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Summer is unofficially here, which means so much to do outside in Lake County. I recently had the honor to join the community on a beautiful day and speak at Buffalo Grove's Memorial Day ceremony.
Discover all there is to enjoy in Lake County this summer by checking out our latest County Update video. And make sure to read stories below to learn more about county resources that will help make plans easier, such as our farmers market finder and the beach advisory website.
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At the Lake County Board meeting this week, we endorsed the
Five-Year Highway Improvement Program for 2017-2022. Improving transportation
remains a top priority of the Lake County Board, and that is why we will be
investing $592 million over the next five years to continue to preserve,
modernize and expand our transportation system here in Lake County. At this
meeting, we also appropriated sales tax funds toward transportation
improvements and projects of interest in our area. The first was an
appropriation of $600,000 for the purchase and installation of communication
infrastructure and pan-tilt-zoom cameras for our Intelligent Transportation
System, Lake County PASSAGE. This work will be done on various routes
throughout Lake County, some here in District 20. The second was an
appropriation of $850,000 for right of way acquisition on the widening and
reconstruction of Buffalo Grove Road from Deerfield Parkway to IL 22. This
project is currently in the design stage, which means construction plans are in
development and right of way acquisition will soon be underway.
 Lake County has so much to offer for outdoor family fun this summer, including
75 lakes, over 100 beaches, 500 miles of trails and bikeways, our beautiful
forest preserves, community festivals, and farmers markets! Watch this video as
we visit Illinois Beach State Park, which stretches for six and a half miles
along the sandy shores of Lake Michigan in northern Lake County. While there, Maureen
Riedy, president of the Lake County Visitor's Bureau, gives an update on all
the exciting things happening in Lake County this summer.
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 Warm weather means it’s
time to visit the farmers markets! Shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, baked
treats and more while supporting local businesses at one of Lake County’s
farmers markets. Check out our Farmers
Market Finder to find a farmers market near you, including days and hours.
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 Forest Preserves News
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Reservoir Expansion and
Preserve Improvements
The Lake County
Forest Preserve District, the Metropolitan Water
Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and the Village of Buffalo Grove are collaborating
to reduce flooding and provide additional public access improvements at Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve near
Long Grove and Buffalo Grove. When complete, properties downstream of the
preserve near Lake Cook Road and Arlington Heights Road will see additional
flood relief as a result of the project. Visitors of the preserve will enjoy
1.2 miles of additional trails that will provide two new loops east of
Schaeffer Road, seven new boardwalks, two scenic overlooks and a 30-car
expansion of the existing parking lot. Approximately a half-mile of the
existing trail in a flood prone area will be relocated to higher ground to
increase accessibility for longer periods and reduce long-term maintenance
costs. Nineteen acres of new wetlands and 35 acres of prairie/savanna will be
added as part of the restoration of the basin. Construction is expected to
begin in early fall 2017. Learn
more »
 Summer Concerts at
Independence Grove
Bring chairs and
blankets for Tuesday outdoor musical performances, beginning at 7:30 p.m. On
June 20, come hear Black Masala, a high-energy brass band that plays a dance
groove packed with funk, gypsy punk and soul. Learn more
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 Take a Hike
We’ve teamed up with
the Lake County Health Department and NorthShore University HealthSystem to
bring you Rx for Health: Walking in Nature, a free walking
program that brings together naturalists and physicians for guided tours of some
of our most scenic preserves. Learn more
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New appointment as chair of diversity and cultural awareness committee
I am pleased to be continuing my service through supporting cultural understanding, knowledge and appreciation. Formerly vice chair of the Diversity and Cultural Awareness Committee, I was appointed chair after the death of longtime board
member Audrey Nixon. This is a special committee of the Lake County Forest
Preserve District that meets as needed to discuss topics related to diversity
and cultural awareness.
Join the Buffalo Grove Park District Environmental Action Team as
they host the annual Green Fair from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 25 at Mike Rylko
Community Park. Learn about water conservation, native plants, home energy
savings, recycling and more. Learn more
First-time, non-violent offenders now can keep a conviction from being
permanently entered on their record by participating in the Misdemeanor
Alternative Prosecution Program. The program holds offenders accountable and
addresses the needs of crime victims, but also gives deserving defendants a
second chance and the opportunity to avoid being labeled a convicted criminal. Learn more
Lake County’s Nineteenth Judicial Circuit first collaborated with A Safe
Place/Lake County Crisis Center to open a Family Visitation and Exchange Center
in Lake County (FVC). The FVC provides a safe visitation and exchange location
where victims of domestic violence and family violence can have court-ordered
supervised visitation or exchange with a non-custodial parent.
