About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60^th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains.

Nothing bothers Mary Kate Callahan. Now an active teen, Callahan’s life changed when she was 5 months old. A virus attacked her spinal cord and left her paralyzed from the waist down.  

“I didn’t let that stop me,” Callahan says.

Despite this challenge, she has accomplished more during the past few years than many do in a lifetime. Callahan visits schools and speaks to children about overcoming obstacles. She took third place in a triathlon. But her biggest success came in changing Illinois High School Association guidelines to allow disabled high school students to compete at state competition.

“You won’t find me driving a van with a lift. That’s not me. My parents always wanted me to be as independent as possible. They treated me just like my older brothers. I knew if I had the right mindset anything would be possible.” 

Q. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve taken on? 

A. When I joined Fenwick High School's swim team, I knew I wanted to be a full member of the team. My coaches were great, I felt part of the team. However, for most of my high school swimming career the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) refused to adopt standards to allow athletes with disabilities to compete at state championships. This was the first time in my life I felt like I was being pushed to the sidelines because of my disability. So in May of 2012, the Illinois attorney general, Equip for Equality and I filed a lawsuit against the IHSA.

Q. What inspired you to take this challenge?

A. This was something that was close to my heart because I never want any child with a disability to feel different because they have a different kind of ability. Disabled athletes are just as much of an athlete as any other athlete out there. I think that’s the most misunderstood thought in society today. People need to realize we train just as hard. We have the same thrill for competition. I wanted to do this for the kids who were just starting high school so they won’t have to fight for this basic thing. Sports play such a big role in a student's high school experience by teaching athletes so many life lessons.

Q. Did you succeed?

A. I did succeed. This past November, seven girls dove into the water for the first time at the IHSA swimming state championships. Seven girls who were once told they couldn’t participate due to their physical disability. After our first race was over, I remember looking at the crowd on their feet cheering for us because we were now true athletes, not disabled athletes. I know history was made in Illinois that day. And that day changed so many lives. It was a small step to show the country disabled athletes are ATHLETES.

After Mary Kate was diagnosed with transverse myelitis in 1995, her parents started the Claddagh Foundation. The Claddagh Foundation was established to raise money for research to find a cure for paralysis. To this day, the Claddagh has raised more than $3 million dollars to help find a cure so one day people will be able to walk again. The Claddagh Foundation donates most of the money to the Miami Project to cure paralysis. 

Related Post: Read about Mary Kate Callahan's journey on Oak Park Patch.

This article is posted throughout the Chicago-area Patch network.

In the wake of regional flooding, the city continues to monitor water levels and work diligently towards storm cleanup efforts after nearly 150 reports of flooding, 60 of which reported basement flooding in homes.   

Advanced Disposal is offering several options for homeowners as the community now faces clean-up:

• Special curbside collection for storm debris at $20 per cubic yard
• Roll-off dumpster at $380 per load which includes delivery, haul away and disposal of storm debris
• Free curbside collection on designated Spring Clean-up day

Spring Clean-Up days begin April 27 and run until May 18. The table below shows which day residents can plan for Spring-Clean Up collection from Advanced Disposal, depending on normal waste collection day:

Area - Collection Day - Spring Clean-Up Day
SE - Monday - Saturday, April 27
SW - Tuesday - Saturday, May 4

NE - Thursday - Saturday, May 11 

NW - Friday - Saturday, May 18

On April 18, the City received approximately 4" of rain on an already saturated ground. The Public Works Department received close to 150 calls related to flooding, of which 90 calls reported street flooding and 60 calls reported basement flooding.

Additionally, the Police Department experienced more than double the amount of calls expected on a Thursday; 249 calls were made to dispatchers, resulting in 57 service calls.  Two weeks prior to the storm, City crews conducted routine maintenance work such as sweeping streets (and unclogging street inlets), flushing lines and structure cleaning (sucking debris out of catch basins and inlets).  

To schedule a curbside pick-up or order a dumpster, residents can call Advanced Disposal at  847-272-4145.  

For further inquiries regarding flooding, please call 847-432-0807.

