Students set for hands-on civics lesson
Several proposals will be before the Village Board Thursday night, Sept. 28.
But the Board won’t have anything to do with them.
Instead, a cadre of civically minded students will discuss each and make a decision as to which should be given the green light.
It’s all part of the village’s annual Civics Forum during which students from Buffalo Grove and Stevenson high schools occupy the dais and serve for one night as the Village Board.
It’s a long-standing event in the village, started more than 40 years ago by Village Clerk Janet Sirabian, herself an icon, now in her 45th year as clerk.
The Forum gives the students a chance to weigh each proposal, one submitted by each village department, and discuss it in a public forum before voting on which one meets their favor.
The forum is in the council chambers at Village Hall and begins at 7:30 p.m. It is open to the public.
Proposals that will receive student scrutiny include.
** The purchase of four iPads for the Community Development and Finance Departments. In the request to the Board, Nicole Woods and Finance Director Chris Black said the units would be for the front counter area at Village Hall and would, “customers to fill out forms and submit them electronically. The benefits of this small change would include reducing the amount of paper and ink needed; reducing staff time for printing, stocking, filing, and scanning the forms; and providing a professional, easy to use tool for customers to submit documentation.” The $2,000 price tag would be shared by both departments.
** The purchase of a Dell 75-inch 4K interactive touch screen monitor for the front office public meeting room at the new public works facility. In a memo of request, Bryan Beitzel said it would help public work staff during presentations and meetings with residents or other local agencies. Beitzel noted that “Incorporating an interactive touch screen monitor in this room will allow for real time ideas, troubleshooting and problem solving to take place using digital design plans, plats of survey, building plans, overland drainage routes, and GIS mapping while also having the ability to write or draw using a stylus or your finger on top of the displayed images to provide clarity for questions or to build out ideas or incorporate suggestions.”
** The Fire Department is seeing a Harken Wingman, described as a pulley system which is used in rope rescues, and a demolition hammer, frequently used in building collapses.” In their memo of request, Fire Chief Mike Baker noted that the Harken Wingman system “would allow the Fire Department’s Technical Rescue Team to immediately begin rescue procedures upon arrival on the scene.”
** The Police Department is requesting a Photographic Lidar for speed enforcement. According to the request, some Lida systems can “record an image of the license plate and record the speed violation. Speed estimation takes less than half a second, which, together with the narrow, targeted beam, results in offending vehicles having little warning even when using an evasion device.” Department officials noted that “Purchasing a new photographic Lidar unit will allow the police department to better address a common concern with community members, speeding.”
** A proposal from the Office of the Village Manager, Administrative Service Department, Human Resources Department and the Communications and Community Relations Department calls for integrated naturalized landscaping at the Buffalo Grove Youth Center, drawing inspiration from the Village Hall basin transformation. The request says “The objective is to further align the Center with the community's ecological commitments, while enhancing its aesthetic appeal and functionality as a gathering hub.” The project carries a $2,000 price tag.
Like all other Village Board meetings, the Civics Forum will be live-streamed on Facebook.
Mum’s the word on additional Clove occupants
With the recent opening of Chick-fil-A at The Clove, and the anticipated opening of Guzman y Gomez in the near future, speculation has remained high about future tenants.
To date, however, village officials say they have not been informed of any confirmed tenants. Construction is progressing on a number of components to The Clove, including what village officials say is a “6,200 square foot multi-tenant retail building” being built just south of Chick-fil-A. Village officials added that it is their “understanding” that Boston Market, which had a long-time presence in the old Town Center, has permanently closed. The Boston Market site, while an out lot in the development, is not owned by Kensington Development, which is developing The Clove.
Corned beef dashed
The Chicago-based Corned Beef Factory, which touted a new facility in Buffalo Grove on its website, has apparently backed out of plans to open in the village. The new unit was planned for the Ricky Rocket’s plaza. Restaurant officials were not available for comment. The chain has restaurants in Chicago, West Chicago, Woodstock and Stickney.
BG Singers to perform
After a 4-year absence, the BG Singers will present their 28th show, Kaleidoscope, a variety of pop, musical theater, classic rock and roll hits, at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 29, at 3 p.m. on Sept. 30 and at 1 and 3 p.m. on Oct. 1.
Performances will be at the Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Rd.
Tickets are available online and cost are $18 for adults and $16 for seniors (ages 62 and up) and children (ages 12 and under). Tickets purchased at the door will be $20. For more information, contact Lindsay Grandt at 847-850-2132. Tickets are also available at this link.
Cops plan trivia night fundraiser
The Buffalo Grove Police Department is hosting a trivia night to raise money for Illinois Special Olympics. The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6 at the Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Road. Cost is $40 per person. Tables of eight are $300. For additional information, including sponsorship opportunities, email Melessa Horbus at MHorbus@VBG.org.
Public Safety open house Sept. 30
The Buffalo Grove Police and Fire Departments are hosting a “Public Safety Open House” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30 at the main fire station, 109 Deerfield Parkway.
The event will include live demonstrations, hands-on activities in addition to a variety of food trucks.
Webinar to focus on rise of book challenges
The Indian Trails Public Library and other Illinois libraries are sponsoring a webinar about book challenges at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 2.
Panelists will examine the current state of book challenges, Illinois’ legislative response, and the implications of censorship on communities.
Participants are scheduled to include
• Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian
• Monica Harris, executive director, Reaching Across Illinois Library System
• Jasmine Warga, author of challenged books; The Shape of Thunder and Other Words for Home
• Jarrett Dapier, author of challenged picture books and freedom to read advocate
The event will be moderated by columnist Heidi Stevens. Go to this link to register.
From The Cop Shop
It looked like it was a quiet week for the Buffalo Grove Police who reported two DUIs, one driver who was driving on a revoked or suspended license and one person who was nabbed for trying to rip off Walgreens of unspecified merchandise. The offender received an adjudication ticket for theft and, as reports say, “was trespassed from the store.”
Need a Reason to Celebrate?
Sept. 27
Sept. 28
Sept. 29
Sept. 30
Oct. 1
Oct. 2
Oct. 3
Oct. 4
International Walk to School Day
Oct. 5
National Do Something Nice Day
Oct. 6
National Transfer Money to Your Daughter Day
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In case you didn’t know…
Buffalo Grove News and Info, is independently produced by Buffalo Grove resident Stan Zoller. A longtime journalist and journalism educator, Zoller covers Buffalo Grove and monitors news and information about the village, its schools, park district and community events. Buffalo Grove News and Information is not affiliated with any municipal body. Zoller is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Chicago Headline Club.
