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| Lake County News
from David Stolman
County Board Chairman |
| January 19, 2012 |
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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Winter Storm Watch
Lake County and surrounding areas are facing very cold temperatures overnight tonight followed by the potential for intense snowfall during the day and evening on Friday. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm Watch from 6:00 a.m. through midnight on Friday, January 20th.
Please continue to monitor your usual weather information sources for ongoing updates. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, make sure their vehicles are ready for winter driving, and to have appropriate winter clothing and supplies in their vehicle. The Lake County Division of Transportation's PASSAGE system provides detailed road and travel information for Lake County. For real-time, local traffic and road information, including incidents and closures, visit www.lakecountypassage.com. You can also sign up for email alerts customized to your route, and Android and I-Phone mobile device apps are available to report incidents directly to PASSAGE. |
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Board Room Brief
Below is a brief update on key actions that were taken at this week's County Board and Forest Preserve District Board meetings.
COUNTY TO SAVE BETWEEN 65-76% ON COMMONLY PURCHASED SUPPLIES
We recently rebidded the county's contract for office supplies. The lowest bidder, Staples, Inc., will allow the county to save between 65% and 76% on the most commonly purchased items.
In addition to being the low bidder, Staples, Inc. fits into our
"Buy Local" initiative. They have several locations in Lake County. They employ over 500 county residents and are a significant taxpayer in the county.
LAKE COUNTY AWARDED MILLIONS IN FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS
Lake County recently received a number of grants that will benefit our veterans, homeless population and unemployed residents. These grants include:
- $1.9 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help ensure our homeless population has access to emergency shelter and other services. We coordinate with several local non-profits to ensure we are serving the homeless effectively and efficiently.
- $50,000 from the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Illinois to provide dental services to low-income veterans.
- $476,746 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to assist unemployed residents with job skills training, job search assistance and other services.
COUNTY BOARD MAKES 19 APPOINTMENTS TO KEY COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
This week, the County Board voted to appoint 19 county residents to key committees and commissions including the Regional Planning Commission, Public Water District, County Public Aid Committee and various drainage districts
Are you interested in volunteering on a county commission or committee? Please click here to see a list of county commissions and committees. The list is long, so don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions about the various groups or when vacancies might open up.
FOREST PRESERVE PRESIDENT APPOINTS OUTSIDE ETHICS OFFICIAL
Forest Preserve Board President Ann Maine appointed a retired DuPage County Judge to serve as the Lake County Forest Preserve District's Outside Ethics Advisor. It's important that our staff and board have an impartial, outside individual to ask questions about ethics rules and report potential ethics violations. |
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IDOT Public Meeting on Route 45 Widening
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will be hosting a public meeting on the widening of Route 45 from Route 22 to Route 60.
Tuesday, February 7
5:30 - 8:30 PM
Vernon Hills Park District - Sullivan Center
635 North Aspen
Vernon Hills, Illinois
Exhibits and audio-visual presentations will be available. IDOT staff will also be on hand to answer your questions. |
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Construction Update
Route 21 Project Update
On March 1, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will resume work on the Route 21 road project, which extends through 2012.
During construction, there will be limited access to the Independence Grove Forest Preserve's Dog Exercise Area on Milwaukee Avenue, and for a portion of the year, the area may be temporarily closed. Details will follow as they become available.
As part of the project, the new 4-lane road will include a dedicated left turn lane into the Dog Area.
For updates on this and other projects, please check DOT's construction status page.
LAKEWOOD TRAIL AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
Starting this summer, the Lake County Department of Transportation (LCDOT) will be working on realigning trails, constructing trail tunnels and making intersection improvements at Route 176 and Fairfield Road.
I'll be updating you on other projects as the spring and summer construction session gets under way.
Details will follow as they become available. |
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Snowbirds and Students Encouraged To Enroll In Voting By Mail Program
Lake County Clerk Willard Helander reminds Lake County registered voters who spend part of the year outside of the county (usually winters) that they can enroll in the Snowbird Voting by Mail Program. Those enrolled will automatically receive an application for ballot by mail for the elections specified. Illinois law requires individuals voting by mail to complete an application for ballot before each election, and a ballot will be mailed to the voter only after the Clerk receives the signed application.
To enroll in the program, the voter must be a registered Lake County voter. Visit the County Clerk's web site at VotingbyMail.info to download a fillable Snowbird Voting by Mail Program enrollment form. Voters may also request a form by contacting the Elections Department at VotingByMail@lakecountyil.gov or 847.377.2406.
College Students away at school need to enroll in the Temporary Absent Student Program.
During the voting by mail period, voters will be able to visit LakeVoterPower.info to track the Election Department's receipt of their ballot.
For more information about how or where to register to vote, please visit the voter registration tab on LakeCountyClerk.info or call the Voter Registration Department at 847.377.2410. |
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Tax Refunds To Be Issued Late
STATE TO BE LATE IN PROCESSING TAX REFUNDS
I was told this week the State of Illinois will be late in processing tax refund checks this year. They don't anticipate to begin processing refunds until February 7th at the earliest.
To track the status of your tax refund payment, please click here. |
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Forest Preserve Dog Exercise Area Hours Extended
EXTENDED HOURS
In response to public requests, all four Lake County Forest Preserve Dog Exercise Areas will now stay open daily until 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever is later. The areas open at 6:30 a.m. daily and a permit is required for entry.
I hope you take some time to visit the Lake County Forest Preserve's Dog Exercise Areas.
DOG AREA PERMITS
Just a reminder: Our Rangers regularly patrol the dog areas and will issue a citation to anyone using the areas without a permanent, temporary or daily permit properly displayed in their vehicle's windshield. If you haven't bought your 2012 permit yet, do so quickly so your canine companion doesn't miss out, and so you can avoid getting a citation!
Annual permits can be purchased online, over the phone at 847-367-6640, or in person at the Forest Preserve General Offices at 1899 West Winchester Road in Libertyville. Daily permits can be purchased at a self-pay station located in the parking lot at each Dog Exercise Area.
The annual permit allows access to all four Dog Exercise Areas: Independence Grove (entrance off Milwaukee Avenue) near Libertyville, Lakewood near Wauconda, Prairie Wolf near Lake Forest, and Duck Farm near Lindenhurst. |
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Is the State of Illinois Holding Your Unclaimed Property?
The Illinois State Treasurer's Office is responsible for holding unclaimed property and working to find its owner.
To see if you have unclaimed property being held by the State of Illinois, please click here. |
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Forest Preserve Horizon Newsletter
To receive the Lake County Forest Preserve Horizon Newsletter by email, click here. |
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