jo daviess county code of country living - Jo Daviess County, Illinois

1 ACCESSYour ability to get to and from your property will vary. Changingconditions and lower design level roads mean that you, your guests andemergency service vehicles will not necessarily have easy access at alltimes. Please consider the following:1.1 - Don’t expect rural roads to be maintained at the same level as cityand state streets. Counties and townships have primary responsibility forroad maintenance in rural areas. Some roads may be privately owned —requiring private maintenance funding. Seldom do rural roads include theamenities found in urban settings such as: wide lanes, curb and gutter,paved shoulders, and striping. And, the cost of maintaining those roadswill come primarily from property taxes you and your neighbors pay.1.2 - Jo Daviess County’s fluctuating weather conditions can affect roads.Spring freeze/thaw cycles leave low-grade roads subject to heavy damageand can even temporarily close some roads. Vehicle weights are oftenlimited during the spring thaw period and roads can be posted formaximum weight allowances. In the summer, the hot sun can bake andsoften oil and chip road surfaces, leaving them damaged by traffic andcausing oil splatters on vehicles.1.3 - Small, narrow roads and bridge weight limits often restrict travel.Large construction vehicles cannot navigate in some areas. If you plan tobuild, it’s best to check out construction access well in advance.1.4 - Building a residence in a rural area may be more expensive and timeconsuming due to delivery fees and time required for contractors andconstruction workers to reach your building site.4

1.5 - School buses generally can reach most rural homes, though longprivate lanes or rural subdivision settings may force school children towalk to the site of pickup.1.6 - Jo Daviess County topography is subject to drifting snow that closesroads, causes delays and creates travel hazards. Depending on the degreeof drifting, it could be days before roads are cleared. Freezing rain too,creates extremely dangerous travel conditions. Few rural road jurisdictionscan afford salt to fight icy conditions.1.7 - In some areas, roadways may become flooded. Heavy rains on steepland can easily cover roads with water and debris, blocking or evendestroying them. Illinois’ abundance of rivers, creeks, streams andwaterways makes its rural areas prone to roadway flooding.1.8 - Gravel roads generate dust and dings. Some road jurisdictions treatgravel roads to suppress the dust when traffic levels reach specificvolumes, but dust is still a fact of life for many rural residents. Loosegravel on these roads regularly chips vehicle paint and at times may cracka windshield. If your homesite is located along a gravel road, know thatdust will invade your home and vehicles, and may disrupt outsideactivities.1.9 - Whatever the design of your road, don’t expect that it will beimproved in the foreseeable future. Check carefully with the roadjurisdiction if any claim is made that a gravel road will be paved, bridgesreplaced, or other improvements made.1.10 - Just because a parcel has road frontage it is not always possible tohave an entrance. Safe sight distance is sometimes hard to find with therolling hills of Jo Daviess County.1.11 - Access to and from public roads is regulated by the roadjurisdiction. If you are planning to build, be sure to check in advanceabout authorization and placement of private drives and culverts.5

1.12 - 9-1-1 emergency call-in service is available but response times ofemergency service providers will likely be longer than in the city. Undersome extreme conditions, you may find that emergency response is veryslow and expensive. At best, the distances they must travel to reach youare longer than those within the city and will require more time.1.13 - The legal aspects of access can cause problems, especially if yougain access across property belonging to others. Get legal advice andunderstand the easements that may be necessary when these questionsarise.1.14 - Mail delivery is generally available in all rural areas though timingmay suffer in some locations.1.15 - Direct, daily newspaper delivery is not always available in ruralareas. US Postal delivery of newspapers is an option but generally causesa one-day delay. Check with the newspaper of your choice beforeassuming you can get same-day delivery.1.16 - Standard parcel and overnight package delivery in the country mayvary from city standards. Check with the carrier to find what service levelcan be expected.1.17 - In rural areas, most railroad crossings are not lighted or gated.Please proceed cautiously when approaching a rural railroad crossing.1.18 - In rural areas many farm fields have access points from rural roads,and these access points are not always visible. Please be alert to farmmachinery pulling onto or off of roadways. Roadway intersections in ruralareas are not always at-grade or highly visible, so travel alertly.1.19 - Public transportation in Jo Daivess County isvery limited, so traveling will most likely be done ina privately-owned vehicle. Be cognizant of the roadconditions and time of day, while obeying trafficlaws.6

