I join everyone in Lake County and greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment of the men and women
who have served in the United States Military. To honor their service, Lake County offers resources to help veterans and their families. To learn more, visit the
Veterans Assistance Commission website,
check out their latest brochure,
and sign
up for their monthly newsletter.
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Multiple exemptions are available through the Chief County
Assessment Office that can help eligible veterans save money on their property
taxes.
Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with
Disabilities (SHEVD) This exemption provides a reduction in the equalized
assessed value of a primary residence occupied by a veteran with a disability,
or the veteran’s surviving spouse. Find
out more
Disabled Veterans Exemption (Adaptive Housing) Under this program, up to $100,000 of the equalized assessed value of a home
owned by a qualifying veteran, or the veteran's spouse, or an unmarried
surviving spouse is exempt from property taxes. Learn more
about the qualifications and how to apply.
Returning Veterans Exemption This exemption lowers the equalized assessed value of the
veterans principal residence by $5,000 for the current tax year and the
following year that the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict
involving the armed forces of the United States. Learn More
Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs: The Illinois Department of
Veterans’ Affairs works to empower veterans and their families. Assistance includes helping them navigate the system of federal
state and local resources and benefits, providing long-term health care for
eligible veterans in our Veterans’ Homes, and partnering with other agencies to help veterans address education, mental health, housing,
employment, and other challenges. Learn more
Lake County Honor Flight: The
mission of Lake County Honor Flight and the Honor Flight Network is to fly
American’s Veterans to Washington DC to visit those memorials dedicated to
honor their sacrifices. Learn more about Lake County Honor Flight.
GI Bill Post 9/11 Program: Veterans who have at least 90
days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001 and are still on
active duty or who are an honorably discharged veteran or were discharged
with a service-connected disability after 30 days may be eligible for the GI Bill Post 911/ Program, a VA-administered program. Learn more about this program.
Fox Lake: Join a Memorial Day celebration at 11
a.m. May 29 at the Fox Lake train station. The ceremony will include a salute
to colors, a wreath laying ceremony at the post pier and a flag retiring
ceremony. After, all are invited to a free spaghetti lunch. Details
Round
Lake area: A Memorial Day ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the
American Legion Hall in Round Lake Park. The parade will then follow and will lead
to the Round Lake Beach memorial at the corner of Cedar Lake Road and Clarendon
where the community is invited to join a second memorial service. Learn more
Wauconda:
Join the annual tradition and watch the Memorial Day parade
along Main Street in downtown Wauconda on May 29. The parade will begin at 10
a.m. and will end at Memorial Park where the community can join an American
Legion ceremony honoring the veterans. Learn more
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Are you planning to go boating over the Memorial Day weekend?
Boating is one of the most popular activities in Lake County, and it’s no
surprise as the county offers so many lakes to visit as we enjoy the warmer
weather. Check out BoatingLakeCounty.com as your boating resource including
maps of all the county’s public boat ramps, lakefront dining and more.
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Protect your wallet and identity by ordering certified or genealogical
copies of Lake County birth, death, marriage, or civil union records directly
from the County Clerk’s Office. Residents are warned against using online
vendors, who sometimes charge higher fees, and they ultimately send the
order to the County Clerk’s Office to be fulfilled. To protect the integrity of
these records, access is restricted by state statute, and applicants are
required to complete a written application and provide valid identification.
For those who cannot visit the Clerk’s office, downloadable application forms
are available. Learn more
Did you know the Lake County
Division of Transportation (LCDOT) has about 60 miles of bike paths and bike
lanes as part of the Lake County highway system? This is part of the over
550 total miles of trails and bikeways, connecting forest preserves and
communities throughout the county! Plan your next trip by using the Bike Lake County
application, where you can find all the trails,
paths, and lanes you can use in Lake County.
Dan Krill from Lake County’s
Planning, Building & Development Department has been using these bike paths
and bike lanes while riding his bike to work every day (even in the winter) for
the past seven years. Watch this video to hear his story,
and learn how LCDOT continues to consider non-motorized travel a high priority.
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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.
Forest Preserve News
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Join the Fox Lake wine walk Fox Lake's wine walk will take place from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20. Enjoy wines and appetizers served by businesses in downtown Fox Lake. Learn more
Take a vet fishing event May 21
Veterans are invited to join a wonderful opportunity to go fishing at a special
one-day event Sunday, May 21 on the Fox Chain of Lakes. In addition to fishing, the day
will include a veterans memorial ceremony and honor ceremony as well as lunch.
Volunteers also are welcome to make the event a success. Learn more
Save date for inaugural Fox Lake Spring Triathlon
Save the date for the inaugural Fox Lake Sprint Triathlon on June
4. Featuring a 1K swim, 20K bike and 5K run, the event will be held on the
shores of Nippersink Lake. Learn more
Join Lakemoor's new First Wednesday Night Cruise In Join Lakemoor's new First Wednesday Night Cruise In from 6 to 9 p.m. June 7 at Sweet Melissa's Pizza and Pub, 134 Rand Road, Lakemoor. All cars, trucks, motorcycles, and clubs are welcome to this free event for participants and spectators. Additional dates will be July 5, Aug. 2, and Sep. 6.
Join Grant Township senior picnic Grant Township will hold its senior picnic, open to ages 55 and older from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 15. The picnic will feature entertainment by Johnny Gray. Learn more
Grant Township offers safe driving class for seniors Grant Township will offer an AARP safe driving class for seniors from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 8 and 9. Refresh driving skills and your knowledge of rules of the road. Learn more
Save date for municipal equipment auction Surplus equipment from area municipalities and government agencies will be auctioned at the Lake County Municipal Equipment Auction beginning at 9 a.m. June 3 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. Inspection and registration will take place June 2 and 3. Details
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