April 2, 2010 
Seal
Lake County News
From
Craig Taylor
 

Craig Taylor, Representative District 19

 
CraigTaylor 
TRANSPARENCY Toward the bottom of this newsletter I've once again included the article about "Lake County Gets an A for Transparency." The reason I did is because I'm proud of it. Those that have seen me around the area know I have "Lake County Board Member Craig Taylor" signs on my car as well as embroidered on my shirts, etc. I do this, at my expense, in an effort to be transparent. I want you to know who I am so you feel comfortable in approaching me with any questions, comments, suggestions or concerns you may have relating to District 19 and Lake County. I'm in this position to serve you and I'm proud to do so! Have a wonderful weekend! I look forward to seeing you out and about!  
 
Feel free to forward this e-newsletter. If you have any comments or suggestions, please call or email me.
 
My contact information if you need to reach me by phone is 847-438-2961 or email:
 
ctaylor@lakecountyil.gov
    
I consider it an honor and privilege to serve you!
 
Please stay safe!
 
Thanks!
Craig
 
Lake County Board Member & Lake County Forest Preserve Commissioner
District 19 Representative
Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, Long Grove
 

Trout Fishing

  
KidFishingLakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda will open for rainbow trout fishing on Saturday, April 3, following the release of roughly 600 trout in Banana Lake. Fishing in the Lake County Forest Preserves is FREE. Anglers ages 16 and over must have an Illinois fishing license. Trout fishermen must also have an Illinois inland trout stamp. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps help fund the stocking program.  More information 
 
Free Fishing Guide
 There are many other great spots to fish in your Lake County Forest Preserves. A free guide to fishing in the Lake County Forest Preserves is available. Anglers are invited to call 847-367-6640 for copies, re-designed this year with larger maps and a section for common fishing knots.
Download fishing guide. More than one dozen lakes and ponds are profiled in the guide.
 
Forest Preserve Permits
 
Forest Preserve Permits: On-line or Phone 
  
Purchase a Dog Exercise Area pass, horse trail use permit, picnic shelter reservation or other permit on-line or by phone:
 
Permits and shelter reservations are available online, and by phone (847-367-6640) or in-person at the Forest Preserve General Offices in Libertyville or the Operations and Public Safety facility in Lindenhurst , Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 

Lake County Permit Facility Opens April 19th

  
Applying for permits from Lake County used to require applicants to do most of the work, including figuring out how to navigate the process, know which forms to complete, drive to multiple locations and figure out problems with little support. Beginning Monday, April 19, the process will change entirely. Every customer will be assisted by a project manager who will provide guidance throughout the process. Additionally, customers can sit in one chair and have the County's various permitting agencies come to them.
 
The Lake County Center for Planning, Development and Environmental Services will be a  "one-stop-shop" for customers applying for permits from Lake County. The permit process will be more efficient and customer-friendly by having the Planning, Building and Development Department; Stormwater Management Commission; Health Department's Environmental Health Services; and laboratory operations for Public Works and the Health Department in one central location.
 
Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze
  
Homestead Exemption Outreach Sessions
 
The Chief County Assessment Office and the Lake County Township Assessors Association will hold several public outreach sessions to assist residents in completing the 2010 Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Application for taxes payable in 2011; as well as service taxpayer needs on other homestead exemptions offered. Residents will work one on one with a staff member to complete the necessary exemption forms.
 Qualifications are:
 
  • 65 years old or older during the tax year
  • Own the property as your principal residence as of January 1, 2009 and January 1, 2010
  • 2009 total household income is $55,000 or less.
 
Be prepared to bring copies of income received such as:
·       2009 Federal Income Tax Form
·        Social Security Statement
 
If the property is owned in Trust, you may need to provide proof of the beneficiary.
 
Staff will also answer questions and take applications for the following exemptions:
·     Disabled Person
·     Disabled Veteran
·      Senior Citizens Homestead
·       Returning Veterans
 
If you are unable to attend a session, you can also visit the Chief County Assessment Office or your local Township Assessor's office for assistance.
 
Outreach Locations
 
April 12th, 9 - 10 a.m.
Lake Villa Township West
(Formerly Gavin School)
37850 North Route 59
Lake Villa, IL 60046
April 13th, 10 - 11 a.m.
Libertyville Civic Center
135 West Church Street
Libertyville, IL 60048
April 14th, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Zion Park District
2600 Emmaus
Zion, IL 60099
April 14th, 1 - 2 p.m.
Foss Park District
1730 Lewis Avenue
North Chicago, IL 60064 
April 21st, 1 - 3 p.m.
The Regent Center
1200 Regent Drive
Mundelein, IL 60060
April 26th, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Antioch Senior Center
817 Holbeck Avenue
Antioch, IL 60002
April 27th, 1 - 3 p.m.
Round Lake Park District Senior Center
814 Hart Road
Round Lake, IL 60073
April 30th, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Recreation Center of Highland Park
1207 Park Avenue West
Highland Park, IL 60035
May 3rd, 10 - 11 a.m.
Fox Lake Lakefront Park
71 Nippersink Blvd.
Fox Lake, IL 60020
May 4th, 1 - 2 p.m.
Vernon Hills Village Hall Senior Center
290 Evergreen Drive
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
May 11th, 12 - 2 p.m.
Park Place
414 South Lewis Avenue
Waukegan, IL 60085
May 13th, 1 - 3 p.m.
Dickinson Hall
Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Senior Center
100 East Old Mill Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045
May 18th, 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Patty Turner Senior Center
375 Elm Street
Deerfield, IL 60015
May 26th, 12 - 1 p.m.
Grayslake Park District
State Bank of The Lakes
50 Commerce Drive
Grayslake, IL 60030
 
 
 

Have You Sent Back Your Census Information? 

