Forest Preserve Board approves purchase of new preserve in Antioch Township

The Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners approved purchase of two different land transactions totaling 227 acres at their Tuesday, January 17 meeting. The acquisitions create a new preserve in north central Lake County named Lake Marie Forest Preserve. The combined purchase cost for the land buys is approximately $7.45 million.

The Board approved purchasing approximately 150 acres known as the Lake Marie property at a cost of $6,097,500 million. The land is located on the north side of Beach Grove Road just west of Illinois Route 59 and provides access to Lake Marie. A portion of this property includes a campground with both temporary and permanent structures, however operation of the campground will not continue once the Forest Preserve completes the purchase.

The Board also approved purchasing approximately 77 acres known as the Beach Grove Road/Route 59 property for $1,347,500 million. The land is adjacent to the Lake Marie property and provides frontage on the northwest corner of Illinois Route 59 and Beach Grove Road.

When combined, the two properties create one new preserve named Lake Marie Forest Preserve that will eventually offer public access to Lake Marie and significant future trail and recreational uses.

The unique natural features of the two properties include rolling hills and a scenic vista overlooking the bay on Lake Marie. The high-quality lake provides habitat for many species of waterfowl. Groves of hickory and oak trees also dot the landscape and provide habitat for other species of wildlife. Purchasing these properties offers excellent potential for woodland, wetland and prairie restoration and stabilization of the lake shore. These restoration efforts will help improve the water quality entering Lake Marie and reduce storm water runoff.

Each individual land transaction is contingent on a final closing in the fall of 2012. If the closing is successful, the new 227-acre preserve will join an extensive network of open spaces currently totaling more than 29,300 acres that create the Lake County Forest Preserves.

Help keep County roadways litter-free

Adopt-a-Highway applications now available

Did you make a New Year's Resolution to volunteer this year, or maybe resolve to live a little "greener"? If not, it's not too late! The Adopt-A-Highway program it is an excellent opportunity to contribute toward a cleaner, "greener" environment in Lake County, and now is your opportunity to enroll in the program. The Division of Transportation is accepting applications through Jan. 27.

Since 1993,  hard-working volunteers from various business, civic, not-for-profit, social and youth groups have dedicated their free time twice a year to remove litter from both sides of their adopted county highway. The program promotes teamwork, civic responsibility, helping the environment, and provides a valuable public service. Groups are recognized for their work with commemorative signs bearing their name that are placed on the roadway. 

 "We truly appreciate the volunteer efforts of citizens and organizations to help keep our roadways clean. Their efforts make a real difference. Thanks to their dedicated work, DOT maintenance crews can focus more time on road maintenance and other highway projects," said Marty Buehler, Director of Transportation/County Engineer. 

 The Division of Transportation provides participants with high-visibility safety vests, trash bags and safety information before dispatching the volunteers to remove litter from Lake County bike paths and highways. This program helps improve the appearance of the county's highway system, with volunteers removing more than 230,000 pounds of litter last year alone. 

Current participants include groups such as:

Center for Global Initiatives

Canal Raiders Motorcycle Club

Liberty Waste & Recycling

Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District

 Submit completed applications to the Lake County Division of Transportation
by January 27.
 Mail: 600 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048
 Email:  Adoptahwy@lakecountyil.gov 
 Phone: 847.377.7472
 Fax: 847.984.5606

Board Approves Wadsworth Road and Delany Road Improvements 

At its January meeting, the Lake County Board approved two road improvement projects that will help address congestion in northeastern Lake County.

The County Board approved a contract for the reconstruction and widening of Delany Road from York House Road to Wadsworth Road to five lanes. The project, scheduled to begin this year, will bring much-needed capacity to this north-south corridor.

Summer Youth Employment Program

Summer Youth Employment Program accepting applications during the month of February What: Summer Youth Employment Program

Who: Interested youth, ages 14-18 who meet low-income requirements

When: Application period Feb. 1 - Feb. 29  (Selection for the program will be based on random lottery)

Where: Applications can be found at www.lakecountyjobcenter.com, local township offices, many schools, and at the Waukegan Job Center, 1 N Genesee St., Waukegan