Ann Maine pink jacket

Lake County &

Forest Preserve News

From

Ann Maine 

County Board Dist 21

Forest Preserve President 

   May 2012  


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In This Issue
Forest Preserves
Tax Bills to be Mailed First Week of May
Senior Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemptions
Prepare for Emergencies
Transportation
Lake County Recorder of Deeds Warns Homeowners of Deed Scam
Environmental News
Health News
Text Your Power Outages to ComEd
Economic News
Naval Station Great Lakes
Water Supply Advisory Committee Annual Report
Tick Safety
Community Symposium
Community Events
Archives


Quick Links






Transportation Links
Tollway Construction




A Note From Ann


Dear Neighbors,

 
The next couple weeks are going to be very busy in Lake County.  Tax bills will be mailed out the first week of May.  The County Assessor's office is holding a series of workshops on Senior Freeze for tax bills. 

We will be reviewing the proposed Forest Preserve 2012/13 budget.  I am pleased that for the second year in a row we will have a lower tax levy than the year before  (that is absolute dollars we are getting from tax bills is less).  The County will be developing its budget policy for the 2012/13 fiscal year.

The cold and rainy weather has wrecked havoc with some of the road projects, delaying the pouring of concrete.  The information I provide below is accurate at the time I get it.  The weather also spawns dangerous conditions.  Learn more about how to prepare for emergencies.

On the bright side there are a number of programs for those interested in the environment and history.    
I am always glad to hear of your concerns, interests and ideas.  Please let me know if you'd like me to speak with your homeowner's association, scout or other group.

Sincerely,

  

Ann

  

Ann B. Maine

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: [email protected] or click "join our mailing" list above.


.   

     

 

Forest Preserve and Environmental Happenings

Even though April has been cooler than March, it will still be time to work in the garden.  A number of Native Plant Sales are in May.  

 

Lake County Forest Preserve District Sale  columbine

 

Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 9 a.m. -3 p.m.

Sunday, May 13, 2012 from 10 a.m. -3 p.m.

 

Independence Grove Forest Preserve, North Bay Pavilion

16400 W. Buckley Rd, Libertyville

Purchase plants (native flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees) that thrive in local garden conditions and provide habitat for native wildlife. 

Prices vary, starting from $4.50 and up.  Look at the plant list. 
   
Gardeners of Central Lake County

May 12 from 8:30-11:00 am

Libertyville Civic Center

135 W. Church St. Libertyville  

 

 

 

field guide invasive plantsNot sure what is a native plant and what is invasive?  Here is an easy Field Guide to Invasive Plants of the Midwest. 

  

 

    

 

Forest Preserve Launches Smartphone App

Stay up-to-the-minute with what's happening in your forest preserves on your smartphone with the new Lake County Forest Preserves mobile app. Find out about upcoming events and alerts, view recent photos from around the preserves, find and map nearby preserves, view trail maps, identify local flora and fauna with the special "ID It!" Nature Identification feature, and more!

 

The app is available for free in the Google Play Store (Android) and the iTunes App Store (iPhone). Just search "Lake County Forest Preserves" and download!

Adlai Stevenson Center on Democracy
Is sponsoring "Inside the Presidential Debates" with Newton Minow, on Sunday, May 13 at 2 p.m.  You can get more information and register.


LessonsFromThe PrairieThe annual Smith Symposium, sponsored by the Friends of Ryerson Woods is presenting Wes Jackson, President and Founder of the Land Institute, an organization dedicated to developing an agricultural system with ecological stability of the prairie.

The event is Saturday May 19.  You may register for the dinner and speaker, or attend the keynote talk and dessert.  Learn more about Lessons from the Prairie.  
 


 
BirdSpringCitizens of all ages can play an important role in preserving our environment.  The Habitat Project trains grasssroots volunteers to monitor birds, butterflies, plants and more.  Learn about monitoring programs.

Registration is now open for Lake County Forest Preserve Summer Camps and Day Programs.  Programs fill quickly so enroll early. For details and to register, visit summer camps or call 847-968-3321.

There's always more offered. 
Visit the
or check out  
the

 

Tax Bills  

to be Mailed First Week of May 

 

 

The Treasurer's Office will be mailing tax bills to Lake County property owners in the first week of May. Homeowners who depend on the US Postal Service to "Temporarily Forward" your annual tax bill to a second location should be aware that due to new postal regulations, your bill may not be forwarded as it was in the past. If this applies to you, sign up for the Treasurer's e-news service  and an email will be sent when your tax bill is available. If you have not received a bill by mid-May please visit the Treasurer's website or call the office at 847-377-2323 for more information. 

