Property assessment notices, Crime rates declining, Lake County Fair, and More
Dear Neighbors,
I hope this finds you, family and neighbors well and enjoying the gracious sunshine. As summer buzzes with the sound of cicadas, I am pleased to update you on our county environmental program.
Back in 2019, the County Board approved a comprehensive environmental plan and updated it within the last year by adding a Climate Action program: We want to reduce our carbon emissions 40 percent by 2030 and the remainder by 2040. We also want to electrify as much of our fleet as possible and reduce our waste stream by 60 percent. I supported and helped draft all of these goals.
Keep in mind that these goals are ambitious, but doable. As I write this, neither the state nor federal government has adopted such a plan. So how does Lake County get there?
Our original plan was to install solar panels on 10 of our facilities. We've done most of the paperwork, but got delayed by the pandemic and one big issue: Springfield has yet to fully finance the fund for renewable energy credits (RECs). Without RECs, we won't get reimbursed for the clean energy we produce.
Springfield was slated to vote on a clean energy package by Memorial Day, but postponed it due to log jams on closing coal-fired power plants and subsidizing nuclear stations.
By the way, the only major coal-fired power plant in Lake County -- the NRG Waukegan station -- is scheduled to close in coming years, although that community will need transition assistance that the clean energy bill proposes to provide. Eliminating the carbon dioxide and other pollutants from that facility means better public health for everyone in the county and directly tackles the growing crisis of climate change.
As the Chair of the County Board's Legislative Committee, I've talked to every member of our Lake County General Assembly delegation to urge them to pass the Clean Energy package before the end of the year -- most likely in the October veto session. It wouldn't hurt if you sent them a note as well. This massive piece of legislation not only means we can move forward with our clean energy program, it will mean jobs, training, a clean energy funding source and progress on environmental justice issues.
We're also trying to reduce our use of single-use plastics in our county facilities. Our purchasing department is looking at ways to do this. We're also asking vendors to partner with us on sustainable practices and purchases. I'm also pressing hard for the county to hire a full-time sustainability director, a position that was unfortunately eliminated in our budget talks at the height of the pandemic last year.
At the Forest Preserve, we're making even more progress on the environmental front. We've approved plans to build three net-zero energy buildings in two major preserves. These buildings will eventually produce more energy than they consume -- without carbon emissions. Solar panels will go up on our welcome center at Ryerson Woods, and we've just reviewed architectural plans for a net-zero education building there. We're optimistic about outside funding for these essential projects.
Here's one bright, shining moment in promoting the Forest Preserve and county's mission in environmental stewardship: My wife Kathleen and I were thrilled to host a tour and reception recently at our Rollins Savanna Seed Nursery. Tens of thousands of people drive by this unique facility every day, but few realize that we produce some 800 million seeds here to restore and replenish our 31,000 acres of preserves.
Here's why restoring prairies and wetlands and planting trees is so important: They absorb tremendous amounts of carbon, water and heat. A single mature tree can absorb 48 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Given that many native oak trees can live more than 100 years, that's a lot of greenhouse gas taken out of the atmosphere while exhaling the oxygen we need to breath.
Want to help us in our carbon sequestration and restoration programs? You help the Forest Preserve through our Preservation Foundation. New donors will be entered into a raffle for a rain garden kit! Thanks to staff and all who work with us every day to green Lake County.
One last note: If you know of anyone who hasn't gotten a COVID vaccine, please urge them to do so. The more people who get this shot, the better chance we have of beating the bug and its nasty Delta variant. There are plenty of places you can get the shot from your local pharmacy to county health clinics. Find a location near you.
Please enjoy your summer by getting out, hiking, biking, picnicking, swimming, riding and enjoying all that nature has to offer. I am proud and honored to serve you. If you have an immediate need for county services, please call 2-1-1. I'm happy to speak before your community group.
Be well, Be Safe!
John
