Greetings Neighbors,
I hope you will take time to read about the University Center of Lake County. UCLC is special to our family. Teresa Hall Bartels, my wife, had a very key role. She was the founding board chairperson. Some years later, she earned an M.A. in Organizational Development from a member school, Dominican University. In 2008, I earned an M.Ed. in Global HR Development from another member, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Teresa's classes met in Lincolnshire, then one of the UCLC campuses, before the first board led the construction of the Grayslake campus just east of CLC. My classes met online every Tuesday evening. I belonged to a cohort that included students from around the world. Without the UCLC, it is unlikely that Teresa or I could have completed advanced degrees.
UCLC is an exciting and inspiring place! Please consider attending the open house described below to learn about opportunities for you, friends and family.
Current status of mumps in Lake County
This recent mumps outbreak bears attention. I had mumps when I was about age 7, long before the MMR vaccination was available.
I've been confined to bed at home for several months. It's a temporary problem, common to people in wheelchairs and slow to heal. With electronics, I've been able to fully serve constituents, participate in all County Board, Forest Preserve and other meetings. I do miss being with people in person, especially at community events.
At Tuesday's County Board meeting, after the Health Department report, I recounted how my mumps led to complications - encephalitis, a brain infection. At age 15, I was diagnosed with epilepsy, the likely result of encephalitis, which was rather well controlled until March 2012 when I had a seizure, broke a vertebrae and became paralyzed. I was fortunate. l did not die nor suffer worse at age 7. I have enjoyed a full life since age 15. I now manage paralysis (with help) well enough to campaign, earn your vote and serve you vigorously.
I share this story for one reason only: to encourage you to comply with the Health Department's recommendations. Vaccinations, good hygiene and follow through are critically important to individual and community health. The risks are real. Vaccinations are available. Please see the news below.
Resident update
Two weeks ago, I asked for your help to locate the resident regarding trap shooting noise. The shortest version of the story. He called. I'd researched his questions. The Glenridge Gun Club on Fremont Road opened nearly 60 years ago, and it's grandfathered. Many of us built or bought since.
April 4 election
The important Consolidated Election is April 4. Early voting and vote by mail starts Monday, March 20. PLEASE VOTE. See details below.
Regards,
The Board approved two significant actions at its March meeting, one that approves a half million dollars to support people with gambling addiction and other behavioral health issues, and another that creates a commission on governmental accountability and reform.
Lake County collects a portion of the revenue generated from video gaming in the unincorporated areas of the county. Consistent with its policy to allocate those funds to support social programs, the Board approved $545,000 in grant funding to several local agencies for gambling addiction and other behavioral health services.
The Board also took action to create a bipartisan commission to evaluate proposed reform measures and report on key findings that enhance accountability to the public, provide for an effective and responsive government structure, maintain strong professional and ethical standards, as well as redistricting reform to mitigate political influence. The group will consist of community members, elected officials, faith leaders, major political party representatives, and other advocates of good government. The action is in response to proposed State legislation that would require a referendum for voters to decide whether they support a countywide elected chairman--fundamentally changing Lake County’s current structure where the Chairman is selected by county board members every two years. Learn more.
 The April
4 Consolidated Election gives Lake County residents
some real voter power as they will be electing their local mayors, presidents,
supervisors, clerks, commissioners, alderman, councilmen, and assessors. Also
on the ballot will be park, library, and school board district candidates along
with eight public questions.
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Online voter registration is available now until March
19 through the Illinois State Board of Elections at ova.elections.il.gov. An Illinois driver’s license or state ID card is required for
online registration.
Today is the final day that grace voter registration will
take place at the County Clerk's Office in Waukegan. For this election
only, registrants who come to the Clerk's Office will receive a ballot by
mail application as ballots will not be printed until March 20. Grace
voter registration also is available at any early voting site March 20 to April
3 and at the assigned Election Day voting site and the County Clerk’s Office on
April 4. Voted ballots must have a postmark no later than midnight on Election
Day.
