Call 211 for Help, Ethylene Oxide Town Hall, Property Assessment Notices and more

 

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DBarr
 

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October 2 , 2019

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Neighbors,

Barr

Please feel free to share this with your friends and family, as it is the cheapest, most efficient way for me to communicate with all of you constituents.  I am trying to cut down my communication budget by not doing mailers, as they are so expensive, and provide little to no useful nor timely information.  This newsletter allows me to provide timely and informative communication.  

You can forward this link to anyone who you think should signup for these communications.  https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/ILLAKE/subscriber/new?topic_id=ILLAKE_16 

Millburn Bypass Opens

After decades of planning and years of design and implementation, the Millburn Bypass, which provides a more efficient flow of traffic along Route 45, has now opened to traffic. Please be mindful of the new traffic flow, and be aware that online maps and GPS software may not show accurate routes through the area.  Please pay close attention to signage and traffic flows. 

As you may or may not be aware, IDOT built the road in very close proximity to homes along the new route, and as such have many homeowners concerned about safety and noise. This goes without saying, but please use caution and travel at posted speed limits while traveling along the bypass, especially when close to the residential areas. 

There are still many things that will need to be completed before the project is complete. I have been in close contact with IDOT about post project cleanup and landscaping. They plan to have the cul-de-sac at Haven finished up and most landscaping completed by the end of this season, likely late October. Trees will not be planted along the route until Spring of 2020, according the IDOT engineers. 

EtO Town Hall

Tonight is the EtO Town Hall at the College of Lake County Campus in Grayslake.  Here is a link to the Facebook invitation for the event. https://www.facebook.com/events/1216716471834240/ 

The Illinois EPA is holding the Multi-Agency Town Hall to discuss the current state of Ethylene Oxide emissions and future testing for emissions in Lake County on October 2nd at 6:30 PM at the College of Lake County Auditorium at the Grayslake Campus. Agencies involved include: IL EPA, ATSDR, IDPH, and LCHD

Legislative Conference

This past Saturday, fellow Board Member Judy Martini, from Fox Lake, and I carpooled to Starved Rock to attend a Legislative Conference to discuss issues in the State that affect us here in Lake County. We made the 2.5 hour commute at 5AM in pouring rain most of the way, which was quite appropriate because much of the conference was discussing flooding issues statewide. In fact, just as we approached the bridge to cross the Illinois River to get into Starved Rock, maintenance crews were closing the bridge for safety concerns, as a floating construction crane had dislodged from excess water flow and was in danger of striking the bridge. 

At the conference we heard about Illinois' staggering unfunded pension liabilities hurting not just the state's fiscal position, but affecting all downline governments as well, since the State has been shorting local Governments, including Lake County, on their Local Government Distributive Funds (LGDF) to be able to balance their own budget. 

We also heard about the Capital Bill, new gun bills and energy bills expected in the 2020 State Legislative session, Ethylene Oxide, Human Trafficking, Flooding, Cannabis legalization and taxation, the State's new Property Tax Task Force, New Unfunded Mandates, and the push to have prevailing wage laws include supply chain in addition to onsite contractors. 

It is my personal opinion, after hearing about all of the unfunded mandates and mandated cost increases the State is levying, the State's Property Tax Task Force is missing the target on how to best help us reduce property taxes. The best way the State can help us lower property taxes is to stop mandating what we must provide and how much we must pay for it.

As always, please let me know about the issues you want to hear about to make this newsletter a better and more informative publication. 

Thank you and have an awesome week!

 

-Dick Barr

 

 

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Report A Concern/Issue

Have an issue you'd like to report? (Lost/Found Pets, Environmental concern, junk and debris, potholes, tall grass/weeds, water service interruptions, crime tips, drainage issues, etc.)

We've developed a convenient and easy way for you to report any issue through our online reporting tool, which will automatically route your concern to the pertinent County Department, as well as allows us to track and study areas of greatest concerns for future improvements. 

