Village of Huntley, IL
Huntley is a rapidly growing village in McHenry and Kane Counties, Illinois. In 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the village’s population to be 26,966. As of the 2000 Census, the village had a mere 5,730 people, meaning the village’s population has more than tripled in eight years. Huntley has adopted a very aggressive development strategy that would fit more into place in the Sunbelt rather than in an outer suburb of Chicago. Currently, the village has 14.10 sq mi (36.5 km2), 14.07 of which is land.
Huntley is best known for the Del Webb Sun City Active Adult Community and award winning School District 158. The old part of Huntley is also known for its public square which features a gazebo, as well as a full brick-paved street (Woodstock St.) and 50s-style diner, The Huntley Dairy Mart. The village’s slogan is “The Friendly Village with Country Charm.”
Education
Consolidated School District 158
The village is served entirely by Consolidated School District 158. Originally headquartered in Huntley, the administration offices have since moved to a new campus in Algonquin.
The village used to be entirely served by an elementary school and a high school located in town, but the growing district has since discontinued use of those buildings, and has since built five elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school on three different campuses districtwide.
Only one campus is within village limits. The Harmony Road Campus in the western part of the village contains Huntley High School and Leggee Elementary School. The other two campuses, which serve parts of Huntley are located in nearby Algonquin and Lake in the Hills.
Huntley Area Public Library
The Huntley Area Public Library District includes all of Huntley, parts of Lake in the Hills and Algonquin, and portions of Grafton, Rutland and Coral Townships.
The Huntley Area Public Library district serves all of Huntley as well as portions of Lake in the Hills and Algonquin. The library used to be housed in a very small 1,000 or 2,000 sqft (190 m2) building at Algonquin Road and Church Street. As the area’s population exploded in the 1990s and 2000s, new facilities were needed. The library underwent a major remodel and addition in 2021.
Huntley Park District
Most village recreational services are under authority of the Huntley Park District, which serves Huntley and portions of neighboring communities.
- The heart of the Park District is Deicke Park located just southwest of downtown Huntley, on the west side of Route 47, and south of Main St. This is the village’s largest park and one of the larger parks in the local region. Various community events are held here. It features multiple ballfields, picnic shelters, a large slide, playground equipment, basketball and tennis courts, park district offices, and the following major additions adjacent to it:Ol’ Timer’s Park, a medium-sized park featuring ballfields and playground equipment, located just off Church St. and near Douglas Ave. in downtown Huntley
- Community Recreational Center housed in the renovated former high school building. It features a large gymnasium, a fitness center, a mess hall, classrooms for workshops and programming, and the Cosman Cultural Arts Center, an auditorium/theater attached to the building.
- Betsey Warrington Park, an extension of the park area when the park district acquired a narrow piece of farmland off of W. Main St. Much of the original farmstead remains intact and remains for historical and recreational use.
- Stingray Bay Aquatic Center, the park district’s pool which features a zero depth entrance, water slides, water features, a snack bar, a patio, and locker rooms.
- Jim Dhamer Square, the village’s town square which features a small gazebo and garden in the heart of the community, renamed for the late Village President.
- Pinecrest Golf Course, a golf course and country club off Algonquin Rd. acquired by the park district in the early 00s.
- Marvin A. Weiss Park, a medium-sized park located in the Southwind neighborhood, featuring ballfields, playground equipment, and picnic shelters.
- Kiley Park, a smaller park located in Wing Pointe, featuring ballfields, playground equipment, and picnic shelters
- Tures Park, a smaller park located in the Heritage neighborhood, featuring ballfields, playground equipment, and picnic shelters
- Tomaso Sports Park , a sports complex that was dedicated in 2009 to former Village manager Carl Tomaso. The complex features multiple sports fields. It is located on Huntley’s far north-side off Ackman Rd.
Neighborhoods
Botterman Farms
Cider Grove
Covington Lakes
Georgian place
Heritage
Hillsboro cove
Huntley Meadows
Lions chase
Northbridge
Southwind
Del Webb’s Sun City
Talamore
Wing Pointe
Festivals/traditions
- Huntley Home & Business Expo, sponsored by the Huntley Chamber of Commerce and other organizations which showcases local businesses and services of all kinds and gives residents and businesses an opportunity for positive interaction. Held in late February.
- Huntley High School Fine Arts Festival, decade long tradition which showcases student artwork as well as musical and dramatic performances. Held in late April.
- Memorial Day: parade through downtown Huntley, where various groups come together and honor veterans who died in wars, and culminating with an honor at the Huntley Cemetery.
- Fourth of July: fireworks celebration, held at varying locations in recent years.
- Huntley High School Homecoming: parade, held in varying locations over the years, culminating with the Friday football game. Usually in September or October.
- Turkey Testicle Festival: held the day before Thanksgiving at Parkside Pub, usually spreading into the streets of downtown Huntley.
- Fall Fest: originated in 2006 and held in September. The Fall Fest is hosted by a volunteer committee under the Huntley Park Foundation.
- Pancake Breakfasts: held in American Legion hall, hosted by the Boy Scouts