March 21, 2011

Lake County News

Linda Pedersen Lake County Board Member and Forest Preserve Commissioner

Linda Pedersen, District 1 Representative

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at  (847)445-5504(cell) .  
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Sincerely, 
Linda Pedersen
Lake County Board
District 1 Representative
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Lake County Challenge Bond Projects

The Lake County Board authorized the issuance of $90 million in bond financing that will allow the County to advance five highway projects from concept to construction quickly. Lake County refers to these as "Big Results" projects because they will make a significant difference in addressing traffic congestion, and improving the overall transportation system.

 

The following projects are part of the County Challenge Bond program:

 

Construction in 2013

�Rollins Road Gateway Improvement

�Fairfield/176 Junction Improvement

�RR Underpass for Washington Street Thoroughfare Improvement

 

Future Construction

�Fairfield Road Throughway Improvement

�Roadway portion of Washington Street Thoroughfare Improvement

 

Learn more in this 3 minute "Talkin' Transportation" video.

 

Harris Road Closure

The Lake County Division of Transportation will close Harris Road from Peterson Road to Illinois Route 137 to thru traffic for 90 days. The closure will begin April 4, in order to complete the extension of Midlothian Road to Illinois Route 137. View the PRESS RELEASE and DETOUR MAP

 

Jim Newton Fills District 3 Vacancy on the Lake County Board

 

Jim Newton, a 25-year veteran reporter at the Lake County News-Sun, will serve as the District 3 representative on the County Board. He replaces Suzi Schmidt who resigned in January after being elected to the Illinois Senate. District 3 includes incorporated and unincorporated areas of Lake Villa and Lindenhurst. Newton will serve the remainder of the term, which will expire November 201

 

"I am honored and excited to be appointed to the Lake County Board. My experience covering government as a journalist, communicating with residents, and building relationships with community members and government officials will help me as I take on this new, challenging role. I look forward to serving the residents of District 3," Newton said. 

 

County Board Votes to Allow Small Wind Facilities in Unincorporated Area

 

Following nearly two years of reviewing wind energy, the Lake County Board conducted a final public hearing and then approved allowing small wind facilities up to 200 feet in unincorporated Lake County. At a previous meeting, the Board voted to prohibit large wind farms. Small wind facilities typically involve one turbine that is used to provide power to on-site facilities, while large wind farms include multiple turbines that produce mass energy for sale.

 

Lake County's Website Gets an A+ for Transparency

 

Lake County's website ranks among the most transparent government websites in America, according to Sunshine Review, a non-profit organization dedicated to government transparency. Lake County is one of 112 winners of the "2011 Sunny Award" for having a perfect transparency score. The grade is based on a "Transparency Checklist" for websites that have information about budgets, meetings, elected and administrative officials, permits and zoning, audits, contracts, lobbying, public records, and taxes, as well as the ease of use and availability of information. This is the second Sunny Award for Lake County.

 

In recognition of Sunshine Week (March 13 - 19), a national initiative to promote the importance of open government and freedom of information, Lake County encourages residents to connect with County government at www.lakecountyil.gov and sign for E-news, watch board meetings, access services, and much more! Sunshine Week seeks to empower people to play an active role in their government, and to give them access to information that makes their lives better and their communities stronger.

 

What's on my ballot?

 

Registered voters can visit LakeVoterPower.info and enter their name, house number, zip code, and birth date to confirm registration status, and preview their official ballot, including all candidates and any public questions.

 

Voting By Mail Proves Popular

Registered voters can request a one-time ballot for April's election or enroll in the Permanent Voting by Mail Program. Once enrolled in the permanent program, voters automatically receive a ballot at the address they provide for each election specified. To request a ballot, visit the Clerk's website at VotingByMail.info, send an email to [email protected] or call (847) 377-2406. Enrolling in the permanent program helps reduce the number of ballots needed for Election Day and save your tax dollars. Voted ballots must be returned to the Clerk's office and post-marked by April 4, the day before Election Day. Voters can use the "track your ballot" feature at LakeVoterPower.info once the ballot is mailed back to the Clerk's office.

 

 

Lindenhurst-Lake Villa Chamber of Commerce presents:

SprintFest EXPO 2011

Largest Expo in Lake County

FREE

Lakes High School

1000 Grass Lake Road, Lake Villa

(Corner of Grass Lake Road & Deep Lake Road)

Saturday and Sunday

April 2 & 3

9:00am to 3:00pm

 

Tommy Hawk, the official mascot of the Chicago Blackhawks will be Saturday Noon - 2pm.

Sunday 8am - Noon Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

Much, much more....

 

For more information call: 847-356-8446

 

 

One Hope United pesents Blue Ribbon Event

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Noon - 4 p.m.

The Lehmann Mansion

485 Milwaukee Ave.

Lake Villa, IL 60046 (Map)

Honorary Chair & Guest Speaker:

Sheri Salata

 President / Harpo Studios

Executive Producer / "The Oprah Winfrey Show"

 

Performance By:

Lakes Area Swing Band

Spectacular expanded Live Auction with Jim Miller, Charity Auctioneer!

