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The Illinois
Department of Transportation (IDOT) will be sending notice to their
contractors to stop all construction and prepare to make construction work
zones safe for a possible “long-term” shut down by June 30. This road
construction shut down is due to the lack of a state budget and an
appropriation
to fund work after July 1.
This will impact several large projects in Lake County where
federal funding is administered by IDOT:
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Washington Street Grade Separation (LCDOT Project)
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Deerfield Road – in the Village of Deerfield
and City of Highland Park (Municipal & LCDOT Project)
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Grand Avenue at US 41 in the Village of Gurnee (IDOT Project)
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IL Route 59 at Petite Lake Road intersection
improvement and resurfacing (IDOT Project)
LCDOT will be working with resident engineers and contractors to
make sure that the roadways are as safe as possible for the traveling public.
Road construction projects that are locally funded will continue as scheduled.
For information about any of
the projects in the 2017 Construction Program, view our interactive construction
map.
Each year, an independent professional audit of Lake
County’s finances is completed. The audit firm of Baker Tilly recently issued a
“clean opinion” for the latest audit, which is the highest opinion
available.
The county board has a strong
track record of practicing fiscal responsibility. Lake County consistently has
a balanced budget, and for 20 years, it has maintained Triple A credit rating
from both Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s – the highest rating possible. Only
one other county in Illinois, and about 60 counties in the U.S have this
coveted rating (out of more than 3,000) from both of these rating agencies.
Additionally, the County has received the Government Finance Officers
Association (GFOA) award for “Excellence in Financial Reporting” for the last
two decades for the Audit, and the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
for the past decade for the annual budget document. The recent audit,
along with the credit rating and GFOA awards, collectively show Lake County is
financially sound.
The deadline is July 7 to complete the 2017 Senior
Citizen Assessment Freeze Application for taxes payable in 2018.
The Senior Freeze provides eligible seniors (based on income
levels) protection against real estate tax increases due to rising property
values, as this exemption “freezes” your home’s equalized assessed value at a
base year value. The base year is generally the year before you first qualify
and apply for the exemption. For example, if you first qualify and apply in
2017, your property’s equalized assessed value will be “frozen” at the 2016
equalized assessed value. Please note that this exemption is not a tax freeze or a tax reduction and
does not protect against increased taxes due to tax rate increases.
To qualify for this exemption, you must be 65 years of age or
older, own the property as your principal residence for the past two January
1’s, and have a 2016 total household income of $55,000 or less.
Applications can be filed at the
Chief County Assessment Office, 18 N. County St., 7th Floor, Waukegan or at
your local
township assessor’s office.
 Protect
your dog and family from ticks! Dogs love to roll around in the grass, jump in
brush and walk in wooded areas – ALL places ticks may live. Watch this video to find out the proper
way to check and remove ticks from you dog from Heidi Johnson, who works in
Animal Care and Control for the Lake County Health Department and Community
Health Center.
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 If an
emergency should occur, do you know how to protect your furry, scaly or
feathered friends? In observance of National Pet Preparedness Month, this is a perfect
opportunity to plan for your pet’s safety. Visit FEMA’s Pet and Animal Emergency
Planning web page to find tips on making a pet emergency plan, preparing shelter,
and tips for large animals.
One important
way to keep your pet safe is to keep the vaccinations up to date. The Lake
County Health Department provides pet vaccination clinics, a low-cost,
convenient way to keep pet’s shots and rabies tags up to date. Upcoming clinics will be June 24 in Lake Villa and Aug. 5 in Ingleside. View
upcoming clinic dates and cost.
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 Lake County will now get 25 percent of its electricity from
“Green power” or electricity from renewable resources, such as solar, wind, and
geothermal. This is an additional 20 percent from its previous electricity rate
contract. Green energy has proved to be environmentally preferable to
electricity generated from conventional sources, including coal, oil, natural
gas, and nuclear. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, on
average, replacing each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of traditional power with renewable
power avoids the emission of more than one pound of carbon dioxide, a key
greenhouse gas. Lake County will purchase 9.98 million renewable energy kWH(h)
under this contract, which is the equivalent of more than 15 million
pounds of carbon dioxide. Lake County has received an Environmental Stewardship
Certificate for its commitment to investing in green energy.
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 Forest Preserve News
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 Gateways
Grants Open the Door for Schools
As budgets
shrink, field trips are increasingly out of reach for Lake County schools,
especially in low-income communities. Since 1991, Gateways Grants have made
field trips possible for tens of thousands of students. They benefit from
“school” in outdoor and museum settings, where learning is experiential and
profound. School districts with a low-income population of 40 percent or more
are eligible. Gateways Grants cover program fees and provide a bus stipend.
