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. 

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.    

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.

This year marks the 20-year anniversary for the Lake County Division of Transportation's (LCDOT) Adopt-A-Highway Program. The program was launched in February 1993 with an initial enrollment of 37 groups. Over the past 20 years the program has grown steadily and now 232 groups are enrolled. 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. Learn more.   

The LCDOT recently recognized the following groups for 20 years of service (watch video):
 

Allendale Association
Buffalo Grove Chamber of Commerce
Exchange Club of Grayslake
Lake County Court Services
Gurnee Rotary Club
Lake Bluff Open Lands
Paul's Landscaping  

'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.  

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. 

Not too long ago, a jobseeker could simply fill out an application, send in a resume, and they had a reasonable chance of landing a job. But now, the process requires much more involvement. The jobseeker needs to gather as much information about a potential employer, as the employer will gather about the jobseeker. Learn more in this "Career Chat".   

May is Mental Health Month. Read the Lake County Health Department's May Newsletter to learn more.

Watch the new edition of Healthy Lake County to learn more about addictions treatment, a 24-hour crisis hotline and warm weather nuisances.  

Read the latest Health Department news release: Tips for Tackling Summer Pests That Spread Diseases  

Submit photos of what Substance Abuse Prevention and Mental Health Awareness mean to you.   

Reminder: Rain Barrel, Compost Bin & Native Plant Sale
DATE - Rain Barrel & Compost Bin Sale: Saturday, May 11 (One Day Only)
Native Plant Sale: May 11 and May 12

TIME - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

LOCATION - Independence Grove, North Bay Pavilion
16400 W. Buckley Road, Libertyville  

Household Chemical Waste Collection Event in Vernon Hills
May 18, 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Vernon Hills Metra Station (Rt. 45 and Ranney Rd.)
More Information.  

Community Electronics Recycling Event

Saturday, May 18, 9 am-12 pm
Westfield Hawthorn Mall (Southwest parking lot)

Items to be collected:

* CRT Monitors
* Laptops
* Computer Towers
* Inkjet cartridges
* Gym shoes
* Cell phones
* Television
* Batteries
* Eyeglasses
* Hearing aids  

Dear Neighbor, 

I hope you find this information helpful.  Please continue to ask questions and suggest topics for the e-newsletter. 

With so much going on at all levels of government, don't hesitate to contact me with your questions and concerns regarding this or other issues.  You can reach me via email or on my cell at (847) 971-0454.  

It is an honor to serve YOU on the County Board and Forest Preserve Board.

Sincerely,

Aaron Lawlor

P.S.  If this email was forwarded to you, please click here to sign up so I can get you information directly - especially in the case of a road closure, weather emergency or other issues.