Your doorbell rings on a lazy Saturday afternoon. You open your front door and observe a stranger with a smile and a sales pitch.  "Hello, I'm with ABC Company, and I'm here to sell you X,Y,and Z!"

Now, what should you do?

First, ask to see their Village of Round Lake Solicitor License. If the person can't show you a currently valid license for whatever reason (their "supervisor" has it, they left it in the car, etc.), do not do business with them! Shut the door and report them to the Round Lake Police Department. Round Lake Village Code requires that anyone who wants to go door-to-door within Village limits must first obtain a valid license and keep it on their person while engaging in their business.  See image of a sample permit at left.

Secondly, if they do have a license, make sure you know what that actually means. A valid solicitor license is not an endorsement of the business by the Village! It only means that the company has completed the Village's application process and the individual has passed a limited criminal background investigation. This process does not include a recommendation from the Better Business Bureau. You, as the customer, are still responsible for evaluating the companies that you do business with.

Finally, the Round Lake Police Department recommends some general safety tips: 

• Never let anyone inside your home that you do not know. 
• Don't share personal information with anyone.
• Be cautious on giving out banking information or credit card information to people you don't know.
• Ask for identification, and a copy of their business license.
  
• If you are interested in their products or service, but question whether the deal is a scam, it is wise to re-schedule at a later time.  This allows you time to get in touch with the business and confirm that they are an authorized representative, offering a legitimate product.
• Talk with minor children and remind them that they should never open the door for a stranger, ever.
• Contact your local law enforcement agency if an unlicensed salesman is operating in your neighborhood. Provide them with as much information as possible, including company name, vehicle and physical descriptions.
• As always, the buyer should "Beware!"
  

Senator Melinda Bush is hosting a job fair in Round Lake!

When: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Where: Magee Middle School

Employers interested in participating can register here.

Job seekers who are planning on attending can RSVP here.

If you have any questions, please email info@senatormelindabush.com or call 847-548-5631.

Are you a rental property owner or looking to rent your property? The Village would like to remind rental property owners that any unpaid water utility bills are ultimately the owners’ responsibility. To ensure your tenant remains current on their utility bill, please consider the following:  

• Contact the Village at 847-546-5400 when a tenant moves in or out of your property to confirm the account is paid in full.
  
• Ensure you as the property owner have requested a duplicate bill to ensure your tenant is paying promptly.
  
• Provide accurate moving dates.
  
• Verify the final bill has been paid prior to returning any security deposits.

If you have any questions, please contact Utility Billing at 847-546-5400 Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.