BUSINESS SUPPORT AND INFORMATION
The Village of Winnetka makes every effort to foster and maintain cooperation between the Village
government 
and
the business community. Frequently, the Village and Chamber of Commerce collaborate
to encourage new businesses to locate in the Village. For information
pertaining to the Winnetka Chamber of Commerce, please contact Ms. Cicely Clarke Michalak,
Executive Director, at (847) 446-4451. E-mail: wcc@winnetkachamber.com.
For information on available commercial space, please go to the home
page. Click "Departments." Click "Community
Development. Click "Commercial Vacancies."
The Village's Community Development
Department also should be contacted at (847) 716-3576, regarding
zoning and building codes prior to making a location commitment. E-mail: mdonofrio@winnetka.org
. The Village Manager also is available to assist you
with starting a new retail business. Call (847) 716-3542, or email: dwilliams@winnetka.org.
The following summarizes the current relevant
statistics for Winnetka::
| Population |
12,419
(2000 census) |
| Retail
Sales: |
$130,000,000
(2009 estimate) |
| Sales
Tax Rate: |
8.5% (eff.7/1/10) |
| Housing
Units: |
4,310
(2000 census) |
| Distance
from Chicago: |
16
miles |
Winnetka has three distinctive shopping and service areas:
Indian Hill Area - (Green Bay Road from Winnetka Avenue south
to the Village of Kenilworth corporate limits)
Elm Street Area -
(Elm street from Birch Street to Arbor Vitae)
Hubbard Woods
Area - (Green Bay Road from Tower Road to Scott Avenue).
GUIDE TO VILLAGE SERVICES
FOR BUSINESS
Building and Other Related Permits
Building and other related permits are required
for additions, interior remodeling, and demolition. Please contact the Community
Development Department at (847) 716-3576 before undertaking any construction
work in your business. E-mail: bnorkus@winnetka.org
Business Licenses
Most businesses do not require a license.
The Village licenses all restaurants selling food and/or liquor. The Village
also licenses amusement devices, grocery stores, parades,
fireworks, and service stations. All other businesses are not licensed. Contact
the Village Clerk's Office at (847) 716-3541, for applications and fee schedules,
or e-mail: kscanlan@winnetka.org
Electric & Water Service
The Winnetka Water and Electric Department
furnishes electricity and water to the Village. To obtain electric service
a new customer must sign and submit a customer service application card that
can be obtained from the Village Finance Department. Call (847) 446-9550,
or e-mail: utilitybilling@winnetka.org
Fire Prevention and Inspection
The Fire Prevention Bureau oversees scheduled
inspections of public and commercial buildings, plan reviews of new construction
and remodeling, installed systems, and underground flammable and combustible
liquid storage. If you have any questions, please call the Fire Department
at 501-6029. E-mail: ssmith@winnetka.org
Maps
Street maps of Winnetka are available from the Public Works Department at the
Village Yards, 1390 Willow Road. Call (847) 716-3568, or e-mail: ebraun@winnetka.org.
Refuse Collection
Please contact the Public Works Department
to arrange for regular trash collection. Call (847) 716-3568, or e-mail: ebraun@winnetka.org
Signs
All signs in the commercial areas are regulated
by the Village. Please contact the Department of Community Development at
(847) 716-3576. E-mail: bnorkus@winnetka.org
Utilities
| Cable
TV: |
Comcast,
866-594-1234 (See Cable Television) |
|
| Electric: |
Village of Winnetka, (847) 716-3558 |
bkeys@winnetka.org
|
| Natural
Gas: |
North
Shore Gas, (966) 556-6004 (most of the village) |
|
| |
Northern
Illinois Gas, 490-8900. (Indian
Hill area) |
|
| Sanitary
Sewer Service: |
Village of Winnetka. Telephone (847) 716-3530 |
ssaunders@winnetka.org |
| Telephone: |
Ameritech.
See telephone book for service desired |
|
| Water: |
Village of Winnetka, (847) 716-3558 |
bkeys@winnetka.org
|
Zoning Code
The Zoning Code distinguishes between retail
and service businesses. Retail businesses are allowed, by right, to locate
in the commercial areas. Service businesses are restricted in some areas of
the commercial district. A certificate of occupancy, requiring village inspections,
is needed when the use of a location will be changing (for example, a building
use is changing from a dress shop to a restaurant). It is advisable to contact
the Department of Community Development at (847) 716-3576 regarding zoning
and building codes prior to making a location commitment. E-mail: mdonofrio@winnetka.org.