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Property Tax Distribution

Find out which taxing bodies get your Property Tax Dollars on your Property Tax Bill. Click here

Property tax distribution
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Property Tax Information

Learn all about your property taxes; how to file for exemptions, contact your Assessor's office, where your property taxes go, understanding your property tax bill, when not to file an appeal and much more. Click Here 

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County News

Call 211 to Get Connected to Social Services

As of Sept. 24, anyone in Lake County who needs help finding health and human services can call 211 and get quickly connected to available resources.  The 211 service, provided by United Way of Lake County, is a free, confidential information and referral helpline that will enable Lake County residents to get the help they need 24 hours a day, regardless of the language they speak or where they live.    

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When you call 211 or text your zip code to 898211 from anywhere in Lake County, you will be connected to an expert navigator who will guide you to critical health and human services, including counseling, housing and shelter, food programs, healthcare and mental health services, addiction and problem gambling support, transportation, and so much more. 

The Lake County Board contributed a portion of the funding for the new 211 program, allocating $80,000 in video gaming revenue, which is generated from video gaming in the unincorporated areas. 

Learn about all 211 Lake County services. 

 

Ethylene Oxide Town Hall Meeting 

Multi-Agency Informational Town Hall on Ethylene Oxide on Wednesday, October 2, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the College of Lake County, Auditorium A011, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) will present to the public. 

Since November 2018, Lake County and its partners have been working to address concerns of EtO emissions from Medline Industries in Waukegan and Vantage Specialty Chemicals in Gurnee. 

More information can be found at www.lakecountyil.gov/eto 

 

Lake County Coroner’s Office Earns International Recognition 

Congratulations to the Lake County Coroner’s Office, which has become just the second in the state to receive accreditation from the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners. To earn the accreditation, Coroner Howard Cooper’s office went through a rigorous process, and documented and met 230 stringent standards ranging from administration and office set-up to autopsy procedures and crime and death scene protocols. The process also included a site visit from members of the group and interviews by the group with local law enforcement.  

 

Avon Township Assessment Notices in the Mail

2019 assessment notices are being mailed to all property owners in Avon Township. Property owners in Lake Villa Township received their notices in September, and the deadline to file an appeal in Lake Villa Township is Oct. 19.

 

An assessment notice is not your tax bill. It is a value placed on your property by your township assessor to estimate the market value of your home as of Jan. 1, 2019. 

Property Assessment

Understand Your Assessment The Chief County Assessment Office is hosting tax assessment help centers in September and October.  Here, property owners can talk one-on-one with taxpayer advocates to understand the information on their assessment, see how to use the County's new web applications, and learn about homestead exemptions which can potentially provide tax relief. 

Appeals Must Be Filed Electronically Property owners can appeal their assessment on their own through the Lake County Board of Review. No attorney is required for a residential appeal. Prior to filing a formal appeal to the Board of Review, property owners should contact their local township assessors office to discuss their concerns. Appeals must be done online, no later than the deadline printed on your assessment notice

 

Kids Korner at the Lake County Courthouse 

Since opening its doors in the Lake County Courthouse 25 years ago, Kids’ Korner has provided a safe haven to more than 53,000 children involved in the court system. This free service for children ages 2 – 12 provides a safe and enjoyable waiting area for children who are in the Lake County Courthouse either to testify in court or whose parents or guardians are conducting court business. The children’s waiting room is open Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Learn more 

 

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What Happened in Committees?

Ethics and Oversight Committee  

Committee members discussed proposed changes to the ethics ordinance, creating a new Conduct section, and clarifying complaint procedures for Board Members and Appointees. View the discussion. 

Ethics and Oversight Committee

Watch All County Board Meetings

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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Health News

Protect Against Mosquitoes 

Do you have issues with mosquitoes in your backyard?  Lake County Health Department Senior Biologist Mike Adam has some helpful tips for you!  Watch the video 

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Job News

Job Fairs in October 

Looking for a job? There are many job fairs and career workshops to help you land your next job happening in Lake County in October!  

