Hello Neighbors
Audrey Nixon passed away last week. I join other elected officials, staff, and thousands of residents she served in her district and across the County in mourning Audrey - who was passionate and dedicated to serving others. She was the longest-serving Lake County Board Member, representing District 14 since 1982. I believe in term limits and also know that there are some special circumstances. Audrey was special: a true public servant, a caring lady, and a strong woman leader and role model.
Audrey was 82 years old. A resident of North Chicago who also represented portions of Park City, Waukegan, and Gurnee, she also served on dozens of committees, including serving as the long-time distinguished Chair of the County Board’s Law and Judicial Committee. I was fortunate to serve on that committee with Audrey for over two years. She demanded justice and worked closely with all the justice partner departments (sheriff, state's attorney, coroner, judiciary, jail, public defender and more). It's easy these days to be cynical about politicians and partisanship. Audrey was statesman-like, collaborative and principled, an example of a true public servant. She will be missed.
It's Spring and a perfect time to be aware of activities by using the many links in the blue box below. Consider just a few examples: pool openings, farmers markets, Hawthorn Woods' community-wide garage sale, library book sales, village concerts and much more.
County Board members are also Lake County Forest Preserves District (LCFPD) commissioners. By staying true to the Forest Preserves' Strategic Plan, staff prepared and we commissioners did a "deep dive" appraisal of the FY 2017-18 budget. Lake County Board members, staff and interested citizens met over two days to review and update the County's Strategic Plan. This week, we met to begin the 2018 budget process with revised, responsible principles, and the budget calendar. The intense review for 2018 is in October. Like all meetings, these are open to the public - you and your neighbors.
Finally, if I can help you, please reach me via email or phone.
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.
 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.
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 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.
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 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 offers 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.
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 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.
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 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 tax is 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.
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 The farmers markets are coming! 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 days and hours.
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 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
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 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.
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Join Mundelein's Day of Caring
Join the Village of Mundelein
and Mundelein Police Department’s 22nd annual A-May-Zing Mundelein’s
Day of Caring on May 20. The event will kick-off at the Mundelein Police Department
with registration and continental breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m. Volunteers
should plan to work through late morning or early afternoon. Learn more
Hawthorn Woods to hold annual golf outing
Grab the golf clubs, and join the Village of Hawthorn Woods’
annual golf outing May 22 at the Hawthorn Woods Country Club. Enjoy 18 holes of
golf on this magnificent course. Learn more
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