COVID-19 Updates
Earlier this week, the State issued an advisory recommending that all Illinois residents stay home as much as possible and only leave for essential activities. The CDC and the State both continue to recommend that individuals do not travel or visit with members of other households during the Thanksgiving holiday. The State has published additional holiday guidance at allin.illinois.gov.
Yesterday, Lake Bluff School District 65 announced that the District is shifting entirely to a remote learning platform until at least December 1, as "the increased cases in our buildings and staff absences have made bringing more than 500 children together each day too challenging for us to sustain."
COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions continue to rise in our area. Every day since last Friday has seen an increase in both our region's positivity rate and rate of hospital admissions. These rates have been growing continuously since the start of October.
The Village and our region remain under Tier 1 COVID-19 mitigations, which restrict indoor dining and limit the size of gatherings (among other things). This week, four Illinois regions moved to Tier 2 mitigations.
Yesterday, Governor Pritzker said that “If things don’t take a turn in the coming days, we will quickly reach the point when some form of a mandatory stay at home order is all that we’ll be left with."
Please, support our local restaurants during this challenging time.
Village and Community Updates
BE AWARE. There is an increase in "ruse" burglaries in the North Shore where an offender impersonates a utility company employee and distracts a homeowner. Verify the identity of anyone asking to enter your home, even if they look official. If you are unsure, call the utility before allowing an individual to enter.
FARMERS MARKET 2.0. Lake Bluff Farmers Market vendors will operate a pickup and delivery point in the Train Station Parking Lot starting next Friday, 9 to 10 a.m. More vendors are signing up each week to participate. Click here for information about participating vendors and how to pre-order.

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE. Lake Bluff has partnered with six other North Shore suburbs to create Illinois' largest municipally sponsored community solar program. Community solar allows residents and small businesses to subscribe and save 20% on their electricity supply charges through bill credits while supporting renewable energy development. For more information, visit lakebluff.org/CommunitySolar.
THE LAKE BLUFF GARDEN CLUB has brought the holiday spirit to the Village for over 50 years. On November 14th, club members will create and install festive seasonal arrangements for over 40 village sidewalk planters. On November 17th, club members will prep and cut garland for all Lake Bluff lampposts and signs.
BRICK BY BRICK. You can buy a brick to support the Park District's beach preservation efforts.
Board and Committee Actions
For more information, visit the Village's meeting packets and videos page. Agendas and meeting materials are typically available the Friday before a meeting; videos within a week after the meeting; and minutes after they are approved at the next meeting of the public body. Not all meetings are recorded on video. Due to the COVID-19 emergency, meetings are primarily virtual. Click here for details on the format and how to participate.
Recent Village Board Meeting (Monday, November 9, 7 p.m.). The Village Board:
- Held a public hearing to consider soliciting proposals for a single waste hauler to service all non-residential establishments in the Village and directed Staff to issue a request for proposals.
- Approved:
- An extension of the Village's declaration of emergency.
- An estimate of the Village's 2020 property tax levy (unchanged from last year).
- Expansion of the Local Business Stimulus Grant program.
- Revisions to ambulance fees.
- A site plan to install a fence at 702-706 Oak Avenue.
- A site plan to install a dumpster enclosure at 303-305 Waukegan Road.
- A license agreement to use Village property for bluff stabilization.
Recent Historic Preservation Commission Meeting (Wednesday, November 11, 7 p.m.). The HPC:
- Approved a significant demolition request at 667 Rockland Avenue.
- Discussed the Village Board's remand of proposed changes to the Village's historic preservation rules. The Commission is planning a series of inputs to receive public input in January and February. Stay tuned for more details.
Upcoming Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting (Wednesday, November 18, 7 p.m.). The PCZBA will hold:
- A public hearing for a special use permit that would authorize a dog training facility (Two Paws Up) to relocate to 926 North Shore Drive.
- A workshop regarding a proposed two-lot subdivision at 500 Arden Shore Road along Lake Michigan.
- A public hearing to review the regulations that govern underground garages.
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