Noak Named Mayor of the Year by Illinois Crime Commission

Romeoville Mayor John Noak, who was re-elected in April, has been named the Illinois State Crime Commission's Mayor of the Year.

Noak was recognized during the annual "Salute to Those Who Make a Difference" awards dinner June 19 in Oakbrook.

Noak said he had no idea he was in the running for the honor.

"Everyone is in contention [for the award]," he said. "They don't really tell you," Noak said, adding honorees are nominated by crime commission members.

Crime commission Executive Director Jerry Elsner cited positive developments within the village in recent years.

"It's clean and welcoming for young families, seniors and new businesses. It also has outstanding public services, good streets, solid educational opportunities and tax base," Elsner said, adding Noak has been "instrumental in bringing Romeoville into the 21st Century."

Noak said the awards was the result of a team effort, pointing to initiatives such as the Romeoville police bike patrol, community-oriented policing, the village's Senior Commission and Youth Commission, as well as the Romeoville Youth Police Academy. 

"This is a combination of not only law-enforcement efforts, but also what we've been able to accomplish through economic development," Noak said. "I think it's really a recognition of what our entire team has accomplished."

Development continues in Romeoville, where the remainder of the old Spartans' Square shopping center was recently demolished to make way for the new Romeoville Athletic and Event Center.

The66,000-square-foot community center will include an open space design to house indoor baseball, football, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball and basketball. The $8 million development will be located at Phelps Avenue and Town Hall Drive.

"You'll start to see more ground construction in the next couple weeks" at the site, Noak said, adding the anticipated completion date is February 2014.

Work also continues on the new Romeoville Sam's Club, which recently opened a hiring center on Weber Road and will bring more than 150 jobs to the village.