�    Live and Silent Auctions

�    Luncheon and refreshments!

 

More Information

 

Admission: $75

Register online! Deadline to purchase tickets is April 9.

 

Wear blue and receive a free raffle ticket!

Proceeds benefit the programs of One Hope United-helping ensure a safe and nurturing home for every child.

 

Can't make it to the event? Support our mission by making a donation.

Contact:

Amy Krajewski

847.245.6511

 

 

 

 


 

Lake County Health Dept Offers Low-Cost Pet Vaccination Clinics

 

April 16, 9 am - 12 pm

Lindenhurst Police Department

2301 E Sand Lake Rd, Lindenhurst

 

April 30, 9 am - 12 pm

PetVaccinations

Avon Foundation Vaccination Clinic at Hart Woods located at the Round Lake Park District at the corner of 134 and Hart Rd in Round Lake

 

 

This clinic provides a convenient and affordable way for Lake County residents to keep pets up to date with their shots and rabies tags. Donations of pet food, litter and supplies will also be accepted to benefit the Pooch Pantry, a pet food and supply source for needy families. The vaccination costs are as follows:

 

For Pets Spayed/Neutered

One-year rabies vaccination and Lake County tag: $20.00One-year rabies vaccination, tag and distemper: $25.00

Distemper complex only: $10.00

Microchip: $15.00

 

For Pets Not Spayed/Neutered

One-year rabies vaccination and Lake County tag: $50.00

One-year rabies vaccination, tag and distemper: $55.00

Distemper complex only: $10.00

Microchip: $15.00

 

 

Pets will be taken on a first come first served basis. All animals brought to the clinic must be at least four months old. Dogs must be leashed and cats placed in carriers. Only cash will be accepted on site. For additional information please contact the Lake County Health Department's Animal Care and Control facility at (847) 949-9925.

 Rainbow Trout Fishing Opens - Saturday, April 2

Rainbow trout fishing opens, Saturday, April 2

Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda will open for rainbow trout fishing on Saturday, April 2, following the release of roughly 600 pounds of trout in Banana Lake. Most of the trout range in size from three-quarters to one pound. The trout stocking is a biannual fall and spring event at the 3.2-acre Banana Lake. Daily creel limit is five. The deepest point in Banana Lake is 25 feet.

Fishing in the Lake County Forest Preserves is FREE. Anglers ages 16 and over must have an Illinois fishing license. Trout fishermen must also have an Illinois inland trout RainbowTroutstamp. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps help fund the stocking program.

Fishing Lakewood

Lakewood features four additional lakes, including: 8-acre Taylor Lake with maximum depth of 20 feet; 5-acre Beaver Lake with maximum depth of 10 feet; 2-acre Acorn Pond with maximum depth of 14 feet; and 4-acre Heron Pond with maximum depth of 5 feet. All contain largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Black crappie, green and pumpkinseed sunfish, and golden shiners are present in some of the ponds.

Free fishing guide

There are many other great spots to fish in your Lake County Forest Preserves. Download a free guide to fishing in the Lake County Forest Preserves or anglers can call at 847-367-6640 for copies.

More than 12 lakes and ponds are currently profiled in the guide. Des Plaines River access points are also included, along with wheelchair access points, ice fishing information and more.

Important rules are detailed in the guide, such as minimum lengths required by the Lake County Forest Preserves and catch limits set by the IDNR. These rules help maintain healthy fish populations in Forest Preserve lakes and ponds that are managed with assistance from the IDNR.

Many communities within Lake County are built around lakes. For detailed Lake Reports click here. Each year, more than 40 volunteers with the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (VLMP) help the Health Department monitor the county's numerous lakes. A primary goal of the VLMP is to familiarize volunteers with lake processes and the cause and effect relationships that exist between their lake, its watershed, weather and human activities. More information here.


Controlled burn season begins

 

Seasonal burns improve habitat for native plants and wildlife.

Controlled burn season is starting in your Lake County Forest Preserves. The burns improve habitat for native plants and wildlife. Specially trained and equipped Forest Preserve staff and volunteers carefully conduct the controlled burns, selecting sites based on wind and other weather conditions.

 

Burn

Every spring and fall for the past 23 years, the Lake County Forest Preserves has safely conducted controlled burns to restore and improve natural plant and animal communities. Native woodlands, savannas, prairies and wetlands are fire dependent communities that require regular controlled burns to maintain their ecological value.

 

Over the next few months, you may see Forest Preserve crews of trained professionals burning high-quality habitats or restoration areas in forest preserves throughout Lake County. Wind and other weather conditions are monitored daily to help determine which preserves are selected for controlled burns.

Click here to find which preserve is scheduled to receive a controlled burn, and to learn more about the entire land management program.

