As we look back at 2017 and all of our accomplishments,
we also evaluate and prioritize our goals for 2018.
In 2017, the village completed a staffing analysis study to review how services were deployed in the community. In order to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of municipal services, the village restructured several positions and approved a new director of economic and community development. I'm also very proud of our community outreach efforts. In the last year, subscription to the village newsletter has increased 50 percent, with an average open rate of 70 percent.
Look ahead to 2018: The Village has been actively developing its vision for the future by refining governmental operations necessary to best manage the community. To further the vision, the Village looks forward to completing the strategic plan that will establish long term goals and priorities based on defined steps in support of those objectives. We will focus on promoting economic development by supporting existing businesses and encouraging commercial and industrial entities to locate in Round Lake to better serve the needs of residents and support the Village’s tax base. We will continue to lead through a common vision based on established policies, prudent practices, and engaging our community through our newsletter and website.
If you have any comments, questions or ideas you would like to see included in the e-newsletter, please email me at
dmacgillis@eroundlake.com.
Myself, elected officials and all our employees wish you a very Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Mayor Dan MacGillis
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2017: Year in Review & Look Ahead
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Accomplishments of 2017
2017 was an eventful year in Round Lake, from infrastructure improvements to community outreach events. Here are some of our highlights from 2017:
- Midland Drive water main replacement and roadway resurfacing.
- Full implementation of a police body camera program.
- Completion of a ten-week Citizens Police Academy.
- Refunded the Lakewood Grove SSA bonds resulting in property tax savings for the residents of Lakewood Grove.
- Replanted 173 trees with more trees scheduled to be planted in the 2018 spring planting season.
- Upgraded 210 streetlight fixtures to high efficiency LED.
- Welcomed several new business to Round Lake, including two new restaurants.
- Collaborated with other entities for Baxter International to have a sanitary sewer system connection.
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Look ahead to 2018
As we look ahead in 2018, our emphasis will be to keep the momentum going. 2018 Village goals include:
- Maximize economic development by supporting existing business and encouraging commercial and industrial businesses to locate to Round Lake.
- Implement a strategic plan to serve as a road-map on how we prioritize and invest our resources.
- Continue our efforts to enhance community outreach and communication with our residents and business owners.
- Identify opportunities to diversity the Village’s revenue sources.
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Waste Management will collect Christmas trees the first two weeks of January. The trees must be free of decorations, lights and un-bagged. All clean trees will be recycled. Trees collected after these dates will be collected as trash. Trees longer than 6ft in length must be cut in half.
Consider donating your holiday tree to the Lake County Forest Preserves, and they will recycle it into wood chips for trails and landscaping at forest preserves throughout Lake County. Bring your tree to a
drop-off site
now through February 1.
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Receive free health care services including diabetes screenings, blood pressure testing and flu shots at a Health Care Fair from noon to 3:00 pm. Sunday, January 7 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 114 N. Lincoln Ave., Round Lake. This event is open to the public. For information, call 847-383-4870.
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State Bicentennial Flag Ceremony
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On Monday, December 4, 2017 at noon the Village and other municipalities held a local flag raising ceremony to help kickoff the bicentennial celebratory year in Illinois. As we approach the 200
th
year of statehood, the ceremony helped kick off a yearlong celebration that will pay tribute to people, places, and things in the State of Illinois.
August 26, 2018 will mark the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Illinois Constitution of 1818 at the Kaskaskia Convention, and December 3, 2018 will mark the 200th anniversary of the admission of Illinois to the Union as a state. For more information see
https://illinois200.com/.
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Tax Credit for Victims of July 2017 Flood
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Lake County property owners who sustained flood damage from the July 2017 flood may be eligible to claim an income tax credit worth up to $750 under a new law recently approved by the Illinois Legislature and signed by the governor. If eligible, the income tax credit may be applied to the resident’s 2017 Illinois income taxes. For more information about the July 2017 flood, please visit:
www.lakecountyil.gov/flood
.
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Residential Recycling Programs
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Recycle Your Holiday Lights
Textile Collection Program
Donate your new and gently used clothing and textiles, which will be reused and allow the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County to continue programs. Your worn out and stained items also can be recycled, turning them into usable new products. Bring your items to the collection bin located in the parking lot at the Village Hall or one of these
drop off locations
.
Electronic Recycling
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County is continuing its residential electronics recycling program through the 2018 program year. Lake County residents can bring electronics free of charge to the Grant Township road district facility.
View complete list
of locations that accept residential electronics, and
view accepted and unacceptable items
.
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Holiday House Decorating Contest Winners
A big thank you to all those that participated in the holiday house decorating contest! The winners are.......
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2nd Place - Villegas Family
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3rd Place - Albeck Family
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Winter Weather Driving Safety
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Lake County Division of Transportation has an interactive mapping tool to give residents a behind-the-scenes look at what goes in their snow and ice removal operations. Find which snow plow routes you encounter on your way to work or school, see what happens during a typical snow event, and connect with resources that will help you
know before you go!
Check it out
Remember...Don't crowd the plow.
When plow trucks are out, remember to stay back at least 50 feet or two to three car lengths, due to road conditions and so the plow operators can see your vehicles. The Public Works snowplow operators are extremely safety conscious, but they need your help. Stay back, and let them do their job of cleaning the road for you.
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Paratransit Study for
Lake County
A Paratransit Market Study is underway in Lake County to evaluate the range of available services, identify gaps in service relative to community needs, and recommend improvements.
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Additional News and Updates
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Village Officials
would like to welcome
Z's Cafe and Gaming located at 435 Wilson Road as well as
Sofia Perez Insurance Agency located at 206 W. Nippersink Rd to Round Lake. Please be sure to stop in and welcome both businesses to the community.
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Officer Patrick McWard
is
the newest Round Lake Police Officer to be sworn in on December 4th, 2017 by Village Clerk Debbie Perlini. Officer McWard graduated from the Cook County Sheriff's Police Academy on December 1st and may look familiar to some as he was a Community Service Officer with us before being hired as a Police Officer. We couldn't be happier to keep Officer McWard as part of our law enforcement family!
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Congratulations!
Sergeant Nicole Cheney just celebrated her 10th anniversary with the Police Department. Congratulations and thank you for your service and dedication!
Thank You!
A special "Thank You" to everyone who volunteered and attended the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
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Village Officials
Dan MacGillis, Mayor
Debbie Perlini, Clerk
Trustees
Charlie Foy, Henry Frye Jr., Russell Kraly,
Don Newby, Sanjay Patel, Jake Mandelman
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