Village Hall

70 E. Main Street

Lake Zurich, IL 60047

847-438-5141

www.LakeZurich.org

Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

If you are a Lake Zurich voter, this November 4 you will get to decide if Lake Zurich is ready for the increased local control Home Rule provides.

Why is Lake Zurich Considering Home Rule?

The Village would like to...

1) Gain more independence from State government in Springfield, and;

2) Improve streets and critical infrastructure village wide - without increasing property taxes.

The Village is hosting an open public forum on Wednesday, October 22 starting at 7:00 pm at the Ela Area Public Library. Mayor Tom Poynton and Village Manager Jason Slowinski will be giving a presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session from those in attendance.  Please join us for this forum.

About Home Rule

Will Taxes Increase Under Home Rule?

One of the larger fears about Home Rule is that it leads to an abuse of tax power.  Based on research of NIU Professor Banovetz, widely regarded as the expert on Home Rule in Illinois, evidence indicates Home Rule villages actually see their property taxes increase at a lower rate than non-Home Rule villages.

See the evidence for yourself:

Illinois Home Rule: A Case Study in Fiscal Responsibility

Questions about Home Rule?

Voters may have several questions about Home Rule and how it may change the community.  The Village has created an anonymous online Q & A forum, where you may ask anything you want.  Questions and answers will be posted online and remain anonymous.

Yes, I would like to ask a question. 

The meeting agenda for the next Village Board meeting is now available.  Lake Zurich Trustees will be discussing the following topics:  

• Illinois Local Debt Recovery Program
• Resurfacing Paulus Park skate park
• Creating a new liquor license for craft breweries
• Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
• Special use permit for Black Belt Brewery
• Special use permit for massage therapy services
• Issuance of general obligation bonds
• Fleet replacement program
• TIF district consulting services
   

Please consider joining us at the next meeting or

watching it live online.

For the complete Village Board agenda, please visit LakeZurich.org.

The Lake Zurich Fire/Rescue Department will be hosting an annual open house on Sunday, October 5 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at Fire Station #1 (21 S. Buesching Road).

Please stop by for this family friendly event to learn more about fire safety, including smoke detectors and fire sprinklers.  Favorites from previous years will be returning, including Sparky the Dog, puppet shows, and rides on the antique fire truck.  Bring your camera to capture some hometown memories!

The annual open house kicks off Fire Prevention Week, a time to recognize the dangers that can occur in the places we feel the safest.  Almost 66% of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no working smoke alarms.

Safety Tips from Your Fire Rescue Department 

Calling All Chili Lovers!

What's better on a crisp autumn day than hot chili?  Lake Zurich Parks & Recreation is having its Barn Burnin' Chili Cook Off on Sunday, October 5 at Paulus Park. 

All chili cooks over the age of 18 are welcome to participate and you do not have to be a Lake Zurich resident.  This event is sanctioned by the Chili Appreciation Society International.

Recognition will be presented for best chili, showmanship, and People's Choice.

Chili Cook Off Rules & Registration

Prefer Just to Eat the Chili?

If you prefer eating to cooking, all chili entries will be available for tasting after 2:00 pm.  Try all the chili you want for just $3 per person (or $2 when you bring a canned food donation for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry).

IDOT Road Resurfacing Project

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that a resurfacing of U.S. 12 between Lake Cook and Ela roads in Lake Zurich will begin, weather permitting, on Thursday, October 2.

The anticipated completion date is June 15.

The project consists of pavement patching, milling, resurfacing and pavement marking.  In order to complete the project, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction with flaggers at various locations in the work zone.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area.  Please pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

Updates on the impacts to traffic are available at TravelMidWest.com.

Celebrate Autumn on October 10th - 11th

More than 45 craft beers offered by acclaimed local and regional breweries will be at Lake Zurich's all-new autumn craft beer festival this October. 

There will also be a live music stage, arts and craft vendors and plenty of tasty foods at this Bavarian-like fall happening.

Are you thinking about coming to the fest?  Visit LivingSocial for an amazing deal on tickets!

If you would like to sign up to help a team of volunteers at the fest, please visit SignUpGenius. 

Safe Ride Home

In the interest of safety, Lake Zurich will provide a Safe Ride Home within a radius of ten miles.  This free service is available on Friday, October 10 from 7-10 pm and Saturday, October 11 from 6-9 pm.  Leave your vehicle in the parking lot across the street from Paulus Park (former KMART lot) and let us get you home safely.  Sign up for this service will be at the entrance of the event.

Pick-Up Begins Week of October 13

Through a contract with Waste Management, the Village will be providing curbside leaf collection for seven weeks beginning the week of October 13 and continuing until the end of November.

Residents are asked to rake leaves by 6:00 am on Monday for collection that week.

Please remember these helpful tips during leaf season:

*All leaves should be raked into the parkway within 4 feet of the curb, but not over the curb and into the street. Please keep leaves in the parkway.

*Leaf piles should be kept away from mailboxes and other obstacles that would interfere with leaf pickup.

*Avoid parking vehicles in front of piles of leaves.

*Do not mix trash, yard waste such as tree limbs, or grass with leaves. Yard waste mixed with leaves can cause safety concerns and equipment malfunction.

You Can Bag Your Yard Waste

If you prefer, leaves may be placed in biodegradable bags or cans clearly marked for pickup. If you prefer this method, yard waste bag collection will continue on your regular collection day until November 30.

Help Prevent Flooding by Keeping Leaves Away From the Curb and Storm Drains

Your cooperation is vital to help prevent flooding. Please do not rake leaves into the curb line as this prevents rain water from properly draining into storm drains. We ask that if you see an accumulation of leaves covering a storm drain, please clear the debris to prevent your street from flooding or contact Public Works at 847-540-1696. 

Register Again if You

Have Recently Moved

Residents who have recently moved to a different address, have had a name change, or turn 18 on or before November 4, 2014, need to register by Tuesday, October 7. 

Registration Requirements

*U.S. citizen

*18 years old on or before November election

*Precinct resident for 30 days immediately prior to Election Day

*Provide two forms of current identification

Registration Locations

*Village Hall, 70 E. Main Street, Lake Zurich

*Ela Township Hall, 1155 Route 22, Lake Zurich

*Ela Area Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich

Lake County residents can visit LakeVoterPower.info or call 847-377-2410 to confirm registration status or find the nearest registration location.