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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,
The fall has been busy. At the forest preserve we have approved contracts to continue restoration work on many preserves. in addition, you may notice that some aging rest room facilities have been replaced--including some at Half Day Preserve. The new evaporator models reduce odors and decrease our operating costs, because they need less upkeep.
There is a lot of information on voter guides, voting options and more in Voter News below.
The great fall weather offers a number of opportunities to be outside. If you haven't started "Hike Lake County" there is still time. Or simply enjoy a new preserve.
As you can see, there are a number of links in this newsletter asking for your input on Lake County concerns ranging from transportation to housing. I hope you have the time to share your opinions.
I continue to try to keep you up to date on what is happening in Lake County and its communities. Please let me know if there are items of interest to you that should be included.
As always, I am happy to meet with your homeowners association, school, religious, scout or other group about these or any other issues. Please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Ann
Ann B. Maine
President, Lake County Forest Preserve District
County Board District 21
847-857-1732
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Lake County Reports Progress on Strategic Plan
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Lake County's Strategic Plan, which serves as our roadmap over the next several years, identifies five strategic goals related to transportation, sustainability, healthy communities, economic opportunities and public safety. Residents helped shape the plan by providing input at a series of community forums in 2013. Residents also asked for more communication and transparency about what Lake County is doing with their tax dollars. The county board is committed to being accountable, accessible and transparent. Visit our Strategic Plan page to see examples of how we are making progress toward our strategic goals.
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Help Shape the Future of Lake County's Housing and Community Development
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Lake County government needs your input! Help us prioritize the use of federal grant funds for housing and community development activities over the next five years. Take this survey (available in English or Spanish) to assess affordable housing, neighborhood conditions, access to parks, job training programs and other needs of low- and moderate-income individuals and households. Results of the survey will be presented to the Lake County Board in the fall.
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Lake County Focuses on Opportunities to Share Services and Operate More Efficiently
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During a series of community forums to obtain input into our strategic plan, residents identified the sharing of government services as a priority. As a result, Lake County is focusing on collaborating and coordinating with other units of governments to generate greater economies of scale, foster partnerships and reduce costs. Learn more about our 2014 initiatives and our 2015 goals on our new Shared Services webpage.
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Fall Fun in Lake County
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 From community festivals to pumpkins and haunted houses, VisitLakeCounty.org has your guide to enjoying Lake County in the fall. Learn about local farm adventures, Oktoberfest celebrations and outdoor festivities throughout the autumn season, right here in Lake County.
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Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare!
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 The time to prepare for an emergency situation is well before disaster strikes. The three most important steps to take to keep your family safe are to Be Informed, Make a Plan and Build an Emergency Kit. For more information about Emergency Preparedness locally, visit Alert Lake County. To learn more about the National Preparedness Month campaign, and to find fun resources for getting kids involved, visit Ready.gov.
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What Makes Lake County Special?
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Please take our Lake County Life survey and tell us your top five reasons for living, working and playing in Lake County. Sign up to Idea Exchange, our online center for community input with your email address, Facebook or Twitter, and start sharing your ideas today!
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Voter News
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Registered voters may now preview their official ballot at LakeVoterPower.info using the "What's on My Ballot?" link. These sample ballots may be printed, marked with the voter's choices, and taken into the polls for reference when voting. Registration name, house number, zip code and date of birth are needed to view your specific sample ballot for the November 4th election cycle.
Voter Information Guide
 The voter guide includes a complete listing of all candidates and public questions appearing on November's ballot. Also included in the guide are early and Election Day voting sites, addresses, hours, and dates. online version of the guide can be viewed while a printed version will be delivered in local newspapers as early as October 15. Additional copies will be available at many Lake County libraries, municipalities, and township offices.
Important Dates for November 4, 2014 General Election
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October
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| 20
| Early voting begins
| 30
| Last day to request a ballot by mail
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November
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| 2
| Early voting ends
| 3
| Voting by mail ballots must be postmarked by this date
| 4
| Election Day
| 6
| Voter registration reopens |
Voting by Mail (available until Oct. 30) Voters who choose to vote by mail may visit LakeVoterPower.info to complete an electronic or download a paper ballot by mail request form. Ballot applications are required for each election and may also be requested by contacting the Voting by Mail Department at VotingByMail@lakecountyil.gov or 847.377.2406. Voted ballots must be returned to the Clerk's office postmarked no later than November 3.
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Forest Preserves News
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Stevenson House Dedication
Join us when for this National Historic Landmark dedication ceremony. Public tours from 1-3 PM, official comments and plaque dedication at 3 PM. 
Featured Preserve: Middlefork Savanna
Home to a rare tallgrass savanna, Middlefork Savanna features a mix of oak savanna and woodlands, wet and mesic prairies, sedge meadows and marshes. Middlefork provides valuable protection for state and federally listed species such as the Blanding's turtle. A 25-acre parcel here is considered the highest quality tallgrass savanna of its kind in the nation and recognized as a globally threatened ecosystem.
Learn more and watch this
 | | Middlefork Savanna |
Hike Lake County Challenge
Discover a new trail and enjoy Lake County's beautiful fall colors while exploring designated Hike Lake County trails. At each preserve, look for the Hike Lake County signs at the trailhead to get you started on the right route. Complete just seven of the hikes before November 30 for a commemorative shield.
HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES
Wednesday, October 22, 10-11 am
Friday and Saturday, October 24 and 25
This guided candlelight trail hike stops several times to watch costumed performances in the woods. Finish off at a cozy cabin fireplace with cider and a fresh doughnut. This program isn't scary, so even your preschoolers will have fun.
- Ryerson Conservation Area, Riverwoods
- Designed for families with children of all ages
- $9 per person Lake County, resident / $11 per person, nonresident. Free for children 3 or younger.
- Register at 847-968-3321 or online.
Raptor in the Woods Photography 
Meet an environmental educator and then venture into the woods and photograph the birds.
- Wednesday October 29, 2014
- 10:00AM - 11:00AM
- Edward L. Ryerson Welcome Center; cost $10 Lake County Resident/$15 out of county
- Register at 847-968-3321 or online.
Spread the Word Or Donate Today
 There are 16 days left in the 45-day crowdfunding campaign to raise $9,350 for the Green Youth Farm in Lake County. The money raised will be used to support a sustainable agriculture program in North Chicago, Illinois, that offers education and paid job experience for high school students. The goal is to fund one full farm crew for the next growing season. A full crew includes one team leader and four crew members, working from spring through fall of 2015.
There is even more!
Join Twitter to get news, event announcements and fun photos.
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Phone Scams
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Lake County Sheriff's Office Warns Residents of Phone Scammers
The Lake County Sheriff's Office is urging residents to be alert when speaking to strangers on the phone. Scammers are on the rise in Lake County and nationally. Some scammers appear to be very friendly referring to the victim by first name and asking about their family. Then the scammer tells the victim they are a grandchild or relative stranded in jail or another country. The scammer then asks for money to be wired to an account for bond or air fare.
If you get a call like this, take down the phone number and tell them you will call them back. Then call your local police agency for assistance in verifying if the call is a scam.
Other scammers are more hostile. In Lake County, a scammer claims to be Steve Martin from the IRS. Scammers claiming to be from the IRS or the U.S. Treasury tell victims they owe money to the government and that it must be paid immediately
through a credit card, pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. Those who refuse are told they will be arrested, deported or have their business license or driver's license suspended.
The IRS and U.S. Treasury will not ask for credit card numbers over the phone or wire-transfers. If you get a call like this slam on the scam and call your local police agency.
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Transportation News
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Deerfield Parkway Concrete Patching
The contractor has begun installing traffic control devices along the roadway. Overnight (24 hr) lane closures will be needed to complete the project. One lane in each direction will be shut down for approximately 7 days (weather dependent) to allow for the removal, replacement and curing of the concrete pavement. The lane closures will then shift to the adjacent lane and the process repeated. The tentative completion date is early November.
Drivers can expect heavy rush hour delays with the lane closures.
Be alert for new traffic patterns, and watch for workers and equipment.
Public Meeting for IDOT's Multi-Modal Transportation Improvement Program
Residents and local businesses are invited to join IDOT staff for an opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, and find out about the 2016-2021 Multi-Modal Transportation Improvement. Your input is important and will help guide the development of future highway improvement programs affecting the region. Written comments can be submitted on the IDOT website until Nov. 4.
- Monday, October 20, 3 - 6 p.m.
- DoubleTree Libertyville-Mundelein, 510 E. Route 82, Mundelein
 Transit and paratransit options in Lake County
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Veterans' News
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Operation Stand Down for Lake County Veterans in Need
Veterans are encouraged to attend this event for medical and dental assessments, a haircut, referrals for counseling services and more. Veterans must bring a copy of their DD214 form if not already registered with the Veterans Assistance Commission office.
Tuesday, October 21, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Veterans Assistance Office
20 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Waukegan
Veterans History Project: Share Your War Story
 World War II, Korean War and Vietnam veterans are invited to come to the Lake County courthouse on November 11 to have their oral histories recorded. The typed transcripts will be archived at the Library of Congress as part of the Veterans History Project. The project aims to collect, preserve, and make accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.
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Environmental News
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Tire Recycling Event
Lake County residents are invited to bring unwanted tires without rims for proper disposal at only $1 per tire. Help the environment and decrease breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Flyer
- Friday, October 31, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Lake County Division of Transportation, 600 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville
Put the Green in your Halloween!
Here are some great tips and information on decorating, costumes, parties and more. Happy Halloween,
Get these tips from SWALCO.
Conserve Lake County Fall Festival
Sustainability is important in the Village of Deerfield. Visit Green Up Deerfield and learn more about what they are doing and how you can help. The West Deerfield Township office collects used eyeglasses. Drop your off so someone else can use them.
You can always find information from SWALCO. There are a number of opportunities for electronic recycling, including many that are year round. |
| Community Happenings | |
The City of Lake Forest is holding Meet with the Mayor and Alderman at a town meeting on Thursday, October 23 at CROYA, 400 Hastings Road, Lake Forest. Beginning at 7 p.m., the informal discussion will give residents an opportunity to share their questions and concerns about City services and learn more about projects important to the community.
Over There: Grayslake in World War I
It explores the stories of local veterans, as well as tales from the home front. The show includes a recreated trench and dramatic recordings of authentic excerpts from veterans' letters. Uniforms, images and artifacts from the collection of the Grayslake Historical Society and local families make this an engaging exhibition.
The Itty Bitty Pumpkin Patch returns to the Lincolnshire Village Green Retail Center (Milwaukee and Olde Halfe Day Rd) on Saturday Oct 18 from 11-4.
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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