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Lake County residents are seeing a significant increase of callers
who are falsely claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. Check out the five things scammers often do that the IRS will not
do below.
The presidential election is soon approaching. Not sure if you
will be able to make it to the polling place on Election Day? The County
Clerk's Office has a solution. Vote by mail! Read the story below to learn how, and also check out how
you can get involved in this year's election by becoming an election judge.
As always, I welcome your feedback. If this newsletter was
forwarded to you, please sign
up to continue to receive news about Lake County and District 20.
The Chief County Assessment Officer gave a
presentation to the county board at our recent meeting explaining details
around the assessment process, and specifically the equalization process, which
has led to in an increase in 2016 assessments. It’s important to note that the “equalization
factor” can result in an increase to your assessment, but it does not
necessarily result in an increased tax bill next year. Board members, including myself also
asked many questions that may help taxpayers understand this complex issue a
little better. Watch the
discussion now.
As a reminder, the entire property
tax process is defined in State law and it dictates that
each year, the Illinois Department of Revenue
(DOR) provides its analysis of the assessment
level in a township using recent sales transactions. The
next step in the process is for the CCAO to apply a
township “equalization factor” when market sales are higher than the
assessment value levels in place to bring them to a uniform level. The
equalization factor ensures the tax burden is distributed fairly from township
to township by bringing assessment values in line with market
values. Conversely, in general assessment years - the next one will
be in 2019 - your township assessor will review individual assessment values
and make adjustments.
If everyone’s assessment
went up (by any percentage) and taxing bodies (schools, cities,
townships or county) did raise their taxes, the equalization itself
would not impact your tax bill. This is complicated because some taxing
bodes overlap multiple townships, but essentially, the
equalization factor ensures the tax burden is distributed fairly from
township to township.
There are opportunities to appeal an assessment if you meet
certain criteria. To learn more, contact your township assessor. You can
also visit assessor.lakecountyil.gov,
or call the office and talk to one of our taxpayer advocates. Please note,
the deadline to appeal is 30 days after the date of publication of current
assessments, which is Sept. 19 for Vernon Township
properties.
Lake
County PASSAGE puts local traffic information at
your fingertips. PASSAGE is an intelligent transportation system designed to
provide motorists real time traffic congestion information through the PASSAGE
website, email
notifications, Twitter and radio 1620 AM. The PASSAGE website is mobile-friendly,
so you can get a map of current road conditions, construction and
events, including crashes, stalls, debris, and other roadway incidents as well
as view camera images at major intersections. Let us know what you think! Take PASSAGE Survey.
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 Lake County
has seen a significant increase in phone calls made to residents of people
falsely claiming to be Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents in the past three
months. The callers indicate that they are looking for payment and stating that
if payments are not made, the taxpayer will be arrested. Here are five things scammers often do but the IRS will
not do.
Upcoming Workshop: Seniors, Fraud
& Money
Certain crimes such
as popular scams can be targeted to older adults, so awareness and education
are key to protecting yourself. Attend this upcoming free workshop to
learn the popular scams which target senior citizens, the steps to take if you
should become a victim of a financial scam and more. Register to Attend
When: 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 24
Where: Gurnee Police Department, 100
N. O’Plaine Road, Gurnee
Questions? Contact Sandra Bankston at 847-377-3184
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Be
a part of history. Become an election judge
The Lake County Clerk’s Office is in need of
election judges for the upcoming presidential election! Election judges ensure
that the elections are fair and accurate by processing Election Day voters. Pay
is based on election training, skills and assignment. Call the County Clerk’s
Office at 847-377-2408 or visit their website to learn more. |
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Become
a couch potato voter. Vote by mail
Vote in the presidential election from the
comfort of your home! Registered Illinois voters can now request to receive a ballot by mail. Requests can be made at LakeVoterPower.info or by calling 847-377-2410. |
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Governor
Bruce Rauner recently signed legislation that gives Lake County (along with
McHenry County) the authority to consolidate and dissolve units of local government.
This legislative change helps Lake County build on its consolidation efforts to
improve efficiency of government services and alleviate tax burdens on
residents.
Chairman
Aaron Lawlor said, “We recognize that in these tough times, the same old way of
conducting our business just doesn’t cut it. That’s why we are leading efforts
to save taxpayer money by sharing services, including contracting with
municipalities for plan review and inspection service and providing police
services at cost for some municipalities. We are also exploring the feasibility
of consolidating 911 emergency dispatch centers in the region, which presents
tremendous opportunities to improve quality, efficiency, and provide cost
savings.”