From Lake County: 

Damage Assessments 
Lake County continues to provide assistance and coordinate information to communities impacted by the recent flooding. Lake County's Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is working with the municipalities and townships to capture a countywide, preliminary damage assessment to include flood and storm damage and associated costs. Lake County will then report this information to Illinois EMA.  Property owners should report damage to their local municipality at 847-432-0807 or to Lake County Planning, Building, and Development at 847-377-2081 .

Nancy Rotering
Highland Park Mayor 

For complete Highland Park news and updates, sign up for our free newsletter, "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Does your teenager complain about classes and homework at Highland Park High School? He or she might be justified in griping.

According to annual rankings created by the Washington Post, HPHS is among the most challenging public high schools in the country.

In Illinois, Highland Park High School ranks 16.

Washington Post columnist Jay Mathews has rated public high schools around the country for the past 15 years based on something called the “Challenge Index,” according to a press release.

The index takes the total number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests given at the school next year and divides it by the number of seniors who graduated in May or June. 

“With a few exceptions, public schools that achieved a ratio of at least 1.000, meaning they had as many tests in 2012 as they had graduates, were put on the national list at washingtonpost.com/highschoolchallenge,” Mathews explains in a Washington Post story. Before posting the list, he also filters out magnet or charter high schools that have few average-performing students.

This year, only 9 percent of the approximately 22,000 U.S. public high schools were included on the list, according to Mathews.

The list also includes: Walter Payton College Prep in Chicago (1), Stevenson High School (4), Buffalo Grove High School (7), Libertyville High School (13), Deerfield High School (18), Vernon Hills High School (21), Grayslake North High School (25) and Lake Forest High School (28).

Keep your umbrella handy.

The National Weather Service reports a chance of thunderstorms early Tuesday into Tuesday evening.

Heavy rainfall is possible during this period which may cause additional rises on rivers and prolong receding flood waters. River flooding is expected to gradually subside through the week.

Highland Park

• Tuesday:Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Temperature rising to near 51 by 9 a.m., then falling to around 42 during the remainder of the day. South southeast wind around 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

• Tuesday night:Rain showers likely before 1 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Cloudy, with a low around 35. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

See the rest of Highland Park's forecast for this week at www.weather.gov.

The Lake County Emergency Operations Center remains open as the county continues to coordinate with government agencies on flood response efforts.

As of Monday morning, the Des Plaines River at Gurnee had crested and water is slowly receding. The Chain O'Lakes/Fox River is expected to crest sometime today.

Officials estimate structures on an estimated 4,000 to 4,500 parcels across the county have been impacted by the floods. 

Current Conditions

Chain O'Lakes/Fox River System

The Chain appears to be cresting today. Tributaries remain full or nearly full, and there is limited capacity for additional stormwater runoff. The forecast calls for potentially between 0.5 inches and 0.75 inches Tuesday and Wednesday. It is not expected to significantly impact river levels, although it will cause the rivers to recede more slowly.

Des Plaines River
The Des Plaines at Gurnee and Lincolnshire will remain at moderate flood stage levels until Tuesday or Wednesday. Des Plaines River at Lincolnshire saw major flood levels causing structural damage and evacuations in this area.

Damage Assessment Process Underway
The Lake County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) continues to coordinate with municipalities and townships to compile damage assessment information, and EMA will work with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on potential assistance. It is too soon to determine if state or federal assistance will become available.

If your property has been impacted by the recent floods, you need to report it to your local government agency, as follows:

• If you live in a municipality, contact your village. Contact information is available here:  http://www.lakecountyil.gov/CountyGovernment/OtherGovernment/Pages/CitiesandVillages.aspx.

• If you live in unincorporated area  or a township, contact the Lake County Planning Building and Development Department at 847-377-2081.

Clean-Up Assistance
Property owners that need help should contact their local municipality, township, or Lake County (depending on where you live in the county). These government agencies are working with the Red Cross and other organizations to distribute clean-up kits and coordinate clean-up efforts. Distribution of clean-up kits is still being coordinated, and information will be provided when available.

