Lake County News -- Linda Pedersen, District 1
Lake County News--Linda Pedersen
August 23, 2012
Voting by Mail Application Available Online

 

Lake County registered voters, including students away at school and traveling snowbirds, who choose to vote by mail in the November election may download their official application for ballot at LakeVoterPower.info. Illinois law requires each person voting by mail to complete and sign an application for every election before receiving a ballot.

 

Applications also may be requested by contacting the Voting by Mail Department via e-mail at [email protected], or by calling 847.377.2406.

 

View the County Clerk's press release for more information. 

 
Property Tax Appeal Workshop 
Scheduled for August 29

 

Join Lake County Board Member Linda Pedersen, Antioch Township Assessor Heather Kufalk-Marotta and Jeff Lee, Lake Villa Township Assessor, for a property tax appeal workshop August 29 at 7 p.m. at the Antioch-Lake Villa Township Building, 1625 Deep Lake Road, Lake Villa.

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In This Issue
Voting by Mail
Property Tax Appeal Workshop
Appealing your Assessment
Russell Road Bridge Closure
West Nile Update
United Way Book Drive
United Way Book Drive
Upcoming Community Events
Forest Preserve Events
Quick Links
 

How to Appeal your Property Taxes

 

Reasons to Appeal

  • The assessment is based on a factual error (i.e. incorrect square footage).
  • The assessment is greater than 1/3 of the property's recent sale price.
  • The assessment is greater than 1/3 of the property's market value.
  • The assessment is higher than the assessment of comparable properties.
  • Matters of law (i.e. carrying forward prior year residential appeal results, preferential assessment and farmland valuation).

 

Evidence You Will Need

  • A copy of the Real Estate Transfer Declaration, a deed or a contract for purchase
  • An appraisal of your property
  • A list of recent sales of comparable properties (photographs and property record cards should be presented, as well as some evidence of the sale price)
  • A photograph of elements detracting from the value of your property not shown on the property record card and an estimate, in terms of dollars, of their negative effect on the market value
  • Information on the comparable properties if your appeal is on the basis of uniformity of assessments
  • A copy of your property record card

 

The Process

  • Determine the fair cash value for your property (this is based upon 3 years of sale transactions prior to the assessment date).
  • Discuss the assessment with your township assessor's office.
  • Determine the basis for your formal appeal.
  • File a written appeal with the Board of Review by your final filing date for your township.
  • Present evidence of an unfair assessment to the Board of Review at the hearing.
  • Appeal the Board of Review's decision to the State Property Tax Appeal Board if necessary.

 

For more information, visit the Chief County Assessment Office's website.

 
Russell Road Bridge Closed 

 

Russell Road map IDOT has closed the Russell Road Bridge for reconstruction, and the scheduled completion date of the project is December 19. The southbound I-94 exit ramp at Russell Road will remain open for the duration of the project, but unfortunately, the northbound I-94 exit ramp at Russell Road will be closing in two weeks and will remain closed for the duration of the project.

 

A temporary traffic signal on the I-94 bridge on IL-173 will be used. The detour signs for traffic for the businesses at Russell Road and Old 41 also will be posted on I-94 and U.S. Highway 41.

 

The detour route for those areas east of I-94 along Russell Road will be IL-173 to Kilbourne Road, north to Russell Road.  

 
First Human Case of West Nile in Lake County Since 2010

 

mosquito The Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center reports that a 68-year-old male resident of Buffalo Grove (the Lake County side) tested positive for West Nile encephalitis. He was hospitalized and discharged. This is the county's first human West Nile virus case since 2010.

 

In addition to the human case, 52 batches of mosquitoes and three birds have tested positive for West Nile virus in Lake County this year.

 

Culex mosquitoes, the mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus, tend to thrive in dry conditions. Reduce your risk by reducing your exposure to mosquitoes, wearing insect repellent and reporting areas where mosquitoes typically breed. 

 

Alert the county to areas of stagnant water and get more information on the signs and symptoms of West Nile encephalitis by calling the Health Department's West Nile virus hotline at 847.377.8300.

 

For more information, read the Lake County Health Department's full press release.
 
United Way of Lake County Collecting Books for Low-Income Children
Page it Forward photo
Ethan and Sarah Nielander of Gurnee are collecting books for the drive.

