construction in Gardner. Residents may notice flags and/or spray paint markings in their yards as part of the underground utility locating process. This is normal and expected during this phase of construction.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as this work continues. Questions? Contact Village Hall at 815-237-2592.
The boil order previously issued for the following addresses on W. Lincoln St has been lifted. Tap water is safe to use. Thank you for your patience.
A boil order has been issued as of May 6, 2026 at 12:30 PM for customers at the following addresses on W. Lincoln St:
Residents in the affected area should bring all tap water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute before using it for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth until further notice. Questions? Contact Village Hall at 815-237-2592 or lwagner@villageofgardner.org.
Gardner is proud to be part of the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor event on Saturday, May 2nd and Sunday, May 3rd! This year's celebration is extra special — we're marking 100 years of Route 66, America's iconic Mother Road. Join us as communities along the historic highway roll out the red carpet for travelers and celebrate a century of the Route 66 spirit. Expect local vendor booths, food, live entertainment, and activities for all ages. Come experience what makes Gardner a gem along America's Mother Road!
