Apply for Social Service Grants Now
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Each year, the Village of Vernon Hills provides limited funds to support local social service organizations. These grants are approved as part of the Village's budget process, which is now underway. Organizations interested in requesting grant support are invited to submit an application before March 1. More information is available on the 2019-2020 Social Service Grant Application cover letter and application form, which is posted on the Village website.
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Village Budget Schedule Announced
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Work is well underway to create the Village's 2019-2020 Budget. A complete draft is expected to be posted on the Village website by February 22. Trustees will formally review the budget during the March 5 and March 19 Board Meetings. Public Hearings are tentatively scheduled for the April 2 and April 16 Board Meetings. The Village fiscal year begins on May 1. A budget preparation schedule appears on pages 7 and 8 of the February 5 agenda packet.
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VHPD Polar Plunge is March 10
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On March 10, several members of the Vernon Hills Police Department will take part in the Polar Plunge, which directly benefits the Special Olympics of Illinois. Since 2007, VHPD has raised more than $25,000 by taking the chilly dip – and the department is closing in on $50,000 in overall support for our Special Olympians. You can support the Frozen Copsicles through their Special Olympics donation page. Thanks for your support!
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You may notice a new look on some of our Vernon Hills Police squads. The new design began showing up on our streets at the end of January.
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Next Village Board Meetings:
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Tuesday, February 19 at 7 p.m.
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Tuesday, March 5 at 7 p.m.
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Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m.
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Wednesday, April 3 at 7 p.m.
- The full Meeting Schedule is available on the Meeting Schedules webpage.
- Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are held at Village Hall, 290 Evergreen Drive at Route 45 unless otherwise noted. Note that the April 3 meeting will be held on Wednesday due to the Tuesday Election.
- Residents are encouraged to attend meetings, as well as view them on the Village YouTube Channel and on Cable Access. Agendas and minutes are posted online.
A Few Items of Interest...
- Board Approves Kindergarten: During the February 5 meeting, Trustees approved a number of requests to support construction of the Hawthorn District 73 Kindergarten Center, which will connect with the Vernon Hills Park District Sullivan Center. (Village Board 2-5-2019)
- Aspen Drive Library Addition Moves Forward: Also during the February 5 meeting, the Board approved a series of requests by the Cook Memorial Public Library authorizing expansion of the Aspen Drive Library and parking lot. (Village Board 2-5-2019)
- Pet Sales Restrictions: Trustees voted to prohibit pet sales in the Village. The ordinance relates to dogs and cats, with discussion to consider expanding to rabbits or other pets that often come through "puppy mill" facilities. Residents may still obtain pets from rescue organizations or shelters or from hobby breeders where consumers can directly see the conditions in which the dogs or cats are bred. (Village Board 2-5-2019)
- Petrillo Sworn In: During the February 5 meeting, Jon Petrillo was sworn in as Deputy Village Clerk. A former member of the Vernon Hills Police Department, Petrillo was recently hired as Assistant Village Manager. (Village Board 2-5-2019) (Village Board 1-22-2019)
- Goddard School Expansion: Representatives of Goddard School presented initial concept plans for an approximately 3,780 square foot addition. Trustees were generally favorable, with the next step being technical review and presentation to the Planning and Zoning Commission. (Village Board 1-22-2019)
- Budget Review: Trustees are expected to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2019-20 Budget during the Board Meetings scheduled for March 5 and March 19. A budget draft is expected to be posted on the Village website by February 22.
- CSO Niskanen Honored: On January 28, VHPD Community Service Officer Gerald Niskanen received the Department's Lifesaving Award for his actions in saving a choking victim at Hawthorn Mall, where he also works as a security officer. While we're at it, best wishes to CSO Niskanen for 35 years on the force this March.
- New Officers: Also on January 28, VHPD swore in two new officers – Officer Jorie Horn and Officer Adam Hill. Welcome.
Welcome back, Jon Petrillo, who was recently hired as Assistant Village Manager. Jon served 24 years in the Vernon Hills Police Department before moving on to become the chief of administration for the Lake County Sheriff's Office under former Sheriff Mark Curran.
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Vernon Hills Update Cable/Web Show
Check out the February Vernon Hills Update for information from the Stand Strong Coalition and the Stevenson High School Catalyst Club about the dangers of vaping, smoking and prescription drugs. We'll also hear from Countryside Fire's Tony Rodkey with a warning to always stay off the ponds, no matter how thick the ice seems. Finally, we visit the local independent resale shop Back in the Loop. New episodes are presented each month, and you can find them all on the Village's Vernon Hills Update YouTube Channel.
