In This Issue
Holiday Lighting
Holiday Giving
Reach Out for Help
Yard Waste Dates
Perry's Steakhouse
Board Actions
Lakeview Parkway
April Candidates
Hawthorn Good News
Secure Guns
Village Openings
Senior Open House
Calendar

Village Voice eNews

The Village Voice eNewsletter is provided by the Village of Vernon Hills. You may manage your subscription at the bottom of the page. Please direct your comments to [email protected]

Holiday Lighting – This Saturday!
Light up the holiday season with the Village Tree, Menorah and Kwanzaa candle lighting on Saturday, November 26 at 4:30 p.m. Join your neighbors as we gather at the Vernon Hills Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive, to flip the switch. Conversation and complimentary snacks served up at this low-key outdoor event. Santa has penciled us into his schedule, so watch for his arrival courtesy of Countryside Fire and VHPD. Join us!

Opportunities to Give

If you are looking for a way to give back during this holiday season, the Village and our partners are collecting for a number of great charitable causes.

Toys for Tots – New, unwrapped toys are collected and distributed locally. Collection boxes are available at Village Hall, VHPD (the lobby is open 24/7), the Park District, and many other places around town until December 12. Please give early so items can be appropriately distributed – and please, no realistic looking toy weapons or food. Learn more on the Marine Toys for Tots website and FAQ page. 

Vernon Township Food Pantry – Collecting nonperishable (and unexpired) food, toiletries, paper products, gift cards and more. Bins are available year round at Village Hall and elsewhere – or visit the Vernon Township Pantry webpage for wish lists and information.

Hawthorn Schools 100 for 100 Thanksgiving Drive – Hawthorn District 73 is working to provide 100 Thanksgiving meals to 100 Hawthorn families in need. To learn more, watch the recent VH Update video story, or reach out to Hawthorn District 73 Family Liaison Gabby Cervantes, [email protected]. Hawthorn schools are also planning to provide families with groceries during the winter break. If you can help during these initiatives or at any time, please reach out to Gabby. 

GLMV Winter Coat Drive – Thanks to the community for donations of hundreds of winter coats and assorted cold weather gear for clients of the Midwest Veterans Closet. While the official Coat Drive has concluded, there is always a need. Learn more at MidwestVeteransCloset.org. 

Please Reach Out

Residents who are experiencing a need are encouraged to reach out. 

Food Pantries: The community offers a variety of emergency food pantries, including Vernon Township, Libertyville Township, St. Mary of Vernon, and Sue's Pantry.

Housing: Assistance related to housing or homelessness is available through several Lake County Assistance Programs.

211 Lake County: Support on a wide range of needs – from health crises to transportation challenges – is available from 211 Lake County. Visit 211LakeCounty.org, call 211, or text your zip code to 898211 for a huge range of confidential support provided in multiple languages, every day, all day. 

Last Yard Waste Collection
November 28 or 29 

The Village has been notified by Waste Management that the last anticipated yard waste collection in the Village will be either Monday, November 28 or Tuesday, November 29, depending on which day is your main collection day. Timing is based on the local landfill schedules, which generally close at Thanksgiving. Please remember that the Village does not collect leaves raked into the streets. Rather, residents are encouraged to mulch or compost their leaves, or collect them for pick up using either single-use Yard Waste/Food Scrap stickers or the seasonal Waste Management subscription service. Thank you for helping us keep our storm sewers and streets clear. Learn more by reviewing the Leave the Leaves? web article. 

Welcome, Perry's Steakhouse

The news is out! Perry's Steakhouse is preparing to open a new location along Milwaukee Avenue as part of the Hawthorn Mall redevelopment. The Vernon Hills location, which is expected to open in late 2023, will feature an open kitchen, main dining area, private dining areas, and an outdoor patio. Read the official media release to learn more.

BOARD MEETINGS
Next Meeting: Tues, Dec. 13*

Only one meeting is planned for December. The 2023 Meeting Schedule is expected to be approved at the December 13 Meeting.
- Meetings generally fall on the first and third Tuesday of each month, beginning at 7 p.m., at Village Hall, 290 Evergreen Drive, unless otherwise noted.

- Public comment may be provided in-person at the beginning of each meeting, per the Guide to Meetings

- Agendas and Minutes are posted online for each meeting

- Meeting recordings are available on the Village YouTube Channel

- The full Meeting Schedule is available on the Meeting Schedules webpage

BOARD ACTIONS

Lakeview Parkway Construction
Village Public Works Director/Engineer David Brown shared an update on improvements to Lakeview Parkway north and south of Route 60. The project will provide additional turning and stacking lanes, improve pedestrian access, and facilitate more efficient movement through this busy area. First envisioned with the extension of Fairway Drive through the Nike property (now known as Vernon Hills Athletic Complex), this construction project has been in the works for several years. Back in 2018, the Village secured federal funds to cover the majority of the project cost. Delays from outside the Village exposed the project to some cost increases, with an expected total price tag now at $5.7 million. The Village is currently responsible for 35 percent of this cost, but anticipates an additional $500,000 through a DECO grant to help offset our local costs. Assuming the Board approves moving forward with this project at the December 13 meeting, it is hoped this project will be included on the Illinois Department of Transportation January Bid Letting, which should result in construction during the 2023 season. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 11/15/22)

