 For approximately 8 years this ugly and unsafe fence has been left on Patten Road on the vacated portion of the Fort Sheridan Army Base. This sale parcel sits between Navy housing on the South and the Town of Fort Sheridan to the North. Repeated attempts to work with Forest City have been unsuccessful. This fence has created an unsafe condition as children and adults must walk in the roadway through this No Mans Land because this unsightly fence is right up along the curb. I want to thank our staff for attempting to help remedy this situation and getting this fence eventually torn down. Tribune Article by Gregg Trotter
|
 A recent report presented to the Lake County Board by staff projected a Centralized Assessment System, operated by Lake County, would provide value uniformity, accuracy, local customer service, and cost reduction from a current average of $32/parcel to a projected $22.27/parcel (4.4 Million in savings). April 8th presentation at RRL.
This study was based on surveying the best practices and award winning assessment systems nationwide and comparing them to our current 18 Township Assessor/Lake County system. Then our staff projected how much it would cost to use the "Best Practice System" and consolidate the assessment function all within Lake County government.
Short history of this process is that during our 2013 budget discussions I had asked our Chief Assessor if we had the best practice for assessments in Lake County? The answer was NO. In 2014 I brought this forward to the County Board asking for a study on best practices. The released April 2015 report projects the 4.4 million annual savings and demonstrates how we can consolidate government, eliminate 18 assessors and units of government, and provide a quality assessment system for Lake County residents.
We will be meeting with Township Assessors and Supervisors to discuss and work out together how we can best serve our citizens on this matter. Over this summer we hope to work with our Townships, State Legislators, and fellow County Board Members to enable legislation that will provide a best practice assessment system and save us 4.4 million annually.
Please contact me at 847.456.6933 or email at smandel@lakecountyil.gov for more information or if you wish to help.
|
 Tax Bill Questions? We’ve Got Answers
Property tax bills
will arrive in mailboxes the first week of May. Tax bills are for the 2014 tax
year and are due in two equal installments (June 3 and Sept. 3). Visit the Treasurer’s
Office website for information on how to make a payment. We have a
number of transparency tools to help you understand your tax bill. Get answers to some frequently
asked questions, and watch our FAQ’s
video. You
can also view current and previous bills. Keep in mind, while
you send your payment to Lake County, the County only keeps a small portion
(about 7%), and the rest is distributed to many other taxing districts. Check
out our budget
portal to learn more.
|
A Senior Assessment Freeze Seminar will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 1 at the Patty Turner Center, 375 Elm St., Deerfield to assist residents
in completing the 2015 Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Application for taxes payable in 2016,
as well as service taxpayer needs on other homestead exemptions available. Residents
will work one on one with a staff member to complete the necessary forms. The
senior freeze application is due by July 1. More information.
A free workshop for associations and property owners
who are responsible for maintaining detention ponds, wetlands and natural areas
will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. May 19 at the College of Lake County, 19351
W. Washington St., Wing C lower level, Grayslake. Attend workshops and talk
with consultants and contractors who can provide the best ways to maintain
subdivision drainage systems. For information, contact Darcy Hertel at
847-377-7707 or send email to dhertel@lakecountyil.gov. |
|
 |
 Washington Street (Near Courthouse
Construction site in downtown Waukegan) To Close Rest of Year
Washington Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and
County Street is closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic and will remain
closed for eight to 10 months as the county advances work on the courthouse
expansion project. In addition to the Washington Street road closure, the
western portion of County Street from Washington Street to Water Street will
also be closed with vehicular and pedestrian traffic
moving to the east side of the street. Detour information, a map and
information regarding the courthouse expansion are available on the project website.
|
Expect
Long-Term Lane Closures at Four Tollway Ramp Toll Plazas
The Illinois Tollway has
scheduled long-term lane closures for repairs at four North
Tri-State Tollway (I-94) ramp toll plazas starting this week.
The plazas affected are Buckley Road (Plaza 20), Townline Road (Plaza 22), Half
Day Road (Plaza 23) and Lake-Cook Road (Plaza 26). Look for electronic message signs to direct you through
the toll plaza during repairs. All work is scheduled to be complete this
summer. While
ramp repairs are underway, no more than one toll collection lane will be closed
at a time. I-PASS customers will have access at all times, while cash customers
will be directed to pay tolls online. Visit www.illinoistollway.com for information.
 |
|
Join an Early Morning Free Bird Walk
May is the month for songbirds. Join skilled
birders on these free bird walks. All ages are invited. Bring binoculars. All
walks begin at 7 a.m.
