Lake County News
From Ann Maine
Lake County Board & Forest Preserve District 21
July 2010
|
|
|
|
Sign up for this Free newsletter
|
|
|
| A Note From Ann |
In June and July I attended a number of meetings related to the quality and quantity of drinking water. Despite our many lakes and our Lake Michigan shoreline, many areas of Lake County are at risk for water shortages in the coming decades. This is an issue that I've written about before. I've included some of the important facts, as well as some good resources for you.
Lake County has partnered with the United Way to create a Human Services Resource Guide. You can access it on-line for many sources, including 24 hour hotlines, assistance in housing, respite care, senior organizations and more.
Now is a good time to gather information on tax assessments. The County assessor has a summer newsletter with updated information on assessments. I recommend reading it. As the deadlines approach for publishing assessments for different townships, I'll let you know.
County Board meetings are available on-lin. If you are interested in a specific item, you can look at the agenda and click on it. In the next year the Forest Preserve meetings will also be available on-line.
As always, I welcome your comments on these or any other issues. 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 of other group to addess more issues in person, just contact me.
Sincerely,
Ann B. Maine
Lake County Board and Forest Preserve
District 21
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Forest Preserve and Nature News
|
 A new 2 mile grass trail has opened at Fort Sheridan. It's a wonderful place to get a great view of Lake Michigan and see grassland birds. The trail runs along the bluffs and ravines. Also, try the new Fort Hill Trail with a trail head on Gilmer Rd, north of Rt. 176. You can get complete information on all our bike trails. July Calender of events
The Forest Preserve continues to offer free concerts on Tuesday nights at Independence Grove. The next concert is July 27 at 7:30 pm. Bring a picnic and enjoy the evening.
Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home Public Tours
Located on St. Mary's Road just north of Everett Road,  this home was built in 1938 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The grounds are open. Guided will be offered on July 18, August 1 and 21 this summer. The cost is $3 for Lake County residents and registration is required. Come learn about the history in your community!
You'll have a great time recollecting your favorite stories and the children will love the artwork from 60 years of Little Golden Books. For more information about the Golden legacy exhibit or to download discount admission coupons, call 847-968-3400 or visit online at: GoldenLegacySee the Forest Preserve calender for information on the many other programs offered.
Aquatic Plant Identification Workshop The Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center, together with the Illinois Lakes Management Association and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), will host a workshop on Aquatic Plant Identification on Saturday, August 7, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The workshop will begin at the Lake County Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Rd. in Libertyville with a lecture from Ben Dolbeare, IDNR Invasive Species Project Manager, on identification of common and invasive plants, and will continue with lunch and field identification (optional) at Butler Lake. Following the field identification, participants can choose to continue learning additional information on common and invasive species if they are interested.
Invasive species can grow aggressively in lakes and streams, causing a decline in water quality, restricting water movement, interfering with navigation and traditional recreational uses, and reducing the abundance and diversity of native plants. This workshop will teach attendees how to identify both common and invasive plants, as well as how to prevent problems and promote healthy environments.
For additional information or to RSVP please call (847) 377-8030. RSVPs must be received by August 4. There is a $10 charge if you'd like to attend the field identification and lunch at Butler Lake. |
| Environmental Concerns |
Did you know that SWALCO yearly updates it recycling guidelines? Now you can put paper cups (no lids or straws) in your curbside recycling. For a complete list of what you can recycle, visit recycling guidelines. In June I was appointed to the SWALCO Recycling Task Force. We will be examining ways to increase Lake County's recycling rate from 37% toward a goal of 60%. Our landfills have fewer than 10 years left in them, so it is crucial we work to decrease our solid waste.
 Despite living near Lake Michigan, water continues to be of utmost importance in our area. A recent study, Water 2050, which examined the NorthEast Illinois water supply, suggests that our water consumption will increase 36-64% by 2050. When we look at water we are concerned with both the quality of the water as well as the quantity of the water. In many cases, especially those who get their water from deep aquifers, the two are linked. As we pull down the aquifer levels, the remaining water is more likely to contain radium and other contaminants.
