Antioch Mayor Scott Gartner

06/12/2026

Happy Friday, Antioch.

I want to start today with a huge congratulations to the Antioch girls softball team on winning the Class 3A State Championship.

What an incredible accomplishment. These young women represented Antioch with talent, toughness, teamwork, and Sequoit pride. A state championship is something that will be remembered forever, not just by the players and coaches, but by the entire community.

Congratulations to the team, the coaches, the families, the school, and everyone who supported them along the way. You made Antioch proud.

And speaking of unforgettable moments — well, we did it.

Despite some serious challenges and some crazy storms yesterday, Everclear took the stage right here in Antioch, Illinois, and played an incredible hour-long set. It turned into a great night, and the people who were there had a blast. Even with the weather, we still had a couple thousand people come out, and people kept showing up as the concert went on.

I want to thank Everclear for coming to Antioch and putting on such a great show. I also want to give special recognition to our special events team and the people who worked through every detail to make this happen — Jim Moran, Katie Kotlowski, Kristen Fielder, and so many others who were involved behind the scenes.

Thank you to Village Administrator Andrew Lichterman for helping keep this moving forward and trusting the team to pull it off. Thank you to Chief Geoff Guttschow and Nick Garcia, Dennis Heimbrodt, Clerk Lori Romine, John Kickert, Lori Konkel our volunteers, our Public Works team, Police Department, Parks and Recreation team, elected officials, sponsors, fire department, sound crew, and everyone else who stepped up.

And honestly, I could keep going, because there is not a person in Village Hall who did not work extremely hard to pull off an event like this.

I know I am probably forgetting people, and if I am, please know it is not intentional. Events like this do not happen because of one person. They happen because a lot of people put in a lot of time, energy, patience, and heart. I am extremely grateful to all of them for putting up with me and helping make such an epic event happen for our community.

Next Thursday, our “It’s Thursday” concert series continues with Mr. Myers bringing Caribbean rock to the Bandshell at 7 p.m.

Then on Saturday, June 20, we have a big day downtown with the opening of our Farmers Market at Sequoit Creek Park starting at 9 a.m., followed by the Summer Wine Walk from noon to 4 p.m. downtown.

Thank you to everyone who continues to show up, support these events, and make Antioch such a fun and special place to call home.

Have a great weekend, rock on, and I’ll see you next week.

Scott

06/11/2026

Everclear 930 so get downtown when all is clear. Grounds open at 9. Enjoy our bars and restaurants with live music in several places, including the two openers playing indoors at Rivalry Alehouse


Well folks - Mother Nature hasn't made this easy, however after much analysis, this show is delayed but set to start at 9:30p tonight!

Grounds will not open until 9 p.m. (as long as the Tornado Watch is lifted). Also, we need to ensure that we have power and working equipment after the latest rounds of storms move through that area.

With the 9:30 p.m. start, we will not have an opening band, just Everclear.

Until the show starts, we encourage you to enjoy our outstanding restaurants and taverns.

Please come out and join us for a concert that is sure to be talked about for generations in Antioch!

We will have another update around 8 p.m. to confirm that our equipment survived, we have power, and the bandshell didn't blow away.

Naked Brunch will play at the Rivalry Alehouse at 8 p.m. tonight.

Yes - there will be a beer tent at the concert.

95 WIIL ROCK Visit Lake County, Illinois Raymond Chevrolet Kia

06/11/2026

4:30 PM CONCERT UPDATE:

The Antioch area is currently under a Tornado Watch until 9 p.m. this evening. As long as there is a Tornado Watch in effect, the William E. Brook Entertainment Center grounds will be closed to the public. Under the current conditions, the earliest tonight's Everclear concert could start would be sometime shortly after 9 p.m.

A final decision about tonight's concert will be posted at 6:30 p.m.

Thank you for your patience. We are trying our hardest to still make this show happen, while also keeping public safety our primary concern.

95 WIIL ROCK, Raymond Chevrolet Kia, Visit Lake County, Illinois

06/11/2026

We will still have a Rock concert tonight. Keep watching for weather updates. Everyone stay safe in the meantime.
Please make plans to go to one of our local bars and restaurants to wait out the weather for the grounds to open.


