Dear Neighbors,
This week the County and Forest Preserve Boards had their monthly meetings. At the County we passed resolutions authorizing a number of contracts for the Court Expansion project. Many Lake County businesses were among those that received contracts including: Applied Technologies of Lake Villa, A Horn, Inc of Barrington, Aldridge Electric, Inc of Libertyville and Peter Baker and Son Company of Lake Bluff.
Transportation related contracts are always an important aspect of our meetings. A number of them relate to District 21. The details are below in the Transportation box.
We also approved a contract with IXP Corporation that will perform a comprehensive study to determine the feasibility, benefits, challenges and costs of consolidating public safety answering point/dispatch systems. This is part of an ongoing discussion with village, cities, fire protection districts, police. Our goal is to see if we can offer more effective emergency responses.
The Forest Preserve District approved an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Lake Forest and Lake Forest Openlands for a Middlefork Savanna restoration grant. We also awarded a contract for Phase II engineering for the Lyons Woods-Waukegan Savanna Trail connection. Read below for the latest update on the completion of the Des Plaines River Trail!
Summer is an exciting time in Lake County with a number of concerts, festivals and other outdoor activities. Be sure to read Community Happenings for additional information and sources. Don't wait until family and friends come to visit! Travel around Lake County for a concert, fair or festival. Find out all there is to do in Lake County.
There's lots more in this newsletter about summer safety, a new courts program and more. Let me know if there is a topic you want covered.
As always, it is a pleasure to be your representative. Feel free to contact me about these or other issues. I'm happy to come to your homeowner's association, scout or religious group, or community organization and talk with you about Lake County and the Lake County Forest Preserve District. Contact me at: amaine@lakecountyil or call my cell: 847-857-1732
Ann
Ann B. Maine
Lake County Board, District 21
President, Lake County Forest Preserve District
With the spring rains come
opportunities for mosquitoes to breed. Be vigilant about eliminating sources
for mosquitoes to breed and use protection to avoid contracting West Nile
virus. County residents may report areas of stagnant water (conducive for mosquito
breeding) as well as locations of dead birds, or learn more about the signs and
symptoms of West Nile encephalitis by calling the West Nile hotline number at 847-377-8300. Learn more about West Nile Virus at the Lake County Health
Department’s website.
Watch this
edition of Healthy Lake County and learn about ways to fight the
bite this summer, as well as segments on food service inspections, and the new
Women’s Residential Services flower and vegetable garden.
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 Forest Preserves News
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 Closing
the Gap on the Des Plaines River Trail Construction has started on the final section of the Des Plaines River Trail that
extends just south of Riverside Drive and north of Estonian Lane in
Lincolnshire. Completion is expected later this fall. The 8-foot-wide paved
trail will run about 1,600 feet long and close the gap between the existing
northern and southern sections of the trail. During construction,
southbound trail users can still access the Lincolnshire trail to Milwaukee
Avenue. South of the project, the trail will be closed at Estonian Lane. The
trail access point at the rear parking lot of the former Cubby Bear property
also will be closed until the project is complete. Check the website
for updates.
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 Independence Grove Activities
There's always plenty to do at Independence Grove--swim, use a paddle boat, listen to a concert. Before heading out, check the forest preserves’ website for status updates on summer concerts, the beach and marina. You also can call the hotline at 847-968-3497 or follow us on Twitter for updates.
Tuesday Night Concerts
Bring a blanket and a picnic and come to Independence Grove for a concert. Parking is $6 per car after 5 pm on concert days. For your safety, and as a courtesy to preserve neighbors, please park in the preserve only. Cars will be turned away when parking is full.
Concerts begin at 7:30 pm, Tuesdays, June 16, 23 and 30; July 7, 14, 21, and 28; and August 4, weather permitting. There are no rain dates, and concerts will not be rescheduled if cancelled.
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Online Auction for Pier Rights for Fox River–Chain O'Lakes
Beginning Monday, June 15, the Lake
County Forest Preserves will be
auctioning off 41 pier rights acquired with the purchase of Lake Marie Forest
Preserve in Antioch. The rights are for use on the Fox River–Chain O’Lakes
Waterway System in northern Illinois. Pier rights will be auctioned off
individually with a starting bid price of $1,000. There is 10 percent
buyers fee and a reserve. The online auction is being handled by Obenauf Auction Services. Check
their website for online auction details or to place a bid.
Bidders
must meet requirements of the Chicago District Regional Permit Program for
Marine Structures and Activities in accordance with the Fox
River–Chain O’Lakes Boat Pier and Boat Ramp Application Review Policy as defined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Successful bidders must also submit a permit application for review and
approval before the sale is finalized. If permit is denied, the purchase price
will be refunded. For information, visit the USACE website or call their Chicago District office at 312-846-5530.
