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Some customers may be experiencing discolored (yellow) water
through some of their faucets. The discoloration is affecting some customers,
and not the entire subdivision due to varying levels of iron in the
distribution system.
I understand the concern and inconvenience this has caused
customers, and I’m continuing to work with the Public Works Department to
resolve this issue as quickly as possible. Repairs to the primary iron
filtration system that unexpectedly failed last month are now underway and will
be complete by the end of June, two months sooner than originally projected.
Meanwhile, Public Works continues to mitigate iron in the
water that is causing the yellow water by using a back-up filtration system and
moving to a different well to draw water that contains lower levels of iron. If
you experience yellow water, please run your faucet for 10 to 20 minutes until
the water runs clear.
The Prairie Pointe water system has two water wells. One of
the wells had been down for planned maintenance since early February and was
returned to service on April 11. Drawing from this source will help reduce the
level of iron in the system. The contractor is currently manufacturing a
piping system that goes into the bottom of the filter tanks. On-site
installation will begin in mid-May and the repairs will be completed by the end
of June. Public Works continues to work with the contractor on an expedited
schedule.
Water Credit
Lake County is offering a credit of up to 2,000 gallons for
customers who have significant increase in water usage due to flushing their
lines. Customers should contact the Public Works Department at 847-377-7500 for
more information.
Test Results/More Information
The water is safe to consume, and Lake County is testing
iron in the drinking water weekly. Public Works has posted those test results,
as well as a summary of all test results to date, along with a fact sheet with
information about iron. View these results, along with more information about
this issue at www.lakecountyil.gov/BrooksFarm.
With the green grass of spring arriving shortly, property owners within Grant Community High School boundaries will see more green in their pockets too!
Property tax owners will soon be seeing a savings in their tax bills. In December of 2017, the District paid off all of the debt that was associated with the facility improvements over the years to accommodate enrollment growth. The tax rate for Grant Community High School is dropping over 25 percent, and the owner of a $250,000 home will see our portion of their property taxes drop $665 this year. The District is thankful for our supportive taxpayers, whose dedication to Grant Community High School have given us the facilities that we have. The District is grateful to have the debt paid off and to be able to provide some tax relief to property owners.
The District administration will continue to monitor the tax rates each year and are committed to working with the school board to find ways to ease the taxpayers' burden.
If you’re starting your spring cleaning, think recycle first, trash
last. The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) offers many options
to recycle your household chemicals, electronics, shoes, clothing and textiles.
 Clothing and textiles: Bring your new, gently used, and used clothing to be reused or
recycled. Even clothes with stains or holes will be taken. Learn more, including what is acceptable and where to drop off your
items.
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 Reuse-A-Shoe: Don't throw away your unwanted shoes! Make sure they get
recycled or reused! Drop off your shoes at one of several locations across Lake
County. View
Drop-Off Locations
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 Celebrate Earth Day by
checking out these family-friendly events across the county.
- The Forest Preserves are celebrating Earth Day (April 22)
with a week of free nature programs now through April 22. Locations
vary based on program. Learn more.
- Volunteer with the Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation Service Platoon to help with local forest preserve clean-up. Volunteers will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 21 in Grayslake. Learn more
- The Round Lake Area Park District will host an Earth Day
celebration from 11 a.m. to noon April 21 at the Prairie Grass Nature
Museum in Round Lake. Learn more
- Join Fox Lake for its spring roadside clean-up on April 22. Volunteers will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Jewel parking lot on routes 12 and 134. Learn more. A special Earth Day gathering also is planned at 11 a.m. at Millennium Park on Grand Avenue and Rollins Road in Fox Lake.
- Participate in the Cardboard Challenge, enjoy face painting,
music and more at the Earth Day Expo from noon to 4 p.m. April 22 at
Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills. Learn more
For
more information on actions you can take to make a more sustainable Lake
County, visit sustainablelakecounty.org.
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Landscaping your yard with native plants is
one of the best things you can do for the environment, and this can save you
time and money? Native plants don’t require fertilizer, pesticides or
herbicides and eliminate the need for a lot of watering. View this upcoming
native plant sales:
Openlands will hold its online sale through
April 29. The native plant sale will open in May at Almond Marsh Forest
Preserve. Learn more
Citizens for Conservation will sell plants May
4, 5 and 6 at Good Shepherd Hospital. Learn more
The Lake County Sheriff's Office is now hiring Corrections
Officers. Take pride in serving your community, enjoy working in a team
environment, receive training to further a successful career path, and receive
great benefits while working for Lake County's largest law enforcement agency. Apply today! |
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Have you seen the “Blue Kids” signs across Lake
County? As part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Lake County is
joining social service organizations, park districts, libraries, townships,
businesses and more to raise public awareness of child abuse. Visit the Blue Kids Lake County Facebook page to learn more.
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The
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Lake County Health Department
are urging people to not use synthetic cannabinoids, often called Spice, K2, or
fake weed. Dozens of people in Illinois have experienced severe bleeding
after using synthetic cannabinoids. Since April 15, the IDPH has received
reports of 126 cases, including three deaths, linked to an outbreak.
There are currently no confirmed cases in Lake County. Find Out More
 Forest Preserve News
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 Meet the Turtles of Lake County
Drop in Thursday, May 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at
the Dunn Museum in Libertyville to
meet some of the turtles who call Lake County home. Learn how you can help
local turtles through the Herp Mapper program. The program and admission are
free to the public. Learn more.
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 Lake County History Symposium
Join local historians and history enthusiasts for
this daylong symposium on April 29 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
featuring a fascinating series of presentations on this year’s theme, History
from Objects. Learn more.
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 Public Access Project to Begin at Ethel’s Woods
Lake County residents are one step closer to being able to
experience the breathtaking beauty of Ethel’s
Woods Forest Preserve in Antioch. At their February 13 meeting,
the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners awarded a $824,522
contract to Campanella & Sons of Wadsworth, to build trails and parking at
the preserve starting this spring.
Ethel’s Woods currently is closed and does not have public access as it
undergoes a major multi-year land restoration effort. Planned public
access improvements to the 500-acre preserve will include an entrance drive
from Miller Road, a 25-car parking lot, toilets, a 0.7-mile gravel loop trail
and three scenic overlooks. A 0.7-mile section of the Millennium Trail
will run along the western edge of the preserve. Weather permitting, these
improvements are expected to be completed and open to the public in early
summer 2019. Learn more.
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Wauconda Clean-Up
Join the Wauconda Village Board, staff and others in helping to clean up Route 12 on Saturday, April 21. Meet at Public Works at 9 a.m., and volunteers will break into teams. Learn more
Food Drive for Grant Township Pantry
A food drive for Grant Township Food Pantry will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. April 28 at the Grant Township Center meeting room. View list of pantry needs.
Shred
It and Forget It
Grant
Township will offer its next Shred It and Forget It event where residents can
bring their documents to be safely shredded from 9 a.m. to noon May 5 at the
Grant Township lower level parking lot. Learn more
Fox River and Chain O'Lakes Clean-Up
Volunteer your time and join the Fox River and Chain O'Lakes Watershed Clean-Up from 8 a.m. to noon May 5. View registration and drop-off locations.
Boating Safety Class
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary will offer its next boating safety class May 19 in Fox Lake. In Illinois, anyone born on or after January 1, 1998 must take a boating safety class to operate a motorized water vessel. Register now for upcoming class.
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