Vernon Hills board approves two Hawthorne Mall events with public-safety conditions

Vernon Hills

The village board on March 31 approved Resolution 2025-012 permitting two outdoor special events at Hawthorne Mall: an Easter egg hunt and an Earth Day event scheduled for Saturday, April 12 and Saturday, April 26, 2025. Director Jennings told trustees the events are similar to prior Hawthorne Row events and staff had no objection provided standard conditions are met.

Jennings said the proposed site plan calls for food trucks, vendors and, for the Earth Day event, a petting zoo. Staff recommended conditions including on-site garbage receptacles, immediate post-event cleanup and coordination with the Vernon Hills Police Department to ensure adequate security and pedestrian safety.

Trustees questioned restroom access, parking and whether event organizers should consider temporarily blocking vehicle access to the pedestrian area. Jennings said organizers could apply to close vehicle access and staff will coordinate with police to review security and circulation; he also said some indoor restrooms (near Dave & Buster's and other mall businesses) would be available and staff will verify access and site signage.

The motion to approve the resolution passed on roll call with affirmative votes from Trustees Marquardt, Oppenheim, Schenck, Forster, Chairman Pro Tem Cook and President Byrne. Jennings said staff will ask the mall operator to confirm attendance estimates and security plans and will follow up with any required conditions.

Why it matters

Special-event approvals are local decisions but can affect neighborhood traffic, parking and public safety; the board attached standard operational conditions and asked staff to coordinate with police to reduce disruption.

What's next

Staff will follow up with the mall operator on attendance estimates, confirm restroom access and security plans with the police department, and verify compliance with the conditions before each event.