Registered voters are encouraged to log onto LakeVoterPower.info to confirm their registration records reflect their current name
and address.
Vote
by mail
Although March 20 is the first day April ballots will be ready for mailing, registered
voters can request a ballot by mail now until March 30. Voting by
mail is so easy that even a couch potato can do
it!
Early voting
Early voting will begin March
20 and will run through April 3. Vote at any early voting site regardless of
where you live. View
the early voting sites, dates and hours.
Election Day
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 4. Use the polling
place locator to find your assigned voting site.
Preview your ballot
Registered Lake County voters
can now preview their ballot at LakeVoterPower.info
after logging in to confirm their registration status.
Get up-to-date
election information by visiting the County
Clerk’s website as well as by following the County Clerk’s Office
on their Facebook
page and on Twitter.
At
Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT), there are 39 bridges on the
county highway system (not including bike trail and railroad bridges). This
number only includes the bridges under the jurisdiction of LCDOT and does NOT
include bridges that belong to the state under the jurisdiction of IDOT or
bridges owned and maintained by local municipalities. We recently asked our
County Engineer to update the Public Works and Transportation Committee on the
status of bridges in Lake County, and here is what I learned:
LCDOT
regularly inspects the bridges they are responsible for maintaining. Bridges
are given sufficiency ratings between 0 and 100. Any bridges rated below 50 are
eligible for federal funding for rehabilitation or replacement. Bridges with a
rating between 50-80 are eligible for federal funding for rehabilitation work, but
not replacement. Any bridges rated higher than 80 are considered to be in good
condition. There are zero bridges on the Lake County highway system that
fall below 50, and only six that fall in the 50-80 range. These bridges
are safe and not deficient. There are 33 bridges that have an average
sufficiency rating of 90 and are in very good condition. LCDOT uses this
information and is able to prioritize and budget for strategic, cost-effective
bridge repairs and preservation activities where needed.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is about to
begin work on a road improvement project on US 45 from the IL/WI state line to
WIS 50 in Kenosha County. They are starting on the southern project
limits, and this will involve a full closure of US 45 from the IL/WI State Line
to just north of County C. This closure is scheduled to reopen mid-summer at
which time the northern project limits will close.
More information can be found on the project website.
Northbound
Detour (Beginning in Illinois):
From US 45 take IL 173 eastbound to US 41. Go northbound on US 41 merging with
I-94, to WIS 50. Go west on WIS 50 to reconnect with US 45.
Southbound traffic would reverse the above sequence and directions.
 Everyone enjoys a Farmers Market! I enjoy the buzz and liveliness of people milling from booth to booth: the fresh fruits and vegetables, local honey, crafts, meats and more! We are fortunate to have a number of village markets in and around our district. Use our farmers market finder to learn about the market near you, including its days and hours.
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 Crooks use schemes to defraud
millions of people. They combine technology and tricks to get you to give money
or personal information, pressuring you to make important decisions on the
spot. Stay a step ahead and protect yourself with the latest information as
well as practical tips from the Federal
Trade Commission. Sign up to get scam alerts right to your email.
Be aware of deeds scam in Lake County
The Lake County Recorder’s office has received calls from
residents about official letters they have received regarding the deed to their
home. The Recorder's office is urging you to be cautious, especially if you
recently purchased or refinanced your home. Find out
more
Sheriff's Office warns of telephone scam in Lake County
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has received reports
of residents receiving fraudulent telephone calls from individuals falsely
representing themselves to be from the Sheriff’s Office and serving the caller
with a collection notice to collect money. Residents should be aware the
Sheriff’s Office never calls to solicit money for any reason. Find
out more
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 Forest Preserve News
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 Trout season opens April 1
Banana
Lake at Lakewood Forest
Preserve in
Wauconda opens for rainbow trout fishing on April 1, following the release
of roughly 500 to 600 rainbow trout. For details and a free Fishing Guide,
visit LCFPD.org/fishing.
