December 16, 2011

Lake County News

Linda Pedersen Lake County Board Member and Forest Preserve Commissioner

Linda Pedersen, District 1 Representative

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at  (847)445-5504(cell) .  
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Sincerely, 
Linda Pedersen
Lake County Board
District 1 Representative
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Health Department Alert: Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Outbreak

 

Across Lake County, and the state, whooping cough cases are on the rise. As of December 8, health officials reported 138 confirmed cases, which is the highest number of cases reported in Lake County in five years. Early diagnosis and treatment is key in treating whooping cough, also known as Pertussis. This illness is highly contagious in the early stages and can be dangerous in small children. See a doctor if you have a cough lasting more than seven days, if you are experiencing prolonged coughing spells which may leave you short of breath, and cough medicine does not help. Often in between coughing spells, the person does not appear sick.

 

More information:

* Health Department News Release                

* For Fact Sheets (in English and Spanish), visit the Lake County Health Department Communicable Disease website.

 

 

Watch County Update: Sustainability

 

In this edition of County Update, we focus on one of Lake County's top strategic goals: Promoting a Sustainable Environment. Learn more about efforts to reduce waste and increase recycling, and other sustainability initiatives, as well as what you can do live greener. Watch now (15 minutes).

 

Board Action: County Board Adopts Legislative Priorities 

 

Each year, the Lake County Board adopts a State and Federal Legislative Program that identifies key priorities that Lake County will focus on during the upcoming legislative sessions. Among the 2012 state priorities, Lake County will sponsor legislation that provides counties with more authority in the siting, height, and setback for cellular towers in the unincorporated area. The County will also sponsor legislation that provides authority to remove abandoned vehicles in unincorporated areas, and establish an affordable housing trust fund. Lake County will support legislation that would hold mortgagees responsible for abating code violations on vacant properties. One of the federal legislative items for 2012 focuses on continued funding under the Workforce Investment Act Reauthorization (WIA), which provides assistance to unemployed individuals through various skill building classes and job centers. Loss of this funding would be detrimental to this program that currently assists thousands of residents each month.

 

The program will be shared with state and federal legislators, and Lake County will work with our delegation for their sponsorship and support.  

 

 

Illinois Law Bans Electronics from Landfill

  

'Tis the Season to Recycle...!  Electronics are some of the most popular gifts around the holiday season, but.... What do you do with last year's gadgets and all the old technology and equipment you are replacing?

 

SWALCO (Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, IL) offers residents an opportunity to drop off their broken or unwanted electronics, at no cost, at one of its Residential Electronics Recycling Collections held at various locations throughout Lake County.  In 2011 alone, SWALCO has recycled approximately two million pounds of electronics. Visit swalco.org for a list of accepted items and an updated list of drop-off locations and events.  If your equipment is in good condition the agency encourages you to consider donating it to a charitable organization.

 

Beginning January 1, 2012, the Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act landfill ban for certain electronic devices will take effect. The following is a list of electronic items that can no longer be disposed of in the regular trash:  Televisions, Monitors, Printers, Computers (including tablet computers), Electronic Keyboards, Facsimile Machines, Videocassette Recorders, Portable Digital Music Players, Digital Video Disc Players, Video Game Consoles, Small Scale Servers, Scanners, Electronic Mice, Digital Converter Boxes, Cable Receivers, Satellite Receivers and Digital Video Disc Recorders must be taken to a registered Illinois EPA collector such as SWALCO.  Residents should direct these items and other unwanted and broken electronics to one of the many collection locations coordinated by SWALCO. 

 

Don't know what to do with household batteries or last year's broken holiday lights?  SWALCO is now accepting alkaline batteries, rechargeable batteries and holiday lights at its electronic collections on a year-round basis.  In addition, several Lake County municipalities have collection sites for holiday lights available through January 31, 2012, as listed on the agency's website.

 

Green Tip:  If you're purchasing new lights this year, consider investing in energy-efficient LED lights, which can last up to ten times longer than incandescent bulbs and are 80-90 percent more efficient than traditional, using only one-tenth the amount of electricity  They also produce less heat and will continue to glow after one burns out. 

