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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,
Nothing says summer like farmers' markets and they will be sprouting in Lake County in the next few weeks. You can find one almost any place, and the Health Department Farmer's Market Locator can help you find one near home or work. The warm weather does bring some hazards, so be sure to read the Health Department news on Lyme disease and water quality at beaches.
Some of you may already have discovered that the bike path connection under Milwaukee Avenue at Independence Grove is now open! See the picture below.
Of course all this rain means that the trails may not always be passable, especially under roads. Be sure to check trail closures before heading out.
At our May meeting, the County Board approved an agreement with the Village of Mettawa for contract police services. We appreciate the hard work of their mayor and trustees.
Each year the County replaces older deteriorated water mains. The engineering contract for the 2015 projects was awarded to RHMG Engineers, Inc of Libertyville.
There are some major road closures this week.
Please check below and plan accordingly.
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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| 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.
Remember--your first property tax payment is due June 5.
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Lake County Achieving Efficiencies through Shared Services
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 Lake County is focusing more on opportunities to share services, eliminate duplication, and simply be more efficient. Just this month, the County Board approved a number of items that advance this initiative, including a new contract to provide police services and working with other governments to cooperatively purchase goods. Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor explains and shares more examples in this short video.
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County Update: Video about Problem Solving Courts
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 Learn about the success of problem-solving courts and find out about new technologies, efficiencies in the courtroom, the newly created mortgage foreclosure mediation program and get the latest update on the Courthouse expansion project. Watch Now
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| Milwaukee Avenue Bike/Pedestrian Tunnel is Open! |
Now you can ride from the Des Plaines River Trail into the Libertyville Township open space and up into Grayslake! |
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Forest Preserves News
|  Board Adopts Reduced Budget for Fiscal Year 2014-2015
To keep more than 30,100 acres of forest preserves in Lake County safe, clean and open for people to enjoy, the Lake County Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners adopted a reduced fiscal year 2014-2015 budget of $78,829,800 at their May 13 meeting.
 New App for Lake County Forest Preserve
Download the new Lake County Forest Preserve App onto your smart phone and see a calendar of events, news updates, and find a preserve near you using a convenient GPS mapping tool. Connect with other friends of the preserves by checking in and sharing content via Facebook or Twitter. Available free in the Android Market or Apple App Store - search for "Lake County Forest Preserves."
Summer Concerts at Independence Grove
Music lovers, get ready for award-winning performers teeming with energy, freshness and talent at the popular Events in the Plaza outdoor music series at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville. These relax-on-the-lawn summer concerts are held Tuesdays at 7:30 pm, for eight weeks starting June 17-August 5. View the complete 2014 concert schedule. If you arrive after 5 p.m. there is a $6 per car parking fee.
 Free Fishing Days
Enjoy free fishing in all waters within Illinois jurisdiction June 6-9. Fishing licenses are not required then, as part of Free Fishing Days, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The Lake County Forest Preserve Fishing Guide includes locations, detailed bottom maps, illustrations of the fish to seek, and more.
Paddleboards
Try the new trend of stand up paddleboarding. A limited number of boards are now available to rent at the marina at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville for ages 10 and up. Cost to rent is $15/hour per paddleboard. You can launch your own paddleboard at one of three cartop boat launches located at Van Patten Woods, Grant Woods and Hastings Lake forest preserves.
Why Rover Shouldn 't Roam Free
Leashing your dog while in the preserves protects your pet, other trail users and our native wildlife. By limiting your dog's leeway, you'll keep them safe from harm. Off-leash dogs are easily distracted and could bolt into traffic, poison ivy or bur-and-tick-filled brush. Leashing demonstrates respect for fellow preserve visitors. Many people don't welcome advances by unfamiliar dogs. You may know your dog is friendly, but others don't. Please note: dogs are not allowed at Ryerson Conservation Area (Riverwoods) or Independence Grove Forest Preserve Libertyville). A daily or annual permit allows you and your canine companion access to four off-leash dog parks-learn more at LCFPD.org/dog.
Smoke-Free Playgrounds
Lake County Forest Preserve playgrounds are now smoke-free environments. Smoking is prohibited within 15 feet of playgrounds.