12:45PM CONCERT UPDATE:

Our staff of public safety officials, weather professionals, weather geeks, and event managers this afternoon, had our latest meeting to discuss the weather's impact on tonight's concert.

First - We will provide our next concert update at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon. Please note that any or all of this may change.

For now, the start of the concert has been delayed. The William E. Brook Entertainment Center grounds are now scheduled to open to the public at 7p.m., with music expected to start shortly afterwards. No one will be allowed on the bandshell grounds before 7 p.m. The first opening act, Joey Acopiado will now perform starting at 6 p.m. at the Rivalry Alehouse. Naked Brunch is still scheduled to perform before Everclear shortly after 7 p.m.

The latest information will be posted here on Facebook, the Village website (www.antioch.il.gov), and NextDoor.com. We encourage everyone planning to attend tonight's concert to wait at one of the many outstanding restaurants and taverns in Antioch.

Station 51 Truck Company Bar & Grill, Rivalry Alehouse, The Lodge of Antioch, 15 Lakes Prime Steakhouse, The Mexican Paradise Cafe, Anastasia's Restaurant & Sports Lounge, Dockers North, Queens Caribbean Kitchen, The Latte Cafe at Sequoit Creek Park, Oliverii North, Limerick Lounge

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

06/06/2026

Good luck ladies.

❤️🖤 Good luck to our Lady Sequoits as they compete for the State Championship today!

Your AYLL family is cheering you on every step of the way. Play hard, trust each other, and enjoy every moment. We're proud of all you've accomplished and can't wait to watch you represent our community on the biggest stage.

Bring home the title! Go Sequoits! ❤️🥎🏆

06/05/2026

Happy Friday, Antioch!

There is a lot going on around town this weekend, which is a good thing — but let’s be honest, there is also going to be a lot of traffic, which is not everyone’s favorite thing.

First, I want to be very clear that I am fully aware of the traffic issues we are dealing with, especially with the closure of Deep Lake Road at Depot Street. This is a Lake County project. The Village did not choose the timing, and we do not control the construction schedule. Lake County has indicated the project is expected to take about 100 days from start to finish.

Obviously, Taste of Summer, the carnival, live music, food vendors, and everything that comes with one of our biggest annual events were booked far in advance. Taste is always downtown, and it is always a major draw. That does not exactly help traffic flow when a major road project is happening at the same time, but it is where we are. Please be patient, plan ahead, leave early, and be conscious of the extra congestion.

I am also very conscious of the train issue in town. Our east-west routes are a challenge, and everyone who lives here knows it. Many people have told me I am crazy to think we can ever get a grade separation done in Antioch.

They may be right. I may be crazy.

But I am going to keep pushing anyway.

I have been working to get this issue on the radar of Congressman Brad Schneider, CMAP, and any state, federal, and local official who will listen to me for more than 30 seconds. The future of Antioch depends on eventually finding a way to improve east-west traffic, address the railroad crossings, and pursue a grade separation and four lanes at some point in the future.

I do not know exactly how it will get done, but if Elon Musk can figure out how to put people into space, somebody can figure out how to separate a road from a train track in Antioch, Illinois.

Now, with all that said, we also have a great weekend ahead.

Taste of Summer is happening downtown from Thursday, June 4 through Sunday, June 7, with live music, carnival rides, food, shopping, exhibitors, and plenty of reasons to come out and support our community.

On Saturday, June 6 at 1:00 p.m., the Antioch Aces vintage baseball game, put on by the Lakes Region Historical Society, will take place at Tim Osmond Sports Complex. This is a great way to celebrate local history, support a local organization, and enjoy something a little different in town.

Also on Saturday, June 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Thrive Pet Supply, formerly Best Pets, is celebrating its grand opening and Barket & Makers Market at 939 Main Street. Please stop by and support another local business investing in our downtown.

I am also happy to report that after about two years of waiting on IDOT permits and working through other negotiations, Chipotle has pulled its permit to begin building near the Kia dealership. This is another sign of continued commercial growth in Antioch, and it is exactly the kind of progress we need as we continue working to grow our tax base and bring more options to our residents.

