Check road conditions with PASSAGE, Electronics recycling, Flood insurance discount, and More

view as a webpage

Martini translationCounty Board Judy Martini banner

December 4, 2018

Newsletter Sign Up  •  Contact Me  •  Facebook  •  Website

Lake County Board Elects Sandy Hart as Chairman and Mary Ross Cunningham as Vice-Chairman

Hart chariman

The Lake County Board elected Sandy Hart (District 13) as its chairman and elected Mary Ross Cunningham (District 9) as its vice-chairman at its Dec. 3 meeting. Both are two-year terms. View the video of the chairman and vice-chairman elected at the County Board meeting.

Hart has been on the board since 2012. Her district includes Lake Bluff, Wildwood, unincorporated Grayslake, and portions of North Chicago, Waukegan, Libertyville, and Gurnee. Mary Ross Cunningham has been on the board since 2002. Her district includes portions of Waukegan and North Chicago.  Learn more about Chairman Hart and Vice-Chair Cunningham.

At this meeting, I joined 13 fellow County Board members who were sworn into office. Seven members are new to the board, and seven members, including myself, are returning to the board. Meet the Lake County Board members

County Clerk, Sheriff and Treasurer Sworn Into Office

Three new countywide elected officials were recently sworn into office following the November election. Robin M. O'Connor is the County Clerk, John Idleburg is the Sheriff and Holly Kim is the Treasurer. Find Out More


Forest Preserve Board Elects Angelo Kyle President, Julie Simpson Vice President

Kyle Simpson Forest Preserve

At a special election on Monday, Dec. 3, the Board of Commissioners elected their new leaders, choosing Angelo Kyle of Waukegan (District 14) as President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. The Board also elected Julie Simpson of Vernon Hills (District 18) to serve as Vice President. Both will serve two-year terms, which end December 2020.  

"I thank everyone for this privilege and wonderful opportunity,” Kyle said after he was named to the top post. He said he is looking forward to again serving and was taught by his parents that leadership starts with service. He previously served as a Forest Preserve Commissioner for 22 years, from 1990 through 2012. Learn more >>


SNOW FACTS: Helpful Resources for Winter Weather

PASSAGE camera image snow season

View Camera Images from Major Intersections
Did you know that you can look in on the road conditions from your computer or mobile device before you hit the roads? You have access to the PASSAGE cameras which means you can look at real-time snapshots from major intersections. Go to LakeCountyPASSAGE.com, turn on camera images in “Layer Options” at the top right, find intersections along your route, and check road conditions in each direction. Looking at the camera images before you leave allows you to see how weather is impacting the roads. This can help you make decisions about how early to leave and which routes to take. 

LCDOT map of plow routes

Which Roads Does LCDOT Plow?
The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) plows Lake County highways, the ones marked with the five-sided blue and gold route markers such as Butterfield Road, Washington Street, and Buffalo Grove Road. View map of LCDOT snow routes. We do NOT plow state routes like IL Route 120 or IL Route 60. State routes are maintained by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

don't crowd the plow

Safety Tip: Don’t Crowd the Plow
Every year we ask drivers to remember to stay back when approaching a snow plow. This is for your safety, and the safety of our snow plow drivers. When visibility is low, and roads are potentially slippery, it is crucial to SLOW DOWN and STAY BACK!  Watch now

Car Icon

Build an Emergency Kit for Your Vehicle
You may have an emergency supplies kit for your home, but what about your vehicle? Make sure to keep a shovel, blankets, booster cables, and these other items in your car this winter. 


Recycle Your Electronics! Here's Where to Go

Electronics icon

Planning to update the electronics in your home this holiday season, but don't know what to do with the old? Don't throw it away! Recycle them! Remember the Grant Township Highway Department is one of four Lake County sites that the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County operates to collect residential electronics to be recycled. View the list of accepted items and a list of all four electronics recycling collection sites.


Unincorporated Residents Eligible for Flood Insurance Discounts

Flood insurance

Property owners residing in unincorporated Lake County may be eligible to save an average of $281 a year on their flood insurance policies through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS) program. Residents within unincorporated Lake County who meet certain requirements are eligible for up 20% savings on flood insurance premiums. Property owners should contact their flood insurance agent to obtain individual savings information. If you live within a village or city, contact your municipality to see if they participate in the CRS program.  Learn more


Housing Authority To Accept Applications for Site Waiting Lists

The Lake County Housing Authority will accept preliminary applications beginning Dec. 10 through Dec. 14 for the Public Housing Scattered Site Waiting Lists. The list will open only at this time for the Scattered Site 3 and 4 bedroom units in Lake County. All completed applications will be accepted, however, only 350 preliminary applications will be randomly selected using a computer-generated lottery system. Visit the Lake County Housing Authority website to follow the steps to complete an online pre-application. 


Celebrate the Holidays in Lake County

Lake County holiday guide

Tis the season to be in Lake County, which is home to a plethora of holiday festivities to fill yourself up with holiday cheer. Check Visit Lake County’s holiday guide to find events to enjoy with family and friends.


Web Page Addresses Lake County Ethylene Oxide Concerns

There have been recent concerns regarding ethylene oxide emissions from two facilities in Lake County, Medline Industries in Waukegan and Vantage Specialty Chemicals in Gurnee. Residents seeking information about ethylene oxide in Lake County can find the latest updates at a webpage created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The U.S. EPA has been working with the Illinois EPA to examine emissions information from both the Medline and Vantage facilities to determine potential next steps. Questions and concerns should be sent via email to the U.S. EPA at eto@epa.gov.


