Fort Sheridan and Middlefork Savanna improvements, Job opportunities, and More

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Michael Rummel, District 12

May 9, 2017

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Community Helps Shape Priorities in Lake County Strategic Plan

The County Board works for all residents to deliver services and solve problems that impact their daily lives, from property taxes to roads to jobs. The Lake County Board recently updated its strategic plan, which serves as a road map for county government and influences how we prioritize and invest our resources.  Residents and local leaders provided input on their priorities through a variety of channels, including two telephone town hall meetings, a survey of Lake County residents, and a series of Leaders Round Table meetings. View a summary of the input as well as highlights from the plan, and the entire plan


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Forest Preserve News

Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve Improvements
Portions of Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve will close on May 30 as construction for the first phase of public access improvements is scheduled to begin in early June, following May Board review of bid proposals. Public access improvements for Fort Sheridan were approved by the Lake County Forest Preserve Board in November 2015 as part of the Master Plan for the preserve. During construction, all portions of the preserve north of Fort Sheridan’s historic district will be closed to public access. View site closure status and project updates

New features include:

  • The main entrance (Gilgare Lane) will be widened to two full lanes and will lead to a new 45-vehicle parking lot with five accessible spaces and an evaporator toilet.
  • The north entrance (Vattman Road) will have a new paved trailhead and an evaporator toilet
  • 1.6 miles of mown turf trails will be reconstructed with improved drainage, durability and two new boardwalks.
  • The Hutchinson Trail will become an accessible trail from Sheridan Road all the way to the new lake overlook by adding two new boardwalks and converting the woodchip section to a paved surface.
  • View Project Map, and learn about additional new features. 


New Middlefork Savanna Trail Connection
The Lake County Forest Preserve District is partnering with the City of Lake Forest and Lake Forest Academy to build a trail connection, which will link Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve in Lake Forest to other local trails and parks. Project elements include a 221-foot steel pedestrian bridge over the Metra Railway with a scenic overlook, new 10-foot-wide paved trails, and a revised crosswalk at IL Route 60 to improve access to Townline Community Park. View map. Construction started this spring and should be complete by late fall 2017. Learn more

 

Independence Grove beach

Independence Grove Beach
Grab your swimsuit, towel and sunscreen, and head to the beach at Independence Grove, open only on weekends May 27 to June 4. The beach will open daily beginning June 5. The beach offers 400 feet of sand along the lake's South Bay. Learn more


summer camps

Summer Camps
Select openings are still available. Our day camps are designed for summer fun and learning. Browse available camps and enroll online.


coyote

Wildlife in the Preserves
By early June, coyote pups begin to venture out of the den that has sheltered them since birth. In early summer, we often receive reports of sightings due to increased daytime activity. When dens are located near trails, staff will install signs to inform trail users about coyote behavior and how to safely respond if you see a coyote. Learn more


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’s Tough Jobs: Inside the Jail

Dirty jobs inside jail

Get an inside look at what it’s like to work in the Lake County Jail as County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor explores some of its "tough" jobs. Watch this video and see him do some of the daily tasks at the jail like laundry and food preparation, and learn how the jail keeps clean.

 

We Appreciate our County’s Correctional Officers

Behind the bars

This week, we join the nation to celebrate National Correctional Officers Week and recognize the work that these men and women do each day to help protect our county. Recently, Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran went behind the bars, completing a five-week corrections officer training at the Lake County Jail and then was responsible for a 60-inmate pod for five days. Watch this video to learn more about his experience and what a correctional officer’s responsibilities would be on a typical day.


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 and 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


Save the Date for Lake County Partners Big Event

Join Lake County’s single largest gathering of business and community leaders to discuss ways to strengthen, sustain and leverage the County’s economy. The Lake County Partners Big Event will take place June 23 at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort. Registration is now open. Learn more


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.

Free Health Fair on May 18 
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

City of Highland Park and library consider expansion
The City of Highland Park and the Highland Park Public Library are exploring a possible expansion of the library to better meet community demand for space and services as well as improve parking and traffic flow. In addition, in an effort to improve efficiencies and provide the highest level of services, the city is also exploring the relocation of youth and/or senior services to an expanded library facility. Learn more

Discover benefits of native plants at annual sale
Discover native plants and trees that not only can help the environment but can also help you save time and money as the City of Lake Forest holds its 14th annual native plant and tree sale. The sale will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 13 at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve in Lake Forest. Learn more

Listen to the Deerfield Community Band
Save the date to come listen to the Deerfield Community Band as they present an afternoon concert of classic silver screen gems and melodies at 2 p.m. May 21. Learn more


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