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Vol. 45, No. 6 - November/December 2023Deerfield is Walking in a Winter Wonderland Deerfield’s Winter Celebration and Winter Market Return December 1 - 2 The Winter Celebration will be held on Friday, December 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Village Hall. Friday evening will feature complimentary treats, roasted chestnuts, live musical performances and more. Featured entertainment includes a live ice sculptor and a performance by the Deerfield High School Choraliers. Join us for a magical evening of holiday festivities at the Winter Celebration – it’s a night you won’t want to miss! A special thanks to long-time local sponsors and participants Deerfield Auto & Tire and Deerfield BP, who provide the roasted chestnuts and hot cider every year. The Winter Market will be the following day, Saturday, December 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Patty Turner Center, 375 Elm Street. At this year’s Winter Market, you can look forward to festive live entertainment, retail & craft booths, non-profit charities, food vendors, children’s activities and holiday fun in a new, warm, indoor location! Get into the holiday spirit and find unique gifts while supporting local artisans, restaurants and charities at the Winter Market. The Winter Market is brought to you by the Village of Deerfield and the Deerfield, Bannockburn, Riverwoods Chamber of Commerce. For more information please visit deerfield.il.us D-TalesNOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 VOLUME 45, NO. 6 INSIDE Village News 2 Board Report 3 Community Calendar 3 Public Works News 4 Police Department News 5 Our Community 6 Meeting Schedule 8 3rd Winter Market 30 vendors 6 non-profit/community organizations 3 live musical performances Hall. Friday evening will feature complimentary treats, roasted chestnuts, live musical 2 Village News Downtown Tree Lighting November 22 Mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 22, from 4 to 5 p.m. for the Downtown Lighting Ceremony, presented by the Village of Deerfield and DBR Chamber of Commerce! The festive event, sponsored in part by @Properties, will be hosted at Deerfield Village Centre between Starbucks and Bobby’s Deerfield. Join Mayor Daniel C. Shapiro as he lights up the downtown at 5:00 p.m. Local businesses, including Bobby’s Deerfield, Pet People, DBR Chamber of Commerce, and Starbucks will provide complimentary treats, hot chocolate and goody bags. Don’t miss this wonderful community event where you can kick off the holiday season with your neighbors, families, and local businesses! For more information please visit deerfield.il.us ‘THE SANDWICH SQUAD’ PUTS THE ‘DEAR’ IN DEERFIELD Local teens from Deerfield and Riverwoods have created an ini- tiative called The Sandwich Squad to help feed the hungry. They have packed over 4,000 bagged lunches over the past 4 years! The initiative began in Spring 2019 by Perry Harig, a Deerfield teen and high school student at Culver Academies, who wanted to help feed the less fortunate. He gathered friends to pack bagged lunches and delivered them to Catholic Charities office in Des Plaines. Nick Bobay, also from Deerfield, then led the initiative with his classmates at both Holy Cross School in Deerfield and School of St. Mary in Lake Forest. The initiative continued to flourish as Nick and Leo Baumann, from Riverwoods, packed 60 bagged lunches monthly during their freshmen and sophomore years. They will continue The Sandwich Squad through high school. Visit deerfield.il.us or use the QR Code to share your ‘Dear’ in Deerfield story. Watch this space for updates. 2 Trustee Robert ‘Bob’ Benton Receives Bernard Forrest Public Service Award First appointed to a commission in 1973 and still serving. Trustee Robert “Bob” Benton was presented the Bernard Forrest Public Service Award by Mayor Shapiro at the September 18 Village Board meeting. In January of 1973, Benton was appointed by former Mayor Forrest to chair the new Village committee to study mini-bus service in the Village. His service has continued uninterrupted for 50 years with time on both the Village Board and Plan Commission. “It is my honor to present the Bernard Forrest Public Service Award to Bob Benton for more than 50 years of dedicated service to the Village of Deerfield,” Shapiro said. Trustee Benton and his wife, Mrs. Barbara Benton, moved to Deerfield in 1965 and raised their children through the Deerfield school system. He served as Chairman of the Plan Commission during the recommendation for projects including Deerfield Square, the post office expansion and many others. D-TALES DEERFIELD.IL.US 3 For complete sets of minutes for Village Board meetings or to watch meetings on demand, please visit deerfield.il.us. VILLAGE BOARD ACTION Approved an Ordinance amending Section 6-1 of the Municipal Code Regarding Building Permit Requirements Approved an Ordinance adopting by reference of the Lake County Watershed Development Ordinance Approved a Resolution approving a policy concerning attendance at Village meetings by video or audio conference Approved an Ordinance amending Sections 6-1 and 