Community News
Shields Township is Not Closing!                        
W e want to take this time to disquiet any rumors that Shields Township is closing. This is not true! The township remains intact, and will continue to provide programs and services to our residents.
However, new changes are forthcoming for our highway department.   
In August, Governor Pritzker signed House Bill 348, which will do away with road districts in unincorporated areas with fewer than 15 miles of roads. This includes Shields Township, which oversees 8.8 miles of unincorporated roads.
Known as the Township Road & Bridge District consolidation bill, HB 348 affects two counties in Illinois  – McHenry and Lake.
In McHenry County, the bill provides that the board of trustees or township electors have the power to dissolve a township. If successful, all property, equipment, obligations, and responsibilities will transfer to McHenry County. 
In Lake County, maintenance of roads and bridges in unincorporated areas will shift from the oversight of a highway commissioner to the board of trustees. Six of 18 Lake County townships are affected by this new bill. In addition to Shields, they include Avon, Newport, Vernon, West Deerfield and Waukegan. The legislation goes into effect spring 2021.
Following preliminary discussions between myself and possible partners in the transition, it was determined that neither Lake County nor the surrounding municipalities have any interest in assuming Shields Township road and bridge responsibilities. They have neither the equipment nor the workforce to do so.
We also considered hiring a private contractor to perform the work. A cursory evaluation appears that choice would be more expensive than the current cost. At this time, serving the unincorporated communities using Shields Township employees seems to make the most sense.
We invite community involvement and encourage those living in the unincorporated areas, who are most affected by the bill, to attend the next two board meetings where the proposed 2020 budget and proposed property tax levy will be discussed.
The meeting dates are Thursday, November 21 at 6:30 pm and Thursday, December 12 at 6:30. The board meeting is held in the second floor conference room at 906 Muir Ave. Lake Bluff, Il.
Shields Township has worked hard to reduce our portion of your property tax bill. In the last nine years, Shields Township tax levy has been reduced by 40%, and our reserves have been slashed by 43%. Whereas Shields Township was formerly 2% of your property tax bill, we are now under 1%. That is unprecedented progress. For perspective, the following chart shows where your property tax dollars are spent.













While other governmental units continue to grow, we are holding the line at Shields Township. Please come in or contact us with any questions, comments or concerns. My door is always open. 

Terry Darraugh
Shields Township Supervisor 
847-234-0802. 
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Knollwood Trash Pick-up Program Starts Wed. December 1
By now, Knollwood residents should have received information regarding new garbage collection services. Lakeshore Recycling Systems will begin providing collection services on December 1, 2019. Each resident will receive one 95 gallon cart for waste and one 65 gallon cart for recycling. Both will be collected weekly on Wednesday. The monthly cost for the service is $20.70. 

Services also include 6-week leaf collection from mid-October through November (up to six bags per week at no charge.) Three dollar stickers for additional waste.
  • Two-week complimentary Christmas tree collection (first two weeks in January.)
  • Other services include a yard waste subscription option (April through October) six bags per week limit for $150 per season. 

If you have any questions, please call the township or LRS at 773-685-8811. 
Closed For the Holidays
Shields Township will be closed on November 11 for Veterans Day and November 28 and 29 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Happy Holidays!
Phoenix Rising Food Pantry at Shields Township in need of items...
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Canned Fruit
  • Peanut Butter
  • Jelly
  • Hardy Soup
  • Crackers
  • Rice 
  • Cereal

Thank you supporters!




Do You Have the Right Medicare Prescription Drug Plan?

 Medicare's Open Enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7. Changes made to your Prescription Drug plan will take effect on January 1, 2020. This is the time of year when all people with Medicare can make changes to their Prescription Drug Plan.

For your convenience, Fremont Township will have a SHIP Counselor available to help you compare your current drug plan to new options to see if a different prescription plan better suits your needs or is less costly. This service is free.

If you would like to make an appointment with the Ship Counselor, please call Nancy at 847 223-2847. The appointments will start on October 15 and go through December 7. You will need to have an online account with medicare and a list of your current prescriptions before making an appointment. You must bring these and your medicare card to the appointment. If you need help in creating on-line access let Nancy know when you call.

211 Lake County Live
HELP IS ONE CALL AWAY!
Free and confidential services are provided to emergency services in Lake County. An expert navigator will lead you to the help you need: Housing, Utilities, Food, Crisis Help, Mental Health & Addiction, Health Care, Financial Support, Person, Child & Family Support and more. 211 LakeCounty.org
Our Community Services
We do Passports!
Come in and apply for your passport at Shields Township.
Passport photos are available for $12. No appointment necessary.
Passport hours: 9 am – 4 pm Monday – Thursday; 9 am – 11:30 am Friday.

Fees go to aid our neighbors in need. 
RTA Reduced Fare
Seniors:   If you are 65 years or older, you are eligible for a reduced fare permit.

