Plano, Illinois
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Notable For
Plano gives its name to a large manufacturing operation known as Plano Synergy. If you've ever bought Plano boxes for fishing or a Caboodles makeup case, you've bought something from Plano Synergy. Architectural fans will recognize Plano as the home of the famous Farnsworth House that was designed by the architect Mies van der Rohe. Crop farming is a large industry in the area around Plano due to the wide tracts of farmland and excellent soil conditions that Illinois is known for.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Plano is slightly below the U.S. average. This is due to the somewhat rural location that, while pleasant, doesn't have much in the way of amenities like major grocery stores and retailers. Property taxes are very reasonable as Kendall County doesn't have to deal with budget shortfalls that larger counties face on a regular basis. Housing stock ranges from modern tract homes to stately Victorians and 100-year-old-plus farm houses. Finding a home that fits a family's needs is easy to do in Plano.
Transportation
Plano's far-suburban location means there's little public transportation available and getting to most places requires a vehicle. Route 34, also known as Ogden Avenue, runs through the town and offers east/west access to nearby destinations. Route 47 is just to the east and has north/south access to the I-88 tollway. The Plano Amtrak station, located on Main Street, operates on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad line. It takes a little over an hour to get to downtown Chicago via Amtrak which makes Plano a good option for commuters who want access to jobs in Chicago without the Chicago lifestyle. There is no bus service available in Plano or in nearby towns.
Schools
Students who live in Plano attend CUSD 88 which is made up of two elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and one special needs school. The student population is on the low side which means more individual attention can be given to students who are in need. Plano High School offers AP classes and about half the students at the high school are in an AP class at any given time. While CUSD 88 is considered an average school district in terms of test scores, it does offer students the ability to get a quality education due to the fact the administration is interested in pushing students to succeed.
Attractions
The aforementioned Farnsworth House is surrounded by Silver Springs State Park and the Fox River which offer outdoor activities year-round. Also nearby is the Barnsworth Exhibition Center, a small structure built by Mies van der Rohe's students and intended to complement the Farnsworth House. Plano is full of parks for the public to enjoy and offer all kinds of things to do. Hang out at the creek in Foli Park and drop in a line to see if the fish are biting or take the kids to Lathrop Park for the play structures and shaded area for sitting. Plano offers a slower pace of life, but it's not without interesting things to do.