Category: From the Board

Guest Privileges
There have been multiple instances of visitors using our beach and fishing near the dam without a member present.  As a reminder, just because a guest knows a member doesn’t give them access to use our lake at any time.   All guests must be accompanied by a member in our common areas or they can be asked to leave.  Sylvan Lake is a private community and we appreciate your cooperation.

Open Burning Ban Extended
The Lake County Board voted to extend the open burning ban until August 12th, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  As a reminder, small recreational campfires or cooking fires are permitted so long as dry seasoned firewood is used and smoke is not a nuisance to neighbors. This ban is primarily aimed at preventing yard waste and garbage from being burned which generates much more smoke.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please contact the Lake County office at (847) 367-5511.

Boat Safety Class
The Countryside Fire Protection District is hosting a free boat safety class on Saturday, August 15th, 2020.  It’s recommended for anyone born after 1998 that would be operating a motorized watercraft.  Registration is limited to 20 students and there are still spots available.  See the attached flyer for more information.

For more updates from our Countryside Fire Protection department, we encourage you to “like” their Facebook page.

Sincerely,
SLIA Board

We’ve been eagerly awaiting direction from the IL Department of Public Health for opening our beach and playgrounds.  We have just received word that we’re now able to open both immediately.  Phase 4 guidelines are still in place, so please continue to practice social distancing and keep groups less than 50 people.  

We’re looking for young and strong, but will take ANY volunteers to put out our swimming pier and raft on Saturday, Jul 11 at 9:00am.   

Just a few reminders,
1) Our lake is catch and release for all bass.  Members are responsible for guests not following this rule.
2) Pets are not permitted in the beach area.
3) Glass bottles are not permitted in the beach area.

Thanks again for all your help!

-SLIA Board

Hello Sylvan Lakers,

We wanted to keep everyone updated on the status of the beach, which is currently closed for swimming while we waited on guidance from the IL Department of Public Health.

The IL Department of Public Health just recently released swimming guidelines which state that beaches should remain closed during Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan.  You can read those guidelines here:  http://www.dph.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/Swimming%20Facility%20Guidelines%20Final%206%205%2020.pdf.  Also note that playgrounds are still closed in Phase 3 as well.

While beaches cannot open in Phase 3, they may be able to open in Phase 4. Phase 4 could happen at the earliest by June 26^th if the Northeast region meets the required metrics set forth by the Restore Illinois Plan.

We will continue to keep members updated as new information gets released. Thanks again for practicing social distancing around the lake.

Be safe.

Sincerely,
SLIA Board

Hello Sylvan Lakers,

First, we’d like to give thanks and kudos to all our members for practicing safe social distancing!  We really appreciate everyone’s efforts during this time.

Next, the SLIA Board met last night and decided that both Carp-O-Rama and Clean-Up day will proceed this weekend, albeit with some changes.  And although IL hasn’t officially entered Phase III, we’ll be following what this means closely to determine when we can re-open the playgrounds and beach for swimming.  We’ll communicate these changes to members as soon as possible.

In addition to holding these events over Memorial Day Weekend, we’ve also decided to put both the paddle boat and sailboat piers out for boating use.  The beach can be used as a park, but the sand and swimming area are still closed pending communication from state and local governments.

Below are more details regarding the two events this weekend:

Carp-O-Rama
Carp-O-Rama is an annual event where Sylvan Lake residents of all ages help rid the lake of our carp population…one carp at a time.  This year Carp-O-Rama will happen albeit a bit different as we’ll be strictly following state guidelines.

• Carp-O-Rama runs from Noon Friday 5/22 until Monday 5/25 at 3:00 pm.  
• All participants must practice at least six (6) feet social distancing & no groups of more than six (6) people.
• The weigh-in will also be structured different.  ONLY those participating in Carp-O-Rama should show up on Monday, 3pm for the weigh-in at the beach shed.  Masks are required.  Line up single file at least 6 feet apart for the measuring/weighing of the Carp.  PLEASE respect the social distance practices.  

Note, if larger groups are gathering we will have to shut down & risk recreational events from happening in the future.

As a reminder, Rules of Engagement:  You catch the carp, you keep the carp, You dispose of your carp at 3pm Monday…you get money…$2 per carp all while practicing social distancing.

Thank you to John Rollinger for managing the weigh-in Monday afternoon.

PS:  Purchase your 2020 fishing license online here.  
https://www.il.wildlifelicense.com/license.php?action=custlkup

Cleanup Day
Cleanup Day will start at 9am on Saturday, but will be limited compared with past years.  Please see the details below:

• Captains are designated in these areas: Kathy Ford (Bjorkland Park) and Cliff/Dave at the Beach. Mulch and top soil will be delivered to those areas and volunteers are needed to help spread. 
• Cliff needs volunteers at 9am on Saturday to put out the paddle boat and sailboat piers at the beach.
• Fremont Township will NOT be picking up brush this year, so please DO NOT leave brush near the street.  Any brush needs to be kept at your property.  The township will be coming in the fall for brush pickup.
• NO lunch will be served at the beach at noon.
• If you’re going to working in close proximity with others, we strongly encourage you to wear a face mask.

