News Flash

The Village of Deerfield and a coalition of community partners will commemorate the community’s participation in Illinois America250 with a time capsule burial ceremony at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 10, at Village Hall.

Residents are invited to attend and take part in this milestone event as Deerfield joins communities across Illinois and the nation in recognizing the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States on July 4, 2026.

Deerfield’s participation in Illinois America250 reflects a shared commitment among local public agencies, civic organizations and community institutions to honor the nation’s history while highlighting the people, stories and values that define the community today. Through this collaboration, participating organizations are working to elevate local voices, celebrate Deerfield’s heritage and create meaningful opportunities for residents to connect with the village’s past, present and future.

Participating organizations include the Village of Deerfield, Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District, Deerfield Park District, Deerfield School District 109, Township High School District 113, Deerfield Public Library, West Deerfield Township, Deerfield Rotary Club, Deerfield Optimist Club, Deerfield Area Historical Society and Deerfield Lions Club.

America250 is more than a historical anniversary. It is a nationwide commemoration that invites communities in all 50 states to reflect on the nation’s shared history, recognize the people who exemplify the American spirit and consider how the next 250 years will be shaped. The initiative honors veterans, families, educators, innovators, students, volunteers and civic leaders, reinforcing that the American story is ultimately a story about people.

By participating in Illinois America250, Deerfield and its community partners reaffirm their shared commitment to civic engagement, freedom, democracy and unity. The July 10 time capsule burial ceremony will serve as a visible expression of that commitment and as an opportunity for residents to come together in recognition of the community’s enduring connection to the nation’s history and future.

Community members are encouraged to attend the ceremony at Village Hall and join Deerfield in marking this important occasion.

The Village of Deerfield officially celebrated the completion of its landmark renewable energy project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Village’s Water Reclamation Facility today. The newly operational 574.6 kW-DC ground-mount solar array marks a monumental step forward in the Village's commitment to sustainability and long-term taxpayer savings.

Construction on the solar field successfully concluded following its mid-October 2025 groundbreaking. By strategically securing all available state, federal and utility incentives, the Village successfully offset more than 70% of the total project cost, delivering an environmentally impactful project with minimal local financial liability.

This initiative directly advances the goals of Deerfield’s Climate Action Report, which sets ambitious objectives to reduce community emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieve total carbon neutrality by 2050. Now fully operational, the solar installation is actively delivering results by:

• Generating Power: Producing more than 645,000 kWh of clean electricity annually, offsetting approximately 23% of the wastewater facility’s grid power use.
• Slashing Costs: Delivering more than $1.1 million in guaranteed utility savings over the system’s lifetime.
• Cutting Carbon: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 275 metric tons of CO2 annually with the environmental equivalent of removing 61 gasoline-powered cars from the road for one year or the carbon capture of 320 acres of U.S. forests.

“Seeing this solar array fully operational and pushing clean energy to our facility is a proud moment for Deerfield,” said Deerfield Mayor Daniel C. Shapiro. “This project represents more than just cost savings; it reflects Deerfield’s responsibility to future generations. By flipping the switch on solar energy at our Water Reclamation Facility we are improving air quality, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and proving that local government can lead the way toward a healthier, more sustainable community.”

“Wastewater treatment plants are traditionally among the highest energy users in any municipality,” said Danielle Melone, Senior Account Manager at Veregy, the project’s performance contractor. “By deploying this renewable solar power asset, Deerfield is leading by example. Veregy is incredibly proud to celebrate this ribbon cutting alongside the Village, showcasing to communities across Illinois how to successfully crush utility costs while making a permanent, positive impact on the environment.”

A Bright Future Powered by Clean Energy

By combining cutting-edge solar technology with thoughtful financial planning, the Village of Deerfield is actively charting a path toward long-term resilience. The successful completion of this project highlights how local governments can simultaneously protect taxpayer dollars and contribute meaningfully to global climate goals. Check out the array's production in real time online.

The application for the 50/50 tree program is now open. The trees offered in the program are 2.5” in diameter. The cost is $225.

Residents are not limited to one tree per year, however limit of one species of each tree per household.