Projects

Loves Park, a growing City of nearly 24,000 residents, does not levy a property tax, making major capital expenditures challenging, especially during sluggish economic times.

The City’s Fire Department is led by one full-time chief and 40-50 full/part-time and paid on-call volunteer members. Concerned with aging fire trucks, McMahon was asked to assist in applying for a Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

They were successfully funded, allowing them to purchase two NFPA-compliant pumpers. The addition of the trucks improved response time and allowed the City to assist their mutual-aid partners.

Loves Park also added three new tourist venues to their jurisdiction that added three million visitors annually. The Police Department is a full-time department with 34 patrol officers. With increased traffic enforcement needed, and without the ability to increase overtime expenditures, the Police Chief requested assistance in applying for an Illinois Department of Transportation Local Alcohol Enforcement Grant.

Loves Park was funded for the 100% grant program. Enforcement could be increased 20% without the addition of local funds. The grant paid for sustained year-long traffic enforcement focusing on impaired driving, promotion of seat belt use and child safety seats.