Registration was filled for the annual State of the Village Address by Northbrook Village President Kathryn L. Ciesla. The Jan. 26 address was delivered on stage with a multimedia presentation in the Northbrook Public Library auditorium as Ciesla’s third time offering the address.
Presented by the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the occasion began with a Friday morning pre-event coffee in the library’s Pollak Room.
“I’m very appreciative that every year there’s the opportunity for residents and members of the community to hear directly from the village president about the state of the village,” Northbrook Village Manager Cara Pavlicek said to Pioneer Press.
“We hear that terminology and we don’t realize how important it is once a year to pause, look back, talk about where we are and where we’re going, so I think that’s very exciting,” Pavlicek said.
“I think for 2024, it’ll be another very busy year.”
Ciesla’s State of the Village Address offered an upbeat look at 2023 with what’s to come for 2024.
“I appreciate the Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the event and I think it’s really fortunate and I feel very lucky to be able to talk about the Village of Northbrook and the great things that are happening in town,” Ciesla told Pioneer Press after the approximate 45 minute address with question and answer session.
“We live in a great place, we’re very, very lucky and I think there are great things ahead and I’m looking forward to see how 2024 unfolds.”
Kate Hall, Northbrook Public Library executive director, confirmed 2024 was the second year the address took place at the library.
“The library is a community hub and having the State of the Village here, partnering with the village and the chamber, allows not only our local businesses, but also members of the community to come and hear what’s going on in the village.”
Ciesla discussed economic development projects including the Tesla dealership with construction underway on Skokie Boulevard and opening this summer.
Downtown Northbrook has seen the recent opening of the Starbucks at the corner of Waukegan Road and Shermer Road, and of Napolita Pizzeria & Wine Bar restaurant just east of the Shermer Road railroad crossing.
Kathi Quinn, Northbrook Chamber of Commerce & Industry executive director, said, “I’m extremely excited for all the things that are happening in Northbrook.
“We’ve got some really exciting restaurants and businesses and Tesla’s coming into town and I think it’s going to change everything for the residents to have these great businesses supporting the community,” Quinn said.
Northbrook Court as a multiyear phased redevelopment site will see construction activity this year in the front section built along Lake Cook Road.
“They’re going to be aggressively working in 2024, all of 2025,” Ciesla said about Northbrook Court to Pioneer Press.
To the audience, “We’re going to create a neighborhood,” said Ciesla, adding affordable housing units are part of the mall’s plan.
“If we have housing that’s more affordable, I know that our kids will be able to move back,” Ciesla said.
“I know that teachers, firefighters, police officers, will be able to live here because they can afford to live here.”
Developers of the former Grainger site on Shermer Road have indicated needing time for financing amid higher interest rates.
“I think we’re seeing the cost of construction go down so things are moving in the right direction, but we just have to be patient,” Ciesla said to Pioneer Press.
The former Green Acres Country Club site is back proposed as a data center with forest preserve open space.
Northbrook’s fire and police stations as renovations or outright replacements are being studied. If Green Acres is redeveloped per the current plan, land would accommodate a new Dundee Road fire station. Northbrook Court also has a parcel for a future fire station.
Environmental actions enacted this year include the 10 cent single use bag tax which took effect on Jan. 1 at Northbrook merchants having square footage space of 3,000 feet or greater. The village designated 52 as covered businesses.
Five cents go to a village environmental fund and five cents stay with the retailer.
Some customers have grumbled about the bag tax but supporters hope the tax will change consumer preference to reusable bags.
Dago Aguirre, an approximately 25-year Sunset Foods staff member, and Northbrook Sunset Foods store manager since last October, said, “so far, so good,” regarding the bag tax.
“Luckily, a lot of people knew about this,” Aguirre said, adding the Village of Northbrook was, “very good” at “promoting and putting signs up, telling people what was coming.
“And obviously there are some people that are not very happy,” Aguirre added about the bag tax, “but for the most part, no issues.”
Also attending the State of the Village Address was recently sworn-in Northbrook Village Trustee Michelle Z. Kohler who is, “very excited” to serve Northbrook where there are many, “exciting and new things happening.
“It’s been interesting to dig in,” Kohler said to Pioneer Press.
Tom Kittler of Northbrook, American Legion Post 791 of Northbrook commander, attended with veterans. Post members participate at numerous Northbrook events including the Fourth of July parade plus Memorial Day and Veterans Day events.
“We’re part of the community,” Kittler said. “We’re engaged with the community.”
During the address, Ciesla described established plus newer community traditions, including the growing-in-scope Illuminate Northbrook event, popular with many residents at the holidays.
Public art is a priority as Northbrook Court and other parts of the village grow as vibrant community destinations, the village president promotes.
“Stay tuned,” Ciesla said to Pioneer Press.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
