📜 History of the Public Works Department
The Department of Public Works traces its roots back to May 6, 1902, when the position of City Engineer was created by the City Council. The creation of the Superintendent of Streets position quickly followed. By June 1902, the Street Superintendent was authorized to “put prisoners to work” maintaining the city’s streets. On June 27, 1902, it was authorized that if prisoners attempted to flee, a ball and chain could be attached to prevent escape.
In November 1902, the City Council consolidated several positions into the Department of Public Works, forming a department of 11 authorized positions. (Today, the department has only 24.)
The first water well was established on September 1, 1900, at the corner of 28th Street and Ebenezer Avenue, near the Zion Cookie Factory. A second well was drilled in Shiloh Park in 1902, followed by a third in approximately 1904, located west of the railroad tracks in Shiloh Park.
The first water main—6-inch cast iron pipe—was installed between Ebenezer and Elizabeth Avenues, and between 29th and 27th Streets. This installation, approved in August 1903, may still be in use today.
On March 22, 1907, Ordinance #119 required all able-bodied men between the ages of 21 and 50 to labor on the streets and alleys for two days per year. Workers were paid 75 cents per day, and failure to comply resulted in a fine between $5 and $10.
In 1925, a $30,000 bond was issued to construct a well, pump, building, and a 100,000-gallon, 100-foot-tall water tower. Between 1926 and 1929, a total of 21 miles of water main were installed, and 166 fire hydrants were added. However, high mineral levels caused issues with taste, appearance, and mechanical systems.
In 1956, the City implemented water usage restrictions due to quality and quantity issues. Water-cooled air conditioning, car washing, and lawn sprinkling were prohibited.
The Lake County Public Water District was established by the State of Illinois in 1957, after which the City began purchasing its water from the district.
Growth within Zion can be tracked by the increase in water meters: 172 in 1927, 858 in 1936, 1,217 in 1946, and 2,050 by 1959. Today, more than 6,000 water accounts are active in the City of Zion.