Round Lake Area News

PNC Bank Closes Round Lake Beach Branch

May 17th, 2013

by Gene Carey

Leaves Area With NO ATMs Available for Current Depositers

Today at 3:00 PM the local PNC Bank located at 801 E. Rollins Road in Round Lake Beach officially closed their doors for good. This was brought about due to the upcoming reconfiguration of the intersection at the corner of Rollins Rd. and Route 83. With a future railroad overpass over Rollins Road, Route 83 will shift Eastery thus the PNC Bank building is scheduled to be demolished. Another casualty is the small strip mall where Payless Shoes was located (and has already vacated).

I arrived at PNC Bank today at 2:15 to make one last deposit, having been a customer at that location since 1985. There was a medium size moving truck in the lot that they were loading the drive-thru ATM onto after disassembling it. For about the tenth time I asked the people working inside if PNC Bank was going to have a local ATM available or at least share one that we wouldn’t be charged a fee to use. Again the answer was NO. I had their last letter with me which states “You can look forward to the same personal service you expect from PNC Bank at your new branch, as well as convenient account access at more than 7,300 PNC Bank ATMs with no transaction fees” I ‘bolded” the word “convenient” on purpose because I don’t consider driving to Grayslake, Fox lake, or Antioch ‘convenient” when all I want to do is deposit a check or draw out a few bucks at any particular hour of the day without paying a fee to use someone elses ATM.

PNC Bank was reportedly in talks to re-open in the vacant Blockbuster building in front of Garden Fresh Market on Rollins Road but for whatever reason that never materialized. Instead they have thumbed their noses at the residents of the Round Lake Area and said “Good-Bye”, enjoy the drive to the nearest branch!

The 2011 census shows the following population for the villages that they are thumbing their noses at:
Round Lake = 18,365
Round Lake Beach = 28,289
Round Lake Heights = 2,678
Round Lake Park = 7536

That’s a total of 56,868 residents that they feel that they can survive without. PNC Bank suggests that we use our “new” branch, meaning one in a neighboring town. How far is that “new” branch and how long will it take to get there and back?

Double the following figures to get “round trip” mileage and travel time and then decide whether you are going to do as I did today and open up an account elsewhere here in town (distances below are calculated from 801 Rollins Rd to the other branch).

Grayslake branch, 202 Center St. = 3.49 miles, 7 minutes
Fox Lake branch, 66 E. Grand = 7.36 miles, 17 minutes
Antioch branch, 574 W. Rt 173 = 7.42 miles, 14 minutes

Join me in saying “So Long” to PNC Bank

While depositing money in my separate tax escrow account at NorWest Bank which I have had an account at for over 40 years when they were Round Lake Bank on Goodnow in downtown Round Lake, I opened up a new checking account. I hope that others join me and find a local bank or credit union and send a STRONG message that we are divorcing PNC Bank just like they did us.

Did you like the ABOVE article? Share it:

Mayor Lumpkins Begins 6th Term in Round Lake Heights

May 14th, 2013

by Gene Carey

Anthony Pekar Replaces Jeremy McIntyre on Village Board

Trustee Jeremy McIntyre honored for his public service

Round Lake Heights was another local village that did not have opposing slates running in the recent elections. In fact, Mayor Terry Lumpkins popularity won him a sixth term as Village Mayor. Other incumbents who were sworn in at the May 14th village board meeting were Trustees Andrew Walker and Jeff Katzel along with Village Clerk Marla McIntyre. Newly elected Trustee Anthony Pekar was sworn in to replace outgoing Trustee Jeremy McIntyre who had elected not to run for re-election. Trustee Jeremy McIntyre was honored for his service with a plaque from Mayor Lumpkins and the Board. Also sworn in was Shane Page as a part time police officer

During the meeting there was an updated presentation from CMAP regarding the ongoing long term plans for the Village of Round Lake Heights. I had attended the initial Q&A forum that was presented offering various plans for creating a shopping district that might end up being located off of Rollins Road. Tonight’s update was well received by the Board and Mayor Lumpkins asked “So what’s the next step?” With that, it was suggested that the Village hold an open house that would have eisle displays showing what was planned so that any future hearings wouldn’t blind-side the village residents. RLH residents should watch their local newsletters for an update on that open house schedule.

After the meeting everyone was invited to stay for cake and coffee. The cake had already been cut by the time I took the following photo that honored Mayor Lumpkins for his current 20 years of service.

With 20 years of service, Mayor Terry Lumpkins begins his 6th term

The cover shot on the following video of the swearing in ceremony is newly elected Trustee Anthony Pekar

Did you like the ABOVE article? Share it:

Round Lake Beach Officials Swearing in Ceremony 2013

May 13th, 2013

by Gene Carey

Husk Replaces Armstrong on Round Lake Beach Village Board

At tonight’s Round Lake Beach village board meeting the newly elected officials were sworn in. They ran unopposed with Trustee candidate Chuck Husk running to replace Judy Armstrong who did not seek re-election. Besides swearing in Trustee Husk, Judge Raymond D. Collins from the Criminal Division swore in incumbents Mayor Rich Hill, Trustee Larry Mount, Trustee Sylvia Valadez, and Village Clerk Marge Cleveland.

