Monthly activity: Police reported 130 incidents during December. Included in the reported activity were two cases of aggravated assault, one battery case, one case of controlled substance violation, two cases of criminal damage to property, seven disorderly conduct cases that include harassment by telephone or other electronic devices, nine driving violations, which do not include moving violations such as speeding, one DUI, four reported thefts, three reports of fraud by deception, two reports listed under “other crime”, which included a report of “Abuse/Criminal Neglect of Long Term Care Facility Resident, Elderly, or Disabled Person.” The largest category are incidents labeled under “local code” that includes reports relating to well-being checks, assistance to other agencies, reports of sick or dead animals and other incidents that are generally non-criminal in nature, although there were two reports of “Theft of vehicle essential parts”.
Recent reports:
** When push comes to shove: Police report they were summoned to settle a dispute between two subjects that led to one “shoving” the other in the 1500 block of Deerfield Parkway. This investigation is ongoing.
** Parking space spat: Police say they were summoned to the 1500 block of Deerfield Parkway to intervene in a dispute between two subjects over a parking space that resulted in one subject grabbing the other subject’s iPhone and throwing it against the pavement. This subject was issued an adjudication citation for damage to property. There is no further investigation.
** Damage to vehicle: A subject found the back window to his vehicle broken. This investigation is ongoing.
** Unwanted: Police were summoned to the Extended Stay motel in the 1500 block of east Busch Parkway in response to a complaint about “A male subject that was visiting another subject (sic) was asked to leave and trespassed from the property.” There is no further investigation.
** Driving ‘altercation’: Police report that two individuals were involved in a driving altercation where one person, who police say “was not the aggressor”, displayed a gun. A thorough investigation was conducted, and both parties were sent on their way with no charges. There is no further investigation.
In Other Community News
Board OKs Chase Plaza plan
The Village Board Monday approved a redevelopment plan for Chase Plaza at the intersection of Arlington Heights and Lake-Cook Roads.
The redevelopment of plaza, anchored by a now shuttered Dominick’s store, will include, according to a memo to the Board, “two primary components under a unified site plan: a 34,500 square foot state of the art fitness and wellness center, Club Studio, and 24,000 square feet of general retail space designed to accommodate local and national tenants.”
According to village staff, Club Studio, will feature traditional fitness features and operations as well as ancillary services (physical therapy, smoothie bar, etc.), and will operate on a membership-based model.
The hours of operation are anticipated to be Monday – Friday from 5:00am – 10:00pm and Saturday – Sunday 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Staffing is anticipated to be 15-25 full- and part-time staff members.
The first phase of redevelopment is scheduled to begin within 45 to 90 days of the closing of the property. This phase will mostly be on the reconstruction of the facade of the old Dominick’s.
Redevelopment of out lots, including the one which houses the now shuttered Buffalo restaurants, is not included in the first phase.
The plan, presented by the Shorewood Development Group, was unanimously approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission at its Dec. 17 meeting. Shorewood Development has coordinated several projects in the village including Bison Crossing and the Tesla dealership on Dundee Road and The Shops of Buffalo Grove at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Deerfield Parkway.
Bill Reid Award presented
Carolyn Lewis a longtime volunteer in the village received the 2024 Bill Reid presented by The Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove. The award, which honors outstanding individuals in the community who have demonstrated long-term commitments to enhancing the spirit and betterment of Buffalo Grove, was presented at the Jan. 5 Village Board meeting.
Lewis, a social worker at Aptakisic Junior High School, was cited for “providing services to the community in many capacities”. Lewis was cited for her work with the BG Singers and Vernon Area Mental Health Board. She has also delivered food to families in need during Thanksgiving while also being a resource for families that have relocated to the area from Ukraine.
In recognition of her award, The Rotary Club will donate $250 to the charity of Lewis’ choice, which is the Pinta Pride Project and will also make a $250 donation to a Rotary charity fund.
The Bill Reid Award is named after Reid, a longtime village official.
Above: Bill Reid Award winner Carolyn Lewis (center)
Nominations open for new award
Nominations are now open for the village’s first of two 2026 Caring Community Program The Caring Community Program recognizes individuals, groups, organizations, and programs in Buffalo Grove that embody the community’s “Smart. With Heart” brand.
This initiative recognizes outstanding contributions that enhance the quality of life, demonstrate leadership, and reflect the values of collaboration, compassion and innovation within Buffalo Grove and beyond.
Award recipients will be recognized at the Feb. 2 Village Board and have their contributions shared on the Village’s website and social media. Nominations are due by Jan. 18 by filling out the form at this link.
The second Caring Community Program recognition will be in August.
New sergeant on the beat
Veteran Buffalo Grove Police Officer Michael Carlson was promoted to the rank of Sergeant during the Jan. 5 Village Board meeting. Carlson has served as a Buffalo Grove Police Officer since 2012 and as a BGPD Traffic Specialist since 2014. He was named BGPD Officer of the Year in 2020, and earned Outstanding Achievement awards in 2020 and 2023
Book sale Saturday
The Indian Trails Public Library Foundation’s Used Book Sale is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Jan. 10 Indian Trails Public Library, 355 Schoenbeck Road in Wheeling. Find more information at this site.
Say it ain’t so
The Planning and Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 7, has been canceled.
Tune in on YouTube
Now that Monday Night Football is over for the year, residents can replace the docile tones of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman with those of Eric Smith, Joanne Johnson, Dave Weidenfeld and others on YouTube as live streaming of Village Board meetings is now on the village’s YouTube channel.
Meetings can be streamed from your desktop, laptop or mobile browser, and through YouTube mobile and smart TV apps. There’s no need to have a YouTube account to access all the excitement and thrills of a Village Board meeting. And if you miss it, all meetings can be watched on-demand afterwards.
And - as longtime MNF fans would say – That’s telling it like it is.
Need a Reason to Celebrate?
Jan. 6
National Take a Poet to Lunch Day
National Walker’s Shortbread Day
Jan. 7
I’m Not Going To Take It Anymore Day
Jan. 8
National Snuggle a Chicken Day
Jan. 9
Jan. 10
National Bittersweet Chocolate Day
National Oysters Rockefeller Day
Jan. 11
International Parity at Work Day
Jan. 12
Stick to Your New Year's Resolution Day
Jan. 13
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