 

A United Way of Lake County assessment found that 76 percent of 6-year-olds in Waukegan had little knowledge of books. Now the organization is aiming to collect 200,000 books for low-income children in Lake County through its Page it Forward 2.0 book drive.

 

Through Sept. 11, new and gently used books can be donated at 50 locations throughout Lake County, including First Midwest Bank locations, freestanding Starbucks locations, and local farmers markets and park districts. View the full list of locations.

 

Ethan and Sarah Nielander, a brother-sister team from Gurnee, set out to collect 500 books for their mitzvah project.  "We love reading, and it is always going to be important in every aspect of your life. That's why we wanted to do a project within our community and make an impact," said Sarah. "We shouldn't take all the things we have for granted, like books," added Ethan. 

 
Road Projects Update

   

Here is an update of construction projects in our area.

 

  • Fairfield RoadThe construction phase of the Lake County project to re-align and improve Petite Lake Road from Fairfield Road to Illinois Route 83 is ahead of schedule, with the road expected to reopen to traffic by the end of August. This $3.7 million highway improvement will re-align the portion of the roadway that has chronically flooded to a dryer alignment to the north with a new intersection and traffic signals at Illinois Route 83. Paving and other construction activities are expected to be completed this fall, with final landscaping being wrapped up next spring. Lake County will begin working on plans for reconstructing the remaining section of Petite Lake Road between Fairfield Road and Illinois Route 59 next year, with reconstruction of that portion planned for 2015. This project is being coordinated with the future Illinois Department of Transportation project to improve the intersection at Illinois Route 59 and Petite Lake Road.
  • Plans also are under way to reconstruct Fairfield Road from Petite Lake Road to Illinois Route 132 utilizing a pavement reclamation process that will enable crews to rebuild the pavement with very little disturbance to adjacent right of way. This project is expected to begin construction next spring and be completed by fall. 
  • Monaville Road Another road improvement that is planned near our district for next year is the intersection of Monaville Road at Cedar Lake Road, with the existing four-way stop sign-controlled intersection being replaced with a modern roundabout intersection. Roundabout intersections are safer and move traffic more effectively than stop sign-controlled intersections, and this will be the fourth intersection of this type constructed in Lake County in the past several years. Read more about these types of intersectionsConstruction of this improvement is expected to begin next spring, with the majority of work taking place during the summer months when schools are out of session. In addition to the intersection improvement, Monaville Road will be resurfaced next year from Cedar Lake Road to Illinois Route 83.
 

Upcoming Community Events

 

Antioch's 3rd Annual Car Show

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. August 26

Antioch's 3rd Annual Car Show at Raymond Chevrolet-Kia at 118 Route 173 in Antioch will include food and music. Donations to Open Arms Pantry, as well as non-perishable food item and cash donations, will be accepted. Prizes will be awarded. Free. More info. 

  

Fall Arts & Crafts Faire

September 8-9

Intersection of Main and Orchard Streets, downtown Antioch

Antioch's Fall Arts & Crafts Faire will feature hand-crafted displays from artisans who travel to Antioch from around the country for this popular annual fall event. Antioch's Fall Fest will be held on Saturday. Free face painting and balloon art, Save-A-Pet booth. More info.

 

Lehmann Mansion Centennial Celebration

2-5 p.m. September 9

485 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Lake Villa   Music by Lakes Community Swing Band, antique car show, mansion tours, Twist N Shout balloons and stories, hay rides, ice cream and hot dogs. Free admission. More info. 

  

Bud's Run 

September 22

Bud's Run will include a 5K Run/Walk and a 10K Run on crushed-gravel trails at Grant Woods, one of the largest forest preserves in Lake County. The race provides many of the local not-for-profit organizations an opportunity to raise funds for their activities. The race will begin at the Lake Villa Township Caboose Park, at the corner of Grand Avenue and Fairfield Road. Parking is located west of the intersection. Onsite registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the race begins at 9 a.m. Pre-registration online is recommended; the first 300 registered runners will receive a T-shirt. More info.  

 

Upcoming Forest Preserves Events  

  

Like to Hike? Take the Hike Lake County Challenge
hikers

Walking is one of the easiest ways to add activity to your routine and your Lake County Forest Preserves provide the perfect setting. Enjoy fall breezes and autumn colors while exploring designated Hike Lake County trails in scenic forest preserves throughout Lake County. At each preserve, look for Hike Lake County signs at the trailhead to get you started on the right route. Complete just seven of the 12 designated hikes by November 30 and earn a free commemorative shield for your walking stick. Each year features new trails and a colorful new shield. Get started.

