Share your ideas for a better Lake County

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Steve Carlson, District 7

October 5, 2016

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Dear Neighbors,

I am always looking for feedback on my newsletter as well as what's happening in Lake County. If you have any comments or concerns, feel free to send me an email, or give me a call at 224-627-0767. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, please sign up to continue to receive news about Lake County and District 7.


Share Your Ideas for a Better Lake County

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The Lake County Board will update its strategic plan next year. This plan serves as a road map for our county government and influences how we prioritize and invest our resources.  Take a look at our strategic plan and read about the progress we’re making

As we get ready to update our plan, we want to know what is important to you. Please submit your thoughts and ideas to make our county even better through our “Community Voice” forum. It’s easy to join the conversation by signing in and sharing your ideas for a better Lake County! 

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Celebrate A Fun Fall Weekend in Lake County

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Fall is here! Featuring 170 lakes and rivers, miles of hiking and biking trails and many family attractions, Lake County is a wonderful place to spend a fall weekend. Check out this list of upcoming events for ideas on how to spend the perfect fall weekend.

Win Four Guest Passes to the Lost Paradise Indoor Waterpark at KeyLime Cove!
Among the county’s fun and exciting attractions is KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort. You could win four guest passes to the Lost Paradise Indoor Waterpark at KeyLime Cove if you tell us your favorite thing about biking in Lake County, and send a picture that shows it! Enter by commenting your answer and attaching a picture on Lake County, IL Government’s original Facebook contest post. Entries will be accepted until 11 a.m. Oct. 17. 

Take the Des Plaines River Trail Challenge
Travel the entire 31.4 miles of the Des Plaines River Trail (DPRT) by Nov. 30 and be rewarded. The final section of the DPRT was completed in 2015 and now spans the length of the county. Help celebrate this amazing gem by using it. Bike it. Boat it. Walk it or run it. Or, you can make a donation to help the Forest Preserves keep it clean and safe. Learn more.

If you’re biking the DPRT Challenge, or enjoy biking any of the Forest Preserve trails, why not take part in this fun contest? Make sure to share your Challenge “selfie stop” photos!


Election Update: Legal Challenge May Change Election Day Registration

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As Lake County and the Lake County Clerk’s Office have been deeply involved in preparing for what is expected to be a healthy turnout for the Nov. 8 election, the Courts have interjected a critical new development that may prohibit in-precinct Election Day registration.

Last week, the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, responded to a federal lawsuit that challenged the Illinois law allowing counties with a population of 100,000 or more to conduct registration (along with voting) in every precinct polling site on Election Day.  In its decision, the Court ruled that this created a two-tiered system impacting the fundamental right to vote, favoring those individuals who happen to live in more densely populated counties.  As a result, the Court granted the requested preliminary injunction, which prohibits in-precinct Election Day registration in counties with a population in excess of 100,000.

The Illinois Attorney General’s Office has filed an appeal.  At this point, it is impossible to predict the outcome or the time estimate for a decision.  In the meantime, the Lake County Clerk’s Office assures that voters can register and vote at all 14 Early Voting locations across the county from now through Nov. 7 (the day before Election Day) at 7 p.m. Hours and dates vary at the 14 different locations. See the list.

If the decision is upheld on appeal and the injunction remains, voters will still be able to register at the County Clerk’s Office, 18 N. County Street, Waukegan.  If the injunction is removed, voting and registration will resume as originally planned in all Election Day voting sites on Tuesday, Nov 8. 

