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9-1-1 Center

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1. When should I call the non-emergency number?

The non-emergency number can be used for many reasons, but should mainly be called for inquiries. The 9-1-1 center non-emergency phone number is (847) 587-3100.

If you feel you are in danger, someone is injured or you see suspicious activity please call 9-1-1 immediately.

2. Why do 9-1-1 operators ask so many questions?

Our goal is your safety and the safety of the responders. To achieve this goal we need to have a clear picture of what is occurring. We start off every call with the basic questions:

• Where is the incident taking place


• What is the problem - tell me exactly what happened


• What is the phone number you are calling from

Based on the incident type it is likely that more questions will be asked. Please be patient, as safety for all parties involved is our goal.

3. When I call 9-1-1 on my cell I am not always connected to the right community. Why is that?

When calling 9-1-1 on your cellular phone your call is received by a cellular tower. The call will be sent to the 9-1-1 center that specific tower location is pointing at. If the tower is busy the call with be picked up by one of the non-busy towers. This is done to ensure that your call is being answered. A 9-1-1 operator will ask your location and if a transfer is needed they will do so quickly.

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Administration Division

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1. What are your hours of operation?

The Village of Fox Lake is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

2. Who does our garbage service?

Waste Management is our contract Waste Hauler Company. If you have any questions, regarding the garbage service, including problems with the service, schedule a special pick up, or you would like to know what day your garbage will be picked up you can contact them directly at 800-796-9696.

3. Can I get a Handicap parking placard ?

No the Village is not an authorized agency. You can contact Grant Township at 847-740-2233 or Antioch Township at 847-935-3378 for assistance.

4. When are the Village Board Meetings?

The Village Board Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month. The meetings start at 6:30 pm in the Council Chamber at the Village Hall.

5. Where can I register to vote?

Voter’s registration can be done in-person at the Village Hall, Township Offices but is coordinated by the Lake County Clerk’s Office, and they can be reached at 847-377-2410. If you are registering at the Village Hall please bring one photo ID and one ID with your current address and the Deputy Clerk will register you for voter registration.

6. How do I file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request?

The FOIA forms are online as well as in the lobby at the Village Hall. Once you have filled out the form request they are submitted it to the Deputy Clerk, FOIA Officer at the Village Hall.

7. How many animals are allowed per household?

The Village ordinance states two (2) dogs per household over the age of two (2) months. There is not a restriction for other animals.

8. Do I need a dog license?

Yes. You can purchase one through the Village Hall for $5.00. The village tags are valid from July 1 of the current year to June 30 the following year. Any dog over the age of 4 months needs to have the rabies tag number in order for us to issue the dog tag.

9. Can I have a garage sale?

Yes. You are allowed two (2) garage sales per calendar year. They can be held up to three (3) consecutive days.

10. Is a permit required for a garage sale?

Yes. You can request a garage sale permit at the Village Hall. The cost is $5.00 for each sale. There are no “Rain Dates” due to weather.

11. Do I need a vehicle sticker?

Yes, the Village of Fox Lake requires every owner or operator of a motor vehicle (cars, trucks, motorcycles, and RV’s) who resides within the Village or whose motor vehicle is based within the Village must obtain a Fox Lake Village sticker. New residents must purchase a vehicle sticker within 30 days of moving into the Village. Replacement stickers are available for $1.00. Proof of original purchase must be presented. All vehicles, truck, motorcycle and RV licenses purchased after June 30 is assessed a late fee equal to the cost of the sticker purchase.

12. Where do I park to ride the train?

We currently have four parking lots for Fox Lake and one for Ingleside. The lots are located at 23 South St, the corner of Oak St. and Nippersink Blvd, along the tracks on Nippersink Blvd and across E Grand Ave on Nippersink. Ingleside has only the parking at the train depot.

13. How much is it to park at the train station?

Daily paid parking is $1.50 a day. We do offer monthly and quarterly parking passes for $27.00 and $81.00 respectively. Applications are available online as well as at the Village Hall.

14. Do I need a Business license in Fox Lake?

In a business or commercial location you will need a Business license. Currently the Village does not license a home business, there is a process in place for approval of home businesses through the Plan Commission. Applications are available at the Village Hall. The business packet contains the application letter, business security form, application and the business registration form. The business registration form needs to be completed and approved by the Building Commissioner for verification the zoning is appropriate for the business. Upon approval the Administration Office will accept the business application for processing.

