Lake County News

Lake County Board Chairman Suzi Schmidt met with the new Executive Director of the Illinois Tollway, Kristi LaFleur, Tuesday to discuss Lake County transportation issues and request the Tollway give consideration to two key transportation improvement projects: IL Route 53 and IL Route 120.

Chairman Schmidt emphasized that the Illinois Tollway is the appropriate agency to move these projects forward using the agency's "Context Sensitive Solutions" (CSS) process, which uses an inclusive approach to define the project improvements by involving stakeholders. The I-355 Tollway project is an example.

Chairman Schmidt said, "Improvements to these roadways will help our economy and improve the quality of life for residents who experience gridlock every day. We have to address Lake County's traffic congestion in order to create and retain jobs. I want to thank Ms. LaFleur for taking the time to meet with me and Lake County staff to learn more about these critical transportation projects."

The "Unified Vision for the Central Lake Thruway" calls for the construction of a Route 120 by-pass from Volo to Grayslake that would be a four-lane boulevard in a wide 300-foot right-of-way. The plan is supported by the entire Lake County legislative delegation, along with 11 mayors, five Lake County Board members, and 12 elected bodies. While this is a State road, Lake County and local communities took the lead in this planning effort and conducted a feasibility study. The result was a strong local consensus.

The Route 53 extension into Lake County is another key project that has broad support. Last April 76% of Lake County voters overwhelming showed their support for extending Route 53 in a non-binding referendum.

In September 2001, IDOT and the State Toll Highway Authority, in their extensive Lake County Transportation Improvement Project (LCTIP), completed a draft report which identified the Route 53 extension as one of two finalist alternatives to decide between. To date, however, the State has not decided which option to pursue.

Additionally, both projects are included in the pending "Go To 2040" Regional Plan for the Chicago Area and they scored the highest in congestion relief and mobility opportunities. The Tollway Board is expected to discuss these projects at an upcoming meeting.

Schmidt added, "I hope the Tollway Board seriously considers moving these projects forward to improve transportation across the region."

Construction Update

On Wednesday, June 2^nd till Friday, October 29^th, 2010

The Illinois Department of Transportation will resurface approximately 7 miles along Interstate 290/IL 53 from Higgins Road (IL 72) to Rand Road (US 12). This project will be constructed in stages. Traffic on southbound I-290/IL 53 will have permanent daytime lane closures from June 2^nd till August 27^th. Furthermore, traffic on northbound I-290/IL 53 will be impacted with permanent lane closures from August 27^th to October 29^th, 2010. Motorists should expect delays and use caution in the work zone. The Interstate 290/IL 53 project repairs will include bridge work, drainage improvements, and patching.

Please refer to the Interstate 290 website for further details:

Interstate 290 Resurfacing Project

IDOT has also created a dedicated phone line for the Interstate 290 Resurfacing Project: 1-847-705-4696

IDOT appreciates your patience and urges the motoring public to begin to take necessary steps such as alternate route planning, car pooling, flexible work schedules, and public transportation to avoid anticipated travel delays

Independence Grove Free Concerts

Lake County Forest Preserves Presents:

Events in the Plaza - Tuesday Nights (Thursday rain date)

Independence Grove's Millennia Plaza

June 15 Peter Oprisko

Chicago's Singing Sensation, a highly entertaining, educational, and interactive show of America's best Sinatra, Jazz and Pop standards, plus Broadway's golden era highlights.

June 22 Spoken Four

Four musicians deliver rich, sound, tight grooves and seamless harmonies

in a non-stop high-energy show, performing a variety of pop and rock favorites.

June 29 World Class Noise

Featuring the "Tough Love Horns" and dynamite vocals, Chicago's finest rock 'n soul/funk band will deliver the goods and leave you wanting more. Saxaphone

July 6 Illinois Brass Band

Experience an inspiring performance of classical, Dixie, Broadway, show tunes and marches by this award-winning 30-piece brass band,

July 13 White Saddle Band

Celebrating life across America's heartland, these professionals perform the best old and new country music, infused with R&B, blues, and straight-no-chaser rock and roll.

July 20 The Rhythm Rockets

Get ready to jump, Jack! Fronted by a vibrant vocalist, this sax-driven band serves up '40s & '50s influenced jump, jazz, rhythm and blues with a vintage vibe.

July 27 Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones

Let Rick's versatile vocal range take you on a rock-a-billy time machine of '50s & '60s rock, with hits by Johnny Cash, Elvis, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and more.

August 3 Incendio

All the way from Los Angeles, this Latin guitar world fusion group offers a fiery brand of melodic guitar and modern would rhythms that will take you on a global journey.

August 10 Libido Funk Circus

Say goodbye to another hot summer series with this high-energy musical tour de force of all your favorite songs.

Independence Grove 16400 W. Buckley Road (Route 137), Libertyville 847-968-3499 www.independencegrove.org.

Folk Music Free Event

Antioch Fine Arts Foundation Gallery

983 Main St.

Folk Music
AFAF Gallery hosts a casual folk music presentation on the second Saturday of every month from 1 to 4 pm. The music is free, and open to the public. Come enjoy an afternoon of music and art created by our local musicians and artists. Meet some of the musicians !

AFAF has co-sponsored one concert in conjunction with the Lakes Region Historical Society. We hope to sponsor more concerts in the future. Stay tuned!

Call 847-838-2274 or visit: www.antiochfinearts.org for more information.

Seniors Day Celebration

Independence Grove Forest Preserve

Libertyville

June 9th from 9am-Noon

Free Event

The Lake County Forest Preserve District's 38th annual Seniors Day celebration is set for June 9 at the Independence Grove Forest Preserve near Libertyville. It will run from 9 a.m. to noon and is open to Lake County residents 55 or older.

Horseshoe Tournament starts at 10:00 a.m.

Music, bingo, boat rides, health screenings and more offered.

Bingo and registration for drawings are offered in the air-conditioned Visitors Center. Music is provided by a DJ who spins hit tunes from the '40s, '50s and '60s.

Healthy snacks are provided by Whole Foods, watermelon, hot dogs, chips, ice cream, coffee and water will also be provided while supplies last.

On the day of the event, Independence Grove is open exclusively for Seniors Day attendees and is closed to general preserve traffic until 1 p.m. The entrance to Independence Grove is located on Route 137, east of Milwaukee Avenue. Many

Lake County township offices will provide bus transportation to the event.

Registration is not required. Admission is free. For more information call 847-367-6640 or visit: www.lcfpd.org

University Center Nights

"UNIVERSITY CENTER NIGHTS"

JUNE 16 & JULY 15

6:00pm - 8:00pm

If you would like to explore returning to school to complete your bachelor's degree, earn a graduate degree, or pursue professional development programs, the University Center of Lake County is here to help. University Center will host information sessions on Wednesday, June 16 and Thursday, July 15, both from 6 to 8 pm at the Grayslake facility (1200 University Center Drive; at the intersection of Washington St. and Lancer Lane).

"University Center Nights" showcase the 90 programs available in Grayslake, Waukegan, Great Lakes Naval Training Center, or via online study. Representatives from the University Center's member institutions will be on hand to answer questions and provide further information about their programs.

The University Center's member institutions are: Benedictine University, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Concordia University Chicago, DePaul University, Dominican University, Illinois State University, Kendall College, National-Louis University, North Park University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Saint Xavier University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Illinois at Springfield, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Each offers selected programs.