Village Road Rehab Project

• Hawthorn Club – Sheffield Lane, Sussex Circle, Nardis Drive, Noble Circle, Montclair Road, Haddon Circle, Sutcliffe Circle and Richmond Place.
• Gregg's Landing – Augusta Green and Colonial Drive.
• River Grove – River Grove Lane and River Grove Court.
• Georgetown Square – Georgetown Way.

Other Projects to Keep In Mind...

• The Lake County Department of Transportation has also released its list of road projects, which includes resurfacing Butterfield Road from Route 45 to IL 176, and St. Mary's Road from Route 60 to Everett Road. Information about Lake County projects can be found on the interactive Annual Construction Program map, which allows you to click on a segment for details. 
• The Illinois Department of Transportation is overseeing many road construction projects, including Palatine Road, Quentin Road, and continued construction in Waukegan/Gurnee, including IL Route 120, IL Route 43, IL Route 137, O'Plaine Road and Greenleef Avenue. Check the IDOT Work Zones webpage for information.
• The Illinois Tollway will continue work on the Edens Spur, as well as conduct routine overnight maintenance on I-94. You can check the Tollway's Daily Construction Alerts for updated details.
• Lake County Passages offers real-time updates for both construction slow-downs and accidents. Check the Lake County Passage website or download the Lake County Passage app.

A Final Note on Safety...

2019-20 Village Budget in Place

Sign Up for Emergency Messages

Severe Weather – Know What to Do!

Low Cost Pet Clinic - Saturday, May 11

VILLAGE BOARD

Next Village Board Meetings:

• Tuesday, May 7

• Tuesday, May 21

• Tuesday, June 4

• Tuesday, June 18 

• 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. 
• 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...

• Hawthorn Mall Redevelopment Concept Plans: On April 3, Trustees heard an initial concept presentation by Centennial Real Estate, which owns Hawthorn Mall. Centennial CEO Steven Levin indicated that the company has already invested significantly into the Mall, and plans to continue to do so. One component of the reimagined property would be the inclusion of apartments, which raised some questions from residents in attendance as to the potential impact on Hawthorn District 73 schools. Trustees noted the sales and property taxes generated by a successful Hawthorn Mall offers great benefit to all of the schools, while Village data shows few school-age children living in apartment complexes similar to the units being proposed by Centennial. This concept presentation was the first step in the development process, and allowed Centennial to hear feedback from the community and Trustees. To go forward, Centennial must go through a multi-step process that includes multiple staff technical reviews, hearings before the Planning and Zoning Commission, and additional appearances before the Board. Residents are encouraged to be present throughout this and every development process. More details on the preliminary concept are provided on the Hawthorn Mall Redevelopment webpage.  (Village Board Meeting 4/3/19)
• Melaniphy Retail Market Study:  During the April 3 Board Meeting, John Melaniphy of Melaniphy and Associates introduced the first draft of the newest Vernon Hills Retail Market Study. The study looked at three major areas: Hathorn Mall, the vacant parcels at The Shoppes of Gregg's Landing, and The Darling Farm, as well as other vacant properties. While physical stores have taken a hit from growing online purchasing habits, retail is still very much alive – particularly for vendors offering experiences over commodities. In fact, Village-wide retail sales remain strong at $1.4 billion in total sales. The draft report included lists of potential tenants, though it was noted that attracting "high end" retailers (such as Apple) would hinge on the redevelopment of Hawthorn Mall – and even then these tenants typically require incentive packages, which were roughly estimated in the range of $25 million per store.  (Village Board Meeting 4/3/19)
• Village Election Results:  Incumbents Kari Brown, Dr. David Oppenheim and Mike Marquardt retained their Trustee positions following the April 2 Consolidated Election. Official election results are available through the Lake County Election Results website.
• Vernon Hills High School Construction: During the April 3 Board Meeting, representatives of School District 128 and Vernon Hills High School requested approval of site and landscape revisions to allow for construction of three additions – a three-story classroom area (including STEM Lab) at the back of the building, a one-story cafeteria/faculty dining/office area at the center of the building, and a two-story gym/dance/changing area at the front of the building. Trustees approved, with final ordinance approval coming at the April 16 Board Meeting.  (Village Board Meeting 4/3/19)  (Village Board Meeting - 4/16/19)
• Catalyst Club Educates on Marijuana: On April 16, members of the Stevenson High School Catalyst Club urged Trustees to oppose commercialization of marijuana in Illinois. Their presentation indicated high societal costs related to commercialization in places like Colorado. (Note that the presentation focused on commercialization and the subsequent marketing of marijuana products, not decriminalization or medical use.) Trustees expressed support for legislative efforts to slow down and better study the push for commercialization. More information is available from the Stand Strong Coalition.  (Village Board Meeting - 4/16/19)
• Forge Club/Anshe Tikvah Synagogue: Representatives of Anshe Tikvah Synagogue presented concepts for renovating the former Forge Club, 634 S. Milwaukee Avenue, into a worship and therapy/rehabilitation space. Trustees reacted favorably to the initial concepts, and directed the representatives to move into the technical review process to begin preparing for formal approval. Concepts/renderings appear at the end of the April 16 board packet.  (Village Board Meeting - 4/16/19)
• VHHS Environmental Club Urges Composting: Members of Vernon Hills High School's Environmental Club appeared before the Board on April 16 to urge the Village to look at ways to facilitate composting, which they noted could eliminate as much as half of the waste moving into landfills. Students advocated for offering a curb-side compost pick-up service as a way to make use of egg shells, vegetable peals and other biodegradable materials. Trustees directed staff to continue to look at options, while noting that our current waste hauling contract runs through 2020. Check the VH Composting Facebook page or SWALCO's How to Compost webpages for more information. (Village Board Meeting - 4/16/19)
• Lake Charles Water Quality: Public Works Director David Brown presented preliminary findings from a study of Lake Charles, performed by CBBEL Engineering. In short, dredging would be both costly (estimated at more than $11 million) and only temporarily effective due to the sediment load coming from upstream. The immediate plan is to install aeration units to help improve water quality and reach out to upstream partners to reduce sediment input by stabilizing banks and removing buckthorn.  (Village Board Meeting 4/3/19)
• Arbor Day: The Village will celebrate Arbor Day on May 11 at the Arbortheater. This is a bit later than the calendar suggests in hopes of capitalizing on better weather. Boy Scouts and other interested volunteers will spend time maintaining native species. For information on how to get involved, contact Public Works at 847-367-3726.  (Village Board Meeting 4/3/19)
• Congratulations, Jack: The Board recognized Hawthorn Middle North student Jack McGowean, who is our Illinois Elementary School Association 2019 State Champ at the 105 pound weight class. Well done!  (Village Board Meeting - 4/16/19)
• Thank you, Chief: The Board also recognized retiring Countryside Fire Chief Jeff Steingart. Incoming chief Chuck Smith and dozens of CFPD and other first responders were on hand in support. Best wishes!  (Village Board Meeting - 4/16/19)

