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Dear Neighbor,
I hope this email finds you well and enjoying the beautiful fall weather! There is a lot going on around Lake County, so please take a few moments to read about events in your area, health news, transportation updates, and exhibits and festivals through the Forest Preserves. You can also read about our progress on our strategic plan.
As always, it is a pleasure to serve you on the Lake County Board and the Forest Preserve Board. If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments on this or anything else, please don't hesitate to contact me.
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Household Chemical Waste Collections in Lake Forest and Gurnee
Over the next six weeks, SWALCO is holding residential collection events for household chemicals. When disposed improperly (pouring them down the drain, disposing in the garbage) these products can contaminate the groundwater and harm the environment. This collection program diverts household chemical waste by sending it to IEPA-approved recycling and reuse facilities, educing the volume and toxicity of our municipal waste stream. Click here for more information.
Gurnee SWALCO Facility: September 22, October 11, and October 27
1311 N. Estes Street
Lake Forest: September 27
Municipal Services Center, 800 N. Field Drive 8am-2:30pm
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National Prescription Drug Take Back Event September 27, 10am-2pm
Anyone with unwanted or unused prescription drugs can drop them off at one of the following locations for proper disposal:
- Lake Bluff Public Safety Building, 45 East Center Ave., Lake Bluff (open year-round)
- Beach Park Village Hall, 11270 W. Wadsworth Rd., Beach Park
- Volo Village Hall, 500 S. Fish Lake Rd., Volo
- Fremont Township Office, 22385 W. Route 60, Mundelein
Last year Lake County collected 6,700 pounds of medication. Ridding medicine cabinets of these prescription drugs prevents children from consuming them accidentally and unauthorized users from obtaining them.
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November Election Voter Registration Deadline is October 7th
Residents who are new to Lake County; have moved to a different county address; turn 18 years old on or before November 4, 2014; or have a name change need to register by Tuesday, Oct. 7 to vote in the November election.
Registration Requirements:
- U.S. citizen
- 18 years old on or before the November election
- Precinct resident for 30 days immediately prior to Election Day
- Provide two forms of current identification
Registration is available at the County Clerk's office and at most municipal, township and library facilities. Lake County residents can visit LakeVoterPower.info or call 847.377.2410 to confirm registration status or find the nearest registration location.
Be an Election Judge
Help your community and ensure the integrity of the voting process while earning some extra spending money by being an election judge. Each applicant must be a Lake County registered voter, eligible to vote in the November election, and speak, read and write English. English/Spanish bilingual applicants are encouraged to enroll. Learn more and enroll in one of the required classes at ElectionJudge.info, electionjudge@lakecountyil.gov, or 847.377.2408.
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Lake County Sheriff Reserve Deputy Unit Accepting Applications
The Lake County Sheriff's Office Reserve Deputy Unit is currently accepting applications through October 1. The Reserve Deputy Unit is a volunteer unit which augments the Sheriff's Office in times of natural and man-made emergencies and can be called upon to provide traffic and crowd control, search for missing persons, and participate in crime scene evidence searches. For more information contact Lt. Ryan McCormack at RMcCormack@lakecountyil.gov or call 847-377-7020.
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Job Center News and Resources
Check out all the new things available from the Job Center of Lake County:
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 Lake County's Progress on Our Strategic Plan
Lake County's Strategic Plan, which serves as our road map over the next several years, identifies five strategic goals: Healthy Communities, Transportation, Sustainability, Economic Opportunities, and Public Safety. This plan was shaped with the help of residents who provided input at a series of community forums in 2013. Residents asked for more communication and transparency about Lake County's use of their tax dollars and that we look for opportunities to cut costs.