2 UTILITIESWater, sewer, electric, telephone and other utilities may be unavailable oroperate at lower than urban standards. Repairs can often take longer thanin towns and cities. Review your options before buying a rural site.2.1 - Although Jo Daviess County has a choice in cellularservice providers, cell phones may not work in all areas.2.2 - Links to Internet provider services via phone linemay require a long-distance phone connection. Not all ruralcommunities have a local Internet access provider, though many schoolsystems do offer some connection options.2.3 - Sewer service is rarely available. If it is, it may be relativelyexpensive to connect to the system and routine fees could be relativelyhigh compared to city rates.2.4 - If sewer is not available, you will need to use an approved septicsystem for wastewater treatment. The Jo Daviess County EnvironmentalHealth Department recommends that the following be done before youpurchase a piece of property.A. For vacant land, have a soil investigation completed. The type anddepth of soil you have available will be very important in determiningthe cost of your new septic system. A list of approved Soil Boringcontractors is available at the Jo Daviess County EnvironmentalHealth Department (815/777-0283).B. If purchasing an existing home, contact the Jo Daviess CountyEnvironmental Health Department (815/777-0283) and arrange for aMortgage Loan Inspection. They will evaluate the septic system forany code violations and determine if the system is sized properly.2.5 - Septic system requirements vary. Jo DaviessCounty has significant regulations stipulating thetype and size of the sewage disposal (septic) systemor sewage treatment system you must have. Fordetails on Jo Daviess County’s sewage disposalrequirements contact the Jo Daviess CountyEnvironmental Health Department (815/777-0283).7

2.6 - Locating the septic system requires careful planning. Sufficient areawill be needed for installing the septic tank and drain field a suitabledistance from the residence and water supply. Floodplains, wetlands, trees,manmade structures, and other factors may limit where the septic systemcan be placed. Also, access will be needed to the septic tank for futurecleanout operations. Septic tanks should be pumped by a licensedcontractor every 3-4 years under normal use. Location of the septic systemin relation to wells is also a major consideration.2.7 - If you have access to a supply of potable waterfrom an outside provider, the tap fee can be expensive.You may also find that your monthly cost of servicecan be more expensive when compared to municipalsystems.2.8 - If you do not have access to a supply of potablewater, you will have to locate one. The most commonmethod is the use of a private water well, but in some areas public wellwater or community water may be available. Permits for wells may berequired in areas served by a water authority, and the cost for drilling andpumping can be considerable. The quality and quantity of well water canvary significantly from location to location and from season to season. It isstrongly advised that you research this issue carefully. Contact the CountyEnvironmental Health Department (815/777-0283) for more information.2.9 - Electric service is generally available to all rural areas. However, apower company asked to serve remote areas may demand a share of theinfrastructure cost be borne by the user. It is important to determine theproximity of an electrical power supply; extending lines is expensive.2.10 - In order to get electric power or other utilities to your homesite, itmay be necessary to cross property owned by others. It is important tomake sure that the proper easements are in place or can be secured to allowlines to be installed to your own property.8

2.11 - Electrical power lines, telephone linesand pipelines may cross over, under, or nearbyyour property. Be aware of easements to theproperty and those nearby, and what they allowthe utility providers to do in the way of access,maintenance and expansion.2.12 - At least 48 hours prior to doing anydigging, call JULIE (Joint Utilities LocatingInformation for Excavators) in order to locateunderground utility lines. You can reach JULIE24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-892-0123.2.13 - Electric power may not be available in a three phase serviceconfiguration. If you have special power requirements, it is important toknow what level of service can be provided and at what cost.2.14 - In addition to a monthly charge for energy consumed, the cost ofelectric service usually includes a fee to hook into the system. Someutilities charge further for the cost of establishing service lines and poleson your property. Check to see what supplier provides power to the areathen consider all costs before making a decision to purchase property inthe country.2.15 - Power outages can occur with more frequency and last longer inrural areas than in urban settings. A loss of electric power can interruptyour supply of water from a well. You may also lose food in freezers orrefrigerators depending on the duration of the outage. Such outages cancause problems with computers and other home electronics, as well as lossof your heating source. If you live in the country, it is important to beprepared to survive for several days in severe cold without electricalpower.2.16 - Cable television service may not be available or may be costly toobtain in rural areas. If you wish to have cable television service at yourhome, check with the local cable provider.9

