July 2011

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KEY STORM INFORMATION

County-wide
Please visit www.lakecountypassage.com for real-time traffic information including traffic signal outages.

For information on the status of your power outage, please contact 1-800-EDISON-1.


Buffalo Grove
As of 9:00 am on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, ComEd representatives reported indicated that 3,921 Buffalo Grove customers have been restored and there continues to be 2,055 out of power.

For more information regarding fallen trees, branches and limbs, please contact Village Hall at 847-549-2500.



Hawthorn Woods
Please contact Village Hall at 847-847-438-5500 for information regarding storm cleanup.



Long Grove
Please contact Village Hall at 847-634-9440 for information regarding storm cleanup.



Vernon Hills
Vernon Hills has scheduled an additional trash pickup for spoiled food on Friday, July 15

Vernon Hills is also working to clear debris left from fallen tree limbs and branches.  For more information, click here.



EACH VILLAGE OFFERS AN EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM.  PLEASE CALL YOUR VILLAGE OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE TO SIGN-UP!





IN THIS ISSUE
COUNTY STATE OF EMERGENCY
COUNTRYSIDE FIRE DEPT. UPDATE
GENERAL POWER OUTAGE INFO
UNIVERSITY CENTER EVENT
RESIDENT RESOURCE CENTER
QUICK LINKS
  

 County Proclaims State of Emergency

 

 

Two days after a powerful summer storm whipped through Lake County causing widespread damage and extensive power outages, emergency responders continue to work on getting things back to normal.

 

To assist with the response efforts, Lake County Board Chairman David Stolman proclaimed a "State of Emergency" in Lake County. This action facilitates the sharing of resources and supports the County's request to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency for assistance with debris removal. While it isn't clear that any state or federal disaster assistance will become available, Lake County Emergency Management is compiling initial damage and cost assessments from communities in regard to all of the recent storms.

 

Power Outage Update

As of Tuesday afternoon, about 125,486 Lake County ComEd customers remain without power. Electricity has been restored to Winchester House, and all Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center facilities except Mid-Lakes Community Health Center in Round Lake Beach and Avon Township Counseling Center in Round Lake Park. The public can call the Health Department for more information at 847-377-8000.

 

Due to prolonged power outages, several communities have opened "cooling centers" where residents may seek shelter from the heat and humidity. Residents should contact their local municipality to find out if it has opened a cooling center.

 

Traffic Information

Lake County and other partners are working to improve the safety of intersections where signals are out, or malfunctioning. The Sheriff's Office deployed the Reserve Deputy Unit to assist with traffic control at intersections that are not functioning.

 

Currently, there are about 87 signals that do not have power (out of 700 across the Lake County road system). The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) reminds drivers to use extreme caution and treat these intersections as an all-way stop. The following Lake County roads remain closed due to downed wires:  

  • York House Road closed between North Avenue and Sheridan Road
  • Southbound Lewis Avenue between Beach Road and York House Road
  • Cedar Lake Road between Rt120 and Nippersink Road

LCDOT continues to focus on cleaning up debris on Lake County highways. The public can get up-to-date traffic information at  www.lakecountypassage.com, or AM1620.

 

Lake County Public Works

Two boil orders remain in place for Wadsworth Oaks and Arden Shores. Residents in these areas should boil their water for three to five minutes and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. 

 

Food Safety

The Lake County Health Department offers these food safety tips after the loss of power for more than two hours: 

  • While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold for longer. 
  • For the freezer section: a freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours. A full freezer will hold food safely for 48 hours. Do not open the freezer door if you can avoid it.
  • For the refrigerated section: pack milk, other dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, gravy, and spoilable leftovers into a cooler surrounded by ice.

Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of your food right before you cook or eat it. Throw away any food that has a temperature of more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

 Countryside Fire Dept. Update on 

Generators & FEMA Grants

 

For Immediate Release - Northern Illinois severe weather has left thousands without electrical power and air conditioning.  Countryside Fire District reminds us; when using a gasoline powered generator outside of your building in a well ventilated space at least three feet from any object.  When using candles be sure to "Blow it out when you go out".  Never leave candles burning unattended.  With increase of summer heat and humidity be sure to stay hydrated and check on neighbors with special needs, the elderly and children. 

