Board Plans for Long-Term Facilities Needs of the Judicial System 

Lake County's population growth is placing huge demands on its court system, which includes all court services (criminal and civil), as well as the jail, and the services of the Sheriff's Office, Circuit Clerk, State's Attorney, and Public Defender. For the last several years, Lake County has been undergoing an extensive master planning process to address space issues and develop a long-term plan for facility expansion over the next 20 years.

 

The County has already implemented several phases of the plan, which included constructing new branch courts across the county. The court system has also implemented operational efficiencies, including a program that allows cases to move through the justice system based on when the case is ready, rather than a set timeline. This is called intensive case management and it reduces the amount of time necessary to resolve cases.

 

Still, there is not enough available courtrooms to meet the increased demand and this can result in delays in the justice process. The main downtown courthouse was built more than 40 years ago and it presents significant constraints as it relates to holding inmates for court calls, and transporting them to and from the jail. Also, the County is using conference rooms as temporary courtrooms, and some do not meet state standards for courtroom space.

 

The County Board recently approved moving forward with Phase 3 of the Justice Agency Master Plan (implementation and project development study) that will provide the level of detail needed to develop the long-term plan from both a financial and operational perspective. For example, it will recommend specific space plans, identify additional operational efficiencies, and evaluate budget/funding plan options, as well as an implementation and construction schedule. The overall goal is to provide effective justice as efficiently as possible.

 

 Watch presentation from April County Board Meeting. (Click on Item #66) 

Federal Government Invests in Lake County PASSAGE

Last week I welcomed U.S. Senator Dick Durbin to the Transportation Management Center (TMC) in Libertyville. Durbin was able to see Lake County PASSAGE in action and shared why the federal government has invested in this state-of-the-art transportation monitoring tool that provides real time traffic congestion information to motorists.  Watch the video from Senator Durbin's visit to the TMC and learn how you can save time and avoid congestion with Lake County PASSAGE.

Lake County Needs Volunteers! 

Are you interested in volunteering to serve on a government board?  When citizens participate in government, it enhances transparency, openness, as well as effectiveness because government officials benefit from citizens' input, perspective, and expertise. The Lake County Board is seeking volunteers to appoint to various boards, agencies, and commissions. Residents can now visit one page on the County's website to search county board appointed committees, boards, and agencies, check eligibility, see if there is a vacancy, and apply online.  Information about each committee, including term, composition, compensation, and contact information is also available on the site. Visit the appointments page for more information. Or, call the Lake County Board Office at 847.377.2257. 

E-filing Available for Statement of Economic Interests

County Clerk Willard Helander announced e-filing as an option for government employees and officials who are required to file a Statement of Economic Interests. E-filing is fast, easy, reduces paper and postage costs, and is good for the environment.

 

"Recent legislative action has doubled the county's costs for voting by mail, so e-filing is one way to offset some of those new costs while making the process more convenient for the filer," said Helander.  

 

Historically, the filing process involved stacks of out-going letters, forms and postage, return of the completed forms, and mailing receipts to filers. Now, this can be done online. 

 

The e-file program was designed and created by county staff at no additional cost. Plans for phase II include governmental agencies updating their list of required filers online and e-filers generating their receipts once the filing is successfully submitted.

In today's job market, employers are turning to behavioral-based interviews to see how candidates may have handled different situations and experiences to see if they are a good fit for the organization. For example, an interviewer may ask, "Tell me about a time when you worked in a team." In this edition of Career Chat, learn what types of questions to expect, how to prepare, and how to respond during a behavioral interview. Watch now (8 minutes):

The Forest Preserve District and the Lake County Board recently approved an extension to an existing agreement that creates new or enhanced wetlands for the creation of a wetland bank. The project includes converting an existing farm field in Buffalo Grove into restored and created wetlands, and planting the site with native grasses, flowers and trees. Also, a one mile loop trail will be constructed around Buffalo Creek that connects to the preserve's existing trails.The project still has to be approved by the US Army Corps of Engineers and other authorized regulatory authorities. If approved, the wetland credits in the bank could be used for the purpose of wetland mitigation required for Lake County DOT and Forest Preserve projects. 

