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| Lake County News
from David Stolman
County Board Chairman |
| August 5, 2011 |
County Board Chairman
District 20 Representative |
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Neighbors,
As always, it's a pleasure and honor representing you on the County and Forest Preserve Boards. Please contact me anytime for any reason - I love hearing from you!
Send email to:
dstolman@lakecountyil.gov
or call me at 847-377-2300.
I encourage you to forward this update to others who may be interested in Lake County news.
Thank you,
David Stolman
Lake County Board Chairman
Representing Buffalo Grove, Long Grove and Prairie View |
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Construction Update - Deerfield Parkway (Concrete Patching/Curb Repair)
The Deerfield Parkway concrete patching/curb replacement project between Rt.21 and Rt.83 will begin week of August 8, 2011. Contractor is looking to install construction signage in the beginning of the week then start working on west bound outer lane.
Impact to Drivers: Watch for west bound outer lane closures. Watch for workers and trucks. Expect Delays.
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Illinois Tollway Includes Route 53 Extension in Proposed Capital Plan
Public Can Provide Comments at Two Lake County Meetings in August or On-line. The Tollway Board has identified the Route 53 north extension (from Lake Cook Road to Route 120) as a long-term priority project in its proposed 10-year capital plan.
The Tollway also included $100 million toward planning and technical studies for the Route 53 project, as well as the Illiana Expressway (connecting I-55 from south of Joliet to I-65 near Lowell, Ind) in the proposed plan.
Details of the capital plan and proposed toll rate increase will be presented at public hearings in the 12 counties served by the Tollway in August.
There will be two hearings in Lake County:
* Friday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Libertyville Civic Center,
135 West Church St., Libertyville
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* Tuesday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Buffalo Grove Village Hall,
50 Raupp Blvd., Buffalo Grove
* Submit comments about the capital plan to the Tollway
Learn more about "Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future" |
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Lake County Takes Steps to 'Buy Local'
Lake County is launching a new "buy local" program to support Lake County businesses, and keep money in the local economy. While Lake County has always encouraged local purchasing, this is part of a broader initiative to improve relations with the business community and encourage local vendors to seek business with the county. Under the new plan, departments are required to obtain multiple quotes from local vendors and award contracts to Lake County businesses where possible, and as allowed under state law. Lake County projects potentially $16 million more being invested in the local economy, as a result of this renewed effort.
Lake County departments will seek out local vendors for purchases under the legal bid limit of $30,000, while also considering other factors such as price, quality, terms, and service delivery. Lake County will strive to ensure that local businesses have the opportunity to do business with the county, while also continuing to be good stewards of tax dollars and maintaining compliance with the law. Local governments are mandated by state law to purchase goods and services at the lowest cost.
County Board Chairman David Stolman said, "Local businesses are the backbone of our economy. By buying local, we can keep money circulating in our community. This boosts the local economy, and can help businesses grow, which can lead to more jobs."
Over the past several years, Lake County has conducted outreach, seminars, and training for local businesses in an effort to enhance opportunities for local vendors, and increase awareness about how to do business with Lake County.
Additionally, through the "Job Order Contracting" (JOC) program, Lake County increased its use of Lake County sub-contractors, reaching 71% since the program was implemented in 2009. Under the JOC program, sub-contractors perform a wide variety of renovation, repair and construction work, allowing for increased use of local businesses, as well as enhanced quality and cost-effectiveness.
Lake County will hold a series of workshops in September to provide information about the new "buy local" program. The schedule is as follows:
- Business and Government Day - Aug. 11, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., College of Lake County, Grayslake Campus
- Lake County Vendor Fair - Sep. 8, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville
- Job Order Contracting Breakfast - Sep. 20, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville
- Vendor Training Sessions - Sep. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville
Businesses interested in learning more about opportunities with Lake County can visit www.lakecountyil.gov and click on "Doing Business" in the Quick Links. Businesses can also register to receive email notifications of bids, requests for proposal (RFP), and other solicitations.
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Keep County roadways litter-free
Adopt-a-Highway applications now available |
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The Adopt-A-Highway program it is an excellent opportunity to contribute towards a cleaner "greener" environment in Lake County. Now is your opportunity to enroll in the program. The Division of Transportation is accepting applications through August 26.
Since 1993 Adopt-A-Highway has been a success due to the dedication of hard-working volunteers from various business, civic, not-for-profit, social and youth groups. Twice a year, volunteers remove litter from both sides of their adopted county highway. The program promotes teamwork, civic responsibility, helping the environment, and provides a valuable public service. Groups receive recognition for doing so with commemorative signs bearing their name placed at their adopted location.
"With 295 centerline miles of county highways and 54 miles of bike paths, it is a challenge for Division of Transportation highway workers to keep up with the amount of litter on the highways," said Marty Buehler, Director of Transportation/County Engineer. "We appreciate the volunteer efforts of citizens and organizations to help keep our roadways clean." | |
The Division of Transportation provides participants with high-visibility safety vests, trash bags and safety information before dispatching the volunteers to remove litter from Lake County bike paths and highways. This program has improved the appearance of the county's highway system, while saving taxpayer money by allowing maintenance crews more time to devote to road maintenance and other highway projects.
Current participants include groups such as:
Bark Busters Dog Training
Lake Bluff Open Lands Association
Wauconda Fire Explorers Post 118
Beach Park Girls Softball
Submit completed applications to the Lake County Division of Transportation by August 26.
Mail: 600 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048
Email: Adoptahwy@lakecountyil.gov
Phone: 847-377-7472
Fax: 847-984-5606
MORE: Lake County Division of Transportation website |
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Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission Reminds Vietnam Veterans and Widows of August Deadline |
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In order to avoid losing thousands of dollars, the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) of Lake County is reminding Vietnam veterans who have an existing medical diagnosis for any of the three new presumptive diseases to file their claims before August 30. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) refers to "presumptive diseases" as certain cancers and other health problems related to exposure to Agent Orange, or other herbicides during military service. The three new presumptive diseases include: Ischemic Heart Disease, Hairy Cell and other B-Cell Leukemias, and Parkinson's disease.
Qualifying veterans that file before the August 30 deadline are eligible to receive up to one year of retroactive benefits. They should contact the VAC at 847-377-3344 to make an appointment, or email veterans@lakecountyil.gov. The office is located at 20 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Waukegan. VAC reminds veterans to bring their Military Discharge, DD Form 214.
Mike Peck, VAC Superintendent, said, "We strongly recommend that veterans and their widows use a VA certified Veterans Service Officer through our office. Officers will ensure proper tracking of their claim and can provide representation through the process."
Additionally, if the Vietnam veteran died from a heart attack, the spouse may qualify for benefits because the death may be due to their husband's exposure to Agent Orange and a disability of Ischemic heart disease. Qualifying widows should file for "Dependent Indemnity Compensation" (DIC) with the VAC before the August 30 deadline.
The U.S. VA will streamline claims for these presumptive diseases through its "Agent Orange Fast Track Claims Processing System."
For more information, contact:
Mike Peck
847-377-3344 |
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Who's Hiring in Lake County? | |
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View a sampling of organizations who are hiring in Lake County this month at the
Who's Hiring webpage |
Job Center of Lake County
Waukegan 847.377.3450
Grayslake 847.543.7400
www.lakecountyjobcenter.comjobcenter@lakecountyil.gov
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