 Vote Like a Couch Potato!
Voting by mail is so
easy that even a couch potato can do it! Avoid the long lines on Election Day - November 8 by
filling out your ballot from the comfort of your own sofa. Here’s
how to request a ballot by mail:
You Can Vote by Mail through Thurs. Nov. 3
Early Voting at HP Police Station starts Mon Oct. 24 - Mon Nov. 7
Find out how to register, preview a personalized ballot, and explore your voting options on the County Clerk's office Nov. 8 General Election web page.
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The County Board will hold
budget hearings on Oct. 18 (starting at 9 a.m.) and Oct. 19 (starting at 8:30
a.m.). These meetings will be televised live on lakecounty.tv. The proposed budget is balanced, and the operating
budget reflects an increase of less than one percent from last year. Potential State funding cuts continue to place significant uncertainty on our
budget. In response, departments cut their budgets by 2% through restructuring
and other efficiency measures. There are 11 fewer employees than last year, and
there are 100 fewer employees than five years ago. These reductions have been
made without adversely impacting service levels. Read
the entire budget and reader-friendly budget summary. The Staff has proposed that Property Taxes be raised by .7%. I am suggesting we keep them flat and not raise them in 2017.
 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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 The
most important step that you can take to protect yourself against the flu is to
get an annual flu vaccine. The Lake County Health Department and
Community Health Center urges those who should get the vaccine. This includes
anyone six months of age or older, especially children younger than 5, adults
65 years old and older, and those with conditions such as asthma or diabetes.
Flu shots
through the Lake County Health Department are available as well as through
retail clinics, pharmacies, and individual healthcare providers. Watch this video and learn more.
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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. Monday, 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!
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 Forest Preserve News
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Come to Hawkfest
Experience the fall hawk migration and see live raptors at Hawkfest from 1:30
to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 at Fort Sheridan Forest
Preserve. 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.
 Last chance to get fresh produce at Green Youth Farm
Wednesday, Oct. 12 is your day to purchase organically grown produce from the Green Youth Farm located in North Chicago. The farm stand is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.gm. Each summer, teens from low-income communities gain invaluable experience working at the farm. Learn more
Dog park and horse trail permits reduced
When purchased through Nov. 30, dog park and horse trail annual permit prices are half price. Reduced permits are valid through the end of the year. Learn more
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 Join RX for Health-Walking in Nature
Join this year's final guided tour of Lake County's forest preserves as part of the Rx for Health-Walking in Nature program. The walk will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 at Captain Daniel Wright Woods in Mettawa. Hear from naturalists and health professionals as you stroll through woodlands and prairies while improving your health and your knowledge of nature. Learn more
Hike Lake County
Like to hike? Enjoy summer sunshine and autumn colors while exploring designated Hike Lake County trails. Complete seven hikes by Nov. 30, and you'll earn a reward. Let your canine companion join in on the fun and they will earn a prize, too. Learn more
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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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LCFPD Calendar of Programs and Events
Hike our LCFPD Trails
All college bound students and their parents can get help applying for college financial aid by attending Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) workshops at locations across Lake County. The workshops are free. View the complete list of workshop dates. |
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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
 The
Lake County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded the Federal Justice and Mental
Health Collaboration Program Grant, totaling $250,000 to expand the response
to mental health incidents in Lake County. As part of this grant, over 300
police officers will receive training over a three-year period. The long term goal is
to develop a county-wide program that will provide crisis intervention team
training to all law enforcement officers as well as compatible crisis
intervention team training to service providers and those who have community
contact with persons suffering from mental illness and/or substance abuse
issues. Learn more
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Highland Park accepting nominations for Environmental Service Award
The Natural Resources Commission is currently accepting nominations for a Highland Park resident and/or a Highland Park business that has demonstrated a noteworthy commitment to the City’s environment. Nominations must be submitted by Nov. 4, and awards will be announced in December. Learn more about the environmental service awards, the qualifications and how to nominate someone.
Join Deerfield's Halloween Hoopla
Halloween Hoopla returns to Jewett Park Community Center on Oct. 28 and 29. From 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 28, check out a fun Zombie Apocalypse Trail Game, DJ, pumpkin patch, movie in the park, and bonfire. Then from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 29, enjoy entertainment, inflatable rides, a hay wagon trip around the park, carnival games, balloon twisters, face-painters, craft room, and more.
Feel free to contact me at 847.456.6933 or smandel@lakecountyil.gov.
It's an honor to serve you.
Sincerely,
Steven W. Mandel
Lake County Board Member / Lake County Forest Preserve Commissioner
District 11, Highland Park - Highwood - Deerfield
2157 Saint Johns Avenue, Highland Park, IL 60035
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