September 5, 2013

In This Issue
Property Taxes Due
Route 53 Update
Recycling Changes in Lake County
County Update
Heroin Use in Lake County
Chemical Collections and E-Cycling
Library Card Sign-up
Community Events
Forest Preserves News
County Quick Links



Discount Prescriptions

Local Links






Job Center
Click here to view a list of employers in Lake County with open positions!




SWALCO
Events and Happenings in Lake County
Reminder: Property Taxes Due Friday, September 6

The Second Installment of Lake County property taxes are due Friday, September 6. A second bill will not be mailed to homeowners. The Treasurer's Office typically experiences long lines close to the property tax due date. Taxpayers are encouraged to take advantage of alternative payment methods.

Payment Options include: Pay Online, Pay Over the Phone, Pay by Automatic Withdrawal, Pay at Drop Box Locations, or Pay In Person.  


Read Press Release and visit the Lake County Treasurer's Office website f
or more information.
Illinois Route 53/120 Project Update 
Efforts to examine the feasibility of the Illinois Route 53/120 project are moving forward. The Illinois Tollway, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and Lake County are partnering on a combined, two-pronged effort to examine the feasibility of the project with respect to financing and land use. This phase builds on the recommendations and framework outlined by the Blue Ribbon Advisory Council (BRAC). The council-co-chaired by Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor and George Ranney, President and CEO Metropolis Strategies and Prairie Holding Corporation-will reconvene this month.  
Illinois Route 53/120 Project Overview
BRAC's June 2012 Resolution and Summary Report
Recycling Changes Coming to Lake County Unincorporated Neighborhoods

If you live in the unincorporated area and you don't currently have recycling as part of your trash service, a new law now requires your hauler to provide recycling along with your trash service. In an effort to increase recycling and extend the life of our landfills, the Lake County Board approved modifications to the Solid Waste Hauling and Recycling Ordinance effective January 1, 2014 making it mandatory for haulers in the unincorporated area to provide recycling containers.

Read fact sheet, or visit www.lakecountyil.gov/Recycle/NewLaw  for more information.
English fact sheet
Spanish fact sheet
County Update: Strategic Plan 

The Lake County Board recently adopted its Strategic Plan which serves as a road map for Lake County government over the next several years. It includes five major goals: Enhance Economic Opportunities, Promote a Sustainable Environment, Build Healthy and Resilient Communities, Provide Public Safety, and Reduce Congestion and Improve Transportation in Lake County.  Lake County obtained input into its plan earlier this year at five community forums and through its website. In this episode of County Update, learn more about this plan and what it means to you. Watch now.
Heroin Use in Lake County

In 2012, 81 deaths occurred in Lake County as a direct result of substance abuse.  In this video, State's Attorney Mike Nerheim and Sheriff Mark Curran give some startling statistics about the heroin problem in Lake County, and local residents share their personal experiences with heroin addiction. Watch Now. 
Chemical Collections and E-Cycling with SWALCO

Keep toxins out of our water!

Wondering what to do with unwanted pool and cleaning chemicals, driveway sealers, varnishes/stains, garden fertilizers, and bug sprays? Bring your unwanted chemical products and medical prescriptions (for people and pets), to SWALCO Household Chemical Waste (HCW) Collection events. See list of acceptable HCW items here.

Electronic Collections Events Around Lake County
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) is holding collection events for electronic waste (e-waste) around Lake County. Proper disposal of items such as computer equipment, digital equipment, microwave ovens, and batteries is important because of potential hazardous waste within them. Protect your community by bringing your
unwanted electronic items to a local collection site.    

Cuba Township (Road District Facility)  
28070 W. Cuba Road, Barrington Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (excluding holidays)
September is Library Card Sign-up Month

Libraries aren't just for books anymore.  With a library card, residents can check out DVD's and computer programs or take advantage of modern resources like media labs and smart rooms where you can create and edit videos.  Use your library card from home to access resources online, like foreign language programs and research databases. 

Stop by your local library or visit their website for more information:
Ela Area Public Library
Barrington Area Library
Schedule of events at the Lake County Job Center 
Take a computer assessment, research careers, create a resume or cover letter, practice interviewing, and network with other job seekers at our sites throughout the month!  More information

Special events throughout Lake County
Employment Expo and Workshops:
Round Lake Beach Sept. 12 10 am - 2 pm
call 847.746.6026 ext. 209 for info

LinkedIn Round 1.5: Lake Villa Public Library
Sept. 12 7 pm to 8:30 pm
call 847.356.7711

Mini-Job Fair: CLC Southlake: Vernon Hills
Sept. 18 10:30 am to 1:00 pm
call 847.543.2059
Employment Opportunities Fair: Zion Leisure Center
Oct. 29 10 am to 1pm
call 847.548.5631
Community Events

 

Lake Zurich's first ever Rockin' Block Party 
September 14, 6 - 11 p.m.
Main Street between Church and Old Rand.
Approximately 70 E. Main Street
I'll be volunteering at this event so stop by and say hello!  