 

For more information about recycling or greening your holidays, visit the agency online at www.swalco.org or call 847-336-9340.

 

Robert Morris University

Lake County Campus

1507 S. Waukegan Road

Waukegan, IL 60085

 

SWORN FIRST RESPONDER DEPENDENTS CAN ATTEND RMU FOR HALF TUITION. If you are a sworn first responder from Waukegan, Gurnee, North Chicago, Deerfield, Libertyville or Buffalo Grove and have a dependent graduating in 2012, your son or daughter can begin attending the Fall session at the Lake County Campus of Robert Morris University (RMU)for half the tuition. That is in addition to any other federal or state financial aid, or any RMU scholarships for which they are eligible. All students must be accepted to theLake County Campus and submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The Lake County Campus is located at 1507 S. Waukegan Road.(Rte 43) For further information set an appointment with an Admissions counselor by calling 847-578-6030 or contact Jan Bednarz at 847-578-7113 or [email protected].

 

POST 9/11 MILITARY VETERANS ATTEND RMU AT NO COST. If you are or know of a veteran interested in attending the Lake County Campus of RMU, after Post 9/11 benefits are applied, Robert Morris University will cover remaining tuition and fees allowing military veterans to earn a degree at no cost. As an added benefit, spouses of Post 9/11 military veterans attending the Lake County Campus may also attend the RMU Lake County Campus at no cost.

 

A veteran should submit an Admissions Application either in person or online at robertmorris.edu and the application fee is automatically waived.   Interested veterans can also call 847-578-6030 to set an appointment with an Admissions counselor at the campus located at 1507 S. Waukegan Road (Rte. 43) Veterans will tour the campus and for immediate acceptance present a copy of one of the following: DD214, GED or High School Transcript, or College or military transcript, if applicable. A veteran will also apply for Veteran Benefits, complete the financial aid form (FAFSA), meet with a RMU Veteran Affairs Coordinator to secure your federal, state and institutional awards and register for classes during orientation upon acceptance to RMU.

 

Purchase Forest Preserve Permits Online

Permit sale for 2012 starts on Dec 1, 2011.

 

DogLeashYour Lake County Forest Preserves offer endless opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation, nature exploration and relaxation. Most Forest Preserves are located just minutes from your home and offer miles of trails and acres of wide-open spaces for visitors of all ages to enjoy. You may purchase your dog park, horse trail, model airplane and picnic permits on-line here.

The Forest Preserve Headquarters has moved to 1899 Winchester Road in Libertyville.  You may call them at 847 367-6640.

 


Forest Preserve Horizon Newsletter

To receive the Lake County Forest Preserve Horizon Newsletter by email, click here.

 


Shag Bark Pet Retreat and Spa

21685 W. Grass Lake Road

December 20 and 23

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

 

Mrs. Claus will be visiting, bring treats and take photographs with dogs.

 

Bring canned and non-perishable food items to be donated to Open Arms Mission in Antioch. More information about Shag Bark Pet Retreat and Spa here or call 847.395.8476.

 

Dental Discount Card Program

A new dental discount card program is now available that will help Lake County residents save money on their dental service expenses. The NACo Dental Discount Card Program, provided by the National Association of Counties (NACo) in partnership with Careington International Corporation, can help Lake County residents save up to 50 percent on their dental care services, and 20 percent on orthodontic services. Individuals or families may opt to pay for a monthly or yearly membership. The cost for a yearly individual membership is $59 and $69 for families. More than 200 providers in Lake County are participating in this program. Discount card holders will receive significant savings from these providers on dental cleanings, x-rays, braces, dentures, crowns, root canals and more. This plan is not insurance.

 

To sign up for the Dental Discount Card Program, residents can download a registration form at: www.nacodentalprogram.com.  A list of participating providers and more information is available.

Prescription Drug Card 

   Prescription Drug Card
 
County residents can take advantage of a prescription drug discount card program.  The free card that is accepted at most pharmacies offers average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.  This is intended for people without prescription coverage or on medicines not covered by your plan.  The card may also be used where accepted to fill prescriptions for pets. To print a card, click here
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