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Dear Neighbors,
This newsletter is my attempt to keep you all as informed as possible on county and related issues important to all of us. As always, I welcome your feedback.
 An extremely dangerous tornado caused widespread
damage in northwest Illinois this month. Be ready before the next storm
strikes. The majority of Illinois tornadoes have occurred between April 1 and
June 30. Take steps now to make sure you
and your family are prepared for severe weather, like knowing the safest place
to shelter in your home, having an emergency kit, and a family communication
plan. Visit the
State of Illinois Emergency Management Agency and visit Alert Lake County
for live-saving information.
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 The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO),
the Stormwater Management Commission and Lake County Forest Preserves will hold
a compost bin and rain barrel sale and native plant sale. The compost bin and
rain barrel sale will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 9. The native plant sale
will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 9 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10. Both events
will take place at Independence Grove Forest Preserve’s North Bay Pavilion,
16400 W. Route 137, Libertyville. Rain barrels cost $60, and compost bins cost
$50. Rain barrels, compost bins, and accessories will be sold on Saturday
only. More
details
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 Think Recycle First
and Trash Last
If you’re starting your spring cleaning, think recycle first, trash last.
There are many options to recycle your household chemicals, old shoes, clothing
and electronics.
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A household chemical waste collection event will
run from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25 at the Round Lake Beach Metra
station, 630 Hook Drive. Find out about accepted
materials and materials that are not accepted.
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The Reuse-A-Shoe Program is designed to keep old
shoes out of landfills or disposed in other ways. Schools, scout troops and
community groups can participate. Details.
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Bring clothing, textiles and fabrics to a
drop-off location to be recycled. It is estimated about 85 percent of all
clothing and textiles end in U.S. landfills. Drop Off
Locations
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Electronic items such as televisions, monitors,
computers and printers are some of the most common items that are not
allowed in the regular trash. Find a residential recycling drop off
location. Details
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Electronics Recycling
and Document Event Open to Businesses, Schools
Businesses, schools and government are invited to take part in an
electronics recycling and document destruction event from 8 a.m. to noon
Tuesday, April 28 at the Lake County Division of Transportation, 600 W.
Winchester Road, Libertyville. Sponsored by the Solid Waste Agency of Lake
County, the collection is free. Attendees must bring a business card or Federal
Tax ID. Accepted
items
Watch the
Concert to Celebrate the Earth
In celebration of Earth Month, SWALCO is hosting a free family concert
called the “Concert to Celebrate the Earth” on Saturday, April 25. The concert
will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Village of Lindenhurst, 2301 East
Sand Lake Road; and 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Waukegan Public Library, 128 N.
County St. Details
Join
the fire safety expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 16 at Gurnee Mills near Parking
Lot E. Learn all about fire education safety at this free event. Enjoy family
friendly activities, food and more. Details
Participate in the discussion by providing your input on identifying state and local infrastructure challenges at this Illinois Division of Transportation (IDOT) Infrastructure Listening Tour meeting. The discussions at this public meeting will establish priorities for future investments in the IDOT transportation system. For information about the statewide listening sessions planned, visit IDOT’s website.
8 a.m., Friday, May 1
University Center of Lake County, 1200 University Center Drive, Grayslake
Kids Give Names to New K-9s
Meet
the newest members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office – “Duke”, “Diesel”, and
“Dax.” These dogs have new names thanks
to several Lake County middle school students who participated in the Rookie
K-9 Naming Contest held last month. Watch
video |
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Join Safety Forum on Technology and Pornography
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. To address increases in the
sexual exploitation of youth, the Lake County Sheriff's Office is hosting
a public safety forum titled, “Technology and Pornography - Keeping Youth
Safe” from 8 a.m. to noon Friday, April 24 at the College of Lake County’s C-005 Auditorium in Grayslake. The forum is
structured to help parents and professionals who work with kids understand the
increasing risks in cyberspace. The forum is free. Register
Stay Safe on the Road! Do Not Use Electronic Devices While
Driving
April is National Distracted
Driving Awareness Month. Illinois passed laws banning the use of electronic
devices while driving, and deputies from the Lake County
Sheriff’s Office will be conducting patrols to make
sure these laws are obeyed. Unless a device is hands-free, it cannot be used
while driving.
