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In This Issue of
the Village Voice
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- Election Day - April 2
- Village Budget
- LCDOT Road Work
- Yard Waste
- Board Schedule
- Board Actions
- Budget Hearing
- Mall Concepts
- Market Study
- Macy's Status
- Laschen Center
- Seasonal Hires
- CFPD Change of Command
- Update Show
- New Business
- VH Pageant
- Calendar
- Thanks, Officer Paret
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The Village Voice eNewsletter is provided as a service of the Village of Vernon Hills. This eNewsletter is distributed approximately once each month. You may manage your subscription at the bottom of the page. Please direct your comments to Social@vhills.org.
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Election Day - Tuesday, April 2
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If you haven't taken advantage of Early Voting, Tuesday is your opportunity to cast your ballot for the Consolidated Election. Voting is available on Tuesday, April 2, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the specific polling site assigned to your home address. If you haven't registered to vote (or if you have moved and need to change the address on your registration) you may still do so at your assigned polling place by providing appropriate ID and proof of address, as outlined on the Lake County Voter Registration webpage. More information is available through the Lake County Clerk's office, including the following key links:
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Village Budget Nears Final Approval
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The Village's Budget is drawing closer to completion. A draft of the 2019-20 Budget is posted on the Village's Financial Documents webpage.
Summary: As currently proposed, the 2019-20 Operating Budget totals $24,826,279. This balanced budget is an increase of less than one percent over the previous budget. With regard to Village income, nearly 60 percent of the Village's revenue comes from sales tax. While annual sales tax revenues measured through September 2018 are up slightly over the previous year, the Village remains vigilant as purchasing habits continue to shift to internet sales. Challenges this past year have included numerous retail closings (such as Sears, Carsons, Toys R Us), and the continued loss of pass-through dollars that now stay at the State level. To offset this loss of revenue, the Village instituted a one percent food/beverage tax that went into effect last fall. Positive impacts include new retail partners, particularly the stores and restaurants at Mellody Farm, as well as additional new businesses such as the PGA TOUR Superstore and the soon-to-open Bears Fit. As reminder, the Village does not levy a property tax, and Trustees remain committed to that decision.
Schedule/Information: Trustees formally reviewed the budget draft during the March 5 and March 19 Board Meetings. Recordings of those meetings offer additional section-by-section detail (Village Board 3-5-2019; and 3-19-2019 Village Board). A Public Hearing on the Budget is planned for 6:55 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, immediately before the start of that Board Meeting. The Board expects to make their final vote during the April 16 meeting. The Village fiscal year begins on May 1.
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Lake County Road Projects
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Lake County Department of Transportation (LCDOT) has announced the slate of summer projects, as it relates to LCDOT controlled roads. Some of the more notable locations include resurfacing of Butterfield Road from US Route 45 to IL 176, as well as St. Mary's Road from Route 60 to Everett Road. To learn more, read the complete LCDOT media release and check out the link to the LCDOT interactive construction map.
To continue the theme, the Village of Vernon Hills Road Rehab Program is also gearing up, with plans for improvement projects for Augusta Green, River Grove, Georgetown Square and the southern portion of Hawthorn Club. Public Works is preparing detailed communications on the specifics of the program now, and we will share this information once it is approved by Trustees, which is expected to happen at the April 3 meeting.
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It's Yard Waste Season!
The Village of Vernon Hills contracts with Advanced Disposal for residential trash, recycling and yard waste collection. Yard Waste stickers will be available at Village Hall and local retailers soon (if not already). You may also subscribe directly with Advanced for weekly pick up of up to six containers of yard waste. Call Advanced Disposal at 847-623-3870. More information is posted on the Village's Trash and Yard Waste webpage.
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Next Village Board Meetings:
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Wednesday, April 3 at 7 p.m.
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Tuesday, April 16
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Tuesday, May 7
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Tuesday, May 21
- 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...