15. Do I need a license for a Taxi company?

Yes, a license is required and approvals are required by the Fox Lake Police Department.

16. Where can I acquire a Tag Day license?

Contact the Clerk’s office for the application. In addition to the application a Hold Harmless Agreement and a Certificate of Insurance is required. We DO NOT issue Tag Day licenses for the following intersections: Route 12 & Route 134 and Route 173 & Wilmot Rd.

17. Where can I obtain a Liquor license?

Liquor license packets are available at the Village Hall. The information letter will provide all the information needed to comply with the application process. We currently have licenses available. The following are the different types of licenses we have in Fox Lake:
Class A-1 Hotel
Class A-2 Restaurants
Class A-3 Bowling Alleys
Class A-4 Taverns
Class A-5 Package Stores
Class A-6 Clubs
If you have any questions, please contact the Clerk’s office at 847-587-2151.

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Building Department

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1. How can I obtain a building permit?

Miscellaneous building permits can be obtained from our guides, applications and forms page. For new construction or additions, please obtain a building packet from the Building Department:
66 Thillen Dr.
Fox Lake, IL 60020

Please allow at least one week for permits to be processed. New construction and addition permits will have a longer processing time.

2. How long is a build permit good for?

Building permits are good for six months. Permits can be renewed for an additional six months provided that construction began within the first six months and it is renewed prior to the expiration date of the original permit. There is no charge for the first renewal.

3. How will I know when my building permit is approved?

The Building Department will contact you once the permit is approved. The permit can then be paid for and picked up.

4. What forms of payment are accepted by the Building Department?

The Village of Fox Lake accepts cash, checks, Visa or MasterCard.

5. What are the Building Department's hours of operation?

The Building Department is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

6. Where is the Building Department located?

Fox Lake Building Department
66 Thillen Dr.
Fox Lake, IL 60020

7. What is the Building Department phone number?

The Building Department direct phone number is (847) 587-3176.

8. Does the Building Department have a copy of my plat of survey?

The Building Department may have a copy of your plat of survey. Please contact our office to verify at (847) 587-3176. For new construction and addition permits a new plat of survey must be submitted with the application. The Village of Fox Lake is not responsible for permit applications submitted with an outdated plat of survey.

9. Is my property in a flood plain?

Property owners may use the following toll-free numbers to obtain information about flood mapping:

• (877) 336-2627 – Flood mapping questions


• (800) 358-9616 – Map Service Center


• (800) 358-9620 – Fax line


• (800) 427-4661 – Flood insurance questions

10. How do I file a complaint with the Building Department?

To file a complaint about a work site or property, please call the Building Department at (847) 587-3176. You may also complete a complaint form.

11. Does the Village of Fox Lake require a real estate transfer tax or inspection?

No, the Village of Fox Lake does not have a real estate transfer tax or inspection requirement.

12. What hours are construction work allowed?

Construction hours are 7:00 am to 7:00 pm daily.

13. Can a homeowner be their own general contractor?

Yes, a homeowner can act as their own general contractor and a homeowner can complete work on his or her property. No bonding requirements or certificate of insurance is needed. The homeowner assumes all liability for the project.

14. What requirements are needed for a renter to apply for a building permit?

The renter needs a handwritten and notarized approval form from the property owner to submit with the permit application. Any contractor, including the renter, must supply a $10,000 surety bond and a certificate of liability insurance naming the Village of Fox Lake as additional insured.

15. Are contractors required to be registered or licensed by the Village?

The Village of Fox Lake requires all contractors to supply a $10,000.00 surety bond and a certificate of insurance naming the Village of Fox Lake as additional insured. Some contractors may require additional information.

16. Do I need a permit for a dumpster?

No, but the dumpster must be located on private property. Dumpsters on public property or in the parkway can be cited with an ordinance violation.

17. When can I burn yard waste?

Burning of leaves and branches is allowed from April 1 to June 1 and September 1 to December 1. All burns must be located at least 30 feet from any structure.

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Parks & Recreation Department

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1. What buildings are available for rent?

Please view our facility rental page for information on available buildings and associated fees.