2.17 - Natural gas may not be available. Most municipalities have naturalgas service for whole-house heating, cooking, water heating, dryingclothes and other uses. Rural areas seldom have that service. You could,instead, rely on electric power which is often more expensive (for heatproducingappliances). The alternative is having Liquid Propane Gas orheating oil delivered by truck and stored in a tank on your property.2.18 - If relying on gas deliveries, you must be certain that your supply isadequate to get you through winter’s coldest periods when access forreplenishing supplies may be limited by weather and road conditions orother factors.2.19 - Gas appliances may need to be converted if youchoose to use Liquid Propane Gas as your energy source.When converting a gas appliance to Liquid Propane Gas,such conversion should be made by a qualified servicetechnician. Not doing so may result in a dangerous lifethreateningsituation.2.20 - Routine trash removal may not be available in all rural areas. Whereit is, it most often requires a separate fee. Trash pickup is seldom providedas a government service in rural areas and is not covered by the taxes youpay. It is illegal to create your own trash dump, even on your own land.Consider the cost for hiring trash removal as you make the decision tomove into the country. In some cases, your only option may be to haulyour trash to the Transfer Station yourself.2.21 - Recycling may be difficult in rural areas. Recycling pickup may notbe available and rural areas have few recycling centers. Jo Daviess Countydoes have a recycling station located on Highway 20 just west ofElizabeth.2.22 - Yard waste cannot be included in your trash pickup service. Youshould check with the University of Illinois Extension, Jo Daviess(815/858-2273) on possible solutions to disposal of yard waste includingcomposting.10

3 PROPERTYYour property can be impacted by a myriad of issues. Research at leastthese key ones before purchasing land.3.1 - Building a home may not be possible on all sites. The area may notbe suitable for building or may not be zoned residential. You must checkwith the County Building & Zoning Department (815/591-3810) to knowif a parcel of land may be developed.3.2 - Jo Daviess County is zoned, and a zoning (building) permit isrequired for all structures and improvements. If you buy property in JoDaviess County, it is always wise to check on the designated zoning.Your intended use of the property is not always possible. You may haveto request a zoning change through the Planning Commission. Whilezoning imposes limitations on land use, it also provides some safeguardsagainst undesirable uses of neighboring property. Check with the JoDaviess County Building & Zoning Department (815/591-3810) for moreinformation.3.3 - Jo Daviess County (each city and/or village has their own Building/Zoning requirements) has adopted the 2009 International Building Code,International Residential Code, Mechanical Code, Fuel Gas Code, andEnergy Conservation Code, as well as the National Electrical Code, andthe IL Plumbing Code and IL Accessibility Code, which means there arelocal standards for construction. When having a house or any buildingconstructed, it is the responsibility of the owner/contractor to insure that aBuilding permit is obtained from the Jo Daviess County Building &Zoning office (815/591-3810). Failing to do so may result in a fine.11

3.4 - Easements should be considered. These may require you to allowconstruction of roads, railroads, power lines, gas lines, water lines, sewerlines, etc., across your land. Utility lines may cross over, under, or nearbyyour property. Be aware of easements to the property and those parcelsnearby and what they allow the easement owner to do in the way of access,maintenance and expansion. There may be easements that are not ofrecord. Check these issues carefully.3.5 - Many property owners do not own the mineral rights under theirproperty. Owners of mineral rights generally have the ability to change thesurface characteristics in order to extract their minerals. It is veryimportant to know what minerals may be located under the land and whoowns them. Much of the rural land in Illinois can be used for mining,however, a special review by the Planning Commission is usually required.Be aware that adjacent mining uses might expand and could impact yourproperty.3.6 - You may be provided with a plat of your property, but unless the landhas been surveyed and pins placed by a licensed surveyor, you should notassume that the plat is accurate.3.7 - What appear to be boundary fences are not necessarily accuratelyplaced. Some merely approximate boundaries. A survey of the land is theonly way to confirm the exact location of your property lines. The Illinoislaw of “Adverse Possession” could actually cause you to lose some land toan adjacent owner over a period of years if property boundaries are notproperly determined and defined.3.8 - What you think of as your neighbor’s fence may cost you money.Illinois’ fence law requires that adjoining land owners share in a “justproportion” of the cost of constructing and maintaining a property linefence. That applies despite the fact that you may have no use for nor desirefor the fence.12

