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History
The earliest recorded residents of the Northbrook area were the Potawatomi tribe under Chief Shabbona. In 1833 the tribe ceded their land in Illinois and relocated near Council Bluffs, Iowa. Joel Sterling Sherman and his family bought 159 acres for $1.25 per acre in the northwest quarter of Section 10. This is the site of the Northbrook Central Business District.
Soon after Mr. Sherman bought that land the area was named Shermerville after Mr. Frederick Schermer who donated the land for the first railroad station (Schermer Station and later Shermer Station). By the 1870’s the region was a farm town with well-established brick yards which prospered during the rebuilding that followed the Great Chicago Fire in October of 1871.
In 1901 following a close referendum, the town was incorporated as Shermerville with about 60 homes and 311 residents. By 1921, residents felt that the Shermerville name had a bad reputation. After a contest, the new name of Northbrook, submitted by Edward Landwehr, was adopted as the official name in 1923. At that time there were 500 residents.
Northbrook did not grow rapidly until after World War II when subdivisions of homes were first developed. In 1940 the population was 1,265, but by 1960 the population was 11,635. Another growth spurt was stimulated by the completion in 1963 of a water line to bring Lake Michigan water to Northbrook’s new water treatment plant. By 1970 the population had more than doubled to 25,422. The current population is 33,435 (2000 census).
General Information
Located just 25 miles north of downtown Chicago in the heart of the North Shore, Northbrook is the ideal place to live, work, shop and play. The Village is graced with a vibrant and diverse business community, top-rated schools, outstanding recreational facilities and civic-minded residents who work tirelessly to bring together world class amenities in a small town setting.
Among the Fortune 500 companies who call Northbrook home are Allstate, Culligan Water Technologies, Crate & Barrel and Underwriters Laboratories. More than 700 manufacturing, light industrial and service-related businesses are clustered in Northbrook’s Sky Harbor Industrial Park. In addition, The Village has a strong retail community that is anchored by Northbrook Court, the North Shore’s premier shopping center.
Convenient transportation is one of Northbrook’s most notable attributes. The community has immediate access to the tri-state tollway (I-294) and the Edens expressway (I-94), and is served by the Metra commuter rail. O’Hare International Airport is 17 miles southwest of the Village.
From kindergarten through high school, Northbrook boasts one of the finest education systems in the state. Students consistently score above average on standardized tests including the Prairie State Achievement Examination, ACT and SAT. A wide array of academic and co-curricular programs provide a well-rounded environment.
Goverment
Endowed with a diverse tax base, an excellent professional staff and a pool of capable and committed civic leaders, the Village of Northbrook provides superior services to residents and businesses. The efficiency and effectiveness of the village government is evident throughout the community – from the state of the art enhanced emergency phone system to the well maintained roadways.
Northbrook boast several unique advantages— easy access to all modes of transportation, the only offshore community with a direct water connection to Lake Michigan, an AAA bond rating from Moody’s and a Class 2 Insurance rating.
The Village Northbrook has a Council-Manager form of government. The Village President, six-member Board of Trustees and the Village Clerk are elected at large for staggered four year terms. Meetings are open to the public and are cablecast live on NCTV Cable Channel 17.
At the state level, Northbrook is divided among two senatorial districts, 9th and 29th, and four representatives seats, 57th, 58th, 59th and 17th. Click here for a list of county, state and federal elected officials.
Learn more about this city
City of NORTHBROOK, IL official site
City of NORTHBROOK, IL chamber of commerce
City of NORTHBROOK, IL general information
City of NORTHBROOK, IL yellow pages
City of NORTHBROOK, IL newspaper
County of COOK, IL official site