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Did you know senior citizens may
defer part or all of their property taxes on their personal residence if they
quality for the Senior Citizen Tax Deferral Program? Among the eligibility requirements, applicants must be 65 years old as of June 1 of the tax year claimed and have a total household income $55,000 or less. Read the story below to find out more about this program.
Also, don't miss your chance to get a firsthand look at how the Lake County Sheriff's Office helps protect county residents by joining the next Citizens Police Academy, which will begin March 9. See how to apply, and join this free program.
 Thank you to several of my readers for pointing out we had originally reported the incorrect limits for this project. The Lake County Division of Transportation sends their apologies for any inconvenience. Here is the corrected story.
The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) is currently working on a project to widen and reconstruct Weiland Road in Buffalo Grove. The Village of Buffalo Grove completed the Phase I study, and now LCDOT is managing Phase II, which is the design stage of the project. Preliminary plans and specifications for this improvement have been prepared and we are entering into right-of-way acquisition. At the January Lake County Board meeting, we authorized $6.4 million from the 1/4% Sales Tax for Transportation funds to acquire the necessary right-of-way. LCDOT anticipates starting construction of the first stage of the project, from Deerfield Parkway to Woodstone Drive, in 2018. The second stage of the project, from Deeerfield Parkway to Aptakisic Road, is expected to begin construction in 2019. This timeline is subject to change based on the availability of funding and project readiness through the right of way acquisition process. Learn more about this project.
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 Lake
County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor is proposing a package of groundbreaking
reforms to county government that would give voters the opportunity to decide
on the leadership structure and management of their county government.
Illinois Senator Terry Link (Dist. 30) recently filed legislation that requires
the county board chairman be elected countywide starting in 2020. Currently,
the Lake County Board Chairman is selected by county board members every two
years. Learn more by reading this news
release and by watching the video of Chairman Lawlor outlining his position
on the new legislation at our recent Financial and Administrative Committee
meeting.
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Senior citizens may defer part or all of
their property taxes on their personal residence if they qualify for the Senior Citizen Tax
Deferral program.
Applications
are available at the Lake County Treasurer’s Office, 18 N. County St.,
Waukegan, and must be notarized and submitted to the Treasurer’s Office by
March 1. To learn more about the program, please contact the Treasurer’s Office
at 847-377-2323, or visit the Treasurer’s Office website.
 Applications are now
available for the Lake County Board’s Summer Youth Employment Program, which
offers youth, age 14 to 18 (or ages 14 to 22 with an Individualized Education
Plan) the opportunity for a paid, part-time work experience over the summer.
Youth are matched with local worksites and gain valuable experience while
earning a paycheck. Apply online,
or pick up an application at the Lake County Job Center in Waukegan and at many
local township offices and schools. Applications will be accepted until Feb.
28. Learn more
about the Summer Youth Employment program.
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Lake County will be one of 20 additional jurisdictions that will
join the Safety
and Justice Challenge, a national $100 million initiative. Lake
County and the other jurisdictions will design and test innovative local
justice reforms designed to safely drive down jail usage and reduce racial and
ethnic disparities in their local justice systems. Lake County was chosen
following a highly competitive selection process that drew applications from
across the country.
Lake
County and other jurisdictions will receive short-term support of $50,000 each,
are eligible for future funding opportunities, and will have access to
resources, peer learning opportunities, and expertise of the Safety and
Justice Challenge Network.
 Submit your application to join the next Citizens Police Academy, and see firsthand how the Lake County Sheriff’s Office
maintains law and order for county residents.
The 10-week program will meet from 6:30 to 9:30
p.m. Thursdays starting March 9 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.
Get your application at the Lake County
Sheriff’s Office, 25 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Waukegan and the Sheriff’s
Office website. The deadline to apply is Feb. 24. For
information, contact Deputy Roman Buchberger at 847-377-4211.
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 Knowledge is Power!
Students from Neal Math & Science Academy recently came to the Lake County’s
Courthouse in Waukegan to get a firsthand look at what it's like working in the
criminal justice system. Watch
this video to find out what the students learned.
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Don’t stay cooped up when it’s cold outside. There’s
no room to be bored when there’s so much to do in Lake County. Go to Visit Lake County,
and check out so many family-friendly indoor activities. |
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 Forest Preserves News
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Maple Syrup Hikes
Stroll
through a maple woodland while learning about the sweet sap of sugar
maples. Ryerson Woods in
Riverwoods is one of few places in Lake County where conditions are right
for maple syrup production and where trees grow to a diameter and height that
allows for tapping. Hikes will be offered from noon to 2 p.m. every half hour
the last three weekends in March. Registration is required. Learn more |
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. |
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 75 volunteers. 17
teams. 26 people sleeping outside.
This year’s Point-In-Time Count yielded the
highest numbers on record, going back to 2005, as volunteers found 26 people
sleeping outside. 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.
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 As always, I welcome your feedback. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, please sign up to continue to receive news about Lake County and District 20.
Thank you,
Sidney Mathias
Mr. Mathias, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on:
Lake County Board, 20th District:
Ethics and Oversight Committee, Vice Chair
Law and Judicial Committee
Public Works and Transportation Committee
Lake County Forest Preserves, 20th District:
Planning Committee, Vice Chair
Rules Committee
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