Lake Forest Public Works

The National Weather Service issued an alert that severe thunderstorms with damaging to destructive winds and tornadoes likely this evening.⛈️

Please keep an eye on the weather and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts. There’s a good chance of watches and/or warnings being issued for Lake County tonight.

Get the latest storm information from the US National Weather Service Chicago Illinois and at weather.gov.

Public Works is monitoring the situation and is prepared to respond to the weather event, if needed.

The Public Works Department is hosting a free Meet the Fleet event on Friday, June 7 from 10 am to 1 pm at Municipal Services. Both children and adults can climb aboard and explore a variety of vehicles, trucks, and construction equipment.

Come meet Public Works, Parks, and Forestry employees and learn about the equipment they use that keep our community looking great!

🌩️Severe Weather Alert!🌩️

The US National Weather Service Chicago Illinois has issued an alert that severe storms are expected this Tuesday evening into tonight. Public Works is monitoring the situation and prepared to respond to the weather event if needed.

Residents can report public right of way / parkway fallen tree branches and limb damage via:

🌩️ www.cityoflakeforest.com/FallenTree

🌩️ Report a Problem” feature in the Lake Forest Now App www.cityoflakeforest.com/LFNow See less

🌩️ Calling 847-810-3564

Meet Chuck Myers, he’s our Superintendent of Parks, Forestry and Natural Resources!👋 Chuck oversees the management and maintenance of parks, urban forestry activities, and natural areas within the City.🌳

We’ve heard a few questions about leaf blowers lately, so Lake Forest Love asked Chuck to share about current regulations and recommendations.

Q: What are the current regulations for residents concerning gas leaf blowers?

A: The City Code allows the operation and use of gas-powered lawn maintenance equipment, including leaf blowers, with some limitations on hours of use. According to the City Code, it is unlawful to operate lawn maintenance equipment including, but not limited to, lawn mowers, tractors and gasoline-powered leaf blowers before 7:30 a.m. on weekdays, 8 a.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. on Sundays and holidays, and after 7:30 p.m. on weekdays 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and 5 p.m. on Sundays and holidays, except as authorized by the City Manager. This restriction does not apply to golf course maintenance operations.

Q: When was the last time the regulations were amended, and what were the changes?

A: In March 2019, City Council approved an amendment to the City Code that reduced the hours at the end of the day on Saturdays and Sundays where one could use gas leaf blowers.

Q: Why are our gas leaf blower regulations different from those of nearby suburbs?

A: In 2022, the City was involved with a Regional Leaf Blower Working Group that was formed to evaluate the need and impact for leaf-blower regulations to be
considered by each participating municipality.

The group was tasked with studying the impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers, alternative technologies and how communities could mitigate the impacts of this equipment. The group recognized that the circumstances of participating municipalities are different, and the final report produced did not indicate whether a community should prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers. Instead, the report identified best practices to consider should it be determined that gas-powered leaf blower regulations were appropriate in a particular community.

As a result of the report, communities opted for various options to deal with the issue of gas-powered leaf blowers, such as:
- The individual characteristics of the community may warrant no change to regulations with continued monitoring of leaf blower technology.
- Some communities may opt to change the allowable hours of operation for gas-powered leaf blowers.
- A seasonal gas-powered leaf blower ban from approximately May 15 through Sept. 30 was the most common approach for communities that elected to impose a ban.
- Gas-powered leaf blowers could be banned during the summer and winter with an eight-week window during the fall clean-up season (Oct. 1-Nov. 30) and four-week window (April 1 – April 30) during the spring clean-up season when gas-powered leaf blowers could be utilized.

Q: What is the City’s stance on electric leaf blowers?

A: The City Council has had several community conversations over the years about leaf blower and landscape equipment usage. These discussions have considered potential bans, suitable hours of operation, alternative solutions/equipment, and public education efforts to encourage gasoline-alternative equipment usage.

In 2019 the City Council reduced the allowable hours for gasoline-powered leaf blowers, but it has not previously supported an outright ban of the equipment. Given the number of large lots and mature canopy in Lake Forest, battery-operated and electric leaf blowers present technological shortcomings. This is still the approach that the City is taking. The discussion of an outright bans draws major interest on both sides of the issue, and one of the major challenges to a potential ban is how and by whom such an ordinance could be fairly enforced throughout the community.

