Early voting and vote by mail delayed, Senior citizen tax deferral program, and More

Lake County, Illinois sent this bulletin at 02/14/2018 04:51 PM CST

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February 14, 2018

Dear Friends,

Happy Valentines Day!

This weekend I will be stopping in at the 2018 Volunteer Recognition Event to meet many of our hard working volunteers around the district and to recognize some who have volunteered for 20, 25 and even 30 years. it is truly amazing, the 10 volunteers we are recognizing have combined more than 225 years of volunteer service to the Lake County Forest Preserve District!

I have a feeling it will be a very busy year and I look forward to seeing you out in our district and keeping you informed.

Together we can make sure that Lake County remains a wonderful place to call home.

Respectfully,

Tom Weber

Early Voting & Voting by Mail Delayed in Illinois

In-person early voting at the County Clerk’s office and voting by mail throughout the entire state of Illinois will be delayed until around Feb. 16 as an objection appeal by a candidate is being reviewed by the courts. Only after this objection appeal has been resolved can the state send a final certified candidate list to all Illinois election authorities. Find out more

Voting Site Changes

To protect the election’s integrity and ensure voters’ privacy, it was necessary to change a number of voting site locations beginning with the March 20 Primary Election. Impacted voters were notified by mail and sent a revised Certificate of Registration card, noting the new voting site name and address. You can always visit the Lake County Clerk’s website at LakeCountyClerk.info or call 847-377-2400 for current voter registration and election information. View complete list of voting site changes.

Senior Citizen Tax Deferral Program

Senior citizens may defer part or all of their property taxes on their personal residence if they qualify for the Senior Citizen Tax Deferral program. Your application will be filled out by the Lake County Treasurer's Office using the information you provide. All applications must be submitted by March 1.

Applicants must be 65 years old or older as of June 1 of the tax year claimed.
Total household income must be $55,000 or less.
This is a State loan with a 6% simple interest rate per year.
Learn more about this program.

Paratransit Market Study for the Lake County Region

A Paratransit Market Study is underway in Lake County to evaluate transportation options for seniors, people with disabilities, and the general public. The public was recently invited to learn more about the study at the second round of community meetings held in January 2018. Meeting attendees had the opportunity to provide input on the analysis of existing conditions and draft recommendations for service implementation. If you weren’t able to attend one of the meetings, please provide your feedback by taking the online survey.

Learn More: Watch VIDEO, Visit Project WEBSITE, Take SURVEY

A Night at the Library

Join us for the Lake Villa District Library Foundation's Annual Event, A Night at the Library. Sample wine and craft beer, courtesy of Antioch Fine Wine and Liquors. With 6 beverage stations, you'll be sure to find one you like, and once you do, purchase a full glass for a $5 donation. Buy deluxe raffle basket tickets (Hamilton or Blackhawks tickets, anyone?), buy 1 ticket for $10 or 3 for $25. There are bag raffles too! $5 a ticket or 6 for $25. Call your friends and make plans to meet at the library! Must be 21+. $5 cover.

Lake Villa Township Driver Safety

Lake Villa Township is pleased to host two more AARP Smart Driving Course in May. The AARP Smart Driver Course, offered by AARP Driver Safety, is the nation's largest classroom and online driver safety course and is designed especially for drivers age 50 and older.

Take the AARP Smart Driver classroom course and you could save money on your car insurance!

>>Refresh your driving skills and knowledge of the rules of the road.

>>Learn techniques for handling left turns, right-of-way and roundabouts.

>>Discover proven driving methods to help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.

>>Be eligible to receive a discount on the liability portion of your auto insurance for three years

May 10th and 11th, 2018 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

October 10th and 11th, 2018 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Lake Villa Township

37908 N. Fairfield Road

Lake Villa, IL 60046

$15 for AARP members, $20 for non-members

To register please call the Lake Villa Township office at 847-356-2116

Apply to Join Summer Youth Employment Program

Applications for the 2018 Lake County Summer Youth Employment Program are now being accepted. The program, funded by the Lake County Board, will provide meaningful work experiences for approximately 215 youth. Participants will work at various sites in Lake County, including private employers and nonprofit organizations, local municipalities and community-based organizations. The program will begin June 18 and will last approximately six weeks.

