Hello Neighbors
It's almost surprising that Thanksgiving is already upon us -- with other holidays and the year end fast approaching.
We have moved through the election "season" into the national transition with its own drama. I'm glad that the negative political ads are over and disappointed that only about 54% of registered voters nationally voted. Like most residents, I'm disturbed by the financial condition of the State of Illinois.
With all that as background, it's good to know that 70% of registered voters in Lake County voted and that we have an AAA bond rating -- among the 30 best counties in the U.S.
The articles below provide access to detailed voting results and Lake County's 2017 balanced budget.
The Lake County Board's transition is straightforward. Newly elected and reelected board members will be seated followed by the election of the board chair and vice-chair. This meeting has been set for 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 5. It's a brief organizational meeting and, like every meeting of the Board and committees, is open to your attendance. On Tuesday, Dec, 13, the regularly scheduled Lake County Board meeting will begin at 9 a.m.
The Lake County Forest Preserves District Board meetings follow the County Board meetings by about 30 minutes.
I expect that committee assignments and special reports, including the calendar of meetings for 2017, will be presented on Dec. 13.
All of these meetings are available live via your local access TV (Comcast Channel 18) or online. Just go to LCTV on Lake County's website. The Nov. 8 Board meeting is archived. You might find it especially interesting as an example of cooperation without partisan politics.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you as District 10's Lake County and Forest Preserves commissioner in 2016.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
The County Board recently approved its annual budget for next year,
which is balanced and reflects the board’s commitment to fiscal responsibility
and making decisions that protect the long-term, fiscal health of the County.
The Board’s strong, fiscally conservative budget policies allow the County to
manage challenging times, maintain its fiscal stability, as well as maintain
our extremely strong AAA credit rating. The 2017 operating budget, which
funds the day-to-day operations, is essentially the same as last year, up only
less than one percent. In anticipation of potential State funding cuts given
the uncertainly of the State budget, County departments cut their budgets by 2%
through restructuring and other efficiency measures. Additionally, 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. The board continues to invest in our infrastructure, including our
transportation system and the delivery of Lake Michigan Water to the northwest
region of the County. Check out our new, reader-friendly on-line budget portal,
which provides a walk-through of our budget, including key takeaways, where the
money comes and where it goes. www.lakecountyilbudget.org.
 To view the unofficial results from the November 8 election, visit the Lake County Clerk’s website. Remember, election results are unofficial until provisional
and late-arriving vote by mail ballots are counted 14 days after the election,
and the results are certified.
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The
Illinois State Treasurer is holding $2.5 billion in unclaimed funds for
Illinois residents. The state holds these lost funds until they are claimed by
either the original owner or their heirs. Property is returned at no cost with
the proper identification. Visit the Illinois State
Treasurer’s site and enter your name or business
to see if money is being held.
Did you know that there are 20 bins across Lake County where you can
recycle clothing and textiles? And, by making energy efficient improvements,
you can reduce energy costs by 15 to 30 percent -- or $450 to $900 a year?
Visit our new Sustainable
Lake County website to
find out ways you can help the environment in your community. Some tips may
save you some money too! |
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 Forest Preserve News
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Earn a Bonus When
Purchasing a Golf Gift Card
Simplify your shopping, surprise the golfer in your life and receive a
bonus this holiday season. Now through Dec. 30, receive a $10 bonus
for each $100 in Lake County Forest Preserves golf gift card you
purchase. Gift cards are redeemable at ThunderHawk (Beach Park), Countryside (Mundelein), and Brae
Loch (Grayslake) golf clubs. Gift cards never expire.
Bonus vouchers expire after June 30, 2017. Learn more. |
Des
Plaines River Trail Challenge and Hike Lake County End Nov. 30
Just a few weeks left! There’s still time to finish the Des Plaines River Trail Challenge and Hike Lake County. Finish by Nov. 30 to
receive great rewards and be entered to win raffle prizes. |
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 The newly formed Lake County Mental Health Coalition, co-chaired by Lake
County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor and the Honorable Susan Garrett (former IL
State Senator, 29th District), recently held its first introductory meeting.
The group had a
productive and positive discussion pertaining to community change as it relates
to mental health, development of systems to share data, and the need to address
stigmas associated with mental health. The next steps will be to identify the
mental health services already in place and how we can provide a unified
approach to delivering these services throughout Lake County. In this video,
Lawlor and Garrett discuss the work of the coalition. Watch now
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The Lake County Sheriff’s
Office is partnering with the Veterans
Assistance Commission, local law enforcement agencies and schools to
collect coats and outerwear for veterans and their families. The collection
period ends Nov. 30.
Bring gently
used coats, gloves, hats, socks and scarves to one of the following
locations:
- Lake
County Courthouse and Administrative Complex, 18 N. County St., Waukegan
- Lake
County Sheriff’s Office, 25 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Waukegan
- Lake
County Sheriff’s Office, 1301 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville
As we enjoy the fall
season, drivers also need to be more vigilant and watch for deer on the roads.
Autumn coincides with the mating season and increased deer movement,
particularly at dusk and dawn. According to the Illinois Department of
Transportation, Lake County ranked among the top 10 Illinois counties for
crashes involving deer in 2015. Learn
how you can keep safer on the roads. |
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As we make the transition from fall to winter, this also means time to remember your village's leaf collection services as well as all the holiday festivities to share with family and friends. Here are details of some events you can attend, but make sure to go to your village website for more details about these topics.
Don't Miss Hawthorn Woods' Annual Holiday Craft Fair
Decorate your home or search for a holiday gift at Hawthorn Woods' annual Holiday Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 26 at the Village Barn. Admission is free. Details
Save The Date for Mundelein's Holiday Festivities
The Village of Mundelein will celebrate the official kick-off of the holiday season at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2 with the annual tree lighting ceremony and fireworks. Join the fun!
Greet Santa At Wauconda's Annual Tree Lighting
Join the Wauconda Park District and get into the holiday spirit at the annual tree lighting at 6 p.m. Dec. 3. Santa will arrive on a fire truck to light the tree and kick off the fireworks show. Then come inside and enjoy crafts, games and stories. Bring your camera to take a picture with Santa.
Round Lake Area Park District To Host Holiday Festival
Save the date for the Round Lake Area Park District holiday
festival on Dec. 3. Enjoy ice sculptures, games, Little Elves workshop,
sleigh rides, a performance by the Community Band, pictures with Santa and
more. Details
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