Have you checked out the Forest Preserve Blog? It's a great way to keep up the the plants and animals in your forest preserves.
If you are on the go, you need the Lake County Forest Preserve App. It's also a great way to visit a new preserve and find your way around.
Did you know most preserves are open from 6:30 a.m. to sunset? These days, sunset is after 8:30 p.m. so you have plenty of time to be outside.
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Non-motorized travel
The railroad bridge abutments on the North Shore and the Robert McClory Bike paths are going to be repaired. Keep an eye out for more information along the trails.
We approved an agreement with the Village of Grayslake for construction of a multi-use path and sidewalk on Peterson Road from Alleghany Road to Rt. 83.
The Village of Deerfield and Lake County DOT agreed to the terms and conditions for energy, maintenance and future costs of Village and County owned traffic devices as part of the Lake Count PASSAGE system which interconnects traffic devices. Stay up to date with the PASSAGE App.
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The Des Plaines River and its tributaries run through District 21. It is a major force of recreation--and flooding. I'm very excited about the formation of the Des Plaines
River Watershed Workgroup (DRWW), a voluntary, dues paying organization that works to bring together a diverse coalition of stakeholders to work to improve water quality in the Des Plaines River and its tributaries in a cost-effective manner that also meets Illinois Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
The organization will monitor water quality in the river and tributaries, prioritize and recommend water quality improvement projects, and secure grant funding to offset costs.
At the June 9 Board meeting, Lake County voted to join DRWW. Membership consists of publicly owned treatment works and other
interested parties such as the Lake County Forest Preserves and many communities including Grayslake, Green Oaks, Lake Forest, Libertyville and LIncolnshire. Get more information.
 Visit the Animal Care and Control Center in Libertyville in this latest installment of Lake County’s dirty jobs, which takes you behind the scenes of some of Lake County government’s dirty and difficult jobs. Here, Chairman Aaron Lawlor cleans and takes care of lost pets before they are reunited with their owners or sent for adoption.
 5 Steps To Your Next Job
5 Steps to Your Next Job will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 22 at a
new location, Cook Park Library 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. This
interactive workshop covers the entire job search process from researching
careers to landing your next job. Attend all five days to earn a
certificate. Details
The Veteran's Monthly Job
Club will meet from 10 a.m. to noon June 18 at the Job Center of Lake County, 800 Lancer Lane, Grayslake. Military
veterans will meet with Judy Leonard, IDES veteran representative. Call
847-377-3469 to reserve a seat and find out more about the discussion topic.
Check
Out Successes in Latest Newsletter
Lake
County Workforce Development connects employers
with a talented workforce. Recent participants landed a wide variety of
positions including IT solutions manager, office associate, human resource
coordinator, medical assistant and more.
Read more in the latest edition of the
Success
Newsletter.
Lake County is Hiring. Check Out Job Openings. Career opportunities cover a wide spectrum of fields. Check out our career portal for
the current job listings for Lake County
government.
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 Light bulb Drop Off
The Village of Riverwoods is now accepting fluorescent
bulbs up to 4 feet in length as well as CFL bulbs. Riverwoods’ residents may
drop them off during business hours at the Village Hall, 300
Portwine Rd., Riverwoods.
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Alternative Prosecution Program For First-Time Non-Violent Offenders To Launch
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office will launch its Alternative
Prosecution Program for first-time, non-violent offenders. In exchange for
accepting responsibility for their criminal conduct, these individuals will
have the opportunity to keep a conviction from being permanently entered on
their record and to avoid the devastating impact a conviction may present over
a life time. This program will hold offenders accountable and address the
needs of crime victims. The program also gives deserving defendants a
second chance and the opportunity to avoid being labeled a convicted
criminal. Full
press release
Lake County has been recognized with three
Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The award
winners include: “Multi-Media Budget Project,” which includes a new budget web portal, the “2015 Leaders Summit/Lake County Life,”
and the “Lake County Opioid Initiative.” Click on the links to learn more about these
innovative, award-winning programs.
Deerfield Park District wants you to Get out and Play! And they offer the activities to help you do just that. They have a full schedule of special events that include concerts, an ice cream social, a triathalon and disc golf tournaments. Be sure to register for the 10th annual Family campout July 18-19.
Lincolnshire's Food Truck Fridays are in full swing. Check out the schedule and treat yourself to a great lunch.
The Deer Path Art League exhibit: Skip Wiese Retrospective is open through July 10 at the Gorton Community Center.
Don't miss Libertyville Days June 18-21. There is a carnival and games for all ages, a cookie bake off and a jalapeno eating contest! The parade on Saturday June 20 is one of Lake County's largest.
The Grayslake Historical Society has expanded hours through September. June events include a 19th century baseball game on Saturday June 20.
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