Thanks again to all our volunteers and good luck catching those carp!

Fellow Sylvan Lakers,

COVID-19 has changed life for many around the lake.  The safety of Sylvan Lake residents is our first priority and we’re following state and local requirements closely.  As of now, stay-at-home orders and social distancing requirements are in effect through May 30.  

Around May 15th, we’ll make decisions on our Memorial Day Weekend Clean-up Day and Carp-o-Rama events. And we’ll make decisions on other upcoming events two weeks prior to each event.

What you should know:

• All Sylvan Lake parks (except Beach use) will remain open as long as the 6-foot social distancing rule and groups of no more than 10 people are being followed.
• All Sylvan Lake playgrounds will be closed until further notice.  This is a CDC recommended prevention strategy and implemented by the Lake County Forest Preserves.
• The Sylvan Lake Beach will be closed until further notice.  Beach closures are defined in the IL stay-at-home order for May.
• Use of the lake will remain open.
• Fishing and boating will be allowed.
• Mundelein is now requiring all to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth while working at or patronizing a business open to the public and when using public transportation.  Business owners may refuse admission or service to any individual not in compliance.  https://www.mundelein.org/Home/Components/News/News/152/102

We remind everyone to please follow 6-foot social distancing rule around the lake and avoid groups of more than 10 people.  Stay safe and healthy.

Q: What is social distancing?
A: Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness.  Staying at least 6 feet away from other people reduces the chances of catching COVID-19. Other examples of social distancing with the goal of avoiding crowds, crowded spaces and mass gatherings include working from home instead of the office, closing schools and switching to on-line classes, visiting loved ones by electronic devices instead of in person, suspending worship services, and canceling or postponing large meetings.

Q: What is the state recommending for social distancing?
Gov. JB Pritzker has prohibited public and private gatherings of 10 or more people through May 30.  This includes community, civic, public leisure, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions and any similar event or activity that brings together 10 or more people in a room or space at the same. The governor also, by Executive Order, closed schools, bars and restaurants through May 30.  Restaurant kitchens can remain open and put in place drive-thru, curbside pickup and delivery options. The Illinois Gaming Board has suspended video gaming through May 30.

References:

• Illinois Dept of Health:  https://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus/faq
• Lake County Forest Preserves: https://www.lcfpd.org/current-closures-and-cancellations/
• CDC:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/visitors.html
• IL Dept of Natural Resources: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/closures/Pages/ParksOpenDuringCoVID19.aspx

Sincerely,
SLIA Board

Much has changed about the dam/spillway construction project that was planned to begin in mid-May. We have been notified by the Fremont Township Highway Commissioner that two issues are causing delays to the project. First, even prior to COVID-19, the Highway Department was preparing itself for updated bids that were higher than expected. In preparation for that, the Highway Commissioner had solicited a second opinion from an engineer who specializes in dam safety in order to get a current assessment of our dam’s condition. That was supposed to occur in the week of March

Secondly, COVID-19 has taken priority within Lake County just like everywhere else. Thus, the Highway Commissioner has revised her plan to acknowledge there being no possible way for the project to happen as scheduled. The SLIA Board will continue to work with the township to get this project back on the schedule and will keep everyone updated.

Dear Sylvan Lake Neighbors:

The time for the Sylvan Lake dam repair project is approaching.  It was delayed from last Fall, but it is expected to start mid- or late-May.  It will take about 6 months with no stoppage in the work.  The only delay to that start would be caused by utility or permit issues.

This project is required for the future preservation of our lake.  The current dam, built 91 years ago, must be refurbished.  If the dam breaches, the lake is gone.

The project is being handled by our Fremont Township Highway Commission at no cost to the Sylvan Lake community.  It is the largest project ever undertaken by our Township Highway Department.

HERE IS THE TOUGH PART:  The size of the lake will be reduced about 50% for the full length of the project – about 6 months. 

We cannot sugarcoat that fact.  It is difficult, but necessary.  The Highland & Midlothian entrance will be closed, leaving only the Crescent & Gilmer entrance for access to the neighborhood.

On the positive side, it will preserve our lake, and we hope individual homeowners will  seize the opportunity to clean up and restore shorelines and seawalls.    

At the Feb 19 Sylvan Lake Regular Board meeting, we will have representatives from the Fremont Township Highway Commission to answer your questions.  We encourage you to attend.

Some of us have lived at Sylvan Lake a long time.  In 1980, we lowered Sylvan Lake to dredge both the Maple and Ravinia Bays.  There was great community outcry about the fear that the lake would not refill.  Please know that the lake reached almost its prior level within one year after the work was completed.

Please follow this link to read the Project Detail Document.  We urge you to read these details carefully. 

https://slia.net/dam-project/ 

And we urge you to attend the next meeting:  

Sylvan Lake Regular Board Meeting
February 19, 7:30 p.m.
Countryside Fire House, 2nd Floor
801 S Midlothian Road
Mundelein IL  60060

The Sylvan Lake Board

Annual assessment invoices were mailed on Jan 1. Payments are due within sixty (60) days.