We are 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. Click here to view our new Shared Services webpage to see examples of our collaboration with other government entities to generate economies of scale and reduce costs. |
Lake County Achieves Highest Principles of Governmental Budgeting
For the seventh consecutive year, Lake County has received a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). This means that Lake County's budget meets nationally recognized guidelines for effective budgeting. It serves as a financial plan, influences policy, guides operations, and serves as a communication tool for taxpayers. More
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Dial-A-Ride Service for Shields Township Residents
Through a partnership between the Lake County Department of Transportation, Shields Township, Pace, and LCCTSC, Shields Township is introducing Dial-a-Ride service for seniors and disabled residents aged 16+ who need transportation to work, shopping destinations, medical appointments, school, etc.
The service area includes all of Shields Township and the following locations:
- Highland Park Hospital
 - Wal-Mart Supercenter at Fountain Square in Waukegan
- Hawthorne Mall in Vernon Hills
- Greenleaf Medical Complex in Gurnee
- Lake County Center for Independent Living in Mundelein
- Erie Family Health Center in Waukegan
- College of lake County campus in Grayslake
Service will begin October 1st and each one way fare will be $3.00. Riders must reserve a pickup time (Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm) 24 hours in advance.
If you or someone you know could benefit from this service, please contact Shields Township at 847.234.0802 for more information and to register.
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New Bike Friendly Shoulders along Russell Road
 Russell Road between Lewis and Green Bay Road is currently under construction, and drivers can expect delays due to one lane traffic control. When complete, this section of Russell Road will have bike friendly shoulders and new asphalt. Many cyclists use this section as they transition between the DesPlaines River trail and the Robert McClory bike path, creating a loop from 176. Construction is expected to be completed by mid-November, and will result in a safer route for cyclists.
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Grand Avenue & I-94 Interchange Construction
From September - November 2014, the ramp carrying traffic from westbound Grand Avenue to westbound I-94 will be closed for reconstruction as part of Phase 2 of this Illinois Tollway project. The closure is necessary to complete repairs because the ramp is not wide enough to safely accommodate a work zone while maintaining traffic. Four nights of closures are scheduled to begin Monday, September 22 on the ramp carrying traffic from eastbound Grand Avenue to eastbound I-94. Drivers will be routed through the other ramps within the interchange.
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Peterson Road Lane Closures for Three Weeks
As part of the Peterson Road reconstruction and widening project, Lake County DOT will be restricting left turn access to northbound and southbound Illinois Route 83 from Peterson Road, (Route A-33) for three weeks. The signed detour route for the Peterson Road closure will be Peterson Road to Midlothian Road (Route V-73), to Winchester Road (Route A-34) to Route 83.
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Route 53 Flyover Video and Funding Scenarios
I have heard from many residents with questions about Route 53 and it's impact on surrounding properties. As part of the Blue Ribbon Advisory Council process, the Tollway created a flyover video of the proposed route of the 53 extension and 120 bypass. Approximately 75% of the right-of-way has been acquired for the project. Over the past few months, three working groups have been meeting regularly to discuss different funding scenarios. Click here to read the minutes of their meetings. Click on the link for the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAA0qtSxrb8
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Lake County Health Department
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Low Cost Pet Vaccination and Spay and Neuter Clinics
The Lake County Animal Care and Control Program is offering three low-cost pet vaccination clinics for all Lake County residents, providing a convenient and affordable way to keep your pets up to date with shots and rabies tags. We also provide low-cost spay and neuter clinics for low-income residents. Please click here for an application for the spay and neuter clinic.
September 27 in Deerfield, 9:00am - 12:00pm
West Deerfield Township/Deerfield Park District (847)945-0650 Jewett Park Picnic Shelter (access from Hazel off Waukegan Rd.) October 11 in Beach Park, 9:00am-12:00pm Beach Park Vaccination Clinic (847)746-1770
40185 Glendale, Beach Park
October 25 in Hainesville, 9:00am-12:00pm
Avon Foundation Vaccination Clinic (847)223-2032
Hainesville Public Works
100 Hainesville Road, Hainesville
Cost: For pets spayed/neutered: one-year rabies vaccination and Lake County tag, $20; one-year rabies vaccination, tag and distemper, $25; distemper complex only, $10; microchip, $15.
