The Squaw Creek Clean Water Alliance is raising funds for a water monitoring study on Long Lake. 

The extremely popular artist and Long Lake resident Dave Becker will instruct attendees to produce their own painting. All supplies will be included. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. Painters are invited to bring their own alcoholic beverages.

DATE AND TIME
Sun, April 22, 2018
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM CDT

LOCATION
BeckerArt Gallery
3314 Pearl Street
McHenry, IL

Tickets can be purchased here.

The Squaw Creek Clean Water Alliance is a combined effort of the Long Lake Improvement and Sanitation Association, the Woods & Wetlands Group of the Sierra Club, and Livable Lake County.

Minimum Age 21.

Representative Sam Yingling recently sent us the following information regarding a tax credit for victims of 2017's historic floods:

"To help victims of last year’s historic summer floods, I passed a Flood Victims' Tax Credit. To learn how to access this state income tax credit,  I am hosting a free seminar from 6 to 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Avon Township office, 433 E. Washington St., in Round Lake Park.

"This credit is only available for the 2017 tax year, so it’s important that flood victims learn about the credit and how to qualify.The new state income tax credit is worth up to $750 and is for individuals and businesses who suffered property damage in the floods in July 2017.

"The tax credit is administered by the township assessor’s office or the CCAO. Homeowners whose property was reassessed as a result of flood damage are not eligible for the credit.

"I am partnering with Avon Township Assessor Chris Ditton to provide an overview of the tax credit, guidelines for eligibility and instructions on how to apply. The seminar is free and open to the public. RSVPs to my office at 847-231-6262 or RepSamYingling@gmail.com are appreciated but not necessary. 

"Anyone who cannot attend the seminar but would like information on this one-time opportunity can call me at 847-231-6262 or email RepSamYingling@gmail.com to learn more before filing their income taxes too."

LLISA representatives were recently in attendance at Baxter's groundbreaking ceremony for construction on its connection to the public wastewater system. Construction is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2017. After a short period of testing, all of Baxter’s sanitary wastewater will begin flowing into the municipal sewers in early 2018. This means that Baxter’s wastewater discharge into Long Lake will soon stop.

Long Lake Improvement and Sanitation Association has been advocating for Baxter’s sewer connection for many years. Because of the number of major stakeholders involved, including Lake County, the Village of Round Lake, the Village of Fox Lake, and the Lakes Region Sanitary District, the process was frustrating and took longer than we had hoped.

Nevertheless, LLISA leadership is pleased with this outcome. LLISA volunteers have spent countless hours on this endeavor and are eager to now turn our attention to other issues critical to the health of our lake; specifically phosphorus and blue-green algae, the focus of our continuing work with Sierra Club. We will also now be able to focus more attention on our most critical asset and primary charge, maintaining the lock and dam so that we can all continue to enjoy Long Lake.

LLISA is happy to share that Baxter International has reached an agreement with the Village of Fox Lake for treatment of waste water. Thanks to Judy Martini for her continued work on this issue and for keeping us informed. Fox Lake now joins Round Lake, Lake County and the Lakes Region Sanitary District who have previously approved the sewer connection. With Baxter also getting a permit from IEPA, the construction phase is already underway. This means that, once completed, Baxter’s Round Lake facility will no longer discharge treated industrial and sanitary waste into the Squaw Creek Watershed and Long Lake.
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This is certainly great news for Long Lake. Look for further updates as the sewer connection moves forward.

The lake is now fully open!
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Due to the water receding at a faster rate than expected, Long Lake is now fully open to normal boat traffic. We are no longer no wake.
Out of respect for those dealing with damaged piers and shoreline erosion, we do ask that you keep at least 100' away from shorelines and piers.

The foreceast looks fantastic. Enjoy the weekend!

Effective immediately Long Lake is open to NO WAKE boat traffic.

Even though lake levels continue to drop by about 2 inches per day, Long Lake is still 1 foot above normal levels. LLISA is advising NO WAKE through the July 27 weekend to protect from unintended property damage. NO WAKE means driving at idle speed and keeping extra distance from piers and shorelines.

Waiting out a flood is very challenging but there are still properties under water and pier/lifts that need repair. Long Lake residents have been extremely respectful in staying off the water to this point and the entire community is very thankful for the good judgement demonstrated by our neighbors.

It is important to note that people can be held personally liable for property damage caused by their wake. Many residents still have water in their yards and have advised LLISA that they intend to report to the Sheriff anyone causing wave damage. During past floods, people have been reported and ticketed by water police.

Finally, we have sent lake water samples to be tested by the Lake County Health Department. Based on the results the LCHD has advised the water is safe for swimming.

​Please enjoy a wonderful summer weekend and thank you again for the respect you have afforded our entire Long Lake community.

Grant Township Highway Commissioner Kim Kiesgen has informed LLISA that the township will be picking up flood related garbage on Monday, July 24, 2017. Please leave your flood damaged items at the side of the road and the township will pick it up in their trucks. Unfortunately, this covers only the Grant Township portion of Long Lake.

Kim has been very responsive to LLISA's inquiries and requests. The township has already made multiple trips through the neighborhoods to pick up flood debris and remove trees and branches that came down in the storm. Thank you, Kim!

While the flood waters continue to recede, it is important to reiterate that Long Lake remains CLOSED to all recreational boating per the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Please do not go out on the water.
 
In the meantime, there are several things you can do if you’ve suffered flood damage.
 
1. Report your flood damage to your municipality or county here. This reporting will help local governments secure resources for cleanup and recovery.
 
2. Contact your local Township Assessor as you might qualify for a Disaster Area Reassessment. The appropriate form can be found here.
 
3. The Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) opened in Round Lake Beach where you can connect with the services and resources you need:
Where: 965 E. Rollins, Round Lake Beach (Former Garden Fresh Store)
When: Thursday - 11:00 pm-8:00pm
Friday - 9:00 am-6:00pm
Saturday- 9:00-Noon
 
4. Lutheran Church Charities out of Northbrook is offering services to pump out basements and houses that still have standing water.
Contact Kathy O'Day at 847-287-1801.
Lutheranchurchcharities.org
 
5. LLISA has been posting daily updates on our Facebook page which can be found here. Please ‘Like’ or ‘Follow’ to keep up with our news feed.