Lake County Reservoir
Lake County requested a 2-year extension of agreements to support construction of a water reservoir facility near the White Deer Run maintenance facility. The reservoir design is near completion and construction is anticipated to commence in the summer of 2023. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 10/18/22)

Vernon Township Mental Health Board
With the voter approval of a Vernon Township 708 Mental Health Advisory Board, Trustee Michael Schenk asked members of the community to consider serving on this important volunteer organization. Connect via the Vernon Township website, or call the Vernon Township Administration Department at 847-634-4600. He also noted that he and Village Manager Kevin Timony have been working with District 128 on their own mental health initiatives. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 11/15/22)

Mall Restaurant Review
Representatives of the Hawthorn Mall redevelopment project appeared at the November 1 Committee of the Whole Meeting to present a revised plan for an upscale steakhouse at the southwest corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Ring Road. The adjustments relate primarily to allocation of space and the parking footprint on that and adjoining outlots. At the time of the meeting, developers were still not releasing the name of the planned restaurant, which was later announced to be Perry's Steakhouse, expected to open in late 2023. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 11/1/22)

Montessori Academy
During the November 1 Committee of the Whole Meeting, Trustees reviewed a request for a special use permit and associated variations to locate a daycare operation at 536 Atrium Drive. Vernon Hills Montessori Academy is looking to relocate their Montessori Academy and music school to an existing building located off Deerpath Drive. Trustees were favorable with the use. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 11/1/22)

Dramhammer Class "L" License
At the request of new business Dramhammer Auctions, LLC, 50 Lakeview Parkway, the Village created a new Class "L" Liquor License to cover sale and distribution of packaged liquor, which supports the company's auctions of rare and collectible spirits. Dramhammer's  Class "L" License was then approved during the November 15 Liquor & License Commission Hearing. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 11/1/22)

Holiday Marketing
After Thanksgiving, Visit Lake County (VisitLakeCounty.org) will launch a multi-media holiday campaign with a strong focus on the Vernon Hills restaurant, retail and hospitality sector. Assistant Manager Jonathan Petrillo also outlined a partnership with Vernon Hills High School. Thanks to the graphic arts, technology and business students who are reviewing and creating graphics and ideas to support the Village. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 11/15/22)

Village Vehicle Purchases
Trustees learned that though the Police and Public Works departments had received budget approval and placed orders for replacement vehicles, all orders were ultimately cancelled by the vendors due to continued supply chain issues. The Board approved waiving the competitive bid process to allow staff to re-order with specific vendors who hopefully have access to the required types of vehicles. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 11/15/22)

Village Insurance
Trustees have approved insurance packages for the policy year beginning December 1. A representative of Alliant Insurance Services outlined coverages and pricing during the October 18 Committee of the Whole Meeting. On November 15, Trustees approved purchase of a cyber security policy, which required the implementation of some new technology processes within the Village. Pricing for the entire insurance program is up approximately 5 percent year over year. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 10/18/22) (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 11/15/22) 

CLC Sign Variation
During the November 15 Committee of the Whole Meeting, Trustees gave preliminary agreement to a new LED sign for the College of Lake County's Southlake Campus. During the December 13 meeting, Trustees are expected to formally approve an amendment to a 2009 Ordinance that provided the initial variance for the current sign. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 11/15/22)

Kudos to CLC
Staff and Trustees expressed their support for the College of Lake County, which not only has a new advanced technology facility in Gurnee and a full campus in Grayslake, but also has campuses in Vernon Hills (on Milwaukee Ave.) and Waukegan. Trustee Thom Koch noted that residents of Vernon Hills have made great use of the many technical, professional and college transfer courses available right here in Lake County. He noted that recent graduates of Stevenson High School make up the fastest growing student population at CLC. Learn more at CLCIllinois.edu. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 11/15/22)

Warrington Road Variation
Trustees reviewed a request for setback and FAR (floor area ratio) variations for a home at 15 Warrington Road to allow for construction of a four season room. Trustees agreed with recommendations by the Planning & Zoning Commission. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 10/18/22) 

Support for Ft. Sheridan Cemetery
Resident Todd Renihan and members of American Legion Post 1247 appeared before the Board to request support for the expansion of the Ft. Sheridan Cemetery. The cemetery is looking to add 4.7 acres to the current site to ensure adequate space for future veterans. Because the acreage around the cemetery is now the property of the Lake County Forest Preserve, the process requires County Board support (which seems imminent) as well as votes of support in Springfield. Trustees directed staff to express the Village's support for this request. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 11/1/22)

Best Wishes
During the October 18 Board Meeting, Trustees honored VHPD Telecommunicator Eugene Travis upon his retirement.

Thanks for Supporting Legion Bingo
Thank you to all who support American Legion Post 1247's Bingo Nights, which are held the first Thursday of each month through May. Games, which start at 6:30 p.m., are held at the Vernon Hills Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive.

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