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District 21 News
from Ann Maine
Lake County Board Member and
President of the Lake County
Forest Preserves Board
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I encourage you to forward this e-mail to others who may be interested in Lake County news. Persons who wish to automatically receive these free updates should send their email address to me at
or click "join our mailing list" above.
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Be sure to find out the latest of what is happening in your community.
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Dear Neighbor,
At last spring has arrived! As you know, warm weather and flowers bring... construction projects. In addition to the regularly planned projects that are part of our 5 year plan, we know that there are a lot of pot holes that need fixing. We're getting to them as soon as possible. As part of our quality control efforts, we assess the conditions of each county road every 4 years. Learn more about the various road projects and how to report a pothole.
As I mentioned last month, both the County and Forest Preserve continue to look for ways to save money. At the April Board meeting, the County authorized an outside contract for lawn care and landscape services at over 80 Lake County sites. This represents a savings of $23,000 a year.
Did you know that almost 85% of clothing and textiles end up in landfills? Now you can do something about this. Read about the new SWALCO program described below.
The proposed Forest Preserve Budget is available. The proposed operating budget is about $2.9 million less (about 8.7%) than in 2008/2009. Were you, your children or grandchildren one of the 1000s of kids who had summer fun at the "Y" Camp Hastings? The site was bought more than 10 years ago by the forest preserve, the cabins torn down and the site developed for family fun. It is now officially open. Learn more below--it's a great spot for a family afternoon. Be sure to swing by the Forest Preserve's Annual Plant sale this weekend at Independence Grove.
One danger of spring, is the increased risk of Lyme Disease. The cold winter did not decrease the risk of this tick borne disease, possibly because last year was a bumper crop for acorns, which leads to an increase in rodents. Protect yourself and learn more about lyme disease.
Please feel free to contact me about these or any other issues. As always, I am happy to meet with your homeowners, scout, church or other group.
Sincerely,
Ann
Ann B. Maine
President, Lake County Forest Preserve Dist.
County Board District 21
847-857-1732
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| Spring is Blooming in Lake County | |
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| Frequently Asked Tax Bill Questions |
Property owners receive a tax bill every year at the beginning of May.  In this video, staff from the Treasurer's Office answers the 5 most frequently asked questions. Learn more about the process, property tax relief, payment options, and more. |
| Annual Rain Barrel, Compost Bin and Native Plant Sale: May 10 & 11 |
 Shop for plants (native flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees) that thrive in local garden conditions and provide habitat for native wildlife. On Saturday, purchase a rain barrel to collect rain water for your garden, and a Compost Bin to help turn unwanted food scraps into fertile soil. See Flyer
Independence Grove Forest Preserve, North Bay Pavilion
16400 W. Buckley Rd. (Rt. 137, east of Rte. 21), Libertyville
(Rain barrels and compost bins will only be available on Saturday, while supplies last)
Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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| Automated Meter Reading Program |
 Lake County Public Works is currently involved in a two year program to replace about 20,600 water meters with new automated meters for our customers. The new meters will replace older, out of date units with new technology that will identify high water usage and potential leaks. New software will also provide customers on-line access to usage information. We have completed approximately 4,300 installations to date, and some areas in our district are next in line. Watch for a letter from Lake County Public Works in April, and then a postcard from PMI, the company installing the new meters, at the beginning of May. Learn More |
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ForFest Pr
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Forest Fitness
Enjoy the outdoors during a fast-paced adult group fitness hike and experience one hour of heart-pumping exercise in a friendly group atmosphere at a different preserve every week. Forest Fitness Hikes
 Forest Preserves' Magazine "Horizons" Available Online
This spring, there are plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy the local wildlife of the area. Have you ever gone birding before? In the spring issue of Horizons, learn about bird watching in Lake County, other local wildlife, upcoming events, programs and more. Horizons Online
Volunteers Help Local Preserves
Watch a video about how local Forest Preserve employees and volunteers help the environment by harvesting seeds of local plants and trees.
Full Calendar of Events
 The 51st Annual Des Plaines Canoe Marathon
Even if you aren't canoeing, it's always fun to watch the canoes at this rite of spring. Cheer them on as they paddle the mighty Des Plaines. The first canoes launch at 8 am Sunday May 18.
Reminder: Summer Camps are Filling Up! Register Now!
Enjoy adventures in nature, art, fishing, history, and much more. Registration for summer camps is open and classes are filling up! More info
 Independence Grove 2014 Beach Passes on Sale For the first time, unlimited passes to the beach at Independence Grove Forest Preserve are being offered. The pass allows holders unlimited use of the 400-foot sand beach that runs along the south bay of Independence Grove's 115-acre lake. More Info
Hastings Lake Preserve is Open!
Celebrate nature at the newly opened Hasting Lake Forest Preserve. Explore the woodlands, waters and open spaces to look for what is springing up!
 Almond Marsh Heron Rookery Open Hours
Welcome herons and cormorants back to Lake County at Almond Marsh Forest Preserve in Grayslake. Almond Marsh is open Saturdays, April-June, 8 am - noon (except Memorial Day weekend) for observation.
 "100-year Vision for Lake County"
The Forest Preserve District envisions that 100 years from now Lake County will be a healthy and resilient landscape with restored and preserved natural lands, waters and cultural assets. Residents will take great pride in how Forest Preserves make their communities more livable and the local economy more dynamic. More There is even more!