I also want to congratulate Dennis Heimbrodt, our Director of Public Works, who celebrated 30 years with the Village of Antioch last Monday, June 1. Thirty years of service is a tremendous accomplishment, and Dennis is one of the hardest working guys you will ever meet. It is especially impressive for a guy who looks like he must have started working here when he was 10. In all seriousness, thank you, Dennis, for three decades of service to our community, your leadership, and the countless things you do behind the scenes to keep Antioch moving.

We also have a dynasty going here in Antioch. Congratulations to the Antioch girls softball team for making State again. That is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to the players, coaches, families, and everyone who has helped build such a strong program. Let’s all wish them the best as they continue their run and work to bring home a State championship.

And next week, we kick off our Thursday Night Concert Series with Everclear on Thursday, June 11 at the Antioch Bandshell. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and music starts at 6:00 p.m. It is going to be a big night in Antioch. Please think ahead about how you are getting downtown. Get there early. Walk, carpool, use the train, use a rideshare, or do whatever makes sense for you. We know traffic will be a mess at night, but we are also going to have one hell of a rock ’n’ roll show in Antioch.

Thank you for your patience, thank you for supporting our local businesses and events, and thank you for continuing to show up for Antioch.

Have a great weekend.

05/29/2026

Happy Friday, Antioch!

As we head into the weekend, I want to start with a little good news for our community. Chicago Magazine recently ranked Antioch No. 63 out of 205 suburbs in the Chicago area in its “Best Suburbs to Call Home” list. That is a strong showing, and it confirms what many of us already know: Antioch continues to be noticed as a great place to live, visit, dine, shop, and enjoy.

What is even more encouraging is that Antioch scored especially well in some of the individual categories within the rankings. In one of the entertainment and community-related categories, Antioch ranked in the top 5% among all Chicago-area suburbs. That speaks directly to the energy and character of our community and the work being done by our local businesses, restaurants, event organizers, and residents to make Antioch a destination people enjoy spending time in.

We have a downtown that is active, walkable, and full of local businesses that give our town its personality. Of course, we are not done. No. 63 is nice, but I think Antioch belongs in the top 20. We will keep working toward that by supporting our businesses, investing in our public spaces, and continuing to build the kind of community where people want to spend time.

There is plenty going on around town this weekend. PM&L Theatre has The Lyres Improv Troupe tonight and Rule 62 sketch comedy tomorrow (Saturday), with two shows scheduled. On Sunday, Chicago Blues Hall of Famer Michael Charles and his band will perform at Sunset Grill at 2 p.m. It is another good reminder that you do not have to go far to find live entertainment in Antioch.

The next Antioch Traveling Closet Corporation NFP giveaway is this Sunday, May 31, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 311 Depot Street. The event provides free clothing, toiletries, and essential items to families in need. It is open to residents of Antioch, Fox Lake, Ingleside, Milburn, Third Lake, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Volo, Spring Grove, Richmond, Johnsburg, Grayslake and Round Lake communities (please bring proof of residency). A big thank you to Lisa Fisher and all the ATC volunteers who make this event possible.

Looking ahead, next week is one of our biggest weeks of the summer: Taste of Summer returns downtown June 4 through June 7. This year’s event includes a full schedule of live entertainment, food vendors, exhibitors, shopping, and the return of the carnival at the Bandshell area. It is a great opportunity to bring the family downtown, enjoy our restaurants and shops, and celebrate the start of summer in Antioch.

A few highlights: Taste opens Thursday and Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at noon, and Sunday at noon. The carnival opens Thursday and Friday at 5 p.m., runs all day Saturday, and continues Sunday until 8 p.m. There will also be a special needs carnival quiet time on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon for pre-registered families. Thank you to the Antioch Chamber, sponsors, volunteers, businesses, and Village staff for all the work that goes into making this event happen.

Also, the Latte Cafe at Sequoit Creek Park is open for the season! Please stop by and support them while you enjoy the park. We have also adjusted the splash pad hours to 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., so families with younger kids can enjoy it earlier in the day before the afternoon gets too busy and too hot.

