Debt-Free Burr Ridge Likely Envied By Other Towns

BURR RIDGE, IL – There's no getting around it: Many towns would love to be in Burr Ridge's financial position.

Burr Ridge has been debt-free since it paid off the debt for the new police station a few years ago.

Village officials say they have enough money to pay for a new Village Hall, which will be added to the police station. That project, which is slated to start this year, is estimated at $5.8 million.

The village won't get into debt for the work, Mayor Gary Grasso said at this week's Village Board meeting.

"This village is going into 2026 and remains the only village I can think of that is debt-free," he said. "That is a tribute to all the trustees and the staff of how well-run this village is."

Even similarly wealthy towns near Burr Ridge have far more debt:

• Clarendon Hills: $21.5 million
• Elmhurst: $113.6 million
• Hinsdale: $82.5 million
• La Grange: $51.9 million
• Western Springs: $35.3 million

To be sure, Patch found a few towns in the Chicago area with no debt. They include Bannockburn, Barrington Hills, Gurnee, Oak Brook and Old Mill Creek.

Towns' financial reports are on the state comptroller's website.

One of Burr Ridge's advantages is that it enjoys unusually high retail sales per capita, according to the U.S. Census. That helps draw more sales tax income, helping Burr Ridge financially.

The village's sales per capita is $24,151, about three times the numbers in La Grange and Western Springs and more than 50 percent above the levels in Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills.

Elmhurst's sales per capita is higher, at $30, 086.