What's ahead for Lake Co. in 2010?

Fresh starts are the clichés for a new year, but given the financial crunch communities have been feeling, almost anything different from 2009 will be welcomed by municipal officials.

The economic outlook will be the big question for 2010, although there will be a number of new projects and plans to begin or be completed in the new year. Following is a look ahead at some of the expected events of note for 2010.

Belt tightening:Most communities felt the pinch of decreased revenues - some more severely than others - in 2009, and cost cutting is expected to continue into the new year.How much more trimming can or should be done and how fast it needs to happen will depend in part on whether or how much revenues rebound."Sales tax is going to be a huge issue," said Chris Gentes, executive director of the Lake County Municipal League. Further complicating matters is that towns won't know how they did for the holiday shopping season until mid-March.Furloughs, such as the once a month day off without pay in Libertyville, could become more common, and many municipal employees are being told not to expect raises."Many communities are trying to not have to lay anybody off," Gentes said. "Everybody is afraid of what (2010) will bring. They're being conservative."On the expense side, pension benefits for employees continue to be underfunded with communities expected to make up greater amounts due to investment shortfalls."You're going to hear more about that in the coming year," Gentes predicted.Road warriors:One thing that won't be in short supply next year is road work.The Lake County Division of Transportation is overseeing the $5.5 million widening and reconstruction of Washington from west of Tri-State Parkway to Route 21. Gurnee will do the same in a $6.2 million project on Washington from east of Hunt Club Road to connect with the first project. When complete in 2011, Washington will be four lanes from Lake Street in Grayslake to Lewis Avenue in Waukegan.In central Lake County, Peterson Road will be realigned at and near Route 60, and Midlothian Road will be extended to Route 137.The county also will become pioneers of sorts with the construction of roundabouts at Everett and Riverwoods roads, Hunt Club and Millburn roads and Hunt Club and Wadsworth roads. Lake County will be among the first Illinois counties to bring these types of intersections, which do not rely on traffic signals, to Illinois.Traffic signals through corridors on Lewis and Grand avenues as well as Route 83 and Rollins Road will be updated and coordinated to improve traffic flow.While the state project list won't be announced until spring, the widening of Route 45 in Grayslake north from Route 120 to Washington Street also is expected in 2010.Many major resurfacing projects on state and county roads also are expected.Play ball:The first pitch of the inaugural season for the Lake County Fielders minor league baseball team is set for June 11. Actor Kevin Costner is part owner of the ballclub, which is in the independent Northern League. Managing partner and team president Rich Ehrenreich also owns the Schaumburg Flyers, also in the Northern League.The $17 million stadium at Green Bay Road and Ninth Street in Zion has an 8,000-person capacity but only 4,000 seats. Party areas and decks will account for the rest. A concert stage, water slides and a hot tub are other planned attractions.To your health:Since flu activity nationwide and locally remains elevated and because pandemic third waves are common, the Lake County Health Department will continue to work on flu prevention and follow up. This includes providing the H1N1 vaccine to people in high risk groups as well as the general public. Vaccine supply in Lake County is expected to substantially increase and is will be available at retail pharmacies. Vaccines will be offered on a daily basis through the end of January at the department's appointment-only clinic in Gurnee. Call (888) 523-5727.The county also will continue to plan for and evaluate a new Winchester House to replace the old and maintenance intensive nursing home in Libertyville.Hit the books:Book lovers' dreams comes true in 2010 with the completion of long-awaited projects by the Cook Memorial Public Library District.A new $7 million, 20,000-square-foot library is scheduled to open in April on Aspen Drive in Vernon Hills to serve the southern portion of the large district.The 1970s-era main branch in downtown Libertyville also is being renovated and expanded. That $7 million project is expected to be completed in fall 2010. Visit cooklib.org for updates.In spring, the Fox Lake District Library plans to open phase 1 of a new building. By summer, the current building will be removed and the meeting room wing of the new building will be built and parking and landscaping begun. The entire 45,000-square-foot facility is expected to be complete by fall.On the docket:Jerry Hobbs III is expected to go to trial sometime in 2010 for the murders of his 8-year-old daughter and her 9-year-old friend.Hobbs, 38, has been in custody since just a few hours after the bodies of Laura Hobbs and Krystal Tobias were found in a Zion park on Mother's Day 2005. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the case, which has added to the delays in bringing Hobbs to trial. Circuit Judge Fred Foreman has told attorneys on both sides he wants to begin jury selection in the case before the end of spring.Circuit Judge David Hall also is scheduled to go on trial for driving under the influence of alcohol beginning March 8. Hall, 56, was serving as chief judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit when he was arrested on charges of DUI and resisting arrest by Vernon Hills police during the early morning hours of April 26, 2008. Officer Jesse Goldsmith, who made the traffic stop that led to Hall's arrest, died of a heart attack a few months later. Hall resigned as chief judge shortly after his arrest but continues to serve as a circuit court judge.Supply and demand:Several Lake County communities will make pitches for Lake Michigan water to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on Jan. 13 and 14.Antioch, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Fox Lake, Wauconda, Lake Zurich, Volo, Hawthorn Woods, Long Grove and the county itself are seeking a safer and more reliable water supply than wells currently being used.Studies have shown it would be possible to replace well water by installing 57 miles of pipe west and south from the lake. The $253 million system would take five years to build and cost users about $40 per month more than they currently pay.The amount of water that can be taken from Lake Michigan is fixed by U.S. Supreme Court decree. The IDNR manages the state's water allocation program.Something new:Lake County's Central Permit Facility and consolidated lab in Libertyville is scheduled to open in mid-March. This facility will house the public works and health department labs, stormwater management and planning, building and development department. The consolidation in the $23 million facility will eliminate rent payment, reduce operating costs and provide a one-stop shop for residents needing permits.In Vernon Hills, construction will begin on Victory Centre of Vernon Hills affordable senior housing project.Also in the village, the renovation of the Hawthorn Hills Fashion Square at Routes 60 and 21 will get underway. A Dick's Sporting Goods store to replace a vacant space is the centerpiece of the project.Village officials also are in discussion with the owners of the Westfield Hawthorn mall regarding a possible expansion and renovation of the 1970s-era center.Cast your vote:Political junkies will have much to sift through in 2010, as a primary election for county, state and federal offices will be held in February in advance of the general election in November.One hot race will be the 10th Congressional District. Longtime incumbent Republican Rep. Mark Kirk is leaving the post to run for U.S. Senate, and the primary field is crowded. History also could be made on the county board in 2010. If Democrats take two additional seats they would secure a 12-11 majority for the first time.Daily Herald staff writer Tony Gordon contributed.True20001156Travelers through Lake County can expect to navigate a significant amount of road work in 2010.Vince Pierri | Staff PhotographerTrue