Welcome to my Web site page on the town where I have resided for 20+ years and am a member of the Rotary Club of Rantoul, and the Rantoul Masonic Lodge. If you would like more information than that provided by the following, please contact me via phone, e-mail or my Contact Me page. (Page updated 16 Apr 09)
The Village of Rantoul is a town of about 13,000 persons in east central Illinois, in north Champaign County. It is 14 miles north of Champaign-Urbana and the University of Illinois, at the intersection of US-45 and US-136. I-57 runs along its west side (Exit 250). Rantoul provides a full array of recreational facilities and municipal services. The village was incorporated in 1868 and is in a rich blacksoil farm area where corn and soybeans are grown primarily.
Rantoul is noted for being the former home of Chanute Air Force Base, which closed in 1993. But it is also now home for the Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum, the Korean War Veterans National Museum, Camp Rantoul where the University of Illinois football team trains in late summer, and Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy.
Several major national manufacturers have plants in or near Rantoul, producing items with which you may be very familiar. For example:
• Eagle Wings Industries produces parts for Mitsubishi automobiles.
• Bell Sports produces their famous bicycle, racing, and motorcycle helmets and Riddell football helmets here.
• The Combe Laboratories facility produces Lanacane, Odor-Eaters insoles, Cepacol lozenges, Sea-Bond denture adhesive, Lectric Shave and Aqua Velva lotions, and many other personal care products.
• The Conair Corp. plant likewise produces many personal care products sold nationwide.
• The Jeld-Wen plant produces energy-efficient windows and doors.
Major retail stores in town are Wal-Mart Supercenter, Rural King, Walgreen's, and Rantoul IGA+ grocery store. Three notable specialty businesses in downtown Rantoul are Jill's Creative Expressions (engraving, advertising specialties, unique gifts, and much more), A House of Fowers and Gifts by Paula (flowers and gifts), and Deena's Style Shop ("Today's Fashions for Today's Woman"). And there is J.J.'s Plant Shop on south Tanner Street when you need flowers for a special occasion or a special someone.
A few miles to the east is Gordyville USA, the site for huge flea markets (second weekend of each month), auctions, rodeos, horse shows, agricultural exhibits, and other activities.
A unique and special place west of Rantoul on County Road 2900N is Hardy's Reindeer Ranch, famous for its reindeer and its multi-acre Cornfusion Corn Maze. They also have hayrides, the Country Barn Gift Shop, a pedal race car track, and a western-style banquet hall.
The town newspaper is the Rantoul Press, which comes out every Wednesday. The major daily newspaper in the area is The News-Gazette published in Champaign.
Financial institutions in town include the Bank of Rantoul, First Bank of Rantoul, Credit Union 1, and Community Plus Federal Credit Union.
Within a half-hour commute are two major educational institutions: Parkland College (the local community college) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (home of the Fighting Illini).
VILLAGE INFORMATION LINKS:
Village of Rantoul - Official web site for the village
Inside Rantoul - A community directory page that provides access to information on food and spirits, lodging, parks and recreation, local schools, community groups, museums, and so on in Rantoul
Village Hall - Village administration Web page that provides information on village departments, codes and ordinances, officials, and development
Rantoul Airport - Village Web page for the Rantoul National Aviation Center. The runways on the former Chanute Air Force Base are operational with a fixed base operator (FBO). Air shows, Boy Scout Jamborees, and other major events are held here.
Parks and Recreation - Village Web page for the Rantoul Parks and Recreation Department
Public Safety - Village Web page for the Rantoul Police Department
Public Works - Village Web page for the Rantoul Public Works Department
Rantoul City Schools - Elementary and middle schools in Rantoul
Rantoul Township High School - High school attended by students residing in Rantoul, Gifford, Ludlow, Flatville, Thomasboro, and surrounding rural areas
OTHER LINKS:
Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce - Serving the business community in and around Rantoul.
Rantoul Public Library - An excellent facility providing a wide range of library services and materials
St. Malachy School - Catholic elementary school in Rantoul
Gordyville USA - Horse shows, agricultural events, flea markets, and other events are held here, and there is a restaurant.
Hardy's Reindeer Ranch - Visit the reindeer, walk the cornfusion maze, and much more.
Korean War Veterans National Museum & Library - Dedicated to and in remembrance of those who fought in the "fogotten war."
Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy - Operated by the Illinois National Guard, its mission is to train, mentor, and develop young people into contributing members of their community.
Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum - Exhibits and interpretations of aviation and aerospace artifacts, with special emphasis on the life and accomplishments of Octave Chanute, Chanute Field/Chanute Air Force Base, the history of Illinois aviation, and the community of Rantoul. A very large collection of aircraft inside and outside, plus ICBM silo trainers.
Rantoul Theatre Group - Bringing live theater to Rantoul.
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