Lake County News From Ann Maine
Lake County Board & Forest Preserve
District 21
May 2011 |
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A Note From Ann
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At the time I am sending this email to you, the County web site has been experiencing some problems. Hopefully they will not last too long. I was able to test a number of the links and they did work. I hope they work for you too!
In May, the Forest Preserve budget will be on the budget. We have delayed a number of capital purchases and our operating expenses are down 5.5%. Like you, we are trying to do more with less. We have held down expenses by reducing the number of vehicles, holding positions open and once again, non-union staff will not be getting a raise.
In April the County Board approved a number of contracts to begin road engineering studies. I"ve highlighted a few below.
This week the 2010 tax bills were mailed. Please read below for additional information.
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 address more issues in person, just contact me.
Sincerely,
President Lake County Forest Preserve District
Lake County Board District 21
847-374-9787
Help me go paperless! 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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| Forest Preserve and Nature News |
May is a wonderful time to get out and enjoy the Forest Preserves. The spring wildflowers--trout lily, trillium and meadow rue and all blooming, while the migrant warblers are singing in the oaks and dogwoods.
Before you head out for a hike, visit the Phrenology calender. This will help you be alert for the natural happenings at this time of year. It's also not too early to consider
reserving a picnic shelter
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Native Plant Sale!
Be sure to visit our Mother's Day Weekend Native Plant Sale. It's held at Independence Grove on May 7 (9a - 3p) & May 8 (10a - 3p)
Choose from variety of native plants, shrubs and trees for almost any backyard. Native plants are beautiful, hardy, thrive in Illinois gardens, less expensive, easy to maintain, and beneficial to the environment: - No need for fertilizers, pesticides, water and lawn maintenance equipment.
- Native flowering species will provide an abundance of nectar and attract wildlife from butterflies and songbirds, to chipmunks and beneficial insects.
Get more information about the plants available. Friends of Ryerson Woods The annual Smith Symposium at Ryerson Woods is Saturday May 14. The featured speaker, Bill Browning, is an expert on environmental sustainability including real estate development. You can attend the reception and dinner or the keynote and dessert only. Registration is required. The Stevenson Center for Democracy is sponsoring Dialogues in Democracy. Sunday May 15 at 2 pm the program is "Build Back Better--A New Teaching Hospital in Haiti. You can also visit their calender for more information.
The Gilmer Road trailhead parking lot will be closed until December so a 2.5 mile extension of the trail can be completed.
Trail Map Updates
The Forest preserve is no longer printing trail maps. However you can get a map on line. Simply click on the preserve and you can find a printable trail map.
Did you know you can read Horizons on-line or download Horizons. For those of you who haven't read it, there are more wonderful articles and photographs.
Citizens for Conservation is celebrating their 40th anniversary. This environmental group based in the Barrington area offers a number of interesting educational programs and workdays. Learn more and find out about the programs offered by Citizens for Conservation.
Visit the Forest Preserve calender for information on the many other programs offered or call 847-968-3321.
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| Transportation Update |
 In April Lake County authorized an agreement to evaluate the PACE fixed bus routes and provide recommendations for future PACE service in the county.
At the same meeting we also approved an agreement for Phase I and II engineering for Winchester Road west from the Metra railroad to east of the west county access road, as well as Phase I engineering for the reconstruction and widening of Buffalo Grove Road from Rt. 22 to Deerfield Parkway.
There are a number of road closures, some of which are related to road work, others related to railroad crossings. Be sure to slow down and keep the workers safe!
Route 22 Closure Set for Week of May 16Route 22 will be closed at the railroad crossing east of Prairie Road beginning Monday, May 16, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. The Canadian National Railway is closing the crossing for repairs beginning at 8 a.m. May 16 until approximately 6 p.m. Friday, May 20. Read the suggested detour route.
Hunt Club Road and Wadsworth Road Intersection to Close
Roundabout to replace the existing multi-way stop
Old Mill Creek, IL - The Lake County Division of Transportation will close the intersection of Hunt Club Road, Lake County Route W-15, at Wadsworth Road, Lake County Route A-9, to all traffic for 60 days, starting Monday, May 9, 2011 at 7 a.m.
The closure is necessary to allow the County's contractor, Campanella and Sons, Inc. to construct a roundabout to replace the existing multi-way stop intersection. The roundabout as designed will reduce crashes and crash severity as well as increase efficiency of the intersection.
