The Buffalo Grove Police have reported the following:
· Little Free Library damaged -- A Little Free Library located in the 1000 block of Auburn Lane had its plexiglass door broken and shattered and books inside the library were stolen. The estimated value of the damage and theft is estimated at $100.
· Retail theft – Police say a man and woman subject stole alcohol and groceries from the Walgreens at 15 N. Buffalo Grove Rd. without paying. Reports did not indicate the value of the stolen items. The investigation is continuing.
· Child endangerment – Police say a 28-year-old Buffalo Grove man is due in court Nov. 24 on charges of Endangering the life of a child after an incident during the early morning hours of Nov. 8. Details of the incident were not released.
In Other Community News
Budget presentation tonight
The 2026 village budget will be unveiled tonight, Nov. 17, during a special Village Board meeting dedicated solely to the budget presentation. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Village Hall.
According to the management summary submitted to the Board by Village Manager Dane Bragg, the 2026 budget is “directly aligned with the objectives and milestones outlined in the Strategic Plan 2024-2028”.
Bragg notes that “this ensures that the Village remains committed to sustainable fiscal management, exceptional service delivery, and strategic reinvestment in crucial infrastructure – thus fulfilling the community's current and future expectations.”
Additionally, Bragg’s note indicates that “the village does not plan to draw from operating reserves in 2026, and will contribute to reserves for capital, operations, and long- term liabilities.” He adds that capital reserves are designated for projects that fulfill strategic goals in the Capital Improvement Plan, with a draw of $6 million planned to support equipment, infrastructure and facilities projects.
A highlight of Bragg’s budget report is that the Village enters 2026 with what he calls “a strong balance sheet, with over $52 million in reserves allocated for operations, equipment, and capital endeavors.”
The year, Bragg’s message notes, is projected to conclude with a balance of approximately $46 million in General Fund reserves. The Village's total budget decreases $17.5 million, or 12 percent.
These comments are just a few from Bragg’s “transmittal letter” to the Board about the 512-page budget. The entire document is available here.
Developing development a challenge
While several new restaurants have opened in Buffalo Grove, plans for several other businesses, including an Amazon Fresh store in The Clove have fallen by the wayside or remain in limbo.
Village officials gave updates at the Nov. 10 “President’s Pick” event that featured Village President Eric Smith and Nicole Woods, director of Community Development.
The center of attention, especially with participants on social media sites, is the prospect of Amazon Fresh opening in ‘The Clove” at Lake-Cook and McHenry roads.
According to Woods, it’s “Unclear if they are coming or not. They are still paying rent,” she said. “The Developer is actively looking to have a grocer there as one is required via Redevelopment Agreement which was negotiated as part of receiving TIF Funding.” The site for the proposed grocery store is 40,000 square feet, making it the anchor of “The Clove.”
While Amazon Fresh is the focal point, among the new tenants on The Clove site include Dutch Bros. Coffee, which will be located on the vacated Burger King site. Woods noted that the Buffalo Grove location will be one of the first in the Chicagoland region and will have inside dining in addition to a drive through.
Nanni’s Café, featuring Indian cuisine, is scheduled to open in the north section of The Clove. One change, Woods said, is that First Watch, which had planned to open at The Clove, has scrapped those plans. She did note, however, the redevelopment agreement calls for a restaurant at that location.
Outside of The Clove, the village is, or will become, home to several new restaurants including Tous les Jous in The Grove, directly across from The Clove, Sanjo Ramen house, also in The Grove, Irene’s Café, and Pita W Shawarma Mediterranean Grill, both at 1169 McHenry Rd., and Cava, 1555 Deerfield Parkway.
Woods says the challenges with economic development are not unique to Buffalo Grove. “this is real estate. There are peaks and valleys; the market is full of uncertainty right now - investors, market analysts, real estate developers - are all very vulnerable to the uncertainty right now and high rates. Buffalo Grove is not immune to this.”
Additional reporting from The Daily Herald is available here.
Foundation sponsors premier concert event
The Buffalo Grove Community Foundation is sponsoring a free concert premiere of “4 Miles, 50 Minutes” at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20 at the Community Arts Center, 225 N. McHenry Rd.
This musical and historical composition, commissioned by the Community Foundation and Lake Forest College, commemorates Denmark’s response to the 1943 Nazi demand that it turn over its Jewish population. That response — organizing a fleet of ships to ferry the vast majority of the Jewish population to safety in Sweden is the subject of Daniel Schwartz’s composition. The program will include a question-and-answer period with Schwartz about the creation of the composition. He is a lecturer of music at Lake Forest College,
Tickets are available at this link.
Reading fair Nov. 29
Discover valuable reading resources, learn how to achieve your reading goals, and explore the library's reading challenges designed for all ages at the Indian Trails Reading Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29.
At the library's reading fair, attendees will find out about reading challenges available for kids, teens, and adults to help them meet their goals. Participants should bring a book to trade for another. There will be demonstrations on how to use various library resources like Hoopla, Libby, CloudLibrary ™ and Novelist. To participate in the e-book services, participants must be a cardholder of the Indian Trails Public Library District.
In addition to demonstrations, there will be activities and a hot cocoa bar and crafts.
The event will be at the main Library, 355 Schoenbeck Rd., Wheeling.
Go to this link to register.
D21 food drive Nov. 24, 25
School District 21 is hosting a districtwide food and essentials drive during conferences on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 24-25, to support local families in need this holiday season.
Parents can bring donations to their child’s school on those days.
Nonperishable food items or household essentials are being collected. Items sought, but not limited to, include canned meats (including tuna, chili and Spam), soups, pasta, rice and other pantry staples. Feminine hygiene products, diapers and wipes, toiletries and cleaning supplies are also being collected.
All donations will be distributed between the district’s schools, district office, and the Wheeling Food Pantry to ensure they reach families who need them most.
Congrats to…
BGPD Commander Anthony Turano who graduated from Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety’s Executive Management Program.
The three-week, 120-hour program is designed for senior-level command law enforcement managers seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities in a complex and evolving public safety environment. The curriculum includes instruction in critical areas like incident command, crime prevention, and ethics. It also covers areas including human resources, leadership in politically sensitive situations, media relations, recruitment, and risk management.
Need a Reason to Celebrate?
Nov. 17
Nov. 18
Nov. 19
Education Support Professionals Day
Nov. 20
Future Teachers of America Day
International Hug a Runner Day
Nov. 21
National Gingerbread Cookie Day
Nov. 22
Nov. 23
The usual stuff…
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· If you didn’t know -- The Buffalo Grove Report (Buffalo Grove News and Info), is locally and 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. The Buffalo Grove Report is not affiliated with any municipal body. Zoller is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Chicago Headline Club. He is also on the Board of the Citizen Advocacy Center.
