Category: Uncategorized

On April 9, 1970 Taco Bell decided to spice things up and turned the fast food industry on its head, leaving a legacy that no one has managed to top since.

The Enchirito burst onto the scene, causing a nationwide frenzy that had people lining up like it was the last concert of the Rolling Stones.

But alas, in 1993, it was retired, leaving a void in our hearts and a permanent dent in our tastebuds that no amount of cheese, beef and black olives will ever fill.

It returned for a brief tasty minute in 2000 and 2023 removing black olives as a standard option.

Quite possibly the greatest Mexican dish ever created.

The final reel!

Part 5, the final part is heavy on the police and fire departments. It ends with a lot of pictures collected from residents and agencies from all corners of the Village and County.

I hope you enjoyed this old relic and learned a little bit about where our little Village came from and how we got to 2008.

Maybe we can put together a committee to update and create a video and history from 2008 to 2028. Let me know if you are interested!

Here is that video:

The picture above is one of my favorite homes in Round Lake. It’s just off our downtown district and is still owned by the same family. It is home to former Mayor Dietz.

Take a cruise around the older part of town and you will be sure to see it.

Part 4 video speaks to our old Village Hall and Police Station with interviews from former Chiefs and Mayors.

Here is that video:

Check back for the final part 5!

The picture above is the original Greater Round Lake Area Fire Protection District. The building is still standing to this day with a few renovations and additions. It is called House 1 now.

Part 3 video has a lot to do with the fire department, churches, first state bank of Round Lake and Dr. Goshgarian.

Here is that video:

Check back soon for part 4!

The picture above is the school building that is now John T. Magee Middle School on Cedar Lake Road and Hart Road.

In 2008, construction regulations required a portion of the original structure to remain in place. This was necessary for the project to qualify as a renovation or expansion rather than new construction. For that reason, a significant part of the south side of the building was preserved. Today, that section still reflects the original two room schoolhouse structure. It serves as the foundation, or “bones,” of the current building.

That history stretches back much further than many realize. John T. Magee Middle School traces its origins to 1922. The original school building was constructed to serve a much smaller, rural Round Lake community.

Over the decades, as Round Lake grew, the school evolved alongside it. The building saw multiple additions and renovations in 1960, 1974, 1982, and again in 2008, each reflecting new generations of students and changing educational needs. Rather than replacing the structure entirely, those updates layered new spaces onto the original foundation, preserving a physical connection to the community’s earliest days of public education.

Today, Magee serves students in grades 6 through 8 as part of Round Lake Area Schools District 116, a district formed in 1968 through the consolidation of earlier local school systems. The school now educates roughly 600–700 students each year and reflects the diversity and growth of the broader Round Lake area.

What makes Magee especially unique is that it is not just a school building—it is a living timeline. From its beginnings as a small early 20th century schoolhouse to its modern role serving a vibrant and growing community, the structure itself tells the story. And because of that 2008 decision to preserve part of the original building, that story is still visible today in the very walls students walk past each day.

Here is that video:

Check back soon for part 3!

Part 1 of 5: 1908 to 2008

The picture above has been run through AI to improve the quality. While improving the quality, it has lost some of its original detail. But what it still captures is something incredibly special, downtown Round Lake, circa 1908.

Take a moment to think about that. Over a century ago, the heart of our community was already taking shape. What is even more remarkable is that some of the buildings in that photo are still standing today. They have weathered generations of change, growth, and progress, quietly holding onto the stories of where we began.

Back in the early 2000s, I had the privilege of serving as a Village Trustee. During that time, I was honored to be part of the Village Board during Round Lake’s Centennial Celebration. It was a meaningful moment for our community. It gave us a chance not just to celebrate. It also allowed us to reflect.

Mayor Gentes, along with several dedicated community members, commissioned a company to dig deep into our history. They interviewed longtime residents. I respectfully refer to these residents as the “old timers.” They also interviewed elected and appointed officials who helped shape the Village over the years. After months of work, they produced a video documenting Round Lake’s story from 1908 to 2008.

At the time, we called them CDs.

Looking back now, it is a snapshot not just of our history, but of how we preserved it.

Here is that video:

I have always enjoyed learning about the history of our Village. I have called Round Lake home for the past 30 years. Despite this, I still find myself drawn to the stories of those who were here long before me. There is something powerful about understanding where we came from. It gives context to where we are today and direction for where we are headed.

The Mayor should know this history. It is important not just for appreciation but to help carry it forward. These stories belong to all of us, and it is our responsibility to pass them along to the next generation.

This is just the beginning.

In Part 2, we will examine how Round Lake evolved through key periods of growth. We will explore the decisions that helped shape our community into what it is today.

