Manager's Report — 10 Jul 2026: Interim Police Chief Named, Grand Prix Returns
Northbrook's longtime Police Chief John Ustich retired after more than 30 years of service, and Deputy Chief Marc Fainman has been named Interim Police Chief while a successor is selected. The week also brought the opening of EV charging stations at Village Hall, a new recycling app for residents, and a preliminary redevelopment proposal for Meadow Plaza at 1901 Cherry Lane.
Key items
- Interim Police Chief Appointed — Deputy Chief Marc Fainman is leading the department while the Village conducts an internal search to permanently replace retired Chief John Ustich.
- Meadow Plaza Redevelopment Proposal — Pulte Homes has filed a preliminary redevelopment application for 1901 Cherry Lane, starting a public review process that will eventually include a public hearing.
- EV Charging Stations Open at Village Hall — Residents and visitors now have access to Level 2 EV charging at Village Hall, with specific hours and parking rules to follow.
- Recycle Coach App Now Available — The free app gives Northbrook residents personalized refuse and recycling schedules, pickup reminders, and disposal guidance for thousands of household items.
- Northbrook Grand Prix on July 23 — Downtown streets will host elite and amateur cyclists on July 23, which may affect traffic and parking for residents and businesses in the area.
Full agenda — click any item to expand
Upcoming Meetings
The Village Board has two meetings scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2026. A Committee of the Whole meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Terrace Room, followed by a Regular Village Board Meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room.
Activity Reports
The Northbrook Police Department's weekly bulletin has been updated for the week ending July 10, 2026. The department also concluded its second annual Junior Police Academy on July 10 with a graduation ceremony. Participants ages 12 to 16 took part in interactive sessions covering drone operations, the K-9 program, evidence collection and preservation, and impaired driving awareness using a DUI simulator.
Save the Date
The Northbrook Grand Prix returns to Northbrook Downtown on Thursday, July 23, 2026, featuring amateur and elite cyclists from around the world competing through downtown's streets as part of the Chicago Grit series. Organizers encourage attendees to support local restaurants and shops during the event.
Project Updates
Meadow Plaza Redevelopment (1901 Cherry Lane): Pulte Homes, the contract purchaser of the privately owned Meadow Plaza property, has submitted a Preliminary Review Application for redevelopment. This is an early-stage proposal; no formal application has been submitted yet. The Board of Trustees discussed the preliminary proposal in a non-binding session on May 26, 2026. On Monday, Village President Ciesla, Trustee Hebl, DPS Director McEwan, and Deputy Village Manager Jim Hawkins attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting with Meadow Plaza tenants to discuss the proposal. A formal public hearing will not be scheduled until a formal application is received and internal staff review is complete.
EV Charging Stations: New Level 2 EV charging stations at Village Hall are now open to residents and visitors. Details on hours, access procedures, and parking requirements are available on the Village website.
Recycle Coach App: Northbrook residents can download the free Recycle Coach app from the App Store or Google Play. After entering a home address, users receive a personalized collection schedule, pickup reminders, holiday schedule updates, and disposal guidance for household items. The app is also accessible through the Village's Refuse & Recycling webpage.
Employee News
Chief John Ustich retired on July 1, 2026, after more than 30 years with the Northbrook Police Department. Village Manager has appointed Deputy Police Chief Marc Fainman as Interim Police Chief. The department accepted internal applications for the permanent Chief of Police position from current employees holding the rank of Commander or Deputy Chief.
Read the official documents
Every source document is linked above, inside its agenda item.