After an extensive review process by both the Regional Planning Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Dimucci property application is now before the Lake County Board. The application was reviewed by the Planning, Building and Zoning Committee on September 25. The Committee recommended approval of the application subject to extensive conditions that reduce the project's size and scale, introduce more compatibility controls, and reduce the project's environmental impact. The application now proceeds to the County Board for final action on October 9. 

• Date: Tuesday, October 9
• Time: 9 a.m.
• Location: 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, 10th Floor

If you can't make it to the meeting, you can watch it live from your computer. 

For more information about the project, visit the Lake County Planning, Building and Development Department.

Registered voters in Lake County may now preview their official ballot at LakeVoterPower.info using the "What is on My Ballot?" link. Simply supply your registration name, house number, ZIP code and date of birth to view the correct ballot for your address. Sample ballots may be printed, marked with the voter's choices and taken into the polls for reference when voting. 

Visit LakeCountyClerk.info for more information about County Clerk services and current election news.

Voting early in-person is now shortened to two weeks and begins 15 days prior to Election Day. Any registered voter in Lake County may choose to vote early and is required to present valid government-issued identification containing their photograph. Each voter has a convenient local early voting site that is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Early voting ends the Saturday prior to Election Day.

To locate your early voting site, visit LakeVoterPower.info or call 847.377.2410.

Recycle First, Trash Last

With more and more things rightfully belonging in your recycling cart, you may have to come up with creative uses for your trashcan. See for yourself: recycle first and trash last what's left. Start by learning what's on the ever-expanding list of what's recyclable here in Lake County.

Read more about the new SWALCO campaign at RecycleFirstTrashlast.org.

Watch a video about the Recycle First, Trash Last kickoff event.

Occupying more than 1,600 acres and churning out nearly 4 million trained recruits over the last 101 years, Naval Station Great Lakes is a massive presence in Lake County. But even people who live alongside the naval base have misconceptions about what goes on there.

The base's mission is training, but few people know that it functions much like a city. The base pulls its own water from Lake Michigan and produces steam for heating. It has its own fire and police departments to serve the 15,000-20,000 people living and working there each day. And the base's public works department can do everything from fixing a broken pipe to renovating a building.

With college facilities, restaurants and football fields on the premises, Naval Station Great Lakes is a city of its own. But sailors and staff also venture beyond the base's gates and contribute to the local economy and volunteer in the surrounding communities.

Watch a video about Naval Station Great Lakes' day-to-day operations.

The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County is offering tips to help make your Halloween environmentally friendly. Among SWALCO's recommendations are recycling your pumpkin into a Thanksgiving decoration (and then composting it), making Halloween crafts from recycled items, such as egg crates, and holding a parade of recycled costumes in your neighborhood.

Read the Putting the Green in Your Halloween booklet for more ways to keep the environment in mind during your Halloween celebrations.

Breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer among women of all ethnicities. With National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center maintains that now is an opportune time for women to consider how their choices may be putting them more at risk of breast cancer. Nationally, the number of diagnoses each year exceeds 200,000, and in Lake County, on average, 596 women a year are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, based on the most recent report from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

While family history has a role in a woman's susceptibility, there are also nutritional choices women can make to decrease the risk of breast cancer. Additionally, regular exercise will help manage body weight and elevated levels of estrogen, a hormone that may be involved in development of breast cancer. Read the full press release for tips on reducing your risk.

Watch Lake County's Focus on Fitness series for tips to increase your physical activity.

Pertussis Cases Surpass Last Year's Total 

The Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center reports that the number of pertussis cases in Lake County thus far this year (178) have already surpassed last year's total for the full year (175). This is the highest number of cases reported since 1959. The Health Department is encouraging adolescents and adults to receive the Tdap booster for additional protection against this illness.

"To address this outbreak, everyone 11 years of age and older should receive the Tdap booster," said Irene Pierce, the Health Department's Executive Director.  "While this illness was on the decline just a few years ago, it is now a major reportable disease in Lake County. And not only Lake County is affected. Illinois currently has the fifth highest number of pertussis cases nationwide."

Read the full press release, or read more about pertussis.

Forest Preserves Update

Barrelhouse Chuck

Attention lovers of the blues. Start your weekend early on Thursday, October 11, when Barrelhouse Chuck performs from 7 to 9 pm at the Greenbelt Cultural Center 1215 Green Bay Rd., North Chicago. This intimate performance, with a cash bar, features Chicago blues legend "Barrelhouse" Chuck Goering of 

Libertyville, sharing songs and  stories learned on the trail of blues he traveled from the southern states toChicago's south side. He will be accompanied by fellow blues artist Billy Flynn. The concert is open only to ages 17 and older. Concertgoers 21 and older with proper identification may purchase alcohol. Tickets, ($7 resident/$9 nonresident) available at the door, online or by calling 847.968.3477.  

Indoor Boat Storage

Protect your boat this winter in a secure, indoor storage building at the Marina at the Fox River Forest Preserve. We can hoist your boat out and pack it away. Resident rates are $21 per foot for boats with a trailer. Personal watercraft storage is a flat rate of $250. Storage runs October 13 through April 28. For details, call the Marina at 847.381.0669.

Families Exploring

Spend quality time as a family connecting to nature after hours. Join a Lake County Forest Preserve Environmental Educator on October 17 at Independence Grove in Libertyville for a guided hands-on learning experience as you use your senses to explore the preserve after sunset. $6 adult, $1 child resident/$8 adult, $2 child nonresident. Info and registration.

Halloween Hikes

Take a one-hour guided group hike along a candlelit path to watch several nature-themed performances at Ryerson Woods in Deerfield, October 26-27. Finish off at a cozy cabin fireplace with cider and a fresh doughnut. The skits are not scary, so even your littlest will enjoy this family favorite. $7 resident/$9 nonresident. Info and registration. 

Trick or Treat Trails

Bring the family to the Greenbelt Cultural Center and trick or treat along our interactive haunted trails on October 28. The event is free and open to all ages. There will be a costume contest with prizes, mask making, games, nature activities, and refreshments. Join us for a fun-filled and safe Halloween! Free. More info.

Rainbow Trout Season

Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda will open for rainbow trout fishing on October 20, following trout stocking in Banana Lake. Most of the trout range in size from three-quarters to one pound. Trout stocking is a biannual fall and spring event at the 3.2-acre Banana Lake. Daily creel limit is five. 

Fishing in the Lake County Forest Preserves is free. Anglers ages 16 and over must have an Illinois fishing license. Trout fishermen must also have an Illinois inland trout stamp. Download a free guide to fishing in the Lake County Forest Preserves or call 847.367.6640 to request a copy. More information about fishing in Illinois.