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Lake County News
 
From Ann Maine  
 

Lake County Board & Forest Preserve
District 21 
February 8, 2010
 
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In This Issue
Winter Storm warning
Job Fair
Forest Preserve
Environmental Issues
Transportation
Business Information
Senior Tax Deferral
Community News
Archives


 
Quick Links
Transportation Links
 
A note from Ann 
 
Dear Neighbors,

There is some time sensitive information in this newsletter.  I've combined the monthly letter with the latest on this week's winter storm.  In addition, there is a job fair at CLC on Tuesday.  Hopefully the snow won't interfere with it.  I've added a new block that has links to job postings at both Lake County and the Forest Preserve District.

The Treasurer's office is taking applications for Senior Tax deferral until March 1.  Details below.  Please pass along to anyone over the age of 65 who might qualify.

In January, both the County Board and the Forest Preserve Board supported a resolution adopting the Vision Statement of the Land Conservation Partners of Lake County. "To realize a Lake County landscape where, by 2030, at least 20% of the County is preserved forever as natural areas, parks, trails, farmland and scenic views."  Currently 13.4% of Lake County has been protected, including over 27,000 acres owned by the Forest Preserve District and over 8,000 acres owned by Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  More than 15 governmental and non-profit partners have joined in this effort.
It's not too early to think of spring.  The Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project offers a number of volunteer opportunities.  Read below for more information.

You can get detailed results of how Lake County residents voted in the February 2 primary, from the County Clerk's office.

The U.S. Constitution requires a national census every ten years.  This year census questionnaires will be delivered or mailed via US mail in March.  Census workers will visit households that do not return questionnaires. A lot of interesting information is available at AmericanFactFinder. I'll have more information on the census next month.

County Board meetings are available on-line.  If you are interested in a specific item, you can look at the agenda and click on it.  In the next year Forest Preserve agendas will also be available on line.

As always, I welcome your comments on these or any other issues.  As your representative to the Lake County Board and the Lake County Forest Preserve District, I look forward to continuing to find ways to serve you better in a fiscally responsible manner in 2010.  Government works best when the citizens are heard, so I hope you'll continue to share your concerns.If you'd like me to come to your Homeowner's meeting or other group to address more issues in person, just contact me.

Sincerely,
 
Ann Maine

Lake County Board and Forest Preserve
District 21
amaine@lakecountyil.gov
847-374-9787

I encourage you to forward this update to others who may be interested in Lake County news.  Persons who wish to automatically receive these free updates should send their email address information to: amaine@lakecountyil.gov or click "join our mailing" list above.  
 
 
Winter Storm Warning
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm Warning for significant snowfall for all of the Chicago area. The warning is in effect from 9:00 p.m. Monday through 4:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.  
 
This storm is expected to bring snow to the Lake County area later this evening, with the most intense snowfall rates forecast during the afternoon and evening Tuesday. Snow accumulation of up to twelve inches or more is expected across Lake County, with locally higher amounts possible, particularly closer to Lake Michigan. As this storm system intensifies, strong gusty winds will likely complicate snow removal and make conditions outside more unpleasant. Winds of greater than 20 mph are probable Tuesday evening, with gusts of 35 mph or more possible.
 
The expected long duration of snowfall, forecast winds, and likelihood for more than ten inches of snow will lead to some travel impacts on Tuesday and Wednesday. You can get future weather updates from  the National Weather Service. , and use caution during the storm. 
Job Fair at Vernon Hill Campus of CLC
Job Fair 
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
10:00am - 1:00pm 
 
College of Lake County Southlake Campus
Room V340
1120 S. Milwaukee Ave.
Vernon Hills
 
Dress for success and bring your resume.
 
Representatives from 19 companies will conduct pre-interviews for available positions.
 
For more information, call the CLC career and Placement Servcies Office at (847) 543-2059.  You can check for future job fairs.
www.clcillinois.edu/depts/cps/events.asp for a complete list of job fairs schedules this spring.
Forest Preserve and Nature News
In January the Forest Preserve had 5 land transactions that added over 140 acres.  A number of them were in District 21, including 5 acres on Everett Road that will be an addition to Grainger Woods, and an easement agreement with the Village of Libertyville, in which the Forest Preserve acquired  86 acres along the Des Plaines River Trail north, in exchange for granting a sewer easement to the Village.  We also purchased 59 acres in Avon township and accepted a 3.64 acre easement from the Round Lake Area Park District that will further the Millenium Trail system.

Stay warm, while viewing endangered plants from around the world!  Visit the  Chicago Botanic Garden exhibit of Endangered Plants Here and Around the World,  sponsored by The American Society of Botanical artists, the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and the Center for Plant Conservation. Open until April 4, 2010.

Dog Owners--you spoke and we listened!  We have exteneded the  hours at Lake County Forest Preserve District dog exercise areas  6 p.m. or sunset, whichever is later. The areas open at 6:30 a.m.

