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Vol. 19, No. 1 - Mar 1997I i eer i MARCH 1997 - VOL. 19 NO. 1 Since 1980, the Village has published a newsletter to keep our residents informed and up-to-date on various issues in the community. Now, D-Tales has a fresh new look. We hope that you like it and continue to read it regularly. Our objective remains the same .... to provide useful and timely information in a simple format. ELECTION DAY 1997 Local elections will be held on TUESDAY, APRIL 1ST. The following local government offices will be on the ballot: VILLAGE: Mayor and three Trustees (4 year terms) LIBRARY: Two Board Members (6 year terms) PARK DISTRICT: Three Commissioners (4 year terms) TOWNSHIP: Supervisor, Clerk, Assessor, four Trustees (all are 4 year terms) The last day to register is March 3rd. You can vote absentee in person, beginning on March loth, at the West Deerfield Township Office, 858 Waukegan Road. For details regarding voting, call the Town Clerk's office at 945-8317. BLOOD DRIVE The next blood drive is Sunday, March 2nd at the Jewett Park Fieldhouse/Senior Center, 835 Hazel Avenue, between 8:00 A.M. and 1 P.M. No appointment is necessary.... just drop in and give the gift of life. ANNUAL BUDGET Work is underway on the annual budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 1997. Village staff will present a proposed budget to the Mayor and Board of Trustees in early March. A public hearing will be held on the document at the April 21st Village Board meeting. Your comments and suggestions on projects and services are welcome. The proposed budget will be available at the Village Hall for inspection thirty days prior to the public hearing. YARD WASTE PROGRAM Beginning on Tuesday, April 1st, yard waste service will resume each Tuesday and will continue through December 9th. Remember: > Use regular 30 gallon paper garden waste bags (not plastic). > A recycling sticker must be placed on each bag. Stickers are $1.25 each and can be purchased at the Village Hall, Deerbrook Jewel/Osco, Commons Jewel and Deerfield Hardware. > Bundled brush will also be accepted on Tuesdays (no stickers required). Brush must be no more than 4' long and 30" in circumference, tied in a bundle. > Both yard waste bags and bundled brush must be placed at the curb. TAX INCREMENT FINANCING ANNUAL SIDEWALK PROGRAM Here is some good news about property taxes! In December, the Village Board passed a resolution reallocating over $6.6 million from the Lake Cook Road Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District. For the seventh consecutive year, the Village has distributed funds to various local governments in Lake and Cook Counties. In Lake County, the allocations were: School District #109 - $962,391 School District #113 - $777,542 Fire District - $230,119 Village - $215,882 Lake County - $219,221 Park District - $191,556 Library - $ 81,722 The Lake Cook Road TIF District has been a huge success story with all local taxing bodies sharing in the benefits. Once again, the Village used its allocation to reduce our annual tax levy. This -is the fifth successive year we've decreased our portion of the property tax bill. HOME IMPROVEMENTS This time of year brings a flurry of home improvements, most of which require a building permit from the Village. They are required to assure that work will be completed safely and. in compliance with all Village codes. Remodeling and construction projects such as: room additions, electrical and plumbing work, fences, fireplaces, patios and decks, roofing, siding, sewer repairs, pools and driveways all require a permit. Play it safe and call the Building Division at 945-5000 before you begin work. And, please remember that contractors are not allowed to put their business signs in your front yard while doing work on your property. COMMUNITY EVENT SCHEDULE Want to schedule a major community event? Well, you'll obviously want to encourage a large turnout to insure the success of your event. Check the Community Calendar before you plan your event to make sure that no other community group has something on the day you want. Call the Deerfield Park District, 945-0650, and tell Public Information Coordinator Brenda Segal the date you have in mind. She'll let you know if it's clear and place you on the calendar. There are so many worthy organizations and events in Deerfield, why compete with each other? Once again, the Village is offering its sidewalk replacement program whereby it shares, on a 50/50 �. basis, repairs to public sidewalks along residential properties. Many of our residents have already availed themselves of this program, and we would like to encourage others to take advantage of it. By combining several sidewalk replacement projects under one bid, the Village can secure far better prices for this work than if they were contracted for individually. More importantly, we will do all of the work, from preparing the specifications to awarding the job and guaranteeing the quality of the work. All residents are urged to check the sidewalk in front of their homes. Together, we can make sidewalks safer for pedestrians and,.at.the same time, enhance the appearance of your property. If you would like to participate in this program, call the Engineering Department at 317-2490-as soon as possible, but no later than May 1 st. Ask about our Curb Replacement Program as well. OUTSTANDING YOUTH AWARD The Deerfield Youth Council would like your help in nominating deserving young men and women for the Jeffrey Werner Outstanding Youth Award. This. award was first presented in 1969 as a memorial to Jeffrey Werner, a Deerfield teenager who, despite a terminal illness, distinguished himself in service to his community. Nomination forms are available at the Village Hall. Please return completed forms to the attention of Barbara Bishop, Village of Deerfield, 850 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, Illinois 60015. The deadline for accepting nominations is March 28, 