October 17, 2023

Mundelein residents are starting to hear train warning signals at the CN/Metra rail line crossings. Hopefully, this is a temporary occurrence. The train horns are now sounding due to non-compliance on some Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) mandated upgrades among a few communities in the Lake County Quiet Zone.

For 16 years, Mundelein and nine other communities along the CN/Metra rail line (stretching from Antioch to Wheeling) have been part of the “Lake County Quiet Zone.” Quiet Zones are regulated by the FRA. In recent years, the FRA modified its requirements for crossings. These modifications require that nearly all crossings within the Lake County Quiet Zone (in seven of the 10 communities) need to undergo improvements—all of which require considerable amounts of time and money.

The impacted communities did not anticipate these mandated improvements, so the budgeting, engineering plans, construction bids, and the work required to bring the crossings into compliance is not yet complete. Additionally, completing the necessary improvements has been hampered by an extremely challenging construction environment, in which the pandemic caused delays, disruptions, and significant cost increases. For the Lake County Quiet Zone to be reinstated, all 10 communities must follow the FRA mandated upgrades. The Quiet Zone is an “ALL OR NOTHING” arrangement among the 10 municipalities.

While Mundelein is in TOTAL COMPLIANCE with the mandated upgrades there are still a few intersections along the line that need upgrades in other jurisdictions. This situation has several complexities. Here are answers to a few FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS to provide some clarity on this matter.

https://www.mundelein.org/.../Compo.../News/News/3095/102...

We recycle thousands of pairs of shoes a year. If you are dropping off shoes to be recycled, please tie or rubber band them together. The shoes have to be pared and I am the shoe person here so I greatly appreciate your help.

If you need to register to vote and have a valid Illinois State ID or Drivers License click here.

Have you recently moved? By law, you must notify the Illinois Secretary of State's office within 10 days of changing your address.

If you have recently moved and have a valid Illinois State ID or Drivers License and need to change your address, click here. They will also ask if you would like to change your voter registration address.

We are also happy to register you to vote in person. Please call for ahead at 847 223-2847 to make sure one of our registrars is in the office.

Hawthorn Woods, IL - We are closing Old McHenry Road to through traffic for six days starting Monday, Oct. 30 at 7 a.m. The road is scheduled to reopen during the late afternoon on Saturday, Nov. 4. The closure is necessary to replace a culvert on Old McHenry Road.

Detour Route: US Route 12 to IL 176 to Fairfield Road. Local traffic will have access on Old McHenry from Fairfield Road west to Copperfield Drive and from US Route 12 east to Hubbard Lane/N. Abbey Glenn Drive. The work zone will be closed to all traffic.

While I was aware of Goodrx for prescription savings, I had a resident come into the office and tell me about her success with costplusdrugs.com.

Free Hearing Screening Event at lower level of the Fremont Township Administrative Building. on Friday December 1 from10 am til 1 pm. To make your reservation, call Angie at 847 362-7500.

Leaf Vacuum Schedule: The week of 10/16/23 - 11/24/23 - DAYS WILL VARY

Leaf Collection: Groot is asking that you have your leaves out each Monday by 6 am from October 16th until November 24th. While they tell us to have the leaves out on Mondays, as the season progresses, they may not be there on Monday due to the volume of leaves they pick up elsewhere! The vac hose reach is 3 feet, so piles will need to be as close as possible to the road. Not in ditches.

The AARP Defensive Driving Course will be held on Tuesday, October 24 and Wednesday October 25 from 9:00 am til 1:00 pm in the lower level of the Fremont Township Administrative building. Call Nancy at 847 223-2847 to register. You must attend both classes. $20 for AARP members $25 for all others.

Fremont Township offers a free service to Fremont Township residents to help sign up for Medicare and Medicare Part D. Each year you should be evaluating which prescription plan best suits your needs based on the medications you are on.

We have found that many people never evaluate their prescription drug care plan. You should be looking at this every year. Our residents have found comfort in having help to make sure they are in the right program.

We are taking appointments from  through December 6. Changes made to your Prescription Drug plan will take effect on January 1, 2024.

If you would like to make an appointment with the Ship Counselor, please call Nancy at 847 223-2847. 

All appointments will be by phone as our counselor is remote.

You will need to have an online account with Medicare at mymedicare.gov and a list of your current prescriptions before making an appointment, as you will need them when you speak with the Ship Counselor.

If you need help creating on-line access, let Nancy know when you call.

If you are turning 65 and need help signing up for Medicare, the counselor can also help you with that.

Check out the active adult programs at the Mundelein Park District.

Click here for their schedule. They have fun events and trips that are planned.

For information on shredding or household chemical waste collection events scheduled in Lake County, please go to www.swalco.org

To sign up for an appointment click here.

All of our email newsletters are archived on our website. You can find them at www.Fremonttownship.com

The local animal shelters are in need of sheets, towels, small throw rugs, and blankets The bin is in the back of the builiding at 22385 Route 60, Mundelein, No pillows! The donations get distributed to shelters. We also accept leashes, collars, toys, pet food etc. The bin is in the back of the building.

Our shoe bin is in the back parking lot of our building and we are accepting shoes to be recycled and reused. Please tie or rubberband the shoes together when you drop them off.

We accept yarn in our office.

We accept eyeglasses and hearing aids in our office.

We accept American Flags in our office.

The textile bin is also open and is located in our back parking lot.

Click here to see what we accept.

If you have comments for our board, and can't make our meetings, please email Chris McCann at [email protected] with your comments.