Recent Council Action

Landscapers Need License – In December 2006, the City Council passed on ordinance requiring all landscape maintenance and arborist firms to obtain a license in order to work within the City limits. An ordinance was recently passed to create an awareness of firms operating in Lake Forest and to assure residents that the firm they hire maintains appropriate insurance. With payment of a $100 registration fee, licensed firms will receive information on landscape maintenance regulations, tree preservation and noise control, as well as a brochure on ravine protection and “No Truck Route” map. A list of registered firms will be maintained on the City’s website. For additional details, please contact Donna Linder at City Hall at 847-615-7472.

Community-Wide Survey Results – Some of the key findings from Council-approved survey mailed to 7,500 households in November 2006 indicate:

• Residents are overwhelmingly satisfied with the quality of life in Lake Forest, and in particular with the facilities and services available to them.
• The lowest levels of satisfaction are with traffic, congestion, residential and commercial growth, and availability of shopping.
• They see the greatest future challenges as fiscal management, maintenance of City infrastructure, traffic, and development.
• There is a significant division between younger residents who are interested in online services, development of more recreational facilities, and a vibrant downtown and older residents who are basically satisfied with the status quo and are concerned about traffic and growth in the community.
• Residents shop in Lake Forest for convenience, service, and to support local businesses (mostly for food and drugs). They tend to shop elsewhere for product selection and price. There is strong interest in the community in having more restaurants and retail shops in Lake Forest.

Smoking Ban Adopted – To help protect the public from health and environmental hazards, on September 1, 2006 the City Council enacted a smoking ban for public places, including parks, Forest Park Beach and Market Square. The ordinance also bans smoking in all enclosed public areas and places of employment. Excluded from the ban are public sidewalks, parking lots and areas beyond 25 feet of the entrance to a public building. The smoking ban for all clubs, bars and restaurants will take effect on May 1, 2007. Smoke-free legislation has been enacted in a number of communities throughout Illinois, and it is possible that the State of Illinois will soon follow.

Gift Accepted for Elawa Farm – The City Council accepted a very generous donation of $1 million from Mrs. Liz Uihlein, which will be added to $100,000 from the Elawa Foundation, to fund needed improvements at the historic Elawa Farm. This City-owned property is adjacent to the Middlefork Savanna on the west side of Waukegan Road. Final restoration of the facility will include new flexible classroom space and areas for the Elawa gardeners and the Wildlife Discovery.