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IN THIS ISSUE

In Other News

There's always a lot more to see and read in the Focus on the County section of our website. Just click below...

A Message from the Chairman

As a subscriber to our Kane County newsletter, we know you're interested in county government and we appreciate it. We hope you'll also take some time now and in the future to visit our newly-designed Kane County website at www.countyofkane.org. It went "live" April 11.

Sincerely,

Karen McConnaughay
Kane County Board Chair

KDOT, KANE BOARD MEMBER TAKE CONSERVATION HONORS

KDOT was the 2011 recipient of the District's award for Excellence in Conservation of Land and Water Resources. The award recognizes individuals, groups, or municipalities that strive to preserve land and water resources and show exceptional dedication to soil erosion sediment control, farm preservation, open space, restoration of natural areas and recycling.

Board member Kenyon, of South Elgin, was recognized for taking steps to protect water quality, save soil and preserve natural resources through conservation efforts including, but not limited to, tillage practices, nutrient management and improving wildlife habitat.
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PRIORITIES SET FOR GRANTS / HOME PROGRAMS

Use of Community Block Grants

Pending federal budget approval, Kane County and the Kane County-City of Elgin Home Consortium are prepared to allocate an estimated $2.8 million toward improving housing conditions, strengthening neighborhood infrastructure, enhancing public facilities and expanding emergency shelter services under a Housing and Community Development Annual Action Plan for Program Year 2011 authorized April 12 by the County Board.

The plan describes the activities the county and the Consortium propose to undertake with funds received under two U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, the Community Development Block Grant Fund (CDBG) program and the HOME Investment Partnerships program (HOME).

Since 1998, Kane County has helped generate a total community investment of about $61 million through a variety of programs and projects by leveraging roughly $16.5 million in annual CDBG and HOME allocations with roughly $44.5 million in state, local and private resources.

The overall objective of the CDBG program is to foster development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities, largely for low-income and moderate income residents.
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GRANTS TARGET CHILDHOOD OBESITY

The Making Kane County Fit for Kids Funders Consortium has announced the award of 17 grants to local agencies and community groups to help stem the tide of childhood obesity in the County. The grants, which range from $500 to $10,000, will be used for a variety of programs designed to promote active lifestyles and increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Among other things, the grants will make it possible for lower-income residents to purchase health foods at Farmer's Markets. Grant recipients were chosen based on their proposals to implement strategies contained in the FitKids 2020 Plan. "The strategies...offer a solid structure that will allow us to take specific actions and provide a healthier future for our children," said County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay. The grants were announced April 12.

COUNTY PINGREE GROVE REACH HISTORIC AGREEMENT

The Kane County Board has cleared the way for Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay to sign an intergovernmental agreement with Pingree Grove, extending the county's Historic Preservation Program to the village. A resolution authorizing the chairman to execute the agreement was adopted April 12.

Under terms of the agreement with the county, Pingree Grove is allowed to utilize the Kane County Historic Preservation Ordinance and Commission "to protect the historic, architectural, scenic and aesthetic character of landmarks, preservation districts, and road corridors in the part of the village located within the county."

In partnering with Kane County, Pingree Grove joins Campton Hills, Lily Lake, Maple Park and Sugar Grove in authorizing intergovernmental agreements for extension of the Historic Preservation Program, according to Preservation Planner Julia Thavong of the Kane County Development Department.
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BOARD MEMBER PROFILE
GETTING TO KNOW JEANETTE MIHALEC

(This is the second in a series of e-newsletter profiles featuring members of the Kane County Board.)

Although relatively new to the Kane County Board - she took office in December, 2008 - Jeanette Mihalec has wasted little time in making her mark on county governance, including having directed the special task force that guided the recently-unveiled redesign of the county's web site.

She is chairman of the Public Health Committee and a member of the Executive and Development Committees as well as the county's Technology Task Force and Public Health Advisory Committee. Her term runs through November, 2012.

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ROAD CONSTRUCTION AHEAD: A HEADS UP ON KDOT ROAD PROJECTS

While the bulk of the Kane County Division of Transportation's 2011 construction program is routine, some of the work planned for this spring and summer includes projects that KDOT officials say are new, unusual and even unique to the program.

Areas where KDOT expects traffic to be impacted the most over the next few months include:

• Orchard Road from Jericho Road to US Route 30
• Randall Road at Bowes Road
• Randall Road over I-88
• IL Route 64 from 7th Avenue to Kautz Road
• Resurfacing work on I-90, or Jane Addams Tollway

Unique this season is Stearns Road Corridor Landscaping project. Work includes planting of approximately 1,000 trees, seeding 126 acres, and the placement of numerous shrubs and other plantings. The magnitude and scope of the work makes it a �one of kind� type project, according to KDOT officials.

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REMEMBERING FREEDOM IS NOT FREE

With the approach of Memorial Day, the number of visitors to the Kane County Veterans Memorial is certain to increase this month, culminating with observances on Monday, May 30. In addition to numerous local observances and ceremonies planned for the day, other unscheduled and sometimes impromptu visits by veterans groups and others are likely to take place at the county Memorial, according to John Carr, superintendent of the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission. Located at Third Street and Batavia Avenue, on the grounds of the Kane County Government Center, the Memorial was dedicated in November, 2004.

"It is a memorial for the citizens of Kane County," said Carr, who spearheaded a years-long research effort and was instrumental in the campaign to develop a memorial that acknowledges the sacrifices made by military men and women of Kane County, its "citizen soldiers," and serves as a repository of county history. The project was funded largely with riverboat grant funds and intended to be "an educational experience as well as a memorial for deceased veterans," he said.

"We wanted children to realize that "'Freedom is Not Free. It Must be Earned and Preserved by Each Succeeding Generation,' as the Memorial states," said Carr.