There will be dancin' in the street, and on the sidewalks too!  Enjoy live bands, food and beverages for purchase, vendors, face painting, balloon art and more. Admission is free and d
onations to the Saint Vincent DePaul Food Pantry will be accepted.  Visit the Facebook Page  

ARTumn Harvest

September 7 - 8 p.m.
Deer Park Town Center

Explore fine art from local artisans, interactive kids art activities and live entertainment at the second annual ARTumn Harvest Art Festival at the Gazebo area. More Information

 

Friends of the Fremont Library Book Sale
Sat. Sept. 14, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. & Sun. Sept. 15, 1- 4:30 p.m. 
1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein, Il. 60060
A good selection of Sports, Cookbooks, Crafts, History, Biographies, Business, Science Fiction, Religion, Vintage, Art, Coffee Table Books, Books on Tape, Books on CD's, VHS Videos, DVD's, Paperbacks, and Children's Books will be available for purchase. More Information. 
Forest Preserves News

Endangered Plant Species Found
Presumed extinct in Illinois-it has been nearly 100 years since bog rosemary (Andromeda glaucophylla) was last found growing in Lake County.

However, this spring we found a small population in a forest preserve wetland. "It was like stepping back in time," recall District botanists upon discovering the plant. "We knew we were in a special place when we saw the rich diversity of native grasses, sedges and forbs." Many are extremely rare in Lake County or listed as threatened or endangered species in Illinois. Lake County's bog rosemary has very likely been growing in this wetland for 10,000 years, ever since the glaciers melted and mastodons, mammoths and beaver the size of bear roamed our area. Today, just a few plants remain.


Controlled Burn Season is Here
If you see smoke rising from a forest preserve this fall, chances are that it's from a controlled burn. Controlled burning removes weedy non-native species, helping native grasses and wildflowers thrive. Check LCFPD.org/burninfo for daily announcements.


Special Exhibitions at the Lake County Discovery Museum 
September 21, 2013-February 16, 2014
Charley Harper's (1922-2007) life-long love of nature inspired his work in this wonderful collection entitled "Beguiled by the Wild." Harper was best known for his highly stylized wildlife prints, posters and book illustrations. He called his style "minimal realism," capturing the essence of his subjects with the fewest possible visual elements.

Passenger Pigeon's Flight to Extinction
September 21, 2013-February 2, 2014
2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon. This original exhibition explores connections between the human world, and looks at some of the work being done today to help prevent similar extinctions from occurring. Click here to learn more about this exhibition.

For information including Hours, Admission, Location and more, click here

September Events at Lake County Forest Preserves  
Waterfest
Sunday, September 8, 1-4 p.m.
North Bay Pavilion at Independence Grove, Libertyville
Join us in celebration of water conservation and our beautiful waterways as part of the Water Connects Lake County initiative. Activities include aquatic animal hikes, crafts, fishing, ponding, kayaking, boating, water monitoring, conservation and more. Learn about lake ecology, watershed and glacial activity, and aquatic species such as fish, turtles and frogs.

Greenbelt Mini Explorers-Art and Nature
Saturday, September 14, 10-11 a.m.
Greenbelt Cultural Center, Waukegan
Join us for stories and activities that explore the connections between art and nature. Enjoy crafts, stories and hands-on activities while meeting other families.

Fiestas Patrias
Sunday, September 15 , 2-7 p.m.
Greenbelt Cultural Center, Waukegan
Live music, native dancing and authentic food are all part of this traditional Mexican and Central American independence celebration. Enjoy the costumes and flare of Erandi folkloric and Aztec dancers, mariachi and marimba music, soccer games and more. The event is free, and all ages are welcome.

Fort Sheridan Beach Cleanup
Saturday, September 21, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, Lake Forest
Lend a hand and a few hours for International Coastal Cleanup day. Drop in and join other volunteers to remove trash and collect data.

Farm Heritage Festival
 September 21 & 22, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Lakewood Forest Preserve, Wauconda
This family festival celebrates Lake County's agricultural roots. Tractor parade, sheep herding, wagon rides, animals and more.


Fred Fest: five bands playing for a great cause!
Sunday, September 15,  1 - 7 p.m.
Fox River Forest Preserve, Port Barrington
This year's music festival features Master of Ceremonies Jaime Laurita, and five popular bands: Sixteen Candles, Pat McKillen, Sons of Bildor, Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press, and Hudson McCoy. Tickets are $20 in advance or $30 at the gate. All net proceeds from the festival benefit the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves.
As always, I'm looking for ways to improve the content of this newsletter and continue to look to you for suggestions/ ideas.  Let me know what you'd like covered and I'll do what I can to incorporate it in future issues.  Also if you know of events or news of interest concerning our area, I'd appreciate you letting me know about it so we can share it with our fellow residents.

Please forward this e-newsletter to anyone you feel may benefit from its content.  By helping me get the word out in this manner, you're also helping me go green!  Thank you!

Should you need to contact me, my contact information follows:

Home phone: 847-438-2961
Cell phone: 224-805-6027

I consider it an honor and privilege to serve you!

Please stay safe!
Thanks,
Craig

Lake County Board Memember & Lake County Forest Preserve Commissioner
District 19 Representative
Serving
Barrington, Deer Park, Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, and Long Grove