Remember our veterans, Memorial Day events, and More

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May 19, 2017

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County Offers Services to Veterans and Families

veteran

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.



Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans

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

 


Learn More About These Veteran Services

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.

 


Memorial Day Events

memorial day

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

 


Check Out Boating Lake County

Boating in Lake County

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. 



Order Records from County Clerk’s Office

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

 


Let’s Go Biking, Lake County!

Bike Lake County

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.



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

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.


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

 

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

 


Lake County’s Tough Jobs

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.

 


Community News

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


Watch County Board Meetings Live

LCTV

Keep informed about Lake County government! Watch County Board meetings live at 9 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. You can watch meetings live online or on Comcast channels 18 and 30, or AT&T channel 99. You can also view archived County Board and Financial Committee meetings anytime.


Like Me on Facebook

Get relevant and up-to-date information important to District 5 on my new Facebook page! Like my page today, and remember to hit "Like” at the top of the page!

 
 
Judy Martini

I consider it an honor to be able to serve areas of Fox Lake, Ingleside, Lakemoor, Volo, and portions of Wauconda, Lake Villa, Round Lake, and Spring Grove. I hope this newsletter provides you with an insight to Lake County news, local topics and a way for you to connect with neighbors and fellow residents. 

If you have any comments or concerns, please contact me at: JMartini@lakecountyil.gov or 847-629-5880.

Thank you,
Judy Martini

 
 

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