May 2012

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Butterfield Road Closure

 

Butterfield Road to close at the CN crossing north of Route 60

 

Butterfield Road will be closed at the CN Railroad crossing north of Route 60 starting at 8:00 AM on Monday, May 21st.

 

Repairs should be completed by the evening of Friday, May 25th.

 

The signed detour route will be Route 60 to Route 45 to Route 176.

 

 

 

IN THIS ISSUE
BUTTERFIELD ROAD CLOSURE
CUBA ROAD CLOSURE
TRI-STATE TOLLWAY REPAIRS
WARNING: DEEDS SCAM
PROPERTY TAX BILLS
ELECTRICITY AGGREGATION
HOUSEHOLD CHEMICAL WASTE RECYCLING
CLC JOB FAIR
COUNTRYSIDE FIRE "MY MEDICAL" KITS FOR SENIORS
BOARD ROOM BRIEF
COMED TEXTING SYSTEM
QUICK LINKS
  

Cuba Road to Close at CN Railroad Crossing

 

Canadian National Railroad Crossing On Cuba Road to Close for Emergency Repairs

 

The Canadian National Railroad will close the railroad crossing on Cuba Road, Lake County Route A-46, in Lake Zurich, for scheduled repairs. The closure of the crossing will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 14. Cuba Road should reopen to through traffic on the evening of Friday, May 18.


Signed detour route for this closure: IL Rte 59, to IL Rte 22, to U.S. Rte 12, to Ela Road, Lake County Route V-57. Local traffic will be allowed from IL Rte 59 to the crossing and from the crossing to Ela Road, Lake County Route V-57.

 

Tri-State Tollway Repairs Are Underway

 

The Tri-State Tollway (Interstate 94) Rehabilitation Project between Lake Cook Road and Half Day Road and between Atkinson Road and Illinois Route 176 (Rockland Road) began overnight on April 23. 

 

Work includes concrete repairs to provide a new, smooth surface and extend the life of the roadway. 

 

The project is scheduled to be complete by this fall.

 

Click here for more project information from the Illinois Tollway.  Before your commute, check current travel times using Lake County Passage.

 

Warning: Deed Scam

 

I've received calls from constituents about a deed scam. There are two companies soliciting Lake County homeowners - "Local Records Office" and "Illinois Deed Providers" - offering to provide them with a certified copy of their deed for $89 plus $4.50 for postage and handling.

 

A certified copy of your deed should only cost $1 per page and be obtained DIRECTLY through the Lake County Recorder of Deeds Office.  Seniors may request a copy for free.

 

If you have any other questions or concerns, you can contact the Lake County Recorder of Deeds office at 847-377-2575.  

 

http://www.lakecountyil.gov/Recorder 

 

Property Tax Bills

    

A number of residents have contacted me regarding their property tax bills.  I too am frustrated with the tax structure in Illinois.  

 

Many of you have asked why the county hasn't changed the way properties are assessed to respond to declining market values.

 

Only the State of Illinois can change the tax structure. 

 

It's important to understand that the property tax process is a state mandated function. By state law, Lake County is responsible for the collection of taxes from property owners and the distribution of these property tax funds to more than 200 taxing bodies such as cities, townships, the county, park and fire protection districts and schools (Schools account for approximately 68% of your tax bill).

 

While we collect taxes in accordance with state law, each taxing body has an elected board that decides how much to spend and levy in taxes.

 

There are a few things that property owners can do:

  • Second, when you receive your assessment notice in the fall, really take the time to analyze it and make sure everything is correct. Start by talking to your local township assessor  because they are the person responsible for setting the value. Township assessors set the value for all of the real estate parcels in Lake County for the property tax process. The assessor appraises or estimates "fair cash value" for real estate parcels as of January 1 of each tax year. The property is then assessed at 33.33% of the "fair cash value", as determined by the Illinois Department of Revenue's sale ratio studies for the previous three years. (35 ILCS 200/ 1-50, 1-55)
  • Each individual taxing district sets their budget and levies the amount of tax necessary to support that budget.  During this process every taxing district is required to hold public hearings. Residents should participate in these budget reviews and provide input.  This is the point where individuals have the greatest opportunity to bring about change to stabilize or lower tax bills.

 

 

 

 

Municipalities Move Forward
on Electricity Aggregation

     

In March, three communities in the 18th District approved referendums to pursue lower electricity rates for eligible residents and businesses.  Village Boards in Buffalo Grove, Long Grove and Vernon Hills evaluated various providers and selected Integrys Energy Services.  Please click on your village's Integrys link below to review rates, read frequently asked questions and understand terms and conditions.  Residents who chose to opt-out of electricity aggregation must do so by May 22.

 

   

 

 

 



The Village of Hawthorn Woods' Finance Committee is currently investigating electricity aggregation.  Residents should 
contact Chief Financial Officer Kristin Kazenas at (847) 847-3590 with questions. 

Household Chemical Waste Recycling Event in Vernon Hills on May 19

 

 

SWALCO is holding a Household Chemical Waste collection event on May 19. 

 

MAY 19TH

8:00 am until 2:30 pm

 

VERNON HILLS METRA STATION

75 E. Route 45

 

Appointments are not required.  Residents from around the county may simply come to the mobile location between 8:00 am and 2:30 pm on the day of the event, drive through and drop off their HCW materials. 

 

All HCW collections are for residential waste only. Items you can bring to a collection include: CFL bulbs, unwanted prescription medicines and supplements (people and pet), household cleaners, gasoline, garden chemicals, pesticides, pool chemicals, driveway sealers, oil-based paints and varnishes (no latex), as well as other chemicals.  

 

Please visit the SWALCO website for a general list of items accepted and not accepted at their HCW collection events.  All HCW Collection Events, sponsored by SWALCO, are for Illinois residents ONLY and are FREE - no business waste will be accepted. No electronics will be accepted - please visit the website for information on SWALCO's Electronics Recycling Collection Events. 


In addition to their Mobile Events, SWALCO continues to offer Year-round HCW Public Drop-off Events to collect unwanted HCW items at their Gurnee facility, 1311 N. Estes. Limited appointments are available.

 

 

 

 

 

2012 JobMarket Job Fair on May 17

 

As Lake County's largest, longest-running annual job fair, JobMarketplace attracts hundreds of employers and thousands of job seekers! 

 

This is an excellent opportunity for to find full-time, part-time, seasonal, and professional employment positions.  View event flyer here.

 

May 17, 1-5 p.m.

 

College of Lake County 
Physical Education Center (Building 7) 

19351 W. Washington Street, Grayslake  

 

This free event is hosted by the College of Lake County and the Job Center of Lake County.  Jobseekers DO NOT need to pre-register. Click here for a full list of employers.

 

 

Senior "My Medical" Kits from Countryside Fire Dept

 

The Countryside Fire Protection District is pleased to provide senior citizens with free "My Medical Information" kits. These kits were funded by Advocate Condell Medical Center and are sponsored by the Lake County Fire Chiefs Association.

 

The kits consist of a red plastic pouch with a magnetic back to be attached to your refrigerator. Inside the pouch there is a cardboard pamphlet that you can use to write down your personal information, emergency contacts, medications, allergies, medical conditions, and advanced directives. There is also a sticker to be placed on or near your front door, alerting responding paramedics that you have the "My Medical Information" pouch attached to your refrigerator. Paramedics can then use this vital information when providing emergency care and treatment.

 

To obtain you're your FREE "My Medical Information Kit", contact Administrative Assistant, Lina Diaz at 847-367-5511, Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

OR

 

Send an e-mail to [email protected] with My Medical Information Kit in the subject line. Include your name and mailing address in the body of the e-mail and we'll mail you a kit.

 

Click here for the full program flyer.

 

 

Board Room Brief

 

FURTHER CUTS TO ELECTED OFFICIALS' SALARIES
 
Earlier this month, I offered a proposal to reduce 
countywide elected officials salaries by 5% (including the Circuit Court Clerk, Recorder of Deeds and Coroner) to bring them in line with our other countywide elected officials. The measure passed unanimously at our board meeting last week. 
 
This comes on the heels of the County Board cutting our own pay by 10% and freezing it for four years.

 

 

 

FOREST PRESERVE BUDGET 

 

At our meeting on Tuesday, the board passed the FY2012-13 budget.  The approved budget includes a $266,030 decrease in the property tax levy from FY 11/12.

 

Annual property taxes revenues have decreased $7,255,000 since 2008.  

 

The budget funds land acquisitions and capital projects that were approved through the 2008 voter referendum.

 

Text Power Outages to ComEd

 

ComEd has instituted a two-way messaging capability that allows customers to text their outage to ComEd and enables the power company to text restoration information back to customers.   

 

The expanded outage alert text message program will provide added convenience for customers and help improve their experience. The new program enhancements:

  • Allow customers to text the company to report an outage,
  • Offer real-time information on outages, and
  • Allow customers to text ComEd to opt into the program.

To report an outage, customers can text OUT to 26633 (COMED). Sign up here.

 

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

 

 

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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