County Board Chairman

District 20 Representative

Route 83 Concrete Patching Begins September 6

I just received notification that the State of Illinois will be doing concrete patching on IL 83 from US 45 to Buffalo Grove Rd beginning September 6th. 

Traffic will be down to one lane in each direction.  

Do Not Use Cell Phone in Construction or School Zone

This is a reminder that the police are ticketing people who are on the cell phone or speeding through construction zones or school zones.   

View our schedule of events for free workshops and other events to help you maximize your job search or change careers. 

On the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, Bufflao Grove will have a free event to remember the fallen heroes and those who gave so much in the days that followed.

3:00 pm
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Buffalo Grove High School

The Village of Buffalo Grove invites you to a special commemorative event in observance of the 10th anniversary of the September 11th events. This program will honor those who lost their lives and recognize the commitment of emergency responders.

September 11, 2001 was a day that changed the course of history and shaped much of what happened in the world during the first decade of the 21st century. The commemorative program will feature the performance of the Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band playing The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, Armed Forces Salute, Amazing Grace, and more. Village President Jeffrey Braiman will lead the program. Special guest presentations will include Congressman Robert Dold and Brigadier General Gracus K. Dunn, Commanding General of the 85th Support Command of the United States Army.

The Buffalo Grove Police and Fire Departments will provide a combined Honor Guard, and the Fire Department will conduct a Bell Ceremony in remembrance of the 343 firefighters that answered their last alarm on 9/11/2001.

Please join the Village of Buffalo Grove for this special program. This event is free and open to the public. The program is jointly presented by the Village of Buffalo Grove, Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band and Buffalo Grove Arts Commission.

If you have any questions, contact Ghida Neukirch, Deputy Village Manager at (847) 459-2518, or email at gneukirch@vbg.org.

More Information here.

Mosquito Pool Tests Positive for West Nile Virus in Lake County

A mosquito pool, sampled August 4 in Buffalo Grove, has tested positive for West Nile virus. The mosquito pool is the first confirmed indicator of the disease's presence in Lake County in 2011. In 2010, one human and 29 mosquito pools tested positive for the virus in the county.

"While the weather may be getting cooler, mosquitoes are still active and will continue to be active until the first hard frost," said Irene Pierce, the Health Department's Executive Director. "It is important to protect yourself against mosquito bites even into the fall."

It is particularly important to practice mosquito bite prevention now since historically, human West Nile virus cases become more prevalent in the late summer and fall seasons.  Culex mosquitoes, the mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus, are not associated with wet weather and the mosquito swarming that this area experienced earlier this year, but tend to thrive in dry conditions. 

The Health Department maintains a West Nile virus hotline for county residents to report areas of stagnant water (which are conducive for mosquito breeding), or to obtain more information on the signs and symptoms of West Nile encephalitis. The West Nile hotline number is: (847) 377-8300. 

Recommendations to prevent mosquito breeding include:

· Discard old tires, buckets, drums or any water holding containers. Poke holes in tires used as bumpers on docks
· Keep roof gutters and downspouts clear of debris
· Keep trash containers covered
· Empty plastic wading pools at least once a week and store indoors when not in use
· Drain unused swimming pools
· Fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that hold water
· Change the water in bird baths and plant urns at least once a week
· Store boats upside down or drain rainwater weekly

Recommendations to prevent mosquito bites include:

· Whenever possible, limit outdoor activity at dusk
· Wear light-colored clothing that minimizes exposed skin and provides some protection from mosquito bites
· Make sure door and window screens fit tightly and that all holes are repaired
· Apply insect repellent that includes DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535 according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.

While most people infected with WNV have no symptoms of illness, some may become ill, usually three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. In some individuals, particularly the elderly, the virus can cause muscle weakness, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, coma or death.

The Health Department conducts a multi-faceted mosquito surveillance program in Lake County. Beginning in late spring and continuing into the autumn, a series of traps are set around the county, including within the Lake County Forest Preserves. At each site a pool, or batch, of mosquitoes is tested weekly for West Nile virus. Areas of stagnant water are also investigated throughout the season for the presence of mosquito larvae, specifically from the Culex mosquito which is the primary carrier of West Nile in Illinois. Finally, the locations of dead birds are monitored to assist in the assessment of potential West Nile virus activity. The Health Department works closely with the municipalities, townships, and the Lake County Forest Preserve District in monitoring the mosquitoes that may pose a public health threat.

Book Discussion September 14

Miracle Under the Oaks

by William K. Stevens

7:30 - 9pm

Come to Ryerson Woods for an engaging book discussion led by Ben Goluboff, professor of English at Lake Forest College. Stevens explores the history of local-hero conservationist Steve Packard's habitat restoration work in the 1970s and 80s along the North Branch of the Chicago River, and especially at Northbrook's Somme Prairie Grove.

More information on Friends of Ryerson Woods here. 

September at the Forest Preserves

View the Forest Preserve's newsletter or the complete Forest Preserve calendar or a recent issue of Horizons.

Reminder:  Buffalo Grove Days September 1 - 5

This year's festivities will take place September 1-5. There will be a variety of entertainment including on the main stage MIKE & JOE, The Buffalo Grove Jazz Band, Trippin' Billies (a Dave Matthews tribute), Infinity (a Journey/REO tribute), and GONE 2 PARADISE (a Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band).

BG Palooza moves to the Main Stage, presenting the best of local musical entertainment starting at 2:00 pm on Saturday, Sept. 3rd.

Along with the main stage, the Beer Tent will feature some fan favorites, including WHITEY O'DAY, THE STEEL DRUM GUY, MYSTRISS, and ROUTE 66. Some new bands to help make the evenings "rock" are THE SOULCHASERS & DUELING PIANOS!! There will be many more to be determined so stay tuned!!!

There will be something for the entire family whether it's walkarounds, kid's entertainment or just plain crafting fun for the whole family. REPTILE SHOWS, KID'S SONGS, JUGGLING AND A VENTRILOQUIST are just some of the family fun!

Our craft area will bring vendors from around the state for everyone's taste. You name it, it will be available to buy!! From jewelry to sports items, our CRAFT FAIR will have it all. While shopping, you can enjoy one of the many dance groups performing including the BAREFOOT HAWAIIANS, MCNULTY IRISH DANCERS, & ALEGRA MEXICANA, just to name a few.

Our parade will kick off at 1:00pm Sunday September 4th. The Village Board has named two Grand Marshals this year - Elliott Hartstein and DeAnn Glover - in honor of their MANY years of service to our community!  Applications are now being taken at village hall for those who wish to participate.

A new event this year is the "Rotary Duck Race" on Monday at 1:30 pm. It will start at the Raupp bridge where it spans Buffalo Creek, just south of the carnival. The ducks will flow downstream toward the Emmerich East ball fields. The winning ducks are the first to cross the finish line somewhere along that stretch, possibly around first base of the baseball field. Ducks can be purchased at www.BGRotary.org and at our booth at BG Days.

Finally, FUN & FOOD, our program for kids with disabilities & their families - carnival rides, lunch and entertainment. This year, Staley the Chicago Bear, Benny the Bull, and Skates will be joined by Tommy Hawk to help with the program. Carnival

DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE BUFFALO DAYS BROCHURE 

Bring non-parrishable food to the parade and Donate

Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce will collect non-parishable food at the Buffalo Grove Parade on Sunday, September 4 for local food pantries.

The parade begins at 1pm along Bernard Drive. The Chamber members will be pushing carts to store the non-parishable food.

Non-parrishable food may be dropped of at the Chamber from September 6 - 30. For more information call 847-541-7799.