Lake County News from Linda Pedersen

Did you know that the Lake County Board doesn't determine your tax bill? Each government body sets its own tax rate, approves its own budget and holds budget hearings. Taxpayers have an opportunity to provide input at these public hearings.

While you write your property tax payment to the Lake County Collector, Lake County government is responsible for 7% of the tax bill.

So, for a house with a value of $250,000, $346 of the property tax bill goes to county government. The rest is distributed to more than 200 other taxing districts, with schools getting the biggest piece. Each taxing body is responsible for their portion of the tax bill.

Unless taxing bodies reduce spending levels, property tax bills will remain at current levels.

In response to the declining economy the County Board made reductions to the 2010 budget of over $6,000,000.

Public Hearing on Wind Engergy Facilities in Unincorporated Lake County

On Monday April 26 at 1 pm the Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing regarding allowing for the permitting of wind energy facilities, including height restrictions, setbacks, and operating conditions of wind energy facilities and the penalties and enforcement for violations of the proposed regulations. This would only be for unincorporated land in Lake County.

The meeting will will held at the Lake County Central Permit Facility at 500 Winchester Rd. in Libertyville.

Please review this

draft ordinance and video . If you are unable to attend the meeting but have comments or concerns, please email your thoughts to David Husemoller at dhusemoller@lakecountyil.gov .

Outpatient Rehabilitation at Winchester House

Winchester House has a rehabilitation department that provides physical, occupational and speech therapy. Some services at Winchester House include Rehabilitation § Long Term Care § Memory Care § Ancillary Care

Click here for more information .

Call JULIE Before You Dig

Before doing any digging, residents are reminded that JULIE's call center agents are available to receive and process requests 24 hours a day, seven days a week at either 8-1-1 or 800-892-0123. Remember to call or click BEFORE you dig.

Transportation

There are literally a hundred road projects planned for the Lake and Cook County area. This doesn't even include local road projects. The Lake County Dept. of Transportation will try to include links to all projects in the area, even if the department is not working on them. Here is the list and tentative schedule for some of the major projects in our area. Please keep in mind that weather has a big impact on the ability of crews to work on the roads.

Washington St. from IL 21 to US Route 41: Project is nearing completion. All lanes are open. Median landscaping in Spring 2010.

Washington St. from Hunt Club Rd. to IL 21: Crews have begun excavation on the North side of Washington St. and installing temporary pavement.

North Ave. from IL 83 to Deep Lake Rd: North Ave. is closed to thru traffic as roadway reconstruction has begun.

Midlothian Rd. Extension: The final segment of the Midlothian Rd. extension is scheduled to begin Summer 2010.

MLK Jr. Dr. from Green Bay Rd. to Sheridan Rd: The north half of the roadway is complete. Reconstruction of the south half will start in the Spring of 2010.

Riverwoods Rd. at Everett Rd. Construction of a roundabout is scheduled to begin in Summer 2010.

Hunt Club Rd. at Wadsworth Rd. Construction of a roundabout is scheduled to begin in Late 2010.

Hunt Club Rd. at Millburn Rd. Construction of a roundabout is scheduled to begin in Late 2010.

Now that the tollway lane additions are done, the project with the biggest impact will be the Edens Lane Resurfacing. This is expected to start in late June or early July. The road will be reduced to one lane each way. with a lane shift on the Tri-State.

But once you get onto the Edens there are still a number of projects will impact your travel time. While the Kennedy ramps should open in April, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will begin four projects to improve the Interstate 290 Expressway, Congress Parkway Bridge and Wacker Drive. Get details on each project from the IDOT/CDOT 2010-2012 project site. You can also look at all lane closures.

With the price of gas going up again and summer construction season, you may want to check out Metra website. Remember, you can also take Metra to O'Hare.

You can also bike more!

Drive less. Live more promotes alternative transportation in northern Illinois. They have information on bikes on public transportation, as well as ride sharing information, biking paths and more.

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.

The First Roundabout is Coming!

LCDOT efforts to have installed in the Chicago area, a federally-funded, modern roundabout intersection is finally moving forward to construction! The state letting for the Riverwoods Rd at Everett Rd Roundabout in Lincolnshire-Mettawa-Lake Forest is scheduled in Springfield for April. We expect to begin construction in June and have it open to traffic late this year.

We have a new tab on our web page about roundabouts - good source of information for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians about what roundabouts are and what to expect when you encounter them.

The educational campaign for drivers for the new Riverwoods Rd at Everett Rd Roundabout will start in the fall. We will be handing out a separate brochure to drivers in advance of construction regarding construction staging and what to expect.

http://www.lakecountyil.gov/Transportation/Roundabouts

Redefining Autism

AutismOne & Generation Rescue Conference: Redefining Autism

Jenny McCarthy: Keynote Address

Monday, May 23 - Sunday, May 30, Chicago, Illinois

Redefining Autism provides the answers to your most pressing questions. No matter where your child is on the spectrum hope is real. No matter the age of your child healing is possible.

For 7 days you will be immersed in all things autism. You will learn from the world's leading medical practitioners, find out about the latest research findings, come to discover the most effective therapies, learn about you and your child's legal rights, and be given the tools and understanding to immediately begin helping your child and your family.

Highlights

- We have so much good information the conference has been increased from 5 days to 7.

- Monday and Tuesday are free.

- Rally, in Grant Park, Wednesday afternoon. The age of advocacy begins.

