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Vol. 24, No. 3 - May 2002eerfield TA�\.IL,s VEHICLE STICKERS Computer card applications for vehicle stickers will soon be in the mail. Please complete and return them by mail or bring them to the Village Hall. The stickers must be displayed on all vehicles registered in Deerfield by JULY 1. After June 3&, there's an additional 50% added to the cost of each sticker. Seniors (those who are 65 by July 11) are charged only $1.00 for the first vehicle. If you don't receive your computer card, or if you're waiting for your state plates, you still need to have the sticker by July 1 '. Call us if you have any questions. MEMORIAL DAY PARADE The American Legion Post will conduct its annual Memorial Day program and parade on Monday, May 27th. It begins at 10:00 a.m, in Jewett Park, followed by a parade along Waukegan Road to the cemetery 50/50 PARKWAY TREE PROGRAM If you are interested in paying half the cost of a new tree for your parkway, give us a call at 945-5000. We'll send you information on the program and an order blank. Orders are taken during the summer and the trees are planted around the middle of October. The trees are balled in burlap, guaranteed for a year and planted by our Public Works personnel on Village right-of-way. NEW WEBSITE The. Village has redesigned its website. This new site will provide residents and visitors with up-to-date information, ease in navigation, and a "new look". Check us out at www.deerfield-il.orQ. May 2002 - VOL. 24 NO.3 SPRINKLING RESTRICTIONS The Illinois Division of Water Resources requires that municipalities which use Lake Michigan water must restrict lawn sprinkling between May 15" and September 15'h. Here are the procedures to be followed: Even numbered addresses may sprinkle on even numbered dates from midnight to noon and/or from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. Odd numbered addresses may sprinkle on odd numbered dates from midnight to noon and/or from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. No property owner is allowed to sprinkle between noon and 6:00 P.M. on any day. This applies ONLY to lawn sprinkling. Fines for violators are $25 per occurrence for residents and $100 for non-residential properties. CELLULAR PHONE TAX You may have noticed a recent addition to your cellular telephone bill that lists a Village of Deerfield telecommunications tax (or local tax or some similar language). This is not a new Village tax. This is the result of state legislation recently signed into law (Public Act 92-0526) that reinstates an existing 1% infrastructure maintenance fee on cellular usage. This fee has been in effect for a number of years and has continually appeared on your land -based phone bills. Due to a court case two years ago, the fee as it had been charged was held not to apply to cellular. The new law changed the language to provide for equal treatment of land -based and cellular charges. ------------------------------------------------- NEW SENIOR CENTER Groundbreaking for the new Patty Turner Senior Center is scheduled for 1:00 P.M., Saturday, May I I"' i at Brickyards Park. All are invited to help launch this building project jointly undertaken by the Village and Deerfield Park District. Summer 2002 Schedule PLAZA PLEASURES at the Farmers Market �fi� lust a little note AAA Join us at the FARMERS MARKET each Saturday motoiog for food ftieods & fun! Saturdays Program times: *10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. -or- **10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. June 22 Hummers Er Strummers* (Ukelele) - Sponsored by McDonalds ,June 29 Wizz the Clown (Clowning/Balloons) 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. July 6 The Dooleys** (American/Irish Folksongs) July 13 Dennis DeBondt* (Magician) - Sponsored by MASCK Restaurant July 20 ,Joel Frankel** (Folksongs) July 27 Truly Remarkable Loon* (Comedy Juggler) - Sponsored by Walgreens Aug. 3 Jammin' Daddies** (Oldies Rock `n Roll) Aug. 10 Andy Head* Vuggler) Aug. 17 Dave Rudolph's "Music, Mirth Er Mayhem"* (Interactive songs) Aug. 24 Rope Warrior* (Spectacular Jump Roping!) Aug. 31 Jodi Koplin's Jigglejam* (Interactive Songs) - Sponsored by Amish Furniture Shoppe Sept. 7 AC Rock** (A Cappella Rock) - Sponsored by Whole Foods Market Sept. 14 Chicago Bluegrass Band** (Bluegrass) Sept. 21 Rick Shandling's jazz Quartet** Oazz) Sept. 28 Ronda Rae Er the Replays** (Folk/Rock) The Village acknowledges with appreciation the participation by all our local — merchants Er businesses for their generous contributions, sponsorship, and support of Plaza Pleasures. General Sponsors Allura Fine jewelers; Amish Furniture Shoppe; Cherry Pit Cafe; Coldwell Banker; Dear Franks; Deerfield Auto a Tire Clinic, Deerfield Review; F.U.N. Cards; Koenig a Stre Realtors; MASK Restaurant; McDonalds; Parsons' Nutrition Store; Stoney River Legendary Steaks; Upper Crust Bagels; USBank Ma Firstar Bank); Walgreens; Whole Foods Market; and A. W. Zengeler Cleaners. PLEASE REMEMBER TO SHOP DEERFIELD FIRST.fi IThe DEERFIELD FARMERS MARKET begins its eighth season on June 22nd and will operate each Saturday morning until October 12th, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., rain or shine. The market