A Note From Ann
Dear Neighbors,
In March I attended a Transportation Management Association meeting where representatives from IDOT, Lake DoT, the toll authority and Cook County Highway Dept. presented their spring-summer project lists. Below I've listed the highlights of some of these. There will once again be a number of construction sites that will impact your travel.
At the March County Board meeting, we passed a resolution directing the Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals to conduct a public heariang on proposed text amendments governing the siting of wind power facilities. While this only applies to unincorporated areas, staff included municipalities, so that they too could learn. As the Country looks toward non-carbon based energy, this will become an important issue. I will keep you informed about the time and location of these meetings.
County Board meetings are available on-line. If you are interested in a specific item, you can look at the agenda and click on it. In the next year Forest Preserve agendas will also be available on line.
As always, I welcome your comments on these or any other issues. Government works best when the citizens are heard, so I hope you'll continue to share your concerns.If you'd like me to come to your Homeowner's meeting or other group to address more issues in person, just contact me.
Sincerely,
Ann Maine
Lake County Board and Forest Preserve
District 21
amaine@lakecountyil.gov
847-374-9787
Transportation Update
There are literally a hundred road projects planned for the Lake and Cook County area. This doesn't even include local road projects. The Lake County Dept. of Transportation will try to include links to all projects in the area, even if the department is not working on them. Here is the list and tentative schedule for some of the major projects in our area. Please keep in mind that weather has a big impact on the ability of crews to work on the roads.
Now that the tollway lane additions are done, the project with the biggest impact will be the Edens Lane Resurfacing. This is expected to start in late June or early July. The road will be reduced to one lane each way. with a lane shift on the Tri-State.
But once you get onto the Edens there are still a number of projects will impact your travel time. While the Kennedy ramps should open in April, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will begin four projects to improve the Interstate 290 Expressway, Congress Parkway Bridge and Wacker Drive. Get details on each project from the IDOT/CDOT 2010-2012 project site. You can also look at all lane closures.
Il 176 from Milwaukee Ave to Midlothian--will be resurfaced in July 2010. There will be intermittent road closures.
Rt 22 and Milwaukee Ave, intersection--IDOT is trying to accelerate this project so that it will be done in mid July.
St. Mary's Road from Il 176 to Il 137--this resurfacing project will run from July 2010 until October 2010. Work will occur from 9 am-3 pm. THe road will be down to one lane at this time. Expect delays.
Buffalo Grove Rd from Deerfield Parkway to Il 83--should be finished in May of 2010.
With the price of gas going up again and summer construction season, you may want to check out Metra website. Remember, you can also take Metra to O'Hare airport from the Vernon Hills, Prairie View or Buffalo Grove train stations. It's easy and fast.
You can also bike more! Drive less. Live more promotes alternative transportation in northern Illinois. They have information on bikes on public transportation, as well as ride sharing information, biking paths and more.
If you haven't used the Lake County Division of Transportation's PASSAGE program before. This summer is the time to start. Drivers can find real-time information, online or on the radio (1620 AM), about congestion, construction, accidents and detours on local roadways. You can also get traffic updates on your PDA.
Forest Preserve and Nature News
With all the warm weather, it's good to know that the Forest Preserve offers a lot of free or inexpensive programs. Visit Ryerson Woods where you can take a gentle hike along the river, visit the small farm area with animals for the kids or visit the historic Brushwood home and see an art exhibit. Currently The Friends of Ryerson Woods is sponsoring Aviary! This includes the works of 18 different artists.
On April 7 the Friends book club will be discussing John Wasik's The Cul-de-Sac Syndrome at 7:30 pm. New comers are welcome!
You can also take the kids or grandchildren and head to the Lake County Discovery Museum.
You'll have a great time recollecting your favorite stories and the children will love the artwork from 60 years of Little Golden Books. For more information about the Golden legacy exhibit or to download discount admission coupons, call 847-968-3400 or visit online at: GoldenLegacy
The Forest Preserve calender has information on other programs including photography,history and dinosaurs.
The Friends of the Chicago River are sponsoring the 18th Chicago River Day on May 8th. From 9 am to noon there are a number of activities and projects, many located here in Lake County.
Environmental Issues
Despite our name, Lake County does face serious long term water issues. The County has been working on a number of initiatives to conserve our water resources. On March 4, I co-chaired the Lake County Water Sustainability Group. This group of elected officials, professionals and expert staff will spend the next 6 months developing sustainable water goals. March 22 was World Water Day. The Nature Conservancy has a great list of water conservation tips, many of which you may already be practicing.
While all the rain and late snow make the rivers high now,the hot dry weather of summer will come. Conserve our water and order a Rain Barrel. You can also order a compost bin or fish for your outdoor pond from Lake County Soil and Conservation District.
On Saturday April 24--the Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District will hold a chemical waste collection by appointment only. Please call 847-634-2512 to set up your appointment.
Getting new running shoes for the spring season? Don't throw your old ones away! Participate in SWALCO's reuse a shoe program. You can even register your group and sponsor your own collection.
Job and Business Information
Lake County Partners has a new President, Steve Anderson, from St. Louis. Whether you have a business in Lake County, or are thinking of moving a business to Lake County. They can help you with all types of resources and information, including SB504 financing.
Lake County job postings are now on-line.
Available jobs at the Forest Preserve.
The Forest Preserve is now placing bids and requests for proposals on-line.
The Lake County Workforce Investment Board is also a good source of information for businesses.
Education in Lake County
The University Center of Lake County, located in Grayslake, is a consortium of 18 colleges and universities that offers higher education and workforce development opportunities to all Lake County residents. Created in 1996, it supplements what the College of Lake County offers. About 1/3 of the 90 academic programs are "bachelor's completion" , another 1/3 are graduate degrees and the remainder are professional development. A number of the courses are on-line; classes are also offered on weekends and in the evening to accommodate adult students.
Stop by the Grayslake facility, 1200 University Center Drive, on April 8 for the open house and learn more about what they offer.
Community News
The Vernon Area Public Library is holding their semi-annual Used Book Sale on Friday and Saturday April 23 and 24 from 10am-4 pm. Bargain Sunday, April 25 from 12-4 (all items half price). The box sale ($10 a box) is Saturday May 1 from 10 am -2 pm.
The Arlington Heights Bicycle Club is holding their 2010 bicycle swap on Saturday, April 24 from 9 am to 4 pm at Centennial Park. You can buy, sell or swap bicycles and equipment. Visit Cyclearlington for more information.
Lake County News Archive
Click here to view past issues of Lake County News from Ann Maine.
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