Next week also brings us one step closer to the start of our “It’s Thursday” summer concert series. The kickoff concert is Thursday, June 11, with Everclear at the Antioch Bandshell. The show is free, all ages, and music begins at 5:15 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. That should be a great night downtown and a strong start to another summer of music in Antioch.

Finally, did you see the Antioch resident on Wheel of Fortune earlier this month? I've attached a clip of the May 14th Wheel of Fortune episode featuring Stephanie Hoetzer. Thanks for giving the village a shout-out, Stephanie! https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FJB7SU9-ok3M&data=05%7C02%7Csgartner%40antioch.il.gov%7C09542a4c0aa7496a7aff08debda392f2%7C0afe8a9e493e4f2b9899d2c6904b02f1%7C0%7C0%7C639156707409430769%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=htfZD0qNZDgF7VruUoPav2X5tCZV3fUjT%2F%2BhmILpE1o%3D&reserved=0

Have a great weekend, Antioch. Get outside, support our local businesses, and enjoy everything happening in town. And as always, I will see you around the Village.

Scott

05/24/2026

Memorial Day ceremony tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM at the Antioch VFW.

It’s a short ceremony — about a half hour — but a great way to start the day by taking a few moments to honor those who served and remember the men and women who gave their lives for our country.

After that, I hope everyone enjoys the day around Antioch — grab lunch, do some shopping, get out on the lakes, or just enjoy everything our town has to offer.

Weather looks great. Hope to see you there.

05/22/2026

Happy Friday, Antioch!

I hope everyone is ready for Memorial Day weekend. This is one of my favorite holidays because it hopefully means we can finally put a long Midwest winter behind us. After golf league last night, however, I am not entirely convinced it was not still March.

This week, I had the opportunity to return to the ICSC conference with our Village Administrator, Andrew Lichterman, and Assistant Village Administrator Jim Moran. We had many productive meetings with developers and commercial businesses that we are working to bring to Antioch, including opportunities for the Route 173 corridor and our downtown district.

Antioch continues to stand out at these conferences. The more we tell our story, the more people recognize what we already know: we have a truly unique community, a beautiful downtown, strong neighborhoods, and a tremendous opportunity for thoughtful growth.

I am also happy to share that, after a couple of years of going back and forth with the Illinois Department of Transportation, we are finally ready to move forward with the Marketplace project approval. That means you will start to see some new businesses breaking ground near the Kia dealership. I cannot give away all the surprises just yet, but one of them may involve burritos and burrito bowls — which means my kids may soon be placing orders there every day. Another one is an Illinois company that might help fix bones and joints, if that gives you a hint.

I also want to share a great opportunity being offered by the Antioch Area Healthcare Accessibility Alliance. AAHAA will be hosting a Dementia Friendly Training workshop at the Antioch Library next Saturday. This is an important program that helps residents, businesses, caregivers, and community members better understand dementia and learn how we can make Antioch a more supportive and welcoming place for individuals and families affected by it.

Programs like this are another reminder of what makes Antioch special. We are a community that shows up for each other, supports our neighbors, and looks for ways to make life a little better for the people around us. Please see the attached flyer for more information and registration details.

As exciting as the business and community updates are, the most important part of this weekend is Memorial Day itself. I hope everyone takes time to remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We enjoy weekends like this — with family, friends, cookouts, baseball games, lake days, and time together — because others gave everything to protect those freedoms.

The Antioch American Legion and Antioch VFW will be holding the annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday at the Antioch VFW on North Avenue. The service begins at 10:00 a.m., and I encourage everyone who is able to attend. If you cannot make it, please take a moment sometime this weekend to think about a fallen service member, a veteran, a current member of our military, and the families who have also sacrificed so much.

Also, while you are out and about this weekend, keep an eye out for Antioch’s Star Trail student art program, which is on display throughout town from late May through mid-June. It is a great way to enjoy our community and see the creativity of our local students. And don’t forget, Taste of Summer is coming up June 4–7, so start preparing accordingly — which mostly means deciding whether you are there for the food, the music, the carnival, or all of the above.

Have a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend. Get outside, support our local businesses, enjoy everything Antioch has to offer, and take a moment to remember why this weekend matters.

Happy Memorial Day, Antioch.