In This Issue

- Holiday Lights
- Cops & Kids
- Stay Off Ice
- Blankets
- Tree Collection
- Board Actions
- FunFlatables
- Financial Audit
- CIP
- Meeting Schedules
- 988 & Help
- Calendar

Village Voice eNews

Holiday Lights & Sights

We hope you are enjoying the holiday light displays featured around town. Thank you to Public Works elves for their creativity. To assist you in enjoying the holiday spirit, the Village has created a Map and Activity Sheet. Staff has also put together an clickable list of light displays around our area.

Please note that Village Hall will be closed on December 23, December 26, December 30 and January 2.

On behalf of the Village Board and staff, best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season.

Storm Watch:
Take Care & Be Aware

By now you have no doubt heard of the impending severe winter weather. VHPD joins with other emergency personnel in urging you to limit travel. Stay home and stay safe, everyone. Here are some resources to help you stay informed and be prepared.

- With the expected snow, please help by keeping vehicles off Village streets. Thank you!

- Hawthorn Mall will be available as a warming shelter during regular business hours

- Lake County is expected to open additional emergency warming centers – check the Lake County Warming Centers map for updated information

- The National Weather Service offers a variety of info about forecasts, alerts and preparedness. Check Weather.gov/Chicago  for the latest reports.

- Stay aware of Lake County road conditions through Lake County Passage, available online or as an app – you can check cameras and see plow locations

- Check on conditions in the region at Getting Around Illinois

- Illinois Department of Transportation offers tips for preparing your vehicle for a winter trip, including what you should keep packed in your car at all times

- Most of our local news outlets offer free apps to keep track of weather and emergency messaging – have a news/weather app loaded on your phone

- Sign up for the Village's Blackboard Connect reverse 911 system to stay informed about local emergency situations

- If you are going to be away, consider signing up for a free VHPD Vacation House Watch

- Ready.gov offers tips and suggestions for creating emergency kits for your vehicle and your home

- General information on a variety of topics is available at 211LakeCounty.org

- If you experiencing an emergency, dial 911

Thanks for Cops & Kids

The Vernon Hills Police Department partnered with the Libertyville Police Department to brighten the holidays for some amazing local kids. Thank you to the many organizations and volunteers who work together for our community, including dozens of officers, friends, families and coworkers from VHPD, LPD, College of Lake County PD and Lake County Sheriff's Department as well as teachers and staff from Hawthorn School District 73 and our friends at the Vernon Hills Walmart. Special thanks for donors, including Starbucks, Lakeside Transportation, Cook Memorial Public Library, Lee Donuts, Panera, Home Depot, JOANN Fabrics, Just for Fun Roller Rink, Sky Zone Vernon Hills, Chick-fil-A Vernon Hills, Dave & Buster's, Duck Donuts, Glacier Ice Arena, PK Bennett Jewelers, Corner Bakery, Atrium Business Park, Team Monica and the Vernon Hills Public Works Department. Happy holidays to everyone! More photos are posted on the VHPD Facebook page.

Warning: Stay Off Ice

Please stay off of the Village's ponds and lakes. Skating, ice fishing or any other activity is not allowed and for good reason – our ponds and lakes are deceptively dangerous. Please remind children to stay off the ice. Don't follow pets onto the ice. If someone does fall through the ice, please call 911 immediately. If you want to skate, Vernon Hills is home to Glacier Ice Arena as well as the Park District skating area at Century Park. More information is available on the Warning: Stay Off Ice webpost.

Queens Create Comfort

Our Vernon Hills Queens recently hosted their 10th Annual Blanket Making Project at the Vernon Hills Golf Course. Queens from around Lake County together to tie fleece blankets, which have been donated to the Lake Forest Hospital Cancer Care Center to offer warmth and comfort to patients undergoing treatment. This year's hosts were our 2022 Queens – Miss Vernon Hills Haley Kalinowski, Junior Miss Keerthu Gummuluru and Little Miss Savannah Goodman. Thank you!

Tree Collection Schedule

Each year, Public Works moves through the neighborhoods collecting and chipping holiday trees. Waste Management will also pick up trees on Mondays and Tuesdays (depending on your garbage collection day), during January. If you miss those days, you may bring trees to the Public Works Department at 490 Greenleaf Drive for recycling. The Public Works schedule is posted on the website and below:

- Jan 3 – North of Rt 60
- Jan 4 – Deerpath, Stone Fence, Centennial Crossing, Aspen Pointe
- Jan 5 – Plymouth Farms, Westwood, Grosse Pointe, Oldd Grove Farm, Villas by the Lake
- Jan 6 – Country Club Estates, Hawthorn Club, Sugar Creek, River Grove, Sanctuary Point, Sarah's Glen, Writer Estates, Georgetown Square, Port Clinton Place, The Oaks, Woodland Chase

Important: Please have trees at the curb by 7 a.m. and make sure all tree bags, ornaments, wires and lights are removed to allow trees to be recycled.

FunFlatables was approved for a Special Use Permit at Hawthorn Mall. Above are examples of some of the company's locations.