 

ComEd has instituted a two-way text messaging capability that allows customers to text their outage to ComEd and enables the power company to text restoration information back to customers.   The expanded outage alert text message program will provide added convenience for customers and help improve their experience. The new program enhancements:

• Allow customers to text the company to report an outage,
• Offer real-time information on outages, and
• Allow customers to text ComEd to opt into the program.
• To report an outage, customers can text OUT to 26633 (COMED)
• Sign up here.

Rain Barrel, Compost Bin, Native Plant Sale 

(plant sale runs through Sunday, May 13)
Independence Grove Forest Preserve, Libertyville  

 

April 14, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.: Long Grove Collection

The villages of Long Grove and Hawthorn Woods will conduct their electronics collection event at the Archer Municipal Parking Lot, located on Robert Parker Coffin Road just east of Old McHenry Road in downtown Long Grove.

 

April 14, 8:00 a.m. - noon: Mundelein Collection

The Village of Mundelein, SWALCO and the Mundelein/Vernon Hills Rotary Club will host an electronics collection at the Mundelein Metra Station, 205 N. Archer Ave.

Accepted items include: personal monitors, electronic keyboards and mice, small scale servers, printers, scanners, VCRs, DVRs, DVD players, telephones, cell phones, televisions, stereos, radios, microwaves, other small household appliances, video game consoles and accessories, portable digital music players, holiday lights, and alkaline and rechargeable batteries. 

Commercial/business materials are not accepted. Dehumidifiers, air conditioners, lead-acid batteries, large appliances and household chemical waste will not be accepted. Items should be delivered unboxed.

 

April 28, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Vernon Township Recycle-O-Rama & Earth Day Fair

The Vernon Township and SWALCO will be collecting items at the Vernon Township Highway Department office at 3050 N. Main St. in Buffalo Grove.  Click here for a list of items.

 

Through an inter-governmental agreement, representatives from the communities of Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Palatine, Vernon Hills and Wheeling are working together to aggregate residential and small commercial retail electrical loads located within each of the communities. The consortium seeks to operate the aggregation program pursuant to the requirements of Section 1-92 of the Illinois Power Agency Act.

 

 

Buffalo Grove Hearing, Monday, April 16

7:30 p.m., Buffalo Grove Village Hall

50 Raupp Blvd.

Residents with questions can contact electricagg@vbg.org.

 

 

 

 

Long Grove Hearing, Tuesday, April 24

7 p.m., Long Grove Village Hall

3110 RFD Old McHenry Rd

 

 

The dangers and costs of distracted driving will be addressed at two seminars in Grayslake on April 19 and 20 - one directed toward parents and their teen drivers and the other directed toward employers.

 

The seminars are sponsored by the Workforce and Professional Development Institute of the College of Lake County. Both presentations will be held at the University Center of Lake County, 1200 University Center Drive, Grayslake. At both events, David Teater of the National Safety Council will share his personal story of how a distracted driver changed his and his family's life forever.

 

Thursday, April 19 from 6-8 p.m.: Teen Driving + Texting = Disaster

At this seminar, parents and teens will learn about the dangers associated with distracted driving from people who have experienced it firsthand. This is a free event, but pre-registration is required.

 

Friday, April 20 from 7:30-9:30 a.m.: Texting Dangers by Employees

This seminar is a discussion on ways employers can limit the risk and liability of employees' distracted driving. Hear a panel of business experts discuss how implementing cell phone policies can reduce risk and liability and increase productivity. All attendees will receive a free Cell Phone Policy Tool Kit. The workshop cost is $29, including breakfast.

 

Visit www.clcevents.eventbrite.com to register for either event. Register before April 16 to guarantee a seat; space is limited. For more information, call (847) 543-2615.

Village of Buffalo Grove

BG Park District

Indian Trails Public Library

Vernon Area Public Library