Lake County's tough jobs, Forest Preserve news, and More

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May 19, 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


Join the Wake Up With Waukegan Breakfast May 23

Join breakfast, networking, and a presentation by Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor as he discusses the newly formed Mental Health Coalition pertaining to community change as it relates to mental health, development of systems to share data, and the need to address stigmas associated with mental health. The Wake Up With Waukegan breakfast will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 23 at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Waukegan. Learn more


Join Waukegan for Memorial Day Parade, Ceremony

memorial day

The City of Waukegan will hold its Memorial Day parade at 10:30 a.m. May 29. The parade will kick off at the corner of Genesee and Grand Avenue in downtown Waukegan. A short ceremony will follow the parade. Learn more


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.


Students Discover Career Opportunities at Waukegan Expo

Waukegan manufacturing career expo

Waukegan High School students had an opportunity to meet with manufacturing professionals from over 20 companies and learn about career opportunities at a recent manufacturing career expo at the high school. Lake County continues to actively promote the Build Local, Work Local, Buy Local program to increase opportunities for local businesses and workers. Watch this video as Kevin Considine, president and CEO of Lake County Partners and company representatives share advice and what students learned at this event.


Order Your Vital Records Directly from the 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.


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. 


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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


Community News

Live Green at Waukegan Park District Event
Enjoy nature walks, crafts, a campfire and much more as the Waukegan Park District hosts a Live Green Family Festival from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 20 at Bowen Park. Make a gnome garden, watch an archery demonstration and bring eyeglasses, shoes and small batteries to be recycled. Learn more about the festival.

The park district also is taking applications for various employment opportunities. Visit the park district website to learn more and to apply.

Save date for next Fifth Ward meeting June 3
Join Fifth Ward Alderman Torrance Markham, Sr. as he hosts a ward meeting June 3 at North Chicago City Hall. The meeting also will feature representatives from the police and fire departments, building and development, Shields Township and the Foss Park District. Details


Mary Ross Cunningham

If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at 847-721-1563 (cell) or email me at mcunningham@lakecountyil.gov

I encourage you to forward this update to others who may be interested in Lake County news. Residents who wish to automatically receive my bi-weekly newsletter can email me, or click the “Sign up for my mailing list here” button at the top of the newsletter.

Thank you,

Mary Ross Cunningham

Ms. Cunningham, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on:

Lake County Board, 9th District:
Diversity and Inclusion Committee, (Ad-Hoc), Chair
Lake County Law and Judicial Committee, Vice Chair 
Lake County Health and Community Services 
Lake County Rules Committee 

Lake County Forest Preserves, 9th District: 
Operations Committee, Vice Chair
Diversity and Cultural Awareness Committee

Other appointed positions:
National Association of Counties (NACo), Board Representative
Lake County Community Health Center Governing Council, Vice Chair
Lake County Board of Health Personnel Committee, Chair
Community Action Partnership of Lake County, Board Member

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