As students return to the classroom, let’s make sure they are safe this school year! This means keeping an eye on the road for school buses and students walking to school and making sure students stay safe by using their technology responsibly. Watch this video as the Lake County Sheriff’s Office gives you safety tips. 

If dogs could talk they would no doubt tell us they love living in Lake County. What’s not to love, with four great dog exercise areas and a new one on the way? Good news for our lucky canines is that these romping grounds will get even better over the next several years. 

In 2014, we conducted a survey to find out what features people would like in a new off-leash dog area opening at Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve. Comments helped shape the park's design features. By incorporating public feedback, studying the latest national dog park design trends and complying with the ADA 2010 Standards for Accessible Design, there are great things in store for dogs and their owners. The new 11-acre Dog Park is the first phase of the Conceptual Master Plan for Waukegan Savanna. Plans include: 

• Shade shelters 
• Separate enclosed area for dogs less than 25 pounds
• Entrance and 60-car parking lot at the northeast corner of Delany and Yorkhouse roads
• Toilet and drinking water for dogs and people

Work on the new Dog Park is underway. Completion is expected in late fall 2018. Learn more

Did you know you can apply for a new passport or renewal at the Lake County Circuit Clerk's Office in Waukegan without an appointment? You can even get your passport picture taken. Watch this video, available in English and Spanish to learn about the passport services provided.

Assessment notices have been sent out to residents within Waukegan Township. Notices will continue to be mailed to other townships in Lake County through August. 

The final filing date for assessment appeals for Waukegan Township is Sept. 1.    

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. Watch this video to learn more about the help centers.

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.

Filing an Appeal? Use our Online System
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.

The second installment of your 2016 property tax bill is due Sept. 6. Please note you received one bill in May, and you will not receive another bill for the second installment. If you have misplaced your second installment coupon, you can print a copy from the Treasurer's Office website by entering your PIN or address. View your tax bill and check payment status.

Keep in mind, while you send your payment to Lake County, the County only keeps a small portion (about 7%), and the rest is distributed to many other taxing districts. Visit Lake County’s property tax information page to learn more about the property tax process, including what Lake County does with its portion.

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.

The County Board recently announced the appointments of two leadership positions in the areas of transportation and public works. Shane Schneider, P.E., MBA will serve as the new Director of the Lake County Division of Transportation/County Engineer and Rodney Worden, P.E., will serve as the Lake County Director of Public Works. Learn more about these appointments.

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

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. The next program will be Friday, Aug. 18 at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. Make sure you bring a cozy blanket and a chair. Learn more

On Aug. 21, people 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. 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

This peaceful oasis among the bustling suburbs offers four miles of scenic trails: a short loop for hikers, bicyclists and skiers that circles a pond, and a 3-mile loop for hikers, bicyclists, skiers and horses. A footbridge spanning the Des Plaines River links Wright Woods to Half Day Forest Preserve. Together they offer some of southern Lake County's most scenic outdoor recreation opportunities.

Wright Woods was named for one of Lake County’s first settlers, Captain Daniel Wright. The preserve's 750 acres provide one of the best opportunities to see the powerful effects of water and fire. Prior to settlement by Europeans, wildfires regularly swept eastward across Lake County, only to be stopped by the Des Plaines River. Situated just east of the river, Wright Woods supports a rich oak and maple woodland that sometimes develops in less frequently burned areas. 

In late summer, look for nesting field birds in the restored prairie. Eastern bluebirds, tree swallows and red-tailed hawks are commonly seen here, too. With large stands of maples found at few other places in Lake County, Wright Woods is also a great place to view autumn colors. Learn more