6-10 of the Municipal Code regarding work without a valid permit Approved an Ordinance amending Article 1 of Chapter 15 of the Municipal Code regarding idling of trucks on village streets Approved an Ordinance amending Section 15-16 of the Municipal Code regarding snow removal operations Approved a Resolution authorizing purchase of two Ford F-150 Lightning Election Pickup Trucks Approved a Resolution authorizing the Village to enter into a dispatch services agreement with the Village of Lincolnshire Approved a Resolution to award pumping station pump and floor door replacement project Board Report Community Calendar Deerfield Park District For more information or to register for Park District programs, call 847.945.0650 or visit deerfieldparks.org. Get Fit. Be Well. Stay Healthy. From nutritional counseling and seminars to an accountability series and weight loss team challenge, Sachs Recreation Center is a great way to get fit and stay active this winter! Check out sachsreccenter.org to view our newest classes and offerings as well as our membership options. Winter Guide Online and in-person registration begin on November 13 at 9 a.m. for residents and non- residents on November 21. Visit deerfieldparks. org to see what we offer for all ages! ‘Beauty and the Beast’ In November, Deerfield Family Theater presents their production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” at Caruso Middle School in Deerfield. Get your tickets now! deerfieldfamilytheater. org. Winter Events Check our calendar of events online and sign up for our Veterans Pancake Breakfast & Musical Salute, Thanksgiving Luncheon and Autumn Concert, and Noon Year’s Eve! deerfieldparks.org/ calendar. Summer Camp Guide New this year, the Summer Camp Guide will be mailed in January and includes tons of options for summer fun! Summer Camp registration begins on January 16 for residents and January 22 for non-residents. Deerfield Library All Library programs are free and open to the public. Register in advance by phone at 847.945.3311, online at deerfieldlibrary. org or in person at 920 Waukegan Rd. Online program description notes program platform (online, in-person, or hybrid). The Reintroduction of the Native Americans into Illinois November 8, 6:30-8 p.m. Gerald Savage, HoChunk Native American, will examine the history of his tribal territory and settlements, how his family was relocated into Starved Rock, his culture, regalia and artifacts. STEAM Playtime November 20, 3-4:30 p.m., Kids and Families, Stop by to play with sand, water beads, our wind tunnel and more. Drop-in. Chess & Checkers Club November 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Adults/Teens Sharpen your strategic thinking skills by playing other fans of these classic games. This program is not instructional. Winter Wonderland Model Train Run December 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. All Ages The North Central “0” Gaugers bring their popular model train run to the Library. The exhibit includes Thomas the Tank Engine and snow villages. Drop-in. Memory Café December 6, 10:30-11:45 a.m. The Café is offered to support and connect those experiencing memory loss and their care partner. To register, contact Vicki Karlovsky, vkarlovsky@ deerfieldlibrary.org, 847.580.8938. DHS Chamber Orchestra Holiday Concert December 9, 3-4 p.m. All Ages Back by popular demand! HONORS AND RECOGNITIONS Recognized Deerfield High School EIU Academic Challenge Team State Champions Recognized Deerfield High School IHSEA eSports Overwatch 2 Tournament State Champions 2022 - 2023 (above) Proclaimed September 15 – October 15 Hispanic Heritage Month Presented Bernard Forrest Public Service Award to Trustee Robert “Bob” L. Benton Proclaimed October Domestic Violence Awareness Month 4 Village Snow Plowing Operations The Village’s Public Works Department is prepared for snow and is able to effectively clear Deerfield’s 66 miles of roadway quickly to make safe travel possible for all who use our streets. Keeping vehicles off the street assists plows and salt trucks in clearing the streets more effectively. As a reminder, vehicles cannot be parked on the street for 24 hours after two inches of snow have fallen, per Village ordinance. By Village ordinance, you may not deposit snow from your property onto the street or sidewalk. This can hinder safe passage of vehicles and pedestrians and make it harder for Village plow crews to keep streets clear. Please remember to shovel an extra area on your driveway apron or parkway to properly stage your refuse, recycling and compost bins for pick-up by Lakeshore Recycling. Public Works Update SNOW PLOWING BY THE NUMBERS 66 lane miles of roadway to clear per snow event 2,500 tons of road salt used per year 14 plow routes to clear per snow event 25 miles of sidewalk to clear per snow event near schools Adopt-A-Hydrant In the winter months, heavy snowfall makes finding and accessing fire hydrants difficult, and every second counts during an emergency. We are asking residents, business owners and community groups to consider participating in the Adopt-A-Hydrant Program. Participants get to name their hydrant to show their