Forest Preserve and News from Craig Taylor

Lake County News & Events - September 25, 2009 Edition

Lake County News
from Craig Taylor

Craig Taylor, Representative District 19

As your County Board Representative I also serve as a member of the Lake County Forest Preserve Board. Below you'll find several items relating to upcoming Forest Preserve events which you may enjoy. Once again I'm including the information about the "Property Assessment Help Centers" since many folks have commented on how helpful it is. Please take a moment to read the information provided below. My hope is you'll find it interesting and helpful and that you'll pass it along to others who may benefit from it.

I'm pleased to report that on Monday (9/21) I presented the Village of Lake Zurich with a $100,000 check from Lake County representing a Brown Field Grant to assist in the clean up of the old Police Facility on Main Street. I wish to thank Michael Talbett for assisting Lake Zurich in applying for this grant and my follow Board Members for supporting it when it was voted upon. My hope is to provide similar good news to others in District 19 in the future!

You may have heard about a Lake County Department of Transportation project involving Quentin Road and I'd like to provide you with an update. Currently the Quentin Road project, from Rue Royal to White Pine (including the Route 12 intersection), is schedule for a letting in 2013. This date is based on available funding and acquisition of the necessary right-of-way. The project is currently waiting on an agreement with the Village of Kildeer and Deer Park for the relocation of the bike path. Progress was made this week with regards to the agreement and the hope is to have it on the County Board agenda for approval at the November meeting. Once this is complete, right-of-way acquisition can begin on the east side of the roadway (this will take anywhere from 18 months to 2 years).

Regarding a 2nd project on Quentin Road, a study of possible widening between White Pine and Route 22, D.O.T. is forming a Citizen Advisory Group to assist and provide input. This project is many years away but I will keep you advised as the study moves forward.

As always, I look forward to meeting you and please feel free to contact me with your concerns or comments. You can reach me by phone, 847-438-2961 or email: ctaylor@lakecountyil.gov

I want to keep you informed of Lake County News and would appreciate it if you know anyone not receiving this newsletter, that you forward it to them and suggest they join my email list.

Thanks! Stay safe and have a fun filled Fall season! Try and get out to our beautiful forest preserves and enjoy the Fall colors!
Craig

Please join my Mailing List!

Lake County Budget

Scales Foreclosures are at an all time high, sales tax in Lake County is down by 17% and unemployment is at around 10%. The largest sources of income to operate Lake County Government comes from 7 cents on each property tax dollar, state and federal grants, fees for services and between .25% and 1% of sales tax collected in Lake County (depending on if the sale is in a municipality)

The County Board is entering the 2010 budget cycle and the overall budget in 2010 will be less than 2009. The budget will be balanced by expenditure reductions, salary freezes, increased revenues from user fees and efficiencies and reductions in staff. With everything I hear about other governmental agencies, I want to assure you that The Lake County Board is cutting costs to balance the budget. At this point it appears we can do this without a reduction in services provided to Lake County residents.

Understanding our Property Assessment

Help Centers

The Chief County Assessment Office of Lake County will hold two PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS and sixteen TAX ASSESSMENT HELP CENTERS this fall to help residents understand their property assessment.

Public Information Meetings:
The Chief County Assessment Officer will explain the property tax process, assessment procedures, provide the recommended steps to review an assessment valuation, outline the assessment appeal process and answer questions from residential property owners.
          Saturday, October 17 at 9:00 a.m. - College of Lake County
         Saturday, November 14 at 9:00 a.m. - College of Lake County
              (Grayslake Campus, Building C - Auditorium)

Tax Assessment Help Centers:
Residents will work one on one with a member of the Chief County Assessment Office staff for personal assistance with evaluating their property tax assessment. The county provides valuable web applications to the public, which will be utilized during these sessions, at three convenient locations.

University Center of Lake County, Grayslake

Wednesday, September 30 and October 7

Tuesday, November 3 & 10th
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

College of Lake County Southlake Educational Center, Vernon Hills

Wednesday, October 14, 21
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 4, 11, 18
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

If you are unable to attend one of the above meetings, please visit the Lake County website atwww.lakecountyil.gov/assessor for relevant information. For more information contact the Chief County Assessment Office at (847) 377-2050 or your local Township Assessor's Office.

Deed to Your Home

If you need to reference the deed to your home please call the Recorder's office. The average deed is four pages or less with a copy fee of $1 per page. There is a scam in Lake County whereby a company is offering to provide a copy of your deed for 95.00. Also, homeowners please take a moment to call the Lake County Recorder's Office at (847) 377-2575 and request a quick check against your name to be sure that no liens have been placed against your property. Homeowners are sometimes unaware that a lien has been placed against their property until they sell or refinance.

Housing Programs to Help Residents & Improve Neighborhoods

Low-Interest Mortgages Available for Lake County Homebuyers!

Ironically, the economic crisis makes this an ideal time for many to buy their first home. Unfortunately, today's complex credit market can make it difficult to find financing. The Affordable Housing Corporation of Lake County, a nonprofit agency, helps homebuyers lower their monthly mortgage payments by as much as $275 per month through a mortgage package that includes up to $50,000 in assistance for downpayment and closing costs, as well as a fixed-rate below market interest rate loan with no mortgage insurance. AHC offers home buyer education classes and individual counseling for those struggling with credit and debt issues, and also helps buyers navigate the complex purchase process and make sure they are getting the best financing terms available. For more information, log onto www.ahclc.org or call 847/263-7478.

Do You Have Home Repair or Home Improvement Needs? Help is available for homeowners dealing with all kinds or repair and improvement needs. Electrical, plumbing, heating, water, sewer, windows, roofs, making your home handicap accessible, and much more. The Affordable Housing Corporation of Lake County, a nonprofit community agency, helps eligible homeowners with low-cost financing. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for one or a combination of the following:

A 0-% interest loan of up to $50,000, with no payments due until you sell the home, transfer title, or get a cash-out refinance.
A 15-year fixed loan of up to $25,000 at 3% interest.

A grant to remove any lead-based paint hazards from your home at no cost to you.

AHC also provides free technical assistance to insure the work is done properly by reputable contractors. For more information, log onto www.ahclc.org or call 847/263-7478.

Are You Behind on Your Mortgage Payments? Education classes and free confidential counseling is available from the Affordable Housing Corporation of Lake County, a local nonprofit agency. We can help you understand your rights and options and even intervene with your mortgage lender on your behalf to create a workout plan. Note that AHC does not have money to give away to homeowners. For more information, log onto www.ahclc.org or call 847/263-7478.

Looking to buy a home or to make home repairs and improvements? The Affordable Housing Corporation, a local nonprofit agency, offers a variety of low-interest loans, grants and education programs that can help. For more information, log onto www.ahclc.org or call 847/263-7478.

Farm Heritage Festival Celebrates

Farm Life

Check out hundreds of antique tractors, cars, engines and other farm machinery as we celebrate Lake County's rural roots at the

17th Annual Farm Heritage Festival

Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27, 9 am to 4 pm

Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda.

This two-day event celebrates farm life from the turn of the century to the present. Over 200 tractors, antique cars and steam engines will be on display.

See the tractor parade, daily at 1:30 p.m., and visit the petting zoo, open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Other daily activities include:

sheep herding demonstrations,
live music,
scarecrow making,
wagon and barrel train rides

and other children's activities.
Sheep
All ages are invited. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for seniors (ages 55 and up) and youth ages four through 17. Children three and under are free. A two-day admission pass is also available. The pass costs $12 for adults and $6 for youth and seniors. Admission includes all activities, rides, museum admission and parking. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Skip the ticket lines by purchasing an advance ticket online.