Disabled:   All persons with a qualifying disability who are not enrolled in the Illinois Department on Aging’s Benefit Access program are eligible for reduced fare permit. 

Veterans:   If you are a veteran with a disability, a letter from the Veteran's Administration regarding your service connected disability must be submitted with your application.   For more information...
ElderCARE
ElderCARE services are catered to the needs of adults over 65 years of age residing in Northern Lake County.
ElderCARE will match you with a caring volunteer who will assist you. They will take you to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and even pay a friendly visit.

For more information call 847-406-4683 or visit their website


GENERAL ASSISTANCE AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE 
General Assistance: The Township’s General Assistance Program provides monthly financial assistance to low-income residents to help in meeting their basic living expenses. The process of applying involves filling out an application, then making an appointment for an interview. For more information, call Devon Nelson, Case Manager, at 847-234-0802 . The application is available for download here .

Emergency Assistance: Assistance may be provided by the Township to alleviate life-threatening circumstances. Residents experiencing financial hardship may apply for this assistance to pay for shelter, food, utilities, medical services, or transportation. An individual may receive Emergency Assistance once in a 12-month period. Call Devon Nelson, Case Manager, at 847-234-0802 for information.
LIHEAP stands for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and helps pay for cooling and heating bills or home repairs that have been caused by weatherization or energy-related accidents. 

 O ctober 1 begins LIHEAP for seniors (age 60 or older) and those with disabilities. The LIHEAP program extends to include families with children age five or under November 1, 2019, and is available to all low-income households December 1. The program will continue until May 31, 2020, or until funding is exhausted.

Documentation required is a photo ID, social security cards for all household members, proof of income for thirty days before the application date, and a current utility bill. For seniors who are receiving a Social Security benefit, Pensions, Retirements, or Government grants, a current award letter or copy of a check are required. 

Shields Township is available to assist you with the filing of LIHEAP applications. Call 847-234-0802 to schedule an appointment or for further information. 
Dial-a-Ride
You can register at the Shields Township office for this curb-to-curb service that takes the elderly or disabled where they need to go. Once you are registered and have made a reservation, you will need $3 for a one way trip and $6 for a round trip.
Property Tax Relief
Illinois law provides homeowners with homestead exemptions that may lower the amount of property tax you owe. Our office can assist you with filing your exemptions. Call us at 847-234-3485 for more information .
Electronic Recycling Opportunities
Prairieland Disposal and Recycling
21N988 Pepper Road, Lake Barrington, IL 
Monday - Friday ​8:00 am to 3:00 pm
​Saturday ​8:00 am to NOON​
​Closed on Legal Holidays
No cost for Lake County residents
​Businesses are prohibited
​LIMIT OF TEN ITEMS PER VISIT INCLUDING ONE TV
​(excluding misc. cords and cables)


Grayslake: Public Works Facility
585 Berry Avenue, Grayslake, IL
​Monday - Friday 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Saturday ​8:00 am to NOON
​Excluding Holidays
Also Accepting:
​Clothing & Textiles, Shoes,
​Mixed Paper, Cardboard,
​Plastic Containers, Glass Bottles & Jars,
​Steel Cans,  Food Scraps 
Grant Township: Road District Facility
26535 Molidor Road, Ingleside, IL
​Monday - Friday 7:00 am to 3:00 pm
​Excluding Holidays
No cost to Lake County residents
​Business are prohibited
​LIMIT OF TEN ITEMS PER VISIT
​​(excluding misc. cords and cables)


Highland Park: Recycling Center
1180 Half Day Road, Highland Park, IL
​Every Tuesday 7:00 am to 1:00 pm
​1st Saturday of the month 7:00 am to 1:00 pm
​​Excluding Holidays
Also Accepting:
​Clothing and Textiles, Shoes,
​  Polystyrene Foam: Cup, Containers &
​Packaging, Fluorescent Light Bulbs 
Opportunities to Give Back
Help your neighbors in need by donating to our Food Pantry. Hours are 9 am to 4 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the township office. Contact Heather Kerr at 847-579-9739 or to organize a food drive. PhoenixRising.foundation
Thank You for Subscribing
Terry Darraugh, Township Supervisor
Thank you for subscribing to our email newsletter. Our goal is to keep you informed on local issues that may impact you. If you know of residents who may not receive our e-newsletter, please forward this to them and invite them to sign up via our website. If you need to contact me, please call the office at 847-234-0802.


Your Shields Township Officials
Supervisor: Terry Darraugh, t.darraugh@shieldstownship.com
Highway Commissioner: Scott Anderson, svanderson@shieldstownship.com
Assessor: Scott Helton, Shelton@shldassessor.org
Trustees:
Clerk: Joy Gayter, jgayter@shieldstownship.com
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847-234-0802 [ShieldsTownship.com]