Almond Marsh Heron Rookery Open Saturdays
Welcome herons and cormorants back to Lake County at Almond Marsh Forest Preserve in Grayslake. Almond Marsh is open Saturdays, April-June, 8 a.m. - noon (except Memorial Day weekend) for observation. More
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 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  "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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Transportation News
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 County Officially Launches Construction Season
Lake County Board leaders officially kicked off the 2014 construction season, which is going to be another busy one in Lake County. Learn More
Click It or Ticket - Front and Back Seat
The Lake County Sheriff's Office is joining hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the state to strongly enforce seat belt laws and save lives as part of the 2014 Illinois Click It or Ticket campaign, requiring all drivers and passengers to wear seat belts, not just the front seat. More
Construction Updates and Road Closures
IL Route 60 will be fully closed at the Canadian National Railroad near Butterfield Road from Friday, May 30 at 8 a.m. through Friday, June 6 at 6 p.m. The closure is necessary for repairs at the grade crossing.
CORRECTION: The detour route that was previously distributed was incorrect. Please use Butterfield Road and Route 45 to detour the construction site.
Winchester Rd at Metra Crossing
The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) will close Winchester Road at the Metra railroad crossing beginning at 6am on Thursday, June 5 in order to expand the railroad crossing as part of a roadway widening and intersection improvement project. Winchester Road is scheduled to be reopened to through traffic by 5pm on Wednesday, June 18. Press release and detour map.
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Health Department News
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 Healthy Lake County: Lyme Disease PreventionWatch this video and learn how to protect yourself from ticks and their harmful bites. Also watch segments on Mental Health Month, the Crisis Care Program, and Lake County Beach Advisories.
Water Quality at Beaches  With the warm weather many of you will be heading out to the beaches. Did you know the Lake County Health Department monitors water quality at beaches? Lake Michigan beaches are tested 4 days a week and inland beaches are tested biweekly. You can check the water quality before you go. You can even get an ap for Lake Michigan beaches. Preventing Mosquito Breeding
Hot and humid weather bring with it Mosquito season, and the risk for West Nile Virus. Stay safe this summer and prevent mosquito breeding with these helpful tips. |
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Voter News
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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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Job News
| Manufacturing Training
Receive training for welding, CNC operation and other skills for jobs currently available with area manufacturers. Attend an information session on Wednesday, June 11 at 1 p.m. at the Job Center of Lake County. See Flyer
Steps To Your Next Job
Learn the five most important steps to take when looking for a new job in this exciting workshop series. Attend all five workshops to learn how to research, prepare, document, find and land your next job. Starts June 16. Info
Workforce Success Stories
See the faces and hear the stories of individuals, businesses and youth who recently used the services of Lake County Workforce Development and the Job Center of Lake County to make a career connection! 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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Environmental News
|  SWALCO Household Chemical Waste Collection in Gurnee
Saturday, June 14
Monday, June 23
This collection is for residential waste only. No business waste will be accepted and appointments are required! Schedule an appointment for this Household Chemical Waste Event. Acceptable Items
As you pull out the summer clothes and put away the winter clothes, you may be tempted to throw out damaged items. Don't!! SWALCO has established a new program for recycling clothing and textiles. Please use this new resource, as 85% of clothing and textiles end up in land fills.
You can always find information from SWALCO. There are a number of opportunities for electronic recycling, including many that are year round. |
| Community Happenings |
Head on over to Bannockburn Green for a car show June 7.
The Deerfield Park District offers summer camps for 3, 4 or 7 weeks from June 16-August 1. They also have additional programs for all ages. Find out more.
The Lake Forest Library is sponsoring a Childrens' Book Sale Thursday June 5-Saturday June 9. Come get a book for the favorite children in your life.
Don't miss First Friday in LIbertyville, June 6. There's music, food and lots more.
Vernon Township is collecting gender neutral backpacks that are filled with school supplies for kindergarten through 8th grade. Please bring backpacks by July 21. Call Nancy (847) 634-4600 if you have questions.
The Adlai Stevenson Center on Democracy invites you to attend a Family Flag Day Festival with storytelling in Spanish and English, a story time for children 6 and under plus a full orchestra playing light classical music and patriotic songs on Saturday, June 14, 2014 from 4:00 to 7:30 P.M. The c harge is $10.00 per person, $20.00 per carload with bicyclers admitted free at the Adlai Stevenson House on St. Mary's Rd in Mettawa.
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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