- Legal Training, Thursday for attorneys and parents. Join the fight.

- Jenny McCarthy, keynote address, main conference, Saturday, May 29.

- Dr. Andrew Wakefield, keynote address at the legal training program, Thursday, May 27.

- Advocacy track. Everything you need to know to make a difference.

- Over 150 speakers.

Autism is the number one pediatric health crisis in the world today and you can help change that. Working together we will end the epidemic and restore the health of our children and country.

Become your child's most effective caregiver and advocate. Learn more at www.AutismOne.org or email info@autismone.org.

AutismOne is a parent-driven, charity organization helping children and families with autism.

Household Chemical Waste Collection

MOBILE RESIDENTIAL COLLECTION EVENTS -
No Appointment Necessary

The next Mobile collections will be:

Saturday, April 17, 2010
Antioch Public Works Department
796 Holbek Drive/Depot Road
8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 15, 2010
Vernon Hills Metra Station

Route 45 and Ranney Road
8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

All HCW collection events, sponsored by SWALCO, are for Illinois residents ONLY and are FREE. You do not need to be a resident of the community where the collection takes place in order to participate.

The following are general lists of materials/items that are acceptable and not acceptable at our household chemical waste collections.

Materials ACCEPTED at HCW Collections:

Aerosol Products, Antifreeze, Asbestos, Batteries: Rechargeable (NI-CAD), Lithium and Metal Hydride Batteries (NO ALKALINE or LEAD-ACID), Drain Cleaners, Driveway Sealers, Fertilizers, Herbicides, Fluorescent Lights and CFL's (compact fluorescent bulbs), Fungicides, Furniture Strippers and Varnishes , Garden and Lawn Chemicals, Gasoline, Hobby Chemicals, Household Cleaners, Insecticides and Pesticides, Mercury (including thermometers and thermostats), Metal Polishes, Motor Oil, Oil-based Paints, Paint Removers, Pool Chemicals, Prescription Drugs (for People and Pets), Over-the Counter Medicines and Supplements (NO DEA CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES - see below) Personal Care Products (including cosmetics, skin-care products, shampoos, etc.) Solvents.

The following materials are NOT ACCEPTED at HCW Collections:

Agricultural Chemicals, Alkaline Batteries, Business or Institutional Wastes, DEA Controlled Substances, Explosives and Ammunition, Fire Extinguishers, Fireworks, Household Electronics, Latex Paint, Lead-acid Batteries, Propane Tanks, Medical Wastes, Sharps/Needles, Smoke Detectors, Tires.

19th Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council (FVCC) and College of Lake County Presents:

Until Death Do Us Part:

How the Church Should Respond to Domestic Violence

Presented by Lt. Mark Hunter, (Ret.), Pleasant Prairie, WI

When: Tuesday, May 18th - 9:00am-12:30pm

(Registration begins at 8:30am)

Where: St. Lawrence Church, 125 W. Church St., Libertyville,

Cost: FREE

3.5 CEUs for social workers available at no additional charge

All participants will receive a complimentary copy of Lt. Mark Hunter's book, Until Death Do Us Part: How the Church Should Respond to Domestic Violence.

Click Here to view the Registration Flyer

Who should attend:

Clergy / Women's Ministry Teams or Members / Adult Education Leaders / Parish Nurses / Church Secretaries & Administrative Assistants / Anyone with whom a battered woman may confide

For More Information, please contact:

Nila Grahl , 19th Judicial Circuit FVCC Coordinator at 847.543.2315

Interested in the 19th Judicial Circuit FVCC? Follow this link

this link

Vista Health System Bike Rodeo

Vista Health System

Bike Rodeo

Bring Your Bike

Sunday, April 25, 11am - 2pm

Vista Surgery Center

1050 Red Oak Lane, Lindenhurst

Near the intersection of Deep Lake Road & Grand Avenue

Make sure your children know the ins and outs of bicycle safety. Attend this special event and tour our safety check points to receive a "License to Ride Safety". Activities include:

Bicycle obstacle course monitored by the Lindenhurst Police Department
Ambulance tours by Lake Villa EMS
Bike safety checks provided by a mechanic from B & G Cyclery, Inc. Round Lake Beach
Information, tours, givaways & more

The first 150 children receive a FREE helmet courtesy of Vista Health System

For more information call 847.360.4246

One Hope United Mad Hatter's Tea Party

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

Sunday, April 18, 2010
1 - 5 p.m.

Lehmann Mansion

Don't be a dodo, save this very important date, and don't be late!

A very merry unbirthday charity party to benefit One Hope United!

Tickets are $75 and are available here.

One Hope United is throwing a Mad Hatter's Tea Party featuring the 7th Annual Blue Ribbon Fashion Show and Auction to raise funds for programs and services that benefit at-risk children and families throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. This magical event, which will transport guests into the mad adventures of Alice in Wonderland, includes a delectable lunch, a family-style fashion show and silent and live auctions.

Down the rabbit hole:

The Lehmann Mansion
485 Milwaukee Avenue
Lake Villa, Illinois

How you can help:

· Become a corporate or individual sponsor

· Become a volunteer

· Donate an item for our silent auction

Click here to register online!

For more information on how you can make a difference by getting involved with our charity event, please contact:
Kristy Cechini
847.245.6505
kcechini@onehopeunited.org

Save Money & Recycle Your Old Refrigerator