Board Meetings

- Tuesday, January 3
- Tuesday, January 17
- Tuesday, February 7

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

2023 Meeting Schedule
The 2023 Meeting Schedule, which covers all Village Boards and Committees, was approved during the December 13 Village Board Meeting. The full schedule is posted on the Meeting Schedules webpage, and is also outlined in a news item that follows. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 12/13/22)

Financial Audit Report
A representative of Selden Fox, who has audited the Village's financial reports and processes for the past two years, reported that the Village continues to maintain strong reserves. The General Fund balance of $35 million is approximately 120 percent of annual expenses. Fiscal Year 22 (April 30, 2021 through May 1, 2022) saw Food and Beverage Tax revenue at nearly $1.5 million, which is up about $450,000 from the previous fiscal year – a positive sign that restaurant partners continue to rebound from the impact of COVID. (Note that the Village rebated much of this revenue as well as other business-related fees during COVID shut downs.) Village financial documents are posted on the Financial Documents webpage. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 12/13/22)

Welcome, FunFlatables
FunFlatables owner Debbie Dorsey-Fleszewski appeared before the board to secure a special use permit allowing her indoor children's activity center to open in Hawthorn Mall, near the upper level Macy's entrance. She shared her business journey, which now includes 14 indoor activity centers in Indiana and Illinois. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 12/13/22)

Capital Improvement Plan
Village Public Works Director/Engineer David Brown outlined a high level Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2023. The plan's current project expenses total approximately $4.9 million, with adjustments expected as the plan is fine tuned. Motor Fuel Tax receipts will fund nearly $3 million of the expenses, which include the long-awaited Lakeview Parkway/Route 60 improvement project. The rest of funding will come from the Village General Fund (approximately one third of expenses) as well as from TIF-generated funds. Trustees noted that this will be Mr. Brown's last CIP, as he is planning to retire this spring. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 12/13/22)

Solar Roof Tile Request
During the December 13 Committee of the Whole Meeting, Trustees discussed a request to amend the roof materials allowed by the Royal Birkdale subdivision to allow solar roof tiles. The current development permit restricts roof materials to cedar, slate or tile. Trustees noted that material renderings, provided by manufacturer Tesla, looked very much like slate tiles. Trustees were favorable, and discussed the parameters set by the Solar Energy Act, as well as the possible revision of other neighborhood development permits. Staff has been directed to research and create proposals to bring back to Trustees. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 12/13/22)

Best Wishes, Ed Manke
Trustees and the wider community extend best wishes to VHPD's Edward Manke Jr. upon his retirement. Ed has been with the VHPD since 1995, becoming Telecommunicaions Supervisor in 2005. He has been instrumental in creating and maintaining state-of-the-art, coordinated and effective public safety dispatch services. His leadership has been crucial not only in Vernon Hills, but throughout the region. Thank you for your service. Best wishes for a wonderful retirement! (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 12/13/22)

Honoring Kandarp Vadia
The Board recognized VHHS Junior Kandarp Vadia for his work tutoring and supporting students in both elementary and high school through his online tutoring and nonprofit Project Curiosity programs. Well done, Kandarp. (Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 12/13/22)

2023 Village Meeting Schedule

During the December 13 Board Meeting, Trustees approved the 2023 Village meeting schedule. The full meeting schedule is posted on the Village website. The Village Board and Committee of the Whole plan to meet on the following dates:

January 3 & 17

February 7 & 21

March 7 & 21

April 4 & 18

May 2 & 16

June 6 & 20

July 11* & 25*

August 15**

September 5 & 19

October 3 & 17

November 7 & 21

December 12***

- July meetings are adjusted to accommodate July 4 holiday
- Only one meeting is planned for August
- Only one meeting is planned for December

Reach Out to Resources

Thank you to all who supported the holiday Toys for Tots project, Veterans Coat Drive and ongoing collections of nonperishables for local emergency pantries. If you or someone you care about are experiencing a need, please reach out. If your need is urgent and immediate, please call 911.

- 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.

- 988 Crisis Lifeline: If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available by dialing 988. Information is also available through the national 988Lifeline.org website or via chat. Please reach out.

Stay safe this Holiday season.
Check out these tips from the Vernon Hills Police Department.

Looking for something to do in Vernon Hills?
Check out the latest clickable Dining & Shopping Guide.

Visit Lake County features Vernon Hills!
Check out the Holiday Your Way in Vernon Hills guide.

Dates to Note

Here are a few upcoming special events. Subject to change – check with each host for details.

Park District New Year's Eve Family Party – Friday, December 30 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Sullivan Community Center. Park District Event Info

Legion Bingo – Thursday, January 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Vernon Hills Municipal Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive. Sponsored by American Legion Post 1247.

Park District Soccer Shots Free Fun Day – Wednesday, January 11 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Sullivan Center. Park District Event Info

Park District Winterfest – Saturday, January 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Century Park Arboretum. Park District Event Info

Park District Frosty 5K – Saturday, January 21 starting at 9 a.m. in Deerpath Park. Park District Event Info

D128 Foundation Day of Giving – Saturday, January 28. Foundation Event Info

Legion Bingo – Thursday, February 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Vernon Hills Municipal Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive. Sponsored by American Legion Post 1247.

Park District Lakeview Fitness Grand Reopening Celebration – Saturday, February 4 from 8 a.m. to noon at Lakeview Fitness Center. Park District Event Info

Park District Just the Two Of Us Dance – Friday, February 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Sullivan Center. Park District Event Info

Legion Bingo – Thursday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Vernon Hills Municipal Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive. Sponsored by American Legion Post 1247.

Park District You're My Superhero Event – Friday, March 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Sullivan Center. Park District Event Info

Park District Tri Your Luck Triathlon – Saturday, March 11 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Lakeview Fitness Center. Park District Event Info

Park District Jr NBA Skills Challenge – Wednesday, March 15 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Sullivan Center. Park District Event Info

Park District Kids' Castle Dragon Egg Hunt – Friday, March 31 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Deerpath Park. Park District Event Info

Park District Deerpath Egg Dash – Saturday, April 1 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Deerpath Park. Park District Event Info

Legion Bingo – Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Vernon Hills Municipal Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive. Sponsored by American Legion Post 1247.

However you celebrate, may your holiday be happy & healthy.