Due dates are June 6 and September 6.

 

Senior Assessment Freeze  

Homestead Exemptions

 

 

The 2012 Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption Applications have been mailed and outreach sessions are under way! Anyone who needs assistance can attend one of the outreach sessions being held by the Chief County Assessment Office and the Lake County Township Assessors Association. Staff will work one-on-one with residents to complete their exemption forms based on a first come, first serve basis.

 

Click here for dates and locations.

The closest outreach sessions to residents of the 21st District are:

 

May 1, 1-2 p.m.

Senior Center, Vernon Hills Village Hall

290 Evergreen Dr., Vernon Hills

 

May 17, 1-3 p.m.

Dickinson Hall, the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Senior Center

100 E. Old Mill Rd., Lake Forest

 

 

Prepare for Emergencies 

 

Spring weather is notoriously erratic in the Midwest. Violent tornadoes have recently devastated areas across the country, including the strong twister that recently hit southern Illinois destroying hundreds of homes and businesses, killing six people, and injuring and displacing hundreds more. In this edition of County Update, Lake County Emergency Management Coordinator Kent McKenzie provides some important information on how to prepare for severe weather and other emergencies.  Watch now (30 minutes).

 

Transportation Update 

 

ROUTE 21 PROJECT UPDATE

This IDOT project  is continuing.  Please keep in mind that the businesses on Peterson Road and Milwaukee Avenue are open during construction!Construction

 

Route 22 Projects 

 The intersection of Telegraph Road and Half Day Road (Route 22) will be poured in the next two weeks. As a result, northbound traffic from Half Day Road (Route 22) to Old Mill Road will be closed off. The exact dates of the closure are not known at this time. Upon receiving definitive dates, I will pass along the information to you.

In addition, please note the following:

  •  A Wilmot Road grind and overlay improvement project from Telegraph Road to North Avewill begin on April 30, 2012 and is scheduled to be completed by August 1, 2012, weather permitting; and
  • A North Lakeside Drive reconstruction project will begin on May 7, 2012 and is scheduled to be completed by September 30, 2012, weather permitting.  

Keep abreast of all road projects in Lake County. 

 

Route 53  
Visit the Illinois Tollway's Illinois Route 53/120 Blue Ribbon Advisory Council website for council information, reports and documents, and materials from the working groups. 

 

Roundabouts 

In addition, to the first Lake County roundabout at Everett and Riverwoods Road, the County transportation department has built 2 more with plans for additional ones.  Not every location is suitable for a roundabout.  While many people have learned to navigate the roundabout, new drivers may need some assistance.  You can visit the Roundabout page and watch a video on how to navigate a roundabout.  Remember, drivers must yield to the vehicle already in the roundabout. 

 

 

Have you used PassageWhat is it?  Lake County's real time traffic information.  Find out about crashes, construction and

androis passage
download for android
congestion  before you leave home or work.  Now you can down load aps  for your 
iphone  or your  android. 
You can also sign up for traffic alerts on designated roads and receive an email.  It's simple to register, then create a custom profile and receive emails when your drive is affected by weather, congestion, equipment malfunctions, or other conditions.

Follow
Lake County PASSAGE on Twitter @LCPASSAGE and get real-time traffic tweets.     

 

Lake County Recorder of Deeds Warns Homeowners of Deed Scam

 

 

Recently, the Lake County Recorder of Deeds office has been getting phone calls from concerned residents about a deed scam. There are two companies soliciting Lake County homeowners - "Local Records Office" and "Illinois Deed Providers" - offering to provide them with a certified copy of their deed. The Recorder's Office is asking residents to be on the lookout for solicitations from these two companies, because they are charging $89 plus $4.50 for postage and handling.

There may come a time when you need to reference the deed to your home. As often happens, people misplace their deeds or in some instances, never actually received the original deed at the time they purchased their home. For your protection, all requests for copies of deeds should be handled directly through the Lake County Recorder's office. The average deed is four pages or less, with a copy fee of only $1 per page. Seniors may request a copy for free. As you can see, these fake businesses are roughly making a $90 profit on every request they handle.

If you have any other questions or concerns, you can contact the Lake County Recorder of Deeds office at 847-377-2575.  View the PSA here.