Disasters touch everyone so keep a look out for signs of stress in family and friends. Stress caused by loss or a traumatic experience can sneak up on people and influence behavior and emotions. The elderly and children are particularly vulnerable to stress after a disaster and may require special considerations.  FEMA makes grants for many kinds of disaster-related needs.  Be sure to contact www.fema.gov for additional information.

Here are some of the losses and damages that can be paid for with FEMA grants:

  • Expenses to repair your damaged home
  • Rent to pay for another place to live while your damaged home is repaired or you find other housing. These grants can be for homeowners or for renters.
  • Uninsured costs to buy a new home to replace your disaster-destroyed home
  • Repair or replacement of necessary possessions lost or damaged due to the disaster
  • These grants can be for homeowners or renters to pay for such items as:
    • Clothing
    • Appliances
    • Furniture
    • Educational supplies, such as computers and school books
    • Tools required for your job
    • Medical equipment
    • Other essential possessions
  • Costs for cleaning up, such as a chain saw to clear debris, dehumidifiers or use of a professional cleanup service
  • Costs for other expenses due to the disaster -- both homeowners and renters may be eligible for these grants. These are examples:
    • Medical or dental costs to treat disaster-related injuries
    • Funeral and burial costs for anyone killed by the disaster
    • Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster
    • Replacement or repair of a vehicle damaged in the disaster
    • Other essential expenses

 

 

 General Power Outage Information

  

Summertime can bring potentially dangerous thunderstorms and tornados to our area. During any storm, listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about watches and warnings.  

 

Communities have different ways of warning residents about tornadoes, with many having sirens, so you should be familiar with your community's warning system. If there is a warning, pick a safe room in your home where household members and pets may gather during a tornado. 

 

REPORTING AN OUTAGE
As you know, you can report an outage by calling 1-800-Edison-1.  Also, most of us don't have Internet access when our power is out.  In case you do, you can click here to report an outage.

 

GETTING TIMELY INFORMATION WHEN YOUR POWER IS OUT
You can also sign up for free text messages  to alert you when:
  • An outage has been reported and estimated restore time
  • A crew is en-route to repair and estimated restore time
  • A crew is on site to repair service and estimated restore time

 

According to the Com Ed website, you will ONLY receive text messages when there is an outage and will not receive promotional text messages.

 

FINDING OUT WHAT WENT WRONG

 

To find out why your power went out, you can visit:

Com Ed Power Outage Resource Website (click here).

 


SUBMITTING A CLAIM FOR DAMAGES DUE TO A POWER OUTAGE

The Illinois Public Utilities Act calls for ComEd customers to be eligible to get compensated for damages caused by power outages that: 

  1. Are due to ComEd's negligence; and
  2. Affect more than 30,000 customers; and
  3. Continue at least four hours; and
  4. Result in the transmission of power of less than 50 percent.  
Outages that are due to bad weather or customer tampering are exempt. 

If you are a victim of a power outage or surge that fits this criteria, contact ComEd at 1-800-Edison-1.

 

 

UNIVERSITY CENTER EVENT

  

JULY 14

 

University Center will host an information session on Thursday, July 14, from 6 to 8 pm at the Grayslake facility (1200 University Center Drive; at the intersection of Washington St. and Lancer Lane).

 

"University Center Nights" showcase the 80 or more programs available in Grayslake, Waukegan, Great Lakes Naval Training Center, or via online study. Representatives from the University Center's member institutions will be on hand to answer your questions and provide further information about their programs.

 

The University Center's member institutions are: Benedictine University, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Concordia University Chicago, DePaul University, Dominican University, Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Kendall College, National-Louis University, North Park University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Olivet Nazarene University, Saint Xavier University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Illinois at Springfield, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Western Illinois University. Each offers selected programs.

 

Aaron Lawlor - Representing District 18

 

AaronLawlor2

Dear Neighbor, 

 

I hope you find this information helpful.  Please continue to ask questions and suggest topics for the e-newsletter. 

 

With so much going on at all levels of government, 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.  

 

It is an honor to serve YOU on the County Board and Forest Preserve Board.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Aaron Lawlor
Lake County Board 

 

 

P.S.  If this email was forwarded to you, please click here to sign up so I can get you information directly - especially in the case of a road closure, weather emergency or other issue. 

 

 

 

 

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!
 

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