After securing a grant from the
Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) in late 2008, and
a two-year period which included development of the Policies and Procedures of
the FVC, securing a suitable location and undergoing some structural changes to
comply with OVW requirements, the FVC first opened in late 2010. The FVC
provides a secure place for parents to exchange custody and/or for children to
visit with their non-custodial parents in situations where the court has
determined that restricted visitation is necessary to protect a child’s safety
and that of the custodial mother, as in cases of domestic violence. The FVC
provides visitation and exchange services for low to moderate-income families and traditionally underserved families, especially Latino families.
The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit’s goals were to respond to the needs of Lake
County residents through the accomplishment of the following objectives:
- Implement
best practices for supervised visitation and exchange services that respond to
the needs of women and children victims of domestic and family violence.
- Increase
access to supervised visitation and exchange services for low to
moderate-income and traditionally underserved domestic and family violence
survivors.
- Identify
and implement security procedures to create the safest possible visitation and
exchange center for women who are domestic violence survivors.
- Increase
referrals to agencies that provide other essential social services.
The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
recognized that establishing a supervised visitation and exchange center in
Lake County, Illinois was essential to providing safety to women and children
when visitation is ordered with an abusive or estranged parent. A
second grant, awarded in 2012 extended the funding until Sept. 30, 2015 and
allowed the FVC to expand services for victims of family violence in Lake
County, making this vital program more accessible, with a special focus on
increasing access for Spanish-speaking families.
 Summer is the time for picnics, warmer weather, and salespeople
at your front door. Solicitors seeking door-to-door purchases or orders are
required to comply with a County Board adopted ordinance when working in
unincorporated Lake County.
Each solicitor must:
- Appear in person and register annually with the County Clerk’s
office. Registration is free. View the Solicitor Registration Information and Application web page.
- Work only between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- Carry his/her own Certificate of Registration bearing the
salesperson’s name, employer’s name, manufacturer’s name, type of
business, and an embossed seal.
- Observe “No Solicitation” signs.
- Respect occupant’s request if asked to leave.
Residents should ask to see the vendor’s certificate
and report any violations to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 847-549-5200
where fines and penalties can be enforced.
This ordinance applies
only to unincorporated Lake County and provides exemptions for religious
groups, candidates, and minors under age 18 who participate in fundraising
activities. If you live within municipal or village borders, check with your
local officials for your specific ordinances.
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 Before going to the beach, make sure your favorite spot is
open by checking our beach advisory page. The Lake
County Health Department monitors lake water in over 100 Lake Michigan and
inland beaches and provides updates daily now through Labor Day to let beachgoers
know if high bacteria is present in the water. Learn more,
including the health department’s tips to avoid hazards when swimming in our
lakes this summer.
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Each year, an independent professional audit of Lake
County’s finances is completed. The audit firm of Baker Tilly recently issued a
“clean opinion” for the latest audit, which is the highest opinion
available.
The county board has a strong
track record of practicing fiscal responsibility. Lake County consistently has
a balanced budget, and for 20 years, it has maintained Triple A credit rating
from both Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s – the highest rating possible. Only
one other county in Illinois, and about 60 counties in the U.S have this
coveted rating (out of more than 3,000) from both of these rating agencies.
Additionally, the County has received the Government Finance Officers
Association (GFOA) award for “Excellence in Financial Reporting” for the last
two decades for the Audit, and the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
for the past decade for the annual budget document. The recent audit,
along with the credit rating and GFOA awards, collectively show Lake County is
financially sound.
 If an
emergency should occur, do you know how to protect your furry, scaly or
feathered friends? In observance of National Pet Preparedness Month, this is a perfect
opportunity to plan for your pet’s safety. Visit FEMA’s Pet and Animal Emergency
Planning web page to find tips on making a pet emergency plan, preparing shelter,
and tips for large animals.
One important
way to keep your pet safe is to keep the vaccinations up to date. The Lake
County Health Department provides pet vaccination clinics, a low-cost,
convenient way to keep pet’s shots and rabies tags up to date. View
upcoming clinic dates and cost.
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 Make an impact on homelessness in Lake County. The Lake
County Coalition for the Homeless is seeking an individual to help plan the
2018 Homeless Point-in-Time Count, and work on initiatives to increase the
income of disabled homeless individuals. Learn more and apply
today.
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 As always, I welcome your feedback. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, please sign up to continue to receive news about Lake County and District 20.
Thank you,
Sidney Mathias
Mr. Mathias, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on:
Lake County Board, 20th District:
Ethics and Oversight Committee, Vice Chair
Planning, Building and Zoning Committee
Public Works and Transportation Committee
Lake County Forest Preserves, 20th District:
Planning Committee, Vice Chair
Diversity and Cultural Awareness Committee, Chair
Rules Committee
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