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Dear Neighbor,
Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! I hope you find it helpful and informative. Tomorrow is Veterans Day, so please take time out of your busy schedule to attend one of the many ceremonies occurring throughout Lake County, or use one of the resources in my newsletter to find out how you might be able to help our veterans who have given so much for all of us.
Tomorrow is also our monthly full County Board meeting, and we will be voting on, among other things, the 2015 Annual Budget, which is again balanced and reflects modest growth. We continue to share services and outsource functions where we can save money yet still provide excellent customer service to our residents. In my next newsletter I'll provide you with an overview of the budget along with any new programs or significant changes versus prior year(s). I will also provide an update to our Strategic Plan, which guides our decisions for the future.
As always, it is a privilege to represent you on the County and Forest Preserve Boards. Please do not hesitate to let me know how I can be of service to you, or if you have any questions or concerns.
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Veterans Day
Please join me in honoring our veterans by attending one of the many Veteran Day events held throughout Lake County on November 11th:
Veterans History Project-Volunteers Needed!
George Harlow was born and raised in Waukegan before joining the Army Air Corps during WWII where his plane was shot down over Germany and taken prisoner of war. Watch his story from last year's Veterans History Project.
Lake County is proud to participate in the Veterans History Project, inviting veterans to visit the Waukegan Courthouse on November 11th to record testimonials of their war experiences. Their typed transcripts will be housed at the Library of Congress as part of the Nation's history. Volunteers are needed for this event! Call 847.377.3771 for more information.
Services for Military Veterans The Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) appreciates the dedication and commitment of the men and women who have served in the US Military. Visit their website to learn about how VAC and its partners help veterans and their families with financial and medical assistance, transportation, career development, and more.
Lake-McHenry Veteran & Famiy Services offers FREE support services to veterans, active duty service members, and their families in a confidential setting, working through a network of agencies to help military personnel, veterans and their families face challenges before, during and after deployments.
Veteran Court Graduation Ceremony
Friday, November 21, 11:00am-12:30pm
Please join me in showing support for veterans graduating from the Veteran Treatment and Assistance Court program. Veterans must qualify for this intensive program, which is a collaborative effort to reduce recidivism and enhance public safety by focusing on the underlying problems that the veteran is encountering with treatment, support and structure. After graduation, many veterans return to the program as mentors so they may help others recover. If you are interested in attending or if you are a veteran and are interested in becoming a mentor, please send me an email or call 847-377-3964. |
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Route 53/120 Public Input Session and Finance Committee Meeting
Please attend one of the upcoming public input sessions to create a Land Use Plan for the proposed Route 53/120 corridor. Participants will identify opportunities to improve recreation, increase access to transit, promote efficient and effective land use, and enhance economic development. To view the flyover video of the proposed route, please click here.
Wednesday, November 12, 4:00-7:00pm Wednesday, November 19, 4:00-7:00pm
Byron Colby Barn at Prairie Crossing Lake Zurich High School Cafeteria
1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake 300 Church Street, Lake Zurich
Route 53 Finance Committee Meeting on Thursday, November 19th, 2:00-4:00pm at the Lake County Central Permit Facility, 500 West Winchester road, Libertyville. The group will discuss tollway updates, the final report, and the overview of the Corridor Land Use Plan.
Lane Closure for Route 176 at DesPlaines River Bridge in Libertyville
Route 176 is down to one lane at the DesPlaines River bridge as IDOT conducts necessary repairs, causing major delays in both directions. Work is expected to be completed by late November. I recommend that you use an alternate route!
Dial-A-Ride Service for Shields Township Residents
Through a partnership between LCDOT, Shields Township, Pace, and LCCTSC, seniors and disabled residents of Shields Township can now use Pace buses for transportation to work, shopping, medical appointments, school, etc. Riders must make a reservation 24 hours in advance, and fares are $3.00 each way. If you or someone you know could benefit from this service, please contact Shields Township at 847-234-0802 to register or for more information.
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Addressing Drug Use in Lake County
For the last two years, I have been working on the Opioid and Heroin Prevention Task Force, established by State's Attorney Mike Nerheim to combat the growing issue of opioid abuse in Lake County. In partnership with many different governmental and non-governmental agencies, the Task Force is working on several different initiatives:
- Text A Tip: The Lake County Board has approved $29,500 for the 2015 budget to fund Text-a-Tip, a 24/7 anonymous text system that will allow community members to receive help with substance abuse issues. It is a confidential way to provide a tip about criminal activity or get immediate assistance throughout Lake County. Thank you to LEAD, an organization committed to the prevention of alcohol and drug use by children, for starting this important program in the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff area.
- Saving Lives: The Lake County Health Department received a donation of 3,000 doses of Naloxone from Evzio Pharmaceuticals-valued at $1.5 million-for the 3,000 law enforcement officials across Lake County. When administered to an overdose victim, Naloxone immediately reverses the effect of the opioid. Several lives have already been saved by police officers who arrived in time to provide this lifesaving measure.
- Legislative Efforts: Among many other things, the County Board's 2015 state legislative program includes a request to amend the Drug Overdose Prevention Act to grant civil protections to health care professionals or emergency personnel in administering Naloxone.
