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Village Newsletter - Summer 2021

Greetings!

I hope you are having a great summer. It’s sure better than last year at this time!!

We are in Office for two months now, and it seems time is flying by!! We’ve are finally back to in person Village Board meetings and we’re moving forward. One of the biggest changes is Chief Gillette retired after over 40 years in law enforcement. Chief Gillette did a great job and we wish him a happy retirement.

I was privileged to appoint our new Chief of Police, David Prus. Chief Prus is a 13 year member of the Department and most recently served as Deputy Chief of Police. We also promoted Sergeant Robert Bell to Deputy Chief of Police and Police Officer Robert Robinson to Sergeant. This new group of leaders bring great ideas and excitement, as well as a vision for the continued success within our Police Department. Our Village Board is one hundred percent behind the men and women who serve and protect our Community. The pandemic last year made us all re-think how we do our jobs and protect our Community, but our Officers went out every day and did what they had to do to keep us all safe, and for that we can’t thank them enough!! One award we won last year is we were acknowledged as the 39^th safest city/village in the State of Illinois. There are over a thousand cities/villages/towns in this State, so to be in the top one hundred is a feather in the cap of our Police Department and all our Officers!!! A big Thank You to them for their dedication and service to all of us.

We are always looking for volunteers to serve on the Village Board; Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals; Police Pension Board; or Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. Volunteers like yourself provide input and direction into the future of our Village. I was privileged to recently appoint Robert Ackley to fill a vacancy on the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. We currently have a vacancy on the Police Pension Board and are looking for a volunteer to serve in that position. If you are interested in joining, please complete the Application for Village Boards and Commissions and email to rskraly@roundlakeil.gov or return the application to Village Hall, 442 N. Cedar Lake Road.

If you have any comments, questions or ideas you would like to see included in the e-newsletter, please email me at rskraly@roundlakeil.gov.

Sincerely,

Mayor Russ Kraly

Keep Up To Date With What's Going On!

Chief of Police Michael Gillette Retires

After 42 years of service in law enforcement, Chief Michael Gillette retired on May 17th. Chief Gillette started with the Village of Round Lake in 2010. We thank him for his dedicated service and wish him a well deserved retirement!

Police Department Promotions

Please join us in congratulating the following members of our Police Department who were promoted on May 17, 2021:

(Pictured left to right)

- Deputy Chief Rob Bell

- Sergeant Rob Robinson

- Chief Dave Prus

Congratulations!

Are Chickens Allowed in Round Lake?

Chickens are not allowed within the Village of Round Lake. If you currently have chickens, please find another home for them immediately to avoid getting a ticket. The Village of Round Lake Municipal Code states:

6.08.010 Prohibited Animals

No person shall keep within the village any horse, pony, cattle, cow, buffalo, sheep, goat, chicken, goose, duck, turkey, pigeon, and other livestock or swine.
No person shall keep within the village any wild animal, including but not limited to any monkey, ape, raccoon, skunk, fox, poisonous or venomous snake or other reptile, snake over six feet in length, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or any other animal or bird which can normally be found in the wild state.

The Village Board has considered chickens in the past and still feels chickens should not be allowed in Round Lake. Some of the concerns and discussion topics included:

There is risk of animal suffering and human disease if chicken keeping is not done well;
Disposal of manure; How to properly care for the chickens, including a safe coop and fencing (building permits);
Local veterinarians available to treat chickens; and
Concerns of vermin and larger predators being attracted to the neighborhood.

The Village is asking all residents to follow the rules and not have any chickens or other prohibited animals within the Village. If you see chickens, you can report them to the Village at 847-546-0963.

