Project Status:

March 24, 2026 (Village Board) Committee of the Whole Meeting Materials - 
- Happ Road Improvement Committee - Recommendations to the Village Board
- Business Community Survey Results
- Resident Community Survey Results

February 18, 2026 Update - The Committee met to review the results of the recent resident and business surveys.  The survey response rate was very encouraging with 48 business survey responses and an impressive 893 resident responses sent in.  The group discussed the themes that developed from the responses which included improved safety in the corridor, beautification, and place-making.  The discussion shifted to how to best present the data to the Village Board and the structure of the group’s final report.  The Committee will present their findings to the Village Board and public at the Committee of the Whole meeting on March 24th at 5:30 p.m.  Copies of the report and survey results will be available on this webpage on or near March 19th.  The Committee expressed their strong appreciation for the time and effort of those who completed the survey.  

January 15, 2026 Update - The Committee held their sixth meeting and first of 2026.  The primary focus of the meeting was for the committee to share subcommittee updates and work toward finalizing the stakeholder surveys.  Both the Business and Resident groups had made good progress toward sharing the final draft of their work by the end of January.  The group set the goal of having the surveys complete and ready for release in early February.  How to share the survey links with stakeholders was also a topic of discussion.  The group decided that a combination of email blasts (using a multitude of available community group emails) and a limited number of point of sale cards with QR codes in the business district should result in good distribution.  The survey timing was set in an effort to present a committee report to the Village Board on either March 24th or April 28th.  A February meeting will be scheduled to analyze the survey results and continue work on the draft report.  

December 16, 2025 Update - The group met and discussed the work of the two primary outreach groups.  The Business Outreach group reported working on a draft survey for business owners.  They are exploring the use of three survey area zones to ensure effective outreach.  Additionally, they are considering individual outreach for a number of key businesses.   The goal is to activate the survey in mid-January with results summarized thereafter.   The resident outreach group is developing a short video and flyer for the residents.  The goal of the visuals is to help residents understand the potential impact of incremental improvements.  Lastly, the co-chairs provided an update regarding their goal of surveying members of community groups such as the school, park, and library board members.  A writing committee is also being formed to start work on the draft report for the Village Board.  The next meeting of the group is January 15th at 6:30p.

November 9, 2025 Update - On November 9th, the Committee held their fourth meeting and the meeting summary is available here.  The group discussed the preparations for soliciting community feedback on the goals for a redesigned Happ Road.  The Committee divided into two main groups, a Resident Focus Group and a Business Focus Group.  The sub-groups discussed next steps for gathering feedback from stakeholders.  The sub-groups will work independently to gather feedback and report findings to the full group at a future meeting.  

October 9, 2025 Update - The Committee held their third meeting on October 9th and the meeting summary is available here.  The Committee co-chairs lead the discussion with the primary focus upon the best ways to gather input from stakeholders.  The group decided to create Resident and Business subcommittees.  The two groups would be tasked with gathering feedback from the community regarding thoughts on Happ Road.  Committee members were asked to select which subcommittee they preferred, and outreach efforts are expected to commence soon.  A call for availability for a November meeting was being circulated, but a date for the fourth meeting of the Committee has not been selected yet.  

September 5, 2025 Update - The Happ Road Committee met on September 4, 2025.  The meeting summary is available here. The group began their meeting with a walk through the commercial section of the corridor to get the pedestrian perspective of the area.  Upon returning to Village Hall, the group resumed their discussion of the goals for their work and conducted initial discussions of a mission statement.  The group then viewed the concept drawings for the commercial area that had been prepared by resident and committee member Francisco Gonzalez-Pulido.  He showed the group his concept and explained the vision of creating a sense of place, integrating differing areas visually, and creating places of interest/curiosity for the Village.  

August 12, 2025 Update - On August 12th, the newly formed Happ Road Committee held its first meeting.  The resident group was formed to provide recommendations to the Village Board regarding the reenvisioning of the Happ Road corridor between Willow Road and Winnetka Avenue.  After finishing introductions, the group discussed the process for working toward developing a recommendation.  The majority of the time was spent on discussing the goals for Happ Road.  A meeting summary is available here, and the group will endeavor to meet every two to three weeks in an effort to build momentum.  

Subsequent to the meeting, Debbie Papas and Barnaby Dinges were selected as co-chairs for the group.  They will be responsible for setting meeting agendas and presiding over meetings of the full group.

The next meeting is scheduled for September 4th at 6:30p in Village Hall.  Meeting summaries will be posted as soon as they are available and the agenda may be found here and in the Agenda Center of the website.  

June 17, 2025 Update - Village President Tracey Mendrek has appointed the following individuals to the Happ Road Committee: Alicia Bellar, Barnaby Dinges, Trustee Ed Elfmann, Beth Filoramo, Francisco Gonzales Pulido, Maureen Huhs, Trustee Andrew Juedes, Sarah Munoz, Christine O’Neil, Pam Papadatos, Debbie Papas, Asheesh Seth, Jennifer Sucher, and Samantha Tideman.  Village Manager Patrick Brennan will serve as the staff liaison for the committee.

January 30, 2025 Update – Further design of the Happ Road Improvement Project remains on hold while the reevaluation process is developed.  The project engineers and Cook County representatives have been notified of the status and position of the Village Board that a roundabout is not supported as an acceptable design for the Happ / Orchard / Walnut intersection.  Village staff is preparing decision point consideration by the Village Board in their workgroup session (Committee of the Whole) on February 18th.  Additionally, staff is working to lock in a date/time for an update meeting with Cook County representatives as a follow-up to the notification letter sent to them.  Meanwhile, public utilities (electric, phone, etc.) continue their work to relocate their infrastructure that conflicts with the planned roadway improvement.  Allowing that work to continue will help avoid future delays once a re-visioned project is authorized by the Village Board.  

