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 Dear Neighbor,
As you know, a major snow storm will be hitting our area starting Tuesday afternoon.
I've included information on what the county and local communities are doing to prepare for "snow-pocalypse".
As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with your questions and concerns regarding this or other issues. You can reach me via email or on my cell at (847) 971-0454 (please note, the number has changed).
It is an honor to serve YOU on the County Board and Forest Preserve Board.
Sincerely,  Aaron Lawlor
Lake County Board |
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| Latest Update from Emergency Management | |
A significant winter storm is forecast to impact Lake County over the next several days, and the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Blizzard Watch for the entire Chicago metropolitan area from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon. A blizzard includes both significant snow and very strong winds. While there is still some variance between weather models, the first round of snow is expected tonight into Tuesday morning, with perhaps two to four inches of snow, followed by the much more significant threat of heavy snow from Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday. The snow Tuesday and Wednesday is expected to combine with strong winds and blizzard or near-blizzard conditions, including very low visibility and whiteout conditions. The NWS has also issued a Coastal Flood Warning for the Lake and Cook County shore of Lake Michigan, where the winds will push large waves ashore, leading to beach erosion and possible flooding and subsequent icing of low-lying roads and streets.
The most recent forecasts suggest that snow totals across Lake County from one to two feet are probable, with some chance of lake enhancement on Wednesday adding several more inches closer to Lake Michigan. Sustained winds of 20mph to 30mph are expected overnight Tuesday and during the day Wednesday, with gusts over 40mph possible. The strong winds will likely lead to snow drifts of several feet, and will make it a challenge for transportation personnel to keep roads clear. Isolated utility outages should be expected throughout the region.
Travel will be challenging Wednesday morning, and should be avoided if possible.
Motorists should make sure their vehicles are prepared for hazardous winter conditions, and should check windshield wiper blades and washer fluid, tires, and defrosters. Travelers should limit their travel to that which is necessary, allowing extra travel time and ensuring that cellular telephones are fully charged. Citizens should know how their business, school, or community will communicate important weather-related scheduling information, and should have a plan to communicate with family and friends regarding possible school or business closings. We encourage everyone to take this opportunity to make sure their family disaster supply kits are up-to-date.
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| Lake County DOT Will Work Around the Clock | |
Lake County assigns 25 snow plows to apply anti-icing materials, and plow County Highways during winter storm events. Crews typically begin work in advance of the storm, and continue around the clock until roads are safe again for travel.
When faced with significant snow accumulations, Lake County will also use additional heavy equipment, such as motorized road graders and front-end loaders to clear and push back drifted snow.
Division of Transportation Director Marty Buehler reminds motorists, "Even though snow plow crews are working on the roads, it is not always possible to keep the roads clear during periods of heavy snowfall. Please remember that snow plows are there to help. Drivers should stay a minimum of 50 feet behind plows, and never attempt to pass a snow plow on the right."
For real-time traffic updates, please visit: http://www.lakecountypassage.com
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| Hawthorn Woods Snow Alert | |
 The entire Chicagoland area is under a blizzard watch beginning Tuesday, February 1 as a very serious winter storm is approaching. The Village of Hawthorn Woods Public Works Department will be operating at full capacity throughout the duration of this storm.
According to our forecasters, this storm will impact the area in two pieces. Beginning tonight around 8pm, we are anticipating snow accumulating two to three inches by 8 am Tuesday morning. Public Works will handle this event as a normal snowfall. Then forecasters indicate there will be a lull until approximately 7 or 8pm Tuesday evening in which the major significant snow event will occur. At this time we are anticipating snowfall rates at one to three inches per hour, very high winds of 40 to 50 mph and whiteout/blizzard conditions. Total snowfall from this second wave is expected to be up to 18 inches, bringing the total accumulation between the two pieces up to 20+inches.
There are many things that you, our residents, can do to assist in the efforts of snow management of this storm.
- Travel is not recommended starting Tuesday evening after 8pm.
- Have ample food and supplies on hand for a 24 to 48 hour period.
- Please do not park on the Village streets Tuesday evening and remember the Village has an overnight parking ban.
- Mail delivery will likely be interrupted. However, after the clean up, residents should remember that access to the mailboxes is their responsibility.
- With the volume of snow expected, it is possible that mailboxes will be knocked down or damaged during snow removal operations. Should this occur, please contact Public Works at (847) 540-5227. Repairs to mailboxes will occur once snow removal operations have been completed.