2021 Annual Water Quality Report

The Village takes water samples from eight sample sites throughout the Village twice a month and one sample from our backup well once a month. These samples are then picked up and tested by an independent water testing lab. The sample locations and frequency as well as the testing facility are all approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). Every year the Village compiles and publishes a water report showing what contaminants the Village tests for and what the results of those test are. The report is available on the Village website: roundlakeil.gov/2021WaterQualityReport

Mosquito Abatement

Again this year, the Village has contracted with Clarke Environmental Services for mosquito management, which includes:

· Surveillance

· Monitoring

· Larval control at breeding sites

· Adult mosquito applications

Clarke Environmental has information regarding prevention and control that homeowners may use to help control mosquito's on their property. Residents may sign up to be notified when spraying will occur by calling the Mosquito Hotline at (800) 942-2555.

While the Village does take steps to reduce mosquito levels, many areas nearby and outside the Village do not, which can contribute to higher levels of mosquitoes. The Village's mosquito management services are meant to be in addition to abatement activities undertaken by homeowners and businesses on their private property.

Residents are reminded to take preventative measures to reduce the impact of mosquitoes on their property. In any given season mosquito levels can vary depending, primarily, on weather conditions.

For more information you can visit the Village website: https://www.roundlakeil.gov/mosquitoabatement or the Lake County website: www.FightTheBiteNow.com

Something Unique & Exciting is

Coming to Round Lake

It’s summer and the perfect time to grab a bite to eat and enjoy Round Lake’s downtown area. But at the end of the month, there will be more of a reason to visit.

On Friday, July 30th from 2-7 pm the Young Professionals Network (YPN) of Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® will be hosting a parklet pop-up for the Village of Round Lake near the corner of W. Avilon and Cedar Lake Rd.

A parklet, also known as a “people spot”, is an extension of the sidewalk that takes place in a roadside parking space for the purpose of providing an additional place for members of the general public to stop, sit, and relax while visiting the municipality's downtown. These spaces also help to encourage economic growth and vitality where ever they are located. This parklet will feature seating and yard games that patrons can partake in. So while you are doing your shopping at your favorite stores, be sure to grab some ice cream, pan dulce, tacos or a burger and take a moment to enjoy the outdoors, sit back and chill with friends at this unique demonstration. YPN has been approved to provide the parklet for Round Lake through use of a grant by the National Association of REALTORS®. A parklet provides the municipality with the opportunity to determine if and where a more permanent outdoor seating space can be utilized in the municipality’s downtown area.

Learn more about Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® (MORe).

Vehicle Summer Safety

People often ask, Can I leave my dog in the car? Temperatures can rise to dangerous levels in just minutes, placing your pet at jeopardy of heat stroke.

It doesn’t have to be very hot outside for your vehicle to heat up to unbearable temperatures. In just 20 minutes on a 70-degree day the internal temperature of your vehicle can rise above 100 degrees. On hotter days internal vehicle temperatures can increase above 140 degrees in a small amount of time. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) cracking a window changes these internal vehicle temperatures very little.

Remember to take care of your fury family members and don’t leave them alone in an unattended vehicle.

Following these simple recommendations can keep your pet safe during the hot summer months.

Metra Increases Service on Milwaukee District North Line

Metra announced expanded rush hour service to begin Monday, July 12 on seven additional lines, including Milwaukee District North Line to meet growing ridership. In addition to new trains, there are minor adjustments to the timetables of some existing trains on some lines; customers are advised to review the new schedules to see if the timetables of their trains have changed. All the changes are highlighted on the new schedules. All the schedules can be viewed here .

Purchase a Parking Permit Today!

As a reminder, parking permits for the Metra Commuter Parking lots are available for purchase online and in person at Village Hall. To learn more, visit Metra Commuter Parking Permit.

News And Announcements

THANK YOU! As part of a community service volunteer project, the Round Lake Area School District 116, volunteered to help beautify Downtown. The Village of Round Lake would like to thank Brendan McLaughlin and Danielle Navarro for leading the effort and reaching out to Village Staff. The Village and School District partnered to provide and plant the flower pots at the War Memorial and clock in Downtown Round Lake. Thank you for the following businesses for donating the flowers: