Federal Shutdown Could Hit Deerfield

With the shutdown of the United States government in its second day today, some municipal and school officials are waiting to see the overall impact on Deerfield citizens.

Though Andrew Lichterman, assistant to the village manager, sees no effect on the Village, there is more uncertainty for Deerfield Public Schools District 109 and Deerfield High School.

“So far, it's too soon for us to feel any impact, but if it goes longer, we may feel some impact,” District 109 Superintendent Michael Lubelfeld said. Lichterman told Patch the Village’s grant applications will be untouched.

There is also less certainty for Deerfield High School, according to Township High School District 113 Communications Director Melinda Vajdic. “There could be an impact, but we won’t know until the payment hits,” she said.

Deerfield High School is already feeling the impact of the federal sequester which went into effect earlier this year and reduced payments of impact aid to offset property taxes that do not come from military housing in Highland Park. The revenue applies to Deerfield High School as well.

“It doesn’t make our lives any easier,” Vajdic said.

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