For pets not spayed/neutered: one-year rabies vaccination and Lake County tag, $60; one-year rabies vaccination, tag and distemper, $65; distemper complex only, $10; microchip, $15. |
September is National Preparedness Month:
 The time to prepare for an emergency situation is well before disaster strikes. The three most important steps 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. |
West Nile Virus in Lake County
As you may have heard in the news, a Gurnee resident contracted West Nile Virus (WNV), the first reported case in Lake County. There are no medications to treat or vannines to prevent WNV but forunately most people infected will have no symptoms. However, about 20% of infected people develop a fever with other symptoms, and less than 1% can develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurologic illiness. You can reduce your risk of being infected with WNV by using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing. Visit the Health Department's West Nile Virus page for information on prevention and symptoms. |
Fort Sheridan Bluff Repair Now Complete
In late May, a large portion of the bluff-approximately 40 yards long- collapsed into Lake Michigan due to a 36-inch storm sewer pipe breaking and causing severe erosion of the bluff face. Repairs are now completed and the trail is being landscaped. The area will be reopened to the public once we are sure it is safe. |
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Ideas Needed for New 40 acre Dog Park in Waukegan Savanna
 The Forest Preserve Planning Department is seeking public input on possible design features and amenities for a a new 40-acre off-leash Dog Exercise Area at the Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve. To engage in the design process and to share your ideas, complete a short survey by September 22.
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Green Youth Farm Crowdfunding Opportunity
The Preservation Foundation has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $9,350 to fund one full farm crew for the 2015 growing season for the Green Youth Farm at Greenbelt Forest Preserve. In partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Green Youth Farm is a sustainable agriculture program that offers education and paid job experience for high school students from Waukegan and North Chicago and provides fresh produce and nutrition education for food-insecure communities. The campaign ends October 24th.
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Illinois Beach State Park
With over 4,000 acres of natural habitat and six miles of shoreline access, the Illinois Beach State Park offers the longest stretch of public access to Lake Michigan in Illinois. Visitors can hike, bike, swim, and see stunning views of Lake Michigan. |
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Lake County Discovery Museum
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The Lake County Discovery Museum received a $
Grant Received to Preserve Museum Collections
The Lake County Discovery Museum received a $750,000 grant which will be used to build a permanent storage facility for our historic, valuable collections at the Forest Preserve General Offices. This new space will have a controlled environment necessary to preserve and protect our historic, valuable collection. The new collections facility is part of a larger strategic effort to align the museum with the Forest Preserves 100-year Vision.
Farm Heritage Festival
Saturday Sept. 20 - Sunday Sept. 21, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Lake County Discovery Museum
27277 N Forest Preserve Rd., Wauconda
Celebrate farm life from the turn of the century to the present with hands-on activities and demonstrations, including Border Collie sheep herding, wagon and barrel train rides, rope and scarecrow making, and more. See the ever-popular tractor and antique vehicle parade, craft demonstrations and antique steam engines and a large model train display. More
FREE Museum Visit on September 27, 2014
Museum Day Live! is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums, like our very own Lake County Discovery Museum, open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Live! Ticket. This year's event is Saturday, September 27. The Museum Day Live! ticket provides free admission for two people. Go to Smithsonian.com/museumdaylive to get your free ticket.
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The President's Photographer: 50 Years inside the Oval Office
View presidential history from official presidential photographers, from 1963 to today including Barack Obama. This exhibition includes iconic and rarely seen photos of presidents, with insights from the photographers who chronicled them.
Opens Saturday, September 13
Lake County Discovery Museum, Wauconda
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Fall Fun in Lake County
 From community festivals to pumpkin patches 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.
Lake County Honor Flight Fundraiser at Six Flags Frightfest October 3-5.
Six Flags will donate $5.00 of every ticket sold to help send our WWII veterans to Washington, DC. Just visit sixflags.com/greatamerica and use the promo code: LCHF to receive half-priced tickets.
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