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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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
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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.
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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. 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
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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
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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
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Afro Fest is coming Aug. 19
Enjoy live entertainment as well as fashion shows, car and
motorcycle shows, and more at Afro Fest, which will take place from 11 a.m. to
8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 at the Stiner Pavilion in Waukegan. Learn more
Northern Illinois Airshow is coming to Waukegan
The Northern Illinois Airshow will take place Sept. 9 at the
Waukegan Airport. Enjoy a variety of performances as well as helicopter rides. Learn more
Discover Pieces of the Past
As
a centennial gift to the Waukegan Park District, the Waukegan Historical
Society donated 50 informational puzzle piece signs that are scattered in our
parks as part of a self-guided, interactive history tour named "Pieces of
the Past." Play the game and win prizes. The display will be open through
Oct. 15. Learn more
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, 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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