Stillman Valley, Illinois

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coordinates: 42°6′21″N, 89°10′48″W
Village of Stillman Valley

Location in the state of Illinois
County	Ogle
Government
- Village President	Jim Mays (R)
Area
- City	1.4 km² (0.5 sq mi)
- Land	1.4 km² (0.5 sq mi)
- Water	0.0 km² (0 sq mi)
Population (2000)
- City	1,048 (city proper)
- Density	735.7/km² (1,905.5/sq mi)
	?
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CST (UTC-5)
Website: Village of Stillman Valley

Stillman Valley is a village in the Marion Township in Ogle County, Illinois, and is east of Byron, south of Rockford, and west of Davis Junction. The population was 1,048 at the 2000 census. As of the 2005 estimate, Stillman Valley's population had risen to 1,097. The village is located on the Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad, on the old Chicago Great Western Railway before it merged and was pulled up. Also, Illinois Route 72 runs through the village, and is near the location for the beginning of the Black Hawk War. The war memorial for the Battle of Stillman's Run is located in this village.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Demographics
4 Political Representation
5 Schools
6 Notable People
7 See also
8 External links

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.4 km² (0.6 mi²), all land.

[edit] History

Stillman Valley was founded in North Central Illinois in 1876. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't named after Major Isaiah Stillman. A creek running through the community was named after Major Stillman of the US Army who fought in the first armed battle of the Blackhawk War on May 13, 1832. Following the day after the battle, Abraham Lincoln helped in burying the dead soldiers who had fought in this battle.^[1] The town itself was named after Stillman Creek. The valley serves as the watershed for the creek, hence the name Stillman Valley. However, the battleground and the place where the soldiers from the Blackhawk War are buried, lies in the present day town of Stillman Valley at the Stillman's Run Battle Site. A large memorial to this battle is located in Stillman Valley. It reads: "Here, on May 14, 1832, the first engagement of the Black Hawk War took place. When 275 Illinois militiamen under Maj. Isaiah Stillman were put to flight by Black Hawk and his warriors."

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,048 people, 395 households, and 295 families residing in the village. The population density was 735.7/km² (1,912.8/mi²). There were 417 housing units at an average density of 292.7/km² (761.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.23% White, 0.29% African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.48% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.43% of the population.

There were 395 households out of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the village the population was spread out with 30.5% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $46,845, and the median income for a family was $54,792. Males had a median income of $36,635 versus $28,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $21,036. About 4.6% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over. They are state champions in football 99,00,03

[edit] Political Representation

Monumnet located in Stillman Valley

Stillman Valley is in Illinois' 16th Congressional District. As of 2006, the two Senators representing this district are Senator Richard Durbin (D) and Senator Barack Obama (D). The Congressional Representative is Representative Donald Manzullo (R). Stillman Valley's state representatives are Representative Bob Pritchard and Senator Brad Burzynski. Stillman Valley has a Board of Trustees who serve alternating four year terms. The Village President (by statute this is synonymous with the term "Mayor") serves a four year term as well. The Honorable James Leather served as the Mayor from 1984 - 2004 for a total of 20 years service. The Mayor serving a term running from 2004 - 2008 is The Honorable Jim Mays. Stillman Valley, like Ogle County, tends to vote for Republicans in overwhelming numbers. Stillman Valley voted for George W. Bush for President during both the 2000 and 2004 elections.

[edit] Schools

Stillman Valley is in the *Meridian Unified School District. (District #223) The school district has four schools and covers approximately 125 square miles. The schools are Highland Grade School, Monroe Center School, Meridian Junior High School and Stillman Valley High School.