Village Hall will be operating at minimal staffing on Wednesday. Public Works will be operating around the clock beginning Tuesday afternoon. Additional contracted resources will augment the Village's fleet of nine trucks and two loaders. The departmental strategy is to maintain access to all roads during the storm. Once the snow stops, clean up of all roads and cul-de-sacs is expected to take an additional 48 hours.
Please have patience during what could be an historic snow event for our area. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Public Works at (847) 540-5227.
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| Countryside Fire District Snow Alert | |
 Contact: Tony Rodkey
Public Education Officer
(847)367-5511
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - HELP US, HELP YOU! Countryside Fire District asks to clear snow from fire hydrants near your home which will help out all fire departments. With the overwhelming accumulation of snow anticipated, many fire hydrants will become buried in area neighborhoods which will pose a problem for fire departments water supply should a fire occur.
Please keep in mind fire safety with the extreme cold when using portable electric or kerosene heaters by keeping all items at least three feet away from the heat source. Fireplaces should be cleaned annually and have wire mesh curtains and/or proper glass doors to keep embers from escaping. Have a qualified technician service your furnace and replace filters annually.
Never leave operating heaters, burning fireplaces and lit candles unattended. Check your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector once a month and change the batteries twice a year.
Visit www.countrysidefire.com for more winter and fire safety tips.
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County Finds Solution to
Stevenson HS Parking Issue |
 For the past few years, students at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire couldn't find enough parking on campus, so many have resorted to parking in unincorporated residential driveways nearby with the permission of a number of lot owners. This resulted in numerous complaints in recent months from residents to the Lake County Planning, Building and Development Department. Parking on these driveways is a zoning violation, and so the Department recently gave these lot owners until March 28 to adhere to the parking restrictions.
Meanwhile, County staff recognized that issuing violations wasn't the answer to this problem, so they worked with community partners to resolve the root cause: the Stevenson parking shortage.
Those efforts have now paid off. County officials and the Stevenson High School Administration worked with Metra and Vernon Township to accommodate student parking on a largely under-utilized section of its commuter lot at the Prairieview Station, a few blocks west of campus. According to Vernon Township, which manages the commuter parking lot on Metra's behalf, the lot will open to students as early as February 1.
Acting Planning Building and Development Director, Eric Waggoner, points out that this outcome is the result of well-planned intergovernmental coordination, "As soon as the County became aware of the student parking shortage, County Board Chairman David Stolman and County Board Members Ann Maine and Aaron Lawlor-whose districts cover District 125-immediately mobilized in identifying a solution. We began with some key conversations with Stevenson High School, Vernon Township and Metra. We shared notes on how to solve the parking shortage, and partnered with Stevenson to help deliver the Metra solution for their constituents. This was intergovernmental cooperation at its finest, where all the local agencies worked closely together for the common good." Waggoner added, Lake County really appreciates Metra's willingness to work with the group on an effective solution and the Township's readiness to take on the additional parking management responsibility.
For more information about parking pass rates and availability, please contact Sharon at the Vernon Township Office, 847-634-4600. Parking passes will be distributed on a first-come first-serve basis. |
| Lake County Resident Resource Center | |
NEW Dental Discount Card
A new dental discount card program is now available that will help Lake County residents save money on their dental service expenses.
Individuals or families may opt to pay for a monthly or yearly membership. The cost for a yearly individual membership is $59 and $69 for families.
More than 200 providers in Lake County are participating in this program. Discount card holders will receive significant savings from these providers on dental cleanings, x-rays, braces, dentures, crowns, root canals and more. This plan is not insurance.
Cardholders can simply schedule an appointment with a participating dentist or specialist and present their card to receive a discount at the time of service.
To sign up for the Dental Discount Card Program, residents can download a registration form at: www.nacodentalprogram.com. A list of participating providers and more information is available.
Prescription Drug Discount Card
 County residents can take advantage of a prescription drug discount card program.
The card is free and accepted at most pharmacies. The average card savings is 20 percent off retail prices.
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 receive a card, click here or email me your address and I will send you one!
Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital CareCoach
CareCoach takes its free health services and educational programs on the road to 22 community sites each month. Services are provided by a registered nurse. They include:
- Cholesterol screenings
 - Blood pressure screenings
- Diabetes screenings
- BMI screenings
- Waist measurement screenings
- Tobacco cessation services
- Counseling with a registered nurse
- Immunizations
- Referrals to a physician, if needed
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