Climate action plan, Ride Lake County, Fall colors, and More
Dear Neighbors,
I hope this finds you and your family and neighbors well and enjoying our resplendent fall season.
As you may have seen, the Illinois General Assembly recently passed a Clean Energy law. This legislation, which I strongly supported as Board Legislative Chairman, will have numerous benefits for Lake County and our area.
This law will complement the County Board's Climate Action Plan to reduce carbon emissions 40% by 2030 and the remainder by the 2040. Lake County will directly benefit from this legislation in creating green energy jobs; providing transition aid to Waukegan for the closing of the (countywide polluting) coal-fired power plant; and support our comprehensive environmental management plan, which we passed in 2019 as part of our Strategic Action Plan.
Overall, the state legislation will also promote more installation of solar panels, electric car purchases and charging stations and reduce our overall carbon footprint. Note: Solar energy is growing and can save you money. My wife and I installed solar panels on our Grayslake home earlier this year. Even with air conditioning, our total summer bill shriveled to under $20 a month, consisting mostly of taxes and the ComEd connection fees.
Of course, we need to do much more to address the climate crisis. We need to reduce our waste stream to keep garbage out of the landfill. To that end, we're continuing our kitchen compost pilot project on the Forest Preserve's Brae Loch property (Center and Route 45). We're also hoping to cut the county's consumption and disposal of single-use plastics and recycle many more products. Thanks to Gov. Pritzker and our Lake County delegation for their leadership in passing one of the the most comprehensive environmental bills in the country. We're greening Lake County, but first we have to green Illinois -- and ramp it up globally. Nevertheless, all ecology is local!
Here's something I learned along the way: Grayslake has one of the largest electronics recycling sites in the state. It's in the village waste collection area east of Route 83 (Barron) just north of Frederick Road. Operated in conjunction with the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO), you can recycle anything from your old electronics to shoes, textiles, cardboard and kitchen waste. I'm working on expanding this facility. Check our SWALCO site to see what else you can recycle. We have regular household chemical waste pickups throughout the year.
As the climate crisis threatens our land, air and water, this law is an immensely powerful tool for tackling global warming. We will continue to fight this battle in every neighborhood. If you have some ideas on this subject, I'm all ears.
Local Events
I was proud to have supported the Grayslake-based Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation to raise money for their "Ruck March" vet suicide awareness campaign. Vets are taking their lives at an alarming rate, so we hope to get them more help. Learn more about the event here.
I was also thrilled to support a recent Grayslake family bike ride introducing residents to our more than 20 miles of village bike trails. Thanks to the Grayslake Village Board, Police Department and Trustee Laura Faver-Dias, who organized the event.
It's a great time of year to ride. And if you just want to walk, keep in mind that our Hike Lake County Challenge runs through November. You can earn a free hiking stick shield, zipper pull or dog "award" for your pooch if you hike seven trails.
Also brewing in the Forest Preserve is the addition of music performances to our Beer Garden at Independence Grove, now open past sunset on Thursday nights. I stopped by recently to chat with neighbors and hear famed guitarist Kraig Kenning and marvel at the variety of locally micro-brewed beers and ales.
Even if the fall air gets a little nippy, there are fire pits on the beach maintained by the staff, so you can enjoy the autumn evening in style. I hear they even sell packages of s'mores if you want to toast some marshmallows.
Finally, we were blessed with great weather and a stunning turnout for the Grayslake Craft Beer Festival. I was happy to lend a hand to the set-up crew. Many thanks to the Grayslake Exchange Club, Chamber of Commerce, Village and countless community members who helped and participated. We raised quite a bit of money for college scholarships.
If you need immediate assistance with any county service, please call our 2-1-1 help line. I am available to talk with your community organization. It's always my honor to serve you.
Be well,
John
