Wilmette Board Recognizes Laura Fine After $400K State Budget Award

WILMETTE, IL — Wilmette Village President Senta Plunkett and the Village Board honored Senator Laura Fine at Tuesday's meeting after Fine secured $400,000 in the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget for the village’s capital projects.

Wilmette is working on addressing aging infrastructure as an older community with a range of capital needs. The village’s 2027 capital program totals $58 million, and nearly half of that is earmarked for the new police station project. The village said Fine also secured $500,000 for that project in the state’s 2026 budget.

The remaining capital work includes upgrades at the water treatment facility, water main replacements, lead service line replacements and road program needs, according to the village.

“When communities have major projects to finance such as Wilmette’s new police station, other infrastructure needs tend to be overshadowed,” Senator Fine said. “But continuing strategic investment in capital improvements like water system and transportation needs is fundamental to improving the daily lives of residents in the 9th District.”

Plunkett also thanked Fine for the state support and tied the funding to the village’s ongoing infrastructure plans.

“The Village of Wilmette sincerely thanks Senator Fine for this funding, which will support our aggressive capital investment schedule. Our focus continues to be improving the quality of life for Wilmette residents, as well as the many visitors who travel to and through our community," Plunkett said.