Dear Neighbors,
At
Tuesday's Lake County Board meeting we recognized and thanked all of the
staff from the Lake County Emergency Management Agency, Health Department, Public Works, and everyone from the county who helped provide
relief to residents during the recent floods. I would also like to recognize
and thank the City of Highland Park public officials, staff, Public Works, Fire/Police departments and every citizen volunteer for their excellent
response in helping residents deal with this recent flooding crisis. The Skokie
River reached a new record flood level here in Highland Park. This was the case
for many of the rivers and lakes throughout Lake County. This was an
unprecedented flooding event.
We
must reexamine policies and efforts to mitigate flooding in our community. I am
pleased to see the County Board Chairman working with our local leaders to
engage our congressional leadership as well.
I
fully support Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering's request for the Army Corps
of Engineers to dredge the Skokie River. The river has become clogged and
shallow in many areas. While dredging it may not prevent all floods, it could help restore millions of gallons of water displacement capacity.
Also, last week my efforts to draft a model
ordinance for bird-friendly building design took a small step forward when the
board's planning committee approved the use of staff time to develop a draft
ordinance. I'm excited to see this move forward. Thousands of birds migrate
through Lake County communities annually, especially near Lake Michigan. Some
building design elements are deadly hazards to birds who cannot see some window
and glass features. By advancing this model ordinance, I hope we can
provide leadership to builders and communities throughout the county about how
to build safely, and in harmony with birds.
 Find your next adventure with our interactive trail map, built on GIS
technology. This easy-to-use map will help you locate trails, preserves,
activities and amenities within your Lake County Forest Preserves from your
phone, tablet or computer. The 2017 Hike Lake County trails are also included
on the map. Exercise, relax and spend quality time outdoors along nearly 204
miles of trails in peaceful, natural settings. Learn
more and start exploring
today!
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 Hike
Lake County
It’s
back! Earn your yearly commemorative shield while exploring designated “Hike
Lake County” trails and enjoying fall breezes and autumn colors. Complete
just seven of the hikes between Aug. 15 and Nov. 30 to earn the custom designed
shield. Learn more
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 On July 11 and 12, Lake County was inundated by VERY heavy rain. Some communities received over seven inches of rain in a 24-hour period. The rain not only led to flash flooding that impacted roads, homes, parks, businesses, and more, but also resulted in flooding to our major rivers that prolonged flooding in several communities. Take a look at the “Flood by the Numbers”.
For the latest information on the 2017 flood, which includes helpful resources and what you should do if you've been impacted by flooding, visit our 2017 Flood web page.
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 Several mosquito pools in Lake County have now tested positive for West Nile virus. While floodwater mosquitoes have reached nuisance population levels in the county, the Lake County Health Department reports they do not carry the West Nile virus. The concern is that standing water in items like buckets, gutters, plant containers and debris from flood cleanup will become breeding sites for the species of mosquito that is the primary carrier of West Nile virus.
Remember
to practice the 4 D’s to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes: Drain, Defend, Dawn to Dusk, and Dress.
Visit the
health department’s Fight the Bite Now website to learn more
prevention tips and additional information about West Nile virus.
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Lake County attractions are drawing crowds as visitors flock to check
off their summer bucket lists. In addition to festivals, entertainment venues
and a growing restaurant scene, Lake County’s 31,000 acres of forest preserve,
550 miles of trails and bikeways, 650 local parks, six state parks, 46 golf courses,
and more than 100 beaches make it a top Illinois travel destination. View the latest Lake County Economic Update as
Lake County Partners President Kevin Considine notes new developments and the
region’s position as a hub for corporate travelers.
The top 70 PGA Tour players and golf enthusiasts will again come
to Lake County as the BMW Championship takes place Sept. 12 to 17 at Conway
Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest. Learn
more about the 2017 BMW Championship, including opportunities to volunteer
at the event. The
tournament is expected to bring more traffic to the area, so make sure
to go to Lake County
PASSAGE to check updated traffic conditions.
 Did you use Lake County PASSAGE as a resource for local road
information during the flood? The widespread flooding that hit Lake County in
July caused major roads to close, and commutes were disrupted for several days
in a row. Throughout the disaster, LCDOT had a team of traffic operators and
engineers updating Lake County PASSAGE around the clock, and remotely observing
traffic conditions to adjust signal timings as flooding events unfolded. This
was done in real time to help traffic adjust to road closures and backups.
