Lake County News

I was just notified by Barbara Martin, CEO of Vista Hospital that we have received approval from the Facility Planning Board for the free standing Emergency Room in Lindenhurst on Grand Avenue!

I will get you all the information as soon as it becomes available on ground breaking, construction and grand opening.

Thank you to everyone that has worked so hard over the years to make this Emergency Room a reality. Hopefully a hospital for Northwest Lake County will not be far behind.

Health Department Activates West Nile Virus Hotline

Health Department Activates West Nile Virus Hotline

Now that warmer weather is here, the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center is urging residents to protect themselves against West Nile virus. West Nile virus is contracted from the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. "Although no human cases of the disease were reported in Lake County over the past two years, it is still important for residents to protect themselves against West Nile virus," said Irene Pierce, the Health Department's Executive Director. "We can do this by protecting ourselves against mosquito bites and ensuring that the environment around us is not conducive to mosquito breeding."

The Health Department has re-activated the West Nile virus hotline for county residents to report dead birds, report areas of stagnant water (which are conducive to mosquito breeding), or to obtain more information on the signs and symptoms of West Nile encephalitis. The West Nile virus hotline number is: (847) 377-8300.

The Health Department will collect a limited number of dead crows, robins and blue jays for testing beginning June 1st. The Health Department will contact you if the bird you report is needed for testing. All other dead birds will not be collected by the Health Department. It is recommended that dead birds be disposed of by placing the bird in a plastic bag. Either double bag or tightly secure the bag and place it in your regular garbage. Dead birds cannot spread West Nile virus. The information residents provide is very important and will be used to monitor West Nile virus in the county and identify any problem areas that exist. The Health Department will share this information with municipalities and townships.

The Health Department is operating 20 mosquito monitoring sites and reviewing data from 25 other sites throughout the county to identify "hot spots" for the mosquito that carries WNV. The Department is also conducting an aerial survey to identify potential mosquito breeding areas in and around underdeveloped or abandoned residential building sites and swimming pools in certain areas of the county.

The Health Department is urging residents to prevent mosquito breeding and to prevent mosquito bites. While most people infected with WNV have no symptoms of illness, some may become ill, usually three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus may occasionally cause serious complications. In some individuals, particularly the elderly, the virus can cause muscle weakness, stiff neck, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, coma or death. Information about WNV can be found on the Department's Web site at: http://www.lakecountyil.gov/Health/resources/WNV.htm

County Lifts Permit Fees for Shed

Lake County Lifts Permit Requirement for Sheds in Unincorporated Area

It is now much easier for homeowners in the unincorporated area to place a shed on their property. Effective immediately, the County Board has adopted a new, streamlined process in time for summer, the normal peak season for shed projects.

The new rule exempts residential sheds (100 square feet or less) from County permit requirements. This exemption only applies to unincorporated areas (outside of Village/City limits). Property owners are required to read and agree to location requirements and pay a nominal registration fee of $25 for the project (prior to the County Board's rule change, the cost for a shed permit was $101). The registration process for these small sheds can be completed at home using a fax, internet connection or the U.S. Mail, and residents will no longer need to drive to the County's permit facility to obtain a permit. Hence, the new process is intended to make it significantly more convenient for the County's customers by saving them time and money.

To take advantage of this new program, residents can obtain a registration form on the County's website (http://www.lakecountyil.gov/Planning/Default.htm) or contact the Central Permit Facility at 847-377-2600. Completed forms can be returned by email at lcpermits@lakecountyil.gov, faxed to (847) 984-5608,or mailed to 500 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville, IL 60048 (attention: CEP).

While a property owner must register a shed project before construction, construction of the shed can begin immediately upon receiving registration confirmation from Lake County. The County will respond to requests generally within 24 hours. Any questions about this new program can be directed to County staff at (847) 377-2600.

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.

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.