Lake County is delivering on its mission and values of operational excellence and transparency, and toward that goal, the County is being recognized for its outstanding communications achievements with three national awards. The County’s website (www.lakecountyil.gov) received a first place Savvy Award from the City, County Communications and Marketing Association (known as 3CMA) — the top award for overall website among local governments in the U.S.  The “Meet Mitch and Hitch” video also took home the first-place Savvy award for promotional video. This video features the State’s Attorney’s Office’s two facility dogs and showcases the meaningful work they do. Finally, for the “Most Creative Activity with Least Dollars Spent” category, the “Vote Like A Couch Potato” marketing campaign won a first place Savvy.  3CMA received nearly 700 entries in various categories, and 3CMA volunteer judges from across the country reviewed entries and selected winners. 

On Sept. 1, Governor Bruce Rauner sent a request to the president of the United States asking that he approve federal assistance to help people in the northern Illinois region, including Lake County, recover from record flooding and severe storms in July.

Recently, joint assessment teams from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reviewed damage in the four counties. If Gov. Rauner's request for Individual Assistance (IA) is approved, people in the approved counties would be eligible to apply for grants and low-interest SBA loans. Affected businesses also would be able to apply for low-interest SBA loans. Find out more. 

The recent Lake County flooding and hurricanes impacting many parts of the country all remind us of the importance of coming together as a family and community to prepare. As we observe National Preparedness Month this month, learn tips to help you prepare.

Lake County also has a variety of resources to help you prepare for an emergency. Alert Lake County is your emergency preparedness resource, and watch this video for tips to get emergency alerts. 

Veterans are invited to share their stories of wartime experiences on Nov. 10 at the Lake County Courthouse. The veterans’ interviews will be recorded and transcribed by official court reporters and then archived at the Library of Congress as part of the Veterans History Project. Civilians who were actively involved in supporting war efforts are also invited to share their stories. Learn more

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Veteran’s Assistance Commission, several local law enforcement agencies and many local high schools to collect coats and outerwear for the Lake County Law Enforcement Veteran's Coat Drive. Donations will be taken now through Nov. 8 at County offices and at police departments throughout Lake County. View donation locations. The donated items will be delivered to Midwest Veterans Closet. 

Now that students have returned 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. 

Did you know you can apply for a new passport or renewal at the Lake County Circuit Clerk's Office 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.

Forest Preserve News

Waukegan Savanna Dog Park
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 

Bridge Connects Middlefork Savanna to Local Trails, Parks
At around 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 9, the Lake County Forest Preserves began installing a 221-foot steel pedestrian bridge over the Metra Railway to connect trails at Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve to Lake Forest Academy and Townline Community Park. Watch video of installation. Other project elements include a scenic overlook, 10-foot-wide paved trails, and crosswalk improvements at the intersection of IL Route 60 and Academy Drive. View project map. This project is part of a larger effort to connect Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve and the Middlefork Trail and Greenway to the Des Plaines River Trail at MacArthur Woods Forest Preserve in Mettawa.

The Lake County Forest Preserves is pleased to be working with the following partners and donors to make this project possible: City of Lake Forest, Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest Bank & Trust, Lake Forest Open Lands Association, and Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein. The Forest Preserve is the lead agency responsible for administration and coordination of the project and 60 percent of the local funding for construction costs. The Forest Preserve also secured federal funding for the project through a grant from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Learn more 

Connecting Trails: Nippersink Forest Preserve
Previously a seasonal retreat for camping and recreational vehicles, this preserve is now a year-round haven for people and wildlife. Visitors enjoy trails, picnicking, birdwatching, and nature observation. Century-old oak trees that rise above two scenic lakes, woodlands, wetlands and marshes offer plentiful habitat for wildlife. Extensive shoreline restoration efforts and improved fish habitats make Nippersink a great place to fish. Anglers can fish from shore or from two wheelchair accessible fishing piers.

The Lake County Division of Transportation is constructing a new multi-use path along Cedar Lake Road that will connect existing trails at Nippersink to the new path. This trail connection is part of LCDOT's project to reconstruct Cedar Lake Road from Route 120 to Nippersink Road. Completion of the entire project is expected by the end of 2018. View closure map. Learn more

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.