Editing Royal Lakes, Illinois (section)

==History==
The site that would eventually become Royal Lakes was purchased by a [[Chicago]] developer in 1956.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://genealogytrails.com/ill/macoupin/hilyard.html | title = Royal Lakes Resort | work = History of Hilyard, Illinois | publisher = Village of Royal Lakes | access-date = March 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.macoupinctygenealogy.org/township/m_hilyar.html#royal | title = Royal Lakes Information | publisher = Macoupin County, IL GenWeb | access-date = March 17, 2010}}</ref> The {{convert|320|acre|km2|adj=on}} tract was to be developed as a resort-style community. Three small lakes – Meshach, Shad, and Shadrach – were constructed for recreational purposes and the remaining land was divided into 2,435 lots, each measuring {{convert|25|by|125|ft}}.<ref name="RL History">{{cite web | url = http://www.villageofroyallakes.com/page4.html | title = The History of the Village of Royal Lakes | publisher = Village of Royal Lakes | access-date = March 17, 2010 | url-status = usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081120121745/http://www.villageofroyallakes.com/page4.html | archive-date = November 20, 2008 }}</ref> Royal Lakes was marketed as an affordable resort location in a rural setting. The community was heavily promoted in the predominantly [[African American]] neighborhoods of [[St. Louis]] and [[East St. Louis, Illinois|East St. Louis]].<ref name="RL History"/> In 1957, the first families moved into Royal Lakes. A community church was organized in 1961, and the congregation moved into a permanent building seven years later.

Due to Royal Lakes' status as a "resort" area, a lack of zoning regulations meant that there had been no provisions for the developer to provide basic infrastructure. With no road maintenance, water supply, or proper sewage disposal, the overall quality of life for residents of the community deteriorated. By the early 1970s, residents agreed that the only way to improve conditions in the community was through [[municipal incorporation|incorporation]]. An incorporation election was held in October 1972. Of the 98 votes cast, 89 were in favor of incorporation and 9 opposed. Royal Lakes officially became the Village of Royal Lakes.<ref name="RL History"/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/ipub11.pdf | title = Illinois Counties & Incorporated Municipalities | publisher = [[Illinois Secretary of State]] | date = May 2006  | access-date = March 17, 2010}}</ref>

The village's first mayor, Thomas J. Stoddard, and other members of the municipal government took office in April 1973.