Lake County News -- Mary Cunningham
August 16, 2013
Job Center of Lake County

Visit the "Who's Hiring" page from the Job Center of Lake County to get the latest job postings in our area!

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Lake County Launches 'Buy Local. Build Local. Work Local' program

Lake County purchases more than $186 million in goods and services each year including equipment, products, supplies, and services ranging from small to big purchases. In addition, the County spends millions of dollars on roads and buildings. For example, the County Board recently approved a $100 million Courthouse Expansion Project which includes construction of a new nine-story Criminal Court Tower in Waukegan. 

 

Lake County's new Buy Local. Build Local. Work Local. program aims to connect Lake County businesses-including women-owned and minority businesses-with government procurement opportunities.  Lake County is hosting an informational seminar on bid opportunities for the Courthouse Expansion Project on Sept. 3 at 9 a.m. at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. Businesses are invited to attend this event and learn how to take advantage of opportunities to bid. 


For more information, visit www.LakeCountyCourthouseExpansion.com.

Lake County Lifts Ban on Video Gaming in Unincorporated Area  

The Lake County Board repealed its 2009 ban on video gaming and adopted an ordinance regulating video gaming in the unincorporated areas. Numerous businesses had argued publicly that the County's ban had created unfair competition for them. Following a lengthy discussion, the measure passed by an 11 to 9 vote margin. 

 

Currently, 19 municipalities already allow video gaming and in numerous cases, unincorporated businesses are a short distance from those establishments. The State's Video Gaming Act allows video gaming in licensed bars, restaurants, fraternal organizations and truck stops, and gives local governments the authority to approve or ban it in their jurisdictions. Under the law, businesses are charged a 30% tax on revenue from the machines, and a portion of that goes back to that local government. The board's vote directs future gaming tax revenue into a special fund. The county board also amended the County's Liquor Control Ordinance to establish additional video gaming enforcement tools.

 

Watch board meeting discussion.  

Taxpayer Advocates, Help Centers and Other Resources for Property Owners 

Many Lake County residents have received their property assessments notices in the mail. Ela, Vernon, Avon, Waukegan and Zion Townships will be receiving their assessments this week. The Lake County Chief County Assessment Office provides a number of resources and tools to assist with evaluating your assessment. For more information, Read the Full Press Release, visit the Assessor's Website and the Board of Review Website.

 

"Healthy Family" Health Fair

Tuesday, August 27
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1200 Glen Flora Avenue, Waukegan

 

Stop by for free snacks and an appearance by Sponge Bob!  Event includes medical information, head start physicals, Tuberculosis, Hemoglobin and Lead testing, dental exams for children, blood pressure/diabetic testing, head start registration, cholesterol testing and more!  See Flyer for More Information

 

Workforce News

August 26-30 Workforce Development Week

Each day, we'll take an in-depth look at "5 Steps to your Next Job", the job search process and offer helpful events and information along the way. Join the conversation on Social Media using #workforceweek.

  

Tell us about your job search stories, find updates and exclusive online only resources.
For more information visit their website

  

Upcoming Job Fairs

August 22nd 10th District Job Fair: Ramada Inn, Waukegan 

August 22nd Veteran and Diversity Fair: Ramada Inn,  Waukegan 

August 29th Employment Opportunities Fair: Zion Park District Leisure Center 

September 12th  Employment Expo: Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center 

 

Click here for "job fair tips" handout: 

 

New Modern Roundabout at Monaville Road and Cedar Lake Road

cedar lake roundabout

After a two month closure of the intersection of Monaville Road and Cedar Lake Road, a new modern roundabout opened on August 15, making the intersection safer and more efficient. 

 

The new single-lane roundabout replaces a four-way stop sign controlled intersection that experienced traffic delays during morning and afternoon rush hour traffic. Modern roundabout intersections improve traffic flow by allowing traffic to yield rather than come to a complete stop at intersections and they improve safety by reducing the potential for the most serious types of traffic crashes.  For more information, watch this video and read this press release

1st Annual Color the Park, Family Fun Run

Saturday, September 7

10 a.m. with packet pick up at 9:30 a.m.

Viking Park color the park

4574 Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee

 

Looking for a fun way to get some exercise, enjoy the outdoors all while supporting a great cause? Participants are encouraged to come dressed in white as bursts of powdered color are launched at them throughout the trail. Enjoy food, face painting, balloons and games. Registration is $10 for individuals and $20 for families. Proceeds will benefit The Lake County Children's Advocacy Center.

 

For more information on "Family Fun Run/Walk Color the Park" please call 847-377-3155, to register please visit www.colorthepark.eventbrite.com.  

Join us for the Battle of the Bands!  

The Lake County State's Attorney's Office, along with the non-profit group Live4Lali, will be sponsoring the Battle of the Bands on August 17 at the Lake County fairgrounds from 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. 

battle of the bands

The event will promote awareness about drug misuse, prevention, addiction and overdose.  Come out for some family fun, fantastic food, a live battle of the bands, incredible speakers, raffles, silent auction, local resources, educational opportunities and so much more! For more information, visit www.lali-palooza.org.  In this video, State's Attorney Mike Nerheim and Sheriff Mark Curran gives some startling statistics about the opiate problem in Lake County, and local residents share their personal experiences with opiate addiction.  

  

In this video , State's Attorney Mike Nerheim and Sheriff Mark Curran gives some startling statistics about the opiate problem in Lake County, and local residents share their personal experiences with opiate addiction.  

Forest Preserve News 

Experience! Afrofest and Jamaicafest at Greenbelt Cultural Center's Annual Concert Series

 

Jamaicanfest

Saturday, August 17, 2-7 p.m.   

Greenbelt Cultural Center
1215 Green Bay Road in North Chicago  

This free event offers dance, food, music and a cultural marketplace that will feature clothing, jewelry and other imports.  Live music includes gospel, reggae, hip-hop and more!  Enjoy jerk chicken and ribs for purchase.  Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and don't miss the limbo contests! 

 

Independence Grove Dog Exercise Area Closed through November for Improvements  

dog parkFor more information on Independence Grove click here and for a construction project map click here.

Lake County Forest Preserves offers several Dog Exercise areas, where dogs are allowed to run off of their leashes. These areas are fenced in, and provide a safe environment for dogs and their owners. In order to use these parks safely, there are certain requirements. Click here for rules, requirements and permits

Enjoy designated dog exercise areas at Lakewood, Duck Farm and Prairie Wolf.    

 

 

MaryCunningham If you have any questions  or concerns, please call me at 847.244.4314 (home), 847.721.1563 (cell), or email me at [email protected].

I encourage you to forward this update to others who may be interested in Lake County news. Persons who wish to automatically receive these free updates should contact me using the above information or click join our mailing list using the link below. 

 

Thank you,
Mary Ross Cunningham


Ms. Cunningham, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on:

 

Lake County Board, 9th District:
Lake County Law and Judicial Committee - Vice Chair
Lake County Health and Community Services
Lake County Rules Committee - Vice Chair

Lake County Forest Preserves, 9th District:
Education, Cultural Resources and Public Affairs- Vice Chair
Legislative Committee
Rules - Vice Chair
Diversity and Cultural Awareness Committee
Greenbelt Cultural Center Expansion Committee

 

Other appointed positions:
National Association of Counties (NACo) Community and Economic Development Committee
National Association of Black County Officials (NABCO), Central Regional Director
Lake County Board of Health
African American Advisory Board
18 N. County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085
cell:  847.721.1563
fax:  847.599.8852

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