Travel into yesteryear, with an eye toward our future.....

Long Grove E-Newsletter Edition 51                        September 5, 2019

In this newsletter you will find information about a special event happening tonight in the downtown in front of Village Tavern (all are welcome), along with  a number of ongoing construction projects in and around Long Grove. Updates are also provided on the RPC Bridge and the RPC Road Project. The Village welcomes two new leaders to the EDC, and is asking for more residents to consider volunteering for one of the committees or commissions that help to guide our community. Customer service improvements are coming - at the Village, as well as at Menards. A Household Chemical Waste drop off event will take place this Saturday, and Apple Fest will be held at the end of the month. Remember to 'save the date' for Oktoberfest, which benefits the Long Grove/Kildeer/Hawthorn Woods Rotary Club, on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Buffalo Creek Brewing!

Thank you!
Village of Long Grove 
Alternating Road Closures on Rt. 53/Old Hicks Road
Traffic delays continue on Rt. 53 and Old Hicks Road due to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) road construction project. Periodic lane closures between Old McHenry Road and Lake Cook Road are causing the delays; lane closures will not occur during peak travel times from 6:00 - 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. This project is expected to be completed prior to Thanksgiving, weather-permitting. Future updates will be provided in upcoming E-newsletters.  Questions pertaining to this project can be directed to the IDOT Project Manager Jonathan Shumacher at  847-705-4260 or Jonathan.Schumacher@illinois.gov .
IN THIS ISSUE
RPC Bridge Update
The Long Grove Village Board has approved a bid to replace the wooden cover for the Robert Parker Coffin Road (RPC) Bridge. The cost to replace the cover is $166,860; the work is expected to be paid for by the insurance company for the truck driver who damaged the Bridge in late June of 2018. The new wooden cover will be installed after abutment repairs and painting of the Bridge is completed. Both RPC Road and the Bridge are currently closed as part of the RPC Road Project. Please click here for project updates.
New EDC Leadership
Long Grove residents Roger Goble and Rob Pippen, who are both members of the Economic Development Commission (EDC), were appointed as Chair and Vice-Chair (respectively). The EDC is focused on attracting business to Long Grove. 
Rt. 22 Ashphalt Resurfacing Delays

Asphalt resurfacing work managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation continues on Rt. 22 between Quentin Road and Old McHenry Road. This project is expected to last until the end of September, weather-permitting. Significant traffic delays are occurring, and are anticipated to continue through the end of this project. Roadwork begins daily at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 7:00 p.m. Motorists are advised to utilize detours. 
Customer Service Improvements 

As part of the ongoing evaluations and improvements to operations, the Village has purchased a building department software module for our existing financial system. The goal is to improve internal operation efficiencies with a focus on strengthening customer service and convenience for our residents. The new software will reduce the time required to process permit applications, and will provide residents and businesses with the ability to file applications, make payments and receive permits electronically through the Village's new website -  which is scheduled to go live in November. Additional information and more details will be provided in future communications.   
Online Purchase Pickups at Menards
The Village Board approved a request from Menards to add an 'online purchases' third lane to their existing customer pickup area. This area, which is located outside near the lumberyard to the rear of the building, will be modified over the next few months to add the third lane for customers picking up items purchased online. This added convenience will improve the customer service experience, and help the Long Grove Menard's to remain one of their most productive stores in the country.
Village of 
Long Grove 

Office Hours 
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. -  5:00 p.m.
  Main line   
847-634-9440
Village Website Address 

Village Administration
Village Manager 
David Lothspeich

Elected Officials

Village President 
Bill Jacob

Trustee 
Chris Borawski

Trustee 
Anne Kritzmire

Trustee 
Chuck Nora

Trustee 
Rita O'Connor

Trustee 
Bobbie O'Reilly

Trustee 
Michael Sarlitto

Village Clerk 
Amy Johns Gayton

Please email
to provide feedback or comments on Village communication efforts.
Attend the 'Turn on the Lights' Event!
All are welcome to attend the 'Turn on the Lights' ceremony on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. in front of the Village Tavern. New period street lighting in downtown Long Grove will be 'switched on' to illuminate the many improvements that are part of the Old McHenry Road (OMR) project - which began in June of 2018 and is now nearing its completion. Click here for project updates. Among the improvements are new ADA accessible sidewalks, streetscapes, landscaping and benches. Public water was also extended on Old McHenry Road throughout the downtown area, along with the recent extension completion of the watermain on Robert Parker Coffin Road. Both of these projects were approved by the Long Grove Village Board with a goal to attracting new businesses - in particular restaurants - to the downtown area.