3.9 - Watch for areas designated as “floodplains.” Local, state and federalregulations prohibit or limit the types of structures built in floodplains. Ifallowed at all, certain - often expensive - modifications to the design maybe required. Also, government flood insurance could be required by yourmortgage lender. Permits may also be required from government agenciesand they can be costly and time-consuming to acquire.3.10 - Many subdivisions have covenants that limit the use of the property.It is important to obtain a copy of the covenants (or confirm that there arenone) and make sure that you can live with those rules. Not having acovenant doesn’t eliminate all problems, it simply means that you willlack a powerful tool that could be used to settle disputes betweenneighbors.3.11 - Homeowners’ Associations (HOA’s) in some subdivisions arerequired to take care of common elements, private roads, open space, etc.A dysfunctional homeowners’ association or poor covenants can causeproblems for you and even involve you in expensive litigation.3.12 - Dues are almost always a requirement for those residing in areasserved by an HOA. The by-laws of the HOA should tell you how theorganization operates and how dues are established.3.13 - The view from your property may change. Nearby properties willnot necessarily remain as they are indefinitely. Check with the Building &Zoning Department (815/591-3810) to find out how the properties arezoned near you, and to see what future developments may be planned.3.14 - Maintenance of others’ drainage structures could impact you. Ifthere is a ditch on your property there is a good possibility that the ownersof the ditch have the right to come onto your property to maintain it.Heavy equipment might be used leaving considerable damage. WhileIllinois law requires basic compensation, you may have to negotiatesettlement for damages.13

3.15 - Your drainage practices must conform to the Illinois Drainage Codeand Jo Daviess County regulations. Generally, land owners must acceptthe natural flow of water onto their property and discharge from theirproperty the water at its natural point and rate of flow. Contact the JoDaviess County Soil & Water Conservation District (815/858-3418) forinformation about drainage and water flow in your area. In some casesthey can provide cost-share funding to install conservation structures onyour property.3.16 - Parts of Illinois are criss-crossed with underground field drainagetile, and Jo Daviess County is no exception. If you have one running acrossyour property, there is a good possibility that the owners or users of the tilehave the right to come onto your property to maintain it. If you disturbsuch a tile - during construction or otherwise - you could be heldresponsible for damages that result to crops and property as a cause of youractions.3.17 - Your property may be situated within a water district. If so, you maybe subject to a restriction on digging or operating a well for water supplyin addition to additional property taxes.3.18 - Illinois has an Abandoned Well law requiring land owners toproperly seal abandoned wells located on their property. Contact the JoDaviess County Environmental Health Department (815/777-0283) fornames of contractors licensed to seal abandoned wells.3.19 - Your property is there for your reasonable use and enjoyment. Asyou would expect others to respect your private property, please offerother land owners the same respect and courtesy. Do not knowingly orunknowingly trespass or cause damage to others’ property.14

4 NATUREWhen the elements and earth turn unfriendly, rural residents usuallyexperience more problems than their city cousins.4.1 - Tornadoes and other severe storms are not unique to rural areas, butyou will find that few rural areas are provided with the advanced warningsystems found in many urban communities. However, heed all warningsystems when alerted and act accordingly as severe weather in Jo DaviessCounty can develop rapidly.4.2 - Illinois soils vary from deep, rich silt loam to shallow, rocky clay.Each requires special building considerations. Some may hinder theconstruction of basements due to drainage restrictions. You can learn thesoil conditions on your property if you have a soil test performed. Checkwith a qualified contractor for foundation needs which will influencebuilding design.4.3 - Although some areas can be very alluring for homesites, the wind inJo Daviess County can be vicious at times. Situate and plan your homesiteaccordingly.4.4 - The lay of the land can tell you where the water will flow. However,runoff from the rolling hills of Jo Daviess County is often difficult topredict. “Sheet” drainage over flat land may cause stormwater to spreadover wide areas. The lack of significant slope also makes flat areas slow todrain. Property owners who want to fill in low areas may first be requiredto obtain proper local, state and federal permits and provide wetlandmitigation.15

4.4 Continued - Stormwater run-off canhave disastrous effects on your property.Jo Daviess County land owners pridethemselves in being good stewards of theland. In many cases you may find thatinstalling conservation structures on yourproperty will reduce negative effects fromstormwater run-off and reduce non-pointsource pollution of Jo Daviess County’swaterways. Protecting the natural beautyand natural resources of Jo Daviess County is the responsibility of all landowners. You also should consider soil types when locating a well and/orseptic system. Most of Jo Daviess County’s potable water is supplied byunderground aquifers known collectively as groundwater. Care should begiven when locating your well and/or septic in order to reduce potentialpollution of the groundwater in your area.4.5 - Flash flooding can occur during the heavy rains of the spring orsummer months, turning dry low-lying areas into lakes. Take this intoconsideration before planning your building site.4.6 - Spring run-off can cause a small creek to become a fast-flowing river.Local governments are not obligated to provide sand bags, equipment, orpeople to protect private property from flooding. Visit with your newneighbors to ascertain the flood vulnerability and history of your property.Jo Daviess County is blessed with a wide variety of landsincluding its waterways and forests, and the critters thatinhabit here. Numerous outdoor recreation activities areavailable here including hunting, fishing, hiking, boating,bird-watching, canoeing, biking and sightseeing. Enjoyyourself in Jo Daviess County’s wonder, but be a goodsteward and respect thethings that our area has tooffer.16

