Stranded motorists rescued in Lake County

Like everywhere else, it was all hands on deck in Libertyville to battle the elements Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Libertyville Fire Chief Rich Carani said several motorists had to be rescued between about 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. near Route 45 and Casey Road, Route 45 and Peterson Road and Milwaukee Avenue and Route 137, but no injuries were reported. The department responded to 20 calls for assistance Tuesday and had gone on 11 runs as of early Wednesday afternoon.

“We did have one heart attack this morning from snow shoveling,” Carani said Wednesday. The stricken person was a man in his 70s who lived on Burdick Street, he said.

Village Administrator Kevin Bowens said about 25 public works and other employees worked to clear snow. No major road problems were reported and crews were tending to side streets as of Wednesday.

“We had everybody,” Bowens said. “Some of the guys from engineering and the water treatment plant — anybody who could plow.”

Business also continued as usual at Advocate Condell Medical Center.

Many doctors and clinical care staff stayed overnight to ensure there were no gaps, added Vince Pierri, manager of public affairs.

“There were two babies born last night. One of the moms was there already and the other came in about midnight,” he said. Details of that birth were not immediately available.

Pierri said the emergency room was not too busy during the storm but activity was picking up Wednesday with people coming in with chest pain. He reported no problems with staffing.

“People who have four-wheel drive vehicles have been picking up staff members to work their afternoon shifts,” he said.