Debris Removal
Lake County is working with the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, municipal officials, and waste haulers to define a consistent strategy for the collection and disposal of flood-contaminated debris, including used sandbags and flood-soaked personal property. More information is expected to be available in the next few days.

Pumping Out Basements
If your structure is surrounded by water, do not pump out your basement until the water recedes because the outside water pressure could result in the floor buckling or walls collapsing.

Flooded Wells
The Health Department is offering free water testing to residents whose wells are affected by flood waters. You can pick up sterile bottles to be filled and returned for analysis, and obtain information about disinfecting wells at the Lake County Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, or at selected Township and Village offices in the County (check with yours). The Department is urging residents on private wells to have their water tested after the flood waters have receded. For more information, call Environmental Health Services of the Lake County Health Department at (847) 377-8020. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm.

Flood Repairs
Property owners may conduct emergency clean-up activities without obtaining a permit, which includes removing water damaged property (i.e. carpeting, cabinets, etc). However,
Permits for repairs including replacing dry wall, or replacing carpeting, may be required by the municipality, or Lake County (if you live in the unincorporated area). Check with your local government agency with questions about permits.

Traffic/Road Conditions
You can follow PASSAGE on Twitter @LCPASSAGE for current road conditions
The public can get up-to-date traffic information at  www.lakecountypassage.com, or AM1620.

Information submitted by the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission

If the State of Illinois left it up to the taxpayers, could we balance the budget?

Fiscal year 2013 is projected to end with a deficit of more than $8 billion, accounting for the carry-forward deficit to be paid against in the 2014 fiscal year, reports Crain's Chicago Business.

Use this calculator to see if you can do reduce the budget deficit by decreasing spending or increasing revenue in the general fund, of which 90 percent of spending goes toward education, human services, health care and public safety.

What changes would you make to the budget? Tell us how you did in the comments below.

A commitment to a healthy lifestyle and the environment as well as good food will be the primary focus when Deerfield’s newest proposed restaurant opens its doors at 780 Saunders Road in Deerfield.

Planning to be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day, the eatery will have separate menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner but each one will be prepared with the good health of the clientele in mind.

Earlier: New Restaurant Takes Next Step

“Everything you see on the menu will have a longevity component,” Upasana Abbott, one of the owners, said. “Spices like turmeric are on the top of my mind. They (help) prevent Alzheimer’s and cancer.”

Abbott, who has a Ph.D. in nutritional science, will do everything she can to create a menu that will help people live longer. The name of the company owned by Abbott and her husband, Anil Abbott, is Health O Wealth.

“If you don’t have good health you don’t have any wealth,” Anil Abbott said explaining the company philosophy. The Abbotts will be joined in the business by their son, Lakshay Abbott, who will graduate from college with a degree in nutrition.

The menu will include wraps with grilled chicken, turkey or other white meat, healthy spices and fresh vegetables. The Abbotts will grow a lot of the produce on the property.

“We will try to grow as many (of the vegetables) as we can in the Chicago climate,” Upsana Abbott said. “They will be cooked to preserve the best taste.” Anil Abbott specifically mentioned tomatoes and green peppers.

Once the Abbotts get final approval from the Village, they will hire a chef and finalize the menu.

The Abbotts are committed to environmental health as well as nutritional wellbeing. They are dedicated to being as close to zero waste as possible. They will compost as much of their refuse as they can and heavily recycle. Nothing will be fried leaving no fat residue.

For Anil Abbott the reason is simple. “It’s good for the environment,” he said.

Abbott’s wife agrees, expanding on the family’s commitment to the planet. “We want to see as little go to a landfill as possible.”

The Abbotts received a recommendation from the Plan Commission April 11 and the Village Board of Trustees will consider a final approval in June, according to Associate Planner Kathy Leveque.

Once they get ratification from the Village, the Abbotts must demolish an old house on the property dating to 1885 and erect a new structure.

The Abbots are no strangers to the area. They own the service station at the southeast corner of the intersection of Deerfield and Saunders Roads and plan to build their restaurant on a property adjacent to the south.