 

 

Environmental News 

 


Recycle symbol

Want to find out where to recycle many items around the house?   SWALCO can help!    

  

  

SWALCO is announcing their second Mobile Household Chemical Waste (HCW) Event of the season.    

Saturday, May 19, 2012                8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
                                                        Metra Train Station
                                                        US Route 45 and Ranney Avenue
                                                        Vernon Hills, IL
  

    Appointments are not required for Mobile Household Chemical Waste Events.  Residents from around the county may simply come to the mobile location between 8:00 am and 2:30 pm on the day of the event, drive through and drop off their HCW materials.  

 

Items you can bring to a collection include: CFL bulbs, unwanted prescription medicines and supplements (people and pet), household cleaners, gasoline, garden chemicals, pesticides, pool chemicals, driveway sealers, oil-based paints and varnishes (no latex), as well as other chemicals.  Please visit the SWALCO website at www.swalco.org (HCW page) for a general list of items accepted and not accepted at their HCW collection events.  All HCW Collection Events, sponsored by SWALCO, are for Illinois residents ONLY and are FREE - no business waste will be accepted. No electronics will be accepted - please visit the website for information on SWALCO's Electronics Recycling Collection Events.    

 

Visit:  Where can my stuff go?  This information is updated frequently, so visit often. 

 

 There are many small items that can be recycled.  While it may not seem like a lot, they all add up.  Why is this important?  Our landfills in Lake County have about 10 more years of life!  After that we will need to find other places for our waste.  The bests way to extend the life of our landfills is to find other uses for them.

 

Recycling tips of the month

 

Rain Barrel and  Compost Bin Sale 

Rain barrels collect rain water for watering plants and yards and reduce the amount of runoff entering the storm drain system. Compost bins compost binscreate nutrient rich for yards and gardens and dispose of less materials going to the landfill. Planting native species in your yard can reduce the amount of water needed for gardens, can eliminate the need for fertilizers and chemicals, and creates habitat for birds, butterflies and other pollinators.  Read more. 

 

Saturday, May 12, 9 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
(plant sale runs through Sunday, May 13)
Independence Grove Forest Preserve, Libertyville

 

Important Health News  

 

In 2011 Lake County had 175 cases of pertussis, while in 2000 it only had 10 cases. To address the growing incidence of pertussis, the state of Illinois has implemented a new vaccination requirement for school entry. For school year 2012-2013, all students entering sixth and ninth grades will be required to provide proof of a dose of the whooping cough (Tdap) vaccination in addition to the school physicals required at these grades.

 

Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease that is easily transmitted through coughing and sneezing. It does not typically cause severe illness in healthy immunized students. In addition, pertussis can be transmitted from healthy students to infants and individuals with chronic illnesses, for whom pertussis can be life threatening.


While most children are vaccinated against pertussis when they are infants, protection wanes over time. This puts pre-teens, teenagers and adults at risk for the illness. While the Tdap vaccine booster (containing tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) is required for all students in grades six and nine, it is also recommended for all persons 10 years of age and older for their own protection.

 

"We are encouraging parents not to wait until the last minute to get the vaccination for their sixth and ninth graders," said Irene Pierce, Executive Director of the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center. "Now is an ideal time to make an appointment. By summer, healthcare providers are traditionally very busy."

 

Children should visit their regular healthcare provider to get Tdap and other recommended vaccines. Uninsured or under-insured students can receive the vaccine through federally qualified health centers. The Lake County Health Department maintains such health center facilities in Waukegan, North Chicago, Zion, Highland Park and Round Lake Beach. The vaccine is also available at the Health Department's Immunizations Clinic at 2303 Dodge Avenue in Waukegan.

 

Children entering sixth and ninth grades must show proof of having a Tdap vaccine in order to attend school. Unless a medical or religious exemption has been approved, or a child has an appointment to get the Tdap vaccine during the school year, a child will be subject to exclusion from school on or before October 15, 2012. The following documents will be accepted as proof of the vaccination:

 

  • Note or letter, signed by a physician
  • Print-out from provider's electronic medical record system
  • Certificate of Child Health Examination specifying exact date of Tdap shot. 

Additional information on pertussisis available. 

