Today, on the 12th anniversary of 9/11, we honor the victims of this terrible tragedy with a National Day of Service and Remembrance. As we come together as a country, we also thank the brave first responders who keep us safe and the many brave Americans who have dedicated their lives to protecting freedom.

There are a few more opportunities in September for residents to take advantage of the Tax Assessment Help Centers. At these centers, residents can get one-on-one assistance evaluating their property tax assessment from a member of the Chief County Assessment Office. Centers are held in Grayslake and Vernon Hills. View schedule. 

Residents Can Provide Input at Public Hearings
Lake County is considering new regulations that would allow beekeeping and hens in residential areas of unincorporated Lake County. Residents will have an opportunity to provide input on these proposed ordinance changes at two sets of public hearings. More.

Public Hearings

Regional Planning Commission Public Meeting for Initial Review
Sept. 24, 4 p.m.

Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing
Oct. 7, 1 p.m. 

Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Rd.Libertyville 

If you have any comments or concerns, please contact me at: dhewitt@lakecountyil.gov or 847.244.2742.

Thank you,

Diane Hewitt

 Click here to Join my Mailing List!

For the sixth 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 is a communications tool for taxpayers. More. 

The county board approved a Standards of Conduct Plan spearheaded by Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor that requires 300 appointees-that serve on everything from drainage and fire districts, to the transportation service boards, affordable housing commission, and board of review-to adhere to conduct standards. More.  

Take a computer assessment, research careers, create a resume or cover letter, practice interviewing, and network with other job seekers throughout the month. View Calendar of Events.  

5th annual Employment Expo and Workshop in Round Lake Beach
This event offers professional resume reviews and job seeking assistance.  For a list of booth participants and resources please view this flyer. The employment expo will be held Thursday, September 12, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center.  View Flyer. 

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 

This Potato Salad Recipe is a perfect and simple idea for the abundance of potatoes harvested this time of year. 

Image from Simply Recipes

INGREDIENTS
2 lbs of Yukon Gold potatoes (you can leave the peel on if you want), cut into 1-inch pieces
3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons of mustard (your favorite, yellow, Dijon, stone ground)
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 dill pickles, chopped into 1/4 in cubes (about 3/4 cup)
6 slices of bacon, cooked* and finely chopped
Coarse salt
Freshly ground pepper

*To cook the bacon, heat a frying pan on medium low. Lay out the strips of bacon in a single layer. Gently cook, turning over occasionally with tongs, until lightly browned, and much of the fat rendered out. Place on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the excess fat. Do not pour any fat from the pan down the drain, it will clog it. Instead, pour it into a jar, or sop up with paper towels and discard.

METHOD
1 In a large pot, cover potatoes with cold, salted water (1 teaspoon salt). Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes. Drain, and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. (If you want, add some pickle juice to the drained, still slightly warm potatoes. The potatoes will absorb some of the juices, making them even tastier!)

2 In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, and mustard. Add a little salt and pepper. Add the potatoes and use a rubber spatula to gently combine. Add the rest of the ingredients, again gently combining. (Include a couple tablespoons of the pickle juice for good measure.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Yield: Serves 4-6.

Find your local farmers market here.

Find this and more recipes here.

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.  

Beguiled by the Wild: The Art of Charley Harper 
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.

Visit the Lake County Discovery Museum website for information on hours, admission, location and more.

 

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.