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Lake County News
From
Craig Taylor |
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Craig Taylor, Representative District 19 | |
 | | Craig Taylor, District 19 Representative (Click on picture) |
Tax assessment notices will begin arriving in some Lake County township property owner mailboxes this week. Fremont and Zion Townships are planned for mailing within the next day or two. I will provide you as much advance notice as I can before Ela and Cuba Townships assessment notices go out as well as other helpful property tax information.
Please take note and try to "buy local" whenever possible. The businesses in our area are a vital part of our community and we need to do all we can to help them be successful. To that end, if you know of a business or local organization that has a special event/sale/etc. coming up, please email me that information so I may include it in my newsletter. As space permits, I want to feature local events and businesses as best I can. Your help in this endeavor is greatly appreciated!
Please forward this e-newsletter to anyone you feel may benefit from its content. By helping me get the word out in this manner you're also helping me GO GREEN! Thank you!!
If you've gotten this letter from a friend, please join my email list at the bottom of this page to receive future issues.
Should you need to contact me, my contact information follows:
Home phone: 847-438-2961
Cell phone: 224-805-6027
I consider it a honor and privilege to serve you!
Thanks!
Lake County Board Member & Lake County Forest Preserve Commissioner
District 19 Representative
Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, Long Grove
(In the future, District 19 will include Deer Park and Barrington) |
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2011 GENERAL ASSESSMENT YEAR | |
2011 is a General Assessment Year - What Does That Mean?
In 2011, township assessors will conduct a general assessment of all of the properties in their jurisdiction. General assessment years occur every four years per state statute. The purpose of the general assessment year is to review and revalue properties within a township, with the result being fair and consistent assessed values.
As a result, you likely saw township staff in your neighborhoods reviewing properties over the last few months in advance of the completion of this years assessment roll. Assessors checked property characteristics of individual parcels, along with understanding the qualities of each area of the township.
If you were a residential property owner who had a reduction in assessed value from the Board of Review recently, that value modification will not carry forward to 2011. In a sense, the general assessment year provides the opportunity for the township assessor to adjust the valuation and ensure the property tax burden is equally distributed across properties in each jurisdiction. |
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2011 PROPERTY ASSESSMENT | |
2011 Understanding Your Property Assessment
The Chief County Assessment Office of Lake County will hold two PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS and Eighteen 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 use of county website tools used to review an assessment valuation, outline the assessment appeal process and answer property tax related questions from residential property owners.
- Saturday, October 22 at 9:00 a.m. - College of Lake County
- Saturday, November 12at 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 two convenient locations.
University Center of Lake County
1200 University Center Drive
Grayslake
Thursday, September 1
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 8
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 27
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 6
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 20
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 27
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 3
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 8
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 17
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
College of Lake County - Southlake Campus
1120 South Milwaukee Avenue
Vernon Hills
Wednesday, September 7
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 14
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 5
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 12
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 19
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 26
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 2
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 9
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 16
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
If you are unable to attend one of the above meetings, please visit the Lake County website at www.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.
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ROUTE 53 UPDATE | |
Illinois Tollway Includes Route 53 Extension in Proposed Capital Plan - Public Can Provide Comments at Two Lake County Meetings in August or On-line
The Tollway Board has identified the Route 53 north extension (from Lake Cook Road to Route 120) as a long-term priority project in its proposed 10-year capital plan. The Tollway also included $100 million toward planning and technical studies for the Route 53 project, as well as the Illiana Expressway (connecting I-55 from south of Joliet to I-65 near Lowell, Ind) in the proposed plan. Details of the capital plan and proposed toll rate increase will be presented at public hearings in the 12 counties served by the Tollway in August. There will be two hearings in Lake County:
- Friday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Libertyville Civic Center, 135 West Church St., Libertyville
- Tuesday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Buffalo Grove Village Hall, 50 Raupp Blvd., Buffalo Grove
- SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THE ILLINOIS TOLLWAY AUTHORITY
- LEARN ABOUT "MOVE ILLINOIS: THE ILLINOIS TOLLWAY DRIVING THE FUTURE"
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BUY LOCAL | |
LAKE COUNTY TAKES STEPS TO "BUY LOCAL"
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Lake County is launching a new "buy local" program to support Lake County businesses, and keep money in the local economy. While Lake County has always encouraged local purchasing, this is part of a broader initiative to improve relations with the business community and encourage local vendors to seek business with the county. Under the new plan, departments are required to obtain multiple quotes from local vendors and award contracts to Lake County businesses where possible, and as allowed under state law. Lake County projects potentially $16 million more being invested in the local economy, as a result of this renewed effort.
Lake County departments will seek out local vendors for purchases under the legal bid limit of $30,000, while also considering other factors such as price, quality, terms, and service delivery. Lake County will strive to ensure that local businesses have the opportunity to do business with the county, while also continuing to be good stewards of tax dollars and maintaining compliance with the law. Local governments are mandated by state law to purchase goods and services at the lowest cost.
County Board Chairman David Stolman said, "Local businesses are the backbone of our economy. By buying local, we can keep money circulating in our community. This boosts the local economy, and can help businesses grow, which can lead to more jobs."
Over the past several years, Lake County has conducted outreach, seminars, and training for local businesses in an effort to enhance opportunities for local vendors, and increase awareness about how to do business with Lake County.
Additionally, through the "Job Order Contracting" (JOC) program, Lake County increased its use of Lake County sub-contractors, reaching 71% since the program was implemented in 2009. Under the JOC program, sub-contractors perform a wide variety of renovation, repair and construction work, allowing for increased use of local businesses, as well as enhanced quality and cost-effectiveness.
