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It looks like Spring has finally arrived! If you are like me, you are looking forward to getting the garden planted and working on the yard. Spring fever is spreading and it begins this week with Earth Day! If you get a chance, stop in, say hi and check out the Earth Day event in Lindenhurst. It is always a fun time and very educational. I have more information below.
 One of many things I attended recently was the Lake County Leaders Summit in Gurnee. More than 175 government, business, academic and civic leaders came together for the 3rd Annual Lake County Leaders Summit to share knowledge and ideas. The theme of the summit was "Strengthening our Workforce Ecosystem". There was a lot of great ideas and discussion regarding the importance of education and infrastructure.
Locally, I sat down with Lake Villa Mayor Frank Loffredo and Village Administrator Karl Warwick to discuss some local issues. I gave a Lake County and Forest Preserve update at the Lindenhurst Village Board Meeting, Lake Villa Township Meeting, Lindenhurst Park District Meeting and also attended the Lake Villa Township Annual Meeting.
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 I met with Mayor Richard Hill of Round Lake Beach for a Fireside Chat at the Cultural and Civic Center along with fellow board members, Chairman Aaron Lawlor and Jeff Werfel. It was nice getting to interact with some of the local youth and talk about many different issues. They asked about snow plowing, elections, Route 53 & Route 120 bypass & other hot topics in our County. For my first time doing something like this I thought it was educational for the kids and a nice way to be out in the public with our constituents. If you are interested in watching a video of the event follow this Link.
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I feel its going to be a great year and I am looking forward to sharing all the great things we are working on in Lake County and on the Lake County Forest Preserve.
I hope to see you soon!
Respectfully,
Tom Weber
On Saturday, April 23, the Environmental Activity & Education Commission is hosting its annual Earth Day celebration at the Village Hall/Public Works Garage, 2301 E. Sand Lake Road. The Village’s annual Earth Day celebration is an opportunity for residents to learn about environmental preservation and sustainability in a fun, family oriented atmosphere.
Super Hero Earth Day 5K Fun Run flyer and registration form here! http://www.lindenhurstil.org/egov/documents/1458747697_77141.pdf
 
 More than 175 government, business, academic and civic
leaders came together for the 3rd Annual Leaders Summit recently for an update
from Chairman Aaron Lawlor on the significant progress being made in Lake
County, including advancing transportation and economic development solutions.
Additionally, a panel of experts from the educational field, private sector,
and workforce development discussed collaborative programs and strategies
underway to ensure our workforce has the right set of skills, training and
talent to meet employers’ needs. The goal of the summits is to bring
together leaders to share knowledge and ideas, strengthen relationships, and
collaborate on solutions for our county. Watch video and learn more.
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 After voting at an
emergency meeting on March 3 to close its five remaining collection sites
effective May 1, 2016, the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) Board of
Directors reversed that decision at its April 14 meeting. The concern over the
lack of recycling options for residents, and the need for more time to try to
amend the State law prompted over 15 Lake County units of local government to
donate the approximately $62,000 needed to keep the program operating. For at least the remainder
of the year, Lake County residents should continue to use the five collection
sites located in Waukegan, Highland Park, Grayslake, Grant Township and Cuba
Township. View the location
and hours for the collection sites.
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 If you’re starting your spring cleaning, think recycle first, trash last.
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County also offers many options to recycle your shoes,
clothing and textiles and household chemicals.
Reuse-A-Shoe: All
types of shoes can be collected to keep these shoes out of landfills. Scout
troops, park districts, schools, churches, community organizations and more can
participate in this fun program. Learn more
Clothing
and textiles: New, gently used and used men’s, women’s and
children’s clothing is accepted. Even clothes with stains or holes will be
taken. Learn more
about this program including what clothing is acceptable and where to drop off
your items.
Household chemical waste: Items
can be dropped off at year round public drop-off events at the Gurnee facility
as well as mobile collection events at locations across Lake County. This
collection is for residential waste only. Learn more
about this program including acceptable items and when the next collection will
be.
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Join the Village of Lindenhurst's annual Earth Day celebration starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 23 with a village-wide cleanup followed by free refreshments, kids' activities, raffles and prizes, and booths
with information and giveaways. In conjunction with
these activities, the Lindenhurst Park District will host an Earth Day 5K starting at 9 a.m. at Millennium Park. Learn more about all the Earth Day festivities.
 This year, the Lake County Division of
Transportation (LCDOT) will have $111 million in road projects under
construction making for another busy construction season! While about
$73 million of that is carried over from projects that were started last year,
there will be about $38 million in new projects. The plan includes 22 projects,
14 of which contain non-motorized travel improvements, such as sidewalk
connections, bike paths, or adding bike friendly lanes. Read news release
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The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has resumed mailing vehicle
emissions test notices to motorists after the agency took action earlier this
year that they would only provide notices electronically. The state’s vehicle
emissions testing contractor, Applus Technologies, Inc. will print and mail
notices at no cost to the State. Emissions test notices will be mailed on a
postcard size form and will be retroactive to vehicle owners whose license
plates expired at the end of March 2016. Motorists who have completed testing
requirements will not receive a new test notice. Learn
more
 Local agencies in Lake
County are working toward a coordinated county-wide paratransit service to meet
the transportation needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities. With new
partnerships, a federal grant and the support of Lake County, RTA and Pace, the
existing service in Central Lake County is expanding. Eligible residents in
Fremont, Libertyville and Shields Townships, including the Villages of
Libertyville and Mundelein will benefit from an expanded service area and times
that began on March 1, 2016. Watch this video to learn more.
For more information and
destinations included in the service area, view the Rider’s Guide.
