Lake County briefs
Tollway shift coming:
Work resumes this week on the final construction season of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294/I-94) rebuild and widening projects. Work on the portion of the 50-year-old roadway between Grand Avenue and the Wisconsin state line was completed in 2008, and remaining construction is scheduled to wrap up this year in segments extending from Balmoral Avenue to Lake-Cook Road and from Half Day Road to Grand Avenue. Work on projects between Dempster Street and Lake-Cook Road and from Half Day Road to Grand Avenue begins this week with pavement striping and southbound traffic shifts to create a work zone for construction of the northbound express lanes to provide three lanes of traffic in both directions during construction. Visit www.gcmtravel.com or www.illinoistollway.com.
Libertyville firefighters contract
The Libertyville village board has approved a four-year contract with the firefighters union. The 20 firefighter/paramedics and seven lieutenants covered by the pact will received a 3.5 percent and 3.25 percent increase respectively, retroactive to May 1, 2008. Firefighters have been working without a contract since then. For the next two years, beginning May 1, union members will receive a 3.5 percent pay increase. The increase is 3 percent for the fourth year of the contract. As of May 1, firefighter/paramedics will have a starting salary of $56,073. Lieutenants start at $84,033. Village administrator Kevin Bowens said the contract was the first of three negotiated with the Libertyville Professional Firefighters Association Local 3892 that did not go to arbitration or mediation.
Liquor licenses reduced
The number of Class B liquor licenses in Libertyville has been reduced from six to five with the closure of the former Grill on 21. The Libertyville village board formalized the reduction Tuesday because the Hunter Restaurant Group, which operated as Grill on 21, 1590 S. Milwaukee Ave., had ceased operation. The village imposed a rare emergency closure of the business Dec. 9 and suspended liquor sales because of several incidents involving fights. In a negotiated agreement, the operator agreed to close on Wednesdays in January and stopped using a Beach Park company that supplied deejays to the nightspot.
Group choral concert
The Mundelein High School choral groups will be joined by two middle school choirs at the annual winter concert Thursday, Feb. 19. The show will begin at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium, 1350 W. Hawley St. The choirs from Carl Sandburg and West Oak middle schools will join the Mundelein Sound, Mundelein Lights, SoundFX and other high school choirs. The concert is free, but donations will be accepted. The suggested donation is $3 per person.
Duffy opens local office
Constituents of the 26th state senate district will now have a new location to visit their state senator. Sen. Dan Duffy, a Lake Barrington Republican, has established his district office at 330 E. Main St., Suite 301, Barrington, where the phone number is (847) 277-7100. His Springfield office is at 105D Capitol, and the number is (217) 782-8010. School groups and other organizations can set up visits to the Capitol and to Duffy's office by calling the Springfield office. Duffy said he plans to spend most of his time at his district office in Barrington when not in session.