Winnetka was incorporated on March 10, 1869. Its founders named the new community Winnetka, a Native American word meaning “beautiful land.”

Winnetka has retained the natural beauty that brought early settlers to the area. Picturesquely situated on the shore of Lake Michigan, just 16 miles north of Chicago, the Village is made up of tranquil tree-shaded streets and family-oriented neighborhoods as well as three quaint in-town business districts that are home to a variety of shops and businesses.

The Village’s vision statement describes Winnetka as “…a village in a natural setting committed to its tradition of residential neighborhoods, citizen involvement, local shops and educational excellence…”

Recreational facilities abound in Winnetka. Four public beaches and a boat launch, numerous parks, athletic fields, an indoor tennis club, ice rink, public golf course and forest preserve areas can be enjoyed by Winnetka residents. Call the Winnetka Park District at 501-2040 for more information.

The Winnetka Public Library, located at the corner of Green Bay Road and Oak Street, just south of Village Hall, boasts over 106,000 books, as well as video and audio items (including books on tape and compact discs), periodicals, reference materials, internet access and direct computer link to 25 area libraries. Call 446-7220 to learn more about the library.

Numerous recreational programs and activities for all age groups are available through the Winnetka Community House, a non-profit community organization. The Community House also serves as a meeting place for clubs and organizations. For more information about Community House programs call 446-0537.

The North Shore Senior Center offers a wide variety of services and recreational options to Winnetka seniors. For information, call 446-8750.

Winnetka schools are among the finest in the nation.  The public school system offers three elementary, one junior high and one high school. Three private elementary schools and one private high school are also located within the Village.

The Village is home to twelve places of worship.

Community organizations dealing with history, gardening, art, music, sports, and many other interests are abundant in Winnetka.

The Chicago and Northwestern (Metra) railroad serves Winnetka. Three stations are located in the Village (Elm Street, Indian Hill and Hubbard Woods). Pace bus transportation is also available.

Winnetka Government

Winnetka is a Home-Rule Community, and has a Council-Manager form of government.

Council Meetings are held in the Village Hall Council Chamber at 7:30 in the evening on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Agendas are available at the Library or on this web site. A portion of every Council Meeting is set aside to hear comments from Winnetka residents regarding any Village issue.

The Winnetka Village Hall is located at 510 Green Bay Road – telephone (847) 501-6000

New Resident Check List

The following items may be obtained in person at Village Hall or by calling Village Hall at (847) 501 – 6000. Other useful information like providers of cable TV service, telephone service, natural gas service, etc. can be located in the alphabetical guide to Village Services.

Voter Registration:  After living in Winnetka for 30 days, you may register in the Clerk’s Office, on the second floor of the Village Hall. Two proofs of identification must be furnished in order to register; one must show your current Winnetka address, i.e., driver’s license, check, or piece of delivered mail. Call 716-3541 with questions if you have questions.

Village Sticker:  Village license windshield stickers cost $40 per vehicle and must be renewed on a calendar year basis. A transfer to replace an assigned sticker during the year, can be purchased for $1. Village sticker forms are available at the cashier's counter at Village Hall.

Utility Service:  To obtain electric and water service, residents must request service and submit a signed application card, which is available at the cashier's counter at Village Hall or by calling 446-9550. Renters are required to pay a deposit.

Vehicle License:  Village license windshield stickers are $40 per vehicle and must be displayed on a calendar year basis. A transfer to replace a sticker (from a sold vehicle) can be purchased for $1.

Dog License:  A dog license must be displayed on each Winnetka dog over six months of age on a calendar year basis. The dog’s rabies certificate from a vet must accompany the application. License forms are available at the Cashier's counter at Village Hall, 510 Green Bay Road.

Parking:  There is no parking on village streets between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. 

A commuter parking permit may be purchased from the Cashier at Village Hall on a six-month basis for a resident rate of $100 (or daily, single-use permits for $3 each, for occasional use). The cost of the 6 month pass is pro-rated at the end of each month.

Residents living in Winnetka's business districts are eligible to purchase a Zone "C" permit if their buildings do not provide parking accommodations. Since train and business district parking is often in great demand, permit holders may not always find open parking spaces where and when desired.

Yard Bags:  Yard waste bags and tags for bundles of branches or for extra refuse can be obtained for $2 each at the Cashier’s counter in Village Hall. A $2 sticker may also be used on a generic paper yard waste bag.

Telephone Numbers

Telephone Numbers Police, Fire, Medical Emergency ...............9-1-1
Police, Fire Medical Emergency from a cell phone......................9-1-1

• Winnetka Village Hall..................... 847-501-6000
• Community Development..............847-716-3576
• Finance Offices............................... 847-501-6000
• Fire – Non Emergency................... 847-501-6029
• Police – Non Emergency............... 847-501-6034
• Public Works – Office..................... 847-716-3568
• Public Works – Maintenance......... 847-716-3277
• Refuse & Recycling Collection......847-446-9552
• Village Manager’s Office............... 847-716-3541
• Water & Electric – Office............... 847-716-3558
• Water & Electric – Billing .............. 847-446-9550
• Water & Electric –
   Problems/Emergency................... 847-716-2531
  Telecommunication for the Deaf... 847-501-6041
  
  
• Utilities
• Electric: Village of Winnetka......... 847-716-3558
• Water: Village of Winnetka........... 847-716-3558
• Sanitary Sewer: Village ................ 847-716-3530
• Natural Gas:
•  North Shore (most of Village).... 866-556-6004
•  Northern Illinois (Indian Hill)........ 847-490-8900
• Telephone: Ameritech......... See telephone book
• Cable Television: ComCast......... 866-594-1234
  
  
• Other Important Telephone Numbers
• New Trier Township Office............. 847-446-8202
• Winnetka (Main) Post Office......... 847-446-1721
• Winnetka Public Library................ 847-446-7220
• Winnetka School District 36.......... 847-446-9400
• New Trier High School................... 847-446-7000
• Chamber of Commerce................. 847-446-4451

Winnetka Government | New Resident Check List | Telephone Numbers