Mayor’s Message December 5, 2025
- Posted by Makayla Terfehn
- On December 23, 2025
Dear Residents,
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday.
Thanksgiving may be over, but the festivities in South Barrington have just begun. If you are looking for a great culinary experience, consider visiting the The Greggory, which has just been named in the Robb Report as #33 on the list of the 50 Best Steak Restaurants in North America!
This is an incredible and well-deserved honor for the entire team and for South Barrington to be named with a list of other large cities such as Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Miami, Las Vegas, Los Angelos, Dallas, Miami is a remarkable achievement.
Their commitment to exceptional quality, service, and atmosphere shines through day after day, and we’re proud to have such a standout dining destination right in our own backyard.
Congratulations to everyone at The Greggory! Their continued dedication to top-tier food and hospitality is getting the recognition it deserves. Celebrate the holidays in style with a great meal at the Greggory!

Article: 50 Best Steakhouses in North America
Preventing Holiday Mail Theft
Holidays are about celebrating with family and friends, but it is also a time to use caution as unscrupulous thieves ramp up their criminal activities this time of year.
Your safety and security remain our top priority, and we encourage you to take a few simple steps to help protect your mail and personal information, especially with the uptick in seasonal deliveries:
- Retrieve Mail Promptly: Collect your mail daily and as soon as possible after delivery
- Track Deliveries: Use tracking notifications offered by USPS, FedEx, UPS, and other carriers
- Hold Mail When Traveling: Request a USPS mail hold if you’ll be away for an extended period.
- Install Cameras: Doorbell cameras and other surveillance devices can deter theft and assist law enforcement if needed.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Contact the South Barrington Police Department immediately if you see anything unusual.
- Vacation House Watch: If you are traveling, please take advantage of the Police Departments Vacation House Watch Program which can be viewed on our website here https://www.frontlinepss.com/southbarrington
Mail theft is a federal offense and can lead to serious consequences such as identify theft and financial fraud. The South Barrington Police Department works diligently to protect our community but taking steps on your end is vital to prevent these crimes. Together we can keep our community safe and secure this holiday season!
Barrington Giving Day – Red Box Donation Drive
I continue to be amazed at the generosity of our community.
This week we delivered the incredible donations we collected through the Red Box Donation Drive, and once again, our residents showed up to support this worthwhile cause in force.
Thanks to your kindness, we were able to provide a wide range of items, including baby essentials, toys, coats, shoes, and more. These donations will go directly to low-income families at the Winter Event held at Station Middle School on December 6, 2025.
Thank you for your continued generosity and for supporting those who need it most during this season of giving. It is much appreciated!

South Barrington Home Decorating Contest
South Barrington is home to some of the best outdoor holiday lights displays around and invite all of you to put your exterior illumination skills to the test with our online decorating contest!
South Barrington residents can submit up to 2 photos of their festive displays. Not only can you win bragging rights – you can win $200 gift card to the Arboretum, compliments of Rick Heidner.
Important Dates:
- Entry Deadline: December 9th
- Voting: December 15th–20th
- Winner Announcement: December 22nd
Please submit your entries to Makayla at mterfehn@southbarrington.org.
Good luck!

Reporting a Damaged Mailbox
As we have seen in recent days, snow season is here, which means plow crews are out day and night keeping roads clear and safe.
Our crews do their best to avoid mailbox damage, but sometimes it still happens, and we’re here to help. The Village offers two easy ways to report a damaged mailbox:
- Submit our online form: https://villageofsouthbarrington.wufoo.com/forms/report-mailbox-damage/
- Call the Village at 847-381-7510
*If calling after business hours, please leave your name, address, and phone number so we can assist you promptly
Tree Trimming Update
Please be on the lookout for tree trimming crews as beginning the week of December 15th, Lucas Landscaping will kick off the Village’s approved tree-trimming project.
The Village awarded Lucas Landscaping the tree trimming contract at the November board meeting. We will be sharing a detailed schedule outlining when each subdivision will be serviced soon.
As a reminder, this trimming project will raise branches to approximately 14 ft. above the roadway to prevent contact with garbage trucks and other service vehicles. Full pruning will take place in June, once the trees are in full bloom. If you have any questions during this time, please reach out to Ryan Murphy at rmurphy@southbarrington.org
Santa Arrives by Helicopter – December Tradition Continues
Santa Claus is coming to town!
The South Barrington Park District is gearing up for Santa’s arrival! Santa will once again be arriving in South Barrington by helicopter, a beloved community tradition for more than 30 years!
Event Details:
- Arrival Time: Approximately 10:15 AM
- Location: Village of South Barrington Police Department Lot located in the back of Village Hall
- Cost: This is a FREE community event and no registration is required
In addition to Santa’s arrival, the South Barrington Park District will be offering two other special activities that day. Please note these events require registration:
- The Grinch Candy Cane Hunt | 10:00–10:15 AM
- Santa’s Workshop | 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
There will be members of the South Barrington Police Department on site to ensure Santa arrives safely and to make sure the Grinch doesn’t try to steal all the candy canes during the hunt!
These events are family friendly events. We look forward to seeing you help us welcome Santa to South Barrington!

As always, I am here to listen to your thoughts and concerns. Feel free to email me at pmccombie@southbarrington.org, or use the anonymous comment boxes located in the lobbies of Village Hall and the Police Department. I review these messages privately and value your input.
Have an enjoyable weekend!

Paula McCombie
Mayor


