FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
The combined Village and County ordinances impose the following restrictions on open burning of yard waste:
- Open burning only on Saturdays between dawn and dusk in October and November, then again in April and May
- Burning of landscape waste is prohibited within 100 feet of a habitable structure or within 50 feet of a structure that is not habitable. (Garage, shed, barn, swimming pool, etc.)
- All open burning must be supervised by an individual at least 18 years of age until the fire is extinguished.
- A fire extinguisher or garden hose or water source must be available at the burning site
- Landscape waste is defined as grass clippings, shrubbery, cuttings, leaves, flowers and weeds. Recreational fires, for warmth or cooking are allowed any day of the year with the following restrictions: The fire shall be no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet and shall be brush only (no leaves, grass, shrubbery clippings, weeds or furniture). Brush is defined as tree trunks, limbs, branches and twigs.
- Marengo Disposal Company (MDC) offers yard waste pick up spring through fall on the same day as your garbage collection. Up to three bags/containers are picked up weekly at no charge. In any week, more than three bags/containers require an extra cost yard waste sticker.
- Each spring and fall residents receive leaf vacuuming services from MDC.
It has become a concern for the village as to the use of ATV's, within the village limits, being ridden by residents on private property, as well as public property. The Police Department is asking all parents to discourage the of riding these types of vehicles on private property as it causes a noise nuisance, and riders tend to leave private property, and ride on the streets. There have been reports of these types of vehicles being ridden on public property, parks, and retention ponds. This is strictly prohibited.
The Village has contracted with MDC for leaf pick up service. We cannot accurately predict when the leaves will fall but are committed to remove them for all Village residents participating in this program. We are requesting that Village residents rake their LEAVES ONLY to the area between the trough of the ditch and the edge of the road for ease of pick up by MDC. Avoid blocking culvert inlets and releases and do not put leaves on the roadway. Please ensure no rocks, bottles, bricks, branches or other debris are included with the leaves as these items may slow down the pickup process, or even damage the machines. Other options include mulching leaves into your yard, flowerbeds and gardens or composting. Your patience and cooperation with this program is greatly appreciated. WARNING: A citation requiring a mandatory court appearance can be issued for violation of the open burning ordinance & fines of up to $500 per incident can be levied.
You can view Minutes and Agenda from the Village's meetings by going to Village Government > Minutes and Agenda
You can view Zoning Ordinances by clicking here.
Most construction requires a Building Permit. The permits purpose is to have the work inspected to confirm the work meets building, life safety, and fire safety codes. SAFEbuilt provides permitting and inspections to the Village. Contact SAFEbuilt at 847-233-1246 and leave a message or call the Building Department phone at Village Hall 815-728-7725. There is further information on the Building Department page of the Wonder Lake website.
All requests for public documents shall be made in writing and directed to a FOIA Officer or other village official and shall be submitted via personal delivery, mail, fax or email. The Village prefers the use of the FOIA Request Form, but will honor all requests lawfully submitted to the Village even if it is not submitted on the attached FOIA Request Form, Any written request submitted to the Village for a public record shall be deemed to be a FOIA request and treated accordingly. Send to: Village of Wonder Lake, 4444 Thompson Rd, Wonder Lake, IL 60097 or Fax: 815-728-1226, or Jo Ellen Mcintosh FOIA Officer at wlvillage [at] wlvillage.org (wlvillage[at]wlvillage[dot]org)
FOIA FEES -The following fees shall apply and shall be payable by the Requester prior to receiving the requested public documents: Copies -Legal or Letter Size: $.15 per page (No charge for first 50 copies), Copies· Color or Oversize: Actual cost of reproduction, Certification: $1.00 per document plus copying costs, Recording Media: Actual cost of media, Mailing: Actual cost of postage.
Residents of Wonder Lake can now make their water utility payments online. Online Payment can be made by: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover via the Illinois Treasurer ePay portal.
You can also use the drive up water bill drop box located at 4444 Thompson Rd. Drop bill in the middle drop box labeled Water Bills.
To reach the water department directly, call 1-866-371-5699.
Leaks must be reported immediately by calling 866-371-5699. Please remember that the water service line from the water main to your building is the responsibility of the owner/renter according to Village Ordinance #350.
Garbage Services: MDC manages waste removal in the Village of Wonder Lake. The pick up day is Friday, and all refuse and recyclables should be at the curb by 6AM. If any of the following holidays fall on Friday, pickup will be on Saturday: New Years Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or any day MDCES is closed. Call 815-568-7274 for service, Seniors are eligible for discounted rates.
Vacation Watch
Provide us the details of your property and the date ranges you will be gone. Once added to our database, your property will be added to our list of vacation watches for officers to check on (time permitting)
Please fill out the Water Service Discontinuation - Short Term form and return to Village Hall at 4444 Thompson Road, Wonder Lake, IL.
If your roadside mailbox is damaged as a result of snow plowing, the village will replace it only if damaged directly by a village owned and operated snowplow. If the damage was caused by the windrow (wall of flying snow) hurled by a passing plow, the village will not repair or replace it. It should be able to withstand the force, weight, and sweep of snow flung by the passing plow. Replacement of mailboxes damaged as a result of being struck by a village plow will be with a standard unit set on a Weather treated 4X4 wooden post. Please bear in mind, however that since the village crews are often frequently committed to several consecutive days of plowing and salting, downed mailboxes cannot be replaced immediately. In that case you will have to pick up your mail at the post office until your box is back in place.
Please use the link above or call the Village of Wonder Police Department direct at (815) 728-0535. If no one is there to answer your call immediately, please leave your message on Voice Mail. Your message is very important to us and will be answered promptly as soon as an Officer is available.
Jacobsen Park Sports Organization has two organized sports: Soccer is played in both Spring and Fall Seasons. For ages 5 to 14. Younger ages play “in house” while older players play as a team in the Fox Valley Recreational League. Contact Larry Reinhard @ 815-728-0674 for further information. Girls softball offers both in house and league play for ages 7 through 15. Play beings in May and ends in late July. Contact Sarah Janesczko, WL Park Director at wlgirlssoftball.wix.com/wlgs for more information.