If 10% of the people in the region conserved water, we would have enough water to meet 20% of the projected growth. The single greatest residential use of water is toilets; they account for 19% of home water use. Before you groan, recalling the low flow toilets and their problems, engineering has made great strides with them. Many of us are familiar with EnergyStar ratings for appliances, but there is also a rating program for water use--it's calledWaterSense. Also, when you save water, you save energy. Especially when you cut down on hot water use.
One way to improve the quality of water is to limit salting of streets and fertilizer use. Sometimes this means smarter application of them. Lake County DOT has sponsored seminars to educate snowplow drivers on ways to use less salt.
Homeowners can help by examining more carefully the type, amount and timing of fertilizer use. Excess fertilizer ends up in our water system as it is washed off lawns and flower beds and into streams and storm sewers. |
| Transportation Update | | Because of the laborer and construction union strike, now in its thrid week, no construction projects have moved along. At the moment, there is a tentative agreement to be voted on. We do not know how the delay will impact planned summer projects, including the Everett Rd roundabout and resurfacing of St. Mary's Rd and parts of Rt. 176. Hopefully I'll have news for you soon. Tree removal for bikepath along Deerfield Rd at the Des PLaines River will begin August 2.
If you haven't used the Lake County Division of Transportation's PASSAGE program before. This summer is the time to start. 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. |
| Health Updates |
There has been a lot of information on the importance of vitamin D. Lake County Health department tip of the month has a video on vitamin D and your health.
The Lake County Health Department has reactivated the West Nile Virus hotline--847-377-8300. It provides information about WNV and allows residents to report dead birds sightings (crows and bluejays are most relevant). Since the virus is deadly to these birds, this can be an indication of virus acticity. Remember to eliminate standing water in flower pots, low areas and to change water in bird baths and wading pools regularly.
Kids 1st Health Fair
The Kids 1st Health Fair will help Lake County kids get ready for school.
Date: Wednesday, August 4
Time: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Location: Miguel Juarez Middle School, 201 N. Butrick, Waukegan
The Fair is free for Lake County families who meet specific income guidelines. For example, a family of four with a gross income limit of $40,792 would qualify for services. Children in grades K-9 will receive physical and dental exams, immunizations and blood work required for school. Required services include dental screenings for children in preschool, kindergarten, 2nd and 6th grades, and physicals for children in Head Start, kindergarten, 6th and 9th grades.
For more information, please contact Deb Warner with the Lake County Health Department at: (847) 377-8870. More here.
Sponsors: Lake County Health Department, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and the United Way of Lake County.
|
|
Prescription Drug Card
|
County residents can take advantage of a prescription drug
discount card program. The
free card that is accepted at most pharmacies offers
average savings of
20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed
drugs. This is intended for people without prescription coverage or on
medicines not covered by your plan. The card may also be accepted to
fill prescriptions for pets. To receive a
card, click here.
I hear from
residents many times that they were able to save money on the monthly
prescriptions bills. Maybe you can too!
|
Community News
| 
Make a great meal from in season fruits and vegetables. The Libertyville Farmers Market is on Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October 21. Mainstreet also sponsors Out to Lunch and other activites, see their completeMainstreet Calender of events.
Bannockburn will host Stardust Big Band on Friday July 23 , starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Bannockburn Green.
register on-line.
Cook Library has opened their Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills branch.
Both Vernon Area and Cook Memorial Library offer museum passes--perfect for a summer day. Visit either library for more information.
The Lake County Fair runs July 27 through August 1. This is the second year at the new location corner of Peterson Rd. & Midlothian Rd. in Grayslake
|
| Job and Business Information | Lake County Workforce Development's has a variety of information to serve businesses, adult jobseekers and youth with a variety of career and training opportunities. Another source of job information, including job sessions and Lake County Job postings is at the Job Center of Lake County.
Available jobs at the Forest Preserve. And now the Forest Preserve is placing bids and requests for proposals on-line.
The Lake County Workforce Investment Board has useful information for businesses.
|
Lake County News Archive
|
Click here to view past issues of Lake County News from Ann Maine.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
You can also take the kids or grandchildren and head to the 
