Population: 43,894 

Located 21 miles west of the loop, Lombard is best known for bein "The Lilac Village". It earned this name in 1927 when Colonel William Plum's estate was bequeathed to the village including his home (which was transformed into the Helen Plum LIbrary), and a garden filled with around 200 varieties of lilac bushes, no nortoriously known as Lilacia Park.  

The annual Lilac Festival each May is a salute to the hundres of varieties of Lilacs planted in beautiful Lilacia Park. Extremely popular among residents, the Lilac Festival Parade draws in excess of 40,000 spectators and has been a tradition since 1930. 

In July, the Lombard Jaycee’s host the Annual Taste of Lombard, which is a five-day Fourth of July fest with food, crafts, carnival rides and, of course, fireworks. In October comes a Jaycee’s tradition -- the legendary haunted house. Voted one of the finest of its kind in Illinois, more than 20,000 people attend each year. 

Houses are equally divided between pre-World War II and postwar construction. There are many beautiful, older neighborhoods with mature shade trees and Victorian homes. There are at least twelve 19th century homes that are local landmarks, the oldest one dating back to 1837. 

Elementary districts 44 and 45 serve the community. High school students attend Glenbard East High School or Willowbrook High School.  

Lombard Park District is one of the best in the greater Chicago area. Lombard Commons is a 45-acre park with a
swimming pool and flowering-crab display garden; Sunset Knoll Park has sledding and toboggan hills. 

The Lombard lagoon is available for skating in the winter, complete with warming house. The Morgan Water Park, the Lombard Log Cabin and many other facilities are covered in the 400-plus acres of the Park District.  

Lombard has an active Chamber of Commerce and Industry. With state-of-the-art business parks and office complexes established along the village’s transportation corridors, the East-West Tollway (I-88) and the North-South Tollway (I-355). Recently Yorktown Mall has expanded and has a new neighbor with the Westin Hotel and Conference Center. Lombard’s businesses enjoy the latest conveniences while the residential community still maintains a home-town atmosphere. 

Easily accessible are I-88, located on Lombard’s southern boundary, and the North-South Tollway (I-355), which runs along the village’s western boundary. Drive time to O’Hare is 30 minutes and to Midway, less than an hour. By car, the Loop is 45 minutes away. Metra commuter express trains reach the Loop in 30 minutes, locals in 45. Also running through the village are Routes 38 (Roosevelt Rd), 56 (Butterfield Rd), 64 (North Ave), and Route 53. 

Website www.villageoflombard.org/