Lake County News
From Ann Maine
Lake County Board & Forest Preserve District 21
August 2010
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| A Note From Ann |
As we move into the fall, we continue to work on the Lake County budget. We expect to cut approximately 5 million dollars to maintain a balanced budget. I will keep you informed as to how we will do this. You can learn more from
the Lake County Connection. This newsletter provides additional information on County government as well as answering questions about property taxes and election news.
At our August meeting we approved a number of road projects, which I detail below.
Please remember, the final installment of your 2009 property tax bill is due September 3, 2010.
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-line. 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.
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Property Tax Information
| The second installment of the 2009 tax bill is due on or before September 3, 2010.
Important Dates
September 3rd..................2nd
Installment Due
Date
October
29th.....................Last day to pay to
avoid Publication and Final Notice
November
8th....................Certified Funds Only
November 24th..................Last
Day to Pay to
avoid Tax Sale
To avoid additional interest (1 1/2% per month), payment must be
received or US Postmarked by September 3rd. Payments can be made in
person at the Lake County Treasurer's office, at most local banks or on line by e-check or credit card (additional fee
is charged to user) at www.lakecountyil.gov/treasurer. You can also check your payment status.
Assessments for 2010 will be mailed this fall. It can be helpful to review the tax cycle. For more information on these you can watch video on Property
Tax and Assessment Facts.Lake County Treasurer Bob Skidmore and Chief
County Assessment Officer Marty Paulson answer the most frequently asked
questions about property taxes and assessments. You can also ask questions of your township assessor.
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Forest Preserve and Nature News
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 The Prairie Wolf Dog area parking lot has been repaved. In the next few years we will have all of the lots paved. If you haven't taken your dog to one of these popular sites--go now and your dog will thank you.
Section of Des Plaines River Trail temporarily closed
A short 1-mile stretch of the 31-mile Des Plaines River (DPR) trail will be temporarily closed from Lake Cook Road to Estonian Lane in Lincolnshire for 4 consecutive weeks starting August 23 for construction of the new Deerfield Road Bike Path bridge. Each week during construction, the trail will be closed Monday through Friday and open on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Weather permitting, the trail is expected to reopen for weekday use starting Friday, September 17. Additional bridge work in October and November may require another temporary closure of the trail. Check here for any additional trail closure/opening information or project updates. August Calender of Events
Scout Saturday--August 21--webolos can complete the water safety section of the Aquanaut Badge. There are more school and Scout Saturday events.
On August 21 you can tour the Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home and visit the Freedom Express Bus. 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 Freedome Express Bus is free; tour of the house is $3 for Lake County residents and registration is required. Home tours are offered at the Stevenson property in Mettawa at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Freedom Express will be on site from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come learn about the history in your community!
 Learn important solo canoe skills on Saturday August 28 from 8 am-noon at Van Patten Woods. This is for familes with children ages 12 and older. Resident fee of $29.
Please register.
See the Forest Preserve calender for information on the many other programs offered or call 847-968-3321.
Lincoln and the Gatling Gun
Is a special exhibit at theLake County Discovery Museum through September 12. Explore this as well as other items from the Museum's Civil War collection. |
| Transportation Update | Construction activity is back in action. The bike path across the river on Deerfield Rd. is moving along. Placement of the bridge will require closing the road for a few days in the fall. I will let you know when that will happen.
The roundabout at Riverwoods and Everett Roads is also progressing. Because of the placement of the roundabout, traffic will be able to move through the intersection during the construction. You can learn more about roundabouts and how pedestrians and cyclists will use them too.
Over the past few months the Public Works and Transportation Committee has been reviewing the annual update for our proposed Highway Plan. Despite the name, this does include expanding our bike path system. Our "Complete Streets" program means that anytime we will be repaving or rebuilding a road, we look to see how we can fit bike traffic in--whether it be adding an off road bike path, a bike lane or widening the shoulder. You can read the executive summary of the 2010-2015 plan.
At our August County Board meeting we approved preliminary engineering for the extension of the Washington Street bike path from Atkinson Road to Lancer Lane. We also approved funds to engineering the replacement of bridge deck beams for Arlington Heights Road southbound over Buffalo Creek in Buffalo Grove.
As part of our continuing efforts to use road salt judiciously, we authorized an agreement to replace and upgrade the Road Weather Information System. This allows us to share road and weather information with McHenry County, as well as Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa Departments of transportation.
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 |
West Nile Virus
While most of the recent mosquito activity has not been the culex species, which carries West Nile Virus, five mosquito
pools in southeast Lake County have tested positive for West Nile virus
(WNV) . The samples are the first confirmed indicators of the disease's
presence in Lake County in 2010. WNV is a potentially dangerous
infection transmitted to humans through
the bite of an infected mosquito. No human cases have been reported in
Illinois in 2010.
It's important to take precautions to avoid mosquito
bites including using insect repellent containing DEET. The Health
Department maintains a West Nile virus hotline
(847-377-8300) for county residents to report areas of stagnant water (which are
conducive for mosquito breeding), or to report dead bird sightings, especially crows and blue jays. You can obtain more information on the
signs and symptoms of West Nile encephalitis. Remember to eliminate standing water in flower pots, low areas and to change water in bird baths and wading pools regularly.
The Health Department has produced a video on West Nile Virus.
 Do you have a student going off to college? Have them read College Cooking 101 so they stay healthy while they're away.
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| Job and Business Information | Want to know what is happening with businesses and jobs in Lake County? Lake County Partners is a great resource.
In addition, the Lake County Workforce Development 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.
In today's competitive job market, the Workforce Development Department provides tips and resources to enhance your job search and career skills. Career Chat is a 3-part series. Each video features a short overview of important job search topics covering Networking, Preparing for a Networking Event, and LinkedIn. Discover new resources in the people you already know and make sure your elevator speech is ready for those you want to meet!
Career Chat 1: Networking (click on picture) |
Career Chat 2: Preparing for Networking Events (click on picture) |
Career Chat 3: LinkedIn |
Available jobs at the Forest Preserve. And now the Forest Preserve is placing bids and requests for proposals on-line.
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Community News
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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.
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.
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Prescription Drug Card
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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!
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Lake County News Archive
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Click here to view past issues of Lake County News from Ann Maine.
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