 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 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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 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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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 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 7 and 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. May 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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 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. |
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Connect
with the Forest Preserves!
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Give a hand along the bank to remove litter for a healthier river as part of Chicago River Day May 14, cosponsored by the Stormwater Management Commission. Meeting spots will be planned at Highland Park Shopping Center and the Sleepy Hollow Park in Highland Park as well as Middlefork Savanna and the Skokie River Nature Preserve in Lake Forest to help clean up. Learn more about the cleanup and sign up to help.
 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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ComEd will begin upgrading
meters in homes across Lake County with a smart meter. Over 300,000 smart
meters will be installed starting this year and continuing through 2018. This
smart meter can give homeowners access to more information on the home’s
electricity use and help homeowners make changes to help save money on energy
bills. Homeowners will not need to be home if the meter can be accessed. One
week prior to scheduled installation, ComEd will contact homeowners by phone to
notify you when the home is scheduled for installation. Learn more
about smart meters.
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.
Whether you are beginning your career or an experienced worker, there is
something for everyone at the Job Center of Lake County. Job seekers can
receive assistance with putting together a resume, use computers to complete online
applications, attend one of many workshop, and more. Watch this
video to learn more. |
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Lake County Workforce Development has contracted with the College of Lake County Workforce & Professional Development Institute to offer basic and intermediate computer classes. Free classes will be offered through May and June at the Job Center of Lake County in Waukegan. Learn more including information to sign up for upcoming classes. |
Key Lime Cove and the United Way of Lake County will offer discounted
tickets to the Gurnee indoor waterpark resort through June 10 as they host Community
Days. The Lost Paradise Waterpark passes can be used anytime during normal
hours 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily excluding Memorial Day May 27 to 30. Tickets cost
$30 per person per day. Children under age 2 are free. Learn more
The Lake County State’s
Attorney’s Office welcomed Lake Forest
High School students to their annual Knowledge is Power Workshop. The Lake
County State’s Attorney’s Office seeks to motivate students to pursue higher
education, give back to their community through public service, and to consider
the criminal justice profession as a potential career goal. Watch now to hear more about this year’s workshop. |
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