 

Healthcare Job Fair – Thursday, Oct. 3 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Lake County Health Department, 3010 Grand Ave. WaukeganRSVP to reserve your spot. Learn more 

 

Jobs

Transportation Distribution and Logistics Job Fair - Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at University Center of Grayslake, 1200 University Center Dr. Grayslake. Learn more 

 

Manufacturing Job Fair - Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.at College of Lake County, A- wing hallway, 19351 W. Washington Street Grayslake.  Pre- registration required. Learn more 

 

Grayslake Job Fair - Thursday, Oct. 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at University Center of Lake County, Room 142, 1200 University Center Dr. Grayslake. Learn more 

 

Manufacturing Month with Six Events 

College of Lake County is celebrating Manufacturing Month with an array of events in October ranging from career talks, job fairs to counselors tours and more. Learn more about the events 

 

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Environmental News

Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve Wetland Mitigation Bank 

The Lake County Forest Preserve is currently expanding and improving the Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve. As part of the work, the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) constructed a wetland mitigation bank by returning former farm fields to a sustainable natural condition. 

Buffalo Creek

More than 25 acres of wetlands have been created, and a new section of path added that will be part of Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve’s path system. View pictures of the wetland mitigation bank and an aerial tour of the new bike trail! 

 

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Sheriff News

See Something Say Something 

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Stand Strong Coalition are proud to announce a new initiative to assist in curbing of parties where underage drinking and drug use is taking place.   

Stand Strong Coalition purchased a four-year membership to tip411 where members of the community can anonymously send a message if they have information of a situation where underage drinking or drug use is taking place.  The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is taking the lead in monitoring any submitted tips.  Learn more 

 

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Forest Preserve News

Public Input Requested 

Lake County Forest Preserves staff and commissioners are seeking resident input regarding two concept plans involving recreation and restoration improvements at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda. The concept plan options can be viewed at LCFPD.org/preserves/improvement-projects/. Comments about the options can be sent through Oct. 14 via email at Lakewood@LCFPD.org. Learn more » 

 

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A Preserve With a View 

Picturesque Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake Forest is one of only a few places in Lake County that offers free public access to Lake Michigan. A team of forest preserve planners, ecologists and educators have been continually working to restore the land and preserve and interpret its valuable ecosystems and rich human history. Learn more » 

 

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Celebration of Souls Exhibit 

A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico,” exhibition is on display through Jan. 5, 2020, at the nationally accredited Dunn Museum in Libertyville. The bilingual exhibit, developed by the Field Museum in collaboration with Mars Inc., coincides with the actual multiday festival celebrated every fall in commemoration of friends and family members who have died. Learn more » 

 

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Community Events and News

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Household Chemical Waste Event  

Bring CFL bulbs, unwanted prescription, over-the counter medicines and supplements, household cleaners, gasoline, garden chemicals, pesticides, oil-based paints (no latex) and varnishes, as well as other household chemicals. On Saturday, Oct. 12 and Monday, Oct. 28 at 1311 N. Estes Street Gurnee. Appointments are required. Learn more 

 

Early Childhood Essentials Conference 

The public is invited to attend a free forum on “Early Childhood Essentials in Lake County,” featuring keynote speaker Geoffrey A. Nagle, President and CEO of the Erikson Institute, who will discuss brain science as it relates to early childhood development. The event is co-hosted by Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim, and will take place Oct. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Learn more 

 

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Illinois Regional College Fair  

Learn about 170 colleges and universities at the Illinois Regional College Fair on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at College of Lake County, Physical Education Center, building 7, 19351 W. Washington St. Learn more 

 

2019 Rx for Health

Pine Dunes Walk-Rx for Health

Enhance your health and come for a 1-2 mile walk guided by naturalists and healthcare providers on Oct. 19 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Pine Dunes Forest Preserve42909 Hunt Club Rd., Antioch. The simple act of walking, especially in nature, can improve your overall health, both physically and mentally. Children 16 and under need to be accompanied by an adult. See full schedule