 

Controlled burns replace historical fires that naturally occurred in Lake County for thousands of years. They decrease invasive woody plants, remove dead leaves, and expose the soil and seeds to the sun's rays. This encourages native plants to grow more vigorously and to produce more flowers and seed, increasing their populations. Wildlife populations are adapted to survive the burns. Most animals are safe underground or high up in trees; others move out of the way to avoid fires. Controlled burns are scheduled to avoid the breeding season of native wildlife.

Natural areas being managed by controlled burns are showing improvement. In woodlands, which are generally targeted in the fall for controlled burns, invasive brush is reduced and native plants are rebounding.

 

Controlled burns are the most cost efficient management tool available to land managers. Forest Preserve staff and volunteers complete intensive training before conducting controlled burns to ensure that proper safety measures are taken to protect people, facilities, plants and animals in the preserves and on surrounding properties.

 

Local fire and police departments are notified before and after each controlled burn. Forest Preserve staff closely monitor each burn with appropriate safety equipment and, if necessary, stays overnight on site.

Forest Preserve staff continues to provide specialized wildfire training to area fire departments to improve their skills when responding to fires that may happen in natural areas under their jurisdiction.

 

 
Coyote

Living with Wildlife

Spring is a time when wildlife becomes more active. Animals begin searching for food, mates and places to nest. The Lake County Health Department recommends the following ways for residents to avoid problems with coyotes, foxes as well as other wildlife:

  • Do not encourage wildlife to come in or near your home by feeding them.
  • Keep pet food and water dishes inside, especially at night to avoid problems with raccoons, skunks, opossums, foxes and coyotes.
  • To minimize conflicts between wildlife and household pets, make sure to turn on outside lights, make noise and observe the area for any sign of wildlife before letting your pets outdoors.
  • Supervise pets and children when outdoors and keep dogs leashed when not in a fenced yard. Allow cats and small dogs outside only under strict supervision.
  • Don't allow spilled birdseed to accumulate outside of bird feeders.
  • possible, do not keep garbage cans outside. Or, use sturdy cans and keep the lids securely fastened.
  • If you are walking your dog on a leash and are approached by a coyote, you should restrain your dog, and scare away the coyote by yelling and waving your arms over your head.

For more information, click here.

 


Making Garden Plans?

Mother's Day Weekend

 

Include a visit to the Lake County Forest Preserves Native Plant Sale for sun-loving, shade-loving and savanna plants.

 

Over 70 varieties of sun-loving, shade-loving and savanna plants will be available for purchase at the Lake County Forest Preserves' 14th annual Native Plant Sale.

 

TriFlower

Held annually on Mother's Day weekend, this Native Plant Sale is a fundraiser benefiting the Forest Preserves' EnviroPatrol Programs, including Mighty Acorns and Preservation Partners. These award-winning programs teach Lake County students from grade school to high school about the damaging effects of non-native species on the balance of nature. Students join the EnviroPatrol and become superheroes in the fight to keep nature healthy. Through team-building and hands-on conservation, the EnviroPatrol works alongside Forest Preserve educators to restore an adopted preserve.

 

Independence Grove is located on Buckley Road (Route 137) east of Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21) and west of I-94. Follow signs to the North Bay Pavilion for the sale. Patrons of the Native Plant Sale are reminded that service animals are welcome at Independence Grove-but dogs, horses and other pets are not allowed.

 

This year's native plant list includes a full variety of unique flowers, ferns and grasses. Native plants naturally thrive in Lake County soil and weather, requiring less time, effort and expense to maintain. They provide valuable food and shelter to native birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Because of the variety, ease of growing, and environmental benefits, native plants have become increasingly popular among professional landscapers and gardeners in recent years.

Stop by Independence Grove Forest Preserve near Libertyville on Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to purchase native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, vines and trees that thrive in local gardens. For a complete list of plants, visit www.LCFPD.org/plantsale.

 

 
Dental Discount Card Program

A new dental discount card program is now available that will help Lake County residents save money on their dental service expenses. The NACo Dental Discount Card Program, provided by the National Association of Counties (NACo) in partnership with Careington International Corporation, can help Lake County residents save up to 50 percent on their dental care services, and 20 percent on orthodontic services. Individuals or families may opt to pay for a monthly or yearly membership. The cost for a yearly individual membership is $59 and $69 for families. More than 200 providers in Lake County are participating in this program. Discount card holders will receive significant savings from these providers on dental cleanings, x-rays, braces, dentures, crowns, root canals and more. This plan is not insurance.

 

To sign up for the Dental Discount Card Program, residents can download a registration form at: www.nacodentalprogram.com.  A list of participating providers and more information is available.

Prescription Drug Card 

   Prescription Drug Card
 
County residents can take advantage of a prescription drug discount card program.  The free card that is accepted at most pharmacies offers average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.  This is intended for people without prescription coverage or on medicines not covered by your plan.  The card may also be used where accepted to fill prescriptions for pets. To print a card, click here
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