For news about Deerfield and Highland Park in your mailbox every day, subscribe to the Patch newsletter. For more news and updates, like Highland Park and Deerfield Patch on Facebook.

The information below comes from the Highland Park Police Department.

Theft

April 15: Police are investigating a delayed report of a theft. It was reported that mulitple dvd's were stolen sometime between 03/13/13 and 04/08/13.The incident occurred in the 400 block of Laurel Avenue, Highland Park.

Unlawful practice of dentistry

April 16: Sheldon Hamilton, DDS (86) of the 2000 block of Linden Avenue, Highland Park, Illinois was arrested and charged with unlawful practice of dentistry after police obtained a warrant for the doctor who was practicing without a license.  Hamilton was released on a cash bond with a court date of May 13, 2013 at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, Illinois.

Retail theft

April 17: Terrill Taylor (20) of the 15700 block of Marshfield Avenue, Harvey, Illinois was arrested and charged with retail theft after driving off and not paying for over $50.00 in gasoline from a business in the 1400 block of Park Avenue West, Highland Park. Taylor was released on a personal recognizance bond with a court date of May 22, 2013 at 301 Greenleaf Street, Park City, Illinois.

Theft

April 17: Police are investigating a delayed report of a theft. It was reported that the internet Comcast box had been taken off the outside wall of a building sometime between 04/10/13 at 6:40PM and 04/14/2013 at 8:30 AM. The incident occurred in the 1800 block of Sheridan Road, Highland Park.

Driving under the influence

April 17: Mary Curran (59) of the 300 block of Dell Lane, Highland Park was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and no headlights or taillights illuminated after being stopped by police near the intersection of Green Bay Road and First Street, Highland Park.  Curran was released on a personal recognizance bond with a court date of May 17, 2013 at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, Illinois. Curran’s passenger, Miguel Hernandez (27) of the 700 block of Llewellyn, Highwood was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance. Hernandez was transported to bond court pending court date.

April 19: Eric Nowik (41) of the 800 block of Longwood Drive, Lake Forest was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after police responded to a request for a well being check for a driver who was slumped over the steering wheel in the 1300 block of Half Day Road, Highland Park. Nowik was released on a personal recognizance bond with a court date of May 10, 2013 at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, Illinois.

Theft

April 19: Police are investigating a report of a theft. It was reported that a red landscaping truck filled $64.60 in gasoline and drove off without paying. The incident occurred in the 0-100 block of Skokie Valley Road, Highland Park.

April 19: Police are investigating a report of a theft. It was reported that sometime between 04/12/13 and 04/18/13 three directional interior business signs were stolen. The signs are approximately 1 1/2' X 2'.  The incident occurred in the 1700 block of Green Bay Road, Highland Park.

Home invasion

April 19: William Haberland (52) of the 400 block of College Avenue, Lake Forest, Illinois was arrested and charged with home invasion, criminal trespass to residence and 4 counts of battery after police responded to report of a domestic type dispute between a male and a female. Haberland was transported to bond court at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan pending court date.

Driving under the influence

April 20: Daniel Zalesky (18) of the 2200 block of Schiller Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and improper lane usage after being stopped by police near the Edens Expressway and Lake Cook Road, Highland Park. Zalesky was released on a personal recognizance bond with a court date of May 10, 2013 at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, Illinois.

Attempt burglary from motor vehicle

April 20: Police are investigating a report of an attempt burglary from motor vehicle. It was reported that a male subject had opened the passenger side door of a van while the owner was pumping gas in an attempt to remove a purse/bag from the front seat. A witness notified the owner and nothing appeared missing.  The incident occurred in the 2500 block of Skokie Valley Road, Highland Park.

Theft

April 21: Jake Mastrangelo (21) of the 100 block of Prairie Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois was arrested and charged with theft under $500 after police responded to a report of an employee theft at a business in the 2000 block of Skokie Valley Road, Highland Park. Mastrangelo was released on a cash bond with a court date of May 13, 2013 at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, Illinois.

