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Treasurer Sends Out Property Tax Bills
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. Please note that you will receive only one bill per year.
Property tax payment options include: U.S. mail, drop box, in person at most Lake County banks, and at the Lake County Treasurer's Office, online at www.lakecountyil.gov/Treasurer, or by phone.
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Department of Revenue Issues Lake County State Multiplier for 2012 Tax Bill
When taxpayers receive their tax bills, they will see a line that reads "State Multiplier 1.0186". This number comes from the Illinois Department of Revenue. This means that assessed values will rise 1.86% for tax billing purposes. It does not mean that tax bills will go up by 1.86%.
Over the last five years, the Lake County Board of Review has seen record numbers of assessment appeal filings. The volume of successful appeals, coupled with valuation change requests submitted by local assessing officials, led to the need for a state multiplier that increases assessed values for property tax billing purposes in order to bring Lake County assessed values to the required 33 1/3% of its market value (in the aggregate). This increase in assessed values does not carry forward into 2013.
The assessment process is a way of dividing tax burden. If everyone's value goes up by the same percentage at billing, the relative burden does not change.
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Mental Health Awareness
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The Lake County Health Department is focusing on Suicide Prevention in observance of this month. Suicide is a serious public health problem in Lake County, where 52 suicides took place in 2012, more than twice the number of homicides. Know the warning signs! There are many services available through the health department to help residents struggling with mental health issues.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the Crisis Line at 847-377-8088.
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Doing Business with Lake County
Lake County is always seeking qualified contractors and suppliers to provide goods and services. For example, the Lake County Board recently approved an extensive, multi-year $120 million court expansion project that will provide many opportunities for contractors to bid on projects.
To learn how to do business with Lake County, and register for updates on bid notifications and Request for Proposals (RFP), visit doingbusiness.lakecountyil.gov. For more information on the courts expansion project, visit www.lakecountyil.gov/courtsexpansion.
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Lake County Municipal Vehicle & Equipment Auction
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The Lake County Municipal Vehicle & Equipment Auction will be held Saturday, May 18 at the Lake County Fairgrounds at 1060 E. Peterson Road in Grayslake. Inspection and registration for the auction will be Friday May 17, as well as on auction day. Auction items include police cars, seized vehicles, vans, pickup trucks, trailer, computers, office equip., bikes, and misc. items from Lake County and other local communities. For information call 847-546-2095 or visit the Obenauf Auctions website at www.ObenaufAuctions.com
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Adopt-A-Highway 20th Anniversary
This year marks the 20-year anniversary for the Lake County Division of Transportation's (LCDOT) Adopt-A-Highway Program. Last year alone, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers saved the county $305,000 in labor costs and removed approximately 225,000 pounds of trash from county highways. Watch this video to learn more.
Thank you to the following groups for their 20 years of service, making Lake County a better, cleaner place to live for all of us:
Lake Bluff Open Lands (pictured: Liz Leutwiler, Simon Moughamian, Cyn Mycoskie, Larry McCotter, Janet Murphy Ryan, and Nels Leutwiler)
Allendale Association
Gurnee Rotary Club
Exchange Club of Grayslake
Paul's Landscaping
Lake County Court Services
Buffalo Grove Chamber of Commerce
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Rain Barrel, Compost Bin & Native Plant Sale
Rain Barrel & Compost Bin Sale: Saturday, May 11 Only, 9:00-3:00
Native Plant Sale: May 11 and May 12, 9:00-3:00
LOCATION - Independence Grove, North Bay Pavilion
16400 W. Buckley Road, Libertyville
Interested in saving on your water bill, growing a healthier, greener and more bountiful garden while you're helping the environment? Using Rain Barrels and practicing Backyard Composting, are all sustainable and environmentally sound practices that will not only be good for your pocketbook, but for your home, community and beyond.
Native plants require less watering, less fertilizer and are guaranteed to  thrive in local gardens. Native flowering species also provide an abundance of nectar and attract wildlife, such as butterflies and songbirds. Proceeds from the sale benefit Forest Preserve environmental education programs.
Learn more about the event, and the environmental benefits of these practices. Event co-sponsored by SWALCO, Lake County Stormwater Management Commission and Lake County Forest Preserves.
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Transit News
Take Your Bike for a Ride on Pace Bus or on Metra
Spring is here and it's time to get out the bike and hit the road. Pace makes that easier with fixed route buses that support two bicycles on the front of each bus (with the exception of routes that operate using coach buses or vans). Click here for instructions on how to use this free service. 
Metra's Bicycle Policy allows bicycles on all weekday trains arriving in Chicago after 9:30 a.m. and leaving Chicago before 3 p.m. and after 7 p.m., and on all weekend trains. For additional information, visit Metra's website.
Use Your Smart Phone to Check Pace Departure Times
Did you know that you can use your smart phone to check the departure time of Pace Suburban Bus for a specific route in real-time?
The Pace's Web Watch tool uses GPS technology to monitor the location of buses in real time and help you plan your trip by giving you a list of the expected time of departure times.
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