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view as a webpage
 December 28, 2016
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A new year will bring almost 200 new laws that will go into effect in Illinois on Jan. 1. This includes sick time flexibility, more protection to bikers, and a law allowing drug court participants to use medication-based addiction treatments. See the complete list. |
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 I want to wish you
and those close to you a happy and safe holiday season. I hope that you
all have a healthy and joyous time with family, friends and neighbors.
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So much has happened
in Lake County in 2016, from the record number of early voters, to new programs
to address the mental health crisis and the rise of opioid use. Check out our Year in Review to
see the highlights that had an impact in Lake County from 2016. |
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Lake County provides public safety and justice,
delivers public health services, invests in transportation and public works
infrastructure, holds elections, maintains important records, serves veterans,
inspects restaurants, controls flooding, protects rivers and streams, and so
much more! To learn more about what we do and how we are spending your tax
dollars wisely, watch
this video. |
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 More than 700 residents recently
participated in Lake County’s first Telephone Town Hall meeting. Participants
learned about important issues that Lake County government has a role in from
property taxes, to jobs to traffic congestion. Some even shared their questions
and comments live on the air. Listen to the discussion.
Share Your Input in Our
Community Voice Forum
You can continue to submit your thoughts 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. Provide Input Now!
Sign
up to Participate in Future Telephone Town Hall Meetings
Our next Telephone Town Hall meeting is scheduled
for Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. Sign up to receive a call!
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 Christmas Tree Recycling
Bring your Christmas tree to select Lake County Forest Preserve
locations. Donated trees are chipped and used for trails and landscaping at
forest preserves throughout Lake County. Find
out more
Textile Collection Program
Donate your new and gently used clothing and textiles, which will be reused and
allow the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County to continue programs. Your worn out
and stained items also can be recycled, turning them into usable new products.
Bring your items to one of these drop off locations.
Household
Chemical Waste Drop Off Events
Keep our environment clean by disposing of chemicals safely. Schedule a
household chemical waste recycling appointment for Jan. 14 or Jan. 23 at the
Solid Waste Agency of Lake County facility, 1311 N. Estes St., Gurnee. Acceptable
Items
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The holiday season is
time for many to travel by car to see family and friends. Stay up to date with
real time traffic information and current road conditions with Lake County Passage. Sign up to receive customized email alerts and
stay ahead of traffic this winter! |
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 Forest Preserve News
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Winter Recreation
Cold weather brings winter fun in your forest
preserves. Enjoy a solar-lit evening hike, sledding, cross-country skiing,
snowmobiling, ice skating or ice fishing this season. Before heading out, check for status
updates online, or call the 24-hour winter sports hotline at
847-968-3235. Learn more. |
 Winter Habitat Restoration Projects
This winter, the Forest Preserve's well-trained
crews will remove invasive woody species, primarily buckthorn, autumn olive,
sandbar willow and honeysuckle from forest preserves across the county. A total
of 27 restoration projects are scheduled this season, including 447 acres of
woody clearing, 70 acres of forestry mowing, and 170
acres of small invasive tree and shrub removal. See maps and details
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Board President Maine, Vice President Pedersen Retain Posts
The Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners have elected their new leaders,
choosing to retain Ann Maine of Lincolnshire (District 21) for a fourth
consecutive term as president of the Lake County Forest Preserves. The Board
also re-elected Linda Pedersen of Antioch (District 1) to serve as vice president.
Both will serve two-year terms, which will end December 2018. Learn more |
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 The Skokie River Woods wetland restoration project in Highland Park as well as the Friends of the Chicago River were among those to receive recognition by the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission as part of the commission's effort each year to recognize outstanding individuals, groups and projects.
The Skokie River Woods wetland restoration project in Highland Park was recognized as the best management practice project of the year. The Park District of Highland Park's project at the southeast corner of US 41 and Half Day Road improved stormwater, water quality, and habitat wetland functions and resulted in 2.76 acres of wetland restoration and creation, 13.75 acres of wetland enhancement, and 9.71 acres of buffer enhancement. Key components were clearing of buckthorn that improved both wetland and buffer conditions and habitat protection for wood ducks and blue-spotted salamanders.
Also, the Friends of the Chicago River received the Education, Outreach, and Media Award. Dedicated to the improvement of the Chicago River system and its watershed since 1979, the group educates the public, organizes annual river cleanup events and was a founding member of the North Branch Watershed Project in 1996.
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