Safety Check #1 - Check your furnace intake and exhaust vents to make sure they are not covered in snow. If covered they will cause buildup of deadly Carbon Monoxide in the home.

Safety Check #2 - Check the dryer vent to make sure it is not obstructed by  snow.  It will cause carbon monoxide to enter home.

Safety Check #3 - Make sure your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working.

Safety Check #4- Make sure you clear snow from your nearest hydrant.

Safety Check #5 -  Make sure your address numbers can be seen from the street in case fire or police need to identify your house. 

Safety Check #6 - Make sure your outdoor gas meter is not covered in snow. 

Recent reports in the news about chromium 6 (hexavalent chromium) in water has raised many questions.  The Lake County Public Works water meets all current state and federal standards.  If you'd like to learn more about the topic, you can read the latest on chromium 6 regulation updates.
 
 

The College of Lake County Sustainability Center is made possible by the Illinois Green Economy Network, which unites the 48 community college in Illinois.  The goal is to stimulate the green economy of Illinois with workforce training and community outreach. It has resources and events for building and trade laborers, k-12 and other educators, resident and citizen groups, not-for-profit organizations. For more information call 847-543-2643 or contact  Dara Reiff  dreiff@clcillinois.edu

I have heard from many of you about the plowing (or not) of numerous roads.  While keeping in mind that this was the 3rd largest snow storm in Illinois history, it is also important to know that there are numerous entities responsible for plowing of roads.  Lake County is responsible for Riverwoods, Everett and St. Mary's Roads as well as Duffy Lane.  Depending on where you live and work, there may also be other county roads that you drive on.  The State of Illinois is responsible for Rts. 22, 21, 45, 60, 120, 137 and 176 (parts).  Lake County does not have enough employees or equipment to plow the State roads.  You can contact your state officials.  

The winter weather has the road projects on hold.  However, we are busy working on new projects.  Lake County is providing 31.4 million dollars in bond funds for the widening of Milwaukee Ave from Rt. 137 to Rt. 120.  Since it is a state road, the state needs to work with residents, businesses as well as the Forest Preserve to refine the project to minimize impacts.  Part of the project will include a tunnel under Milwaukee Avenue to connect different bike path connections.  Planning for extending the Deefield Rd bike path continues.  

In January Lake County signed agreements with a number of communities, including Buffalo Grove, Deerfield and Mundelein, to share Computer-Aided-Dispatch and traffic monitoring data.    This information will be fed into the County's Passage system, allowing the County to update traffic information.  Be sure  you sign up and use Passage to make your daily travels easier.  

 Community Happenings  

My apologies to Riverwoods. Last month the link to their town linked to Libertyville!  Here is the correct link:  Riverwoods. 

This year is the 100th anniversary of Great Lake Naval Base.  There are a number of free events open to the public.  For more on the schedule visit facebook.com/navalstationgreatlakes.  

Congratulations to Mettawa Openlands Assocation (MOLA)

Mola receives EPA award

for their award from the USPEA-Region 5, in native landscaping of Whippoorwill Farm Preserve, on the northwest corner of Rt. 60 and Bradley Rd. 

Kathleen O'Connor, Libertyville Township Supervisor accepting SMC award

Libertyville Township was the recipient of the Stormwater Community of the Year. It was commended for its active role in preserving and managing open space including the Libertyville Township Open Space District and the Prairie Nature Preserve, and for its participation and leadership in the Bull Creek/Bull's Brook watershed.

The Township is also recognized for the new Atkinson Road flood basin and wetland mitigation bank project in the North Branch of the Chicago River Watershed; the creation and management of the Bull's Brook stream buffer at Casey Farm; and its ongoing land and water restoration in the Liberty Prairie Preserve.

Cook Library is now open!  Be sure to visit and see the new, enlarged space.    

Vernon Area Public Library is offering a number of winter programs.  Check out the latest offerings.