Senior citizen tax deferral program, Courthouse expansion update, and More

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Bill Durkin, District 8

January 31, 2018

Durkin subscriber subhead revised

Dear Neighbors,

I am always looking for feedback on my newsletter as well as what's happening in Lake County. If you have any comments or concerns, feel free to send me an email, or give me a call at 847-513-1736. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, please sign up to continue to receive news about Lake County and District 8.


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.

Courthouse Expansion Project Update

courthouse expansion

Now officially the tallest building in Waukegan, construction of the new courthouse is on track to open this summer. Washington Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. and County St. has now reopened to through traffic. The road has been closed in this area to perform work on the bridge.

Here are some fun facts about the project:

  • The legacy of long-time Lake County Board Member Audrey H. Nixon will be remembered as the new pedestrian bridge connecting the new Lake County Courthouse and the Lake County Building is named in her honor. A new commemorative display at the entry of the bridge will be funded through private donations.
  • The north face of the building features a facade referred to as "the wave," a signature design concept that recognizes the significance of Lake Michigan in Waukegan.
  • The 160-foot-tall scaffold that was built on the north side of the building will allow for the completion of the canopy at the roof level.

Learn more about the project by visiting www.lakecountycourthouseexpansion.com.


Processing of Prepayments for 2017 Tax Year Near Completion

The Lake County Treasurer's Office is now finalizing all prepayments of 2017 real estate taxes and will shortly conclude mailing out receipts to taxpayers who submitted a prepayment by mail. The rush to prepay real estate taxes last December led to a record year in Lake County. More than 20,000 taxpayers prepaid their real estate taxes in 2017, compared to 200 to 300 who prepay on average. View other facts and an important notice for those who prepaid their 2017 real estate taxes.

property tax prepayment

Free Filing for Federal and State Taxes

Form

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.


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

voting site changes

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

2018 point in time 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. 


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.

hcw collection

Forest Preserve Logo

Forest Preserve News

LCFPD 2018 strategic plan

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

 

LCFPD land exchange

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.

LCFPD golf

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