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.

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.

Forest Preserve News

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

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

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

Keep your pet up to date with shots and rabies tags at the next low-cost pet vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to noon May 13 at the Lindenhurst Municipal Center, 2301 East Sand Lake Road. Pets will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. All animals must be at least 4 months old. Dogs must be leashed and cats placed in carriers. Only cash will be accepted on site. Proof of spay/neuter may be required. Learn more, including additional locations planned this year.

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.

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. 

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

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.