Economic Development Department
Catherine Schuster, Economic Development Director
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
925 Burlington Avenue, Lisle, IL 60532-1838
Phone: 630-271-4148 Fax: 630-271-4155
E-Mail Address
Welcome to the Village of Lisle, “The Arboretum Village”
The Village of Lisle is a wonderful place to live, work or visit. From its humble beginnings as a rural Midwestern town, Lisle has evolved into a welcoming, business friendly community of more than 23,500 people, rich with resources. In 2007, Lisle was named one of Money Magazine’s Top 20 “Best Places to Live” In America. This recognition was based on the economic opportunity and quality of life that the Village offers to all. I invite you to take a closer look at Lisle – a “Refreshingly Different” community.
Highly Accessible Location - Lisle is located 25 miles southwest of Chicago in prosperous DuPage County, in the heart of a major transportation network consisting of interstates, rail and bus lines and airports. Metra commuter trains provide fast, reliable service to Chicago within 30 minutes. Pace buses provide service along the major corridors throughout the Village. Traveling to and from Lisle is convenient and five branded hotels and an active Visitor's Bureau help ensure enjoyable visits, whether for business or pleasure. While Chicago provides access to the resources of a major metropolitan area, Lisle’s charm offers a refreshing alternative to the big city.
Diverse Pro Business Community - Lisle is a thriving community of more than 750 businesses. Many corporations of national prominence are located in our prestigious I-88 High Tech Corporate Corridor, such as McCain Foods, Unilever and IKON. Others are located in business and shopping districts or within office parks interspersed within the community. An active 400 member Chamber of Commerce supports this diverse business base. Village incentive programs include sales tax rebates, redevelopment grants and industrial revenue bonds. All incentive programs are managed by an active pro-business Economic Development Commission.
Educated Ready Workforce - An educated, ready workforce is available in the area - more than 74% of the surrounding population is college educated and many have advanced degrees. This reflects the fact that Lisle is home to numerous nationally recognized educational institutions where excellence is the norm. Close to 80% of the surrounding population is employed in professional, sales, management and financial occupations.
Strong Demographics Appeal to Businesses - Strong demographics make Lisle a desirable location for businesses. According to 2009 Claritas research, approximately 258,435 people live within a five mile radius of downtown Lisle. This includes more than 99,152 households with an estimated average household income of $97,698. The estimated median value of owner occupied housing is $309,772. During the day, Lisle's population increases by thousands as employees commute to our business districts and visitors travel to our many community treasures such as the Morton Arboretum.
A Vibrant Downtown - Downtown Lisle , the heart of the community, has just completed a major redevelopment which has tranformed it into a pedestrian friendly retail and restaurant district. A new prairie style streetscape encourages people to stroll past unique shops, dine in one of several unique restaurants or simply relax in front of The Garden Walk's nature themed fountain where turtles, frogs and cranes spout streams of clear running water. Each Saturday morning, the French Market transforms the downtown into a colorful open air market filled with fun conversation and one-of-a-kind treasures.
Excellent Recreation Amenities - The world renowned Morton Arboretum encompasses 1,700 acres of woodlands, wetlands, gardens and innovative exhibits such as the interactive Children's Garden and the Maze Garden. The Morton Arboretum serves as the foundation of the Village's brand, "The Arboretum Village."
The Bulls/Sox Training Academy is one of the country's most sophisticated youth development facilities, featuring the same high-tech training and coaching techniques used by the Chicago Bulls and White Sox. The Village of Lisle/Benedictine Sports Complex hosts a variety of sporting and outdoor exhibition events.
The Lisle Park District owns and/or maintains 42 sites totaling 447 acres which offer a variety of fun for everyone including Sea Lion Aquatic Park, the River Bend Golf Club and The View Restaurant & Bar. The "Eyes to the Skies" Hot Air Balloon Festival attracts 200,000 annually and features colorful hot air balloons, entertainment, arts and crafts, food, carnival and fireworks. The new Downtown French Market offers a wonderful way to spend Saturday mornings browsing for fresh produce and pastries, fresh cut flowers and one-of-a-kind items.
High Quality of Life - Living in Lisle is as desirable as working in the Village. An attractive selection of housing, well maintained infrastructure and quality public safety services create a satisfying environment. Lisle remains a welcoming place where individuals can still make a difference. The “Lisle Teens with Character” have won national recognition for their volunteer efforts while residents and business leaders serve on numerous committees. All share a genuine love for this community and a willingness to contribute their time and talent.
I invite you to learn more about the Village of Lisle, “The Arboretum Village,” by contacting me for further information. I am sure you will agree Lisle is the perfect place in which to live, work or visit!
