November 20, 2019
A Letter from the Village President
Dear Residents,

I want to thank all of you who took the time to complete our Community Development Survey. Your participation was greatly appreciated. The survey covered topics from infrastructure development, residential and commercial development to parks and recreation opportunities. We had lots of input to work with. From this survey we are working on new goals for the village. The village has limited financial resources and will keep this in mind as we move forward. One goal will be to increase the tax base through commercial growth which will help pay for some of the future projects. We will also continue to pursue grant opportunities. The village board wants to keep our small town feel and will continue to develop any plan around that objective. Here are some of our goals in no particular order created from the survey:

  1. Develop Infrastructure along the Route 12 corridor
  2. Execute long-term solution for water treatment facility
  3. Create a “Community Engagement” Committee for development of community events
  4. Explore plan for downtown development
  5. Initiate a 5-year Parks improvement plan
  6. Expand bike path system
  7. Publish neighborhood road improvement schedule
  8. Engage residential developers re: building options
  9. Review the Comprehensive Land Use Plan

The Goals will be be reviewed by the village board moving forward. We appreciate all your input. View the survey results here . 

Mark Eisenberg
Village President 
Nicor Gas Meter Modernization Project
Within the next few months, Nicor Gas will be installing small, two-way communication devices on existing natural gas meters throughout our community - meters will not be replaced. These devices feature new technology that will automate meter reading by collecting usage information and securely sending it to Nicor Gas. The installation contractor, Grid One Solutions, will have appropriate identification. Installation will take 10-15 minutes for most residential or regular sized meters, and up to 30 minutes on large commercial meters. View FAQs here .
Holiday Happenings at New Leaf Home Furnishings
New Leaf Home Furnishings is now accepting Letters to Santa and Toys for Tots. Save the Date for their Holiday Live Music Event on Saturday, December 21 from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Located at 2449 Pierce Drive. Call 815-678-9700. View the flyer here !
Thanksgiving Traffic Safety Campaign
drive sober
The Police Department is partnering with the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement across Illinois for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over & Click It or Ticket Campaign. This high-visibility crackdown will run from Friday, November 22, through the holiday weekend into the early morning hours of Monday, December 2. Visit LifeOrDeathIllinois.com for more information.
Festive Holiday Centerpieces and
Hostess Gifts
Order your Thanksgiving bouquets and centerpieces from Birds of Paradise! Custom orders welcome. They deliver. Located at 2404 Spring Ridge Drive or call 815-363-8568. Visit them here .
T's Toffee Holiday Open House
Come visit Theresa & Lance and enjoy a day of savings on Saturday, December 7, from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Tasty samples and more will be available at their 5th annual Open House. Located at 8818 Hidden Trail. Visit www.ts-toffee.com or call 847-274-9969. View the flyer .
Photo of the Week
It was a beautiful day to get lost in the Richardson Corn Maze on October 19! Photos submitted by Jenna Davito. If you have a photo of Spring Grove you would like to share, email i t here .
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Toys for Tots Collection Locations
Help a child in need have a happy Christmas by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy at one of the following locations by December 15! The Nippersink Library – 5418 Hill Rd. in Richmond ,      Eclipse Hair Salon - 2020 Route 12 Suite U, New Leaf Home Furnishings - 2449 Pierce Drive and Spring Grove Fire House - 8214 Richardson Road.
Christmas Tree Lighting Festival
You're invited to the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival on Saturday, December 7 from 3:30 - 5:30 PM at Horse Fair Park . Visit with Santa, enjoy a hay ride & storytelling, crafts, refreshments and the tree lighting at 5:00 PM! The enclosed pavilion will be heated. Free admission but please bring donations of non-perishable food and toiletry items for the food pantry.
Winter Choir Concert
Mark your calendar for the RBCHS Winter Choir Concert on Wednesday, December 4 at 10:00 AM. It will be held at the Community Church of Richmond at 5714 Broadway Street in Richmond. Come enjoy the beautiful sounds of the season sung by our talented Richmond Burton Community High School Choir! Refreshments will be served.
Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting and celebrating community businesses and all they do for our community! Small businesses create jobs and help boost our local economy. Please support some Spring Grove businesses on November 30 and throughout the holiday season. Thank you to all the small businesses in Spring Grove for supporting and enriching our community!
Family Reading Night Tomorrow Night
It's time for Family Reading Night at the Nippersink Library! Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas. Registration is not required. To be held tomorrow night, November 21, at 6:30 PM. The Nippersink Library is located at 5418 Hill Road in Richmond.
Blast from the Past
The Richardson family didn't always sell Christmas trees and delight many with their corn maze. Robert Richardson, who emigrated from England, was one of the first pioneers here, settling the land in 1836. The main house was built in 1863 with cream-colored "Milwaukee Brick" which was hauled in by carts pulled by oxen. Besides growing traditional crops of corn and soy beans, cows were milked until 1963 and hogs were raised until 2001. This sketch is from the McHenry County Atlas of 1872.
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