Glenview briefs
2021 budget approved
The Village of Glenview adopted the budget for the fiscal year of Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2021, at its Dec. 8 board of trustees meeting.
The total revenues approved, 71% of which come from taxes and charges for services, equaled $192,166,345, an amount nearly $1.6 million more than in the 2020 budget.
Expenditures totaled $175,510,392, and were $5.6 million less than in 2020. However, the 2021 expenditures were around $7.8 million higher than an estimate taken earlier this year following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Revenues likewise increased over that 2020 estimate by approximately $4.1 million.
There is approximately $21.6 million reserved for local projects as part of the village's five-year capital improvement program. Main projects on the slate for 2021 regard road reconstruction and resurfacing, and related water and storm and sanitary sewer systems improvements. On the docket are items such as the Glenview Road water main replacement.
They also include special projects such as the design of the Chestnut Avenue reconstruction and bike path; a streetscape for the Glenview Road and Harlem and Lehigh avenue roadway; and designs for intersections at Willow and Shermer roads, East Lake Avenue and Waukegan Road, and at the Costco store, 2900 Patriot Boulevard.
Library remains closed
On Dec. 13, the Glenview Public Library announced it would remain closed until further notice due to COVID-19.
Library staff continue to monitor COVID-19 positivity rates in Region 10 as well as recommendations by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health. The library will open only when safe to do so, according to a library release.
Regardless, the Glenview Public Library will continue to provide a variety of services.
Service by staff and at the drive-up window remains open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The external book drop is available all day, every day.
Laptop computers are available on a four-hour loan (with a liability waiver) for Glenview Library card holders 18 and older, while the library parking lot recently was outfitted with a boosted wireless signal.
The library offers a variety of virtual programs, card holders can stream a variety of materials, and people in need of research or technology help can schedule appointments for Zoom sessions with a librarian.
For information on all of the above, visit glenviewpl.org.
Wagner Farm's grounds and gift shop open
Though the Historic Wagner Farm Heritage Center Museum, 1510 Wagner Road, is currently closed due to COVID-19 mitigations, its outside grounds and gift shop remain open.
A couple animal species may pique interest, like Berkshire pigs. The farm said they're one of the world's oldest identifiable breeds, originated in Berkshire County in England more than 350 years ago, and brought to the United States in the 1800s. The black-bodied, white-snouted cuties tend to be curious and have a great temperament.
Also, the farm's mobile chicken coop has been moved to its winter home on the north side of the Heritage Center until spring. Several types of chickens live there and are fun to watch: buff Orpington, white Plymouth rock, barred Plymouth rock, partridge Plymouth rock and barred rock chickens.
Beware of IDES scam
According to the Glenview Police Department, from Dec. 8-14 there were 41 reported identity thefts related to the ongoing Illinois Department of Security (IDES) identity theft fraud.
New date for Lew Blond 5K
Postponed and then rescheduled, the 20th Lew Blond Memorial 5K Run/Walk has again been moved, this time to Oct. 16, 2021.
Certified by both USA Track and Field and the Chicago Area Runners Association, the Lew Blond run is named in honor of a Maple School teacher who died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2000. The event benefits ALS research through the Les Turner ALS Foundation, supports high school scholarships and District 30 special projects.
The course begins and ends at Maple School, 2370 Shermer Road. It runs along Sherman Drive past Glenbrook North athletic facilities before entering neighborhood streets and emptying out onto Sherman Drive again. There also is a 1-mile run.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Call (847) 498-4190, email blondrun@district30.org or visit lewblondrun.org.