As Mayor of the Round Lake, one of my top responsibilities is making sure we deliver the services our residents rely on while being mindful of the tax burden on our families.

That balance is getting harder to maintain, and one of the biggest reasons is something most people have never heard of: the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF).

A Promise That Has Been Eroded

When Illinois created the state income tax, local governments—including communities like Round Lake agreed not to implement their own local income tax.

In return, the State committed to sharing 10% of income tax revenues with municipalities through LGDF.

Today, that share has dropped to just over 6.47% and is expected to be cut further to 6.28% this fiscal budget year.

According to the Illinois Municipal League, this reduction has cost local governments billions over the past decade.

What That Means in Real Dollars for Round Lake

The Village of Round Lake currently collects approximately $3.3 million annually from LGDF.

If the State were still honoring the original 10% commitment, the Village would be receiving roughly $5.5 million per year.

This means Round Lake is losing about $2.2 million each year due to the reduced LGDF share.

Over the past decade, that adds up to approximately $22 million in lost revenue; funds that could have been invested directly into our community.

For Round Lake, LGDF is not extra funding, it is a core revenue source that helps support:

• Police services and public safety
• Road maintenance and snow removal
• Infrastructure and capital improvements
• Day-to-day Village operations

The Reality of “Flat Funding” and Misconceptions About Other Revenue Streams

Several state and local leaders have argued against restoring LGDF funding, suggesting that municipalities have already received additional funding through other initiatives.

While it is true that local governments have seen some revenue through programs such as grants, capital projects, or state-shared initiatives, these were never designed to replace LGDF funding or restore it to the original 10% level.

LGDF remains a predictable, flexible, and foundational source of revenue that municipalities rely on for day-to-day operations. Supplemental funding cannot make up for the loss of a stable revenue stream like LGDF.

There has also been discussion at the state level about keeping LGDF funding “flat.”

But as both the Illinois Municipal League and municipal leaders across Lake County point out, flat funding is not neutral.

With inflation and rising costs, flat funding is effectively a cut.

That leaves communities like Round Lake facing difficult choices:

• Delay needed infrastructure improvements
• Scale back services
• Or shift costs onto local taxpayers

Organizations like the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, alongside the Illinois Municipal League, have made restoring LGDF a top priority:

• Oppose any further reduction in LGDF
• Restore funding toward the original 10% commitment
• Ensure stable, predictable revenue for municipalities

Why Your Voice Matters

Restoring LGDF is critical not just for local government operations; it impacts all taxpayers in our community.

It is important for residents and voters to contact their state and local elected officials to demand the restoration of LGDF funding to its original level.

Your voice can make a difference in ensuring that communities like Round Lake have the resources needed to provide safe streets, well-maintained roads, and strong public services.

This issue may not always be visible, but here in Round Lake, it has a real and lasting impact.

At its core, this is about keeping a promise and ensuring that our community has the resources it needs to serve residents today and into the future.

Back in November I challenged our community and friends to help raise funds to purchase turkeys. Lucky Emma’s and Avon Township teamed up to provide 300 Thanksgiving Dinners. We all helped on the turkey side of the business! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

I am again calling on you all to help me raise funds for a great cause.

My close friends, The Twisted Sisters, are hosting a Veterans Event. They will be providing Easter Dinner at no charge for Veterans .

I have pledged $500 I am challenging my family, friends, and community to help me reach $1000. With this amount, they can purchase hams and make this event even greater!

To expedite things and avoid crowd funding fees please donate by scanning the QR Code below from your banking App or use my Zelle handle 847-736-4269

For any questions or concerns please call or text me at that number and we can figure something out.

Donations accepted until March 31

For decades, CenCom E911 Public Safety Communications Center managed emergency calls in the Round Lake area. This consolidated dispatch center played a central role. It coordinated police, fire, and EMS response across several local communities.

At its peak, CenCom covered approximately 60 square miles and served nearly 65,000 residents. Its responsibilities extended beyond emergency calls to include non-emergency dispatching and coordination of mutual aid responses through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS).

CenCom telecommunicators were the first voice residents heard in moments of crisis. Their ability to remain calm, gather critical information, and direct resources efficiently was essential to the safety of the entire region.

In 2025, Round Lake-area communities transitioned to LakeComm 911, a modern, regional communications system designed to enhance coordination, reliability, and response times. This effort took almost a decade to plan and create.

On March 13, the CenCom Board of Directors held its final official meeting, formally dissolving the organization and marking the completion of this transition.

I want to recognize the leadership of the CenCom Board, whose guidance and oversight ensured the system remained responsive to the needs of a growing and evolving community.

As we move forward with LakeComm 911, we do so on a strong foundation built by CenCom’s staff, leadership, and partner agencies. Their legacy is one of service, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to public safety.