Applications will be accepted until Feb. 28 the following ways:

Bring to the Job Center of Lake County, 1 N. Genesee St. Waukegan
By mail, postmarked by Feb. 28, to the Job Center of Lake County
By fax at 847-377-3474
Submit this form.

Winter Fun at Caboose Park

This is about the time we all get tired of winter and the cold weather. There is always the option to embrace the cold and have some fun. Caboose park offers some options to help endure the cold snowy weather.

The sled hill and toboggan slide are open daily until 10 pm. Grab your sled and join the fun

This year we have added a hockey rink (that was donated to the Township) located next to our caboose in the park. The 1940's Caboose serves as a perfect warming shelter for the rink.

The rink will be open daily from 9 am until 10 pm.

It will be generally be "open skate" Please be considerate to others using the rink.

The Caboose will be open as a warming shelter and lights will be on until 10 pm.

Please park in the upper parking lot at Caboose Park and walk down to the rink located in Caboose Park.

Lake Villa Township Supervisor

Daniel Venturi

Apply for Internship with State’s Attorney’s Office

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office is currently accepting resumes for its 2018 summer internship program. The program is available to first and second year law students and to college students who have completed their first year. The deadline to apply is Feb. 28. Find Out More

Processing of Prepayments for 2017 Tax Year Near Completion

The Lake County Treasurer’s Office has completed processing the nearly 23,000 property tax prepayments made in 2017. Taxpayers who prepaid will receive a receipt. Individuals who made a prepayment but did not receive a receipt can contact the Treasurer’s Office at 847-377-2323. View other facts and an important notice for those who prepaid their 2017 real estate taxes.

2017 Natural Disaster Income Tax Credit

This income tax credit is for qualified real property that was damaged as a result of the flood event in July 2017. No other events can be considered for this. This credit can be obtained for up to $750, based upon information provided.

The property must be the principal residence of the owner
If the property is leased, the owner is not eligible for this credit
Certain business properties can apply for this credit (details listed on the certificate)
Only losses related to qualified real property can be considered for this tax credit
Properties that received or will receive a Natural Disaster Homestead Exemption for property taxes do not qualify for this credit

For more information visit:

http://www.lakecountyil.gov/4006/Natural-Disaster-Income-Tax-Credit

Free Filing for Federal and State Taxes

Individuals who earned $66,000 or less in 2017 can self-file their federal and state taxes for free and save an average of $200 in fees by using My Free Taxes. English and Spanish support via telephone (1-855-MY-TX-HELP) is available, along with email and online chat support from IRS-certified specialists. Learn more about My Free Taxes.

Village of Lake Villa St. Patrick's Day Parade

Mark our Calendars: Live Music in the Parks

Lake County is a Leader in Addressing Government Reform

I am excited to serve on the newly formed Lake County Government Reform Implementation Committee that is charged with evaluating the recommendations outlined in the final report from the Lake County Commission on Government Reform and Accountability.

The County Board recently accepted the report from the special bi-partisan Commission, which was created in 2017 to explore reform measures, including redistricting, the method of electing the chair, and the size of the county board. The Commission concluded that Lake County functions well, and Lake County has the opportunity to be a leader in pursuing independent redistricting. Lake County would be the first county in Illinois to undertake independent redistricting reform and would join only a handful of other counties in the U.S. that have addressed this.

The Committee will meet monthly to evaluate the recommendations in the report and submit its findings to the County Board for consideration and action. To learn more about the work of the Lake County Commission on Government Reform and Accountability, watch this video, and read the final report and other resources.

How to Prepare Household Chemical Waste for Delivery

Instead of throwing away your household chemicals, drop them off with the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County! Did you know chemical waste in our landfills can potentially leach into the soil and pollute the surrounding groundwater? Schedule an appointment to drop off your household chemicals. View acceptable and unacceptable items.

When you’re ready, there are tips you should follow to get it there safely.

Protect Yourself from the Flu

Flu activity remains high in Lake County and across the United States. It is not too late to get a flu vaccine. The CDC anticipates there will be significant flu activity for many weeks to come. Learn how to protect yourself in this message from Victor Plotkin, epidemiologist coordinator at the Lake County Health Department. Watch video.