The new law
is an expansion of a 2013 law that only applied to DuPage County. This move is
a step toward reducing the more than 7,000 units of government in Illinois,
which is more than any state in the nation.
 The first human case of
West Nile virus in Lake County this year has been confirmed. In addition
to the human case, 84 pools (batches) of mosquitoes and two birds have tested
positive for West Nile virus in the county this year. Check out these
tips provided by the Lake County Health Department to prevent mosquito
breeding and to avoid getting bit by a mosquito.
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The Lake County Circuit Clerk passport acceptance team will help individuals renew or apply for a passport from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Vernon Area Library in Lincolnshire. No appointment is required. Visit the Circuit Clerk's website to learn more including what you need to bring to the Oct. 1 event as well as passport services available at their office. |
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 Forest Preserves News
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Celebrate Lake County's agricultural roots
Join the 24th
annual Farm Heritage
Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24 and 25 at Lakewood Forest
Preserve in Wauconda. Check out hundreds
of antique tractors, cars and other farm machinery as we celebrate Lake
County’s rural roots. Daily highlights include a tractor parade, sheep
herding demonstrations, scarecrow making, wagon and barrel train rides and a
petting zoo. |
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Dog park and horse trail permits reduced
When purchased through Nov. 30, dog park and
horse trail annual permit prices are half price. Reduced permits are valid
through the end of the year. Learn
more |
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 See
tracks? Stay safe!
Whether
you are a pedestrian or a passenger in a vehicle, stay safe around railroad
tracks and trains. Last year in Illinois, there were 140 railroad crossing
collisions involving motor vehicles. As part of Illinois Rail Safety Week,
Sept. 11 to 17, the Lake County
Sheriff’s Office will enforce traffic laws at various railroad crossings
and commuter stations to cite drivers and pedestrians who disobey the
laws. Police officers also will distribute literature on how to be safe
around trains and train tracks. Learn more
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 Sheriff’s Office Concludes "Operation Front Line"
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office recently conducted a two-month operation aimed
at arresting drug dealers and taking heroin off the streets called Operation
Front Line. During the operation, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Warrants
Division served arrest warrants on 53 separate individuals who have been
involved in drug related incidents. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal
Investigations Division responded to all drug overdose-related calls, and the safety
team sent flyers to all schools outlining safety tips to parents. Read news release
Lake County takes first place in traffic safety challenge
The Lake County Sheriff’s
Office recently earned first place in the 2015 Illinois Traffic Safety
Challenge for sheriff departments with 101 to 250 sworn officers. The challenge
targets three major traffic safety priorities, occupant protection, speeding
and impaired driving. In 2015, the Sheriff’s Office conducted monthly traffic
safety campaigns including roadside safety checks, DUI patrols, seat belt
safety, distracted driving or construction zone patrols.
County Jail passes annual inspection in all categories
The Lake County Jail recently passed
inspection in all categories following the annual inspection conducted by the
Illinois Department of Corrections. Among the improvements made were the new radio system used by correctional employees, body-worn
cameras worn by corrections officers and corrections command staff and an
inmate tunnel constructed for safer means to transport inmates to
the courthouse. View the 2016 jail inspection report.
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The Lake County Jail and Health Department have launched a new
treatment option to help opioid or alcohol addicted inmates in the Lake County
Jail. Those eligible will begin receiving addiction treatment services through
the Health Department in the jail and after they are released. The Health
Department has committed to treating 15 inmates over the next six months. The
initiative is part of the Health Department’s newly expanded
Medication-Assisted Treatment program, which recently received a grant of
$325,000 from the Health Resources and Services Administration. Read news
release
 Lake County Public Works will begin fall hydrant
flushing starting next week. Public Works customers may notice a slight
discoloration of the water after flushing. This is not harmful and will
dissipate after a short time. It is recommended that you do not do laundry on
the day that hydrant flushing takes place in your area. View
the hydrant
flushing schedule.
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Every year, suicide claims the lives of 40,000 people and another 500,000 people
attempt it. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the National
Council is joining with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to expand its #BeThe1To campaign and emphasize the role everyone can play to take action and save lives.
Find
out how you can help someone who may be thinking of suicide.
Take action! Work with your
family and your community to develop an action plan, so you can be prepared if
an emergency should occur. To observe National Preparedness Month through
September, check out these resources that can help you plan. And watch this video to learn ways to get emergency information in Lake County. |
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District 96 families are invited to Do the Dash
Join the festivities at Twin Groves Middle School on Sept. 25 for the sixth annual District 96 Dash. The Dash, a 5K run and walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. A children's mini dash has been added this year, which will start at 9:45 a.m. For information, send an email to Lindley Caldwell at District96Dash@gmail.com.
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