Village Newsletter - February 2021 |
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Greetings!
In the summer of 2019 the Village of Round Lake in conjunction with the Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hosted our first Farmers Market. Local farmers and vendors set up tents selling their goods and wares to customers from the area. It brought new customers to our downtown business district and was well received by all.
As we planned for a bigger and better market for 2020 all hopes were squelched by COVID-19. There are still too many uncertainties to organize a market for this year, but we can start planning for a 2022 Farmers Market.
Starting now, we are asking for volunteers to join a committee that will organize, promote and work towards re-establishing a Farmers Market in 2022. Please contact Katie Parkhurst, kparkhurst@roundlakeil.gov if you would like to help.
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.
Sincerely,
Mayor Dan MacGillis
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Keep Up To Date With What's Going On! |
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Convenient Payment Options |
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Did you know that you can manage your Village utility account, including paying your bill, online?
Create an an online account to receive e-notifications of new bills, to view billing and consumption history, to schedule payments using your bank or credit card account, sign up for paperless billing, and much more!
Setting up your online account is easy! All you need is your current utility bill showing your account number, as seen below.
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Tips to Reduce Water Consumption |
Looking for a few easy ways to shrink your water footprint? Below is a collection of tips to help you cut back on your water use.
- Make sure your toilets are in good working order and are not running when not in use.
- Consider switching out your conventional shower head with a water saving shower head and/or take fewer or shorter showers.
- Be cognizant of outdoor water usage and running faucets at all times.
- Use your dishwasher as opposed to washing dishes in the sink.
- Have the professionals wash your car or use a self-service bay.
- Use a rain barrel.
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Our public sidewalks play a vital role in the quality of life of our Village. Public sidewalks are safe passageways for pedestrian movement and access. Safe, accessible, and well-maintained sidewalks are a fundamental and necessary investment for home and business owners, our schools and parks. |
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Parking on or across public sidewalks is prohibited by Village Ordinance and carries a fine of $50.00. Vehicles that are parked across the public sidewalk usually cause people and children to go around the offending vehicle, onto grass areas, up and down curbs and into the street to get around the vehicle. Parking over the sidewalk is a challenge for anyone who is out for a stroll and trying to use the public sidewalk.
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Snow on Public Sidewalks is an often overlooked responsibility of property owners in the Village. Village ordinance requires all sidewalks abutting your home or business to be cleared of ice and snow within 24 hours after a snowfall for the safety of everyone. Failing to remove ice and snow on the sidewalk is another common complaint fielded by the Village. This too could result in a $50.00 fine for failing to remove snow and Ice from your sidewalks.
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Two big problems that can cause many untold problems from accidents resulting from impeding safe pedestrian movement to blocked, collapsing and crumbling sidewalks and lowered property values. It is a simple fix, please don’t illegally park on or across any public sidewalk, and be sure to clear the sidewalk of ice and snow.
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Shoveling snow is very hard work. It can cause muscle strains and back injuries, especially if you do not lift properly. It can also put severe stress on your heart and can even result in heart attack. Shoveling snow, especially if the snow is wet, is like picking up heavy weights. One shovel load can weigh in excess of 25 pounds.
Snow blowers are preferred, but not always available and there are inherent dangers associated with any mechanical equipment. If you must use a shovel to remove snow, please use information in this bulletin as a reminder to take care when shoveling.
Be heart healthy and avoid back injuries this winter by following these shoveling safety tips:
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- Before you start shoveling, move and stretch your muscles to warm them up.
- Layer your clothing to keep muscles warm and flexible.
- Avoid caffeine and nicotine before beginning to shovel. These are stimulants, which may increase your heart rate and cause your blood vessels to constrict. This places extra stress on the heart.
- Use a shovel with a handle that is long enough to let you keep your back straight when lifting. An ergonomic shovel with a bend handle is better than one with a straight handle.
- Take it slow. Shoveling can raise your heart rate and blood pressure dramatically.
- Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is as big an issue in the winter as it is in the summer.
- Push the snow whenever possible rather than lifting it.
- Lift with your legs bent and your back as straight as possible, so you are lifting with your legs rather than your back.
- When possible try to maintain the natural “S” curve in your back, it is strongest in this position.
- Step in the direction you are throwing the snow. This will help you to avoid twisting your lower back.
- Do not toss snow over your shoulder or to the side.
- Take frequent breaks. During breaks stand straight and walk around. Stretch your back by placing your hands on your hips and bend backward slightly for several seconds.
- Most importantly—listen to your body. Do not shovel to the point of exhaustion. If you are out of breath, take a break. If your muscles tighten, take a break. If you feel tightness in your chest, stop immediately.
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Catholic Charities Services |
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Since 1917, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago has served those in need in Cook and Lake counties without regard to religious, ethnic, or economic background. Catholic Charities offer a comprehensive network of services that range from food pantries to mental health counseling, affordable housing, and senior services. They operate more than 143 programs at more than 281 locations and assist more than 1 million people each year.
Below is information about their newly established Round Lake Food Pantry and their reestablished Community Supper Program.
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Senior Citizen Utility Tax Rebate |
Round Lake residents over 65 years of age are eligible for an annual senior citizen utility rebate of $50.00. Please stop by the Village Hall with a picture ID and a copy of your current gas or electric bill. Only one rebate per address is allowed.
The last day to file is March 31, 2021. Checks will be mailed to rebate residents in April 2021.
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Protect Your Family From Radon |
Many of our daily activities, such as exercising, school, and work are now conducted within our homes. The quality of the air inside our homes is more important than ever.
It is estimated that 1 in 15 American homes have high levels of radon. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The Lake County Health Department urges residents to check their homes radon levels during the winter months when the levels are the highest. Ensure the safety of the air within your home and test for radon.
The Lake County Health Department offers short-term testing kits for $10.00, available at 500 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville, or for $13.00 by mail. The cost includes return postage, laboratory analysis and interpretation by Health Department staff. Test kits are also available from area hardware and building supply stores. If test results reveal elevated levels of radon in your home, contact a radon professional to evaluate and fix the problem.
For more information and to request a short-term testing kit, contact the Health Department at: 847-377-8020 or visit:
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Second Round of PPP Underway |
A second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans is open for small businesses hurt by the pandemic.
It's important to note that businesses that received PPP loans under the first round are also eligible for loans under this new round. However, it's advised that said businesses use the same bank for the sake of expediency, because many more businesses are eligible for this second round because Congress relaxed the criteria. It's also advised that businesses that receive PPP loans apply for loan forgiveness as soon as possible.
You can learn more from the US Small Business Administration by clicking here. Collecting a PPP loan does not make a business ineligible for other state and local business assistance.
A list of participating lenders approved by the SBA can be found by clicking here.
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Q) When do I need to remove my holiday lights and why?
A) Holiday lighting should be removed by the end of February. The National Electric Code (NEC 2017) limits the installation of temporary holiday decorative lighting to a maximum of 90 days (Article 590). The wiring used in decorative holiday lighting is not designed for or approved for continuous exposure to the elements and over time can become an electrical hazard.
Q) Is it too early to apply for a building permit for my summer projects?
A) No, we encourage you to beat the summer rush and start planning your summer projects. Please visit the Village website to see what projects require permits, review what is needed to apply for a permit and to obtain the permit application. You pay for a permit once it has been approved. Permits are valid for 6 months from the issued date.
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NO PARKING ON SNOW DAYS - As a reminder, all Village streets are under a parking ban when it snows 2 inches or more. This means no vehicles are allowed to park on the side of the road at any time until the streets have been completely cleared. It is difficult for plows to maneuver around parked cars and also causes a large area of snow to be left on the street. These areas often turn to ice and create a hazardous condition once the parked car eventually leaves.
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CUBRSIDE TAKE AND MAKE CLASSES - Looking for something fun for your child to do now that the weather is turning colder? The Round Lake Area Park District is offering a Take & Make bag for $5 each. Choose from one of many themes and enjoy the fun from home!
Materials for arts and crafts, songs, poems, and/or dramatic play, for many hours to use your imagination! Bags can be picked up at the Robert W. Rolek Community Center during open hours, 24 business hours after purchase. Learn more.
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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
442 N. Cedar Lake Road Round Lake, IL 60073 · 847-546-5400
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