NEW BIZ

Bears Fit – 155 E. Townline Road

Next Door American Eatery – Mellody Farm, northeast corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Townline Road

Cafe Zupas – Mellody Farm, northeast corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Townline Road

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)

Aspen Drive Library Free Movie Matinee – May 3 at 1:30 p.m. – If Beale Street Could Talk; Rated R (Aspen Library Events)

Aspen Drive Library Free Movie Matinee – May 10 at 1:30 p.m. – Instant Family; Rated PG-13 (Aspen Library Events)

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 from 5 to 9 a.m.; More information in preceding article (Cops on Rooftop)

Aspen Drive Library Free Movie Matinee – May 17 at 1:30 p.m. – Vice; Rated R (Aspen Library Events)

Park District GO VH Celebrate Summer Kick-off Walk – May 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Deerpath Park (GO Vernon Hills)

Aspen Drive Library Free Movie Matinee – May 24 at 1:30 p.m. – A Dog's Way Home; Rated PG (Aspen Library Events)

Park District Family Aquatic Center Opening Day – May 25 – weather permitting (Family Aquatic Center)

Aspen Drive Library Free Movie Matinee – May 31 at 1:30 p.m. – Welcome to Marwen; Rated PG-13 (Aspen Library Events)

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)

Village Arbortheater Concert – Wednesday, June 12 at 7 p.m. at the Arbortheater, 50 S. Fairway Drive – Dizzy Edge Band  (Arbortheater Concert)

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)

Village Arbortheater Concert – Wednesday, June 19 at 7 p.m. at the Arbortheater, 50 S. Fairway Drive – School of Rock  (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 – Cadillac Groove  (Arbortheater Concerts)

Park District Movie in the Park – June 28 starting at 8 p.m. in Deerpath Park (Movie)

4th of July Parade – Thursday, July 4 starting at 9 a.m. through Deerpath neighborhood. Sign up to participate – it's free! (VH July 4th)

4th of July Concert/Fireworks – Thursday, July 4 starting at 6:30 p.m. at Century Park. Free concert followed by fireworks at dusk. (VH July 4th)

Park District Farmers Market – Thursday, July 11 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Century Park (Farmers Market)

Village Arbortheater Concert – Thursday, July 11 at 7 p.m. at the Arbortheater, 50 S. Fairway Drive – Rosie & the Rivets  (Arbortheater Concerts)

Ernie's Second Annual Truck Night – Thursday, July 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Ernie's 909 S. Milwaukee Avenue. Process support Jared Allen Homes for Wounded Warriors. 

Park District Farmers Market – Thursday, July 18 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Century Park (Farmers Market)

Village Arbortheater Concert – Wednesday, July 24 at 7 p.m. at the Arbortheater, 50 S. Fairway Drive – Hillbilly Rockstarz  (Arbortheater Concerts)

Park District Farmers Market – Thursday, July 25 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Century Park (Farmers Market)

Park District Farmers Market – Thursday, August 1 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Century Park (Farmers Market)

Village Arbortheater Concert – Thursday, August 1 at 7 p.m. at the Arbortheater, 50 S. Fairway Drive – Final Say  (Arbortheater Concerts)