 

Discovery Museum Participates in Blue Star Program

Discovery museum

The Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda is offering free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families through Labor Day, September 5, as part of the Blue Star Museum program, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and more than 1,300 museums across America. View a map and list of other participating museums. The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention Common Access Card (CAC), a DD Form 1173, or a DD Form 1173-1, which includes active duty military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard), National Guard and Reserve members, and up to five immediate family members. Present your ID card at the Lake County Discovery Museum front desk to receive free admission.

 

Free Habitat Walks for Seniors

Explore many of the different habitats of Lake County, learning as you walk. These free nature walks are designed for senior citizens and paced to the group's ability. Nan Buckardt, Director of Environmental Education and Public Affairs for the Lake County Forest Preserves, will lead the upcoming September 19 walk from 9 to 10 a.m., at Grant Woods in Lake Villa. For details, call 847.968.3321.

 

Community Campfire Friday Nights

campfire

Gather around the campfire with family and friends and experience nature at night. Roast marshmallows, share nature stories, and sing songs. Bring a musical instrument to play and a blanket or chair to sit on. Campfire nights are free and open to all ages. View upcoming Community Campfire Friday Nights.

 

Progress Update

Thanks to your support, the Lake County Forest Preserves continues to protect some of our most important natural areas, maintain nearly 160 miles of trails, and restore many acres of habitat for Lake County's native plants and animals. Read the progress update to learn more about recent achievements.

 

Walk with a Naturalist

9-10 a.m. September 1, MacArthur Woods (Mettawa). One-hour guided nature hike. Explore a new preserve each month. Adults. $1 for residents, $2 for nonresidents. No registration required.

 

Dragons of Lake County

2-3 p.m. September 2, Wright Woods. These delicate, double-winged "dragons" are good for our environment-they're dragonflies and damselflies.  Adults, families with children ages 5 and up. $5 adults/$1 children residents, $7 adult/$2 children nonresidents. Registration required by September 1.Register online, by telephone at 847.968.3321 or by mail or fax using this form.

 

Turtle Tales - Whoooo Lives in the Dark?

10-10:30 a.m. August 24, Greenbelt Cultural Center, North Chicago. Join us for a free story time with movement, songs and surprises. Stories are open to all children with an adult, but are focused on the pre-school age child. Stay and play after the program. For updates outside of normal business hours, call 847.968.3113. All ages, free. No registration required.

 

Outdoor Environmental Film Festival

August 25, Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area (Riverwoods). Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy a selection of films under the stars on the lawn of Brushwood. The evening will begin with a guided gallery tour of the Genius Loci: Listening to Nature's Muse group art exhibition at Brushwood, followed by a screening of films inspired by the theme "Lessons from the Prairie." Acclaimed films will explore ways that human society can learn from the prairie ecosystem in particular, and nature broadly speaking.  Gallery tour at 7 p.m., films begins at 7:30 p.m. In case of rain, films will be shown in the Welcome Center. $15 public, $10 Friends of Ryerson Woods members. To register with a membership discount, call 847.968.3321.

 

Little Sprouts, Excellent Adventures

Join us down on the farm for fun and frolicking, select Wednesdays, June through October. We'll learn all about life on the farm, animals, and where our food comes from. Get to know other families while kids enjoy stories, hands-on activities and simple crafts. This special program is for kids ages 2 to 5 and their caregivers. Take a closer look at the inside of an egg and the cute creatures that hatch out. 10-11 a.m. August 29, Bonner Heritage Farm. Ages 2-5, $3 per child residents, $5 per child nonresidents, 3 or younger free. Register by August 28 using this form or register online.

 

Twilight Paddle - Moonlit

6:45-8:45 p.m. August 29, Van Patten Woods (Wadsworth), Sterling Lake Boat Launch. Enjoy the unique experience of paddling in the twilight hours as a naturalist guides you on the water. Paddling experience is required. Equipment provided or you may bring your own canoe/kayak. For updates outside of normal business hours, call 847.968.3113. Ages 12 and up, $23 per child or adult residents, $32 per child or adult nonresidents. Register by August 28 using this form or register online.

 
Linda Pedersen, District 1 Representative

 

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