4.7 - Wild animals can make wonderful neighbors.However, even the most attractive of such animals cancause serious problems. Rural development encroaches onthe traditional habitat of coyotes, deer, ticks, mosquitoes,and other animals that can be dangerous and you need toknow how to deal with them. In general, it is best to enjoywildlife at a distance. But, if you don’t handle your pets and trashproperly, it could cause problems for you and the wildlife. Remember,they were here before us.4.8 - Jo Daviess County has an ordinance that requires all canines to berabies vaccinated and registered with the County Animal ControlDepartment.4.9 - Wild animals can cause serious damage to livestock, vegetation andvehicles. Waterfowl can be particularly damaging to vegetation alongflyways. Deer are ubiquitous in Illinois. They damage vegetation and canbolt across a road unexpectedly causing traffic accidents. Coyote can beserious threats to livestock, and particularly pets. Raccoon have little fearof human surroundings and are insistent visitors to anything thatresembles food - no matter how close to your home. Snakes, opossum,field mice, groundhogs, turkeys and skunks are some of the otherinhabitants of rural Jo Daviess County.4.10 - It is recommended that any trash you store outside be left in acovered container to deter unwanted wildlife visitors from causingproblems.4.11 - Jo Daviess County is blessed with an abundance of flora, fauna andwildlife along with many recreational opportunities for everyone. Whileyou are encouraged to partake in and enjoy the wondrous area around you,please respect the rights of private property owners at all times, andrespect the rights of others partaking in the beautiful surroundings of JoDaviess County. Enjoy!17

5 AGRICULTUREJo Daviess County has a considerable amount of productive farmland. Itsrich soils and abundant rainfall are unique to the Midwest making this avital agricultural region. Jo Daviess County farmers make their livingfrom the land, making their good stewardship of the land an integral partof their livelihood. Owning rural land means learning how to care for it. Italso means your neighbors may be farmers, so there are some things youneed to know about Jo Daviess County agriculture.5.1 - Agriculture is an integral part of Jo Daviess County. If you choose tolive in the country, you choose to live among farms of our ruralcountryside. Do not expect government to intervene in the normal day-todayoperations of your agri-business neighbors. In fact, Illinois has a“Right to Farm” law that protects established farmers using goodmanagement practices from nuisance and liable suits. It helps enable themto continue producing food and fiber for the nation and the world.5.2 - Having a rural residence means you are part of farm country. Farmerssometimes work around the clock, especially during planting (spring) andharvest (fall) seasons. Often that work involves the use of large farmimplements and equipment. Your daytime and night-time peace and quietmay be disturbed by common agricultural practices.5.3 - Tillage, harvesting, haying, livestockproduction and other operations can resultin dust, especially during windy and/or dryweather. Be aware when farmers areworking in the area.18

5.4 - Some farmers occasionally burn their ditches to keep them clean ofdebris, weeds and other obstructions. This burning may create smoke thatyou could find objectionable.5.5 - Crop production and protection products (fertilizers & pesticides) areused in growing abundant and healthy crops. You may be sensitive tothese substances. In some situations, these products are applied by lowflyingplanes. Product labels and government regulations dictateapplication rates and procedures for using these products. If someone inyour family is particularly sensitive, ask the farmer to let you know inadvance when they will be applying these products, then plan accordingly.Also be cognizant of your property line that abuts a farm field. Sometimesdrifting of crop protection products can occur and could damagelandscape, shrubs or garden on your property planted close to the propertyline.5.6 - Animals and their manure can cause objectionableodors. Farmers use best management practices to limitodor and follow government guidelines duringapplication of manure to minimize its impact. Still, theuninitiated nose may find it disagreeable. Check carefully beforebuying a rural home or homesite to be sure it is located a reasonabledistance from livestock operations. Keep in mind prevailing winds.5.7 - Before buying land you should know if it has noxious weeds that youwill be required to control. Illinois’ “Noxious Weed Law” requires theland owner to control or eradicate certain weeds on their property.5.8 - The “Illinois Fence Law” governs adjoining landowners andrequires responsibility of each in maintaining their fence. If you locate inan area where livestock are pastured, be aware of the condition of fencespresent and work with the adjoining landowner to determine the methodand payment for mending or replacing fences.5.9 - Farm equipment may slow travel on rural roads. These large, slowmovingpieces of machinery usually can generate top speeds of only 15 to20 miles per hour. Watch for the triangular slow moving vehicle emblem -that’s your sign to slow down. And be patient - they will let you pass assoon as it is safe for them to pull over without encountering shoulderobstructions.19