SnowflakesDon't let the cold weather keep you in.   Check our Winter Conditions before you head out for skiing,skating or sledding.  




The Chicago Wilderness relies on over 950 site monitors as well as thousands of volunteers.  You can join them and get involved in Bird Conservation, Frog, Butterfly or Dragonfly monitoring and more.  Get information on weekend workdays  or visit the Volunteer Stewardship Network site.butterfly

The Forest Preserve calender has information on other programs including photography, icicles and Native Americans.

If the day is cold, visit the Lake County Discovery Museum with the special exhibit:  Animal Architects: Exploring Animal Homes.
 
It's not too early for camp registration.  Register before February 15 and receive the early bird discount.

Volunteer Opportunities.
Is your family, religious or school group interested in hands on work?  Consider helping at a volunteer day in a preserve near you. 

Environmental Issues
Many people don't realize that our landfills have a limited life span--probably less than 10 years.  We are working on updating our 5 year solid waste plan.  At the last public works meeting we voted to eliminate mass incineration from the plan.  We will proably vote on the final plan in February.  You can view the proposed updates to the Solid waste plan.

A number of you appreciated the information about recycling batteries. So I've included the information again.
Battery Solutions
The Big Green Box

The College of Lake County is a leader in Green Initiatives and a resource for many.  Visit their Go Green site for the latest in news and information.

On March 18th they are sponsoring GreenTown:  The Future of Community.  This one day conference will have information for everyone.  Registration is required.
Transportation Update
While it is still winter, we are starting to put out bids for road projects.  Construction and repaving will occur at Riverwoods and Everett roads, as well as Rt. 176 and on St. Mary's Road.  As soon as we have start dates for the projects, I'll let you know.  Many of the bids have come in lower than expected, so we will be able to get more done.

Both the Forest Preserve and the Lake County Department of Transportation area working on a number of bike trails.  As part of our Complete Streets program, the county tries to put in bike lanes when there is room during reconstruction/repaving projects.

This weekend Metra implemented an increase in fares, especially for those who buy their ticket on the train.  10 ride fares have also gone up too.  Take advantage of the ability to purchase tickets with credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover) on  Metra website.

On Feb 8, Metra began accepting those cards at all 76 outlying stations where an agent is on duty and from new vending machines at the 14 busiest Metra Electric stations. Metra Electric stations will have vending machines because that line generally does not have ticket agents. The credit-card vending machines will be in addition to the cash-based machines that are already in place along the line.


The Lake County Division of Transportation cordially invites you to attend an
Open House Public Information Meeting concerning the preliminary engineering study of Fairfield Road/IL 176 Junction Improvement in unincorporated central Lake County.  The purpose of the meeting is to present the proposed improvement alternatives, project schedule, and seek public input and comments regarding the project.  
 
        Date:           Thursday, February 25, 2010
 
        Time:           6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 
        Location:       Wauconda Community High School
                        555 North Main Street
                        Wauconda, IL 60084-1299
 
The meeting will be conducted in an informal, open house format.  Also, Lake County Division of Transportation and consultant representatives will be present to discuss the project and answer any questions on an individual basis.
 
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Mr. Chuck Gleason at (847) 377-7447 or cgleason@lakecountyil.gov.


Hopefully many of you have used the Lake County Division of Transportation's PASSAGE program, drivers can find real-time information, online or on the radio (1620 AM), about congestion, construction, accidents and detours on local roadways.  You can also get traffic updates on your PDA.  In order to serve you better, please take a moment and respond to our Passage Customer Survey.  Your feedback is important.
 
Job and Business Information 
Lake County Partners has a new President, Steve Anderson, from St. Louis.  Whether you have a business in Lake County, or are thinking of moving a business to Lake County.  They can help you with all types of resources and information, including SB504 financing.

Lake County job postings are now on-line.

Available jobs at the Forest Preserve.

The Forest Preserve is now placing bids and requests for proposals on-line.

The Lake County Workforce Investment Board  is also a good source of information for businesses.

 
 
Senior Tax Deferral Program 
Lake County residents who are at least 65-years of age as of June 1, who have resided in Illinois for at least the last three years and have a household income of $50,000 or less can apply for a deferment of property taxes on their primary residence. The program is a state loan with 6% simple interest that must be paid upon death or sale of the home. 
 
The balance of any loan or line of credit where this deferred property is being used as collateral can not exceed 80% of the Fair Market Value shown on your yearly tax bill.
 
Applicants must apply annually through the Lake County Treasurer's Office before March 1st. For questions, residents can call 847.377.2323.
 
Additional information about the program and sample applications are available.

 
 
Community News
The Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District offers CPR/AED  the first Wednesday of every month.  Please contact them at 847.634.2512 for further information.
 
Lake County News Archive
 
Click here to view past issues of Lake County News from Ann Maine.