Donations fully fund this program. Our goal is to raise $5,000 in Gateways
Grants by the start of the school year. Help make field trips possible.
Little Sprouts: Planting a Seed
Help plant the
garden at Bonner Heritage Farm in Lindenhurst and sow seeds to take
home. Join us down on the farm for fun and frolicking on select Wednesdays
through October. Get to know families while kids enjoy stories, hands-on
activities and crafts. Learn more
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 Eat
Healthful Produce and Support Local Youth
Shop at the Green Youth Farm of Lake County market, which is open from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 12. Purchase fresh and nutritious
organic vegetables, herbs, honey, and more, grown in Greenbelt Forest Preserve
in North Chicago by area students. Learn more
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 Summer is the time for picnics, warmer weather, and salespeople
at your front door. Solicitors seeking door-to-door purchases or orders are
required to comply with a County Board adopted ordinance when working in unincorporated
Lake County.
Each solicitor must:
- Appear in person and register annually with the County
Clerk’s office. Registration is free. View the Solicitor Registration Information and Application web page.
- Work only between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- Carry his/her own Certificate of Registration bearing the
salesperson’s name, employer’s name, manufacturer’s name, type of
business, and an embossed seal.
- Observe “No Solicitation” signs.
- Respect occupant’s request if asked to leave.
Residents should ask to see the vendor’s certificate
and report any violations to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 847-549-5200
where fines and penalties can be enforced.
This ordinance applies
only to unincorporated Lake County and provides exemptions for religious
groups, candidates, and minors under age 18 who participate in fundraising
activities. If you live within municipal or village borders, check with your
local officials for your specific ordinances.
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First-time, non-violent offenders now can keep a conviction from being
permanently entered on their record by participating in the Misdemeanor
Alternative Prosecution Program. The program holds offenders accountable and
addresses the needs of crime victims, but also gives deserving defendants a
second chance and the opportunity to avoid being labeled a convicted criminal. Learn more
 Individuals who
struggle with substance abuse can get directed quickly to treatment through a
pilot program called “A Way Out." The program is offered 24 hours a day,
365 days a year at participating police departments in Lake County.
Individuals, who possess narcotics or paraphernalia, enter a participating
police department and tell an officer they are requesting help will avoid
criminal charges if the participant seeks assistance. Watch
this video to learn more about the “A Way Out” program.
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Every year, there are reports of vehicles being broken into on driveways. The Fox Lake Police Department provides these tips.
- Lock your vehicle every time you leave it unattended, and take your valuables with you. Remove cell phones, cameras, laptop computers, briefcases, backpacks, wallets and purses. Do not leave gift-wrapped packages or other valuables lying on the seat.
- Hide valuables in your trunk, under the seats, in the glove box, or other compartments. Lock all your valuables before you reach your destination, or take them inside with you.
- Make a police report if your car is burglarized, even if nothing or just change is taken. This will help track patterns. The Fox Lake Police Department non-emergency number is 847-587-3100, or call the Lake County Sheriff's Office non-emergency number at 847-549-5200.
Note to readers: There is a clarification regarding the date of Grant Township's 5K walk and run. The event will be Aug. 13, not Aug. 20. See the story below for more information.
Celebrate Fox Lake at anniversary event
Join Fox Lake's 110th anniversary celebration July 1. The parade will start at 2 p.m. After the parade, enjoy more festivities at the Lakefront Park building, including live entertainment and fireworks at dusk at the northwest corner of Nippersink Lake. Learn more
Save the date for Grant Township 5K
Join Grant Township's 20th annual 5K walk and run on Aug. 13. Registration will begin at 7 a.m., and the walk will kick off at 8 a m. Awards will be given to the top male and female walkers and runners, and all participants will receive a ribbon. Learn more
Lakemoor begins tree removal program
The Lakemoor Public Works Department will be removing dead or diseased trees throughout the village. Trees were inspected and marked for removal with an orange X. Once the trees are removed, Public Works will come back, grind the tree stump, and restore the area with topsoil and seed. The trees that are being removed are either dead, dying or are inflected with a disease that will eventually weaken the tree making it hazardous. For information, send email to villagehall@lakemoor.net, or call 815-385-1117.
Save the date for National Night Out event
The Round Lake Police
Department and the Village of Round Lake will host a 'National Night Out
Against Crime at 5 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Round Lake Police Department, 741 W.
Townline Road. Enjoy free activities, including a car cruise with prizes and
food. Details
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