1997. The award presentation will take place at Jewett Park during the Memorial Day Ceremony. REVERSE COMMUTE SHUTTLE SERVICE The Village was recently recognized, along with the Lake Cook Transportation Management Association (TMA) and Chamber of Commerce, for successfully implementing a reverse commute shuttle service along the Lake Cook Road corridor. The Village sponsored the project to determine the viability of a program that would draw employees to the corridor and encourage current employees to leave their cars at home. Funding was made available through a Federal grant and also includes a network of new sidewalks within a 1/2 mile radius of the Lake Cook Road train Station. Thus far, it has' met the objectives of improving worker access to jobs and reducing some of the traffic on Lake Cook Road. • SPECIAL CENSUS Although affecting only small portions of the community, we wanted to alert everyone that a Special Census is Istentatively scheduled to begin on April 21 st and will last approximately ten (10) days. Due to the new residential developments in the areas indicated on the adjacent map, the Village has contracted with the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct a special count of these neighborhoods. Deerfield receives Income Tax and Motor Fuel Tax revenues based on its population so it is important that we get an accurate count. If you live in one of the designated areas, you can help by letting your neighbors know if you will be away during the time the census is scheduled. They can then provide the census taker with your information. Anyone interested in being hired to help take this census should call George Koczwara at the Village Hall (945-5000). Osterman Avenue Po' M 0 m m e m 0 m ,WESTERN ROUND -UP BENEFIT The Junior Woman's Club of Deerfield is hosting their 13th Annual Benefit, Western Round -Up, beginning *at 6:30 P.M. on March 8th at Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling. A silent auction, cocktails, buffet dinner, line dancing with professional instruction, and cash raffle drawing are just a few of the plans for the evening. Proceeds from this event will benefit National Family Partnership of Deerfield, a parent organization committed to raising healthy, confident, responsible children. For sixteen years, it has been the primary resource for parents to learn from experts, as well as each other. These volunteers bridge the gap between school and community. Please help the Junior Woman's Club recognize their hard work and, at the same time, have some fun. For reservations or more information, call Monique Stemper at 405-9642. AAA CHICAGO MOTOR CLUB AWARD This past January, AAA Chicago Motor Club recognized the Village with the Award of Merit granted to cities for demonstrating combined achievement in both.pedestrian and traffic safety in the AAA Community Traffic Safety Program. Deerfield was cited as #1 out of 614 communities with populations of 10,000 - 25,000. 4 Lake Cook Road PARENT UNIVERSITY No one ever said that parenting is easy. There is no diploma or degree in high school, college, or graduate school that certifies one to be a parent. The challenges and decisions facing our children as we approach a new century necessitates that parents continue to gather information and to equip themselves with the skills so important in raising young people in our complex society. Where does. one go to learn more about parenting? Where can one learn about the wealth of community resources available to assist and support parents and children? For well over a year, a Steering Committee consisting of representatives from all corners of the communities . of Highland Park, Highwood, Deerfield, Riverwoods, and Bannockburn has been enthusiastically planning the introduction of Parent University. This one -day workshop is intended for parents of children from pre -kindergarten through twelfth grade. Parent University will strive to provide helpful, accurate information and resources on a variety of subjects pertinent to effective parenting in the 90's. Date - Saturday, March 8, 1997. Place - Deerfield High School (main entrance) Time - 8:15 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Limited childcare available If you have any questions, call Pat Moorhead at 405- 8473. YOUR TURN AGAIN! What's on your mind? If you have a question or comment regarding Village operations or issues, here's your chance to let us know. (You may remain anonymous if you wish): Name and Address: Questions/Comments: POLICE OFFICERS RETIRE The Village recently honored two retiring police officers.... Commander William "Barney" Butler and Deputy Chief Gary Stryker. Barney, who was with the department for 36 years, is enjoying his retirement at his new home in Spring Grove. Gary, a 27 year veteran, was recently appointed as Undersheriff of Lake County. We would like to thank them for their outstanding service to the community. TOLLWAY PLANS At the time D-Tales went to print, the Village does not yet know the Illinois Tollway's plans for a new connection to the Edens Spur. However, the plaza (toll booths) expansion is still scheduled to begin this Spring. It will involve bridge widening at both Deerfield and Lake Cook Roads. Although the bridges will remain open at all times, we can expect traffic headaches due to this work. VILLAGE OF DEERFIELD 850 Waukegan Road Deerfield, Illinois 60015 Fire Department ...... ......................911 Fire Department Non -Emergency ............945-4066 Police Department.............................911 Police Department Non -Emergency ..........945-8636 Village Hall..............................945-5000 BERNARD FORREST, Mayor TRUSTEES Marvin W. Ehlers Edwin B. Seidman John H. Heuberger Vernon E. Swanson Harriet Rosenthal Michael Swartz Robert D. Franz, Village Manager 1997 STREET IMPROVEMENTS The following streets are scheduled for rehabilitation this Summer. * Dartmouth Lane (Wilmot to Mallard) * Mallard Lane * Circle Court * Pembroke Court * Indian Hill