County Board Chairman

District 20 Representative

Board Commits to Work Toward 60% Recycling Rate by 2020

The average pounds per day of waste disposed of by each resident in Lake County is about 4.8 pounds (based on 2010 statistics). Most of that waste ends up in a local landfill and as a result, Lake County has an estimated landfill capacity of around 12 to 13 years.

That is why leaders from across Lake County have been working on a plan to reduce the amount of waste and extend the life of our landfills. The specific recommendations are outlined in the "60% Recycling Task Force" report recently adopted by the Lake County Board.  The task force, which is made up of 27 members representing a wide range of stakeholders including two county board members, produced the report with 36 recommendations to achieve a 60% recycling rate by 2020.

To put the 60% goal in perspective, in 2010, Lake County achieved a 39% recycling rate. The goal is to reduce waste disposed of in the landfills to 40% of what is generated. The recommendations are grouped into three sectors: residential, commercial, and construction and demolition debris. The residential strategies include: enhancing existing programs, expanding use of franchising, implementing a pilot food scraps/organics collection programs and backyard composting, and other measures. Commercial strategies include: enhancing existing programs. For example, the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) will work with partners to implement an award program that promotes awareness of businesses that recycle. Also, SWALCO will assist local governments with use of franchising, developing model contracts for commercial businesses, and providing waste audit assistance. Also, the plan recommends strategies such as developing model ordinances. Additionally, SWALCO, in collaboration with its partners, will embark in a multi-faceted community outreach and education effort to provide information on how to recycle, why it is important, and the impact it has on our own community and beyond.

The plan has also been approved by many Lake County municipalities. The intent is to have Lake County government and all of the municipalities adopt the report and commit to begin implementing the recommended actions outlined in the plan. To view the report, visit www.swalco.org. 

Water Conservation in Lake County

Lake County Partners with WaterSense

You can help save water and protect the environment by choosing WaterSense labeled products in your home and business and take simple steps to save water each day. The County Board adopted a resolution at its March meeting officially partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense program to promote more efficient use of water. WaterSense helps people save water with a product label and tips for saving water around the house. Products carrying the WaterSense label perform well, help save money, and encourage innovation in manufacturing.  Learn more.

March Promotes Water Conservation with Fix a Leak Week, World Water Day
Did you know that an American home can waste, on average, more than 10,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets, and other household leaks?  During "Fix a Leak Week" (March 12 - 18) and "World Water Day" (March 22) you're reminded to check your plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems. Learn more about how to check for a leak, and how to fix it!  Also, Lake County Public Works encourages customers to learn how simple it can be to conserve water and lower your water bill. This month, Lake County Public Works customers have the opportunity to win a free Orion Water Meter Monitor.  This tool allows you to view your actual water meter reading at any time in order to track consumption and find leaks. Don't be a water waster! Learn more about water conservation.

Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemptions

The Chief County Assessment Office will be mailing the 2012 Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption Applications to all homeowners currently receiving the Senior Homestead, in the next few weeks.

The qualifications are: 

• 65 years old or older during the tax year
• Own the property as your principal residence for the last two Jan. 1st
• 2011 total household income is $55,000 or less.

Programs for Affordable Home Ownership 

Beginning April 15, 2012, Lake County in association with a number of Illinois communities will offer a two-pronged approach to assist eligible homebuyers. The Assist program provides families with funds to pay all or most of their closing costs and down payment, and the mortgage credit certificate ("MCC") program reduces the homebuyer's ongoing cost of borrowing.  Homebuyers must been certain eligibility criteria, including purchase price and income limits.  Read this flyer to learn more about how these programs work. 

Lake County Holds Open Houses in March on Application to Rezone Property at Rt. 12 and Old McHenry Road

The Dimucci Family has applied to Lake County to develop their approximately 109 acres of property at Rt. 12 and Old McHenry Road located in southwestern unincorporated Lake County. The request is for a rezoning from residential to commercial with a planned unit development to allow for up to 53 acres of high quality commercial development, surrounded by about 50 acres of open space. 

On March 3, more than 80 residents attended Lake County's first informational open house on the project. Residents had an opportunity to ask questions about the proposal, learn more about the process, and provide input. There will be two additional open houses on Wednesday, March 21 and Tuesday, March 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Concorde Banquets, 20922 N Rand Road in Kildeer. 

In this video, learn more about the information provided at the open houses.

You can also visit lakecountyil.gov/dimucciproperty to view materials from the open houses, and submit comments.

March 20 Election Info

Next Tuesday, March 20 is Primary Election Day in Lake County and across Illinois. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.  To find the location and directions to your polling site, visit the Voter Power page on the County Clerk's website and click "Where do I vote?".  You can also preview your ballot options and candidates from the page.

In addition, there are still a few days remaining to vote early.  Early voting is available from 9 a.m until 4:30 p.m. through Thursday, March 15.  Visit the Voter Power page to find your early voting site.

Scholarships Available from Illinois Counties Association

The Illinois Counties Association (ICA) will be awarding scholarships to Illinois students pursuing four-year degrees in the 2012-2013 academic year. ICA is seeking students who demonstrate a dedicated pursuit toward a career in governmental, public service or public administration, as evidenced by involvement in course of study, work and volunteer service or internships in public, governmental, community and/or legislative environments.

Applications for scholarships are due and must be postmarked by May 11, 2012. For more information or to apply, click here.

Paid Internships with Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program has announced several paid internship positions for this summer.  Openings are available in:

• Aquatic Invasive Species
• Implementation of a Real-Time Monitoring Buoy in Lake Michigan
• Great Lakes Limnological Sampling and Data Management
• Water Supply Economics and Planning

Vernon Township Recycle Fest

Recycle your electronics, crayons, cell phones, hearing aids, glasses, latex paint, CFLs, batteries, or athletic shoes. Bring papers for shredding and books for donating to the Friends of the Vernon Area Library organization.

Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Vernon Township Offices, 3050 N. Main St., Buffalo Grove

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

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.