For complete Highland Park news and updates, sign up for our free newsletter, "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Not only do these offer a convenient way to track your finances with just a swipe of your finger, but some the best finance apps are also free.

To assist you with using technology to safeguard your financial future, here are the best free apps for managing your finances, according to GoBankingRates.com:

1. Pageonce Money and Bills
2. Mint.com
3. Expensify
4. BlackGold
5. Mortgage Calculator by Zillow
6. Venmo
7. Easy Envelope Budget Aid (EEBA)
8. Adaptu Wallet
9. Key Ring
10. ShoeBoxed

Have you ever gotten onto the highway and wondered if you shut the garage door? Instead of calling a neighbor, did you turn back around? When was the last time your neighborhood had a block party?

Maybe you email, or wave when you pass on the street, but how well do you know your neighbors?

Your chance is on April 27 - Neighborday. The holiday by GOOD.is goes hand-in-hand with Patch, backing up our efforts at keeping our community connected.

Online aside, think about the meaningful connections we could be losing out on by not knowing our neighbors - childhood friendships, shared carpools, emergency contacts or daycare in a pinch.

Neighborday is a challenge, or an excuse, to step away from the computer and really get to know your street-mates.

Your Neighborday celebration can be as simple as grabbing a few garbage bags for a quick street cleanup. Consider starting a neighborhood phone list or pick a date on the calendar for a street-wide garage sale. How about hosting a bring-your-own-meat bbq?

Sign up online and document your neighboring by taking photos and videos. You can also contribute to the GOOD collaborative Neighborday Documentary.

Be sure to keep the momentum going year-round. Did you establish a neighborhood watch or start a community garden? Post your progress all year long.

The Neighborday initiative was started by GOOD, a self-dubbed community of people "who give a damn". The social platform is aimed at getting people to work together on issues they care about.

Patch wants to know!

Has your neighbor dug you out of a snowstorm? Is your cul-de-sac known for firing up the grill on summer weekends? This Neighborday will you host a dinner party, start a lemonade stand or plan a block party?

Brag about your neighbors and share some of your Neighborday ideas in the comments section below.

Deerfield-based Mondelez International, Inc., the world's largest chocolate maker, has announced a new commitment to improving conditions for women cocoa farmers.

The company, one of the world's largest snack companies with global net revenues of $35 billion last year, vows to extend its reporting on gender rights in cocoa farming and be an advocate for industry-wide action, according to a press release.

Mondelez, a spin-off from Kraft Foods Inc., is the third company after Nestle SA and Mars Inc. to commit to addressing gender inequality since the humanitarian advocacy group Oxfam rated 10 food companies on their policies, reported Bloomberg BusinessWeek.

Together, these three companies control 42 percent of the world chocolate market, according to Bloomberg.

"Gender equality benefits everyone and is essential if cocoa communities are to thrive," stated Christine McGrath, Vice President of External Affairs and Cocoa Life at Mondelez International, in a press release.

"Our experience shows an increased involvement of women in the supply base leads to improved financial management by farmers, better education for youth, more sustainable, thriving communities and, over time, reduced child labor."

Highland Park's North Suburban Synagogue Beth El will celebrate the 65th anniversary of its temple and the 25th anniversary of its leader, Rabbi Vernon Kurtz, with a gala fundraiser, "A Night of Dreams," at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 28.

The event will include entertainment by the Chicagoland Jewish High School Jazz Band; the a cappella group Listen Up; a sit-down dinner by Danzinger Kosher Catering; silent auction; and a video to honor Rabbi Kurtz. It will also be the debut event to get a copy of Rabbi Kurtz's forthcoming book, Encountering Torah: Reflections on the Weekly Portion.

Learn more at www.nssbethel.org.

Read about Beth El's history in a story from the Chicago Tribune.

Anonymous letters threatening to expose newly re-elected Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik for allegedly trading sex for political favors have now been turned over to federal authorities, reports the Lake County News-Sun, which has posted photos of the letters on its website.

