Hello Neighbors
Great news! That rough railroad crossing on IL Route 60/83, north of Diamond Lake Road is going to be fixed! The road will be closed, just temporarily, from July 24 to 28. Please be a good (and smart) neighbor and honor the closure from Midlothian Road to Diamond Lake Road. Please don't try to cut through the lakeside neighborhoods. The side roads will be closed, with limited access for residents. It's a safety issue. Time that a non-compliant drive plans to save by disobeying the signs may be spent in conversation with a deputy sheriff. Please see the detailed article below, including the posted detour. If your destination is further east or west of the closure, please use other major roads. Use Lake County PASSAGE to help plan your route.
We have had plenty of road closures this past week, the result of our record 2017 flood. It may not be over. As I write this, the weather forecast indicates the potential for significant rainfall in Lake County and southern Wisconsin. Through it all, staff, neighbors and volunteers continue to help.
You elected me to serve our district and all of Lake County. I am able to help and work to be effective in large part because we are fortunate to have so many smart and responsive Lake County staff members. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) opened early last Wednesday. The EOC is the physical location which becomes the hub for dealing with emergencies. Thanks to everyone who planned for these types of events and to those who worked around the clock (and continue now) to help our residents and municipal partners prevent, mitigate and recover from disastrous events. Thank you Lake County employees.
Clarification to my readers: There is a clarification regarding my introduction featured in my previous newsletter about the senior citizen property assessment freeze application. The deadline, as noted in the story within that newsletter, to submit applications was July 7, not Nov. 7. I apologize for any confusion.
Please write or call me with your comments, suggestions
and questions.
Regards,
 Significant flooding continues in Lake County from the Chain O’Lakes,
Fox River and Des Plaines River. Visit our 2017 Flood Information page
for the latest updates.
Disaster/Flood Resource Center to Open in Round Lake
Beach
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the American Red Cross,
Salvation Army and the Northeast Illinois Community Organizations Active in
Disasters (COAD) will join other disaster service organizations as part of a
Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC). Residents impacted by the floods can come
to this one-stop, resource center in Round Lake Beach to meet with trained
counselors for resources, obtain housing and insurance information and other
assistance from team representatives. Also, the MARC will offer free in-kind
donations. There will be translators available.
Where
965 E. Rollins Road, Round Lake Beach, (The old Garden Fresh
location)
When
Thursday, July 20, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Lunch and dinner will be provided to
clients.
Friday, July 21, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Lunch and dinner will be provided to clients.
Saturday, July 22, 9 a.m. – noon, Snacks will be provided to clients.
Drop-Off Donation Site
To help ensure victims/clients receive the items they need, the
Salvation Army has created a toll-free Donation Hotline (888-369-1349) for
donors to call and get information on the specific items needed. Callers
will be asked to identify what items they have to donate and if they are not
useable items specifically for this flood, the Salvation Army will decline
receiving the donation. If they are non-perishable items that can be used in
this disaster (or future ones), they will be given an Authorization Code and
times the MARC is open to accept their donation. With the Authorization Code,
they may drive to the MARC at their convenience any of the three days and drop
off their items with designated Donation Management personnel. Callers can
leave a message and get a call back should they call after hours or during
times of heavy call volume.
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 Form to Help Residents Report Flood Damage
Let us know if you've been impacted by the recent flooding by
filling out the form below. A full and complete understanding of the impacts of
this disaster is a necessary part of the flood response process. We need your
help to properly quantify damages in Lake County. Please fill out the form today!
Check Lake County PASSAGE
Major roads have opened up. This includes US 41 between IL 21
and Delany Road, IL Route 60, 173, and 120! For updated road conditions,
visit Lake County PASSAGE or
listen to 1620 AM.
Be Aware of Flood-Related Fraud
Residents should be aware of the increased risk of scammers
attempting to capitalize on those impacted by flooding. Some safety tips
include:
- Check with the Better Business Bureau and your
insurance company to determine the credibility of the service provider.
- Do not let anybody inside of your home, unless you have
initiated the appointment.
- Obtain several (three or more) estimates for repair
work.
- Take photographs of your contractor and any work
vehicles.
- Before work begins, obtain a written contract.
- If you see or detect anything suspicious, contact your
local law enforcement agency.
Check Good Standing of Businesses – IL Secretary of State
Report fraud to the IL Attorney General
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The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that IL Route 60/83 will be fully
closed at the Canadian National Railroad in Mundelein beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, July 24 through 6 p.m. Friday, July 28 to repair the
grade crossing.
Detour for southeast bound traffic on IL Route 60/83: proceed south-west bound on Midlothian Road, south-east bound
on Gilmer Road, and northbound on IL Route 83 back to IL Route 60/83.
Detour for northwest bound traffic on IL Route 60/83: proceed southbound on IL Route 83, north-west bound on Gilmer Road, and north-east
bound on Midlothian Road back to IL Route 60/83.
 Mosquitoes in Illinois
are beginning to test positive for West Nile virus. The Lake County Health Department and Community
Health Center urges you to “Fight the Bite” and protect yourself and your
family. Make sure to follow
the 4 D’s of Defense to help prevent breeding and protect yourself from
mosquito bites.
Call the West Nile hotline at 847-377-8300
to report areas of stagnant water, report locations of dead birds, and learn the
signs and symptoms of West Nile virus.
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 As blue property assessment
notices continue to be mailed to residents across Lake County, residents may
have questions about their property assessment, how a home’s value is
determined, and how the assessment then calculates your property tax bill. Watch this edition of
Lake County Update as County Board Chairman Aaron
Lawlor and Chief County Assessment Officer Marty Paulson address common
questions residents have with their property tax assessments.
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 Locating missing persons, finding weapons and drugs,
tracking suspects and inspecting for bomb threats are some of the ways our K-9
Unit has made an impact in our communities. Watch this video,
and see how Dax, Diesel, Duke, Boomer and their handlers work to help protect
Lake County.
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 Forest Preserve News
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 Gospelfest
Be inspired by
Lake County’s gospel voices on Sunday, July 30 at the Greenbelt Cultural Center
in North Chicago. This annual favorite feature choirs, solo performances and
praise dancers that bring you to your feet. Children can also enjoy fun nature
activities during the event. Learn more
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 Wildlife
Homes
Discover with
your little explorer the places animals make their homes. Hands-on nature
activities include a hike, story, craft, and interaction with live animals.
This event takes place select Thursdays in July and August at
Independence Grove, and it is open to children ages 4-5 with an
adult. Register today
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 The 89th annual Lake County Fair will take place July 26 to
30 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. Don't miss family fun,
including the livestock barns, rodeo, carnival rides, music and much
more. Learn more
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Hawthorn Woods information session with Aqua Illinois
Hawthorn Woods residents who utilize Aqua
Illinois water and sewer services are invited to attend an open house and information session from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 20 at the Hawthorn Woods Village Barn. Learn more
Hawthorn Woods seeks help for partial special census
The U.S. Census Bureau will be conducting a partial special census in the Hawthorn Trails and Hawthorn Hills subdivisions in the Village of Hawthorn Woods to get an updated population count. To be considered for temporary census employment, individuals must meet eligibility requirements. The deadline to apply is Monday, July 24. Learn more
Save
date for Mundelein's Cardboard Regatta
Grab friends to construct a boat using only cardboard, duct tape, and paint,
then sail away at Diamond Lake Beach at the Mundelein Park District's annual
Cardboard Regatta from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 5. The registration deadline is Aug.
1. For information, call Mike at 847-388-5470.
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