A Message from Mayor Shapiro

As summer winds down and we prepare to usher in another school year, I want to take a moment to speak to the families, the students, the teachers, the drivers and the residents who make this community a truly special place to call home.

Heading back to school brings a mix of emotions. Some are excited, eager to see friends and their favorite teachers. Others may be nervous, starting something new, entering a new grade, maybe even a new school. And for the parents? Well, I know it’s a lot. Packing lunches, catching the bus, making sure everyone has the right supplies, the right clothes and that first-day-of-school photo ready to go.

But this season, while  full of anticipation, also calls for awareness, responsibility and a shared commitment to safety. Deerfield is growing and with that growth comes change, development and construction that commuters should familiarize themselves with.

Right now, there are significant projects underway across our village. At the corner of Wilmot Road and just north of Lake Cook Road, Pulte Homes is in the process of building 42 new single-family homes. These are homes that will welcome new families and new neighbors. Down the road, also on Lake Cook Road, we’re making room for our seniors, those who have spent their lives working hard, raising families and contributing to the fabric of our society. The new senior living facility is far more than just a building. It’s a promise. A promise that we value every chapter of life, and that we are committed to dignity, to care, and to inclusion for all.

Also, six office buildings along Lake Cook Road are in the process of being demolished. In demolition, there lies the opportunity for renewal, for revitalization and for a stronger, more vibrant Deerfield.

Hazel Avenue — a key artery in our village —  is now undergoing a full reconstruction. It’s a project we’ve planned with great care and it’s one we’ll carry out with meticulous attention to detail to get it done right.

With change comes challenges, and as our students board those buses, as they walk to school or ride their bikes across town, it is on all of us — every driver, every contractor and every pedestrian — to be vigilant, to be cautious and to be patient. Nothing is more important than the safety of our children. With that in mind, I’m asking each of you to put down the phone, slow down, pay attention, follow posted signs and detours and obey speed limits, especially in school zones. And when you see a school bus with its arm out — stop! Take that extra moment, because that pause could save a life.

I also want to recognize our Public Works Department, our Police and Fire Departments, and all those who are working tirelessly to coordinate these projects while protecting our residents. Their dedication is unmatched, and their service is a testament to what government, at its best, is capable of.

Now, I know we live in busy times. But in Deerfield, we take the time to do things with intention. We plan, prepare and move forward, together. So, as we begin this new school year, let us renew our commitment to our kids, embrace growth while prioritizing safety and recognize that progress is not just about the construction of new roads and buildings, but about people — the people who drive on them, walk past them and live beside them.

Thank you, may your families be safe, may our students thrive, and may we continue building a community we’re proud to call home.

Thank you,

Mayor Daniel C. Shapiro