commitment to public safety. Participation involves the following: •Ensuring the adopted fire hydrant is clearly visible from the street. •Keeping the fire hydrant free of snow and ice. • Keeping clearance of at least three feet all around the hydrant. Please use caution when shoveling. • Keeping the hydrant free of grass, weeds and debris. For more information, visit www. deerfield.il.us or contact Communications Coordinator David Fitzgerald-Sullivan at dfitzgerald@deerfield.il.us or 847.719.7400. Fall Leaf Collection Continues The Village’s annual leaf collection program provides residents with an alternative for disposal of their autumn leaves. Residents who do not mulch or bag their leaves may rake leaves to the curb or carriage walk before their scheduled pickup. The Village began collecting leaves on October 30 this year and will continue this service through November 30. Public Works Department crews will make one pass by all homes in the Village each week during the four-week program. The southeast quadrant is collected Mondays, southwest Tuesdays, northeast Wednesdays and the northwest on Thursdays. We ask that you do not put out leaves more than one day prior to your scheduled pickup day. Leaves should be raked in a long, neat row that does not exceed five feet in width. They should be raked as close to the curb as possible, so long as they are not placed in the street or on top of the carriage walks or sidewalk, as this causes safety hazards. If you have landscapers, please direct them to abide by the Village’s leaf collection guidelines. Crews will not follow the normal collection schedule during the week of Thanksgiving, but will still service every street in the Village. Therefore, it’s important to have your leaves out by Monday morning of this particular week. Prevent Damage to Mailboxes Mailboxes are sometimes damaged when snow storms affect Deerfield. If your mailbox is damaged or if you are planning to install a new one, please consult the guidelines on how to properly install a mailbox that meets postal standards. The majority of mailbox knockdowns occur because the post supporting the mailbox has deteriorated or the mailbox was installed incorrectly. Per the United States Postal Service installation requirements, mailboxes should be positioned 41 to 45 inches from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox and six to eight inches back from the curb. The post should be strong but should be able to breakaway if struck by a vehicle that leaves the pavement. If you decide to install a new mailbox, contact JULIE by dialing 811 before you dig. This will allow you to identify where buried utilities are located. Beard It Up & Color for the Cure The Deerfield Police Department will participate in Beard It Up and Color for the Cure in the months of November and December to raise money in support of pediatric cancer research. First responders across the country will donate to flaunt their finest facial hair or most colorful nails in honor of our smallest warriors battling cancer. The Beard It Up and Color for the Cure campaigns are in their sixth year and since 2018 have raised over $700,000 with the help of law enforcement agency partnerships nationwide. We look forward to a successful partnership and campaign this year with a department fundraising goal of $5,000. For more information or to donate please contact Sgt. Brad Tokarz at btokarz@deerfield.il.us. Help ‘Cram a Cruiser’ November 18 The Deerfield Police Department will host its annual “Cram a Cruiser” holiday food drive designed to provide non-perishable food items for families in need throughout the county. This year the event will be held at Jewel, 16 S. Waukegan Road, on Saturday, November 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will benefit the Midwest Veteran’s Closet. We’re asking our generous community to donate non-perishable food items to support the cause. Suggested donations include non-expired canned fruit and vegetables, canned meat, macaroni and cheese, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, canned soups, chili or spaghetti sauce, brownie and cake mixes, coffee, water, powdered milk and juices. Last year we “crammed” several cruisers full of necessities for our veterans and their families. Help us do it again and start the Holiday Season off right. Toy Donation for Lutheran General & Ronald McDonald House The Deerfield Police Department is once again collecting gifts for children undergoing treatment at Lutheran General Hospital and those staying at Ronald McDonald House while patients of Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital. This year marks our 13th year of collecting toys for children at Lutheran General Hospital and our third year for the Ronald McDonald House. Last year was a huge success as were able to collect enough gifts/toys for both organizations. Donations of gifts and toys for all ages from toddlers up to teenagers will be accepted in the Police Department lobby. The only requirement is that they must be brand new, in their original packaging and unwrapped. For more information on wish list items or additional ways you can help us spread holiday