May 2, 9, 10, 12, 16, 20 at Ryerson
Woods, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods
May 3 at Old School Forest Preserve trails lot, 28285 St. Mary's Road, Mettawa
May 17 at Wright Woods, 24830 St. Mary's Road, Mettawa
May 23, Rollins Savanna, 20160 W. Washington St., Grayslake |
 Climb Into A
Tractor at Bonner Farm
Climb
into the seat of a real tractor and learn about farming past and present. Enjoy
wagon rides, kids, crafts and more. The program will run from noon to 4 p.m.
May 17 at Bonner Heritage Farm, 201 Country Place, Lindenhurst. Details
|
Rain Barrel, Compost Bin and Native Plant Sale May 9 and 10
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO), the Stormwater Management Commission and Lake County Forest Preserves will hold a compost bin and rain barrel sale and native plant sale. The compost bin and rain barrel sale will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 9. The native plant sale will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 9 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10. Both events will take place at Independence Grove Forest Preserve’s North Bay Pavilion, 16400 W. Route 137, Libertyville. Details
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Yards: Sports
Photography of Walter Payton
Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Chicago Bears Super Bowl victory with
photography by some of the nation's top sports photographers, featuring some of
the best images of Walter Payton on and off the field. The exhibition is on
display now at the Lake County Discovery Museum. |
|
 |
Independence Grove 2015 Beach Passes Now On Sale
Season passes are now on sale for Lake County
residents. Early bird discount saves 10 percent if purchased on or before Friday, May
1. Pass allows holders unlimited use of the beach. Learn
more »
Postcard Art Competition Call for Entries
Entries for the 10th biennial Postcard Art Competition and Exhibition (PACE) are
being accepted through July 15. The juried competition celebrates the postcard
as an art form, challenging artists to create original works in
4-by-6-inch postcard size. For information and to download a prospectus and
entry form, visit LCFPD.org/PACE.
Growing Up in Lake County: Exploring History through
the Stories of Children
Open at the Lake
County Discovery Museum, "Growing Up in
Lake County" shares the everyday and extraordinary stories of
children who grew up in the county. Try your hand at living and
working on a pioneer homestead. Discover what life was like for a young
drummer boy in the Civil War. Learn about the first African-American family
to settle in the county. Attend school in a one-room schoolhouse and play
as children did over 100 years ago. Through real artifacts,
historical accounts and hands-on experiences, children connect the stories
of the past to their own lives in this new exhibition for families.
|
Connect with the Forest Preserves!
|
|
 |
LCFPD Calendar of Programs and Events
Hike our LCFPD Trails
Participate in the discussion by providing your input on identifying
state and local infrastructure challenges at this Illinois Department of
Transportation (IDOT) Infrastructure Listening Tour meeting. The
discussions at this meeting will establish priorities for future investments in
the IDOT transportation system. For information about the statewide listening
sessions planned, visit IDOT’S
website.
8 a.m., Friday, May 1
University Center of Lake County, 1200 University Center Drive, Grayslake
Take an online quiz to see how much you know about
weather alert radios and get a chance to win one. The “Weather Alert Radios
Save Lives” contest is available on the Ready Illinois’ website and will run through
May 22. A total of 100 weather alert radios will be awarded to participants who
register after reading information about the radios and complete a
five-question quiz. Take
the Quiz!
Help
prevent flooding by reporting clogged storm drains to your community’s public
works department, or clear storm drain clogs in a safe manner. Using a rake or
similar tool, clear and then dispose of leaves, limbs and debris from the
drain. Safety is important during flooding, so stay away from downed power
lines. Don’t walk or drive into flood waters, and if you come into contact with
flood waters, wash affected areas thoroughly with soap and water. For more information, including learning your flood risk, visit the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission's website.
In this County Update, Lake County Clerk Carla
Wyckoff discusses the work done in the clerk’s office that goes beyond the
election activity every year, and learn how the County Clerk’s Office handles
vital records and property tax extensions. Wyckoff also addresses her hope that
more county residents will vote considering the advances made to make
registering and voting easier. Watch |
|
 |
Feel free to contact me at 847.456.6933 or smandel@lakecountyil.gov.
It's an honor to serve you.
Sincerely,
Steven W. Mandel
Lake County Board Member / Lake County Forest Preserve Commissioner
District 11, Highland Park - Highwood - Deerfield
2157 Saint Johns Avenue, Highland Park, IL 60035
|