offers the finest locally grown fruit and vegetables (including organic); and specialty items such as freshly baked breads and cookies, fabulous flowers, tasty maple syrup and honey, salsas, and a variety of hand-crafted cheeses. The market is located in the commuter parking lot at the northwest corner of ' Deerfield Road and Robert York Avenue. There's plenty of parking along Park Avenue. For more information, call 945-5000 or e-mail us at topcarrots@aol. com. Also, visit our website at www deer field-il. or / armmkt�fiarmersmarket. html. Budget Dollar, Where It Comes From 2002-2003 2002-2003 BUDGET Following three public meetings and a public hearing on April 15th, the Mayor and Board of Trustees approved a budget for the fiscal year beginning May V. The $44,676,519 budget consists of $25,459,652 in general operating expenses and $19,216,867 in capital projects. The operating budget funds the day-to-day basic services, while the capital budget addresses major improvements to streets, sewer and water utilities and other municipal assets. The budget review process provides the Mayor and Board of Trustees an opportunity to establish goals and objectives in balancing the needs of the community against available resources. Deerfield's excellent financial condition has been validated by the many awards received over the years from financial institutions and the highest bond rating awarded municipal governments. The budget process was particularly challenging this year due to the fall off in revenues from the hotel - motel tax and local share of the state income tax, along with a double-digit increase in health insurance costs. However, by carefully controlling expenditures and through the judicious use of reserves, the Village will maintain and improve its high level of service to the community. Property Tax Dollar Apportionment (1) 2000 Tax Levy Collected in 2001 School District 1 34.6% 0 Village of Deerfield 5.4% School District 113 29.2% Aic Library Yo ict ,ntion District .6% (1) The Village is in several taxing districts. The illustrated apportionment is generally representative of the Village as a whole. Motel Tax Cash aalancerrrensfen 7.7% 12.9% Stab Inmms Tax 5.4% Munidpal Saba Tax 13.4% Iabras! Eam4tgs 7.9% Vi9pe Pmpeny Tax 10.1% YUlapa, ONer Sewer Cluryes 15.7% 6.7% Motor Fuel Tax 2.ox wear chap.. Vahile Si 14.6% 1.3% Refuse Charges 2.7% This Chart illustrates the major funding sources of the Village. Contrary to popular opinion, property tax is less than 11% of the Village's funding sources Budget Dollar, Where It Goes 2002-2003 Miscellaneous General Government 8.5% 12god General Obligation L 13.2% Police Includes Pensioi 22.8% Water 17.1 % Scavenger 5.2% oaee1 8.6% 9.9% The Largest use of the Village's resources is the Public Works Department. The primary source of their funding comes from user charges. The second largest user of the Village's resources is the Police Department. Public Works (42.6%)- Water, Sewer, Street, Scavenger, and MFT Highlights of the new budget include: ❑ No increase in the property tax levy or any other fees. ❑ A 3.75% increase in wages. ❑ Hiring a Computer Systems Coordinator. ❑ Continuation of the Street Rehabilitation Program (see separate article on construction). ❑ Funding for the new senior center in Brickyards Park. ❑ Implementing a new Geographic Information System. ❑ Funding an update of the Village's Comprehensive Plan. ❑ Completion of the Waxer System Improvements at Mitchell Park. ❑ Streetscape improvements in the two northern quadrants of the Village Center. ❑ Intersection and signal improvements at Waukegan Road and Osterman Avenue. ❑ Completion of the renovation work on the Deerfield Police Department facility. OEERFIELD v POLICE BEAT POLICE HOME IMPROVEMENT SCAMS With warmer weather approaching, it is important to be on the lookout for home improvement scams. Home improvement scams are some of the most common and frequent crimes that occur during spring and fall. These are the times when most homeowners do the majority of their home improvement projects. Some of the most popular scams are driveway resealing, roofing repairs and chimney repairs. Statistics show the prime target for these scams will be older residents, living along and unable to handle such physically demanding repairs on their homes. Another more sinister outcome to any of these scams can be that the offender using the scenarios listed above gains access to the home and steals directly from the homeowner. The best way to prevent becoming a victim to these scams is to only deal with legitimate contractors that either you contact or come recommended by a friend. Also, get a written quote for repairs to be done prior to the work being started. And most importantly, don't be afraid to call the police if you think you have been the victim of one of these scams. DOG TO BE ON LEASH No owner or any person entitled to the custody of any dog shall permit the dog to be at large or confine the dog in a manner so that it can escape and so be at large without his permission, unless the dog is securely confined upon a leash of sufficient strength not more than three feet and accompanied by an able bodied person capable of controlling the actions of the dog under any circumstances. VILLAGE OF DEERFIELD 850 Waukegan Road Deerfield, Illinois 60015 WHAT TO DO IIF YOU LOSE YOUR PURSE OF WALLET The following is critical information to limit the damage in the event you lose your purse or wallet. As everyone always advises, cancel your credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them easily. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen ... this proves you were diligent and is a first step toward an investigation. Fire/Police Emergency ...................................... 911 Fire Department Non -Emergency ....................... 945-4066 Police Department Non -Emergency ..................... 945-8636 Village Hall ............................................ 945-5000 Public Works..........................................317-7245 Web Page ................................... www.deerfield-il.org E-mail ................................. deermail@deerfield-il.org STEVEN M. HARRIS, Mayor 940-7533 Call the three national credit-reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. This is probably the most important thing of all to do. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. The numbers for these organizations are Trans Union 1-800-680-7289; Equifax 1-800-525-6285; Experian (formerly TRW 1- 888-397-3742. ALL NIGHT PARKING No person shall park any vehicle on any street for a period of time longer than thirty (30) minutes between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. of any day, except physicians on emergency calls and those persons who shall have received prior permission therefore from the Police Department of the Village of Deerfield. Any person desiring permission to park within the prescribed hours shall contact the police department and shall receive permission, except that no such permission shall be granted for parking within twelve (12) hours of a snowfall of three inches or more. Permission shall be limited to the overnight parking of twelve (12) vehicles, in the aggregate, to the members of a single household during any twelve (12) month period. TRUSTEES JERRY KAYNE 945-5320 DEREK RAGONA 945-2291 HARRIET ROSENTHAL 945-3545 WILLIAM S. SEIDEN 945-2442 VERNON E. SWANSON 945-0227 MATTHEW J. WYLIE 945-5149 ROBERT D. FRANZ, Village Manager Printed on Recycled Paper PRESORTED STANDARD U.S.POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 1 Deerfield, Illinois POSTAL CUSTOMER DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS 60015 • Printed at SPS, The Printing Company, Inc. (847) 498-6126 SUMP PUMPS BUSY CONSTRUCTION SEASON Do you know where your sump pump water goes? If it goes into a sewer pipe it is very important for you and your neighbors to make sure it goes only into a storm sewer pipe, otherwise it may cause basement flooding. Rain or storm water has to be kept out of the sanitary sewer where it can cause overflows or "surcharging". If you are uncertain which sewer your sump pump is connected to, please contact the public works department either by phone (847-317-7245) or e-mail (dfldpw a deerfigld-il.org) to make an appointment with a sewer department representative. MEETING SCHEDULE The public is invited to attend Village Commission meetings, 850 Waukegan Road. change. which take place at the Dates and times a. Wednesday, May 1st: Village Center Development Monday, May 6th: Fine Arts Commission Board of Trustees Tuesday, May 7th: Youth Council Thursday, May 9"' Plan Commission Tuesday, May 14th: Safety Council Wednesday, May 15th: Cable & Telecommunications Tear Down Task Force Monday, May 20th: Board of Trustees Appearance Review Commission Thursday, May 23rd: Plan Commission Monday, June 3rd: Board of Trustees Wednesday, June 5th: Village Center Development Tuesday, June 11th: Safety Council Thursday, June 13th: Plan Commission Monday, June 17th: Board of Trustees Tuesday, June 18th: Tear Down Task Force Wednesday, June 19th Cable & Telecommunications Monday, June 24th: Appearance Review Commission Thursday, June 271h: Plan Commission Board and Village Hall, subject to 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8:00 P.M. It will be another busy construction season, with some projects already underway. Streetscape improvements are being installed along Waukegan and Deerfield Roads in the northeast and northwest quadrants of the Village Center. When completed this summer, they will match the streetscape improvements made last year in the south quadrants. We recognize the inconvenience this causes both businesses and customers and will do everything possible to expedite the work. Please continue to support these merchants during this construction period. Street resurfacing projects will begin in June on the following streets: Street From To Robert York Avenue Deerfield Road Jewett Park Drive Jewett Park Drive Park Avenue Waukegan Road Park Avenue Hazel Avenue Deerfield Road Greenwood Avenue Waukegan Road Railroad Tracks Crestview Drive Ferndale Road Deerfield Estates North Avenue Chestnut Avenue Wilmot Road Also scheduled for this summer are traffic signal and intersection improvements at Waukegan Road and Osterman/Longfellow Avenues. Turning lanes for north and southbound traffic will be installed to eliminate the congestion at this location. It is expected that this project will begin in June. CABLE & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMM. (Sixth article in a series describing the various volunteer boards & commissions which advise the Mayor and Board of Trustees) The Cable & Telecommunications Commission consists of nine members who advise the Village Board on use of the Village's right-of-way by telecommunications service providers, administer the cable/ Public Access TV System, and resolve customer service complaints from residents. Currently, they are dealing with the AT&T Broadband/Comcast merger. A public hearing was held by the commission on April 8th to seek citizen input on issues pertaining to cable TV service. Members are appointed for three years and meet at 7:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month. HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION PROGRAM Through four different types of exemptions, the Illinois Homestead Exemption Program either reduces or defers an increase in the equalized value of your property. The net effect of these exemptions is to lower the assessed valuation to which the tax rate is then applied. Qualifications and application procedures vary for each program General Homestead Exemption. This exemption lowers the equalized assessed value of your property by $3500. To receive this exemption, you must have lived on the property on or before January 1 of the tax year. Homestead Improvement Exemption. This exemption defers for four years any increase in the assessment of your property (maximum of $15,000) due to an addition or other improvement to your home for which the Township Assessor would add value. The Township Assessor's office initiates the above two exemptions. Senior Homestead Exemption. This exemption lowers the equalized assessed value of your property by $2000, and may be claimed in addition to the General Homestead Exemption. To receive this exemption, you must: ➢ Have lived on the property on or before January 1 of the tax year. ➢ Have reached age 65 during the tax year. ➢ Apply for the exemption at the Township Assessor's office. You will need to bring a copy of the deed to the property and proof of age with you when you apply. Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption. This exemption freezes the assessment of your property, but does not freeze the tax rate. This exemption may be claimed in addition to those described above. Please note that the actual taxes which you pay may continue to increase based upon the amounts levied by the taxing bodies where you reside (school districts, park district, village, township, etc.) The filing deadline for this exemption is typically mid -September of each year. To receive this exemption, you must: ➢ Have fulfilled a property residency requirement as explained on the application form. ➢ Be age 65 or older. ➢ Have a maximum household income of $40,000. -' This household income includes that of all persons using the property as their principal dwelling place on January 1 of the tax year. ➢ Obtain an application for the exemption at the Township Assessor's office. Your completed application must be notarized and returned to: Chief County Assessment Officer, 18 North County Street, Waukegan, Illinois 60085. Please note that these senior exemptions must be renewed annually. NATIONAL FAMILY PARTNERSHIP As a practical suggestion for building assets in your children to help them succeed, the National Family Partnership (NFP) is promoting Asset #4. "Caring Neighborhood." Youth are more likely to grow up healthy when they experience caring neighbors in their homes, at school, in the community and at houses of worship. Three suggestions to help your child build a relationship with a neighbor are: 1) Take a day trip with a neighbor; 2) Invite a different neighbor for dinner once a month; 3) Arrange for a get-together so neighbors can meet and mingle. Ask a neighbor if they would like help in doing lawn work, washing their car, or cleaning the garage. Offer to do it with your child. Some ways to achieve these goals are by spending time outdoors in your neighborhood, in the front yard rather than the back, go to the park, and throw a block party. 64% of District 109 students surveyed have this asset. 38% of District 113 students surveyed have this asset. 40% of students nationally have this asset. As parents and neighbors, let's be proactive and increase our children's assets together! To continue to nurture your child, NFP highly recommends the book "101 Things You Can Do For Our Children's Future" by Richard Louv. Ask for it at the Deerfield Library. HOME IMPROVEMENTS Don't forget to check with the Department of Community Development to see if a permit is needed before starting that home improvement project. Also, remember that for any project of over $1,000, the contractor must provide you with a pamphlet entitled "Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights". This is a very important document that will help you ask the right questions in order to protect yourself and minimize the possibility of any misunderstandings about the work to be performed. BLOOD DRIVE The next blood drive is on Sunday, June 2nd between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Deerfield Park District Community Center. No appointment is necessary.