- Drug Court: Given the highly addictive nature of illegal drugs, it can take many attempts to become drug-free. Lake County is requesting the state legislature amend the Drug Court Treatment Act to allow an individual to participate more than once in this specialty court.
- Raising Awareness: In honor of Red Ribbon Week, Lake County released a new video and launched a website to help raise awareness about substance abuse. Please take a few minutes to watch this brief video (accessible here and on the website) about the importance of speaking to your children about the dangers of drugs. The Red Ribbon Project provides resources for schools, parents, and how Lake County is working together to combat this important issue.
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Scam Alert! Delinquent Property Taxes Letter to Seniors
We have been notified that some residents-primary seniors-have received fraudulent letters claiming that the County will take their house if they don't pay the delinquent taxes on their property. If you receive one of these letters and want to check the status of your property tax payment, please visit www.lakecountyil.gov/treasurer or call 847-377-2323. DO NOT contact the person listed on the letter. Please share this information with friends and neighbors so that we make sure everyone is alerted to this scam.
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Last week the Planning & Restoration Committee, on which I serve, viewed three concept plans for Fort Sheridan, which will serve as a starting point for the master planning process. The plans were developed after reviewing the public's feedback from the open house that was conducted approximately 2 1/2 years ago. Given the significant amount of time that has passed, there is a need and desire to include the public in the process, which happens whenever we evaluate potential changes to our preserves. Any potential changes are reviewed in conjunction with our five-year capital plan while taking in to account the future maintenance and replacement costs of those improvements, so we need to be very cautious about what amenities are added to any of our preserves. The initial next step is for Forest Preserve staff to research the potential cost implications of the different aspects of the plan.
Enjoy the fall weather and beautiful landscapes of your Forest Preserves with the
Fall Horizons Online
View upcoming programs and find out about what's going on in our Forest Preserves with the fall online issue of Horizons Magazine. Read now
Night Hikes along Lighted Trails
With small solar lights to guide your way, you can hike, ski, and snowshoe until 9:00 pm at the Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville, and the Millenium Trail at Lakewood Forest Preserve. More
Chocolate, Champagne and Shopping Event
Friday, November 14th, 5-9pm, Forest Preserve Office, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville
Come by for champagne and chocolate while shopping for fair-trade products, gourmet kitchen tools, candles, jewelry, confections, tableware, vintage furniture, and other unique gift and specialty items. All proceeds from this event benefit the Lake County Discovery Museum. Ticket Info |
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Lake County Environmental News
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Reducing Our Waste
As a result of new Illinois EPA regulations on nutrient removal, the DesPlaines River Water Reclamation Facility is being upgraded to allow for greater biosolid drying. This cost-effective process reduces the waste generated per day from 50 tons to 8 tons by removing moisture collected during the wastewater treatment process. This will eliminate landfilling 640,000 cubic yards of biosolids over the next 20 years.
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Recycling
Every five years, SWALCO provides an update to the Solid Waste Recycling Plan. Congratulations to the residents of Lake Bluff for diverting 54.5% of household waste-the highest rate in the program-to be recycled instead of going to landfills, which are quickly reaching capacity. The goal is 60% by 2020.
Click here to read the full report and see recommendations for the next five years (Section 4, on approximately page 50 of the document).
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Partnering to Improve DesPlaines River Water Quality
 The Des Plaines River watershed in Lake County covers about a third of the County, from the Wisconsin state line to the border with Cook County. While this river looks beautiful, beneath the surface the water quality is below standards set by the Clean Water Act. In this County Update, you can learn about the water quality issues and what's being done to address it. Watch now.
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Lake County Health Department
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New Health Clinic
Round Lake High School's Health and Wellness Center officially opened in October, Lake County's first and one of 65 in Illinois. Concerned residents and the Round Lake Area School District came together to address growing healthcare needs and barriers to healthcare access. Of particular concern was the impact health issues were having on academic achievement. School-based health centers have traditionally helped children stay in school by addressing health problems affecting them. Watch this episode of Healthy Lake County to learn more about our new health center, getting your flu shot, and National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.
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Flu Season
There are a number of things you can do to keep your family healthy this season. To help prevent the spread of influenza, get a flu shot, cover your cough, wash your hands frequently and stay home if you are sick. Flu Shot Information. Great American Smokeout on Nov. 20
The American Cancer Society celebrates the Great American Smokeout each year by encouraging smokers to get healthy. By quitting - even for one day- you will be taking an important step towards a healthier life and decrease your chance of getting cancer. After twelve hours of smoke free air, the levels of poisonous carbon monoxide in your body drops to normal. Within just two weeks, your circulation and lung function improves.
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Job and Volunteer Opportunities
Gain the tools you need at the "5 Steps to Your Next Job" workshop, Nov. 17 - 21, 10 am - 12pm, Job Center of Lake County, 1 N. Genesee St., Waukegan
College of Lake County-Southlake Campus, Vernon Hills- Give back to your community by visiting the Volunteer Fair, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 11am - 1pm.
- Get feedback on your resume at the Resume Review, Monday, Nov. 17, 10 am - 12 pm.
- Attend the Mini Job & Internship Fair on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 10:30 am - 1 pm. Call 847.543.2059 for more information
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