A New Fire Station: Because Minutes Matter

The LRFD currently operates three fire stations, located on Woodlands Parkway in Vernon Hills, Schelter Road in Lincolnshire and Saunders Road in Riverwoods. The two stations on Schelter and Saunders roads have reached, or are nearing the end of their useful lives (30 years) and would need to be completely rebuilt or remodeled to meet current and evolving needs. Additionally, they are not optimally located to best respond to emergency needs.

A new fire station at 3750 Deerfield Road (east of Milwaukee Avenue) would address outdated infrastructure, improve emergency response times across the District, enhance emergency responder safety and reduce operational costs without reducing staffing levels.

In the past seven years, the Board and Fire District leadership reviewed and considered the various options presented in Illinois Fire Chiefs Association (IFCA) studies. Land in the proposed location was limited until a joint project with Riverwoods and Lake County, Illinois allowed for the purchase of land at 3750 Deerfield Road (on Deerfield Road east of Milwaukee Avenue).

The strategic two-station configuration aims to increase the number of arrivals at emergency scenes across the District within the current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) four-minute standard, which will improve safety for both the public and firefighters.

The LRFD currently operates three fire stations, located on Woodlands Parkway in Vernon Hills, Schelter Road in Lincolnshire and Saunders Road in Riverwoods. The existing fire stations on Schelter and Saunders Roads have reached or are nearing the end of their useful lives (30 years) and need to be completely rebuilt or remodeled to meet current codes and accommodate the current and future diverse workforce. Additionally, they are not optimally located to best respond to emergency needs.

A new fire station at 3750 Deerfield Road (east of Milwaukee Avenue) would address outdated infrastructure, improve emergency response times, enhance emergency responder safety and reduce operational costs without reducing staffing levels.

The new location at 3750 Deerfield Road was selected for its optimality, enhancing response times across the District based upon two professional station location studies that were done in 2018 and 2023. The land has already been purchased through a partnership with the Village of Riverwoods and Lake County, Illinois.

If voters do not approve the referendum, the District will face increasing challenges in meeting safety standards, maintaining aging facilities and addressing growing service demands – leading to a choice of paying now or paying later, as the need for station rebuilds becomes unavoidable.

The District is seeking approval for a bond referendum in April 2025, which would raise $25 million to fund the construction of the new station. This bond will allow for a more cost-effective solution compared to continuous repairs and upgrades to the aging infrastructure.

The Fire District has committed $5.5 million in reserves to the project and continues to pursue grants and other funding sources.

Although alternative funding sources such as capital reserve funds and grants can help address smaller-scale needs, they are insufficient for large-scale capital projects. A bond provides the upfront funding needed for major infrastructure projects and spreads repayment over time to keep it manageable for taxpayers. Pursuing a bond referendum gives voters the power to decide through a community-wide vote.

The Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District does have a capital fund to complete select updates, make limited repairs and purchase equipment. However, current available funds will not cover the total cost of the proposed project. The Fire District continues to apply for grants and other funds to leverage tax dollars.

While there will be a slight increase in taxes, the District strives to keep costs manageable. The anticipated increase will be $19 per month ($232 per year) for 20 years for a home valued at $600,000. The new facility will ultimately provide long-term cost savings through better efficiency and reduced operational expenses without reducing staffing levels. Find out how the referendum will affect your household by viewing this link to our estimated tax impact sheet.

The plan to transition to two stations does not result in job cuts. First responder staffing levels will be adjusted to ensure more efficient operations, and no jobs will be lost.

Construction is expected to begin within a year after funding and take approximately 18 months to complete.

Mid 2025: Planning and bidding begin
2026: Construction starts
Late 2027: Project is completed

No. If voters approve the referendum, all fire stations will remain operational during the construction of a new building in a new location.

The Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District serves Vernon Township, which includes Lincolnshire and parts of Riverwoods and Vernon Hills. You can check your property tax bill to determine if you are a resident. You can also check out the map of our boundaries. If you live within the LRFD boundaries, you will see the bond question on your ballot.

The District serves Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and parts of Vernon Hills. The stations’ locations have been selected to provide better response and service to the entire District, ensuring comprehensive protection for all residents in our area.

Community education and outreach efforts are a priority. The District will host facilitated discussion groups, informational meetings and a dedicated website to ensure voters are well-informed about the project’s benefits.

Yes! We can arrange for a member of the leadership team to speak with your group. Please contact events@lrfpd.org to schedule a visit.

The bond request will appear on your ballot as follows:

“Shall the Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District, Lake County, Illinois, construct a new fire station and purchase emergency response fleet and equipment and issue its bonds to the amount of $25,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?”

Vote-by-mail and early voting begins:
March 7, 2025, at Lake County Clerk’s office
March 17, 2025, at designated early-voting locations

Election Day: April 1, 2025

To find more information on registering to vote, polling locations and other details, visit the Lake County Voter Services page at www.lakecountyil.gov/332/Voter-Services.