Gurnee Police confirmed it was a blackmail plot that began with letters being mailed to Kovarik in February. Some residents also received flyers made to look like a Daily Herald article, according to the News-Sun.

Kovarik has vehemently denied the allegations and has called those responsible "cowards," reported the Daily Herald.

The letters reportedly stated that if Kovarik did not withdraw from the election, details would be released to the media, according to the News-Sun.

Kovarik won her third term on April 9, garnering 62.61 percent of the votes over her opponent, village trustee Kirk Morris.

Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois businesses and individuals who file monthly, quarterly or annual returns and have been impacted by the flooding will have until Oct. 31 to file tax returns that were due on or after April 19. The extended deadline will provide much-needed relief for individuals and local businesses trying to file their returns or payments on time while recovering from the flood.

“Families and businesses across Illinois need time to focus on rebuilding their businesses, homes and lives,” Governor Quinn said. “Once families have recovered, they can pull together the necessary paperwork to file and pay their taxes.”

Taxpayers who opt to mail their deferred returns and payments should write Flood – April 2013 on the outside of the envelope in red ink and on the top of each page of the tax filing, so the account can be updated and handled appropriately. Filers using My Tax Illinois or WebFile will be provided instructions when they file their returns so that no late fees or penalties will be billed to their accounts.  For questions, the Illinois Department of Revenue has set up a mailbox dedicated to the flood issue: REV.FloodApr2013@illinois.gov.

“While we encourage individuals and businesses to bring their tax filings up to date as soon as their lives return to normal, we hope this deferred payment option is helpful to Illinois families and businesses,” Revenue Director Brian Hamer said. 

The tax relief will help individuals and local businesses, such as hardware stores struggling to meet customer needs while cleaning up after the flood; they will be able to focus on their customers and will have extra time to file and pay the sales taxes they collect. Individuals and businesses who normally file quarterly returns won’t have the pressure to file those returns or payments while trying to recover from the flood. Distributors driving through flooded streets to get motor fuel to gas stations will have extra time to pay the taxes they owe.

Since Thursday, Governor Quinn has surveyed damage on the ground and from the air and met with local officials in some of the hardest hit communities, including Elmhurst, Des Plaines, River Forest, Bellwood, Riverside, Moline, Quincy, Bartonville, North Aurora, Marseilles, Ottawa, North Utica, Morris and Meredosia.

Personnel from FEMA, IEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and local emergency management agencies will begin assessing damage to homes and businesses in Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties on April 29. The teams will move to other affected counties as floodwaters recede so they are able to accurately assess the damage. Governor Quinn has declared a total of 44 counties state disaster areas.

Illinois drivers are running on empty as they wait for improvements to traffic congestion. More funding for planned road improvements is needed, according to the Lake County Transportation Alliance (LCTA).

The LCTA partnered with the Transportation for Illinois Coalition to bring the issue to community leaders. According to their information: Based on the current trajectory, Illinois will have around 5000 miles of road in a state of bad repair by FY 2018. The number in FY 1998 was around 2000 miles. Basically, roads are bad, and getting worse.

Elected officials, transportation experts, business leaders, contractors and citizens all came together on April 22 at the University Center of Lake County in Grayslake to discuss how to build momentum for funding road improvements throughout Illinois. It was one of the first of 19 community meetings being held throughout the state.

That is why is it critical to be ready if and when state and federal funds become available. The last capital bill, passed in 2009, will expire this year, said Doug Whitley, co-chair of the TFIC and president of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

"This Congress should pass another capital bill this year but we don't know if that is going to happen," Whitley said. "If not, our funding is going to suffer significantly."

"We are trying to build grassroots support for a capital bill," Whitley added. "It's not just a jobs issue, it's an economic development issue. It's a quality of life issue."

The Bottom Line

The LCTA stated that state funds for highways come through the motor fuel tax of 19 cents, the $99 annual license plate fee and other vehicle and motorist fees. These resources do not keep pace with inflation, according to the LCTA. The MFT has not been adjusted since 1990.

To cover the needed road improvements, funding options include increasing the MFT, or abolishing the MFT and implementing a 10 percent sales tax instead.