For ballot information, voter registration and voting options in the upcoming election, please visit the County Clerk's Office Nov. 8 General Election web page


Transportation “Lockbox” Constitutional Amendment to Appear on November Ballot

When voters go to the polls in November, they will see a proposed amendment to the Illinois State Constitution on the ballot. The amendment will ask voters if all revenues from various transportation-related taxes and fees should only be spent on transportation projects and expenses. If approved, the amendment calls for putting transportation revenue in a “lockbox” that can only be used for transportation purposes.  This would include highway construction and repair, mass transit, enforcing traffic laws, and other transportation expenses such as paying off debt on transportation projects. While protecting against the diversion of transportation funds for other purposes, the proposed constitutional amendment does not provide any new capital funding for transportation in Illinois. It is estimated that Illinois must spend an additional $43 billion on transportation infrastructure in the next ten years to bring highways and bridges into good condition. Learn more


County Board Chairman Takes Show to the Railroad

Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor recently took the show on the railroad. Metra takes passengers on about 750 trains per day along three lines across Lake County. In this episode of County Update, we talk with a representative of the Metra Board of Directors who represents Lake County. Watch now

Metra

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Forest Preserve News

Come to Hawkfest
Experience the fall hawk migration and see live raptors at Hawkfest from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake Forest. Join official raptor counters as they scan the skies and share their tips for identification. Help spot migrating raptors, and visit bird education stations to learn about raptor adaptations, the amazing world of woodpeckers, and waterfowl identification on Lake Michigan. The event is free and open to all ages. Learn more

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Fall Horizons magazine available online
Horizons is a free quarterly publication featuring articles on Lake County wildlife, nature and history, Forest Preserve news, and a calendar of events. In the fall issue, learn about the Discovery Museum’s move to its new home in Libertyville and our Des Plaines River Trail Challenge. Read Horizons online, or subscribe to receive it for free in print form.

Chili Scramble at Countryside Golf Club
Join this 18-hole tournament that ends with prizes, chili and drinks on Oct. 30. The game is played in scramble format on Countryside Golf Club's traditional course in Mundelein. Shotgun start is 10 a.m. All playing levels are welcome. Learn more.

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Leaders Join Walgreens to Fight Prescription Drug Abuse

Local and state elected leaders recently joined Walgreens Regional Vice President Joe Willey to unveil one of three safe medication disposal kiosks in Lake County. The Walgreens’ Safe Medication Disposal Program in Lake County is designed to give residents a better method to dispose unused or expired medications. Watch now

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Learn About Scams, Security and More at Senior Law Day

Lake County senior citizens are invited to attend Senior Law Day, an educational forum from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Park City Branch Court. Learn about jury duty and elder law from Lake County judges. Join a discussion on how to avoid criminal scams with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Sheriff’s Office will address security in your home, on your computer or in the courthouse. Learn more


Students, Parents Can Get Financial Aid Guidance at Workshops

University Center

College students and their parents can get help applying for college financial aid by attending the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) workshops at locations across Lake County through late January. All college-bound high school students and their parents along with current college students are invited to attend a free workshop. View the complete list of workshop dates.

Address Bullying and How Schools Can Respond

The University Center of Lake County is collaborating with Northern Illinois University to bring their “Bullying:  How Schools Can Respond” conference to Lake County. The conference will take place simultaneously in DeKalb and Grayslake from 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Oct. 26. The sixth annual conference is designed to educate administrators, teachers, counselors, and staff about how they can respond to the issue of bullying in their schools.  Learn more


Community News

Gurnee moves start of leaf collection to Oct. 17
Upon reviewing dates with Grayslake and Warren Township, the Village of Gurnee and Waste Management have agreed to move the start of the annual leaf collection program up one week to Oct. 17. Leaves will be collected six times through the program, which ends Nov. 26. Residents should have their leaves at the curb by 6 a.m. on the Monday of each collection week. For information, visit the village's website

Take Gurnee's Halloween Trick or Treat Path
The Gurnee Park District will host a Halloween Trick or Treat Path through Viking Park from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 15 for children ages 1 to 6. Parents must attend. This event is held outdoors, so dress for the weather. Call (847) 599-3774 for more information.

Join Oktoberfest Oct. 8
The Grandwood Park Civic Association will hold its Oktoberfest Saturday, Oct. 8 at Hutchins Athletic Field. Start the day with the rugby game at 1 p.m. There also will be food, a hayride, bonfire, games, music, fireworks and more.


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