Fairfield and Monaville Rd. Meeting, Volunteer Opportunities, Recycling and More

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Tom Weber, District 3

January 18, 2017

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Friends and Neighbor,

Chairmen Tom Weber

Wishing you the best for this New Year!  In case you missed it, every 2 years after an election, we elect a new county chairman. I was honored to be elected Chairman Pro Tem by my fellow board members, and Chair the reorganization meeting. During which Board Member Aaron Lawlor was re-elected as the County Board Chairman. I am also honored to be re-appointed as Chairman of Planning Building and Zoning Committee for a second term.

2017 is going to be exciting as we concentrate on investing in the people of lake county. We will be doing this in many ways. Through attracting new business and workforce opportunities, infrastructure on our roads and utilities, by addressing many of our counties mental health issues and most importantly, being fiscally responsible and secure.

I look forward in keeping you informed on things happening around the county and community. Together we can make sure that Lake County remains a wonderful place to call home.

Sincerely,   Tom Weber 


New Laws Go Into Effect in 2017

new laws 2017

A new year brings almost 200 new laws that have now gone into effect. 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.


Round Lake Health Center is Open to All District 116 Students

Schools in the Round Lake Area now are offering easy access to healthcare. The Health and Wellness Center at Round Lake High School is now open to all students of Round Lake Area Schools Community Unit School District 116. Watch this video and learn about the newly added healthcare opportunities for Round Lake area school students.

Round Lake health center

Fairfield Road and Monaville Road Public Information Meeting

Fairfield and Monaville roads

The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) is studying an intersection improvement at Fairfield and Monaville roads. This is the second public information meeting for this project. The purpose of this meeting is to introduce the two alternative improvements under consideration and seek public comment. Please join us to learn more about the project, view exhibits of the alternatives, get answers to your questions and provide feedback.  Learn more about the project.

When: 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 31
Where: Lake Villa Township, 37908 N. Fairfield Road, Lake Villa


Provide Feedback about Travel Needs in Lake County

A Paratransit Market Study will soon be underway in Lake County to evaluate transportation options for seniors, and those with disabilities. There are a variety of services currently available, such as Pace Dial-a-Ride or township programs, to assist this population in their travels to and from medical appointments, places of employment and other daily activities. This study will evaluate the range of available paratransit services, identify gaps in service relative to community needs, and recommend improvements.

Please join us at an upcoming community meeting to learn more. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. The meetings will be conducted in an informal, open house format so attend any time during a session. The same information will be provided at all meetings.

  • 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 18 at Libertyville Township Office, 359 Merrill Court, Libertyville
  • 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 19 at Wauconda Township Office, 505 W. Bonner Road, Wauconda


    Find an Opportunity to Serve Your Community

    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” There are opportunities in Lake County to serve your community every day!  Find volunteer opportunities with Lake County government

    volunteer

    Learn More About What We Do and How We Are Spending Your Tax Dollars Wisely

    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.

    Budget video

    Residential Electronics Recycling Program Continues in 2017

    electronics recycling

    The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County will continue its residential electronics recycling program through 2017. After voting at an emergency meeting in March 2016 to close its remaining electronics collection sites, the agency was later able to successfully secure contracts with qualified recyclers and will continue to operate the program with no direct cost to Lake County residents. See what electronics items you can bring to the collection sites.  

    Lake County residents should continue to use the four collection sites in Highland Park, Grayslake, Grant Township and Cuba Township. Learn more about the collection site hours and locations.  


    Dispose Your Unused Prescription Drugs for Free

    Dispose your unused, unwanted and expired prescription drugs properly at disposal boxes across Lake County. And the service is free! In 2016, Lake County disposed of nearly 15,000 pounds. Find a drug disposal box near you, and learn what the program cannot accept.

    drug disposal

    Forest Preserve Logo

    Forest Preserve News

    Hoot and Howl Hike
    Winter is a great time to listen for coyotes and owls, which are active year-round. Bundle up and learn about these amazing animals on Jan. 29 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Lyons Woods. The program is open to adults and children ages 8 and older. Dress for the weather and wear warm, sturdy boots. Registration is required. Learn more

    owl
    holiday tree recycling

    Holiday Tree Recycling
    Don’t send your Christmas tree to the landfill, drop it off with the Lake County Forest Preserves for recycling. Donated trees are chipped and used for trails and landscaping at forest preserves. Bring your tree to a drop-off site by Feb. 1. Learn more

    Profiles in Excellence
    Join us for an inspiring afternoon in honor of black history at Profiles in Excellence, Feb. 5 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Greenbelt Cultural Center. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Champions––A Tribute to African-American Athletes.” This is an educational, entertaining and family-friendly event, featuring presentations, choir performances, a sports photography exhibit of Walter Payton and more. Admission is free. Learn more

    profiles in excellence
    summer camp

    Summer camp early bird registration ends Feb. 15
    Camps are designed for summer fun and learning, and include topics such as nature, recreation, art and history. Week-long sessions at locations throughout the county make it easy to find camps that are convenient for you. Browse our schedule of camps online, and register by Feb. 15 to receive an early bird discount. Learn more

    Cultural items to be transferred to Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians
    The remains of a minimum of 13 individuals and associated funerary objects belonging to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians will soon be transferred from the Lake County Discovery Museum’s collections to the tribe under the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Ownership of the remains was transferred to the District in 1989 from the County of Lake, which had previously acquired the collections from the privately-owned Lake County Museum of History in 1965. Items will be transferred in a manner that is consistent with the NAGPRA. Learn more about the Museum.


