June, 2025

Serving Our Community

Road District: 847-381-7793

Township Office: 847-381-1924

Assessor's Office: 847-381-1120

Supervisor Christopher Karam

As summer approaches and schools leave for break, it's time to make the most of the sunshine and warm weather, especially during our brief Midwest summers. May was a busy and rewarding month at the Township, highlighted by our 2nd annual compost giveaway over Mother’s Day weekend. It was wonderful to see so many of you stop by and take advantage of the program.

Our summer calendar is in full swing with the upcoming Land We Love Run, hosted in partnership with the Village of Barrington Hills. This event features a 2-mile walk and 5K/10K run/walk options for all ages and abilities. Register today for early bird pricing through June 15 at midnight. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and all race proceeds benefit Folds of Honor, a nonprofit committed to providing scholarships to the families of fallen veterans and first responders. It’s a great day for families, we love to see parents with kids in strollers, and you can even register as a competitive team. Medals are up for grabs!

Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Whether your student is graduating from college, high school, 8th grade, or 5th grade, we applaud their hard work and wish them continued success in their next chapter. On a personal note, I’m proud to be celebrating two graduates in my own family this year—time truly flies, and I can hardly believe we’ll be moving our oldest into a college dorm this August.

Wishing a very Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, grandfathers, godfathers, and uncles in our community. Your guidance and support play a vital role in shaping lives, and we honor and appreciate you. I was fortunate to learn so much from my own father, grandfather, and uncle—each of whom left a lasting impact on who I am today.

Sincerely,

Chris Karam

Clarke Environmental Mosquito Larvacide Set for May 30, 2025

On Friday, May 30, Clarke will use a helicopter to drop granules into water sources shown on the map below to prevent mosquito breeding, weather conditions permitting.

The Clarke Portal Hotline is the citizen response system to help residents report standing water and answer questions about mosquito control activities including being added to a notification system for adult mosquito control activities. Use the Clarke Portal Hotline at www.clarkeportal.com/hotline or call toll-free at (630) 894-2000; Press 1 for Clark Mosquito Hotline.

Township Services

****Appointments for services are REQUIRED****

Passport Services

Passport Applications: Passport processing takes 2-3 weeks for expedited processing and 4-6 weeks for standard processing. Expedited processing is an additional $60 per passport. Passport appointments are required - call 847-381-1924 to schedule an appointment. To check the status of your passport, click here.

Visit Travel.state.gov's renewal page if you want to renew an adult passport.

Food Pantry

The Tuesday food pantry continues weekly, by appointment only, from 10 AM to 1 PM. If you need food assistance, please email info@cubatwpil.gov or call 847-381-1924.

Below is a list of needed items:

Canned chicken, salmon, spam, and tuna
Canned meals including chili (mild), stew, and pork & beans
Canned soups including vegetable, chicken noodle, and any chunky soups
Toilet Paper and Paper Towels
32 oz bottles of liquid laundry detergent

Visit the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Online Portal for Reduced Fare and Ride Free Customers

The RTA'S Fare Programs Online is a web-based online customer portal that allows residents with disabilities and seniors to apply for, replace, and renew Reduced Fare and Ride Free Permits. It's quick and easy to use - go to Fares.RTAChicago.org.

Metra Access Pilot Program

Metra Access is a pilot program running through July 31, 2025, providing a reduced fare on all Metra lines and zones for individuals enrolled in the SNAP program who live within the RTA six-county region (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties). To apply, you will need a SNAP eligibility letter, a government-issued ID, and a 2" photo of yourself. You may apply at Fares.RTAChicago.org.

Cuba and Barrington Township PACE Service

The Pace program is subsidized by Cuba and Barrington Townships, as well as the Villages of Barrington, Lake Barrington, North Barrington, South Barrington, and Tower Lakes.

The service is available to seniors and disabled persons, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM. The fares are $2.00 each way. Advanced reservations required. Call 1-800-451-4599, Monday - Friday, from 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

For additional assistance, call Pace customer service at 800-606-1282, option 2.

Ride Lake County - PACE Service

Seniors aged 60+ and people with disabilities interested in using Ride Lake County are encouraged to register by calling the Pace Call Center at 1-800-201-6446.

Registering early for Ride Lake County will allow riders to schedule trips. Seniors must provide their date of birth at registration, and individuals with disabilities must provide their RTA Reduced Fare Permit number at registration. Learn more

Clerk Heidi M Shannon

Cuba Township Monthly Meeting Set for Thursday, June 12, 2025

Cuba Township's Monthly Meeting is set for Thursday, June 12, 2025, beginning at 6:00 PM at the Cuba Township Office located at 28000 W Cuba Road in Barrington. Members of the public are welcome. View the Agenda.

Sincerely,

Heidi Shannon

Assessor Nicole E. Knapik, CIAO

Dear Neighbors,

Property tax bills are due by June 4th. Envelopes must be postmarked by June 4th to avoid a 1.5% penalty. Other payment options are available here.

Tax Relief Exemptions

Remember to file for your 2025 qualifying exemptions if you purchased your home last year. If you purchased your home this year, the first day to file your exemptions is January 2, 2026. If you need help filing, please schedule an appointment by calling 847-381-1120. Below is a list of the most common exemptions. Visit our Tax Relief page for more information.

Filing for exemptions is quick and easy through Lake County's Smartfile E-Filing Portal. If you can't file online, you may contact our office at info@cubaassessoril.gov or 847-381-1120 to schedule an appointment.

General Homestead Exemption (GHE)

If you purchased a residence in Cuba Township, and it is your principal residence, you may be eligible for the General Homestead Exemption (GHE). The GHE for 2025 is $8,000.

Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption (SHE)

If you or your spouse turn 65 at any time in 2025, and your property is your principal residence, you may be eligible for the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption. The SHE for 2025 is $8,000. There is no income requirement and no annual renewal.

Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (SCAFHE)

Homeowners 65 or older with an income of $65,000 or less may qualify for the Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze. Beginning January 2022, proof of income must be filed along with Senior Freeze applications. You must own the property as your principal residence for two consecutive years (January 1). If you currently receive the Senior Freeze, the Lake County Assessor's Office mails reminder letters in March 2025. The SCAFHE must be filed annually to verify income eligibility.

Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities (HEPD)

This exemption may be claimed in addition to the General Homestead Exemption and the Senior Homestead Exemption, if applicable. Applicants must be disabled under the Federal Social Security Act and supply evidence of disability, in addition to completing the PTAX-343 Application for Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities and PTAX-343-A Physician's Statement.

Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities

You may claim this exemption in addition to the General Homestead Exemption and the Senior Homestead Exemption. Disabled veterans qualify if they have at least 30% and up to 100% service-connected disability. Evidence of disability is required along with the completed PTAX-342 Application for Homestead Exemption and PTAX-342-A Annual Verification of Eligibility.

We are here to serve you!

Nicole E. Knapik, CIAO

Highway Commissioner Thomas J Podgorski

For the latest updates on roads, please follow us on Facebook!

Self-Serve Mulch

Self-serve mulch is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The mulch pile is next to the textile recycling bin in the same lot as the road salt.

Mulch Madness!

Mulch is now available for delivery to Cuba Township residents ONLY, for a delivery charge of $125.00 per truckload. Mulch is delivered on Fridays from 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM. Each load is 6-8 yards. The mulch is a double-ground mixture of hard and softwoods from removed Cuba Township trees. Email Sue at info@cubaroads.org or call 847-381-7793 to schedule your delivery.

Putting in a new driveway?

If you are putting in a new driveway, a Road Bond is required. Please complete the Permit Application and email it to info@cubaroads.org.

Driveway Alert for Unincorporated Homeowners

If you are a homeowner in unincorporated Lake County and planning to put in a new driveway over an existing culvert, contact the Cuba Township Road District to inspect the culvert.

Instructions for Trees or Limbs Touching Utility Lines or Power Outages

If you have issues with trees or limbs touching utility lines, contact the utility company directly. The Township cannot trim trees or limbs within 10 feet of utility lines.

If trees are blocking the road, dial 911.

Need to report a pothole?

Lake County roads - (847) 377-7400 or visit the LCDOT site.
Unincorporated Cuba Township Roads - 847-381-7793

The Road District does not offer year-round electronics recycling. Visit LRS Recycling, Wauconda Recycling, or the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County.

Join us - Eliminate Textile and Shoe Landfill Waste

Clothing and Textile and Reuse-A-Shoe Drop-Off Location – SWALCO Partnership

Did you know clothing is now the fastest growing waste in the US waste stream today? Join us in dropping off used clothing, linens, and shoes at the Cuba Township Textile, and Reuse-A-Shoe drop-off locations in partnership with SWALCO.

Clothing, textile, and shoe recycling is a full-circle program, diverting your new and gently used donations from landfills.

Clothing/Textiles

Unacceptable Items:

Wet, odorous, or moldy items
Nylons and Pantyhose
Fabric Scraps
Craft Scraps (yarns, threads & other craft materials)
Pillows
Sleeping Bags
Mattresses
Rugs
Carpet
Cushions
Foam furniture and foam mats
Large Luggage
Electric Blankets & Mattress Pads
Non-Fabric Household Linens: Vinyl Shower Curtains, tablecloths, furniture covers, etc.

Shoes

Dress boots, hiking boots, and rain boots are accepted. NO WINTER BOOTS ALLOWED. Shoes in any condition, from new or gently used, to those that are worn, will be accepted. And, the great news is that 95% or more of all the materials collected will be recycled or reused.

Before dropping off your shoes, please tie the laces of each pair together; if they are sandals or have no laces, please place a rubber band on the pair to keep the shoes together.

UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS include Roller Blades, Ice Skates, and Winter Boots.

Homebound and need a State ID?

The Homebound State ID program is a service program for older adults, bedridden individuals and people with disabilities who are unable to leave their homes to obtain a state ID card from a Secretary of State facility. The card may be used for identification purposes in the same way as a standard driver’s license is used for identification.

Certain documents are required to obtain the card. Once an applicant submits the information via our web form below, we will determine eligibility and the documents required to complete the transaction. For assistance to help determine if you or your loved one qualifies for this service, call 312-814-3121.

Quick Links

Homebound State ID Card Contact Form

Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County

The Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) promotes the welfare of honorably discharged veterans of military service and their families. The VAC acts as a central service office for all veteran organizations and has general oversight of the distribution of emergency assistance to military veterans and their families.

Types of Assistance

Assistance with rental and mortgage payments.
Utility payment assistance.
Emergency medical care is provided to any member of the Veteran’s
immediate family who qualifies. Medical care includes hospital payments,
outpatient care provided by Lake County clinics, and emergency dental, and vision
care.
Job service assistance.
Food, clothing, and other supplies at Midwest Veterans Closet.
Proper burial for indigent veterans.

For more information, please visit their website: https://www.vaclc.org/ and view their most current newsletter Here.

How to Dispose of Batteries - Home Depot

Home Depot offers recycling of batteries at their Call2Recylce site located at the Home Depot, 670 S Rand Rd in Lake Zurich.

Click here for a review of how to dispose of batteries and how to recycle batteries. It includes information on single-use batteries and rechargeable batteries.

Not all batteries are accepted at Home Depot. Please click here and confirm your batteries will be accepted.