Longtime Village Tavern owner Chip Ullrich, who has been a strong proponent of adding streetlights and other improvements to increase activity and commerce in the evenings, will be the master of ceremonies.  "For the last 50 years I have wanted to see lights in the downtown and I am thrilled they are finally here," Ullrich said. "It's an honor and a privilege to be a part of moving our fellow merchants into the future."
RPC Road Project Continues:
Support Downtown Businesses!
The RPC Road Project continues with the installation of the storm sewer, which will run from the RPC Bridge to Old McHenry Road; this stretch of road is currently closed with a detour utilizing Rt. 53. Traffic on RPC Road between Archer and Old McHenry Roads is one way heading westbound with periodic road closures. Businesses in downtown Long Grove remain open during this project - please consider supporting them!  Parking is available in the Stempel and Archer Parking Lot. Directional signs for all of the shops and restaurants are posted throughout the downtown. For store listings,  click here, and for dining options, click here. For more information and questions about the RPC Road project, visit the RPC Project website here or call   847-634-9440 . 
Village Seeks Volunteers for Commissions, Committees
The Village has key committees that serve as advisory bodies to the Village Board. They include:

1. The Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals (PCZBA) focuses on development, and reviews plans and recommendations for zoning changes. 
2. The Architectural Commission (AC) which reviews building requests, including signs, and focuses on aesthetics and harmony within the Village.
3. The Conservancy / Scenic Corridor Committee (CSCC) that advises the Board regarding conservancy districts and scenic corridors.
4. The Economic Development Commission (EDC) has a mission to attract business to Long Grove relating to the Comprehensive Plan, and is an advisory body in matters related to the businesses in the community.
5. The Pathway Committee (PC) reviews all pathway plans and focuses on the development and interconnection of pathways in the Village.

Interested individuals should email Village President Bill Jacob.
Coyote & Other Canines Nature Talk
The Long Grove Park District is hosting a one-hour nature talk on Coyotes & Other Canines of Lake County at Reed-Turner Nature Center, 3849 Old McHenry Road in Long Grove. Learn about the natural history and special adaptations of coyotes and other canines, such as foxes and wolves, through experiences with natural artifacts. Did you know that coyotes' have a remarkable sense of smell? And, their sense of sight and hearing are also extremely exceptional. This program will take place Thursday, October 10, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. The program fee is $5.00 and is suggested for individuals ages 16 years and up. For more information, call the Park District at 847-438-4743 or email syoung@lgparks.org.
SWALCO HCW Event





SWALCO will host a Household Chemical Waste (HCW) Collection event at the Lake Forest Municipal Center, 800 Field Drive, on Saturday, September 7, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Click here for a list of acceptable and unacceptable materials.  The organization also offers free year-round HCW public drop-off events at the Gurnee Facility  - by appointment only - on the second Saturday and fourth Monday of every month (some exceptions apply). Visit the website  for more information. 
Apple Fest is September 20-22 in Stempel Parking Lot
Chicagoland's biggest tribute to apples will take place in Historic Downtown Long Grove for a 28th anniversary season. Apple Fest's claim-to-fame is the delicious apple-inspired treats for apple lovers young and old, from fresh apple cider donuts and spiced apple lattes, to granny apple popcorn and green apple cotton candy. As always with a Long Grove festival, music will play all weekend long on multiple stages spread throughout the fest grounds. And when attendees aren't busy filling up on apple delicacies or rocking out to live tunes, the classic carnival is a refuge of entertainment, as is the Kids Zone with its legendary apple pie-eating contests and ageless interactive gaming. Apple Festers are invited to peruse and shop the timeless Village of Long Grove for harvest treasures while the action plays out on the fest grounds. Visit this link for all the details!
Community Calendar
Click on the meeting below for additional information.
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Village Board 
Monday, September 16, 2019
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Tuesday, September 24, 2019

View all upcoming and past Village of Long Grove public meetings,  agendas and minutes,  here . 
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Admission is complimentary for this family-friendly event, that is co-sponsored by the Long Grove/Kildeer/Hawthorn Woods Rotary Club and Buffalo Creek Brewing.  For additional information, click here .