Beware of Utility Scam

Be on alert for scam artists claiming to be a ComEd representative seeking payment. The company has seen a significant increase in reports from small businesses and residential customers who were victimized by these types of scam incidents. Take these precautions to avoid being scammed.

If you’ve been victimized by fraud, the Consumer Protection Division of the Illinois Attorney General’s office may be able to help. Visit www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers.

Be A Careful Consumer! Protect Yourself
Crooks use schemes to defraud millions of people. They combine technology and tricks to get you to give money or personal information, pressuring you to make important decisions on the spot. Stay a step ahead and protect yourself with the latest information as well as practical tips from the Federal Trade Commission. Sign up to get scam alerts right to your email.

Join Citizen Police Academy

See first-hand how the Lake County Sheriff’s Office maintains law and order by attending the Citizen Police Academy, which begins March 8 through May 17. The academy is offered free to Lake County residents, who must be 21 years old or older. Get an application online or at Lake County Sheriff’s Office, 25 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Waukegan. Apply by Feb. 26.

Working Through the Night at Point-in-Time Homeless Count

This year, 86 volunteers took part in the annual Point-in-Time Homeless Count searching across Lake County to help document the need in our communities and offer assistance to unsheltered people experiencing homelessness. Volunteers made contact with 20 people experiencing homelessness, compared to 27 last year. Learn more about this year’s Point-In-time Homeless Count, and find out how you can make a difference in ending chronic homelessness.

Forest Preserve News

Playdate with Nature: Presidents Day
Are your kids off school on Feb. 19? Move them outdoors for unstructured seasonal play activities, proven healthful and beneficial for children of all ages. Join us for this free event from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Lyons Woods in Waukegan. Adult supervision is required. This is a Lake County Nature Network Event. Learn more

Symbols of Illinois: Flourite, Drummer, Tully Monster
Celebrate the Illinois Bicentennial (1818-2018) by learning about state symbols. Each program in this 10-part series teaches about the origin and natural history of the state symbols, and may also include a brief walk. The next program will meet from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at Independence Grove in Libertyville. All ages are welcome. Adult supervision is required. Learn more

Strategic Plan Update
Promoting public access and trail connections is the central focus of one of our strategic directions. Last fall, a new pedestrian bridge was installed over the Metra Railway in the wee hours of the morning when train traffic was light. The new bridge now connects 4.5 miles of trails at Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve (Lake Forest) to the Lake Forest Academy and Townline Community Park. Crosswalk improvements at Route 60 and Academy Drive provide safe access. This project is part of a larger effort to connect Middlefork Savanna and the Middlefork Trail and Greenway to the Des Plaines River Trail at MacArthur Woods Forest Preserve (Mettawa). Several local partners and donors made this trail connection possible. Learn more

Governor Approves Land Exchange
Last fall, Governor Bruce Rauner signed HB 534, an act of the state Legislature authorizing a historic land exchange between the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Lake County Forest Preserves. The terms of the act call for 131-acre Black Crown Forest Preserve (Volo), currently owned and managed by us, to be transferred in full to IDNR and added to the adjacent Moraine Hills State Park. In exchange, IDNR will fully release its partial ownership interests in our current land holdings at Oriole Grove (Lake Bluff) and Prairie Wolf (Lake Forest), giving us 100 percent ownership of the land at both forest preserves. The agreement benefits residents because the three parcels, Black Crown, Oriole Grove and Prairie Wolf, will remain as public open space in perpetuity.

Give the Gift of Golf
Golf season is right around the corner and golf gift cards are the perfect gift for that golfer in your life. They are good for green fees, carts, and pro shop items at any of our three forest preserve golf courses. Buy online today, by phone at 847-968-3102, or at our General Offices in Libertyville.

Book Your Event at a Forest Preserve Picnic Shelter
Reservations for 2018 picnic permits are now available. Choose from 31 picnic shelters located in scenic forest preserves throughout the county. Picnic shelter permits ensure exclusive use of a shelter for your family reunion, company picnic or other group gathering. Plan early to help ensure your first choice of shelter and date. Learn more