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Each day [music] in Crystal Lake, we're
reminded why this place is so special. A

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city where progress meets purpose, where
every investment we make [music]

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strengthens the place we're proud to
call home.

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As we step [music] into 2026, we
celebrate the story of a thriving

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connected community, one that continues
to grow while preserving [music] what

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makes it feel like home.
Crystal Lake's economy continues to

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thrive, built [music] on strong
partnerships, smart planning, and a

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business-friendly approach that keeps
[music] opportunity growing close to

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home. Over the past year, we've welcomed
new faces:

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Lake Roots, Poke West, Cilantro Taco
Grill, Daiso,

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» [music]
>> Michaels, Vasa, Florio's Italian, Black

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Market Bakery, Starbucks, and Nissan's
expansion.

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» [music]
>> And on the horizon are Cava, First

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Watch, America's Best, BBQ King
Smokehouse, Menchie's, and 7 Brew along

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the Northwest [music] Highway commercial
corridor. We're also welcoming Distorted

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Soda and Sandwiches, Friendly [music]
Designs, and Curated by Laney Boutique

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to downtown Crystal Lake. As the city
[music] continues to experience growth

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to both residential and commercial
areas, the city's equalized [music]

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assessed valuation has grown
considerably to $1.7 billion.

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» [music]
>> New construction, along with prudent

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financial planning, has resulted in a
considerable decrease to the city's

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property tax rate [music] over the past
10 years. This provides a valuable

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benefit to our residents [music] and
other property owners throughout the

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community.
Across Crystal [music] Lake, new

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neighborhoods and communities are taking
shape, each adding its own character to

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the city's vibrant future. Redwood, a
304-unit ranch-style [music]

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and ADA-compliant townhome community, is
welcoming many new residents to McHenry

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[music] County. Woodlore Towns 1 and 2
bring 102 new townhomes, while Clover

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offers 121 age-restricted [music]
independent living apartments for those

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looking to enjoy an active,
maintenance-free [music] lifestyle. At

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Waters Edge, 240 apartments and 20
luxury townhomes [music] create a

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modern, walkable setting surrounded by
retail, dining, and lakeside views.

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Nearby, Lennar's Waterside community is
beginning to take shape at Main [music]

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Street and Berkshire with 107 new
for-sale townhomes. And Parkway [music]

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Crossing adds 220 apartments. Together,
these developments [music] reflect

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Crystal Lake's ongoing growth, offering
diverse housing choices and welcoming

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[music] spaces designed for every
generation to call home.

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Infrastructure is the foundation [music]
that keeps our city strong. This year,

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Crystal Lake has invested wisely [music]
in projects that enhance safety,

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mobility, and long-term sustainability.
From the addition [music] of a new deep

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well and daylighting Crystal Creek to
critical water level control

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improvements at Three [music] Oaks
Recreation Area, every initiative

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ensures our systems remain reliable for
decades [music] to come. Investments in

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our community are transforming how we
experience the city. We want to

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encourage and enhance [music]
walkability and connectivity. A new

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3-mile trail loop around Three Oaks
Recreation Area is opening new

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opportunities for outdoor exploration
and healthy living. [music]

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The city extended the sidewalk to
connect The Commons of Crystal Lake and

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the bike path, as well as filled
sidewalk gaps [music] throughout the

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city, allowing for greater mobility. We
are continually looking for ways to

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improve public spaces [music] that will
bring people together. The

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revitalization of Depot Park will bring
new life to our downtown and create an

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enhanced public gathering [music] space.
Public art benches throughout the

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downtown and creative installations
[music] in roundabouts and at Three Oaks

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Recreation Area are turning everyday
spaces into places of connection.

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As Crystal [music] Lake grows, we're
reimagining how people move through it.

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Upcoming infrastructure efforts,
including the Three Oaks Road

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intersection [music] improvements at
Sands Road and Letter Drive, which will

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be adding a traffic signal, turn lanes,
and pedestrian enhancements to improve

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safety. [music]
Oak Street and Route 176 improvements

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and pedestrian upgrades at [music]
Pingree Road and Grandview Drive will

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create safer, more efficient routes for
drivers, cyclists, and [music]

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pedestrians alike.
Education remains the heart of our

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community. District [clears throat] 47
continues to lead [music] with

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innovation, inclusivity, and care. From
new accessible playgrounds and teacher

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grants to enhanced school safety systems
that protect and empower every student.

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» [music]
>> Their commitment ensures that the next

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generation of learners grows in a
nurturing environment built for

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discovery and success.
District 155 continues [music] to shine

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as a model of excellence. With its
nationally recognized programs,

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expanding micro-internship [music]
initiative, and state-of-the-art stadium

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modernizations, students here are
discovering pathways that prepare

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[music] them for bright futures, whether
that's college, career, or service.

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At McHenry County College, the
community's investment is paying

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dividends. With the Foglia Center,
[music] the Liebman Science Wing, and

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the state-of-the-art Career and
Technical Education Center expanding

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opportunities in healthcare,
manufacturing, and beyond, these

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projects are shaping [music] tomorrow's
workforce

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