Steve Carlson, Serving District 7 

Naval Station Great Lakes, located in North Chicago, has been a tremendous asset to Lake County for more than 100 years. Many Lake County residents may not realize that on any given day, more than 20,000 military and civilian personnel work, train and live at the naval station. It contributes more than $748.8 million to our local economy, which includes payrolls, government purchases, and contracts. In this edition of County Update, Captain Randall Lynch, Naval Station Great Lakes Commanding Officer, gives us an inside look into Naval Station Great Lakes and what goes on behind those gates.

Last week, the Chief County Assessment Office mailed the 2012 Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption Applications to all homeowners currently receiving the Senior Homestead.  The qualifications are:

• 65 years old or older during the tax year;
• Own the property as your principal residence for the last two Jan. 1st;
• 2011 total household income is $55,000 or less.

Need help filling out the application? Visit one of the scheduled Outreach Sessions. Applications need to be filed by July 2, 2012. For forms or additional information please visit the Chief County Assessment Office website.

Lake County recently celebrated the grand opening of the new Veterans Center of Lake County officially, co-located with the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) at 20 S. King Avenue in Waukegan. The center features an Internet café for veterans and their families to check Veterans Assistance claim status and health care records, and receive one-on-one assistance from VAC employees, as needed. Also, by enhancing the ability for veterans to access records, the VAC can submit all of the required documentation with a claim, which significantly reduces the amount of time for that claim to be processed by the VA. Veterans will also be able to learn about other available services and programs, including: peer-to-peer counseling through the Lake-McHenry Veterans Family Services, Veterans Treatment Court, the Emergency Assistance program, the Dental Treatment Program, and the American Legion Family Assistance Program, as well as other assistance programs.

Watch video from grand opening, and learn more about the Veterans Assistance Commission. 

Beginning April 15, 2012, Lake County in association with a number of Illinois communities will offer a two-pronged approach to assist eligible homebuyers. The Assist program provides families with funds to pay all or most of their closing costs and down payment, and the mortgage credit certificate ("MCC") program reduces homebuyers' ongoing cost of borrowing.  Homebuyers must been certain eligibility criteria, including purchase price and income limits.  Read this flyer to learn more about how these programs work.    

At its March meeting, the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners approved a resolution requesting that the Army remove the golf course deed restriction at the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve and allow the District to use that land as open space for recreational trails, habitat restoration and scenic overlooks.  

The construction, financing and operation of the proposed Fort Sheridan Golf Course have been extensively discussed by the Forest Preserve District since the early 2000s. During that time period, the Forest Preserve has examined and analyzed many alternative golf plans: 9 holes, 18 holes, different levels of course quality, length, configuration and attributes; and evaluated various financial plans and green fee rate structures consistent with course attributes.

Although many options were reviewed, the Board of Commissioners deemed no plan was financially viable and affordable for the residents of Lake County.

The Board of Commissioners determined that building a golf course at Fort Sheridan has proven neither financially prudent nor practical, given that a golf plan that was affordable to Lake County residents and one in which revenues covered all operations and debt service costs and green fees, could not be developed in this economic climate.  Additionally, no proposals from the private sector were received, and the local golf market continues to be stressed with rounds declining 23 percent over the past five years at District-owned courses.

For the full list of upcoming events, visit grandwoodpark.net.

Easter Bunny Coming to Grandwood Park

Celebrate the holiday by bringing your children to the Grandwood Park Park District's Easter Egg Hunt and visit with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, April 7 at 1 p.m. This event will take place at the ballfield on Hutchins Road. Check-in will be at 12:45. To help ensure a safe and happy event, children will be separated into smaller groups (ages 0-3, 4-6, and 7-10).  The fee for this event is $2 for residents and $3 for non-residents. All pre-registered attendees will be entered into the Easter Basket drawings. Make sure your children bring their baskets or bags to fill with all the goodies they will find in the eggs. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held inside the pole barn.

Registration is required for this event.
You can mail your registration to 36630 N. Hutchins Rd, Gurnee, IL 60031 ATTN: BUNNY (see registration form on p. 5 of this newsletter) or online at www.grandwoodpark.net no later than April 1.  If you'd like to volunteer for this event or if you have any questions, please contact Bill Reil at 847-265-0447. This is a great volunteer opportunity for Scholarship applicants who need community service!

Fish Fry on Friday, April 20
Join your friends and neighbors at our annual Fish Fry on Friday, April 20 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Community Center! The menu will consist of fish, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, french fries and bread. Prices for the event are: Children ages 3-12, $6; Adults 13+, $9; and Seniors 60+, $8. Soft drinks, beer, wine and water will be available at an additional cost. Volunteers and bakers are needed for this event! If you can assist, please contact the GPCA at civicassociation@grandwoodpark.net or Shirley Stautz at 847-265-2933. 

For the full list of upcoming events, visit gurneeparkdistrict.com.

Youth Spring Soccer - Registrations are now being accepted for Gurnee Park District's youth soccer program. Practices begin the week of April 2. To see a complete list of the days, times and locations go to gurneeparkdistrict.com or call 847.623.7788. Soccer registrations will be taken until teams are full.

Lunch with the Easter Bunny - Join the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 31, at Viking Park Dance Hall for a lunch of hot dogs, chips, beverage and dessert. Everyone will have a chance to visit with the Easter Bunny. High chairs are not available. There are two seatings: 10:45-11:45 or 12:30-1:30 p.m. Fee is $7.00 for residents/$9.00 for nonresidents. Preregistration is required. After lunch, there will be an Easter Egg hunt outdoors - please dress accordingly.