- Budget Hearing: Residents interested in making comment on the Proposed 2019-20 Budget may do so during the Public Hearing scheduled to begin at 6:55 p.m. prior to the April 3 Board meeting. At that meeting, Trustees will also review the full budget draft, which they have been discussing over the past several meetings. Residents are always encouraged to contact Staff and Trustees directly to share feedback and ask questions. A full contact list appears on the Village website. (More information on the budget is provided in a preceding article.)
- Hawthorn Mall Redevelopment Initial Concept: The Board expects to get their first look at preliminary concepts for redevelopment and rejuvenation of portions of Hawthorn Mall. Note that this concept presentation is for initial Board feedback, only, and will be one of many steps and meeting appearances on the way to project approval. (As with any development in Vernon Hills, the owner must proceed through a number of technical reviews, commission hearings and ordinance checks before the Board makes any decisions.) The public is encouraged to offer comments and feedback during the April 3 meeting, as well as at subsequent Board and Commission meetings, should Hawthorn Mall decide to go forward with any projects.
- Melaniphy Market Study: Also scheduled for the April 3 meeting is a review of a new Retail Market/Strategy Study prepared by Maleniphy & Associates. The Village's last study (April 2009) proved to be a solid strategic (and somewhat prophetic) resource. The new report will be posted online after the April 3 meeting.
- Macy's Status: Representatives of Macy's presented initial concepts to the Village Board during the February 19 meeting. Macy's owns their portion of Hawthorn Mall and some surrounding parking lots, where they are considering building free-standing restaurant/retail spaces. Trustees voiced concern about the density outlined in the initial concept, and suggested that the company create a proposal with fewer outbuildings and improved parking/traffic patterns. Should Macy's be interested in pursuing any development, their plans would need to go through a multi-step process, which includes staff review, commission review and Board approval. (2-19-2019 Village Board)
- Laschen Center Demolition: Trustees approved a contract totaling $226,300 to American Demolition Corporation to demolish the Laschen Community Center. All utilities have now been disconnected, with teardown expected to begin by April 15. (Village Board 3-5-2019)
- Seasonal Staff: The Public Works Department is looking for summer employees. Learn more on the Village Employment Website or visit Public Works in person at 490 Greenleaf Drive, Vernon Hills.
- Best wishes to CFPD Chief Jeff Steingart: Countryside Fire Chief Jeff Steingart has announced his retirement after 37 years of service. CFPD will hold a Change of Command Ceremony on Wednesday, April 17 at 2 p.m. at the station (600 N. Deerpath Drive). This special event will celebrate Chief Steingart's retirement and pass leadership of the department to Chuck Smith. More information is on the CFPD Facebook page. Best wishes and congratulations!
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Vernon Hills Update Cable/Web Show
Check out the April Vernon Hills Update where you can learn about the Low-Cost Pet Vaccination/Microchip Clinic (May 11), meet the 2018 Vernon Hills Queens, find out how to take part in the 2019 Vernon Hills Pageant, and see what's happening with the Aspen Drive Library construction project. 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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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.
EVERGREEN PLAZA
Corner of Evergreen Drive and Route 45
Southwest corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Townline Road
MELLODY FARM
Northeast corner Milwaukee Avenue and Townline Road
RIVERTREE COURT
Southeast corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Townline Road
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Be part of the
2019 Vernon Hills Pageant
Our 2018 Queens Jayla Wascow, Haley Kalinowskii and Madeline Gutierrez invite you to take part in the 2019 Vernon Hills Pageant. The Pageant offers an opportunity to focus on service, scholarship and sisterhood as you build skills and grow in confidence. Learn more about the pageant by visiting vernonhillspageant.com. The website includes a detailed application, which must be completed by end of day Friday, May 3. The 2019 Vernon Hills Pageant will be held on Saturday, June 22 starting at 1 p.m. at the Vernon Hills Park District Sullivan Center.