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| Environmental Issues |  SWALCO is sponsoring a one day compost bin and rain barrel sale
Saturday May
21, 2011 from 9 .m. - 3 p.m.
Lake County Permit Center Facility Parking Lot
500 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville
Limited number of items. First come, first serve. ![Compost Bin]()
� 55-gallon barrel $60 � Compost bin $45 � Cash, check and major credit card payments � All sales final - first come first served basis � No presale or advance reservations will be accepted � Individuals may purchase as many items as they want � This is a one day sale only Learn more about rain barrels and composting. Emerald Ash Borer Unfortunately, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is now found throughout Lake County. It will kill all untreated trees, and even when treated, there is no guarantee the tree will live. Within the next 3 years you will begin to see damage to your ash trees. The Forest Preserve District will be providing more information about alternative trees to plant in your yard. The Morton Arboretum also has information.
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| Tax Bills have been mailed! | |
Lake County property tax bills mailed
Lake County property owners should have received their tax bills this week for 2010 property taxes, which are payable in 2011, in two installments. The first due date is June 6, and the second installment due date is September 6.
Property owners who do not receive a bill by May 10, or those looking for payment options, can obtain this information online or by calling the Treasurer's Office at (847) 377-2323.
It is extremely important for property owners to pay close attention to their total property tax exemptions listed on the bill, which could lower the current tax bill. See a complete list of exemptions.
County residents receive a single tax bill for the full year's taxes, payable in two equal installments. Taxpayers will not receive a second bill when the second installment is due.
Per Illinois law, the County is required to add 1.5% penalty for taxes paid or post-marked after the due dates.
Understanding Your Property Taxes
In this 30 minute video, Treasurer Bob Skidmore, Chief County Assessment Officer Marty Paulson, and County Clerk Willard Helander help break down the complex issue of property taxes and assessments, and answer common taxpayer questions.
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PASSAGE App for I-Phone
|  Lake County PASSAGE Launches New I-Phone Application
Apple I-Phone users can now access real-time Lake County traffic information through the new Lake County PASSAGE app available free at the Apple App store. The new I-Phone app allows users to report incidents directly to PASSAGE and submit pictures, location, and description. It also has the ability for the device to detect the individual's current location.
Like the existing web application, users can also get real-time congestion information, view a map of road conditions and events, including crashes, stalls, debris, and other roadway incidents, as well as camera images of major intersections.
The I-Phone App is another feature of Lake County PASSAGE, which includes Lake County's email notification program whereby users can sign up for real-time traffic alerts for designated roadways. Download it now!
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Community Happenings
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LAKE COUNTY FIELDERS 2011 SEASON SCHEDULE
On June 18th the Lake County Fielders will open their new stadium to the public with a 7:00 pm home-opener game against Na Koa Ikaika Maui. The Fielders is co-owned by Academy Award-wining actor Kevin Costner, and Field Manager Tim Johnson was an infielder with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1973-78 and managed MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in 1998. Tickets for the 2011 season are now on sale and can be purchased by calling (847) 731-8000 or logging on to: http://www.fieldersbaseball.com/
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.
Cook Library is now open! Be sure to visit and see the new, enlarged space.
With the good weather a number of communities will be sponsoring outdoor concerts and other activities. MainStreet Libertyville is among the most active groups. Be sure to find out more about their activities.
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Health News
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Lake County it pleased to announce that a new dental program, sponsored by the National Association of Counties, is now available to our residents. This plan is not insurance, rather, it is a partnership with Careington International Corporation. Individuals or families may opt to pay a monthly or yearly fee ($59 for individuals and $69 for families). Cardholders then schedule an appointment with a participating dentist or specialist (includes orthodontia) and present thie card to receive a discount at the time of service; this can be as much as 50% for dental work and 20% for orthodontic service. Currently 200 providers in Lake County particiapte. For more information or to sign up for a card call the Lake County Health Department (847-377-8600) or call 877-354-6226 and visit Dental Discount Card Program. Materials are also available at libraries and township offices.
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| Job and Business Information | |
Job Fair
Lake County's largest annual job fair has previously attracted over 100 employers. This event is free for job seekers. To make the most of your time read this information before you go.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
College of Lake County - Grayslake Campus
Physical Education Center
(Gymnasium, Building 7)
19351 W. Washington Street, Grayslake.
You can now find out who's hiring in Lake County.
Lake County Workforce Development has a variety of information to serve businesses, adult job seekers 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.
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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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