Village of Machesney Park Celebrates 40th Anniversary

On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the Village of Machesney Park will celebrate 40 years since it became an official Village in the State of Illinois on February 24, 1981.

“We have so much to celebrate in Machesney Park on this 40-year milestone,” said Village of Machesney Park Mayor Steve Johnson. “When we think about our history, there are many things ‘Made in Machesney’ that make our Village an amazing place. With manufacturers like Henning and companies like Field Fastener, our 40th Anniversary is a perfect time to reflect on what makes us great as a community.”

Made in Machesney

“Many amazing things are built by wonderful companies right here in our hometown,” said Mayor Johnson. “Our low cost of living, high quality of life, and competitive wage rates benefit both our employers and their employees. As home to global leaders of both manufactured products and cutting-edge technologies, our entire region can be proud of what’s made in Machesney Park, Illinois.”

“Hennig Inc. has enjoyed being a part of the Machesney Park community for the past 40 years,” said Hennig Inc. President & CEO Dietmar Goellner. “From humble beginnings as a small start-up manufacturer, Hennig has grown to become the village’s largest employer. We are honored and grateful for the support we receive from the leaders of Machesney Park. Despite the pandemic, we recently completed a $20 Million investment in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to expand our capabilities. We are poised to hire about 75 more employees by the end of 2021. Machesney Park has been a crucial piece of the puzzle to help us continue to grow.”

“Midwest Packaging and Container is proud to have operated and thrived in the Village of Machesney Park for the past 23 years,” said Midwest Packaging and Container President Robert Young. “In our time in Machesney Park, Midwest Packaging has grown from humble beginnings and has added two major building expansions, created over 100 jobs, and invested tens of millions of dollars into machinery, efficiencies, and technology. Our location has been instrumental for our growth as a company with our proximity to major industrial markets along the I-39/I-90 corridor. Midwest Packaging is proud to congratulate the Village on this wonderful milestone of 40 years!”

“Field moved to Machesney Park in 1997 and has not looked back,” said Field Fastener President & CEO Jim Derry. “Our Mission is to Improve Lives. Not only the lives of our Team Members, customers, and suppliers, but the communities we operate in. We are so grateful to operate in Machesney Park and give back to the very community who has supported us throughout the years! When we first moved to Machesney Park, we were 22 Team Members strong. We are happy to report now that we are 205 strong across the country! Machesney Park is very well suited for growing companies and business people alike. There is nowhere else we would rather call home.”

“Pig Minds Brewing Company will be celebrating its ninth year in operation,” said Pig Minds Brewing Co. Founder Brian Endl. “We are the country’s first vegan brewery, and our kitchen staff designs delicious vegan comfort food and our brew staff concocts a variety of beers. We employ around 35 exceptional staff members, and we’re thankful to be located in Machesney Park. The community has been very supportive of us!”

“MAS moved to Machesney Park in July 2007,” said Midwest Aero Support, Inc. President Brent Johnson. “The building we purchased fit our needs and had the ability to grow with the company. We have expanded our aerospace repair capabilities to include aircraft structures such as flight control surfaces, and we were recently awarded a distributorship for Safran Aerospace including evacuation, oxygen, and de-ice systems.”

“With a competitive Midwest location along I-39/I 90, a skilled and educated workforce, and six actively developing industrial parks, Machesney Park is well suited to continue growing our industrial base by attracting more manufacturers, business parks, and logistics and distribution companies,” said Village Administrator James Richter II. “Our quality of life – with a shopping corridor that’s home to national big box stores, smaller specialty retail outlets, and numerous national and local restaurants – also helps us attract and retain employers and their employees.”

The History

The area that is presently known as Machesney Park was first settled when large areas of Northern Illinois were opened for settlement in the early 1830’s after the end of the Black Hawk War.

Residential development began to grow in the early 20th century and started to boom in the 1920’s. During this time, the Harlem Consolidated School District was formed to serve the educational needs of the growing community.

The name is derived from the Machesney Airport, which was founded in 1927 by barnstormer/aviator Fred Machesney. The airport was located where the Machesney Park Town Center is today (formerly known as the Machesney Park Mall).

The area continued to grow after World War II, which led to the formation of the North Park Public Water District and a volunteer firefighting company.

It wasn’t until 1980 when citizens began a grass-roots incorporation movement to form a Village. On February 24, 1981, voters decided in a referendum to form the Village of Machesney Park, and the first Village officers were elected in spring of 1982.

“Reflecting on our rich history, I’m honored to serve as Mayor of the Village of Machesney Park,” said Mayor Johnson. “We are a family-friendly community that offers quality services. Thanks to our outstanding school system in the Harlem School District, the absence of a local property tax, and miles of Rock River frontage, Machesney Park is one of the most desirable locations in Northern Illinois to live, work, and play.”