6 GOVERNMENTIllinois has more than 6,600 units of local government - far more than anyother state in the nation. In rural areas, your home may be in a dozen ormore taxing districts, each one providing some service and taxing yourproperty to fund it. That fact generates a number of things you shouldconsider.6.1 - Illinois is a high property tax state, in part due to its reliance on localgovernment. Local government relies heavily on the property tax for itsrevenue, especially where sales taxes and other revenue sources are notavailable to special purpose government units. That means rural propertyowners can often incur a large share of the cost in providing localgovernment services, especially in the less-densely populated areas.6.2 - Illinois counties most often encompass dozens of local governmentalunits. It is sometimes difficult to know which unit to turn to for a particularservice to address a specific problem. Unlike urban areas in which the cityis the primary provider of almost all services, in rural areas, differentservices may each be provided by a separate unit of government.Exercising your civic duty to keep an eye on all those units can be adaunting task.6.3 - Few rural governmental units have the financial wherewithal of theirurban counterparts. Generally, fewer services can be offered and the levelof service may be less than found in cities.6.4 - Taxing districts in Jo Daviess County include, but are not limited to:schools - all levels, county, townships, parks, cities & villages, fireprotection, and libraries.20

7 NEIGHBORSJo Daviess County’s rural residents are generally very friendly and open.Neighborliness is practiced and expected in return. They do ask, however,that privacy and private property rights be respected.7.1 - Get to know your new neighbors. Don’t wait - meet those folksliving near your new home or residence as soon as you decide to buy orbuild in the country, or even before. Knowing your neighbors and lettingthem get to know you will speed your acceptance as a new arrival in theneighborhood and boost your own comfort level.7.2 - Learn to wave to your neighbors - it’s the country thing to do.Whether you meet them on the road or driving by their home, be sure togive a friendly wave. You will come to recognize and appreciate eachneighbor’s individual style.7.3 - Keep your property neat. The vast majority of farmers and ruralresidents take pride in keeping their homesites presentable. Be a goodneighbor and do your share.7.4 - Become a part of the neighborhood - don’t merely keep a house inthe country while spending your time and money in some distant urban orcommercial center. Get involved in local community events andorganizations, and patronize the local businesses.21

8 INFORMATIONWhere do you turn for more information about the considerations noted inthis booklet? Here are some very general suggestions. Of course, resourceswill differ by locale so you may need to do a little research on your own.JO DAVIESS COUNTY GOVERNMENT OFFICESCounty Administrator - 815/777-6557Animal Control - 815/591-2625Building & Zoning - 815/591-3810Circuit Clerk - 815/777-0037County Clerk - 815/777-0161Convention & Visitors Bureau - 815/777-3557Driver Services Facility – 815/777-2676Environmental Health - 815/777-0283Geographical Information Service - 815/776-9297Health Department - 815/777-0263Highway Department (County Engineer) -815/591-2337Housing Authority –815/777-0782Recorder - 815/777-9694Sheriff - 815/777-2141 EMERGENCY CALLS - 911Treasurer - 815/777-035522

GOVERNMENT & NON-GOVERNMENT SERVICE AGENCIESSoil & Water Conservation District - 815/858-3418 Ext. 3Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau - 815/858-2235Jo Daviess County Extension Office - 815/858-2273UTILITIESAlliant Energy - 1-800-255-4268Jo-Carroll Electric - 1-800-858-5522ComEd - 1-800-334-7661Nicor Gas - 1-888-642-6748Verizon - 1-800-483-4000AT&T - 1-800-222-0300SPRINT - 1-877-877-8748JULIE - 1-800-892-0123Media Com - 1-888-847-6228JCWIFI – 1-866-620-3725SandPrairie - 1-877-571-9851You Squared –1-563-557-8442Contact Information for the Following can be located through either theJo Daviess County Reference and Yearbook or Area Phone BooksTownship Highway CommissionersLocal Chambers of CommerceLocal PostmasterFuel ContractorsRefuse/Waste HaulersBuilding ContractorsRealtors23