The Village Board is holding three public hearings during upcoming Board meetings to review the annual fiscal budgets, provide opportunities for public comments and consider them for approval. On Tuesday, March 8, the hearing will focus on the FY 21-22 approved budget amendments. Then on Tuesday, March 22, the proposed FY 22-23 budget will officially be presented. This hearing will be continued on Tuesday, April 12 when the budget presentation will take place, and is also when it will be considered by the Board for approval. The fiscal budgets estimate operating and capital revenues and expenses from May 2022 through April 2023. Details on how to participate in the meetings and how to submit comments will be available on the Village Board meeting webpage here.

The Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) Joint Review Board (JRB) will present the financial status of the Sunset Grove TIF District and South Gateway TIF District on Thursday, March 17 at Village Hall. The Village is required each year to hold the review meeting with representatives from the Village Board, the public and affected taxing bodies. TIF districts are created to facilitate investments in municipal areas that are declining in value, or otherwise need improvements in order to develop and grow. Tax revenues generated during the life of a TIF district are invested in a fund, which is used to finance public improvements and to encourage private investments. Click TIF FAQ for more information on TIF districts; for more information on the review meeting and how to attend, click here.

With the recent lifting of statewide mask mandates, the Village is anticipating a return to hybrid public meetings, which will be conducted both in-person at Village Hall and online via Zoom. Dates and agendas for upcoming meetings for the Village Board and its commissions and committees, including how to participate either in-person or via a Zoom link, are available here.

Maintenance work is being planned in mid-March for the covered bridge. The project will require portions of Robert Parker Coffin Road to be closed in the downtown for a couple of hours while work is completed. The project date and traffic detours will be announced in upcoming Village communications.

Calling all gardeners! Native plants are now available for sale online through the Citizens for Conservation (CFC), a volunteer-based nonprofit organization. This year, the group is hosting an online native plant sale featuring more than 350 varieties of plants, shrubs and trees, with pickup on May 6 - 7 at the barns area of Good Shepherd Hospital. CFC is also hosting an in-person native plant sale May 6 - 8 at the same location. More information can be found here, along with the CFC native plant database.

The Lake County Forest Preserves native plant sale is returning online starting March 15. Follow this link for more information.

The Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association is hosting several events in April to bring on Spring! On Saturday, April 9, the Long Grove Egg Hunt returns, where families and children of all ages bring their own baskets and collect holiday eggs and treats while the Big Bunny presides over festivities. Thursday, April 14 is Beauty and the Boutique where local merchants will display their latest Spring seasonal items, including clothes and beauty treatments, along with food and beverages. Participating businesses will have specials, discounts, giveaways and more. On Saturday, April 30, the annual Craft Beer Festival will take place outdoors, with pours from local breweries accompanied by live music. For times, locations and more information, click here.