News Flash

Monday, February 16, 2026 is Presidents' Day, a federal holiday honoring George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and all other U.S. presidents. The day was first created in 1971 as a combination of the previous holidays marking Lincoln's birthday (February 12, 1809) and Washington's birthday (February 22, 1732).

While we now call it Presidents' Day, the federal government never officially changed the name from Washington's Birthday. Government offices, banks, post offices and other places may be closed on the third Monday in February. Note that Village offices will be open.

Resources

• History: Presidents' Day 2026
• Old Farmer's Almanac: Presidents' Day 2026
• National Archives: Washington's Birthday: The Federal Holiday
• George Washington's Mount Vernon: Presidents' Day? The Truth Behind the Holiday

Graphic courtesy of USPS

• The Fiscal Year 2027 Draft Village Budget is available for review on the Village's Financial Documents webpage.
• The Village Board will hold a Budget Session workshop during the March 3 Village Board Meeting, which begins at 7 p.m.
• The Public Hearing on the Village Budget will be held Monday, March 16 at 6:55 p.m, immediately before the Board Meeting. (Note that the meeting is planned for Monday due to the Primary Election on Tuesday, March 17.)
• The Board is expected to approve the Village Budget during the April 7 Board Meeting, which begins at 7 p.m.
• Board Meetings are held at Village Hall, 290 Evergreen Drive.
• The Village's new fiscal year begins on May 1.

i3 Broadband has been permitted to work in the Deerpath neighborhood. Questions should go directly to i3 Broadband at info@i3broadband.com or 309-689-0711. Representatives will also be conducting outreach in the neighborhood.

The next election for Lake County voters is Tuesday, March 17.

• General Primary Election – Tuesday, March 17, 2026
• For Primary Elections, voters must request either a Democrat or Republican ballot.
• Those candidates who advance past the Primary Election on March 17 will then be included on the November 3 General Election ballot.
• Primary Election Ballots include races for federal, state and county-level positions.
• Voter Power: The Lake County Voter Power webpage offers an easy way to check registration status, voting locations and ballot items.
• Voter Registration: The Lake County Clerk offers several convenient ways to register to vote, including online and in-person at voting sites.
• Early Voting: Lake County offers Early Voting at the Lake County Courthouse from February 5 through 27. Beginning March 2 through March 24, you will be able to take part in Early Voting at several additional sites, including William E. Peterson Park, 16652 N. Buffalo Grove Road in Prairie View.
• Voting by Mail: You may request a mail-in ballot beginning 90 days before an election. Visit the Vote by Mail webpage for the process and deadlines for this method of voting.
• Election Day Voting: On March 17, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. While election officials suggest voting at your assigned neighborhood polling site, you may vote at any polling location in Lake County.
• Elections: For an overview of the election process, which is managed by the Lake County Clerk's Office, please review the Lake County Elections webpage.
• Election Judges: Learn how you can support the election process by serving as an election judge.

American Legion Vernon Post 1247 invites you to BINGO on the second Thursday of each month. Join us on March 12.

Games start at 6:30 p.m. and are hosted by the Vernon Hill Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse at 291 Evergreen Drive. All are welcome. Refreshments available for purchase. Proceeds support the Post's work to support our veterans.

Note that games have moved to the SECOND Thursday nights. Remaining dates this season are March 12, April 9 and May 14.

Learn more by visiting the American Legion Vernon Post 1247 Facebook page.

Like other communities, Vernon Hills is seeing a rapid increase in the use of E-bikes and similar vehicles, particularly among young people. In an effort to maintain a safe environment for all, the Village is joining with the Park District and the schools to educate riders and their guardians on the rules and realities of E-bike usage.

• Electric bikes are not allowed on sidewalks – if you aren't ready to ride on the street and follow the rules of the road, then it likely isn't time to have an E-bike.
• Riders must be 16 or older to ride a Class 3 E-bike.
• Electric dirt bikes, ATVs and the like may only be operated on private property
• A helmet is recommended for all riders – whether using electric or more traditional wheels
• Conversations about courtesy and safety are encouraged as we move forward together!

While some communities have worked to create their own municipal regulations, the Village is taking a more measured approach at this time. The goal is to educate users and guardians not only on what is allowed by regulation but what is safe and appropriate. Going forward, the Village will continue to work for overarching regulation developed at the State level to help guide all communities on these efforts. Learn more about initial recommendations by viewing the September 12 Committee of the Whole Meeting as well as the VHPD Electric Bicycle Rules presentation. 

Illinois State Statutes

Refer to the following Illinois State statutes related to E-Bikes:

• 625 ILCS 5/1-153.1: Off Highway Motorcycle Defined
• 625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1(b): Off Highway Motorcycle on roadway prohibited (a3)
• 625 ILCS 5?11-1517(g): Low Speed E-Bikes prohibited on Sidewalks
• 625 ILCS 5/11-1517(h): Operating Class 3 E-Bike under 16 years old

Vernon Hills Park District

Our partners at the Vernon Hills Park District are also working to inform and educate the community on E-Bikes and other mobility options. 

• Vernon Hills Park District Micromobility & E-Bike Safety on Park District Property flier
• Vernon Hills Park District Conduct Ordinance No. 2-04, specifically Chapter III, starting on page 16

Learn More About the Types of E-Bikes

• Watch the short video: E-Bikes 101: What You Need to Know, provided by the Vernon Hills Police Department with the support of REI
• Watch the short video: Letters to Santa: E-Bike Edition

• Free program to honor active and veteran service members
• Simple application – submit one for yourself, a loved one or a neighbor

The Village of Vernon Hills continues to partner with American Legion Vernon Post 1247 to honor Vernon Hills service members who have served or who continue to serve our nation by creating and displaying banners on Village street light poles. If you or someone you know is a current or veteran service member, please consider recognizing them through this free Military Banners program.  Learn more about the program and ownload the simple application. The webpage also lists all who have been honored to date. Please help us add to that list by visiting the Military Banners webpage and completing an application.