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April 2, 2019 Consolidated Election
The Consolidated Election for Tuesday, April 2 will cover a variety of local positions, including municipal officials, library trustees, park district commissioners and school board members. View the candidate lists on the Lake County IL County Clerk Election webpage. If voting on Election Day is difficult, Vote-by-Mail begins March 8, and Early Voting begins March 18. To check your registration status, or learn how to register to vote, check the Lake County Voter Services webpages.
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IRS SCAM SEASON
Just as sure as spring brings tax season, it also seems to bring out lots of scammers who try to scare people by pretending to be the IRS. Scammers do a good job of seeming real – they may even "spoof" a phone number so your caller ID shows IRS or something official sounding.
"It's normal to be frightened the first time you receive one of these calls, but do not be intimidated," says VHPD Crime Prevention Officer Kim Christenson. "The number one thing to remember is to just hang up at the first reference to the IRS and not tell the caller anything. If a message is left, do not call back."
Please remember, the IRS will never call to demand immediate payment, nor will they call you about taxes you owe without first mailing you several notices. They will not call or email you and ask you to verify your identity by asking for personal information. They won't ask for a credit or debit card number over the phone or email, and they will never ask you to pay using something oddly specific, such as a prepaid debit card or gift card. The IRS will not threaten to have you arrested.
In fact, this information holds true with most legitimate organizations. Scammers rely on fear, intimidation and demands for quick action before you have time to think things through.
If you receive a threatening or confusing communication, hang up or delete. If you would like assistance, dial 911 and talk with Vernon Hills Police, or for IRS scams, you can call the IRS at 800-829-1040. You can also learn more from the IRS Tax Scams webpage.
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Our local businesses appreciate our business – and remember that a portion of local sales tax stays here to support Village services. (The Village of Vernon Hills does not collect a property tax.) Here are a few new business occupancy permits and notices that have recently come through Village Hall.
HAWTHORN MALL
Northwest corner Milwaukee Avenue and Townline Road
- The Sock Shop kiosk
- Luv Your Doggie kiosk
MELLODY FARM
Northeast corner Milwaukee Avenue and Townline Road
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Online Registration Open for
Hawthorn Kindergarten
Online pre-registration is now open for all incoming Hawthorn District 73 kindergarten students for the 2019-2020 school year. The pre-registration form is due by Thursday, February 28.
For the first time, kindergarten registration is an online process. The District has contracted with a third-party vendor to automatically verify student address information. There will be no in-person kindergarten registration event this year.
Children who turn 5 on or before September 1, 2019 and who live within the District 73 boundaries are eligible for kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school year. Parents may verify that they live within the boundaries by checking the boundary map on the Hawthorn District 73 website.
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 Aspen Library Movie Matinee – Feb. 8 at 1:30 p.m. – First Man (Rated PG-13) Library Calendar
Aspen Library Movie Matinee – Feb. 15 at 1:30 p.m. – Boy Erased (Rated R) Library Calendar
Scouts BSA Presidents' Day Celebration – Feb. 18 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Kasperson Center for Scouting, 850 Forest Edge Drive, Vernon Hills. President's Day Event
Hawthorn D73 Kindergarten Parent Info Meetings for Elementary South and Townline – Wed., Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at Elementary South and Townline Elementary (Rescheduled from Feb. 5) (Kindergarten Parent Information)
Aspen Library Movie Matinee – Feb. 22 at 1:30 p.m. – Widows (Rated R) Library Calendar
Aspen Library Movie Matinee – March 1 at 1:30 p.m. – A Star is Born (Rated R) Library Calendar
Park District 6th Annual Craft Beer Tasting – March 2 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Sullivan Center (Craft Beer Event)
Aspen Library Mini-Con – March 3 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Aspen Drive Library (Library Calendar)
American Legion Post 1247 BINGO – Thursday, March 7 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Vernon Hills Municipal Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive. Proceeds support Wounded Warrior Project and other programs.
Cook Library/Aspen Drive Library Up Lit Winter Reading Club Ends – March 15. Learn more about the uplifting reading list and prize opportunities... Up Lit Winter Reading Club
American Legion Post 1247 BINGO – Thursday, April 4 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Vernon Hills Municipal Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive. Proceeds support Wounded Warrior Project and other programs.
5K Bunny Hop & Egg Hunt – April 13 at 8:30 a.m. at Hawthorn Mall (Mall Events)
Park District Kids' Castle Dragon Egg Hunt – April 19 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Kids' Castle (Dragon Egg Hunt Event)
Park District Hoppin' Holiday Hunt – April 20 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Sullivan Center (Hoppin' Holiday Hunt Event)
Park District Loop the Lakes 5K – April 27 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Century Park (Loop the Lakes Event)
Park District Family Kite Fly – April 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Century Park (Family Kite Fly Event)
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Thank you all for reading.
Suggestions? Questions?
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