Outgoing Trustee Judy Armstrong honored at the May 13th village board meeting for her past services.

Following the swearing in, Mayor Hill motioned for a resolution honoring outgoing Trustee Judy Armstrong for her years of service to the village. The resolution was read by Clerk Cleveland and immediately seconded at which time the Mayor then presented it, along with a service plaque, to Trustee Armstrong.

Earlier in the meeting several area students were awarded Round Lake Beach scholarships to help with their college expenses. One young lady was in attendance and spoke briefly, thanking the Board and talking a little bit about what and where she plans to study.

The following video is only the first portion of the meeting up to when Trustee Armstrong addressed the board.

Did you like the ABOVE article? Share it:

Round Lake’s New Mayoral Appointments

May 9th, 2013

by Gene Carey

Within days after being sworn in, new Round Lake Village President, Dan MacGillis, scheduled a special meeting on May 9, 2013, to assign new village administration appointments. After receiving a written resignation from the current village administrator the Mayor and Board approved hiring Russell Kraly as a Management Consultant. Kraly’s duties will be to manage the administrative operations and consult with the Board regarding the search for a replacement administrator.

Mayor Daniel MacGillis welcomes Russ Kraly as the villages new Management Consultant

The meeting only lasted about ten minutes followed by Kraly shaking hands with the Board and thanking them for their support. He is currently the building inspector for the Village of Hainesville which is a part-time position.

Did you like the ABOVE article? Share it:

Freedom Shrine Dedicated at Indian Hill School

May 9th, 2013

by Gene Carey

The Round Lake Area Exchange Club dedicated yet another “Freedom Shrine” at the Indian Hill School located in Round Lake Heights. The school held an assembly in the gymnasium where guest speaker, D116 Superintendent Dr. Constance Collins, and past RLA Exchange Club President Judy Armstrong spoke to the children about the importance of the documents that are part of the Freedom Shrine.

The Color Guard from the Naval Service Training Command presented the Parade of Colors (flags) and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited as well as the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner”. Indian Hill School Principal Shaton Wolverton made the opening introductions followed by the Freedom Shrine Dedication by Judy Armstrong. The Indian Hill Chorus, along with the student body, then sang “Oh! I Love America!” which was followed by closing remarks by Principal Wolverton.

In the following video you will see all of the various plaques that are part of the Freedom Shrine. If you are in the area of either the Indian Hill School or the Avon Township Center in Round Lake Park, be sure to take the time to look more closely at our heritage that helped form our governing laws. Like Armstrong pointed out in her presentation, the displays will show words crossed out and new verbiage added as our forefathers worked to create these important documents that provided for our freedom. These Freedom Shrines are a great way to preserve our heritage for generations to come. Thank you to the Round Lake Area Exchange Club whose current members I have included below.

Judy Armstrong	Constance Collins	Marci Di Prova
George Filenko	Robert Frank	Frontline Street Intervention
Edwin Fuhrmann	Ferdal Gallagher	Lorrie George-Baskin
Edward Gueroult	Bruce Johnson	Keanne Kearby
Connie Kraly	Veronica Lake	Cynthia Lee
Mano a Mano	Heather Richey	Julie Richey
Sherry Ridge	Jose Rodriguez	Lisa Rusch
Laura Smock	Linda Snelton	Danielle Theobald
John Tomusiak	Claudia Vroman	bob Wigge
Cher Wheeler	-	Douglas Raul Williams

Did you like the ABOVE article? Share it:

Round Lake Park Swears In New Officials

May 8th, 2013

by Gene Carey

“Voice of Tomorrow for Everyone” Party takes the reins in RLP

RLP Village President Linda Lucassen

At Tuesday nights Village Board Meeting on May 7, 2013, members of the “Voice of Tomorrow for Everyone” Party were sworn in and now take over the Village President, Village Clerk, and three Trustee positions that were up for election this year. The new Village President is Linda Lucassen who takes the reins from outgoing President Jean McCue. The new clerk is Karen Eggert taking over the duties of former clerk Cindy Fazekas. One incumbent Trustee, Robert Cerretti, Sr. retained his seat. Raeanne McCarty Robles, and Donna Wagner were sworn in as new Trustees. Former Village President McCue gave an honorary plaque to the outgoing Trust

After the swearing in ceremonies the new Village President honored outgoing President McCue with a plaque which detailed her services

Since Linda Lucassen was a current Trustee with two years remaining on her current term, she turned in her resignation prior to being sworn in as the new Village President. That left an opening position for a Trustee which was immediately filled by the former Village President, Jean McCue, after a vote to approve her appointment was taken.