Algonquin residents report better traffic flow but poorer shopping opportunities in annual survey

About half of Algonquin residents have less than favorable opinions about traffic flow on the village’s major streets, but that share is way down compared with last year.

That’s according to the September 2021 survey of residents, which was sent to 1,750 randomly selected households. About 13% of the surveys were returned, according to a report reviewed by the Algonquin Village Board last month.

The village credited the completion of McHenry County’s Randall Road corridor improvement project and the Illinois Department of Transportation’s repainting of the bridge crossing the Fox River on Algonquin Road for driving the almost 29% increase in residents ranking traffic flow as good or excellent.

About 23% more residents also gave the village good marks when it came to ease of car travel compared with the previous year. The positive marks for car travel may be the result of the finished Old Town streetscape redevelopment, according to the report.

“Commitment to local and regional transportation projects has been a strategic priority for the village,” Village President Debby Sosine said in a news release. “We anticipate additional positive outcomes with the upcoming completion of Longmeadow Parkway.”

The village of Algonquin began conducting the survey in 2012 and this survey marks its 10th. The survey asked residents for feedback on quality of life factors and the quality and importance of municipal services.

The village uses survey results to help set priorities in its annual capital plan and operating budget, according to the release. The fiscal 2022-23 budget, which currently is being developed, will propose additional resources allocated for improvements to the village’s transportation network, water and sewer system and park amenities.

About 95% of residents said Algonquin was a good or excellent place to live. The results weren’t as favorable when asked whether the village is a good place to work, however, with less than 66% giving it the same positive ratings in that category. The village noted in its report that the positive ratings have been increasing, up from about 56% in 2012.

About 56% of residents gave positive responses to the village’s employment opportunities. The village noted that Algonquin saw an unemployment rate of 14% at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when dining and hospitality industries were shut down.

The unemployment rate has since improved, the village said in the report.

The village also said it may see improvements in how residents grade the village’s shopping opportunities with the investments planned by the Red Mountain Group at Algonquin Commons. About 73% of residents gave the village positive reviews on the existing shopping opportunities, down from 89% in 2012.

The full survey, as well as past editions, can be viewed at www.algonquin.org/survey.