June 4, 2019
Dear Neighbors,
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We've been working hard at making your tax bill more readable and improving service. If you want to know more, please join me for a public service event with Treasurer Holly Kim at 10 a.m. June 29 at the Prairie Crossing Charter School (Jones Point Road and Route 45) in Grayslake. You're invited to ask anything you like about the current bill or upcoming assessment notices.
By now, you've probably sent off the first payment of your property tax bill, which is due Thursday, June 6. The second installment is due Sept. 6. The Lake County Treasurer’s Office has partnered with more than 20 local banks to collect property tax payments, which may be more convenient for you than driving to the Treasurer’s Office in Waukegan. Find out more.
Speaking of taxes, good news: For those of you living in High School District 127, you've probably seen some savings on your current bill. There are more to come as bonds for Grayslake North mature and the state provides more money through its evidence-based funding plan. The General Assembly also approved a property tax task force. I hope to work closely with this new committee.
In other local news, Midlothian Road will be closed at the Metra tracks (between Route 137 and Peterson) from June 14 to 17. Metra is improving that railroad crossing. View detour information.
And finally, not only is our county health department starting to test two local facilities for ethylene oxide, the General Assembly approved better regulation of those facilities. Thanks to all who were active and got results on this major public health concern.
Property News
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Protect Your Home with Property Check
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The Lake County Recorder of Deeds Office provides a tool for homeowners to help protect their biggest investment. Property Check is a free, easy-to-use, 24/7 online service that will alert subscribers, via email and/or text message, whenever a document is recorded against their name and/or property. The sign-up process only takes a few minutes. Sign up today.
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County Board News
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Senate Bills To Enhance Service, Address Public Health
Senate bills that will enhance service, address public health issues, and potentially lead to Lake County taxpayers saving money were passed this past week by both the State House and Senate and are now on their way to the Governor’s Desk for signature.
Senate Bill 90 provides local municipalities and counties a new method of dissolving drainage districts. The bill gives Lake County’s Ad Hoc Drainage District Consolidation Committee additional options for streamlining services to maintain our rivers and streams as it looks for opportunities to consolidate local drainage districts while providing potential cost savings. Special thanks to Senate Sponsor Senator Dan McConchie and House Sponsor Representative Daniel Didech.
Senate Bill 1114 gives Lake County new options to quickly remove hazards, such as garbage, waste, or hazardous substances from properties that impact public health or safety. Right now, an Illinois code requires a 30-day notice before the County can remove these items. This new bill will allow the County to more rapidly address these hazards to protect people and property. Special thanks to Senate Sponsor Senator Melinda Bush and House Sponsor Representative Sam Yingling.
Both bills are among key priorities of Lake County. We would like to thank all our Lake County Legislators for their support during the Illinois 101st General Assembly 2019 Spring Session!
County Board Approves New Rules
The Lake County Board recently approved its Rules of Order and Operational Procedures at the May 14 meeting, which addresses several measures, including a continued focus on transparency to make county government more open, accountable and accessible.
Watch All County Board Meetings
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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 board meetings and standing committee meetings anytime.
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Environmental News
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Lake County Sets New Flood Stage Record in 2018
Lake County has been experiencing more frequent and stronger rainfall events and hit a new record in 2018 when it went above flood stage during six separate storm events. With current rainfall trends, Lake County could be on track to break 2018's flood stage exceedance in 2019. Rainfall events this year have already caused river levels to exceed flood stage four times. |
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The increased rainfall not only impacts the Stormwater Management Commission but also other Lake County operations, including the Lake County Division of Transportation and Public Works, which has to factor rainfall into designs for infrastructure improvements, and the Lake County Emergency Management Agency, which is the lead on flood response efforts for the County. Read more.
Ethylene Oxide Update
Outdoor air monitoring is set to begin this week near Vantage Specialty Chemicals in Gurnee and Medline Industries in Waukegan. In partnership with the Lake County Health Department, the Village of Gurnee and City of Waukegan have hired GHD Services, Inc. to conduct the air monitoring to help officials better understand the levels of ethylene oxide (EtO) in the air. Samples will be collected every third day for 30 days, with additional samples being collected on random dates. Monitoring canisters will be sent to a laboratory for analysis, and the first results are expected within a few weeks. Learn more about Health Department activities related to EtO emissions.
County Recognized as Leader in Advancing Solar Energy
Lake County recently earned the highly coveted SolSmart Bronze Designation, furthering Lake County’s commitment to solar power growth in the community. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's SunShot Initiative, SolSmart recognizes local governments who take keys steps to reduce barriers to solar energy growth and makes it easier for homes and businesses to go solar. |
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The County was awarded this designation by increasing transparency for community members and solar installers through an online permitting checklist and identifying restrictions that limited solar development.
Are you interested in installing solar power for your home or business? Learn more by visiting the County’s Solar Energy web page.
Job News
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First Lake County Graduation Job Fair at the College of Lake County
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Meet with top employers around Lake County, who are looking to hire recent graduates at the first annual Lake County Graduation Job Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 6 at the College of Lake County in Grayslake. Companies representing many industries including healthcare, manufacturing, business, engineering, hospitality, automotive, and more will be on site. Learn more
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Lake County Partners Hosts Annual Big Event
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Lake County Partners’ Big Event recently brought together hundreds of business and civic leaders to focus on continued collaboration and business growth. Companies and communities learned about the economic outlook in Lake County and got insight into the latest tools and trends that they need to fuel economic development. Watch this video to find out more.
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Transportation News
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Make Travel Easier! Use the Redesigned Lake County PASSAGE App
Make your driving a little easier and use the newly updated and redesigned Lake County PASSAGE app for IOS or Android. PASSAGE is an Intelligent Transportation System designed to give users real-time traffic congestion updates and important local road information. |
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The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) recently launched a new version of the PASSAGE app for the iPhone and iPad, and the updated app for Android has been available since November 2018. Downloads are available on the Apple Store or Google Play Store. Learn more
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Forest Preserve News |
Ray Lake Features Panoramic Views and History
Of the 65 properties owned and managed by the Lake County Forest Preserves, Ray Lake in Wauconda ranks sixth in terms of size. It took 12 separate land acquisitions to grow Ray Lake to its current 1,039 acres. The preserve got its start in 1992 with a small 7-acre parcel. It got its name in 1999 when the Lake County Forest Preserves purchased 401 acres from the Ray family. |
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Ray Lake visitors can hike, ride bikes or horses, and cross-country ski on a 2.3-mile gravel trail that loops around wetlands and open prairies. The trail also has three boardwalks and a scenic overlook. Learn more »
Forest Preserves Look to Provide Added Protection for Rare Natural Areas
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The Lake County Forest Preserves is looking to permanently protect some of its highest-quality natural areas that have rare plants, animals and other unique natural features by registering them into the Illinois Nature Preserves System. As a dedicated nature preserve, these remnant natural areas receive an added level of conservation protection by the District and the state to keep them ecologically sustainable. Learn more »
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Community Events and News
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