 Did
You Know – 1,000 Pets are Lost Each Year in Lake County? Website Helps Reunite
Owners and Lost Pets
The
Lake County Health Department’s Animal Care and Control program has a new Lost and
Found Pet Service web page to help reunite the more than 1,000 pets lost
every year with their owners. Watch this edition of Healthy Lake County and learn
more about this service, as well spring flooding risk and expanded hours for
the Midlakes Health Center in Round Lake Beach.
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Health
Report Card: We’re Healthy!
Lake
County ranks among the healthiest counties in Illinois (and the U.S.) – ranking
sixth on Health Factors and 15th for Health Outcome out of 102 counties
–according to a new County Health Rankings report card. The health department will use the findings to help
identify areas for improvement and develop strategies that promote the health
of our communities. Learn more.
Your Rx for Health: A Walk in the Park
Join naturalists and healthcare providers for free
guided tours in our forest preserves as part of the “Rx for Health” walking in
nature program, which aims to improve your health and your knowledge of nature.
For information and to view the schedule, visit the website.
In
this County Update, Lake County Clerk Carla Wyckoff discusses the work done in
the clerk’s office that goes beyond the election activity every year, and learn
how the County Clerk’s Office handles vital records and property tax
extensions. Wyckoff also addresses her hope that more county residents will
vote considering the advances made to make registering and voting easier. Watch |
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Hosted by Conserve Lake County, shoppers can find over 160 different species
of native trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials online through May 3. The
on-site sale will run May 14 to 16 when online orders can be picked up.
Proceeds support Conserve Lake County, a non-profit organization focused on
conservation and its programs including Conservation@Home.
May
14-15, noon to 8 p.m. (members only)
May 16-17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
May 18-22, noon-3 p.m.
May 23-24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Conserve Lake County, 32492 N. Almond Road, Grayslake
A Picture is Worth a
Thousand Yards: Sports Photography of Walter Payton
Celebrate the 30th
Anniversary of the Chicago Bears Super Bowl victory with photography by some of
the nation's top sports photographers, featuring some of the best images of
Walter Payton on and off the field. The exhibition is on display at the Lake County
Discovery Museum. |
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Spring
Burn Season
April is a busy month for Lake County Forest Preserve burn crews as they
conduct controlled fires to revive natural areas. Fire is the most
efficient and economical tool for managing Lake County’s natural
communities, improving habitat by decreasing invasive plants, removing
dead leaves and exposing the seedbed to the sun. Daily
updates
Enchanted Sleeping Beauty Comes to
Gurnee
See
“Enchanted Sleeping Beauty,” presented by the Gurnee Park District at 2 and 7
p.m. Saturday, April 25 and 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday, April 26 at Viking Park Dance
Hall, 4374 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee. Contact the park district at 847-623-7788 or visit the website www.gurneeparkdistrict.com for information.
Get Early
Bird Rate for Gurnee Aquatic Center By April 30
The
Gurnee Park District will offer its early bird rates to purchase aquatic center
passes through April 30. The season pass allows early admission to the pool,
unlimited full facility access and free entry to aquatic center special events.
Details
Join Some
Bingo Fun in Grandwood Park
Join
bingo May 15 at the Grandwood Park Park District Community Center, 36630 N.
Hutchins Road, Gurnee. Doors open at 6 p.m., and games start at 6:30 p.m. Details
Grandwood
Park Holds Scrapbook Crops
The
Grandwood Park Park District offers space for scrapbooking fun. There is a
large workspace, a bright room and comfortable banquet chairs. Bring a meal, go
out or order in. The various scrapbook groups are open to ages 15 and older.
For information, call the park district at 847-356-0008 or visit the website at www.grandwoodpark.net. Cost and
schedule
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