On December 3rd, the Village Board gathered in their workgroup session called the Committee of the Whole.  The main item on the agenda was a discussion about the Happ Road project and next steps in light of the recent referendum results.  There was a clear consensus among the members that there was no support for the construction of a roundabout on Happ Road.   Specifically, the Village Trustees will not support a project that includes a roundabout.  

The obvious question is – What will happen to Happ Road?  During the meeting, the Board discussed a number of options to reevaluate the project that ranged from restudying just the intersection of Happ, Orchard, and Walnut to going all of the way back to square-one for the entire project area.  After listening to resident feedback and discussing the options, the Board decided to:

1. Reevaluate the entire project area from Winnetka Road to Willow Road
2. Use the available investigatory engineering data (e.g., surveys, geotechnical reports) to the extent possible
3. Explore the option of seeking ownership of the roadway from Cook County
4. Reconstitute a planning group for the Happ Road project
5. Develop and implement a robust community engagement plan

In light of this outcome our first step is to notify our project partners including Cook County and the Illinois Department of Transportation of the Board’s desired approach.  We will then begin developing a plan to restart the Happ Road evaluation process including outlining the desired committee structure, community engagement plan, and developing consulting engineering agreements.  That effort will begin very soon and discussed at a public meeting.

Over the past several months, many have raised their concerns and called upon the Village Board to find a better way to improve Happ Road.  An approach that offers additional opportunities for public involvement and participation – and no roundabout.  The Village Board recognizes the time and effort it took to reach this decision and values the importance of public engagement in the local government process. Thank you to each of you who have taken time to share your thoughts and feelings and who engaged in this important process for Northfield.

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Project History:

Northfield’s Village Center dates to 1936, when the first Village Hall and Police Department were built along Happ Road. The Village Center grew to include the Library, Post Office, shops, restaurants, services and homes. As surrounding roads developed to meet the region’s needs, Northfield’s Village Center was impacted by wide roadways, speeding traffic, disconnected sidewalks and a general lack of walkability and sense of place around Northfield’s Village Center.

For decades, Village leaders and community members have called for improvements to make Happ Road safer, more walkable, more attractive and to support Village Center businesses, as documented in the following: 

• Village of Northfield Comprehensive Plan (1999)
• The Walkability Assessment (2006)
• The Northfield Corridor Plan (2015)
• Northfield 2040 Vision Plan (2020)

Starting in 2016, and in partnership with Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (CCDOTH), the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT),  and a Steering Committee comprised of local businesses, property owners and residents, Northfield commenced the Happ Road Phase 1 Study, which focused on the following goals:

• Improve traffic flow and safety for pedestrians and motorists;
• Provide better stormwater management;
• Create a safer environment for bicyclists and pedestrians;
• Support local businesses through placemaking, community gathering and beautification. 

Need for Improvement:

Happ Road is under the jurisdiction of Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, but serves as a vital artery for Northfielders.  The roadway traverses our business district, includes an active residential area, and serves as a major corridor for pedestrians and vehicles accessing the New Trier High School Campus.  Additionally, it serves as a key access point for the fire department response to eastbound Willow Road and the Edens.  Happ Road will be an even more vital artery for the community when the planned extension of the Skokie Valley Trail is constructed nearby.  

In preparation for addressing a long-standing 5-leg intersection at Happ, Orchard, and Walnut, analysis of the current conditions was undertaken. Safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians is of utmost importance and considers past crash data. The following crash data was reviewed for the years between 2010 – 2016: 

Happ Road, between Willow Road and Winnetka Road:

• 115 reported crashes 
• 25 reported injury crashes, of which 32 people were injured
• 0 fatalities or incapacitating injuries

Happ Road, intersection at Orchard Lane: 

• 17 reported crashes
• 4 reported injury crashes
• Most crashes were associated with turning movements, suggesting the need to better delineate turning paths between Happ Road, Orchard Lane and Walnut Street.
• Northfield Police Department observed safety issues at the Happ Road + Orchard Lane intersection, including stopped vehicles, irregular turning movements and unpredictable motorist behaviors, resulting in unsafe conditions for motorists and pedestrians.

Happ Road + Winnetka Avenue intersection:

• 25 reported crashes
• Crashes are assumed to be associated with confusing land configurations and inadequate sight lines.
• This intersection accommodates many pedestrians traveling to and from New Trier High School.

Reviewing the data, angle and turning crashes were the most predominant at the Happ Road intersection with Orchard Lane, which is likely an indication of confusion with turning movements and the need to better delineate the turning paths. The Happ Road and Orchard Lane intersection’s close proximity to the Orchard Lane and Walnut Street intersection adds to the overall confusion. 

The crash data indicates driver confusion with the lane configuration and lack of adequate sight distance among adjacent intersection legs and traffic congestion during some periods of the day. Driver and pedestrian safety were the primary factors in determining the project designs. Various geometric alternatives were considered and analyzed with the goal of improving vehicular safety and pedestrian crossing safety by reducing intersection conflict points.

Proposed Designs

The project area includes Happ Road, between Willow Road to the north and Winnetka Avenue to the south. Throughout the project planning, design alternatives were developed to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety.