LCMLetterNews you can use
March 21, 2012
In this issue
:: Water Bill Inserts Available
:: Add Energy Efficiency to Spring Cleaning
:: Local Debt Recovery Program
:: Joint Operation Center
Greetings!
The LCMLetter is published twice a month and its goal is to keep Lake County Municipal League members informed on municipal issues. As issues relevant to municipal officials arise, the LCMLetter will provide you with a synopsis of the issues and provide you with a link for further details.
Water bill inserts available

 

As summer approaches, it's time to remind residents how they can conserve water. CMAP has developed water bill inserts that can be personalized with your logo. For more information on the water bill inserts click here.

If your community wishes to join WaterSense for a wide range of water conservation information, please click on WaterSense.
Add Energy Efficiency to Spring Cleaning

It's that time of year again - Spring Cleaning. Energy Impact Illinois (EI2), a partnership between governments, utility companies and non-profit groups, is encouraging homeowners in Northern Illinois and the City of Rockford to add energy efficiency to their spring to-do list!
 
Sealing air leaks, cleaning the AC filter and replacing outdated appliances with ENERGY STAR models are some easy right-now steps homeowners can take to reduce their bills going into spring.  
 
But, there are many other options for homeowners looking to increase the energy efficiency of their homes. Spring is a great time of year to have a house "check up" or an energy assessment. A certified assessor can come to your home, take a series of measurements and help you prioritize the types of improvements you could make. 
 
An information hub, TheEnergyBills.org, has information, tools and links to contractor and financial resources to help you take the first steps to lowering your bills and energy usage.
Local Debt Recovery Program

A recently enacted law in Illinois allows the State Comptroller to deduct debts to local governments from a person's income tax return or other payments from the State. This new law provides that, if a person is entitled to a warrant or payment from the State treasury and if that person owes a debt to a unit of local government, school district, or public institution of higher education, then the State Comptroller may deduct, on behalf of that entity, the amount owed from the warrant or payment.

When processing the deduction, the Comptroller must inform the person in writing and give that person an opportunity to protest the debt. The Comptroller may also charge a processing fee to cover the costs of that Office's activities in making the deduction.

In order to have the Comptroller's Office deduct payments on its behalf, the local government must enter into an intergovernmental agreement  concerning the administration of the offset system.

For more information contact the Illinois Office of the Comptroller's Government and Community Affairs Department at (312) 814-2488 or click here.
Joint Operation Center discussed
At the March 15 LCML Membership Meeting, representatives from ComEd discussed the Joint Operations Center concept. LCML members recommended that municipal EMAs be involved in planning for the JOC.

A meeting will be scheduled with the EMAs and ComEd sometime in early April. If your municipality has not sent in the name of your EMA, please email it to Chris Gentes at lcml@sbcglobal.net.

Photos from the March 15 LCML meeting can be on the Photo Gallery tab at www.lakecountyleague.org.
Please share this LCMLetter with staff. It is our aim to keep elected officials and their village staff informed about the issues facing municipalities.
 
Sincerely,
Christine Gentes
Lake County Municipal League