MONTHLY ARCHIVES: July 2017

On July 24th at approximately 8:18 pm, the Antioch Fire Department received a notice from a concerned citizen that a liquid material appeared to be leaking from the former Circuit Systems building located at 884 Anita Street. An immediate hazmat response was launched and notifications were given to the Illinois and Federal EPAs. State and federal officials quickly responded to the scene where local hazmat teams were working at containing the spill. Initial chemical analysis suggests that the spilled material is ferric chloride, which is an acid and is commonly used in circuit board manufacture. Since that time, we have worked closely with the state and federal officials to ensure that the leakage is stopped, the storage tanks which served as the source of this chemical were emptied and the public is protected. Our onsite observations suggest that some of the ferric chloride may have entered the waters of Sequoit Creek. We have serious concerns to make sure our waterways are fully protected, of course, but we have been assured that the concentrations of the acid are small enough to have an insignificant effect on the water in the creek and aquatic life. There appears to be no possible danger to the public from this leakage at the present time and once the tanks are completely empty, there can be no further spills. The Fire Department, Village, State, and Federal officials have been in contact with the owner of the property and are taking all steps necessary to protect the public as well as to investigate why this chemical was present in this building, considering that there has been no circuit board manufacturing going on in recent years. The Village will work with its sister agencies to bring any appropriate charges and liabilities against any responsible parties and will continue all necessary efforts to prevent any future incidents of this nature. Reimbursement will certainly be sought for all expenses incurred by our public agencies in providing first responders and materials. While this incident has attracted news media attention, the fact is that the spill was comparatively small and quickly contained. There is no significant danger presented to the public because of the excellent work of our Fire Department and the Lake County Hazardous Materials Response team working with the supplemental guidance of the state and federal officials from the EPA. We extend much appreciation toward the people who worked through the night on the 24th and brought this incident under control during this past week. Without their efforts, this might have been a much worse situation. For further information contact: Jon Cokefair Fire Chief First Fire Protection District of Antioch

Suspicious Person- Tiffany Farms Subdivision Antioch, IL – On Monday, July 24th at approximately 11:00am, the Antioch Police Department responded to the 500 block of Indian Trail Road, in the Tiffany Farms Subdivision, for a suspicious person investigation. A parent contacted the police after their 8 and 11 year old children reported that while riding their bicycles in the neighborhood, a male subject in a vehicle drove slowly by them and appeared to take a photograph of them with his cellular phone. The subject was described as a white male, possibly in his 60’s, who had a gray or white beard. He was described as driving a full size silver sport utility vehicle that was pulling an open top trailer that may have been red in color. Although this individual’s behavior is suspicious in nature, the Antioch Police want to address concerns circulating on social media that this incident involved an attempted luring of the children toward the vehicle. Based on statements from the involved, at no time did the subject in this incident make any alleged attempts to have contact with the children, nor did he attempt to engage them in any form of interaction. The Antioch Police Department would like to ask that anyone having additional information about this incident contact the Investigations Division, and reminds community members to immediately report any and all suspicious activity by calling 911.

HazMat Response- Anita Avenue Antioch, IL – This evening at approximately 8:15pm the Antioch Police and Fire Departments responded to an industrial building located in the 800 block of Anita Avenue for a reported chemical leak. Preliminary investigation has revealed an undetermined amount of an unknown industrial chemical was released on the grounds of the facility. The Antioch Fire Department, in conjunction with the Lake & McHenry County HazMat response team is currently investigating the incident to determine the extent of the leak. As of 11:00pm emergency crews are continuing to monitor and assess the situation. At this time the Fire Department is reporting that there is no risk to the surrounding community, and steps are being taken to contain the chemical leak. Additional information will be provide as it becomes available.  Update – At approximately 12:30am the Lake County & McHenry County HazMat Response Team was able to contain the spill to the interior of the building. It is reported that at this time no significant exposure to the Sequoit Creek occurred, however, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has been notified and will be investigating. As previously released, there is no risk to the surrounding community. The property will remain secured by the police and fire department until such time remediation and clean-up plans can be implemented.

Flood Levels to Increase on Fox River/Chain O’Lakes

Lake and Northeastern McHenry County are under a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY at this time. This emergency signifies a short duration of intense flooding. This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH STANDING WATER. Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Please keep emergency lines open for emergencies such as manhole cover removal or blocked storm sewers. All other issues may be reported online at Antioch.il.gov . During a flood, water levels and the rate the water is flowing can quickly change. Get to higher ground. Do not drive or walk into water. Stay informed by monitoring local radio and television for updates and by visiting www.fema.gov and www.ready.gov. Don’t forget to check Lake County PASSAGE for local road information, including closures and travel time estimates. THIS IS A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR Lake and northeastern McHenry counties in Illinois… …THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 AM CDT FOR LAKE AND NORTHEASTERN MCHENRY COUNTIES… At 857 AM CDT, additional thunderstorms producing very heavy rain were moving across the warned area and will likely cause additional flash flooding and very dangerous travel. Five to eight inches of rain has fallen and additional rainfall amounts of around one inch are likely in the warned area. This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Lake county and northeastern McHenry county in Illinois. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW! Some locations that will experience flooding include… Waukegan, North Chicago, Gurnee, Mundelein, McHenry, Vernon Hills, Zion, Grayslake, Libertyville, Lake Forest, Round Lake, Antioch, Beach Park, Wauconda, Fox Lake, Lake Villa, Island Lake, Long Grove, Park City and Wonder Lake. Including the following interstates… I-94 between mile markers 1 and 18. I-294 between mile markers 1 and 18.

“America’s Night Out Against Crime” On Tuesday, August 1st neighbors throughout the Village of Antioch are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the “34th Annual National Night Out” crime and drug prevention event. National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored by the Antioch Police Department, will involve over 16,500 communities from all 50 states, U.S territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 38.5 million people are expected to participate in “America’s National Night Out Against Crime”. National Night Out corporate sponsors are Dietz & Watson, ADT, Ring, Associa and Kings Hawaiian. National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participate in, local anticrime efforts; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know the Village of Antioch is organized and fighting back. From 7 to 10 p.m. on August 1st, residents throughout the Village of Antioch are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with your neighbors and police. Many neighborhoods in Antioch will be hosting a variety of events such as block parties, cookouts, visits from police, and educational crime prevention gifts for the children. If you desire to hold a block party or gathering in your neighborhood, we ask that you contact Commander John Laskowski at 847-395-8585, ext. 133. Or, you may email him at jlaskowski@antiochpd.com . Once notified, we will supply you with a National Night Out banner for your event, and will put you on the list for officer visits. Please note: In prior years, this event was held at the Village of Antioch Band Shell. Due to unexpected staffing and scheduling difficulties, we are unable to host the event in this manner. We anticipate resuming the Band Shell event for National Night Out, 2018. “National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to build a safer nation.” The Antioch Police Departments appreciates all that our citizens do in helping us keep the Village of Antioch a safe and inviting community.

The Village of Antioch is currently accepting resumes and letters of interest to fill one vacancy for Environmental Commission Board Member with a term ending 2018. The Environmental Commission serves as an advisory body to the Village Board and considers and researched policies which foster environmentally sound activities. Those serving shall be appointed for a term of 4 years unless filling a vacancy for an unexpired term, and must be able to attend monthly meetings as scheduled. Typically meetings are scheduled for the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 pm. Those interested in serving on the commission may send a letter or resume to Village Clerk Lori Romine at lromine@antioch.il.gov or 874 Main Street, Antioch, IL 60002.