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Red Light Photo Enforcement

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1. What is Red Light running?

A Violation occurs when a motorists enters an intersection after the signal light has turned red. Motorists trapped inadvertently in an intersection when a signal changes to red are not red light runners.

2. Is Red Light running really a problem?

Red Light running is one of the major causes of collisions, deaths and injuries at signalized intersections in the U.S. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 20 percent of drivers do not obey intersection signals. Crashes caused by red light running results in more than 800 fatalities and 165,000 injuries each year, according to the NHTSA. The economic impact of red light running on society is estimated to be $14 billion annually. Other motorists and pedestrians account for nearly half the deaths caused by red light running crashes.

3. What are Red Light Cameras and how do they work?

Red Light cameras help communities enforce traffic laws by automatically photographing vehicles whose drivers run rd lights. A red light camera system is connected to the traffic signal and to sensors that monitor traffic flow at the crosswalk or stop line. The system continuously monitors the traffic signal 24/7, and any vehicle entering the intersection following a specified time after the signal has turned red triggers the camera itself. A second photograph typically shows the red light violator in the intersection. Cameras record the date, time of day, time elapsed since the beginning of the red signal. Tickets are sent by mail to the owners of the violating vehicles, following a review by trained police officers of the photographic evidence.

4. Isn’t Police Enforcement enough?

Officers cannot be everywhere. When Officers observe a violation, it is not always possible to safely stop the violator because the officer may have to run a red light to do so. This can endanger motorists and pedestrians as well as police officers. Communities lack the resources necessary to allow police to patrol intersections as often as would be needed to ticket motorists who run red lights. Red light cameras as designed to identify traffic law violators without depending on the presence of police officers, allowing communities to focus on other enforcement needs.

5. Isn’t it more dangerous for cars to slam on their brakes?

REDFLEX technology is designed to photograph only those vehicles entering the intersection after the light has turned red. While drivers who fear a ticket for red light running can cause a rear-end collision by applying their brakes too quickly, these types of accidents are far less dangerous than the typical right-angle collision caused by red light running.

6. Isn’t photo enforcement just an attempt by government to generate revenue?

It’s a fact that Photo enforcement deters aggressive and dangerous driving behavior. Study after study has shown significant safety benefits of automated traffic enforcement. Photo enforcement programs are completely violator funded and do not cost the law-abiding citizens anything. It is important to note, that revenues do not always equal profits. Photo enforcement systems are a costly endeavor, from the cost of the equipment, installation, and operation maintenance and program oversight. These funds go back into the operating expenses of the service, provide additional revenue for the village and often provide funding for specific safety programs.

7. How much does this cost taxpayers

REDFLEX is violator funded. REDFLEX does not charge the community to install photo enforcement technology. Instead, the company absorbs much of the upfront cost to install and implement the technology. It then works with each municipality to customize traffic safety systems to meet the needs of the community.

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Street Department

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1. When does the Street Department pick up brush and branches?

Brush pickup will begin on April 8, 2011, then every Friday until fall. The branches must be from trimming done by the homeowner, not a tree service. Please call the Street Department at 847-587-8570 to be placed on the list for pickup. Please follow the guidelines below:
All cut ends facing the street.
No limbs longer than 6 feet in length.
No limbs larger than 6" in diameter.
Stacked neatly at the curb, not piled into a messy heap.

2. How should I dispose of my used paint / electronics?

For information about disposing used paint and electronics, please contact SWALCO at (847) 336-9340.

3. Who should I contact about renting a park within the Village?

For information about renting a park, please contact Amy Serafin at (847) 587-3944.

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Water & Sewer Department

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1. How hard is Fox Lake water?

Fox Lake water comes from groundwater. The water hardness is 30 to 35 grains per gallon.

2. Who do I need to contact to have my water and sewer bill changed?

Please contact the Village's billing clerk at (847) 587-3945.

3. Who do I need to contact with questions about Sewer and Water?

Please contact (847) 587-3506, 7:00AM - 3:30PM Monday through Friday.

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Water / Sewer / Refuse Billing

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1. How often am I billed for my utility services?

Each resident is billed for Water and/or Sewer and/or Refuse every 2 months. Depending upon where in Fox Lake you live will dictate if you are billed on the 1st or the 15th.

