June 28, 2011

County Update: Focus on JOBS

The economic downturn has had a devastating impact on jobs across the country. In this edition of County Update, County Board Chairman David Stolman talks with Dr. Terri Berryman, Director of the Lake County Workforce Development Department about the many resources available to job seekers and employers through the Job Center of Lake County.  Watch now.

Antioch 17th Annual Run for Freedom

5K Monday, July 4, 2011

Run and Fun Walk Starts at 8:00 a.m.

The first 1,200 paid registrants receive a FREE T-Shirt!

 Corner of Cunningham and Poplar Avenues. One block west of Hwy 83/Main Street.

Please remember to bring an item from the "Adopt-a-Package" List posted at www.sbotl.com on race day.

For more information or to register online visit:  www.sbotl.com or any State Bank of the Lakes location.

Paratransit Service in NW Lake County

Lake County by and through its Division of Transportation working with the Lake County Coordinated Transportation Services Committee (LCCTSC) has been actively involved in facilitating the expansion of non-traditional transit service in Lake County for the past several years. By applying for and administering several grants from the Regional Transportation Authority and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning we have been able to obtain funding for planning and demonstration projects in Lake County. One of the first projects we have implemented is the Northwest Demonstration Project which extends the hours of dial-a-ride service in Antioch, Avon, Grant and Lake Villa Townships. But the demonstration project is only one facet of the paratransit service currently available in the northwest corner of Lake County.

Valbona Kokoshi of our staff, who is working most closely with the LCCTSC, has put together a helpful brochure (see attached) on what services are currently available.

The LCCTSC membership consists primarily of Townships and not-for-profit human service organizations serving clients in Lake County. There has been some confusion about the type and the nature of the transit services that exist in NW Lake County so we thought that providing a little information would be helpful.  It is also entirely possible that many of you in the municipal arena may not be aware that some of these services exist or that they may be available to some of your residents.

Please do not hesitate to contact Bona or me if you have any questions.

Bruce D. Christensen

Council Liaison

Lake County Council of Mayors

600 Winchester Road

Libertyville, IL 60048

(847) 377-7400

bchristensen@lakecountyil.gov

Valbona (Bona) Kokoshi

Senior Planner

Lake County Division of Transportation

600 Winchester Road

Libertyville, IL 60048

(847) 377-7538

Vkokoshi@lakecountyil.gov

IDOT to host public meeting for IL Route 173 Study

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will host a public meeting June 30, 2011, concerning the proposed improvement of Illinois Route 173 from Illinois 59 to east of U.S. 41 in Lake County.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

4 - 7 p.m.

Lakes Region Historical Meeting House

977 Main Street

Antioch, IL 60002

The purpose of this meeting is to gather input regarding transportation needs within the study corridor, to outline the study planning process and to discover opportunities to become involved. An audio-visual presentation will be shown every 30 minutes beginning at 4 p.m., with the last showing at 6:30 p.m. All members of the public are free to attend between 4 and 7 p.m. Staff with IDOT and project consultants will be available to discuss the project and answer any questions.

A Web site tailored to the study, www.illinoisroute173study.com, is available with project updates and upcoming meeting times and locations. The meeting is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Anyone requiring special assistance can contact Marnell M. Morse at (847) 705-4107.

Lake County's Biggest Book Drive Underway

United Way of Lake County (UWLC), in partnership with Bernie's Book Bank, has launched Lake County's biggest book drive called Page it Forward.  The goal of this campaign is to collect 100,000 books for low-income children in Lake County through a summer-long book drive and celebration of reading.  Page it Forward puts a contemporary twist on the old-fashioned book drive, as it includes a variety of cutting-edge social media options to make contributing to the goal of 100,000 books accessible, exciting and meaningful to all!  For more information, including book drop-off sites, volunteer opportunities and downloadable materials, visit: www.uwlakeco.org/pageitforward.