• American Legion Vernon Post 1247 Facebook
• Vernon Hills Military Banners program

Pictured on his Military Banner is Corporal Bernie Parker, who served in the South Pacific during World War II. He was one of 22 Vernon Hills residents honored in 2025 with a Military Banner. Thank you for your service!

The Village of Vernon Hills is pleased to announce the selection of Kate Buggy as the next Assistant Village Manager.Ms. Buggy comes to Vernon Hills from the Village of Bloomingdale, where she was the Assistant Village Administrator/Human Resources Director. She brings a strong background in municipal administration, human resources and intergovernmental collaboration with prior experience with the City of Wood Dale and the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference. Kate is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and holds a Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law.Kate was selected after a comprehensive recruitment process that spanned several months and involved the review of more than 150 applicants and multiple rounds of interviews. She will take over from AVM Jon Petrillo, who is retiring after more than 40 years of government service, spanning the military, Vernon Hills Police Department and Village Hall. We look forward to welcoming Ms. Buggy to the Village beginning January 21. 

Check out announcements from community partners by visiting our Community Voice communications webpage.

If you have an announcement on behalf of a local non profit that serves the community providing a service for the good of the order, please reach out to Social@vhills.org. Please note that inclusion in this list does not indicate Village endorsement, nor is the Village responsible for the content of any information provided by the announcements or organizations. Thelisting is provided as a courtesy, only. The Village reserves the right to choose to post or remove any post.

Residents whose mailbox or parkway was damaged during a snow event should report your damage via the Village's online Service Request Portal and the Public Works Department will follow-up by providing you with a temporary mailbox or repair shortly thereafter. Sod repairs will be noted and restoration will take place in Spring.  For additional details, please click the link below.

ANNOUNCEMENT DATE: September 10, 2025

The Village of Vernon Hills has announced that it is in the process of acquiring the historic Cuneo Mansion & Gardens property from Loyola University Chicago.

Loyola University has made the decision to discontinue operations of the Cuneo Mansion & Gardens campus and to pursue the transfer of the property. The Village of Vernon Hills has agreed to acquire the property under its rights in a 2015 Preservation Agreement between the parties.

The property transfer is expected to be finalized within the next 60 days, with the official acquisition anticipated to occur in January 2026.

"At this time, the Village does not have any plans for the use of the property," said Village President Thom Koch, Jr. "Further evaluation will take place following the formal transfer to determine the best path forward in a manner that reflects both the community's interests and the property's legacy."

Link: September 10, 2025 Media Release

UPDATE: October 7, 2025

• During the October 7, 2025 Village Board Meeting, Trustees moved the acquisition process forward by approving Resolution 2025-056, authorizing the Village President to execute the Cuneo Property Transfer Agreement with Loyola University of Chicago. As part of the discussion, staff outlined the timeline of the original transfer of the property by the Cuneo Foundation to Loyola, including 2009 Presevation Agreement, which included the Village of Vernon Hills as well as Lake County. While that agreement was expected to be in effect for several more years, the dissolution of the Cuneo Foundation gave Loyola impetus to cease their operations.
• The Village will now enter a 60 day Due Diligence phase, including securing updated environmental study information. Assuming the due diligence findings are satisfactory, the official closing is scheduled for January 9, 2026.
• Once the property is transferred, the Village will then focus on gathering community and stake holder feedback and examine options, with a goal of being good stewards to both the historic property as well as the wider community. Information about how people can provide feedback will be communicated once a community engagement plan is created, likely early next spring.
• Learn more about the process by viewing the October 7, 2025 Village Board Meeting. The Cuneo Property discussion begins at the 2 minute mark.

The Village of Vernon Hills contracts with a single provider for Village-wide garbage, recycling and yard waste /organics collection. The current Waste Management (WM) contract expires November 30, 2025. The Village has agreed to a new five-year contract with WM that begins December 1, 2025. This agreement covers single-family and multi-family residences (in general, those homes with garage and driveway). Note that businesses and commercial residential properties are not covered  by this franchise agreement. 

The new agreement includes two new features – a new Organics Drop Off location as well as an option for off-season Curbside Organics Collection.

More information, including a WM portal to be used specifically for this transition, is outlined on the Village's WM Contract webpage.

On November 4, Trustees approved a Resolution commemorating the history of the Vernon Hills Athletic Complex (VHAC) in training naval aviators for combat during World War II. Thanks to the request of members of American Legion Vernon Post 1247, Cougar Way will now commemorate the USS Wolverine, while Nike Parkway will honor the USS Sable.

The Vernon Hills Athletic Complex once served as a military airfield. During World War II, approximately 17,820 naval aviators trained here for service in the Pacific. Young pilots were required to show proficiency in take offs and landings using training decks constructed on the ground within the VHAC airfield. Once they had mastered the ground-based training decks, naval aviators then moved to  Lake Michigan, where they trained on two side-wheel steam powered cruise ships that were converted into aircraft carriers and re-christened as the USS Sable and the USS Wolverine.

Learn more by visiting ChicagoNavyMemorial.org

Photo below: Members of American Legion Vernon Post 1247 display the new honorary street signs

Photo below: USS Wolverine, courtesy ChicagoNavyMemorial.org

Photo below: USS Sable, courtesy ChicagoNavyMemorial.org