cheer, please contact Commander Juan Mazariegos at jmazariegos@deerfield.il.us. 9PM Routine The 9PM Routine is designed to help you prevent burglaries and thefts from your home, cars or personal property. Too often these are crimes of opportunity perpetrated by criminals looking for an easy target. An unlocked car with valuables easily visible is an irresistible temptation for some thieves. Similarly, a residence with poor exterior lighting or an open garage door might entice a burglar to take a closer look at your property. Every night at 9 p.m., we encourage the community to: BRING IN valuables from your car, yard, and patio; LOCK UP your car, house, windows, garage, gates and shed; TURN ON exterior lights and alarm systems. This campaign has proved successful throughout the country and we look forward to implementing it in the Village of Deerfield. Please partner with us, your neighbors and our community to help deter crimes of opportunity with this proven and effective program. Stick to it every night, just like brushing your teeth! Police Department News In 2022 the Deerfield Police Department responded to 326 public roadway crashes. 286 property/vehicle damage only crashes (no injuries) 21 vehicle crashes with injuries reported but not evident 16 vehicle crashes with non-incapacitating injuries 3 vehicle crashes with incapacitating injuries 0 vehicle crashes with fatalities D-TALES DEERFIELD.IL.US 5 6 Our Community 6 The Communications Center at the Deerfield Police Department currently provides dispatch service to four communities: Deerfield, Bannockburn, Riverwoods and Lincolnshire, and is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Center was last remodeled in excess of 20 years ago and dispatch consoles were later replaced in 2004 with a 10-year life expectancy. The Center was originally designed to accommodate dispatching personnel to provide service to two communities (Deerfield and Bannockburn) with four dispatch answering points. Since that time, the Center has seen modest growth with the addition of Riverwoods and Lincolnshire. Though the Center maintained technological requirements over the years, some of the building maintenance and infrastructure fell behind as the building aged. Due to the increased volume of calls and need for additional equipment, it was determined an expansion and upgrade of the center was necessary. The Police Department contacted Hezcorp Construction Services of Libertyville to assist in a review of the Center and offer construction recommendations. Planning for the construction began in 2022 and officially started in April of this year. Telecommunicators were moved to a temporary workspace in the department and they continued to provide telephone service to the public TELECOMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR Deerfield Police Department Telecommunicator Justin Gonzales was chosen by The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) as the 2023 Illinois APCO Telecommunicator of the Year. APCO is an international leader committed to providing complete public safety communications expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach to benefit our members and the public. This remarkable achievement honors Justin as a public safety telecommunicator with unwavering dedication, exceptional skills, and outstanding contributions to our organization. Justin’s commitment to excellence and ability to handle high-pressure situations with composure and professionalism set a remarkable standard for our team. His consistently outstanding performance has not only made a difference within our organization, but has also had a profound impact on the safety and well- being of our community. This recognition from the Illinois APCO is a well-deserved honor and a testament to his exemplary service. Rescue 9-1-1 throughout the process. Square footage from the Police lobby was incorporated into the new dispatch layout allowing for an additional two dispatch answering points. Dispatch consoles and computer/TV monitors were also upgraded to provide the Center with state-of-the-art equipment. Construction was completed in September and the new equipment was installed and tested. The Center is now fully operational and the lobby is open to the public from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The public can still access the police department outside of lobby hours through the Communications window in the police vestibule. New Deerfield Police 9-1-1 Communications Center Expanded 6 DPN Presents: ‘How to Raise Successful Kids’ Deerfield Parent Network is partnering with School Districts 113, 112, and 109 to bring in nationally-renowned speakers for the parenting community. Julie Lythcott-Haims will be the first author and speaker. On November 30, at 7:30 p.m. at the Deerfield High School Auditorium, she will present on “How to Raise Successful Kids.” Julie is a celebrated writer and speaker who wrote The New York Times best-selling book, “How to Raise an Adult.” Parents of children ages k-12, from all local communities, are encouraged to attend this informative presentation. To learn more about Deerfield Parent Network and its free programming, or to make a donation, visit deerfieldparentnetwork.org. West Deerfield Township Support for Disabilities The Township is committed to enhancing the lives of its residents, especially those whose special needs require modifications that may be cost prohibitive. Services or expenses that may qualify for this program include home remodeling/adaption, transportation equipment, communication devices, durable medical equipment, specialized therapy tools, or other user-centered products or services which foster accessibility or independence. OPTIMIST CLUB TREE LOT The Deerfield Optimist Club will again be selling Christmas trees, wreaths and roping/ tree garland at Jewett Park this year start- ing November 24. