 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.
 Forest Preserve 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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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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 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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Knowledge is Power!
Students from Neal Math & Science Academy recently came to the Lake County 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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Highland Park accepts nominees for 2017 awards
The City of Highland Park's Character Counts Steering Committee is currently accepting nominations for the 2017 Robert Barnard Character Counts Awards. These awards recognize and honor students, residents and members of the business community for consistently demonstrating the six pillars of character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. Learn more about the Character Counts awards.
Also, the Human Relations Commission (HRC) is accepting nominations for the 2017 Humanitarian Award, which recognizes an individual who has rendered outstanding service to the Highland Park community. Learn more about the Humanitarian Award.
Submit completed applications to lfrey@cityhpil.com by March 13. Recipients will be recognized at an awards ceremony April 19. For information, contact Laura Frey, manager of Youth and Senior Services, at 847-432-4110.
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