October 26, 2011

Union Pacific Railroad

To Close

Wadsworth Road

On Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The Union Pacific Railroad has informed the Lake County Division of Transportation of its intention to close the railroad crossing on Wadsworth Road, County Route A-9, east of Delany Road, County Route W-27, for three days, on Tuesday, November 1, 2011, starting at 9:00 A.M.. The crossing is scheduled to reopen at 5:00 P.M. November 3, 2011.

The closure is necessary to repair the existing railroad crossing, which requires the removal of the crossing panels, thereby making the crossing impassable to vehicular traffic.

Local traffic will be allowed on Wadsworth Road to the railroad crossing and from the railroad crossing to Illinois Route 131, Green Bay Road. The crossing, itself will be closed to all traffic.

Illinois Hardest Hit Fund

Emergency Forgivable Loans of up to $25,000 for Families Facing Foreclosure

The Illinois Hardest Hit Fund offers families facing foreclosure some much-needed breathing room while they get back on their feet. Eligible Lake County residents may receive up to $25,000 to help bring their mortgage current, and to assist with ongoing monthly payments for up to 18 months. Eligibility criteria can be found online at www.illinoishardesthit.org, the official website of the program. Lake County residents will work with the Affordable Housing Corporation of Lake County (AHC), a HUD-certified nonprofit agency, to receive free guidance and loan coordination services. AHC also offers information sessions and other helpful information at 847/263-7478 and www.ahclc.org. There is no cost to apply. Illinois anticipates assisting about 15,000 households. Don't delay in applying, as applications will be processed on a first come first serve basis. 

 Illinois Hardest Hit Fund

Emergency Forgivable Loans of up to $25,000 for Families Facing Foreclosure

The State of Illinois and the U.S. Department of the Treasury are working together to assist 15,000 Illinois homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage. The Illinois Hardest Hit Fund will provide families facing foreclosure with some much-needed breathing room while they get back on their feet.

In Lake County, residents will be working with the Affordable Housing Corporation of Lake County, a nonprofit HUD-certified agency, to obtain free guidance and loan coordination services.

Eligible participants of the Illinois Hardest Hit Fund may receive up to $25,000 as a 10-year loan to bring their mortgage current, and to assist with ongoing monthly payments for up to 18 months. The loan is forgiven over the last 5 years of the 10-year term, and carries no interest.

Eligibility criteria includes, but is not limited to: 

• Household has experienced a 25% reduction in income due to unemployment or under- employment through no fault of their own.
• Gross household income does not exceed 120% of area median income ($89,750 for a family of four).
• Principal loan balance is less than $500,000.
• Household liquid assets do not exceed 3 months mortgage payment.
• Property must be located in Illinois, may be a 1-4 unit building, and must be the primary and only residence of all borrowers/owners.
• Homeowners must have a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate loan; interest-only and negative amortization loan not allowed.
• Delinquency and necessary assistance may not exceed $25,000.
• Applicants have not been convicted of a mortgage-related felony in the last 10 years.

To begin, applicants must log onto www.illinoishardesthit.org, the official and only website of the program. There is no fee to apply. Homeowners are encouraged to be aware of the prevalence of mortgage assistance fraud; no genuine assistance program requires a fee.

There is a scam in Lake County where a company is offering to provide a copy of your deed for $95.00. If you need to reference the deed to your home please call the Recorder's office.  The average deed is four pages or less with a copy fee of $1 per page.

Also, homeowners please take a moment to call the Lake County Recorder's Office at (847) 377-2575 and request a quick check against your name to be sure that no liens have been placed against your property. Homeowners are sometimes unaware that a lien has been placed against their property until they sell or refinance. 

You are Invited to

Ghost Town Haunted House

1198 White Lake Dr. Antioch, IL

Hours Of Haunting

Fri. (Oct 28th) 6-10 P.M.

Sat. (Oct 29st) 6-10 P.M.

Mon. (Oct 31st) Trick-or-Treating hours 4-7 P.M.

3 levels of Haunting to accommodate various age groups

Location: 1198 White Lake Dr., just off Savage Rd (1 Mile South of Rte 173 and West of Rte 45). Turn South on Savage into the Clublands and follow the signs.

Free Admission But we are accepting Donations of:  Toilet paper, Napkins, Paper Towels And Non-Perishable Foods Items For The Open Arms Mission (Antioch Food Pantry)

Call 847-691-5990 for more information.

Antioch Trick or Treat Hours: Monday, October 31, 2011 from 4-7 pm.

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