A New Year's Message from Mayor Shapiro

Reflecting on 2024, it has been a year of both accomplishments and challenges. The Board of Trustees approved several new housing developments, advanced the sustainability goals of the Climate Action Report, established a Lake Cook Road Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, successfully navigated the repaving of Waukegan Road and implemented a new municipal adjudication system while improving Village services.

In the last year, the Village Board considered or approved several major residential projects that will bring more than 600 new housing units to Deerfield. The developments include apartments, townhomes, senior housing and a new 42-home subdivision, offering a range of options and price points for residents at different stages of life.

Construction will soon start on Lake Cook Crossings, a 254-unit rental community at Deerbrook Mall, with a pedestrian path to the Metra station and 25 affordable units. Additionally, Pulte’s Leclair Estates will transform an 18 acre portion of the Wilmot Road Walgreens campus into 42 single-family homes, three of which will meet the Village’s affordable housing requirements.

In January, the Village Board will consider final approval for 144 rental townhomes at 5 & 8 Parkway North, including 14 affordable units. Finally, the Deerfield Supportive Living Facility, at 1101-1121 Lake Cook Road, is currently redeveloping its site into a new four-story building with 147 affordable units for seniors.

I am pleased to report that our financial position remains very strong, and Village taxes will remain relatively unchanged in 2025. The Village has approved a $62 million budget for 2025, with no new debt, that invests $11.7 million in our community’s capital infrastructure. This ensures that we continue providing the high level of service that our residents and businesses expect. As in past years, we are proud to maintain our Aaa bond rating and remain committed to being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.

Also, last year, the Village started administrative adjudication, which offers an independent and streamlined approach to resolving municipal ordinance violations as an alternative to the traditional court system. Designed to provide a more efficient, cost-effective and accessible resolution process for residents and contractors, the hearings expedite cases, lower litigation expenses and allow violators to contest tickets or citations in a convenient setting. They will address issues like building code violations, non-moving traffic offenses and other matters typically handled by the Community Development or Police Departments. Cases are presided over by an independent administrative law Judge, a licensed Illinois attorney who meets strict state qualifications.

In July, several Deerfield Police Department officers began wearing body cameras on their uniforms during their official duties. As of January 1, body worn cameras have been fully deployed. The use of body worn cameras will help collect evidence while improving transparency and accountability and strengthening public trust.

Looking forward to 2025, the Village has a number of major projects and initiatives planned. The $10 million 2025 Hazel Avenue Reconstruction Project starts in February. The Village was able to secure nearly $5 million in federal grant funding for the project. It includes the full water main replacement, roadway reconstruction and sidewalk improvements between Waukegan Road and Wilmot Road. We also have seen a strong interest in the Lake Cook Road TIF District and I look forward to having development proposals submitted to our Plan Commission later this year in an effort to bring commercial businesses to the Village.

This year, we welcomed several new businesses to the Village including some coming soon in 2025:

• Floor & Decor, 96 S. Waukegan Road
• Auto Title Changers, 405 Lake Cook Road
• AirSculpt, 720 Waukegan Road
• Timber Ridge Pediatric Therapy, 400 Lake Cook Road
• Sky Zone, 120 S. Waukegan Road (Coming Soon)
• K9 Resorts, 649 Lake Cook Road (Coming Soon)
• Guzman y Gomez, 636 Deerfield Road (Coming Soon)
• Warby Parker (Coming Soon)
• Sephora (Coming Soon)
• Super 8 (Rebranded Red Roof Plus)
• Rosen Orthodontics (Coming Soon)
• Hank Haney Golf Studio (Coming Soon)

I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for our community as we step into the new year. Together, we will continue to build on our successes, invest in our infrastructure and welcome new restaurants, commercial businesses and housing developments that make Deerfield an even more vibrant place to live, work and play. The new year promises progress, innovation and connection, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together.