INTRODUCTION

The Village of North Utica, "Gateway to Starved Rock", with a population of approximately 1,000 is located in the Illinois Valley Area of LaSalle County, the second largest county in Illinois.  We are on Illinois Route 178 and Interstate 80 (Exit 81), which is three miles east of Interstate 39 and approximately fifty minutes west of Joliet.  Nine miles to our east you will find the City of Ottawa, population 18,300 and adjacent to us on the west is LaSalle/Peru with a combined population of 19,600.

Governor Blagojevich has chosen the Illinois Valley Area as the first phase of his Economic Development Program in which he plans to spur economic growth throughout the state.  The Illinois Valley Communities are also conducting a commuter rail feasibility study with a goal of providing rail transportation between La/Salle/Peru and Joliet.  Phase 1 of this study has been completed.

We are within the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor which has a bike & hiking trail.  With three state parks in the area, including Starved Rock State Park, the Village of North Utica is the home of the LaSalle County Historical Museum, plus the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center is located along the Illinois River within minutes of our village limits.  All of these attractions , plus many more, draw approximately two million visitors/tourists a year (only 600,000 less than what the Wisonsin Dells draws).  

In addition, the Grizzly Jacks Grand Bear Resort located in North Utica on the south side of the Illinois River, consists of a state-of-the-art resort, conference center, restaurant, indoor water park and an outdoor pool, plus much more, is expected to draw thousands more from the eight million people within a one hundred mile radius of our Village.

With five TIF's and a Enterprise Zone in place, we feel very confident about our economic growth.  The Village of North Utica is in a prime location with many amenities in and around our village limits, inluding water & sewer for the I-80 corridor.  We have a Village Board that is committed to the future of its economic development.

If you are interested in becoming a part of our future, need additional information, or have any questions, please contact us at:  815-667-4111 or e-mail us at: village@utica-il.gov.