ROAD CLOSURE "ROUND 2"

June 10, 2010

Lake County News

From

Craig Taylor

Craig Taylor, Representative District 19

Round 2 of road closures in our area is about to take place with Gilmer Road being closed beginning June 21st. Please plan accordingly!

Please take some time to visit the links contained in the article below titled "Vacation in Lake County". There are some pretty amazing things for you and your family to do right here in Lake County and there are even discount coupons available for some of the activities. Saving gas and spending locally means we all benefit!

Feel free to forward this newsletter. It's a great way to keep everyone up to date on County news and local events while helping me "GO GREEN". If you have any comments, suggestions or questions, please call or email me.

My contact information if you need to reach me by phone is:

Home phone 847-438-2961

Cell phone: 224-805-6027

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

Gilmer Road Closing June 21st

Gilmer Road will be closed at the

Canadian National Railroad Crossing

on Monday, June 21, 2010

The Canadian National Railroad has informed the Lake County Division of Transportation, it will close its at grade railroad crossing on Gilmer Road (County Route V-76), to all motor vehicle traffic in order to replace the existing 10 year old crossing with a new rubber pad crossing. The crossing closure will begin at 8:00 A.M., Monday, June 21, 2010, and reopen to motor vehicle traffic at 8:00 P.M., Friday, June 25, 2010.

Local traffic will be allowed from Midlothian Road to the railroad crossing and from the railroad crossing to Diamond Lake Road (County Route V-75). As stated above, the railroad crossing will be closed to all traffic.

The signed detour route for this closure will be Midlothian Road, to Illinois Route 60/83, to Diamond Lake Road (County Route V-75). Visit Lake County Passage for up-to-date information about road conditions in Lake County.

News Release and Detour Map

Transportation Update

Lake County PASSAGE

Lake County PASSAGE continues to grow. This summer Lake County

will add the Lewis Avenue and Grand Avenue corridors in Waukegan and also employ wireless technology to expand the PASSAGE network further into the Grandwood Park, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Wauconda, Lake Zurich and Mundelein areas.

Know before you go! For REAL-TIME traffic info about local roads go to www.lakecountypassage.com or 1620 AM.

New Drivers Law in Illinois (Revisited)

Many new laws took effect January 1, 2010. I have heard from many of you about the lack of safety when people use electronic devices while driving, so I know you will be interested to learn of these new laws. Many of our young drivers are unaware of these laws and some of us may have forgotten about them. With summer driving conditions putting more traffic on the roadways, it's an appropriate time to revisit these laws, refresh our memories and keep them in mind.

The Illinois Text Messaging Ban
According to the new law:
"A person may not operate a motor vehicle on a roadway while using an electronic communication device to compose, send, or read an electronic message."

The law defines an electronic message as:
"Electronic message" includes, but is not limited to electronic mail, a text message, an instant message, or a command or request to access an Internet site."

ON JANUARY 1, 2010, IT BECAME ILLEGAL (in the State of Illinois) to
* Send or read a text or an email message while your car is in traffic, unless fully stopped due to a blocked roadway (such as a train crossing). A stop sign or stop light does NOT waive this restriction. You must place the car in park or neutral gear, or pull over to the side of the road and stop.
* Use a cell phone in a SCHOOL or CONSTRUCTION zone without the use of a hands-free device. In other words, you cannot HOLD the cell phone while using it. You must use a device (such as a Bluetooth headset or ear bud) which allows you to keep both hands on the wheel. To use such a device you must have a compatible phone and must purchase and install the hands-free device itself. Contact your cellular provider for specific information about products and services
available for your cell phone.

Fines for violation of these laws will start at $75.00, with higher fines expected for the most serious infractions. Obviously, no fine can ever compensate for injuries or loss of life.

The law does NOT apply to use of a navigation device, such as a GPS system.
You can get more information on Illinois Driving Laws.

From The Lake County Clerk's Office

How is your tax rate calculated?
While your property value may have dropped, how can your property taxes continue to go up? The County Clerk has created a 2-part video to help you understand the complicated and sometimes confusing process of real estate tax bills in Illinois.

Part 1. Part 2.

Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze

Deadline June 30th

Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption Application Deadline June 30

Seniors with a household income of $55,000 or less may be eligible for the Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption. To qualify, you must also receive the Senior Homestead Exemption and the property must be your principal residence for a period of time that includes two consecutive January 1st dates. For assistance and copies of the application, please contact your local township assessor or the Chief County Assessment Office.

More information

Application

Please note: If you are applying for this exemption and the property is held in trust, the Chief County Assessment Office will need to verify you are a beneficiary. The exemption cannot be applied without verification. Please include a copy of that part of the trust agreement with your application. Questions: 847-377-2100.

Vacation in Lake County

You can create wonderful memories to last a lifetime in our own Lake County. The community partners of the Lake County, Illinois Convention & Visitors Bureau invite you to visit their naturally inspiring spaces and offer Lake County coupons on their web-site: www.lakecounty.org or by calling 847-662-2700.

Find the perfect space to reconnect with your family. Laugh and play in the fun-filled spaces of Lake County. Get wet at Six Flags' massive Caribbean water park, Hurricane Harbor; or for heart-stopping fun, try all 13 roller coasters at Six Flags Great America. Attend the Lake County Fair on its new grounds. Watch rare Lipizzan stallions perform at Tempel Farms. Browse the detailed exhibits at the new Great Lakes Naval Museum. Savor family time at Lambs Farm. See the multi-million dollar automobile collection and military displays at the Volo Auto Museum or Russel Military Museum. Don't forget Rink Side Family Entertainment and Bass Pro Shops at Gurnee Mills then stay across the street at Vista Hotel with its full size pool and hot tub. Visit Family Fun page for family filled places.

County Board approves $210,000 in Brownfield Funds

North Chicago: $75,000 to assist with environmental cleanup of an abandoned garbage dump to create a yard waste compost facility. Location - North side of Pulaski Drive (14th Street), west of Green Bay Road.
Kildeer: $60,000 to assist with environmental cleanup activities at the Kildeer Marketplace Site in order to create a commercial center. Location - Northwest corner of Plum Grove and Rand Road
Barrington: $75,000 to assist with environmental cleanup of the ADCO Van and Storage building to contribute to the Village's downtown redevelopment. Location - 322 North Hough Street.

Lake County Programs Receive National Awards

The National Association of Counties (NACo) has awarded Lake County with three 2010 NACo Achievement Awards that recognize effective and innovative programs. The award-winning programs are:

2010 Budget: Meeting the Challenge of Difficult Times - The County took a strategic approach to balancing its budget, focusing on informing employees and stakeholders about the challenges and engaging them in developing solutions. As a result of this process, the County Board adopted a balanced budget that was $6 million less than the previous year.

2009 Property Tax Public Information - The objective of this program was to raise awareness about the assessment and tax bill process and inform taxpayers how they can participate in the process. The County produced several print and electronic communication pieces including a new "Property Tax Information Guide" and videos. Learn more

Wind Energy Task Force of Lake County Communities - This is a collaborative effort of more than 20 municipalities to research and develop resources and develop a model ordinance for wind energy systems. The program is facilitated by Lake County.

ACS Relay For Life