The Village of Lake Zurich has placed a $20.3 million bond referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot to replace the Fire Department's outdated, 46-year-old Station 1 with a new facility at a new, Village-owned location.
Protect. Respond. Support. Sustain.
Protect — Reduce firefighters' exposure to harmful carcinogens and other toxins.
Respond — Improve emergency response times.
Support — Create safe, compliant facilities for today's full-time, coed workforce.
Sustain — Improve energy efficiency and reduce ongoing operating and maintenance costs.
Conceptual Renderings
Why a New Station is Needed
Existing Station 1 no longer meets today's safety, health, or operational standards.
Built in 1980 for a volunteer department — not today's full-time staff
Repeated flooding and roof leaks
Aging electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems
No separation between clean and contaminated areas
Outdated bunk rooms, lacking privacy and coed accommodations for female staff
No elevator to the training room; limited ADA access
Public access directly into living and apparatus areas
Site conditions mean renovation can’t fix these issues
What the Bond Would Fund
A new Station 1 featuring:
Hot Zone contamination-control layout
Updated HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and roofing
Full ADA accessibility
Safer, more efficient apparatus bays
Energy-efficient building systems
Individual bunk rooms, restrooms, and showers for both male and female staff
More storage and workspace
Community training room
Flexible design for future staffing models
Recurring flooding and drainage issues.
Outdated bunk rooms lack privacy and are located near the apparatus bay, impacting firefighter health and wellness.
Insufficient space to separate clean and contaminated areas.
Why Vote Yes
Faster 911 Response
Reduced Cancer Risk for Firefighters
Reliable, Updated Building Systems
Improved ADA Accessibility
Practical, Affordable Investment
Stronger Recruitment & Retention
Long-Term Efficiency & Cost Savings
First-Ever Fire Station Referendum for the Village
Protects Local Property Values
VOTE YES to improve response times and reduce firefighter cancer risk with a new Station 1.
Proposed New Station 1
Location Matters
Proposed New Location: Route 22 & South Old Rand Road
Village already owns the site
No expected negative traffic impact
Faster, more direct emergency routes
Identified as the optimal location to improve response times
Expected to open late 2028 / early 2029
Surrounded by commercial/industrial uses, away from homes
Current site could become part of the adjacent Ela Township community center
Cancer Prevention Matters
According to major industry reports:
Firefighters are 9% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than the general public
Firefighters are 14% more likely to die from cancer
72% of firefighter line-of-duty deaths are cancer-related
The proposed new station would incorporate a Hot Zone layout, helping reduce the risk of cancer for our firefighters.
Response Times Matter
When you call 911, every second counts
Survival rates drop with each passing minute, especially in medical emergencies
Faster response times can save lives
Financing Matters
20-year, $20.3M bond measure
Estimated tax impact is $195/year or $16.26/month for a $450K home
Delaying increases cost due to construction inflation
Hot Zone Layouts Matter
Firefighters can carry are smoke, soot, and diesel exhaust back to the station on their gear and equipment. A Hot Zone layout keeps that contamination contained:
Hot Zone: Apparatus bays, areas where contaminated gear first enters
Transition Zone: Decontamination, laundry, showers
Clean Zone: Living and wellness spaces, offices, training room
Recruitment & Retention Matters
Modern facilities are now the baseline for recruits
Neighboring departments have already modernized
Outdated conditions make hiring and retention harder
A new station would support long-term staffing stability
The Bottom Line
Station 1 was built in a different era, and for a volunteer force. Now, 46 years later, it no longer meets the needs of our full-time fire department.
A new station would fix what renovation can't. It would help improve response times, reduce firefighter cancer risk, and deliver a modern station built to serve our community for decades to come.
Response times matter. Firefighter health and safety matters.
Give Your Support.
Donations will help cover the cost of yard signs and other campaign tools to effectively get the word out. Any amount is greatly appreciated.
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