Whether you are a regular PASSAGE
user or if this was your first time - you may be wondering how it works? Here
is a video tour of the PASSAGE
operation so you can see what
happens behind the scenes.
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 Work, Earn and Learn with Division of
Transportation
Gain paid work experience with the Lake County
Division of Transportation as part of its WEL Program. Attend one of the
following information sessions to learn how you can work, earn and learn with
the Division of Transportation for six months. Learn
more about the WEL Program.
When: 10 a.m. Aug. 11 or 2 p.m. Aug. 18
Where: Job Center of Lake County, 1 N. Genesee St., Waukegan
Paid internships
available
Youth ages 18 to 24 who live in Lake County and are
currently unemployed may be eligible for a paid internship. Internships expose
youth to viable careers while expanding their skill sets and connecting them to
training resources to secure long-term employment. Learn more by attending an
information session. Learn
more
Job Center of Lake
County Waukegan: 3 p.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Thursdays
Job Center Satellite
Office Grayslake: 3 p.m. Wednesdays
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 The Nineteenth Judicial
Circuit recently celebrated the expansion of the Robert W. Depke Juvenile
Complex Center in Vernon Hills. The building now features new courtrooms and
hearing rooms and more space for the State's Attorney's Office and Public
Defender's Office to privately interview clients and witnesses. Watch this video to learn more about the center.
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The Lake County Children's Advocacy Center recently
celebrated its 30th anniversary and the opening of its Healing Garden. The
Center works in conjunction with the Lake County State's Attorney's Office and
local Lake County police departments to investigate and help successfully
prosecute offenders of child abuse without causing further trauma to the child
victim. Watch
Video |
 Set in the midst of bustling suburbs, this emerald
island offers a quiet place to relax and recreate with nature. Its wide-open
spaces are safe, clean and easy to explore. Four miles of gravel trails
are open to hikers, bicyclists and cross-country skiers. Please keep dogs
leashed and on trails at all times, and pick up after them. The trails run
through open areas within the preserve, crossing several creeks, skirting the
reservoir and traversing restored prairie.
Within the next year, Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve will be undergoing reservoir expansion, preserve
improvements, wetland mitigation and new trail construction. Visitors 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.
As part of a wetland mitigation bank,
additional restoration work on the preserve’s western 65
acres will reestablish and rehabilitate native wetland habitat
by returning the former farm fields to a sustainable natural condition. When
complete, visitors of the preserve will be able to enjoy an
additional 1.1 miles of new trails connecting an adjacent residential area and
the Village of Long Grove’s soccer fields to the extensive network of existing
trails within the preserve. View concept plans
and project details.
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 Discover with
your little explorer the places animals make their homes. Hands-on nature
activities include a hike, story, craft, and interaction with live animals.
This event takes place select Thursdays in July and August at
Independence Grove, and it is open to children ages 4-5 with an
adult. Register today
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 Gather with
friends and family roasting marshmallows over the fire, stroll peacefully on a
nature walk, share a story or bring an instrument to play. Nature activities
vary monthly; make sure you bring a cozy blanket and a chair. Learn more »
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 On August 21, people all across the United States will see the sun
disappear behind the moon, turning daylight into twilight, causing
the temperature to rapidly drop and revealing massive streamers of
light streaking throughout the sky. Don’t miss out! Stop by Ryerson Woods
Welcome Center and join the fun as we experience the solar eclipse. This is the
closest the Chicago region has been to the "path of totality" in over
200 years. This event is free and open to all ages; adult supervision is
required. Learn more »
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The Chicago
Metropolitan Agency for Planning continues to develop
northeastern Illinois' next long-range comprehensive plan, On to 2050. Provide
your input by attending a public forum from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at the
Libertyville Civic Center, 135 W. Church St. The forum's topic will be "Doing
More with Less in 2050." Learn
more about the forum.
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If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at pfrank@lakecountyil.gov or visit
my Facebook page.
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,
Paul Frank
Mr. Frank, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on:
Lake County Board, 11th District:
Lake County Law and Judicial Committee
Lake County Health and Community Services Committee
Lake County Ad Hoc Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Lake County Forest Preserves, 11th District:
Planning Committee
Ethics Committee
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