The Lake County Emergency Operations Center remains open, and Lake County continues to coordinate with government agencies on flood response efforts. 

As of Tuesday morning, flooding from the Des Plaines River is slowly receding in Gurnee. The Des Plaines at Gurnee and Lincolnshire will fall to moderate flood stage early Wednesday, and reach minor flood stage by the weekend. The Chain O'Lakes/Fox River system remains at its highest flood level. Water is slowly receding, but will continue at major flood level through the weekend.

Officials estimate structures on an estimated 4,000 to 4,500 parcels across the county have been impacted by the floods.

Clean-up Kits
Starting today, residents impacted by flooding along the Des Plaines River can pick up free clean-up kits at their village or township, but should call in advance. The Red Cross provided the kits, which consist of a bucket, mop, bleach, and other supplies, and Lake County is distributing them to impacted areas as supplies last. The County will deliver kits to villages and townships in the Fox River/Chain O'Lakes area later this week.

Flood Damaged Items
If you live in a municipality, contact your village on details regarding disposal and removal of flood damaged items because the process varies depending on your waste hauler. Lake County is in the process of coordinating disposal options for unincorporated residents and will provide this information as soon as it's available.

Civil Air Patrol Provides Aerial Photos
The Civil Air Patrol, the official Air Force auxiliary, recently provided two aircraft and took more than 500 photos of the flood impacted areas, which are being used to assist with damage assessment. View photos. To republish these photos, please credit: Illinois Wing Civil Air Patrol.

Damage Assessment Process Underway
The Lake County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) continues to coordinate with municipalities and townships to compile damage assessment information, and EMA will work with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on potential assistance. It is too soon to determine if state or federal assistance will become available.
If your property has been impacted by the recent floods, you need to report it to your local government agency, as follows:
* If you live in a municipality, contact your village.
* If you live in unincorporated area, or a township, contact the Lake County Planning Building and Development Department at 847-377-2081.

Read Full Flood Update for more information about:
Flooded Wells - Water Testing
Tetanus Shots
Flood Repairs
Deeds for Flood Victims
 

 

Following the heavy rain & flooding during the last week, the Contractor is expected to return to finish the culvert crossing and reopen Deerfield Rd by the evening of Friday, April 26.

 

We appreciate the patience of motorists and others in the area who have been impacted by this prolonged closure and detour due to these unusual circumstances. Work on the smaller culverts under Hoffman Ln and Jasmine Ln will be scheduled following completion of utility work in the area.

 

Lake County is undergoing an extensive courts expansion project to meet the growing demand of the court system. In this video, learn about the details of the plan, which includes building a new nine story criminal courts tower in downtown Waukegan. Watch now.   

The Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) will be maintaining office hours at various American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts (VFW) throughout Lake County in an effort to reach more veterans. A recreational vehicle equipped with additional office space will be staffed with VAC service officers who will help veterans prepare claims with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
More information and schedule
 

Use Your Smart Phone to Check Pace Departure Times
Did you know that you can use your smart phone to check the departure time of Pace Suburban Bus for a specific route in real-time?
The Pace's Web Watch tool uses GPS technology to monitor the location of buses in real time and help you plan your trip by giving you a list of the expected time of departure times.

Take Your Bike for a Ride on Pace or Metra

Spring is here and it's time to get out the bike and hit the road. Pace makes that easier with fixed route buses that support two bicycles on the front of each bus (with the exception of routes that operate using coach buses or vans). Free to use, the Pace bike rack is attached to the front bumper of the bus and remains folded vertically against the bus when not in use.
To load your bike on the front of the bus, follow these simple steps:
* Pull to release the lightweight rack and lower it into a horizontal position.
* Lift the bike onto the rack, fitting the tires into the corresponding slots.
* Pull the spring-loaded support arm over the front tire to secure the bike.
* Before exiting the bus, remind the operator that you have a bike to remove from the rack.
* After removing your bike, please return the rack to the upright position (if there is no other bike on it).
For more information, please visit PaceBus.com

 
Metra's Bicycle Policy allows bicycles on all weekday trains arriving in Chicago after 9:30 a.m. and leaving Chicago before 3 p.m. and after 7 p.m., and on all weekend trains. For additional information, visit Metra's website.  

The Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda has participated in the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Blue Star Museums program since its inaugural year of 2010. Participating museums waive admission fees for active duty military personnel and their immediate families during the period from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Last year, 1,882 museums in all 50 states participated in the program, including art museums, science museums, historic homes, botanical gardens, children's museums and history museums. Together they accommodated 475,000 Blue Star visitors. As an active participant, the Lake County Discovery Museum has hosted 106 visitors through the Blue Star program. Participating families throughout the country praise the Blue Star Museums program as a welcome respite from their daily cares, and appreciate the gesture from the American arts community, honoring their service.