Q: What advice can the City offer to those using all types of leaf blowers?

A: Hopefully, as the industry continues to evolve toward more environmentally friendly and quieter options, we will start to see electric-powered equipment become more common place. In the meantime, I would suggest community members be mindful and considerate regarding the use of leaf blowers to maintain a balance between the convenience they offer and the noise and environmental concerns they raise.

Residents may want to explore alternative methods of leaf removal such as raking, mulching, or using electric leaf blowers, which are typically quieter and produce fewer emissions than gas-powered models. Respect your neighbors by avoiding the use of leaf blowers early in the morning or late at night when noise can be especially disruptive.

Find the full interview on the City’s Lake Forest Love Blog: https://www.lakeforestlove.com/post/myers-discusses-rules-on-when-to-use-gas-leaf-blowers

Gain hands-on experience and insight into the essential services that keep our City running smoothly at the first ever Citizens Public Works Academy!

From making sure there’s water when you turn on the faucet to helping manage stormwater in your neighborhood, the Public Works Department plays a critical role in our community.

The series is planned over the course of six Wednesday evenings, from June 12 through July 24 (no class the week of July 4).

Register and learn more at www.cityoflakeforest.com/PublicWorksAcademy

📎The Sanitation Section will host a FREE Shredding Event this Saturday, April 20 from 8:30am - 11:30am at the Municipal Services Building (800 N. Field Drive). 📎

Residents may bring their private documents to be safely and securely destroyed.

Please note that there is a four-box (a box is considered to be about the size of a standard copier paper/office box) limit and that any plastic paper bindings should be removed.

This event is open to Lake Forest residents only.

Contact Us Home How Do I? Contact City Staff Contact Us The City of Lake Forest220 E. DeerpathLake Forest, IL 60045 Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday Phone: (847) 234-2600Questions or Feedback? Email us at [email protected] Department Name First Name Last Name Profession Email Phone...

Construction alert!🚧 The Elawa Parking Lot Improvement Project will begin the week of April 1.🚘

The project includes various improvements to the parking lot located at 1401 Middlefork Drive, including:
✅ Reconstructing the existing asphalt parking lot
✅ Expanding the parking lot to the north
✅ Improving the traffic flow through the parking lot
✅ Enhancing the landscaping near the street

BACKGROUND
The existing capacity of the Elawa Parking Lot and Lake County Forest Preserve gravel parking is often exceeded between the multiple users of this area which include: Lake County Forest Preserves users of the Middlefork Savanna, Elawa Park users, Elawa Farm, and Lake Forest Open Lands Association users. The expanded parking lot to the north will be able to accommodate around 30 additional cars to meet current demand.

SCHEDULE
The project is expected to begin in early April and be complete by mid-May 2024, weather permitting.

ANTICIPATED IMPACTS
During construction, you can expect:

🦺 Access will be maintained to the existing parking lot for a majority of the project and most of the activity will occur in the footprint of the expanded parking lot to the north. There will be some temporary parking space closures in the existing lot for reconfiguration of the islands and concrete placement.
🦺 During excavation of the expanded parking lot, trucks will be hauling materials and delivering gravel. Excavation is expected to take a few weeks.
🦺 Both parking lots will be completely closed for a few days while the lots are paved, and parking stalls are painted. The closure is estimated for late April (weather dependent) and signs will be posted prior to the closure.
🦺 Some noise and dust from construction activities such as milling, paving, and grading.
🦺 Employee parking will be along Jensen Drive.
🦺 Working hours will be primarily Monday-Friday from 7 am-7 pm and as needed, Saturday-Sunday from 8 am-6 pm. Hours will be adjusted to avoid evening and weekend programs at Elawa Farm.

STAY INFORMED
Our goal is to limit surprises and ensure residents are aware of construction activities. For the latest information, visit the project webpage at www.cityoflakeforest.com/ElawaParkingLot.

Lake Forest Public Works

❄️Winter Weather Alert!❄️

The US National Weather Service Chicago Illinois has issued an alert for the potential of accumulating wet snow. The Lake Forest area could see 0 – 2 inches of wet slushy snow. Public Works Snow Command has been monitoring this weather and snow removal crews are prepared to respond.

Please be mindful of the changing weather conditions and use caution when driving.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as snow operations continue throughout this snow event!