Congratulations to our Vernon Hills Queens. During the recent Lake County Pageant, Miss Vernon Hills Madeline Gutierrez was named Miss Lake County, Junior Miss Haley Kalinowski was named Junior Miss Lake County, and Little Miss Jayla Wascow placed first runner up for Little Miss Lake County.
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 Village 4th of July Parade Registration – Now open; Sign up online (4th of July)
Cook Library Spring Reading Club Begins – Now through April 30. (Cook Library Events)
Election Day – Tuesday, April 2. Polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cook Library 13th Annual Writing Contest – Deadline for entries is April 3. Open to young people grades 4-8. (Cook Library Events)
Last 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.
Aspen Drive Library Free Movie – April 5 at 1:30 p.m. at Aspen Drive Library; The Favourite - Rated R (Movie)
Aspen Drive Library Free Movie – April 12 at 1:30 p.m. at Aspen Drive Library; Green Book - Rated PG-13 (Movie)
Hawthorn Mall 5K Bunny Hop & Egg Hunt – April 13 at 8:30 a.m. at Hawthorn Mall (Mall Events)
Aspen Drive Library Free Movie – April 19 at 1:30 p.m. at Aspen Drive Library; Can You Ever Forgive Me - Rated R (Movie)
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) (This event has sold out)
Park District Earth Day Celebration – April 22 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Century Park Pavilion (Earth Day Event)
Cook Library Annual Spring Book Sale – April 26 at Cook Park Library, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave. (Cook Library Events)
Aspen Drive Library Free Movie – April 26 at 1:30 p.m. at Aspen Drive Library; On the Basis of Sex - Rated PG-13 (Movie)
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)
Park District Early Bird Pool Pass Rates End – April 30. Save by purchasing before May 1. (Family Aquatic Center)
Vernon Hills Pageant Applications Due – May 3 (Vernon Hills Pageant)
Pet Vaccination/Microchip Clinic – May 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at Public Works, 490 Greenleaf Drive (Pet Clinic)
Cops on Rooftop Supporting Special Olympics – May 17 More information TBA (Cops on Rooftop)
Park District Family Aquatic Center Opening Day – May 25 – weather permitting (Family Aquatic Center)
Park District Century Park Arboretum Arbor Walk – June 1 from 10 a.m. to noon (Arbor Walk)
Park District Mighty Kids Triathlon – June 2 from 8 a.m. to noon (Triathlon)
First Park District Farmers Market – Thursday, June 6 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Century Park (Farmers Market)
Park District Kids Fishing Day – June 8 from 9 a.m. to noon at Century Park (Fishing Day)
Park District Flick & Float – June 12 starting at 7:30 p.m. (Flick & Float)
Park District Farmers Market – Thursday, June 13 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Century Park (Farmers Market)
First Village Arbortheater Concert – Wednesday, June 19 at 7 p.m. at the Arbortheater, 50 S. Fairway Drive. Performers TBA (Arbortheater Concerts)
Park District Farmers Market – Thursday, June 20 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Century Park (Farmers Market)
Vernon Hills Pageant – Saturday, June 22 at 1 p.m. at Sullivan Center (Vernon Hills Pageant)
Park District Family Campout – June 22 starting at 5:30 p.m. (Family Campout)
Park District Farmers Market – Thursday, June 27 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Century Park (Farmers Market)
Village Arbortheater Concert – Thursday, June 27 at 7 p.m. at the Arbortheater, 50 S. Fairway Drive. Performers TBA (Arbortheater Concerts)
Park District Movie in the Park – June 28 starting at 8 p.m. in Deerpath Park (Movie)
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Thank you, Officer Paret
VHPD Officer Jon Paret has served as school resource officer at Hawthorn D73 since 2015. He has announced his retirement at the end of the school year. The Hawthorn Board of Education will honor him during their meeting on Monday, April 8. Thank you and best wishes, Officer Paret! (photo from Hawthorn D73)
Thank you all for reading.
Suggestions? Questions?
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