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County easement delays push Deerfield Road work later; Riverwoods approves TIF transfers to support redevelopment
Summary
Lake County's schedule to let contracts for Deerfield Road widening was pushed to September 2026 because of easement acquisition delays. The Riverwoods board approved a resolution allowing transfers of increment from a healthier TIF to support expenses in the TIF covering Federal Life parcel and nearby redevelopment.
Village officials told the board that Lake County has delayed the contract letting for Deerfield Road improvements after difficulty acquiring easements from three property owners. The village attorney said the county now expects to let the widening contract in September 2026, with construction likely in 2027. That change pushes tree‑work and other preparation farther out than earlier projections.
Director Witt updated the board on demolition at the Federal Life parcel: demolition of the building superstructure began March 18 and the director estimated roughly two‑thirds of the superstructure was removed at the time of the meeting. He said removal of foundations and other underground material will take additional weeks. The Federal Life site also included an onsite reservoir requiring more complex removal work.
The village attorney told trustees that funds the county previously earmarked—local funds intended to reimburse village work—remain committed but that the delay gives the village more time to plan and to coordinate tree removal and easement conveyances. He said the county had appropriated $1.5 million for the project and indicated it would reassign local funds if necessary to complete Deerfield Road work.
To support ongoing costs in the redevelopment area that includes the Federal Life parcel and Colonial Court shopping center, the board approved a resolution finding the purposes for two contiguous TIF redevelopment project areas are ongoing and authorizing transfers of increment from TIF #1 to TIF #2. Staff said TIF #1 currently generates steady increment (packet estimate in the $120,000‑per‑year neighborhood) while TIF #2 is “underwater” because demolition and conversion to tax‑exempt status have reduced its increment; transfers are authorized under TIF law and were ratified by the board.
Board action: trustees approved the TIF transfer resolution and directed staff to continue finalizing easement documents so Saunders Road and Deerfield Road work can meet IDOT deadlines where possible.