View the Rider's
Guide: RideLakeCounty |
Central
There
is also a coordinated service in the northwestern part of Lake County. Learn
more about the Ride Lake County West service here: View the Rider's Guide: RideLakeCounty | West
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Visitors to Lake County’s website www.lakecountyil.gov will discover a
fresh, new website featuring a responsive, innovative design with enhanced
functionality that will result in an improved online experience. The new site
is more accessible as users can view and interact with the site from any
device, including smartphones and tablets. It has a cleaner layout so you can
quickly and easily navigate and connect with the services and information they
need. It also features new functionality, including a module to “Report a
Concern,” such as a pot hole or lost animal. Visit the new website today, www.lakecountyil.gov.
 The Chief County Assessment Office offers help to senior citizens age 65 and older who want to
complete the Senior Assessment Freeze Exemption application. Attend an outreach session from noon to 3 p.m. May 2 at the Round Lake Area Park District senior center, 814 Hart Road where seniors can receive one-on-one assistance to fill out the application. Watch this video to
learn more about the outreach centers as well as learn where to download the
form and get instructions to help fill it out. The deadline to submit the form for 2016 is July 1.
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April is National
Child Abuse Prevention Month. Elected officials and community leaders recently
gathered to kick off the 2016 Blue Kids Lake County project, which
aims to educate the community about signs of child abuse and how to help
prevent it by posting “Blue Kids signs” across the county to help raise
awareness. Learn more by watching
this video, and find out how
you can get involved at bluekidslakecounty.org. |
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Lake
County processed 180,000 voters for the March 15 Primary election – a record
turnout. While all the ballots have been cast, the Lake County Clerk’s Office
still has much work to do. Watch this edition of Lake County’s
Dirty Jobs
where Chairman Aaron Lawlor helps in the clean-up process of the 122 Lake
County polling places. |
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Bring Your Own Bag (BYOBag) is a regional effort to raise
awareness about the benefits of bringing your own bag when shopping instead of
using plastic bags. Plastic bags often become public nuisances in the form of
litter and pollution in waterways, storm drains and wastewater treatment plants
and are harmful to local wildlife. Watch this video as local high school activist Abby
Goldberg and Lake County Sustainability Coordinator K.C. Doyle share the
importance of using reusable bags. |
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The Solid Waste Agency
of Lake County, Stormwater Management Commission and Lake County Forest
Preserves will hold their annual rain barrel and compost bin sale from 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m. May 7. Learn about the benefits of composting and harvesting rain
water. Watch demonstrations, and meet experts to answer your
questions. More Info
Also, don’t miss the native plant sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 7 and 8, just in time for Mother's Day. Find all this at Independence Grove Forest Preserve's North Bay Pavilion in Libertyville. Learn the value of planting native species and find a variety of flowers, plants, shrubs and trees. View the list of available plants.
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Citizens for
Conservation and Conserve Lake County are hosting their annual plant sales, a
great way to shop for native plants including perennials, grasses, trees and
shrubs. Conserve Lake County’s online sale will run through April 25. The
native plant sale will continue from 3 to 7 p.m. May 12 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 13 and 14 at the Conserve Lake County office in Grayslake. Learn more
Citizens for
Conservation will sell plants from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 7 and 8 at Good
Shepherd Hospital barn area. Learn more
 Forest Preserve News
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Ray Lake Grows Again
This spring, the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners approved the
purchase of two new parcels of land as additions to Ray Lake Forest Preserve in
Wauconda, - 61.8 acres in March (White property) and 29.4 acres in April
(Diebold property). Both parcels are in Fremont Township and are still under
contract. Real estate closings should be complete this summer. All together, these properties increase Ray
Lake's total acreage to 1,039, making it the sixth largest forest preserve in
Lake County. |
 Celebrate Earth
Week
In honor of Earth Day, join a week of free nature programs through Sunday, April 24. Celebrate spring, learn about
ecology or join a nature walk. All programs are free and open to all ages. No
registration is required. Learn more
Spring trail alerts
Although spring brings warmer trail-going weather, it also brings increased rainfall, putting trails at greater risk for flooding. After submerged sections dry, maintenance crews are quick to regrade and repair any water damage. Check the status of trails and preserves.
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 Join RX for Health-Walking
in Nature
Take
a guided tour of Lake County's forest preserves as part of the Rx for Health-Walking
in Nature program. Hear from naturalists and health professionals as you stroll
through woodlands and prairies while improving your health and your knowledge
of nature. These walks are open to all ages. Those 16 and younger must be
accompanied by an adult. All walks start at 4 p.m. Check out the full walk schedule
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Register for summer camps
Our summer camps are a great way to let your child
join hands-on activities that let them explore and appreciate art, nature and
history. A variety of weeklong sessions throughout the county make it easy to
find camps that are convenient for you. Learn more |
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. Learn more |
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Independence
Grove beach season passes are available
Season passes are on sale for Lake County residents. Save 10
percent if passes are purchased on or before May 1. Get unlimited access to the 400-foot sand beach that runs along the South Bay of Independence Grove's 115-acre lake. The
pass also includes participation in Family Fun Friday activities. Learn
more |
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Connect
with the Forest Preserves!
Download the mobile app for your
iPhone, Android or iPad.
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The Chicago
Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) seeks the public’s input as the agency
begins to develop its new On To 2050 comprehensive plan. The agency seeks ideas
about transportation systems, access to jobs, housing, preservation of natural
areas, workable tax policies and more. The goal of the On To 2050 plan is to
enhance quality of life for the seven counties and 284 municipalities of
northeastern Illinois. Send email to onto2050@cmap.illinois.gov to
share your ideas or to schedule a workshop to discuss the challenges and
opportunities in your community. Visit CMAP’s Get Involved web page to
learn more.
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