Free Parent Empowerment Call on July 7

The Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Child and Adolescent Services will be hosting a Parent Empowerment Call, free from any phone, on July 7th from 12:00 - 1:00 pm for parents of children with emotional and/or behavior concerns.

The Family Meeting (Crisis planning and family communication)

Thursday, July 7th

12:00 PM-1:00 PM

Toll free: 1-800-260-0712 Participant Access Code:  182273

Changes to the Seniors Ride Free Program with RTA

In February 2011 Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation changing the requirements of the Seniors Ride Free program. Beginning later this summer, the Seniors Ride Free Program will be limited to low-income seniors who meet the income requirements set by the Illinois Department on Aging Circuit Breaker program. Seniors who are not eligible for the Circuit Breaker program will be eligible for a Reduced Fare Permit to ride CTA, Pace, and Metra buses and trains.

To continue to be eligible for the Seniors Ride Free Program, low-income seniors must first apply directly through the Circuit Breaker Program. Contact the Department on Aging at 800-624-2459 or go on-line at www.cbrx.il.gov. Current income limits for the Circuit Breaker Program are $27,610 or less for an individual, $36,635 or less for a two-person household, or $45,657 for a household of three or more.

Important Dates:

June 1, 2011 - RTA will no longer accept SRF applications per the old program eligibility requirements.

August 1 - 5, 2011 - All new Senior "Circuit Ride Free" and "Reduced Fare" Cards will be mailed to eligible residents.

September 1, 2011 - All current SRF cards will be deactivated.

Antioch's Taste of Summer

July 14 - 17

Antioch's four-day Festival of Food, Entertainment, Carnival and Street Sales is great for the whole family. Join us July 14-17! You'll enjoy free admission and plenty of fun throughout the four-day festival.

This year the Taste Entertainment will be bigger and better than ever! Thursday (7/14) we'll host a Pirate & Princess Party for all ages! Check our website for activities! We welcome back Hi-Infidelity on Friday, BBI on Saturday, and American English on Sunday. Plus, American English will come out and meet the crowd and sign autographs!

Our Taste Booths will offer new delicacies with some of the new food vendors that have signed up...but don't worry, your old favorites will still be with us at the Taste! The Shopping Dining, Carnival Rides, Singing and Dancing make up just a few of the ways you'll have fun at Antioch's Taste of Summer. Food booths open at Noon each day of the Taste. Shopping and Carnival hours vary, so please check the entertainment schedule at our website- www.Antiochchamber.org.

For additional information, call the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and Industry at (847) 395-2233.

Summer concerts at Independence Grove

Enjoy a variety of outdoor musical performances Tues evenings, June 21 thru Aug 9.

The Lake County Forest Preserves' 8-week summer concert series, Events in the Plaza presented by Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, kicks off 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 21 at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville with the Caribbean Rock band "Mr. Myers." Enjoy a blend of tropical sounds featuring steel drums and calypso, reggae rhythms and a touch of your favorite rock and roll tunes.  

The concerts are held at Independence Grove's outdoor amphitheater, Millennia Plaza, and are open to all ages. Concert goers should bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. Arrive early to secure your spot. The walk-up cafe is open during concerts and serves a variety of entrees, snacks or beverages.

Parking Information

Parking is $5 per car after 5 p.m. on concert days. To ensure safety and enjoyment, cars are turned away when parking is full. Car-pool if possible. For your safety and neighborly courtesy, please park only in the preserve. To learn if the park is filled or if a concert has been postponed due to rain, call the Visitors Center at 847-968-3499.

This year's concert series is made possible by the generous support of Presenting Sponsor: Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital; Platinum Sponsor: North Shore Gas; and Bronze Sponsors: Hollister Incorporated, Lake County Journal and Libertyville Bank & Trust.

Before the evening concert begins, spend the afternoon at the preserve enjoying the swimming beach, fishing, boating on the 115-acre lake, the Visitors Center with educational exhibits and rental space, café with outdoor walk-up service, and nearly seven miles of trails for hiking, biking and in-line skating.

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