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 Move more in April
Every April, the American Heart Association celebrates physical activity and
encourages all Americans to commit to being more active on a regular basis.
Your forest preserves are the perfect place to hike or stroll while improving
your health. Join an Rx for Health walk, bringing together naturalists and health professionals
for guided tours of some of Lake County's most breathtaking scenery. Learn more
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 The University Center of Lake County (UCLC) is a remarkable concept, organization and place. With 21 member universities and colleges offering 130 academic programs, UCLC is ideal for adults in or near Lake County who wish to complete a bachelor’s degree, earn a graduate degree or pursue professional certificates.
UCLC will hold a free open house from 6 to 8 p.m. March 30 at the University Center's Grayslake facility, 1200 University Center Drive. Register
for the event, or call 847-665-4400.
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Current status of mumps in Lake County
On March 7, the Lake County Health Department announced an official mumps
outbreak after the third case of mumps was confirmed at Barrington High School.
The Health Department continues to monitor suspected and probable cases of the
disease in the county. The Health Department will regularly be updating its mumps web
page, where you can find the current status of mumps
in the county, information about mumps, and helpful resources related to mumps.
 Spring pet vaccination clinics begin April 1
The Lake County Health Department will offer spring
pet vaccination clinics starting April 1 at locations across the county. These
low-cost clinics provide a convenient, affordable way to keep pets up to date
with their shots and rabies tags. Learn more about the clinics and all upcoming dates.
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 Please
join the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office in recognizing National Crime
Victims’ Rights Week on April 4 at the College of Lake County A wing lower
level auditorium in Grayslake. The resource fair will run from 5:30 to 6 p.m.,
and the program will follow. This year’s theme of National Crime Victims’
Rights week reflects a vision for the future in which all victims are
strengthened by the response they receive. Organizations are resilient in
response to challenges, and communities are able to seek collective justice and
healing.
Essay contest
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office is hosting an essay contest in
conjunction with its National Crime Victims' Rights Week program. Any
student who has been a victim of a crime is invited to nominate someone who
served as a "hero," helping them regain strength, resilience, and/or
justice during this time. The deadline to submit the essay is March 22. The
selected essay will be featured during the Victims' Rights Week program on
April 4. Learn more
about the essay contest.
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 There are exciting paid internship
opportunities at Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) for summer
2017! If you are interested in watershed planning and workshop coordination, if
you have experience using ArcGIS software, or if you have a strong background
in wetland sciences and plant identification, there are positions available
that could be for you. Visit the Lake County career page to learn more and apply.
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 Find Help
Lake County is a single point of access that connects individuals with health
and human services in Lake County. You can search for services for free. The
website has a user-friendly guided search to help narrow results, and the
database is available in 10 different languages. Individuals also can search
for volunteer opportunities.
Be a Link. Pass the Link
Help
make sure that everyone that needs help, finds it. Today is the final day to retweet information on Find Help Lake County from @unitedwaylakeco, and you
will be entered into the Be a Link. Pass the Link Contest to win a Visa gift card.
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Mundelein seeks feedback on recent economic summit
The Village of Mundelein recently held its third annual Mundelein
Economic Summit at Mundelein High School. This year, the event was streamed
live through Facebook and on the village's website. Watch the meeting recording to learn more about how Mundelein is moving forward. Those who attended the summit or watched it online also are invited to take a questionnaire to assist with planning next year's summit. Take the survey
Join Wauconda's Shamrock the Block
Wauconda's fifth annual Shamrock the Block festival will take place today through Sunday, March 19. Local establishments have created fun events for the family. Learn more
Hawthorn Woods to hold Bark in the Park
Dogs are welcome to gather with family and friends at Community
Park in Hawthorn Woods for the Village of Hawthorn Woods' Bark in the Park
event. This free event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon April 8. Dogs can play with other friends, and families are invited to meet vendors available. All participating dogs are encouraged to have current influenza vaccine and must be leashed. Learn more
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