Lake County News: July 2017

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Ann Maine, District 21

July 28, 2017

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Dear Neighbors,

The past few weeks Lake County has experienced the worst floods in history.  The financial costs are still be tallied, and the physical and emotional tolls are countless.  County staff literally worked around the clock, as did township and village employees and many dedicated volunteers.  We are very grateful for all these efforts.  In the coming week, the County and related agencies will be assessing policies and procedures in hopes of ameliorating financial and administrative burdens on families and businesses as well as ways to lessen future damages.  I will keep you posted.

I encourage you to sign up for my Facebook page. I am able to provide information very quickly this way. 

All the flooding has created a perfect environment for mosquitoes—especially the floodwater mosquitoes. While floodwater mosquitoes are reaching nuisance population levels in the county, the Lake County Health Department reports they do not carry the West Nile virus. But 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, which has been detected in Lake County this year. It is important that everyone do their part to Fight the Bite.  See the Lake County Health Department tips at the Fight the Bite Now website.   

I am always looking for feedback on my newsletter as well as what's happening in Lake County. If you have any comments or concerns, feel free to send me an email. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, please sign up to continue to receive news about Lake County and District 21.

Ann B. Maine
amaine@lakecountyil.gov
847-857-1732
Lake County Board, District 21
President, Lake County Forest Preserve District

2017 Flood Information

County Update flooding

Following the devastating floods, Lake County government and its partners have been working nonstop to respond to the disaster and provide needed resources and assistance. In this video, Chairman Aaron Lawlor visits the Red Cross Disaster Resource Center, which has helped hundreds of families impacted by the floods. He talks about the response efforts, including what a local disaster declaration means, clean-up, and what all residents should know about mosquitoes. Watch now.

Flood Information Website
Make sure to view the county’s flood information page, which contains updated, valuable information, including steps to follow if your home or personal property was damaged by the flooding, free water testing provided by the health department, and additional local resources that may be available for those affected by the flooding. 

Health News

Fight the Bite

Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Lake County
A mosquito pool sampled earlier this month in Zion has tested positive for West Nile virus and is the first confirmed indicator of West Nile presence in Lake County this year. While floodwater mosquitoes are reaching 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.

Forest Preserve Logo

Forest Preserves News

Wildlife Homes
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 August at Independence Grove, and it is open to children ages 4-5 with an adult. Register today


wildlife home
Gospelfest 2017

Gospelfest
Be inspired by Lake County’s gospel voices on Sunday, July 30 at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. This annual favorite feature choirs, solo performances and praise dancers that bring you to your feet. Children can also enjoy fun nature activities during the event. Learn more


Enjoy nature?  Want to learn something new?  Visit our Nature Blog, and if you enjoy history, be sure to read the History Blog by Diana Dreske.  You'll be surprised at what you learn.

You can also view a full calendar of Forest Preserve events for more information.

PGA Golf Tournament is Coming to Lake Forest

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.

Summer Concerts Are Everywhere

Deerfield’s Eat to the Beat lunch series for young people continues from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Jewett Park.

The Lake County Forest Preserve District Summer Concert Series at Independence Grove takes place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday nights. After 5 p.m. there is a $6 fee per car.

The Out to Lunch series in Libertyville’s Cook Park runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays.

Environmental News

Recycle

Check out all SWALCO's convenient services 
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County provides a variety of convenient services for Lake County residents including electronics recycling, household chemical waste collections, textile recycling, paint disposal, prescription drug drop-off boxes, Reuse-A-Shoe program, and composting options

Get Your Property Assessment Questions Answered

County Update property tax assessments

The property tax process can be confusing! As blue property assessment notices get mailed to Vernon Township residents as well as residents across Lake County, you may have questions about what goes into determining your property tax bill, property assessments, and how to file an appealWatch this edition of Lake County Update as County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor and Chief County Assessment Officer Marty Paulson address common questions residents have with their property tax assessments.


Understand Your Property Assessment 
Get free, one-on-one assistance with evaluating your assessment at tax assessment help centers. These are listed on your blue assessment notice, too. Taxpayer advocates are also available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Chief County Assessment Office, 18 N. County St., 7th Floor, Waukegan.


Should You Appeal Your Property Assessment?

View the five steps to determining if you should appeal your property assessment.

  

online appeal video 2017

Filing an Appeal? Use our Online System
The final filing date for 2017 assessment appeals for Vernon Township is Sept. 5. Our quick and convenient Online Appeal Filing System allows you to get your appeal information to the Board of Review without the hassle of mailing or hand delivering them to the Chief County Assessment Office in Waukegan. Watch this video to learn more about the process to file an appeal online.

Depke Juvenile Complex Center Expands

Depke center expansion

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. 

Join Children’s Advocacy Center’s Birthday Celebration

Join the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center as the Gurnee facility celebrates 30 years of seeking justice for children in Lake County as well as the opening of its new healing garden. The celebration will begin at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 2 at 123 N. O’Plaine Road, Gurnee. The Children's Advocacy Center's goal is to investigate and help successfully prosecute offenders of child abuse without causing further trauma to the child victim. Learn more about the center.

Community Happenings

Lincolnshire's National Night Out
National Night Out is an annual program to develop community-police relationships, as well as neighborhood fellowship.  Join Lincolnshire National Night Out from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 5 at North Park.

Dessert Walk
Grab a friend (forks provided) and go to the MainStreet Libertyville Dessert Walk from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 5.   

Summer's End
The Opening Reception of Summer’s End, featuring the work of artist Barbara J. Schneider will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods. There is no cost, and the exhibit runs until Sept. 24.

Deerfield Public Library's Digital Drop
Questions about your kindle or iPad?  The Deerfield Public library can help.  Attend “Digital Drop” from 3 to 4:15 p.m. Aug. 10 . Check out the library's calendar for a complete listing of Digital Drop-in dates and other programs.

Libertyville offers electric vehicle charging station
Did you know that Libertyville has a Chargepoint electric vehicle charging station on the second floor of the Church Street parking garage?  Get instructions from the Chargepoint website.  

Grayslake revises Sustainability Plan
The Grayslake Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals has recommended adoption of the draft revised 2017 Sustainability Plan. If you’d like to comment on the draft, contact Kirk Smith, Zoning Officer, at 847-223-8515.   

Food pantries need summer donations
Many local food pantries need summer donations.  Most townships have specific food needs. Visit these local township food pantry sites to learn more. See how you can help your neighbors.

Visit Lake County
Check Visit Lake County for a complete list of activities throughout Lake County.


Jobs and Business

Lake County Employment

Forest Preserve Jobs

Lake County Partners

Job Center of Lake County 

Career Chat Videos

CLC Illinois Small Business Development Center


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