The MFT has not generated the needed revenues, Whitley said, due to an increase in electric cars and more cars with higher gas mileage. Another idea is to levy a tax on bicycles, since money is being spent for new and improved bike lanes and bike paths.

"There is no free lunch," Whitley said. "Doing nothing is not an option."

Lake County Initiatives

Marty Buehler, executive director of the LCTA said the Transportation Summits of 2005-06 created a consensus on prioritizing needed road improvement projects.

"There were 22 projects identified for a total of $800 million," Buehler said. "The focus was on adding capacity throughout Lake County."

Progress has been made. From the Concensus Plan, there were 20 add lane projects, and two corridor studies for Route 41 and Route 120. The corridor studies are completed, and the Route 120 study is now merged in with Route 53 expansion plans.

Expansion of Route 21 in Libertyville is currently under construction, and planning is underway for the Route 45-Milburn Bypass project. Rollins Road at Route 83 is being improved. There are a total of 10 projects with engineering underway and five projects on the list with no work started yet. There are 15 add lane projects that are stuck waiting for the next capital investment.

Impact on Communities, Business

Kent Street, village manager of Deerfield, said "regional coordination and regional cooperation are essential."

"The MFT at 19 cents per gallon has not kept pace with rising costs of road maintenance," Street said. "Our aging roadways are in need of significant help."

Michael Stevens, president and CEO of Lake County Partners, agreed that road improvements benefit all drivers and area businesses.

"Moving goods and services is critical," Stevens said. "We are constantly talking to local business owners who say that they need good roads in order to grow their businesses."

The LCTA urged the community and business leaders to support three initiatives:

• A new capital bill to provide an ongoing revenue stream for road improvements;
• The updated Lake County State Highway Consensus Plan for congestion relief and economic growth;
• Any state legislation which makes the IL53/120 extension into Lake County a reality.

State Senator Melinda Bush (D-31st) said the ideas are important.

"We need a sustainable funding mechanism for road improvements," Bush said. "Lake County has done a fabulous job of bringing all of the various leaders together to identify projects that are priorities. Now we need to fund it. I'm ready to vote for a capital plan."

Would you favor an increased MFT tax or a new sales tax to pay for road improvements in Highland Park or around the county?

Thousands of members of Chicago’s Jewish community will gather for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s (JUF) annual Israel Solidarity Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Ravinia Park in Highland Park.

The day includes entertainment, food, a three-mile walk through Highland Park, a one-mile family walk and more to celebrate the modern State of Israel’s 65^th birthday.

“Each year Israel Solidarity Day brings together the Jewish community to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) and stand together in support of Israel,” JUF said in a flyer. “This year … we come together for one big event.” Israel Independence Day was April 16.

In the past, Israel Solidarity Day was held at numerous locations in the city and suburbs, but this year, as JUF did five years ago, one event is planned. The event is free. Though there is same day sign up, the last day to pre-register is Thursday which can be done online.

A teen service project starts at 10 a.m. with registration beginning at 11 a.m. Entertainment starts with the King David Drummers at 11:30 a.m. and the Maccabeats, an acapella group, at 12:15 p.m. before a 1 p.m. rally, a prelude to the walk  at 1:15 p.m. The King David Drummers return at 2:30 p.m. with Matisyahu, a reggae and alternative rock performer, ending the day at 3 p.m.

Honorary co-chairs of the event are Gov. Patrick Quinn, Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) and Israeli Midwest Consul General Roey Gilad.

From elegant and stately mansions to modern, environmentally-friendly abodes, The North Shore is chock-full of one-of-a-kind homes and some of the time the home has a lot of history to it.

Each week, Patch will feature one ‘Wow House’ that caught our attention. This week Patch has an offering listed Coldwell Banker at 690 Brierhill Road that was once an orphanage. 

Originally built as a luxury home, in 1918, it became a home for children, according to information provided by agents Michele Vold and Linda Antokal. That’s when Deerfield had a population of 610 and the arrival of the children doubled the size of the Village’s grammar school. 