2. What services am I being billed for?

Each resident of Fox Lake is provided with Refuse pick-up and therefore this is part of everyone’s bill. Some residents receive Water & Sewer, or just Water or just Sewer services from the Village of Fox Lake, and are therefore billed accordingly.

3. Is my bill for actual water usage, estimated or something else?

All bills are based upon an actual water usage reading. However, from time to time the Water and Sewer Department may have trouble retrieving a reading from your meter and as such an estimated reading is necessary. If that is the case, your bill will indicate that the consumption being reported is an estimate. Under these circumstances, a follow-up letter is sent to the property owner requesting an appointment to inspect the water meter.

4. When is my bill due?

Each bill is due by 3:00pm 1 month from the date that you are billed. For example, if you are billed on January 15th then your payment is due in full by February 15th..

5. How, when & where can I pay my bill?

We offer many modes of making payment to your account. We accept cash, check, Visa, Master Card, Money Order, Certified Check or Cashiers Check.
-Pay through the mail to: Village of Fox Lake 66 Thillen Drive, Fox Lake, IL 60020
-Pay online through this website.
-Pay in person Monday – Friday, 8:00am until 5:00pm at the Village Hall.
-Pay 24 hours a day/7 days a week using our Night Drop Box, located in front of the Village Hall.
-Sign up for Direct Debit and we can automatically debit your checking account on the exact due date that your account is due. Please request the Direct Debit paperwork to get signed up.

6. How do I sign up for automatic Direct Debit payment?

-You can request the paperwork to sign up for Direct Debit by marking the box on your billing stub when you make your utility payment. Then return it back to the Village Hall.
-You can call and request the paperwork and we will mail the form to you. After completing the form, return it to the Village Hall.
-Stop by the Village Hall, pick it up, complete it, and return it right there.

7. What do I do if I have to change my billing information?

Please provide all change of address in writing. You can notate the payment stub when you make payment to your account. You can also fax your request to 847.587.2237, or mail it to Village of Fox Lake, 66 Thillen Drive, Fox Lake, IL 60020.

8. What do I do if I am selling or buying a home in Fox Lake?

You can have your realtor or attorney contact us directly at 847.587.3945 and we will provide them with all the information that they will need to process a closing in Fox Lake. At the same time, they can provide us with the change information that we will need. Likewise, they may fax their request to 847.587.2237; at which time we will also need the names of the buyer and the seller, the date of the closing, and their telephone and fax number that we can use to exchange all information.

9. What do I do if I am renting out my home?

We can only bill the owners of the property. However, renters can still make payments to the Utility account and sign-up for Direct Debit as well.

10. What do I do if my bill seems too high?

If your bill seems too high, please first check for running water, leaks, or dripping faucets. A leak of only 1/8 inch can produce a daily loss of 2,800+ gallons of water. If it doesn’t appear as if there is a reason for the high water usage, then please contact the Utility Billing Department immediately at 847.587.3945.

11. Why am I billed for sewer service from Lakes Region Sanitary District and water service from Fox Lake?

Some of our residents only receive water service from the Village of Fox Lake, however due to location within the Village, sewer service is provided by Lakes Region.

12. Why am I billed for water service from Volo and sewer service from Fox Lake?

Residents from the Village of Volo do not have a sewage treatment plant and therefore have contracted with the Village of Fox Lake to receive sewer service.

13. How do I get a duplicate copy of my bill?

You may call or stop by the Village Hall to request a copy of a particular bill.

14. Who do I contact if my garbage or recycling isn’t picked up?

Refuse and recycling pick-up service is provided by Waste Management. You may reach Waste Management at 800.796.9696.

15. What happens if I do not make my payment by the due date?

If your payment is not received in our office by the due date, then a 10% penalty is added to the balance. If the payment continues to remain unpaid, then a hearing occurs and an additional $50.00 fee is added to the account balance. If the account remains delinquent, then the Water and/or Sewer service may be discontinued and a disconnection fee of at least $200 may be added to the balance as well as other associated fees.

16. How may I contact the Utility Billing Department?

We are located at the Village Hall at 66 Thillen Drive, Fox Lake.
Telephone: 847.587.3945
Fax: 847.587.2237
Email: utilitybilling@foxlake.org