Lake County will hold a series of workshops in September to provide information about the new "buy local" program. The schedule is as follows:
- Business and Government Day - Aug. 11, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., College of Lake County, Grayslake Campus
- Lake County Vendor Fair - Sep. 8, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville
- Job Order Contracting Breakfast - Sep. 20, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville
- Vendor Training Sessions - Sep. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville
Businesses interested in learning more about opportunities with Lake County can visit www.lakecountyil.gov and click on "DOING BUSINESS" in the Quick Links. Businesses can also register to receive email notifications of bids, requests for proposal (RFP), and other solicitations. |
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STUDENTS | |
STUDENTS CAN LEARN HOW COUNTIES WORK
Students, grades 6 through 12, can learn more about county government by playing the online game, "Counties Work." The National Association of Counties (NACo) created the game to educate youth about the important role and functions of county government by letting them run their own county. Play now: HOW COUNTIES WORK |
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L.C. FOREST PRESERVE iPHONE, ANDROID APP | |
LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES MOBILE APP
A "MUST HAVE" APP FOR EVERYONE THAT ENJOYS OUR LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES
Stay up-to-the-minute with what's happening in your forest preserves on your smartphone with the new Lake County Forest Preserve mobile app. Find out about upcoming events, trail closings and special alerts, view recent photos from around the preserves, find and map nearby preserves, view trail maps, identify local flora and fauna, and more! Connect with other friends of the preserves by checking in and sharing content via Facebook or Twitter. Available free in the Android Market or Apple App Store-search for "Lake County Forest Preserves." |
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ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY | |
Keep County roadways litter-free
Adopt-a-Highway applications now available
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The Adopt-A-Highway program it is an excellent opportunity to contribute towards a cleaner "greener" environment in Lake County. Now is your opportunity to enroll in the program. The Division of Transportation is accepting applications through August 26.
Since 1993 Adopt-A-Highway has been a success due to the dedication of hard-working volunteers from various business, civic, not-for-profit, social and youth groups. Twice a year, volunteers remove litter from both sides of their adopted county highway. The program promotes teamwork, civic responsibility, helping the environment, and provides a valuable public service. Groups receive recognition for doing so with commemorative signs bearing their name placed at their adopted location.
"With 295 centerline miles of county highways and 54 miles of bike paths, it is a challenge for Division of Transportation highway workers to keep up with the amount of litter on the highways," said Marty Buehler, Director of Transportation/County Engineer. "We appreciate the volunteer efforts of citizens and organizations to help keep our roadways clean." | |
The Division of Transportation provides participants with high-visibility safety vests, trash bags and safety information before dispatching the volunteers to remove litter from Lake County bike paths and highways. This program has improved the appearance of the county's highway system, while saving taxpayer money by allowing maintenance crews more time to devote to road maintenance and other highway projects.
Current participants include groups such as:
Bark Busters Dog Training
Lake Bluff Open Lands Association
Wauconda Fire Explorers Post 118
Beach Park Girls Softball
Submit completed applications to the Lake County Division of Transportation by August 26.
Mail: 600 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048
Email: Adoptahwy@lakecountyil.gov
Phone: 847-377-7472
Fax: 847-984-5606
MORE: LAKE COUNTY ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY |
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VIETNAM VETERANS |
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Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission Reminds Vietnam Veterans and Widows of August Deadline |
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In order to avoid losing thousands of dollars, the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) of Lake County is reminding Vietnam veterans who have an existing medical diagnosis for any of the three new presumptive diseases to file their claims before August 30. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) refers to "presumptive diseases" as certain cancers and other health problems related to exposure to Agent Orange, or other herbicides during military service. The three new presumptive diseases include: Ischemic Heart Disease, Hairy Cell and other B-Cell Leukemias, and Parkinson's disease.
Qualifying veterans that file before the August 30 deadline are eligible to receive up to one year of retroactive benefits. They should contact the VAC at 847-377-3344 to make an appointment, or email veterans@lakecountyil.gov The office is located at 20 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Waukegan. VAC reminds veterans to bring their Military Discharge, DD Form 214.
Mike Peck, VAC Superintendent, said, "We strongly recommend that veterans and their widows use a VA certified Veterans Service Officer through our office. Officers will ensure proper tracking of their claim and can provide representation through the process."
Additionally, if the Vietnam veteran died from a heart attack, the spouse may qualify for benefits because the death may be due to their husband's exposure to Agent Orange and a disability of Ischemic heart disease. Qualifying widows should file for "Dependent Indemnity Compensation" (DIC) with the VAC before the August 30 deadline.
The U.S. VA will streamline claims for these presumptive diseases through its "Agent Orange Fast Track Claims Processing System."
For more information, contact:
Mike Peck
847-377-3344 |
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SAVE THE DATE! | |
For more information click on: stmatts.net
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TASTE OF THE TOWNS | |
5th ANNUAL TASTE OF THE TOWNS
Sunday, August 28, 3 - 7 pm, Paulus Park
Enjoy samples of food and beverages from 30 different vendors while enjoying live entertainment in Lake Zurich's premier park on the lake.
One Tasting Menu provides a taste from all 30 vendors. $30 in advance. $35 day of event.
Presenting Sponsor: Daily Herald |
| COMMUNITY "QUICK LINKS" | |
For community information check out these websites:
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| 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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