Trick or treat hours, Election news and More

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Steve Carlson, District 7

October 17, 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.


Board to Consider 2017 Proposed Budget in October – Budget Hearings to be Televised

The County Board will hold budget hearings on Tuesday, Oct. 18 (starting at 9 a.m.) and Wednesday, 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. The county board is committed to fiscal responsibility and making decisions that protect the long-term fiscal health of the County. The uncertainty of the State budget and potential State funding cuts continue to place significant pressure 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.


November 8 Election News

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Voter registration will be available Election Day
Grace Voter Registration will be available in all Lake County precinct voting sites for the Nov. 8 election.

The U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, recently 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 voting site on Election Day. As a result, the Court granted the requested preliminary injunction, which prohibited in-precinct Election Day registration in counties with a population in excess of 100,000. 

This was appealed by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, and on Oct. 7, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the previous U.S. District Court order enjoining Election Day In-Precinct Registration – which means counties with a population of 100,000 or more are required to provide voters with the option of registering at voting sites on Election Day.

Watch this to learn more about the Nov. 8 election, including dates you should remember such as when early voting starts as well as how results are processed and reported on election night. Make sure to also preview a personalized ballot, and explore your voting options on the County Clerk's office Nov. 8 General Election web page

Vote Like a Couch Potato!
Voting by mail is so easy that even a couch potato can do it! Avoid the long lines on Nov. 8 by filling out your ballot from the comfort of your own sofa. Here’s how to request a ballot by mail:

couch potato voter

Check Out New Water Meter Customer Portal

Lake County Public Works has launched its new Water Meter Customer Portal, which allows Public Works customers to monitor how much water they’re using, receive alerts regarding water usage, and much more! Watch this video to learn more.

water meter

Get Treats Ready! Halloween is Coming

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Several Lake County communities have set their trick-or-treat hours for this year. Find out when it’s happening in your area by viewing Visit Lake County's latest guide. See Your Communities' Trick-or-Treat Hours.

Be safe this Halloween
With Halloween approaching, remember to be safe.  The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will have extra deputies patrolling while children are trick-or-treating. Sheriff’s detectives also will provide additional monitoring of registered child sexual offenders to ensure they are in compliance with the law and not participating in trick-or-treating. View some safety tips to make this a safe and fun Halloween.


Save the Date! Household Chemical Waste Collection Planned

SWALCO

Get rid of unwanted aerosol products, motor oil, fertilizer and other chemicals at the household chemical waste collection event from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Mundelein Metra Train Station, 205 N. Archer Ave. View what items will be accepted.

Residents Are Working to Reduce Waste Put into Landfills
Residents who live in unincorporated Lake County are reducing the amount of waste being put into landfills from 2.5 pounds per person per day in 2014 to 2.37 pounds per person per day in 2015, according to the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County. This decrease occurred a year after Lake County required waste haulers to provide recycling bins to all residents.

SWALCO reminds you there are items in each room that you can recycle. Check out this guide to learn more. And visit SWALCO’s website to learn about all the recycling programs, including electronics, clothing and textiles, shoes, household chemical waste and prescription drugs.


Learn the Do's And Don'ts of Food Scrap Composting

You may be used to putting paper and plastics in the recycling container, but did you know you can also recycle food items every day like banana peels and coffee grounds? Many food scraps end up in the landfill but could be composted instead. Watch this to learn the do’s and don’ts of food composting.

food scrap composting

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Forest Preserve News

Book your 2017 event at a Forest Preserve picnic shelter
Reservations for 2017 dates at any of the Forest Preserves’ 31 picnic shelters are now being accepted. Plan early for your family reunion, company picnic or other group gathering to ensure your first choice of shelter and date. Learn more.

picnic shelter

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.

Des Plaines River Trail

Pay County Fines, Avoid Collection Fees During Amnesty Week

All collection fees will be waived on any past due fines to Lake County during Amnesty Week, Oct. 24 to 28. Full and partial payments will be accepted. You can pay by phone by calling 847-377-3239, or by visiting any Circuit Clerk branch location from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to make a payment. Payments can be made at the following locations:

  • Lake County Circuit Clerk’s Office, 18 N. County St., Waukegan
  • Mundelein Branch Court, 105 E. Route 83
  • Park City Branch Court, 301 Greenleaf St.
  • Round Lake Branch Court, 1792 Nicole Lane, Round Lake Beach

Protect Yourself! Get the Flu Vaccine This Fall

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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.


Students Recognized for Good Attendance at Annual Awards

Nearly 150 schools and 100,000 students participated in Attendance Week in Lake County! Each year, schools hold fun activities to promote attendance in school. The Lake County Regional Office of Education recently held its 28th annual Attendance Week awards ceremony recognizing the schools who participated this year and celebrating students who make good attendance a priority. The goal is to promote improved school attendance across the county. Watch this to learn more. 

attendance week

Community News

Join Halloween House Decorating Contest
Show your spirit by entering the Gurnee Park District's Halloween House Decorating Contest. Use lights, sound, live actors, animation and imagination to decorate your home. Entries must register by Oct. 26, and judging will begin at 4 p.m. Oct. 26. Winners will be announced Oct. 27. Details

Enjoy doughnuts and cider with library director
Share cider and doughnuts with Warren-Newport Public Library's Executive Director Ryan Livergood between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Oct. 28 at the library. He'll be the one in the pirate costume. Come with questions, concerns, or to chat. 

Grandwood Park Park District hosts children's Halloween party
Children up to age 10 are invited to enjoy Halloween games, activities, crafts and more at the Grandwood Park Park District children's Halloween party. The party will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 29 at the community center, 36630 N. Hutchins Road, Gurnee. Learn more


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