FAQ

CFL Stands for Compact Fluorescent Light bulb.  It uses 66-75% percent less energy than an incandescent bulb, lasts 6-10 times longer and can be used in an ordinary light socket.  CFL's have a very small amount of mercury inside them-less than 5 milligrams.  No mercury is released when a CFL is used normally and isn't broken.  For more questions of CFL's or to clean up broken bulbs please visit Energy Star.gov: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf

Billing questions should be directed to Southwest General Services - Toll Free 1.877.747.1431 - Press "1" for Ambulance Billing Questions. Emergency Medical Services.

Medical information by law is considered confidential.  If the person requesting the report is the patient or the parent or legal guardian of the patient, a report may be given in person provided proper documentation is submitted.  Requests are processed at Station 1 during business hours. Contact Information.

Contact the Crystal Lake Police Records Division at 815-356-3620. Accident and insurance cover sheets are available for a fee. To purchase a copy of an accident report online click here. In most other cases, you will need to file a Freedom of Information request form. For a printable copy of the FOIA request form click here. For more information please view Freedom of Information Act. (FOIA), 5 ILCS 140, is the exclusive State Statute on Freedom of Information.

The city code prohibits the open burning of any trash or other material.  Campfires and bonfires are also prohibited unless a special permit is obtained from the fire rescue department.  To aid residents, the City offers free brush pickup in the spring and leaf pickup in the fall.  Brush and leaf drop off dates are scheduled throughout the summer.  Campfire permits are issued to property owners at our admiministrative office Fire Prevention - bonfire permit.

Are you planning to construct a permanent fire pit on your property?  Visit the Engineering and Building Department site to view regulations and requirements:  Fire Pit Permit submittal Checklist - Click here: Miscellaneous

ICE stands for "In Case of Emergency".  The idea is that you store the work "I C E" in your mobile phone address book, and against it enter the number of the person you would want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency". In an emergency situation ambulance and hospital staff will then be able to quickly find out who your next of kin are and be able to contact them.  It's so simple that everyone can do it!

No.  However, citizens may contact the Crystal Lake Police Department at 815-356-3620 to make arrangements to have their child seat inspected.

Safe methods of disposal are needed for expired or unwanted medicines, these can include perscription and over-the-counter medications.  Improper disposal of medicines presents both a public safety and environmental hazard.  For futher information, go to: State of Illinois EPA - Medication Disposal

Calling before you dig is the law. The impact of unsafe or careless digging practices is real and ofen costly - in terms of personal injury and damage to underground utility lines, property and the environment. Anyone planning an outdoor project that requires any type of digging in Illinois, regardless of depth or project size, should call J.U.L.I.E before they start digging.  1-800-892-0123 or for more information, visit the website:  JULIE, Inc.

A building permit is required to install a new hot water heater and in most cases can be issued immediately. 

Please contact the Building Division at (815) 356-3605 for additional information.

Visit our Economic Development News page by clicking here.

The Brush Drop-Off Program is a service offered to residents of the City of Crystal Lake. The brush drop-off site is located at Coventry Ln. and Dartmoor Dr. at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant #2. Brush drop-off is open the first and third Saturday of each month from April through November. People showing proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or vehicle sticker may drop off brush that is six inches or less in diameter and six feet or less in length. The City also allows leaves to be dropped off at this facility. The city cannot take any materials other than brush and leaves. Please call your waste collection company if you have other materials that need disposal.

No. The City of Crystal Lake owns and maintains any tree on any parkway within the City limits. The parkway is the area of grass that is located between a City sidewalk and the roadway. The City has two (2) certified arborists who are trained in various areas of agriculture. The City is very pro-active in stopping the spread of disease or infestation among its trees, such as Dutch Elm Disease or an infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer. No vegetation or other items are allowed on the parkway without the express written consent of the City.

The City has a bi-yearly tree planting program in which over 130 trees are planted. Upon request, a City arborist will survey the existing trees on your property to determine if any new or additional foliage can be approved. Such factors that are considered include the type of soil in the area, proximity to power lines, and how many of a certain type of tree currently exist in the area. For information regarding tree planning, please contact the Street Division at (815) 356-3700 ext. 4019.

It is the City’s responsibility to trim all parkway trees. If a resident feels a parkway tree needs to be trimmed, please call the Street Division at (815) 459-2020 ext. 4019. The City is also responsible for removing dead and/or diseased trees from the parkway area. If a resident feels that a parkway tree is in need of removal please call (815) 356-3700 ext. 4019. Upon request, a city arborist will come out and look at the tree. Per the Tree Preservation Ordinance #5554, a tree cannot be removed unless it is deemed to be 75% dead.

Yes. The Street Division will pick up any deceased animals in the roadways as long as it is a City street. To report a deceased animal, please call (815) 356-3700 ext. 4019. To report a deceased animal on a state road, such as Route 176, Route 31 and Route 14 a resident should call the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) at (815) 338-4680. The city regrets that it cannot pick up deceased animals on a resident’s property.

Yes. Please call the Street Division as soon as it is discovered at (815) 356-3700 ext. 4019. If necessary, a temporary mailbox will be installed as soon as possible. Final repairs will be made in the spring, once the ground has thawed.

For information contact the Street Division Superintendent at (815) 356-3700 ext. 4019.

Information on proper ways to dispose of household hazardous waste is available from the McHenry County Defenders http://www.mcdef.org/recycling_information.htm or the McHenry County Recycling directory at http://www.mcdef.org .

The Tree Preservation Ordinance establishes tree preservation standards for development and redevelopment in the City in order to preserve mature trees as an important public resource, enhancing the City's natural character and heritage.  The Tree Preservation Ordinance was adopted in 2001 and has continually been updated as part oft he City's current ordinances.  There are properties that are exempt from the Tree Preservation Ordinance, they are:

• Single family residentially zoned parcels that are less than 3 acres in area and were subdivided prior to the July 17, 2001 ordinance adoption date;
• Commercial nurseries or orchards;
• Properties for which a landscapeing or tree preservation plan was approved, or pursuant to terms of an annexation agreement, special use permit or other agreement or ordinance (these properties are required to adhere to the approved plans or ordinances);
• Parkway trees; and
• Property owned by the Crystal Lake Park District, City of Crystal Lake, McHenry County College, School Districts 47 and 155, the McHenry County Conservation District and utility companies.

All other properties are subject to the Tree Preservation Ordinance.  Please review the requirements prior to removing trees from any property.

Fringe snow pushed back into driveways cannot be avoided, as all streets must be plowed from curb to curb to allow for proper drainage and access to mailboxes for mail delivery. We are sorry for the inconvenience.