Listed at $3.495 million, this dream home boasts 18 rooms including seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, nine fireplaces and a grand ballroom.

Here, take a peek inside, and see what this high-end price tag fetches in 60015.

Is your home a ‘Wow’ House? Want to nominate a spectacular, unusual or just plain cool property on the North Shore? E-mail us: steve.sadin@patch.com.

Acts of Congress are passed for a variety of reasons and for three award winning North Shore high school artists it means exposure for their creativity.

Nicole Otake of Glenbrook North High School, Cullen Casey from Lake Forest High School and Vernon Hills High School’s Kayla Guo were this year’s Congressional Art Competition winners from the 10^th District.

Earlier: Lake Forest High School Artist’s Work To Be Displayed in Hall of Congress

The three winners along with the work of 41 other artists were on display Friday in the office of Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield) who personally handed out the awards and told the gathering of students, parents, teachers and friends how the contest became a law.

“This is an act of Congress,” Schneider said of the 1982 bill which created the contest and turned an unattractive tunnel into an art gallery. “Now 435 pieces of art will be seen by (members of Congress) each time we walk through the tunnel from our offices (to the Capitol).”

Otake’s “Fusion” will hang in the tunnel between one of the Congressional office buildings and the Capitol for a year, Casey’s “Tree of Life” will adorn the walls of Schneider’s Lincolnshire office and Guo’s “That Girl in That Picture Making That Face” will be on display in Schneider’s Washington office.

Watch the video of each artist standing by their work describing it to better understand the creation and the creator.

In all, students competed from Vernon Hills, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Waukegan, Gurnee, Long Grove, Wheeling, Mount Prospect and Hawthorn Woods.

Additional entrants from Lake Forest and Lake Bluff were Darby Clarke, Stephanie Coats, Genna Crofts, Grace Demet, Danlin Huang, Claire Jones, Yuanxin Song and Caroline Watts. Others from Vernon Hills were Emily Brutman, Tiffany Do, Hannah Friedman, Ann Ho and Brittany Maslov.

Joining Otake in the contest from Northbrook were Anam Chhartiwala, Bailey Lecat, Rachel Mintz and Molly Orbon. Deerfield’s participant was Klaudia Grigiel while Highland Park sent Samantha Gutheim, Anna Harris and Mackenzie Paulsen.

Glenview’s contestant was Brittany Holsman while Buffalo Grove sent Gianna Lainez, Jesse Wang and Kimberly Xu. Lindsey Kim and Jenny Ma Li joined the effort from Long Grove while Mount Prospect’s Jessica Musto and Tatiana Rosales did the same.

Waukegan had a delegation of nine including Ivan Almazo, Venessa Bueno, Banesa Donoe, Banesa Gonzalez, Cyera James, Maria Pettis, Natalie Romero, Margarita Uriostegui, and Andres Vences. Others were Alyssa Karim of Gurnee, Alan Martinez of Wheeling and Henry Sise of Hawthorn Woods.

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The Senate cleared the way this week for the passage of the Marketplace Fairness Act, which requires businesses with more than $1 million in Internet sales to pay sales taxes to the state where the buyer resides, Slate reported. 

While a 1992 Supreme Court decision allows for taxing online sales, states don’t collect online sales tax unless the buyer voluntarily sends it. 

In 2012, states collectively lost an estimated $23.3 billion in sales tax revenue due to online sales according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Huffington Post reported.

Michael Mazerov of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says the Marketplace Fairness Act would make tax collections slightly more progressive, since poorer Americans are less likely to shop online, and flatten the playing fiend between online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores, which have complained of a 5 to 10 percent price disadvantage because they’ve had to charge sales taxes, the Washington Post reported. 

Opponents of the bill say online merchants would have to face the hassle of collecting sales taxes for all of America’s estimated 9,600 state and local taxing authorities, and that the bill favors large companies that can collect taxes online more easily, squeezing out smaller online retailers, Washington Post reported. 

Tell Us: Would giving states the ability to collect online sales taxes help or hurt Highland Park businesses? Share your thoughts.