Transparency
The Village of Downers Grove strives to be responsive to our residents' concerns and operate in a fiscally responsible and efficent manner. Government transparency, or the ability to access information and documents, is a priority of the Mayor, Village Council, and staff.
While much of the information below is located in other areas of the website, this page consolidates a variety of key information all in one place.
Elected Officials
- Mayor and Council
- Village Manager
- Administrators Director and contact information will be listed on each department page.
Meeting Information
Freedom of Information
Budgets
Financial Audits
Salary and Benefits
The Village of Downers Grove takes pride in our professional, customer focused, expert staff. The Village's Compensation and Benefits plan remains competitive by maintaining control points and pay ranges that are established by conducting external market analysis of comparable municipal organizations.
- Benefits
- Employee Compensation Plan
- Employee Personnel Manual
- Employee Classification Plan
- Current Budget Year Personnel Plan
- Employee Total Compensation
Contracts, Bids and Proposals
Vendor contracts requiring Council approval appear in Archived Meetings.
Labor Contracts
Public employees are allowed to organize into groups or unions based on their employment rights under Illinois State Statute. The Village of Downers Grove is engaged in four union agreements. The purpose of the agreements is to achieve and maintain harmonious relations between Employer and the Union, to establish proper wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment, and to provide for the equitable and peaceful adjustments of differences which may arise between parties. Links to all current union contracts can be found below:
| Group | Current Agreement |
|---|---|
| Police Department Union Personnel | May 1, 2013 - April 30, 2015 |
| Fire Department Union Personnel | May 1, 2011 - April 30, 2014 |
| Public Works Union Personnel | May 1, 2012 - April 30, 2015 |
| Communication Operators Union Personnel | May 1, 2013 - April 30, 2016 |
Lobbying
The Village currently utilizes the lobbying services of Nicolay & Dart LLC. The Village first engaged in a contract with Nicolay & Dart LLC in 2008 and has renewed in 2009 and 2010; the current contract expires April 30, 2011. The agreement is for the duration of one year and does not exceed $36,000.
Nicolay & Dart LLC represents the Village before the Illinois General Assembly and other appropriate state agencies. Their main objective is to secure Federal, State or other funding for capital projects and other local improvements and to support legislation favorable to the Village. To date, the lobbying services of Nicolay & Dart LLC have been instrumental in securing approximately $10 million in grant appropriations for projects in the Village.
| Year | Contract | Cost of Contract |
|---|---|---|
| Current | Nikolay & Dart (Ends April 1, 2011) |
$36,000 |
| 2010 | Nikolay & Dart | $36,000 |
| 2009 | Nikolay & Dart | $36,000 |
| 2008 | N/A | N/A |
| 2007 | N/A | N/A |
| 2006 | N/A | N/A |
The Village of Downers Grove is also involved in membership organizations that engage in lobbying efforts on behalf of municipalities:
2012
- DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference
- National League of Cities
- Illinois Municipal League
- Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry
2011
- National League of Cities
- Illinois Municipal League
- Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry
2010
- National League of Cities
- Illinois Municipal League
- Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry
2009
- DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference
- National League of Cities
- Illinois Municipal League
- Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry
2008
- DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference
- National League of Cities
- Illinois Municipal League
- Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry
2007
- DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference
- National League of Cities
- llinois Municipal League
- Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry
2006
- DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference
- National League of Cities
- Illinois Municipal League
- Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Taxes and Fees
The Village of Downers Grove collects various taxes and fees. The top ten general fund revenue sources are: sales tax, utility tax, property taxes (operations), state income tax, property taxes (pensions), home rule sales tax, cellular equipment rental fees, fines, building related permits and hotel tax. In 2011, these top ten revenue sources will represent 87% of all revenue allocated to the general fund.
The Village of Downers Grove also collects fees for various services, licenses, permits, and fines.