    Job News

    job center

    Learn Steps to Earn A Commercial Driver’s License 
    Do you want to become a truck driver? Attend an information session at noon Jan. 20 to learn about training to obtain your commercial driver’s license. The information session will take place at the Job Center of Lake County in Waukegan.

    Find Inspiration for Your Own Success in Latest Newsletter
    Looking for inspiration?  Read the latest Success newsletter from Lake County Workforce Development.  It's packed with stories of job seekers and businesses who made the career connection during 2016.

    See Lake County’s current job opportunities 
    We work to improve the quality of life in Lake County and provide services that benefit more than 700,000 Lake County residents.  From law enforcement and health care, to engineering and information technology, we offer a wide spectrum of careers. Learn more about current Lake County government job opportunities.


    Sign Up To Join the 2017 Point-In-Time Count

    Volunteers are needed for the 2017 Point-In-Time Count! We conduct a Point-In-Time count of both sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons to capture a picture of what homelessness looks like on any given day. Join us at 10 p.m. Jan. 25 to interview and count unsheltered homeless persons living within Lake County. Visit the Lake County Coalition for the Homeless site to register as a volunteer, and watch this video to hear from some of last year’s volunteers.

    point in time count

    As Temperatures Drop, Keep Your Animals Safe Too

    Low Cost - Pets

    As the mercury drops, the Lake County Health Department’s Animal Care and Control Program reminds you to take precautions for your pets. Here are some tips to remember.

    • Limit the amount of time pets are outside when temperatures are below freezing.
    • Frostbite happens quickly. Watch for signs of hypothermia or distress, such as redness of the skin particularly around the ears, nose, and paw pads.
    • Keep pets away from harmful chemicals such as antifreeze or deicers that can easily become stuck between the paw pads.
    • Use caution with candles and space heaters as pets can brush up against them or knock them over, potentially starting a fire or causing injury to the pet.

    Check this to learn more tips to keep your pets safe this winter.

    Find Lost Pets on Health Department’s Website

    Residents can share information about lost cats, dogs or other pets on the Lake County Health Department's Animal Care and Control webpages. Every year, more than 1,000 dogs and cats get lost in Lake County. The pages are regularly updated. 


    Radon Gas Testing Kits Available through the Health Department

    radon test kits play button

    In observance of January as National Radon Action Month by the Environmental Protection Agency, you are encouraged to check radon levels in your home or apartment during the winter months. 

    Radon is an odorless and colorless gas that naturally occurs in rock and soil. It can seep into homes from the soil through cracks in the basement floors and foundations, crawl spaces, poorly sealed sump pumps, porous cinder block walls and other foundation floor and wall penetrations.  

    Short-term test kits are available through the Lake County Health Department for $10. Watch this video to learn more about radon and the test kits.


    Lake County Opioid Initiative Update

    Opioid Initiative

    A total of 79 lives were saved by law enforcement officers in 2016 as part of the Lake County Opioid Initiative's Police Naloxone Program. A total of 125 lives have been saved since the program began on Christmas Day 2014. The Lake County Opioid Initiative's mission is to develop, implement, evaluate and sustain a multi-strategy county-wide effort to prevent opioid abuse, addiction, overdose, and death. Learn more about the Opioid Initiative.

    Also, 56 individuals have accessed treatment as part of A Way Out Program that launched last June. A Way Out is a Lake County Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion pilot program designed to fast-track users to substance abuse programs and services. This program is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at participating police departments. It ensures no criminal charges will be sought for those that may be in possession of narcotics or paraphernalia as long as assistance is sought out by the prospective program participant. Learn more about the A Way Out program.


    Lake County Police Officers Receive Crisis Intervention Training

    crisis intervention training

    Crisis intervention officers are receiving specialized training to help them evaluate various mental health crisis incidents thanks to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office receiving the Federal Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program Grant. Topics covered in their training include mental health signs and symptoms, geriatric issues, returning combat veterans with traumatic brain injury and PTSD, child and adolescent disorders, autism spectrum disorder, excited delirium, medical conditions and psychotropic medications, risk assessment and law enforcement response. Watch this video to learn more about the training.

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