Join Twitter to get news, event announcements and fun photos.
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 Do You Know about Your Transit Options? Most people are familiar with Pace bus and its fixed routes, but do you know about paratransit? There are more than 50 known paratransit services across the county primarily serving seniors and people with disabilities. PACE provides ADA paratransit and Dial-a-Ride and there's other services provided by townships and senior centers. Learn more about paratransit in this video, and visit our website to find information about all transit options.
O'Plaine Road
This resurfacing project runs from Rt. 137 to Washington Street. Importantly it includes the creation of bike friendly shoulders! You can keep track of this project at O'Plaine.
Other projects in or around District 21 include a summer resurfacing of Riverwoods Rd between Rt. 60 and Rt. 22. We came to an easement agreement with the College of Lake County so we can construct a multi-use path along the south side of Washington Street from Atkinson Rd. to Lancer Lane.
For a complete look at this year's projects look at our construction page and you can "click" on a site and get an update on the project. |
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Health Department News
|  Healthy Lake County
Do you know how may drinks per day are considered too many for men and women? Learn more in this video that features the Health Department's Addictions Treatment Program. Viewers will also learn about the next low-cost pet vaccination clinic and in what ways people can still enroll in health insurance through Enroll Lake County! It takes just a few minutes to watch.
Lake County among Healthier Counties in Illinois A public health report card that grades the health of America's counties has ranked Lake County among the healthier counties in Illinois. The report card, developed by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, ranked Lake County thirteenth of the 102 Illinois counties on health outcomes measured by length of life and quality of life. Lake County was ranked seventh on health factors measured by health behaviors, clinical care, socio/economic factors and physical environment.
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 Independent and New Political Party Candidates
Courtesy petition packets for independent and new political party candidates seeking a county office in the November election will be available online at LakeCandidatePower.info under Petition Filing Information until June 23, the last day to circulate and file. Candidates may also obtain copies of the petition packets by visiting the County Clerk's office, 18 N. County Street, Waukegan during weekday hours of 8:30 am to 5 p.m.
Offices to be elected in the fall include County Clerk; Sheriff; Treasurer; Regional Superintendent of Schools; County Board Member Districts 3, 6, 8, 9, 10,17 and 19; and North Shore Sanitary Trustee Districts 3 and 5.
Lake County candidates file their petition packets at the Clerk's office from June 16 to 23, 2014. As always, it's recommended for candidates to seek competent legal counsel when completing petition packets.
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Lake County Announces 2014 Construction Program
2014 will again be another extremely busy construction season. The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) will continue with its multiple projects already underway and start a number of new reconstruction and widening projects, intersection improvements, resurfacing projects, and several pedestrian/bike path projects this year. Learn More
Check out the newly expanded mapping application on the LCDOT website for a complete list of Lake County planned projects for 2014. Use the map to find the project you are interested in, click on the project and see the latest information and important updates.
Washington Street Closed for Four Months
The Lake County Division of Transportation recently closed Washington Street to through traffic from Cedar Lake Rd., to Hainesville Rd., for a four month project. The closure is necessary as part of the Washington St. reconstruction and widening project. In the fall of 2013, Washington St. was reconstructed from Cedar Lake Rd. to Linden Drive. The upcoming closure is to complete the reconstruction from Linden Drive to west of Hainesville Rd.
Detour Route: Cedar Lake Rd., to IL Route 134 to IL Route 120 to Hainesville Rd.
For additional information regarding this project please visit washingtonstreetinfo.com.
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Environmental News
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 SWALCO Household Chemical Waste Mobile Events of the 2014 season
For more information and a list of what is accepted see flyer for the event, and visit Swalco.org.
New Clothing and Textile Recycling Program
How many times have you looked at an old piece of clothing that was too worn out to donate? Now you can recycle it. To reduce textile and clothing waste SWALCO has launched a new recycling program. Bring your clothing, textiles and fabrics to a drop off location to be recycled. For more information, contact Merleanne Rampale at 847.336.9340 and see their website.
 10 Years of Reuse-A-Shoe!
Celebrate 10 years of Reuse-A-Shoe by turning unwanted shoes into sports courts, playgrounds and other products and prevent tons of reusable shoes from ending up in our landfills. Sign up your school, scout group, church, library, corporate workplace or other organization and compete to win an eco-friendly prize! Email mrampale@swalco.org for more information and to register.
There are a number of opportunities for electronic recycling, including many that are year round. |
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Job Center News and Events
| Watch County Update: Find out about Resources for Job Seekers, Youth, and Local Employers  The Lake County Workforce Development Department operates the Job Centers of Lake County and offers a variety of resources, programs, and services for job seekers, youth, and local employers. Watch this episode of County Update to learn more.
The Lake County Job Center provides a variety of services for job seekers, including: career counseling, education and job-training guidance, financial aid for education and training, personalized career plans, unemployment insurance services, America's Job Bank, and other Internet job listings, and referrals to partner organizations.
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Community Happenings
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For upcoming community events around Lake County, go to Visit Lake County's website and check their calendar of events for happenings near you!
For more information local areas, visit these community websites:
Bannockburn, Deerfield, Grayslake, Green Oaks, Gurnee, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Mettawa, Riverwoods, Waukegan
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Copyright � 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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