 
We received a call from the Census Bureau and they are very concerned that Lake County residents are not returning their Census forms. It was explained to the man that it was frustrating to see money spent on letters telling us the Census was coming, receiving the Census form and then a postcard telling us we had received it. We also see multiple commercials on television. The gentleman said the Census Bureau is getting complaints about that, but they need to get the word out that they are still not receiving the completed Census forms. He told us if they don't get the information returned, they will be paying for field workers to knock on doors which is expensive and a cost to all of us.
  
 
As we know, the United States Constitution requires a Census of the population of the United States every ten years. The Census applies to all residents of Lake County, citizens and non-citizens alike. The Census population determines which states gain or lose representation in Congress. It also helps determine the amount of federal funding that will go to Lake County and its municipalities during the next decade. That means more of your tax dollars come back for use in our local area.  
 
I am pleased to report that when compared to the National average, both Hawthorn Woods and Lake Zurich have done at least 10 percentage points better in sending back their Census information! That's great but we still have a way to go. If you haven't mailed your form back yet, please do so today! We all stand to benefit!
 
For more information on the Census, please visit the United States Census 2010 website. 
 
Census 2010 Information Brochures: 
 
http://2010.census.gov/partners/pdf/brochure_HowPeopleAreCounted.pdf 
 
 
Construction Season
   The Illinois Department of Transportation will begin major resurfacing work on regional expressways starting April 1st.   RoadConstruction
IDOT's plans to resurface the Eisenhower from Itasca to the I-90/94 interchange in Chicago and I-355 from Army Trail Road to I-290, plus rehabilitate the Congress Parkway bridge(in downtown Chicago) which  will affect millions of motorists trying to get into the city starting April 1. The projects will last two years. For more details, visitwww.dot.il.gov/I290/index.html.

Tollway  Edens Spur rehab work will begin later this spring.  Details are on the TMA website atwww.tmalakecook.org  or go the Tollway website atwww.illinoistollway.com.

94Finally, Wisconsin DOT continues work on the I-94 .   North South freeway project starts  from the Illinois state line through the Mitchell Interchange in Milwaukee County.  See websitewww.plan94.org .

Motorists can expect delays in these areas & should drive safely in the construction zones .
 

Lake County Gets an "A" for Transparency

  
Lake County's website ranks among the best state and local government websites in America for transparency according to "The Sunshine Review", a non-profit organization dedicated to state and local government transparency. 

Lake County is among 39 "Sunny Award" winners to earn an "A" transparency grade out of 5,000 government websites. Sunshine Review's "Transparency Checklist" analyzes websites for information about budgets, meetings, elected and administrative officials, permits and zoning, audits, contracts, lobbying, public records, and taxes. 
 
In recognition of Sunshine Week, a national initiative to bring attention to open government and freedom of information, Lake County encourages residents to connect with County government by visiting the County's website at www.lakecountyil.gov.
 You can request services on-line, find information using navigation tools like "I WANT TO," email elected officials, watch County Board meetings and other original programming on LCTV, access tax and assessment information, sign up for news and information, view interactive maps, and much more! 
 
We continue to make enhancements to the website. Please send your suggestions or comments to communications@lakecountyil.gov
 

Your Money? 

 
Does the State of Illinois have your money?
 
April 14 from 1:30 - 4:30
Vernon Township
3050 N. Main St.
Buffalo Grove

There is over $54 million in unclaimed property that is owed back to the residents of Lake County.

The Illinois State Treasurer's Office holds onto these assets until they are claimed. On Wednesday, April 14th from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. a Cash Dash representative from the Treasurer's Office will be at Vernon Township 3050 N. Main St. Buffalo Grove, IL 60089. The representative will check your name in the database or answer any questions you may have. Please call (847) 634-0654 with any questions, or visit www.treasurer.il.gov and follow the Cash Dash link to find out more information about this program.

 

Print Prescription Drug Card

 
County residents can take advantage of a prescription drug discount card program.  The free card that is accepted at most pharmacies offers average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.  This is intended for people without prescription coverage or on medicines not covered by your plan.  The card may also be used where accepted to fill prescriptions for pets. To print a card, click here. 
 
 
View Past Issues of Lake County News

I have archived my newsletters for your convenience. To view archived Lake County News from Craig Taylor click here.
 
 
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