Lake County News -- County Board Chairman David Stolman -- District 20 Representative
Lake County News -- David Stolman
July 10, 2012
CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY MAILING LIST!
In This Issue
Electrical Supply Choice
Hot Weather Health for You and Your Pets
Dimucci Property Meetings
Healthy Lake County
Metra Solicits Input on Plan
County Fair
Adopt-A-Highway
Nutrition Tips: Energy Drinks
Rain Barrel & Compost Bins for Sale
Check for Leaks
Charity Bicycle Collection
Please let me know what you think of this newsletter, or if you have any questions or comments.
 
It's an honor and a pleasure serving you on the County and Forest Preserve boards.
 
Thank you,
David 
David Stolman
847.377.2300

You Have a Choice on Your Electric Supply--But what does this mean? 

Electric ChoiceLake County residents have a choice on who provides the supply portion of their electric service and choosing a different electric supplier may be able to save you money. Any Lake County resident can choose to purchase their electricity supply from an alternative supplier. Essentially, this means you can shop for suppliers providing service in your area and compare prices, charges, other terms, and select a new supplier. Learn more on the Electric Choice page.

 

If you live in unincorporated Lake County, this option is available to you now. If you reside in a community that has pursued aggregation, your municipality has secured an electric supply plan and you can opt-in, or opt-out. The villages of Buffalo Grove and Long Grove together secured rates from Integrys Energy Services at 4.775 cents per kWh through June 2013.  If you opt out, you can also shop around and choose an alternative supplier now.

Hot Weather Health Tips; Summer Dog Safety

Play video: Summer Dog Safety

Record-breaking temperatures so far this summer remind us that everyone needs to take precautions in the summer heat.  Here are a few ways of coping with the heat and recognizing symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

 

 Summer is a great time to be outside with your dog, but owners should know when it's time to let their pet cool off in the shade.  In this video, learn the signs your dogs will tell you to keep them safe, comfortable, and healthy in the "dog days" of summer!

Dimucci Property Meetings July 11 and 18

 

Regional Planning Commission Meeting

5-9:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 11 (moved from Monday, June 25)

Concorde Banquets, 20922 N. Rand Road, Kildeer

 

Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting

5-9:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 18 (moved from Wednesday, July 11)

Concorde Banquets, 20922 N. Rand Road, Kildeer

 

The Zoning Board of Appeals will also hold a meeting on July 26 at 9 a.m. at the Lake County Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville. Click here for full meeting schedule.

 

If you cannot attend these meetings, you may mail, email, or call Patrick Tierney at 500 W. Winchester Rd., Unit 101, Libertyville, IL 60048, or 847-377-2128.

Watch July's Healthy Lake County

Play video: Healthy Lake County Watch this month's episode of Healthy Lake County to learn how to keep yourself cool in the summer heat as well as how to protect yourself and other users of swimming areas. Also, see an introduction to the new Healthy Eating/Active Living pages on the Health Department's web page. Watch the video:

Metra Solicits Public Input on a New Strategic Plan

Metra Furthering its goal of soliciting input and engaging in dialogue with its major stakeholders, Metra is asking its riders, the public, elected officials and others for their help as it begins to craft its first strategic plan in several decades.  The commuter rail agency has set up a brief survey on its website and has scheduled a series of open houses throughout the Chicago region starting next week to solicit public input on a new strategic plan. The strategic plan is a critically important document that will guide the agency for years to come, helping it to prioritize its spending decisions and use its scarce dollars in the most efficient and effective way possible.

 

You can offer input by coming out to one of our public open house forums throughout the region.   Click here for meeting information.  You can also provide input by completing a short survey actively available until August 10.  As the strategic plan begins to take shape, Metra will hold another round of open houses in the fall. It intends to complete the plan by the end of this year.  Metra will hold its Lake County meeting on Tuesday, July 17 from 4-7 p.m. at the Libertyville Village Hall, 118 W. Cook Ave., Libertyville.

Lake County Fair, July 25-29 Lake County Fair

 

The annual Lake County fair arrives this month!  Visit www.lcfair.com to view information and the full schedule of events from July 25-29 at the County Fairgrounds in Grayslake.

 

Fair Volunteers Needed

The Fair is seeking energetic, passionate, community volunteers to support this year's fair! By representing the Lake County Fair as a volunteer, you'll act as a community ambassador and work alongside dedicated members of the staff and volunteer team.  Volunteers will receive a volunteer t-shirt, certificate of appreciation, one ticket for each of their shifts, plus a total of four tickets to share with friends and family. Click here for a volunteer application.

Keep County Roadways Litter-Free 

Adopt-A-Highway

The Adopt-A-Highway program is an excellent opportunity to contribute toward a cleaner, greener environment in Lake County. Now is your opportunity to enroll in the program. The Division of Transportation is accepting applications August 1-31.

 

Click here for more information and to enroll.

Play video: Energy Drinks

Do the Math on Energy Drinks

Registered Dietitian Toby Smithson of the Lake County Health Department cuts through the hype and explains how the extra calories and costs of energy drinks may not really be what you want. She also differentiates between energy drinks and sports drinks. Watch the video to learn more:

Rain Barrel & Compost Bins Available

Rail Barrel

Interested in saving on your water bill and growing a healthier, greener, more bountiful garden while helping the environment? For a limited time, SWALCO has a small supply of rain barrels, compost bins and compost aeration tools available for sale while supplies last.  Rain barrel water collection and backyard composting are both sustainable and environmentally sound practices that will not only be good for your pocketbook, but for your home and community.

 

For more information on backyard composting and rain barrels, visit swalco.org or call 847-336-9340. Rain barrels are $60; compost bins $50, and aerator tools $15.

That Drip Is Money Down the Drain!

leakThe average household wastes 10,000 gallons of water due to leaks. The NWPA (Northwest Water Planning Alliance) and CMAP (Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning) encourage residents to check toilets, faucets, showerheads and appliances for leaks. For more information, read the NWPA's brochure or visit the EPA's WaterSense website.

Charity Bicycle Collection Event on July 22

BG Park DistrictAt the Farmers Market on July 22 at Mike Rylko Community Park, the Buffalo Grove Environmental Action Team will be accepting bicycles, bike accessories and all bike parts at its booth for Working Bikes, an agency that gives new life to old bikes and independence to those who ride them in the underserved communities of Chicago, Africa, and Central and South America.  Working Bikes needs bicycles, parts and tools. We will accept any style, shape or condition bicycle.

  

The Environmental Action Team of Buffalo Grove strives to raise awareness, 

improve our community's natural environment and encourage sustainability practices for present and future generations.
Image: Keyboard
Sign Up for Local Newsletters
Many county agencies and other local bodies offer e-Newsletters to provide you with the latest news and upcoming events.  A few are listed below:

Lake County
Sign up for Lake County Edition, the monthly e-newsletter of Lake County Government (archive).  In addition, visit the emails page to subscribe to newsletters of several county departments, agencies, and board members.
 
Villages

Schools & Libraries
Quick Links
JOIN MY MAILING LIST!