Make an Impact on Lake County Homelessness

Point-in-Time Homeless Count

Volunteer for the annual Homeless Point-in-Time (PIT) Homeless Count on Jan. 30, 2019. Each year, the Lake County Coalition for the Homeless holds the Point-in-Time Homeless Count where volunteers search across Lake County to interview and offer assistance to unsheltered people experiencing homelessness. The data gathered helps coordinate services for people experiencing homelessness and allows organizations to track progress toward the goal of ending homelessness. Apply to volunteer.


Public Hearing to Consider Proposed Zoning Changes

The Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) has scheduled a public hearing at 1 p.m. Dec. 10 to consider proposed amendments relating to rural business, local food, parking, landscaping, and other miscellaneous amendments. The hearing will take place at the Lake County Division of Transportation, 600 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville. Learn more


Join A Treasure Hunt Across Lake County

SMC geocaching

The Stormwater Management Commission has hidden four geocaches (boxes) around Lake County to teach you about stormwater best management practices and introduce you to a few of the beautiful areas our county has to offer!

Inside each box, find information about your current location, a question you must answer, and coordinates to the next location. Visit the geocaching website to get coordinates to the first location. Once you have them, you can put them into any map application. Geocaches can be located up to 30 feet from the posted coordinates.    

As with any good treasure hunt, there’s a prize. Visit all four sites and correctly answer the questions at each location to win an SMC geocoin. Please note there are a limited number of geocoins.


Forest Preserves Logo

Forest Preserve News

LCFPD winter snow and ice removal

Winter Snow and Ice Removal Operations
Lake County Forest Preserve staff will be performing adjustments this coming winter to reduce the amount of road salt applied during snow and ice removal operations. It is anticipated that the resulting reduction in the use of road salt will have positive environmental and financial benefits. Also, a corresponding reduction in staff time managing snow and ice is expected to allow for an increase of staff time invested in winter restoration activities. 

The following shelters will be not be open for use through March 31, 2019: Greenbelt A, C, and D; Nippersink C and D; Van Patten B, C and D. In addition, the following parking lots will not be salted: Buffalo Creek, Cuba Marsh, Grant Woods – Rollins Road, Lake Carina, Lyons Woods, McDonald Woods, Pine Dunes, Prairie Wolf – Route 22 Lot, Raven Glen – Route 45 Lot, Raven Glen (West) – Route 173 Lot, Ray Lake, Singing Hills, and Sun Lake.

LCFPD pajama party storytime

Pajama Party Storytime at the Dunn Museum
Bundle the kids up in their warm jammies and join us for a story and craft about owls on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. For families with children ages 12 and under. Meet at the Woodland Theatre in the museum gallery. Learn more »

LCFPD Symbols of Illinois Cardinal

Symbols of Illinois: Cardinal
Join us at Ryerson Woods Welcome Center on Sunday, Dec. 16 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to celebrate the Illinois Bicentennial (1818–2018) by learning about our state symbols. This is the final program in the 10-part series about the origin and natural history of the symbols. May include a brief walk. Drop-in program, no registration required. Learn more »

LCFPD winter recreation

Winter Recreation and Solar-lit Trails
Before heading out to a Lake County Forest Preserve for a winter hike or a twirl on the ice, check the status map on the winter sports page.

Solar-lit Evening Hikes
With small solar lights to guide their way, hikers, skiers and snowshoers can get some brisk evening exercise along the 1.3-mile fitness trail at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville and along a 1.65-mile hilly section of the Millennium Trail adjacent to the Winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda.

Though regular preserve hours are 6:30 a.m. to sunset, the illuminated trails and adjacent parking lots will remain open after sunset until 9 p.m., daily through Sunday, March 10. Bicycle and equestrian traffic are not permitted on the lighted trails after sunset. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed.

To access the lighted trails, park at Lakewood's Winter Sports Area located on the east side of Fairfield Road just south of Route 176, or at Old School's main entrance lot located on the east side of St. Mary's Road just south of Route 176. Lake County Forest Preserve Rangers regularly patrol the areas. Learn more »


Watch County Board Meetings Live

LCTV

Keep informed about Lake County government! Watch County Board meetings live at 9 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. You can watch meetings live online or on Comcast channels 18 and 30, or AT&T channel 99. You can also view archived County Board meetings anytime.


Judy Martini

I consider it an honor to be able to serve areas of Fox Lake, Ingleside, Lakemoor, Volo, and portions of Wauconda, Lake Villa, Round Lake, and Spring Grove. I hope this newsletter provides you with an insight to Lake County news, local topics and a way for you to connect with neighbors and fellow residents. 

If you have any comments or concerns, please contact me at: JMartini@lakecountyil.gov or 847-629-5880.

Thank you,
Judy Martini

Lake County Seal
Lake County Passage

Quick Links

Connect with Lake County
Open Gov/Board Meeting Agendas
Transportation
Elections/Voting
Job Center of Lake County
Lake County Forest Preserves
Visit Lake County
Lake County Partners
Lake County Life
Veterans Assistance Commission


Email IDOT

About State Roads and Highways


Whose Road is it?

Find out which jurisdiction is in charge of Lake County's roads.

Community Links

Village of Fox Lake
Village of Lakemoor
Village of Round Lake
Village of Volo
Village of Wauconda
Grant Township
Wauconda Township
Fox Lake Library
Wauconda Area Library

Visit Lake County