Comments by Carter -- Lake County News
Lake County NewsFebruary 28, 2014

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In This Issue
Fox Waterway Agency Questions
Squaw Creek Watershed Open House
Pothole Patching
Internships
Free Tax Filing Programs
Assistance for Veterans
Doing Good Deeds for YOU!
Maple Syrup Hikes
Local Construction Projects


PASSAGE
Quick Links
Stormwater Management
Workforce Development

Village of Fox Lake
Village of Lakemoor
Village of Round Lake
Village of Volo
Village of Wauconda
Grant Township
Wauconda Township
Fox Lake Library
Job Center of Lake County
Who's Hiring?
Visit the "Who's Hiring" page from the Job Center of Lake County to get the latest job postings in our area!

Friends and neighbors,

 

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.  I am always glad to hear your concerns, interests and ideas.  Government works best with your involvement.

Bonnie

Bonnie Thomson Carter

Lake County Board District 5

 

 

Questions about Senate Bill 2696 (Fox Waterway Agency)
Recently, a bill was filed in the Illinois Senate that proposes to dissolve the Fox Water Agency and transfer its assets, property and responsibilities to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The County was not consulted on the development of this bill and learned of it only after it was filed. More to follow as details become available. View Senate Bill 2696.

To voice your opinion on this bill, you may contact:
Senator Pam Althoff
Senator Melinda Bush
Representative Sam Yingling
Representative Barbara Wheeler
Squaw Creek Watershed Open House
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) are jointly sponsoring an Open House regarding the proposed revisions to the floodplain limits in the Squaw Creek Watershed south of Long Lake.  If you are interested in learning more, please attend the open house session. Call 217.649.9419 for more information.  See Flyer

Wednesday, March 5, Open House 5:30 -7:30 p.m.
Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center
2007 Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach
Pothole Patching, Report a Problem
Pavement patching on Hainesville Road: Feb. 26, 2014
This winter has been rough on roads. As the temperature continuously drops and rises, the roads thaw and freeze over and over again. This allows water to seep in to the cracks during a thaw, which freezes and expands when the temperature drops again, creating potholes. When the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) isn't plowing snow, crews are out patching pavement. So far this season, LCDOT has used 80 tons of asphalt to fill potholes. There are several agencies responsible for maintaining roads-the Illinois Tollway, IDOT, Lake County DOT, municipalities, and townships.

Know which agency to contact to report a problem.
Report potholes on a county highway: [email protected] or 847.377.7400
Report potholes on state roads: [email protected] or 847.705.4612
LCDOT has a total of 10 pavement resurfacing projects planned for 2014. View a complete list and map.

Further Your Career with an Internship 
Lake County offers a large variety of internship opportunities to qualifying residents and students. Expand your future by finding an opportunity that best suits you.

Internships Available
Court Related Internships
Stormwater Management Internships
United Way of Lake County Internship 
Free Tax Filing Programs
Filing taxes can be difficult. Fortunately there are free programs that can help you navigate this complex process. Check to see if you qualify for these assistance and tax preparation programs before filing your taxes!
IRS Free File (Free program for Federal taxes)  
IRS VITA Program (Tax preparation by volunteers)  
TCE Program (Tax counseling for the elderly) 
Assistance for Veterans - Saturday Claims Support
Veterans and their dependents now have another option for assistance with filing claims. Beginning March 1, The Veterans Assistance Commission will have Saturday hours at the Wauconda American Legion, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. This is your opportunity to meet with an accredited service officer, and all services are free. Please call the VAC for an appointment at 847.377.3344. 
Doing Good Deeds for YOU! Learn About a New Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program
The 19th Judicial Circuit Court and the Affordable Housing Corporation of Lake County recently launched a new mortgage foreclosure mediation program. In this video, the Lake County Recorder of Deeds interviews program representatives for an in depth look at this topic. Homeowners who need copies of their housing or property documents should contact the Recorder's Office or search for recorded documents online.  Recorder's Office Website
Maple Syrup Walks at the Ryerson Forest Preserve
Saturdays & Sundays March 1-16
Hikes leave every half hour 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

The annual tapping of sugar maple trees means that spring is on its way to Ryerson Woods in Riverwoods!  Take a Maple Syrup Hike with a Lake County Forest Preserve educator, and learn how sap from the sugar maple trees is turned into sweet syrup and then try the final product!  Registration required. Fun for all ages. For details or to register, call 847.968.3321, or register online.