In 2016, the Lake County Division of Transportation studied four travel corridors to look at signal timings during peak travel times in the morning, mid-day, and in the evening. One of the corridors in the study was Fairfield Road from Bonner Road to Gossell Road. The results of the study show LCDOT reduced delay by 7.3 hours and saved 14 gallons of fuel per day, for an annual benefit of $48,010.

The overall results of the study show that technology enhancements, adjusting the signal timings, and coordinating the signals through the Lake County PASSAGE system led to a reduction in vehicle delays (477.8 hours) and a reduction in fuel consumption (318.2 gallons) per day. Not only does this save money, approximately $3.1 million a year, but this also means less time stuck in the car and more time doing the things you want to do. An added benefit of the study was a reduction in CO2 emissions by 566 metric tons per year.  Learn more about the study.

Learn more about the water quality of Lake County's lakes and how to mitigate water impairments at the Des Plaines River Watershed meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Central Permit facility, 500 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville.

Come listen to Mike Adam, senior biologist from the Lake County Health Department, and an expert panel of lake associations and committees, as they discuss practices to best manage their lakes and talk about opportunities for improvements for all of our lakes. Among the speakers will be Tony Baade from the Loch Lomond Property Owners Association and Greg Denny from the Diamond Lake Preservation Alliance. Learn more

Forest Preserve News

Volunteer at the Native Seed Nursery
Volunteers, including individuals, school, corporate and scout groups, donated more than 2,974 hours, equivalent to 1.5 full-time employees, last year at the Native Seed Nursery in Rollins Savanna in Grayslake. Many of the native grasses and wildflowers used in forest preserve restoration projects get their start at the nursery. Volunteers may propagate plants, plant plugs, maintain plant beds, and collect and process seed. Learn how you can get involved.

The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) will host a special one-day electronics recycling collection event for Lake County businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations and government units to drop off limited quantities of electronics. This event will be from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Jan. 31 at the Lindenhurst Village Hall Garage, 2301 E. Sand Lake Road.  Learn more about the collection, including items to be accepted.

75 volunteers. 17 teams. 24 people sleeping outside.

This year’s Point-In-Time Count yielded the highest numbers on record, going back to 2005. Volunteers found 24 people sleeping outside, and this number will grow over the next few days as volunteers continue to seek out individuals that need assistance. This event is one of many initiatives bringing people together to work toward ending chronic homelessness in Lake County. Help make a difference by connecting with the member organizations of the Lake County Homeless Coalition.

See firsthand how the Lake County Sheriff’s Office maintains law and order for county residents by joining the next Citizen Police Academy beginning March 9. The 10-week program will meet from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays and is offered free to Lake County residents. Participants must be 21 years of age or older, be of good moral character, and have no felony convictions. 

Applications are available at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, 25 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Waukegan and the Sheriff’s Office website. Submit your application by Feb. 24.  For information, contact Deputy Roman Buchberger at 847-377-4211.