 

Text Your Power Outages to ComEd

 

 

ComEd has a new messaging capability that allows customers to text their outage to ComEd and enables ComEd to text restoration information back to customers.   The expanded outage alert text message program will provide added convenience for customers and help improve their experience. The new program enhancements:

  • Allow customers to text the company to report an outage,
  • Offer real-time information on outages, and
  • Allow customers to text ComEd to opt into the program.

To report an outage, customers can text OUT to 26633 (COMED).

Sign up here. 

 

 

Jobs and Economic Information   

 

 

Important Notice Regarding Unemployment Services at the Waukegan Job Center

 

Starting in May, Employment Security Services Only Available at Grayslake Job Center

On Tuesday, May 1, Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) services, specifically assistance with unemployment insurance, will no longer be available at the Waukegan Job Center (1 N. Genesee St).  Individuals with unemployment questions, or claims should visit the Grayslake Job Center, located at 800 Lancer Lane in Grayslake, or call 847.543.7400.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced this change Friday, April 27, notifying Lake County that IDES staff will be moved to their main office at the Grayslake Job Center.

Veteran's services will still be available at the Waukegan Center on Mondays. Unemployment information is available at IDES.
 

 

 The Lake County Workforce Investment Board  

2011 Annual Report 

 

 is now available. Learn more about local economic conditions impacting our businesses and workers, outcomes of workforce programs, and the impacts of those programs on our local economy. The report also highlights services availa

ble to businesses, youth and adult job seekers, and some of 2011's greatest success stories.

View the report here.  

 

Lake County Partners has moved to its new location at 100 Tri-State International Drive, Suite 122, Lincolnshire, IL 60069.

New phone: 847-597-1220

 

 

 

 

Naval Station Great Lakes  

 

Naval Station Great Lakes, located in North Chicago, has been a tremendous asset to Lake County for more than 100 years. Many Lake County residents may not realize that on any given day, more than 20,000 military and civilian personnel work, train and live at the naval station. It contributes more than $748.8 million to our local economy, which includes payrolls, government purchases, and contracts. In this edition of County Update, Captain Randall Lynch, Naval Station Great Lakes Commanding Officer, gives us an inside look into Naval Station Great Lakes and what goes on behind those gates.

 

Watch Now: 16 minutes.

 

Water Supply Advisory Committee  

Annual Report  

 

 

With the population in Northeastern Illinois projected to grow as much as 38% over the next 40 years, we must plan for our future water supply. The Lake County Water Supply Advisory Committee, a partnership between municipalities, the county, and other stakeholders have been working to establish sustainable policies and practices in order to ensure there is available, clean, safe, and cost-effective drinking water in the future. Read the report.

 

 

Early Spring 

Prompts Tick Sightings   

 

With the recent mild weather and increase in outdoor activity, residents should be aware that ticks are out. The Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center has recently been asked to identify ticks found on pets, including a deer tick. Often during outdoor activities like hiking and picnicking, ticks can attach themselves to clothing or skin and ride home with people or pets.

 

There are two known species of ticks in Lake County, the American dog tick (sometimes called the wood tick) and the deer tick (sometimes called the black-legged tick). Dog ticks are one-quarter-inch long as adults, much smaller as juveniles, and are dark reddish brown with irregular silvery or cream-colored patterns on their back. Dog ticks do notcarry Lyme disease. This species is the most common tick found throughout Illinois. Deer ticks are much smaller, about one-eighth-inch as adults. They are dark brown to bright red, have black legs, and have been rarely found in Lake County but their population appears to be increasing. Deer ticks can carry Lyme disease.

 

For more information about ticks and how to identify them, click here or call 847.377.8002. 

 

Community Symposium:   

Saving our Children 

 

 Stevenson, Buffalo Grove, Libertyville and Vernon Hills high schools are proud to present an evening for parent education. Join us for a relevant presentation and discussion of the reality of adolescent drug use, consequences and guidance for our community teens and families.

 

Presenters include: The Hon. Daniel B. Shanes, Associate Circuit Judge, Lake County, Suzanne Willett, Lake County State's Attorney's Office, Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group (MEG Unit), Buffalo Grove and Lincolnshire Police Departments, and Families and Adolescents in Recovery, Inc. (F.A.I.R.).
 
Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 7-9 p.m.                         
Stevenson High School Performing Arts Center
One Stevenson Drive, Lincolnshire

RSVP here 
 
 

Community Events


For the latest in your community, visit its web site.

  

Grayslake                       Green Oaks 
Lake Forest                    Libertyville           

 


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