Road (Hackberry to Dartmouth) * Kenmore (Hackberry to Dartmouth) * Arbor Vitae (W. of Cedar Terr. to cul-de-sac) * Cedar Terrace (Deerfield to Arbor Vitae) * Birchwood (Rosewood to Hackberry) Bulk Rate U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 1 Deerfield, Illinois CAR/PRE-SORT POSTAL CUSTOMER DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS 60015 01 % Printed on Recycled Paper Printed at SPS, The Printing Company, Inc. (847) 498-6126 pEERFIE�p , '•i Police B. eat, POUCE . Spring is just around the corner! The spring weather is nearly upon us -and with the return of longer days and sunshine, mo- torists will begin to see increased numbers of bicyclists on Village streets. It is important to realize that bicyclists must be treated as vehicles under Illinois Law. This means that bicyclists are entitled to the same degree of courtesy, care and caution as other vehi- cles. Motorists must yield to bi- cyclists in the same manner as they yield to other motorized ve- hicles. Bicyclists must comply with the basic standards of care and caution as would any other vehicle using the roadway. Illi- nois Law clearly states that "Every person riding a bicy- cle ... shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all the du- ties applicable to the, driver of a vehicle... except as to those provi- sions ... which by their nature can have no application." (Section 5/11-1502, Illinois Vehicle Code.) The vast majority of bicycle acci- dents occur at visually obstructed intersections. Many of these in- tersections cannot be easily im- proved and require utmost cau- tion on the part of both the motor vehicle driver and the bicyclist. Many obstructed intersections can be improved with the help and attention of the homeowner, business owner or tenants. Clear site lines are critical to accident prevention. Take a quick walk around your property to deter- mine if any obstruction might vi- sually impair you or another driver, entering or exiting your property. You may find some easily corrected obstructions. Remember Village ordinance prohibits the growing of shrubs or bushes at an intersection, whose height creates a public nuisance. *'NEW .LC4W113 The following is a summary of several recently enacted laws and ordinances. Village Tobacco Ordinance This ordinance prohibits the pos- session of tobacco and smokeless tobacco products by minors (those under the age of 18). March 1997 Those found in violation of this ordinance are subject to the is- suance of a compliance ticket ($50.00 fine). Parental notifica- tion will -be made by police — Child Curfew Act- Penalty En- hancements Amends the Child Curfew Act to raise the range of fines for a vio- lation from the current $10 - $100 to $10 - $500. Exempts wards of the court and their legal guardians from any fines. Pro- vides for alternatives to- fines by authorizing the court to impose community service on a curfew violator. Drug Induced Infliction of Ag- gravated Battery to a Child This offense is aimed at distribu- tion or encouragement to use weight -gain or weight -loss drugs in connection with the participa- tion by persons under 18 in orga- nized athletics; exempts licensed physicians and retail merchants. Violation is a Class A misde- meanor for the first offense and Class 4 felony for second or sub- sequent offenses. School Searches Authorized Amends the School Code to per- mit school authroities to search places and areas such as lockers, desks, parking lots and equip- W. Page 2 Police Beat (P 10 ment owned or controlled by the, school as well as personal effects left in those areas by students. Authorizes that these searches can be conducted without notice or consent of the student and without a search warrant. Provides that school authorities may request the as- sistance of law enforcement of- ficials in conducting searches for illegal drugs, weapons or other dangerous materials or substances, including searches conducted by specially trained dogs. Passenger Restraint Warning! Air bags in all vehicles inflate as fast as 200 miles per hour, and with great force. Federal regulations require air bags to inflate forcefully enough to re- strain an unbelted dummy, the size of an average adult male, in a crash test into a concrete . barrier at 30 miles per hour. To meet this federal requirement, an air bag must inflate in a split second (about 1/30th of one second). A person who is out of position and too close to an inflating air bag could be seriously injured. NOTE An infant in a rear facing child safety seat in the front seat is at high risk of injury. How to minimize your risk: 1. Every occupant should be buckled up, or properly re- strained in a child safety seat. 2. Always secure infants and small children in child safety seats that are proper for the size and age of the child. 3. Never put an infant who is in a rear facing child safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag. 4. If possible, all other small children should be secured in the rear seating compartment of the vehicle. This includes children in forward facing child seats and children too large for child safety seats. 5. If the front seat must be used for non -infant children, the seat must be moved back as far as possible and the child must be properly restrained. 6. Generally, the front seat should be kept as far back as practical, while still maintaining comfortable driver control. The majority of children dying in air bag related crashes were found to have not been com- pletely buckled. Either they were restrained by only a lap belt or they had slipped the shoulder strap behind their backs. The best advise is to transport chil- dren in the rear seating area whenever possible. When cir- cumstances require carrying a child in the front seat, observe the guidelines mentioned above. ************************ L. Patrick Anderson Chief of Police Deputy Chief Tom Skrabala Investigation, Youth and Social Services Deputy Chief John Sliozis Operations Division 945-8636 Emergency Number - 911