Watch out for ticks, Job opportunities and More

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Bill Durkin, District 8

May 5, 2017

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Dear Neighbors,

I am always looking for feedback on my newsletter as well as what's happening in Lake County. If you have any comments or concerns, feel free to send me an email, or give me a call at 847-513-1736. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, please sign up to continue to receive news about Lake County and District 8.


Compost Bin, Rain Barrel and Native Plant Sale is Coming

native plant

The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, Stormwater Management Commission and Lake County Forest Preserves will hold their annual rain barrel, compost bin and native plant sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 13. The compost bins and rain barrels both are made with recycled plastics. Learn about the benefits of composting and harvesting rain water. Watch demonstrations, and meet experts to answer your questions.  Learn more

Also, don’t miss as the native plant sale continues, just in time for Mother's Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 14. Find all this at Independence Grove Forest Preserve's North Bay Pavilion in Libertyville. Learn the value of planting native species and find a variety of flowers, plants, shrubs and trees. View list of available plants.


Looking for a Job? Come to the Job Center of Lake County

job center

Learn how to improve your resume, perfect your job search, overcome barriers and much more at the series of workshops offered this month by the Job Center of Lake County. The center also hosts various job fairs as well as ongoing services including adult education, disability services, and legal services. View the Job Center’s May schedule to learn more. 

Join Lake County government’s workforce
Lake County government offers career opportunities that cover a wide spectrum of fields including law, law enforcement, corrections, nursing, finance and budgeting, highway maintenance, and much more. View the current job opportunities available

Apply to join Summer Youth Green Team Employment Program
The Waukegan Park District is taking applicants to join its summer youth green team employment program, open to teens ages 14 to 17. Work as a team. Work outdoors. Build your resume, and gain real-life experiences. For information, call the park district at 847-360-4700.


County Welcomes Caterpillar to New Deerfield Headquarters

Caterpillar

Caterpillar has selected Deerfield as home to its new corporate headquarters. Caterpillar initially plans to relocate approximately 100 employees to its new site immediately, but that number is expected to triple in coming years. The move adds high quality jobs and a new global brand to Lake County’s bustling economy. Caterpillar, a Dow Jones 30 company, joins 11 other Fortune 500 companies that call Lake County home. Watch this video as County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor speaks with Deerfield Mayor Harriet Rosenthal and Lake County Partners President Kevin Considine to welcome Caterpillar to Lake County and discusses working together to ensure that the transition is smooth and successful. 


Time to Watch Out for Ticks

It’s the time of year to take precautions against ticks, which can be most active during the warmer weather and can carry diseases such as Lyme disease. Once considered a rare illness in Lake County, Lyme disease is becoming more common in the area. The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center provides tips to help protect yourself from exposure to ticks:

  • Clear leaf litter under trees, and keep the ground clean under bird feeders
  • Keep grass near playground equipment short.
  • Install a wood chip or gravel barrier between lawns and wooded and tall grass areas.
  • Minimize wood piles as these are attractive to small mammals such as mice, which can carry ticks. 
tick removal

How to remove a tick
Whether it’s rubbing alcohol, nail polish, or a burnt match, there’s a lot of misguided folklore when it comes to how to remove a tick. Watch this video as Lake County Health Department Senior Biologist Mike Adam explains the proper techniques to remove a tick.


Property Tax Bills Are Coming to Your Mailbox

interactive tax bill

Property tax bills have been mailed and are on their way to your mailbox. Tax bills are for the 2016 tax year and are due in two equal installments on June 6 and Sept. 6. Visit the Treasurer’s Office website to view your property tax bill, get answers to frequently asked questions, and learn how to make a payment. Keep in mind, while you send your payment to Lake County, the County only keeps a small portion (about 7%), and the rest is distributed to many other taxing districts. Visit Lake County’s property tax information page to see what Lake County does with its portion.


Lake County Health Department Unveils New Vision

health department new vision

Unveiling a new vision, Healthy Choices. Healthier People. Healthiest Communities, the Lake County Health Department plans to use data to maximize resources and work with local, state and federal leaders to shape policy, improve systems and advocate for environmental change in the county. Watch this video to learn more about the department’s exciting direction.

Learn More About Hepatitis Prevention, Care at Free Health Fair 
Learn more about hepatitis prevention, care and treatment as well as information regarding overall health at a free health fair from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 18 in the County Building lobby, 18 N. County St., Waukegan. Free hepatitis C and HIV tests also will be offered the day of the fair at the Lake County Health Department Sexually Transmitted Infections program’s office, 2400 Belvidere Road, Waukegan. Learn more

diabetes management

Learn to Manage or Prevent Diabetes
The Lake County Health Department offers a variety of diabetes prevention and treatment programs, which help people with diabetes learn how to take care of themselves and reduce their risk of developing complications. Program staff provide group and one-on-one instruction, and services are available in English and Spanish. Watch this video to learn more. 


Community News

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo this weekend at Waukegan Harbor
Come out and celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Waukegan Harbor! This weekend, the Greater Waukegan Development Coalition will be hosting an event, filled with international culture, food, and music. The event kicks off today with Tequila and Mariachi night and rolls all the way through Sunday with live music and local Latin food.

Watch Waukegan school staff take on the Harlem Wizards
Come watch Waukegan School District 60 staff as they team up to take on the Harlem Wizards in a friendly basketball game at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 8 at the Waukegan High School Washington Campus Dog Pound. More than two dozen staff members, including Superintendent Theresa Plascencia, will lace up their sneakers for a game against the entertainers. Learn more

Waukegan Housing Authority offers farmer's market, donation center
The market is open from noon to 2 p.m. the second and fourth Friday of each month at Barwell Manor Homes, 571 S. Genesee St., Waukegan. The market operates on a first come, first serve basis. Bring your own bag. For information, contact the Waukegan Housing Authority at 847-244-8500.

The Waukegan Housing Authority and Resident Council also provides needed items at its donation center. The center is open from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. Mondays and Fridays through Sept. 29. The center is at 618 S. Genesee St. For information or to assist, contact George Stapleton at 224-321-2684 or Lupe Navarrete at 847-625-4616.

Quick Links

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Connect with Lake County

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Transportation 

Elections/Voting 

Job Center of Lake County 

 

Community Links

Waukegan Park District 

City of Waukegan 

Waukegan Public Library 

School District 60 

Waukegan Township 

Waukegan Chamber of Commerce