Comments by Carter -- Lake County News
Lake County NewsMay 15, 2013

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Friends and neighbors,

  

April was a very busy month for many residents and levels of government as we worked to minimize the damage due to flooding.  The Chain O'Lakes and Fox River were at record flood levels.  County government EMA was a clearing house and resource for municipal and township government.   Many of you are enduring the hardships on your personal and business property.  If you have been impacted by floods, please read below for more information on how we are trying to assist you.

 

I received emails from you seeking information; suggesting areas of support that you would like to have; and how we could improve our communication and services to you during this flood event.  Because of those emails, I was able to quickly provide information to you, suggest areas of improvement to all the working partners and to provide additional support.  As a result of those emails, the County voted yesterday to waive all permit fees and negotiated a reduced rate for dispose of septic sewage for unincorporated area property owners that suffered flood damage.  Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to help you during this time.  See the article below  for the list of the haulers that agreed to participate and help you.

The Fox Lake Fire Department is holding their blood drive this Friday.  See below.

 

The Lake County treasurer mailed 264,000 tax bills last week. The treasurer collects and distributes taxes on behalf of all of the taxing bodies in Lake County. The first installment due date is June 6, and the second installment due date is Sept. 6. Taxpayers receive only one bill per year. 

    

As always, it's a pleasure and honor representing you on the County and Forest Preserve Boards.  Please contact me any time for any reason on issues that are important to you.  

 

 

Sincerely,

Bonnie  

Bonnie Thomson Carter

Lake County Board  District 5
Lake County Forest Preserve Commissioner

[email protected]

847 546-2888

 

 

  

County Waives Permit Fees and Reduces Rate for Septic Tank Sewage Disposal for Flooded Properties 

In an effort to provide some relief to flood victims, the county board recently approved waiving permit fees and reducing fees for removing septic tank waste. board action


Unincorporated area property owners that suffered flood damage will not need to pay Lake County for the permit needed to do repair or restoration work. The County will conduct an inspection and assess the damage as part of the permit review process. For questions and to schedule an inspection, contact Lake County Planning, Building & Development at 847-377-2600.   

A reduced rate to dispose of septic sewage is also available for properties that meet the following criteria:
* The property must be identified in the 2013 flood event property impact maps, or verified by inspectors with the Lake County Planning Building and Development.
* Property owners must retain services from specific septic tank haulers that have agreed to participate in this program. (See list below. Those haulers must use the Lake County Public Works Mill Creek Water Reclamation Facility).
* Services must be rendered between May 14, 2013 and June 1, 2013.
The septic tank haulers that have agreed to participate in this program include: Sunrise Septic: 262-857-9981, Weidner's Septic: 847-438-1763, Weisway Inc: 847-395-1987, A&J Sewer: 847-537-9090.   

For more information on septic disposal, contact Lake County Public Works at 847-377-7500.

Federal Assistance Available for Homes and Businesses Impacted by Floods
Lake County residents and businesses impacted by the recent flooding can apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs. The President recently issued a Disaster Declaration for Lake County, along with several other counties in Illinois that were affected by last month's flooding -opening the door for the FEMA assistance. Impacted property owners must register online at  www.disasterassistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) and should be prepared to provide insurance information, and any other information to help substantiate losses.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Flood Information website  

Flood Presentation at the Lake County Board Meeting   

Flood Response Video

 

Aerial Photos from April 2013 Flood  

United Way of Lake County
 
'Be a Link. Pass the Link'

The Lake County Board is a partner with the United Way of Lake County to help connect residents to local health and human services through a print guide, and the "Find Help Lake County" website.    

Often, the people that need these resources most don't know they exist. So, YOU can help be a link, and pass the link by posting www.findhelplakecounty.org to your website and if you register your link at www.LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org/bealink, you will be entered into a raffle to win $100 for their favorite charity. The Find Help website provides a searchable database of health and human services from more than 1,000 agencies. Resources are available for everything from teen pregnancy to uninsured families to substance abuse and those living with domestic violence. A limited number of print guides for those without access to the internet are also available on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, visit www.LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org/orderfindhelp, or call 847-775-1018.  

 

Support United Way of Lake County with Coasters for a Cause!
United Way of Lake County has teamed up with Six Flags in Gurnee for a special promotion called "Coasters For A Cause." The Coasters for a Cause dates are May 18 and May 19 and tickets are only $28 each, a savings of over $35 off the main gate ticket price! More Information.   

Job Market Place 2013 Lake County's Largest Job Fair

Attention jobseekers! Attend JobMarketPlace 2013 on May 23 at the College of Lake County, Grayslake. Dress to impress and bring plenty of resumes.
Event details
List of registered employers  

Farmers Market Finder

Find fresh, nutritious foods this season, with the interactive farmers' market map on Lake County's website.  

Fox Lake Fire Department Blood Drive 
THIS FRIDAY 

The Fox Lake Fire Department is hosting their bi-annual blood drive this Friday, May 17, 11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. at 114 Washington St., Ingleside (Main Hall). The blood drive helps those in need and is very successful due to the efforts of the people that live and work in our community. More information

An Inside Look into the 911 Call Center

When someone makes a 911 call, every second counts. At the Lake County 911 center, dispatchers are helping to save lives by using advanced technology and making quick decisions to get help to those that need it. Watch video to get an inside look into the Lake County 911 center.    

New Online Access to Court Records

Clerk of the Circuit Court Keith S. Brin launched a new Public Access System last week. The Public Access System provides a secure way for individuals to obtain basic information on any court case in Lake County - from checking on a future court date and amounts due, to parties involved in a case. Through the Public Access System, people won't have to call or come in to the Circuit Clerk's office when they need basic information on a court case. Instead, users can get the information at a time that is convenient for them, and completely free of charge. This new system uses technology to extend limited resources and deliver a better and more efficient service to the taxpayers of Lake County.

www.lakecountyil.gov/CircuitClerk    

Forest Preserve Board adopts reduced Fiscal Year 2013-14 Budget

  

To keep more than 30,000 acres of forest preserves in Lake County safe, clean and open for people to enjoy, the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners adopted a reduced Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Budget of $101,559,660 at their May 14 meeting.
 

View the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14
 

For the fifth consecutive year, total Forest Preserve property tax revenues collected are projected to decrease substantially due to declines in Lake County's Equalized Assessed Value (EAV), and because of the District's conservative budgeting practices and wise use of available fiscal resources.
 

The overall budget decreased $12.4 million (11 percent) from the previous year, primarily due to an $11.4 million (21.5 percent) decrease in the capital budget.
 

Of property taxes collected in Lake County, 2.5 percent of the typical tax bill goes to support your forest preserves. The budget is balanced even though the County's Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) has had an unprecedented drop of 19.7 percent over the past four years which has translated into a significant drop in property tax revenue. The District has reduced staff and made many other cost-cutting measures to maintain a balanced budget. The District's operating budget has been cut by $3,803,060 over the past five fiscal years, or approximately 11 percent, despite substantial increases in District lands, trails and facilities during that time.

More information