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. The tree lot is located at the North end of Jewett Park, adjacent to the Hazel Avenue Parking lot. Deliver- ies are available! The trees all come from Michigan or Quebec, Canada. Available variet- ies include Fraser Fir and Balsam Fir as well as table top Spruce. Residents with physical impairment (either permanent or temporary), developmental and cognitive disability or delays, and some forms of behavioral or physical challenges, are encouraged to apply. All information in the application is kept strictly confidential. Applications will be accepted throughout the year, with reviews taking place quarterly. The next submission deadline is December 31, 2023. You may download the application on the Township website: westdeerfieldtownship.org. Contact Kristen Scott at the Township Office at 847.945.0614 with questions. D-TALES DEERFIELD.IL.US 7 West Deerfield Township Holiday Wish Holiday Wish provides the community a chance to spread extra cheer to neighbors in need during the holiday season. Residents may “adopt” singles, couples or families, and provide gift card(s) to a variety of stores or services. Your gift will be a welcome indulgence for residents struggling with financial hardship who have few funds to spare on holiday gifts. If you’d like to participate, or have questions, please call West Deerfield Township at 847-945-0614, email info@westdeerfield.org, or go to westdeerfieldtownship.org. Village Lowers Solar Panel Permits Fees The Village Board has taken another step toward promoting renewable energy by implementing a 50% reduction in the base permit fee for solar panel installations. This initiative is in line with the Village’s 2022 Climate Action Report, which sets ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The revised permit fee has been lowered from $18 per $1,000 of estimated construction costs to a rate of $9 per $1,000. Additional fees, such as inspection fees, may still apply. 850 Waukegan Road Deerfield, Illinois 60015 847.945.5000 I deerfield.il.us PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 1 DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS VILLAGE OFFICIALS Mayor Daniel C. Shapiro 847.719.7402 dshapiro@deerfield.il.us Trustees Robert “Bob” L. Benton 847.945.1570 rbenton@deerfield.il.us Larry Berg 847.719.7422 lberg@deerfield.il.us Elaine Jacoby 847.644.3354 ejacoby@deerfield.il.us Rebekah Metts-Childers 847.719.7423 rmettschilders@deerfield.il.us Mary M. Oppenheim 847.948.9423 moppenheim@deerfield.il.us William S. Seiden 847.719.7421 wseiden@deerfield.il.us Village Manager Kent S. Street - 847.719.7400 kstreet@deerfield.il.us Village Hall/Police Department 850 Waukegan Road Deerfield, Illinois 60015 Switchboard and Finance 847.945.5000 Community Development 847.719.7484 Police non-emergency 847.945.8636 Public Works and Engineering 465 Elm Street 847.317.7245 847.317.2490 (Engineering) MEETING SCHEDULE For a complete list of meetings, please visit deerfield.il.us. Times/dates subject to change. November Board of Trustees November 6 & 20, 7:30 p.m. Community Relations Commission November 14, 6:30 p.m. Plan Commission November 9, 7:30 p.m. Appearance Review Commission November 27, 7:30 p.m. December Board of Trustees December 4 & 18, 7:30 p.m. Community Relations Commission December 12, 6:30 p.m. Plan Commission December 14, 7:30 p.m. Appearance Review Commission December 18, 7:30 p.m. Postal Customer Deerfield, Illinois 60015 Do I Need a Building Permit for That? A New Helpful Poster Takes You Room-by-Room to Know if a Permit is Required Obtaining a building permit is the law. Both the State of Illinois and Village ordinance requires that permits be obtained for certain types of work. Permits provide a legal record of work performed. Permits protect you, your family and the investment in your home. They ensure that licensed contractors complete the required work to minimum specifications. Inspections help ensure the work is done safely and meets minimum code requirements. Obtaining the proper permits could also help prevent long-term costly repairs in the future. When selling a property, the prospective purchaser will often submit FOIA requests to the Village to obtain the permit history of a property. The prospective purchaser, realtor or lender may require that unpermitted work be corrected, properly permitted and inspected before closing. Scan to download for your next project.