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Why do I talk about the environment so much? Because not much else matters if we don’t have clean air to breathe, water to drink, and soil to grow food. And because what is detrimental to our environment and our health is also detrimental to our pocketbooks.
Some of what I’ve been up to: I toured Radical Root, a small farm in Libertyville owned by Openlands. They’re having an amazing impact on their local ecosystem through practices such as no-till (prevents run-off into the nearby creek, which eventually runs into the Mississippi — did you know that Illinois is a contributor to the Gulf of Mexico’s “dead zone”?), organic produce and eggs, and solar energy. I’d love all farmers to have the resources to be good stewards of our environment.
I also attended the Steeplechase HOA meeting and spent last weekend cutting down invasive buckthorn at Greenbelt Forest Preserve along with the Lake County Veterans & Family Services Foundation, then ran over to Hawthorn Woods to give away free trees with village staff. As my son says, if we just planted billions of trees, we wouldn’t have to worry so much about pollution.
Board update: The Energy & Environment Committee, on which I sit, voted this week to join both the County Climate Coalition and the Greenest Region Compact, reaffirming our commitment to reducing carbon emissions. The resolutions now go to the full Board for approval.
In Public Works, Planning & Transportation Committee, we passed a joint resolution merging two sanitary districts, eliminating an approximately $1.2 million tax levy on about 11,000 parcels, providing tax relief of over $100 per year per household. We also discussed wild/exotic traveling circuses and exhibitions and directed staff to research options to regulate and/or restrict the practice. I voted in support of this direction, wholeheartedly.
A reminder to please join me, fellow Board member Jen Clark, and Sheriff John Idleburg for coffee and conversation on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Fremont Library, meeting room B.
Have a great week.
A recent audit showed that one in four items placed in recycling bins are not recyclable. To help reduce contamination, a statewide task force created new local recycling guidelines. As not everything can go in recycling containers, these guidelines help determine what you should and shouldn’t recycle curbside. Watch this video to see how easy recycling is if you do it right.
Walter Willis, executive director of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, held earlier today a Facebook Live session to discuss the new recycling guidelines. Don't worry that you missed it! Watch it anytime at the Lake County, IL Government Facebook page.
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Did you know there are local drop-off locations for unwanted new, gently-used, and used shoes, clothing, and textiles? Instead of throwing these items away, make sure they are recycled or reused! You also can safely dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs at the Hawthorn Woods Police Department and other locations throughout the county. Find local drop-off sites.
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Lake County is committed to promoting a sustainable environment, which includes keeping electronics out of our landfills. Recently over 5,000 pounds of electronics no longer used at County facilities were dropped off to be recycled at a special one-day collection at the Libertyville campus.
Don’t forget, Lake County residents can recycle electronics free all year round at four drop-off locations across the county as part of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County’s electronics recycling program. View items that can be accepted.
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Ways to Pay Your Property Tax Bill
Lake County property owners will soon get their property tax bills in the mail. There are quick, easy ways to pay your property taxes. Some people go to the Lake County Treasurer’s Office to pay in person, but you can also pay without driving as far. Watch this video to see just how much time you can save with all the different ways to pay.
Pay your property tax bill at your local bank, online, by phone, or by mail. Learn more about your payment options.
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Your Property Tax Distribution
See how your individual property taxes are distributed (for any parcel) and how to contact those taxing bodies by visiting Lake County’s Tax Distribution website.
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May 4: Opening Celebration
Celebrate the start of spring as Radical Root Organic Farm celebrates its opening weekend at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 4. Come out to dance, eat, learn how your food is grown at the farm, and learn how to grow your own. Learn more
May 7: Severe Weather Spotter Class
Real-time weather reports, provided by severe weather spotters who can detail hail size, wind speed and tornado development, are critical to issue warnings and to help save lives. Their data serves as a critical link for the National Weather Service between radar indications and what’s happening on the ground. Learn how to become a Severe Weather Spotter at a FREE training May 7 in Vernon Hills. No registration is required. View additional spotter trainings.
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May 11-12: Native Plant, Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale at Indepedence Grove Forest Preserve
Join us at Independence Grove in Libertyville on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Purchase native flowers and woody plants, a rain barrel or compost bin, and learn about eco-friendly practices to benefit your home, pocketbook and the community. Rain barrels and compost bins are available for sale on Saturday only from the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County. Learn more »
May 18: Paper Shredding Event
Bring your secure documents to be shredded safely as Fremont Township holds a paper shredding event on May 18 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. or until the truck is full. There will be a limit of three boxes. Please remove all binder clips, booklet binders and paper clips, and no plastic bags.
May 19: Pancake Breakfast
Join the 12th annual All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast, hosted by the Community Emergency Response Team of South Lake County from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 19 at Lake Zurich Fire Station 1, 321 S. Buesching Road.
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Initial evaluation of rainfall data from the Illinois State Water Survey indicates Lake County is receiving between 20% and 45% higher rainfall amounts, which can have a significant impact on not only the residents of Lake County, but also the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC).
Based on the increased rainfall amounts, the SMC will evaluate and make revisions to the County’s Watershed Development Ordinance regulations regarding storm sewer and detention design, floodplains, building protection, wetland requirements, and more. These changes will be made to best ensure new development doesn’t create negative environmental impacts for Lake County residents and those downstream.
Although many stormwater requirements will be impacted, SMC is looking at all of the facts before making any official recommendations. SMC will present their findings and recommendations at the Commission’s May 2 meeting. Learn more about the study.
Healthy meal prepping doesn’t have to be hard! Watch this video as Lake County Health Department nutritionists LaiSha Ponder and Christopher Arty provide easy recipes and tips to get you started on your meal prepping journey.
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Lake County property owners can now apply online for certain homestead exemptions using the new Smartfile E-filing Portal. Homestead exemptions can provide tax relief to eligible homeowners, as it exempts taxable value prior to the calculation of property taxes. In Illinois, exemptions are available for a general homestead, senior, disabled person, disabled veteran, returning veteran (within the last two years), and for home improvements.
The Chief County Assessment Office launched this new tool to make it more convenient and efficient than using paper applications. All you need to sign up is a valid e-mail address.
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Forest Preserve News
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Part-time, Temporary Positions Available
Looking to spend the summer outdoors in a beautiful, natural setting? The Lake County Forest Preserves is in the process of hiring an array of temporary and part-time positions, from lifeguards to golf course attendants. "We offer a wide variety of seasonal employment opportunities with immediate openings available," said Forest Preserve Human Resources and Risk Manager Laurel Diver. Learn more »
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More Than a Map
There was a time when the glove compartment of every car was crammed with tattered maps used to plan and trace routes during a trip. Now, most people rely on their phones and GPS navigation apps, such as Google Maps or Waze, to help them find their destination. Similarly, the Lake County Forest Preserves has switched from using paper maps to a mapping technique that involves technology much like a phone's navigation app. The digital mapping method, known as geographic information system, or GIS, provides a way to capture, store and present spatial or geographic data. Learn more »
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Lake County businesses, local governments and partner agencies, and Metra combined forces to successfully launch MetraMore. This project expanded the train schedule on Metra’s Milwaukee District North Line, making it easier for reverse commuters to travel between Chicago and Lake County. Watch this video to share in the celebration of MetraMore.
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