Lake County News
from David Stolman
County Board Chairman
 
March 9, 2012

County Board Chairman

District 20 Representative

 
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Neighbors, 
 
David Stolman This newsletter is a great way to stay connected to what's happening in Lake County government, the Lake County Forest Preserve, and our community.  You will find news on transportation, elections, weather alerts, health services, community events, and much more!  Also, you will find videos featuring our many services and programs.  Please forward this update to others who may be interested in Lake County news.
 
Please let me know what you think of this newsletter, or if you have any questions or comments.  Please email me at [email protected], or call me at 847-377-2300.
 
It's an honor and a pleasure serving you on the County and Forest Preserve boards.
 
Thank you,
David Stolman
Lake County Board Chairman
Representing Buffalo Grove, Long Grove and Prairie View

 

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 Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership Meeting

 

You are invited to participate in the first public meeting of the Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership (BCCWP). BCCWP will strive to address issues such as flooding and erosion, water quality and habitat loss along the stream that drains parts of eight communities in northern Cook and southern Lake Counties.

 

The meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. on April 25, in the Village Council chambers at 50 Raupp Boulevard, in Buffalo Grove. The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC), the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (I-EPA), among other agencies, will participate and lead discussions of issues, providing opportunities for citizens and communities to learn and voice their concerns.

 

If you would like more information, please contact Jeff Weiss, founder, Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership at (847)224-0965 or [email protected].

 

Did you know these facts about Buffalo Creek?  

  • Buffalo Creek drains an area of twenty seven square miles, arising in Lake Zurich,   Deer Park and Palatine.
  • The creek flows through Long Grove, Kildeer and Arlington Heights before collecting in the reservoir in Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve.
  • Buffalo Creek continues through Buffalo Grove before discharging into the Des Plaines River in Wheeling.
  • Local communities, SMC and MWRD and other agencies are working to reduce the risk of flooding and erosion damage along the creek.
  • Water quality issues include chloride, phosphorus, low dissolved oxygen, suspended solids and fecal coliform.
  • A wetland mitigation project is underway at Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Palatine and another is planned for Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve in Long Grove.
  • Additional storm water storage, native habitats and recreation opportunities are planned for Heritage Park in Wheeling.
  • Citizens and communities can make a difference in the public and environmental health of the watershed.

 

 

 

Lake County's Website Gets an A+ for Transparency  

 

For the third straight year, Lake County has received a "Sunny Award" and an A+ transparency grade for its website. Sunshine Review,
a national non-profit organization
dedicated to government transparency, reviewed more than 6,000 government websites and recently announced the 2012 winners. Websites are graded on having items such as: budgets, meetings, lobbying, financial audits, contracts, academic performance, public records and taxes. Lake County is one of only six counties in Illinois to receive this top grade.Visit the Lake County website at www.lakecountyil.gov!

 

 

 

March is Severe Weather Preparedness Month 

 

While it might be chilly outside now, springtime and the severe weather that comes with it are right around the corner!  As we recently saw the devastating impact of the severe storms and tornadoes last week in southern Illinois, it's important to be prepared for severe weather when it arrives closer to home.

 

Up-to-the-minute weather information for the area is available at weather.gov/chicago.  Check for updates on local television and radio, and consider purchasing a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio in the case of a power outage.

 

Visit Alert Lake County and Ready Illinois to educate yourself on the easy steps you can take to prepare for severe weather and to create a plan you and your family can use during weather emergencies.  Be prepared, and stay safe!

 

 

Daylight Savings Time begins this weekend! 


Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 11 at 2:00 a.m., move your clocks ahead one hour. This is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detector and your carbon monoxide detector.   

 

 

Lake County Forest Preserve News

 

Forest Preserve Summer Camps

Sneak some learning into your child's summer adventures. Lake County Forest Preserve summer camps and day programs meet the summer wishes of kids and parents alike. Programs are offered for ages 4 through 17. Choose from nature exploration, fun on the farm, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, history, theatre, or arts and crafts.  Click here to browse available programs and register online.

 

 

Spring Burn Season

In March and April, Forest Preserve burn crews will use controlled fires to revive weakened natural areas. Before Illinois was settled, wildfires were critical to the survival of some plant communities. The need still exists, but wildfires that swept the countryside have been replaced with controlled burns managed by trained staff professionals. By mid-April, the program ends in order to protect wildlife such as birds beginning to nest and snakes emerging from hibernation. Click here for current information about controlled burns, or call 847.968.3293. 


 

 

Watch County Update: Focus on the Lake County Health Department

 

The Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center provides a broad range of medical and dental services, as well as behavioral and environmental services, and many other programs. In this edition of County Update, County Board Chairman David Stolman talks with Health Department Executive Director Irene Pierce about these services and some key initiatives, including prevention and assuring access to health services. Watch now (15 minutes) 


 

Community Events

 

University Center Open House on March 20

On March 20, come learn about The University Center of Lake County's program offerings and get your questions answered! Volunteers will be available to assist current and prospective students in completing and submitting their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms. Students filing for FAFSA should bring 2011 tax forms, state ID, social security cards, and asset information.  Students who are still dependent on their parents should also bring their parents' information.

Register for the Open House here.

 

The University Center provides college degrees from 19 public and private Illinois universities from facilities in Grayslake, Waukegan, North Chicago and online. Visit UCenter.org or call 847.665.4000 for more information.

 

March 20, 6-8 p.m.

University Center of Lake County

1200 University Center Drive, Grayslake
  

 

Vernon Area Public Library Programs

 

300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire

 

View and register for additional library programs here, by telephone at 224.543.1485 (adult and teen programs) or 224.543.1486 (youth programs), or in-person.

 

 Indian Trails Public Library Programs

 

355 S. Schoenbeck Rd., Wheeling, IL 60090


See list of programs online here
. Call 847.459.4100 for more information.

 

Forest Preserve HORIZON Newsletter

To receive the Lake County Forest Preserve Horizon Newsletter by email, click here.

 

Local Phone Numbers & Links

 

Village of Buffalo Grove  847-459-2500

 

Village of Long Grove 847-634-9440

 

Buffalo Grove Park District 847-850-2100

 

Indian Trails Public Library 847-459-4100

 

Vernon Area Public Library 847-634-3650