🌩️Severe Weather Alert!🌩️

The US National Weather Service Chicago Illinois has issued an alert that severe storms are possible this Tuesday evening into tonight. Public Works is monitoring the situation and prepared to respond to the weather event if needed.

Residents can report public right of way / parkway fallen tree branches and limb damage via:

🌩️ www.cityoflakeforest.com/FallenTree

🌩️ Report a Problem” feature in the Lake Forest Now App www.cityoflakeforest.com/LFNow

Be on the lookout tomorrow for crews all throughout town picking up litter!

The warmer weather and the melting of snow has revealed some needed clean up within our high traffic areas.

To keep everyone safe, please give employees plenty of room when driving by!

In Lake Forest we take pride in our beautiful trees and pruning is an essential component in maintaining a healthy urban forest! 🌳

Pruning removes dead and competing branches to encourage healthy new growth and maturation. The process maximizes a tree's value and supports numerous environmental and community benefits.💚

City crews and contractors are focused on supporting the proper characteristics of the tree by removing dead, dying, diseased, and interfering branches while maintaining a sixteen-foot clearance over the road and balancing the tree canopy to maintain the proper sidewalk clearance.

The City's parkway pruning is different from what you see on public and private property from ComEd's trimming crews. ComEd crews' specifications for pruning are to maintain a certain distance from the power lines to minimize power outages and typically don’t consider aesthetics.

City Forestry crews, the City's contractor Advanced Tree Care, and ComED have begun pruning trees on the parkways and will continue through the winter months.⚠️

Lean more about tree trimming in your area: https://www.cityoflakeforest.com/news_detail_T7_R288.php.

8:03am update - The branch has been removed and both lanes of traffic are open!

🚧Lane Closure Alert – Deerpath Road West of the Public Safety Building🚧

At approximately 7am this morning, the Forestry Section was notified off a large broken branch hanging above the westbound lane of Deerpath Road west of the City’s Public Safety Building.

The size and location of the hanging branch presented significant safety concerns for both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Crews were immediately dispatched to remove the branch.

To safely remove this hazard, Deerpath Road west of the City’s Public Safety building will be down to one lane. Flaggers will be onsite to help direct and manage traffic.

While the timing of this important hazard removal work is not ideal, we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as crews work diligently to remove the branch!

City of Lake Forest, Illinois

❄️Winter Weather Alert! ❄️

The US National Weather Service Chicago Illinois has issued a winter weather alert for snow tonight into tomorrow (Tuesday). The Lake Forest area is excepted to see approximately 2 – 4 inches of snow accumulation. Public Works Snow Command has been monitoring this weather event and snow removal crews are prepared to respond.

Please be mindful of the changing weather conditions and use caution when driving. Thank you for your patience and understanding as snow operations continue throughout this snow event!

Check back for updates later this week as another snow event is expected this Friday.

❄️Winter Weather Alert! ❄️

The Lake Forest area has received about 2 inches of snow accumulation late last night and this morning. Public Works Snow Command has been monitoring this weather event and snow removal crews are currently out responding.

Please be mindful of the changing weather conditions and use caution when driving.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as snow operations continue throughout this snow event!

1:53 P.M. - The road is now open!

🚧 Road Closure Alert!🚧

Deerpath Road at Western Avenue will be closed in the area of the railroad tracks for the majority of the day today to address needed emergency crosswalk paver repairs. All appropriate traffic control and signage will be onsite. It is anticipated that this work will be completed and the road will be reopened by 3pm today.

We sincerely thank everyone for their patience and understanding as City crews make these important repairs as quickly as possible!

During the month of January, Christmas trees will be collected at the curb on regularly scheduled recycling days!

Check out the below post for more information!

If you're starting to take down holiday decorations, don't toss your tree!🎄

Starting on Tuesday, January 2, the Lake Forest Public Works collects Christmas trees at the curb on regularly scheduled recycling days throughout the month of January.♻️

Trees collected curbside are ground up and composted. To be collected, trees
1) must be free of all lights and ornamentation,
2) must have the tree stand removed, and
3) cannot be in plastic tree bags.

Wreaths and garland are not compostable because they contain plastic and metal wires.💚

❄️Winter Weather Alert!❄️

1 inch of snow is expected for the Lake Forest area this morning. Public Works Snow Command has been monitoring this weather event and snow removal crews are currently out responding.

Please be mindful of the changing weather conditions and use caution when driving.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as snow operations continue throughout this snow event!