Lake County residents, who need meat, produce and non-perishable items can receive them at no cost as the Northern Illinois Food Bank mobile pantry comes to the Grant Township Center from 4 to 6 p.m. today (Sept. 6). Learn more
On Aug. 18, Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor and I joined Governor
Bruce Rauner and other state and local officials in Fox Lake to announce that
state and federal teams would be touring areas impacted by the recent flood as
part of the ongoing damage assessment process.
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. 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
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Health Risks
Still Present for Residents Impacted by Flooding
With flooding cleanup and recovery efforts well underway,
residents with private water wells and septic systems are reminded to take precautions
to avoid health risks as floodwaters often contain bacteria or other
contaminants that can cause illness. Floodwater may have contaminated water
wells and caused septic systems to fail. The Lake County Health Department is continuing to offer a free water
sample analysis until Thursday, Sept. 7. Learn
more
Unincorporated residents eligible for building permit fee waiver Unincorporated residents who were impacted by the July 2017
flood are eligible for building permit fee waivers for any flood-related
repairs, for example, electrical service, furnace or water heater
replacements. Residents in unincorporated Lake County can contact the
Lake County Planning, Building and Development Department at 847-377-2600 for
questions and application requirements.
Remember, the final date to appeal your property assessment within Grant Township is Sept. 11. View the five steps to determining if you should appeal your property assessment.
Understand Your Property Assessment Taxpayer advocates are 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.
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 today (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.
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Let’s bring hope to those who are affected by suicide. As the
nation observes National Suicide Prevention Week Sept. 10 to 16, find out how
you can play a
role in preventing suicide.
Lake County is committed to help its residents maintain their
health and well-being. Those needing immediate mental health assistance can
contact the following services 24/7.
- Individuals can speak anonymously to counselors
24 hours a day and get help by contacting the crisis call center at 847-377-8088. Information and referrals
to Lake County Health Department programs are available.
-
Text-A-Tip is a 24/7 anonymous text-communication
system for youth needing immediate mental health assistance for themselves or a
friend. Download the Lake County Help app, available at the Google Play Store and the
Apple store. Within the app, select the 24-7 Text-A-Tip hotline where you will
send a message to a dedicated number and receive an immediate response from a
licensed clinician while remaining anonymous.
The first two human cases of West Nile virus in Lake County
for 2017 have been confirmed. Since 2002, there have been 60 confirmed human
cases of West Nile virus in Lake County, as well as two confirmed deaths. Residents
are encouraged to stay active outdoors but to remember to wear insect repellent
and take other precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Learn more
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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
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The work to replace the Squaw Creek culvert is 90 percent complete. The road is now paved and is open to traffic as of today. All remaining work for this part of the project will be done while the road is open. The remaining work includes pouring one final piece of the culvert, final clean up, work to stabilize the steep sides of Squaw Creek from erosion, and landscaping. Some of this work may require daily lane closures as needed.
The contractor is also making progress on the Forest Preserve property to prepare for paving the new bike path through that area later this year. View the project website to learn more.
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Volunteer to help pick up litter and debris along Lake
County highways and bike paths. Volunteers adopt a section of a county highway
and commit to cleaning it twice a year. The Lake County Division of
Transportation provides the equipment. Take a look at the available sections, fill out an application, and join the fun! Submit your application by Friday, Sept. 8. Learn more about the Adopt-A-Highway program.
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The Lake County
Sheriff’s Office is recruiting full-time corrections officers. Apply online, or if you do not have access to a
computer, apply online between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Lake County Job
Center in Waukegan. Individuals must submit their applications by Sept. 13 and
attend a mandatory orientation on Sept. 23.
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Learn the benefits of owning a rain
barrel and compost bin as the Solid Waste Agency of
Lake County holds an end-of-summer rain barrel,
compost bin and accessories sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 15 at its Gurnee
facility, 1311 N. Estes St. Both are made using recyclable materials. Some
benefits are:
- Save on your water bill and use
water on your own schedule
- Reduce erosion, flooding and
stormwater runoff
- Help plants resist disease and
improve your soil’s pH balance
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Calling it an “inappropriate interference” to
county government, Governor Bruce Rauner vetoed Senate Bill 669 late Friday
afternoon. The legislation sets a separate process for electing the County
Board Chairman in Lake County and requires a local referendum be held in 2018
to seek approval on electing the board chairman directly by voters countywide
versus by the members of the county board. Learn more
Forest Preserve News
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Carp-O-Rama Compete
to catch the largest and the most carp while helping to reduce the carp
overpopulation. Fish to your heart’s content from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 9 in
the South Bay of Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville.
Fish from shore only. Boat rental will not available during the
event. Illinois fishing license will be required, and state fishing
regulations apply. Learn more
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Strategic
Plan Update In 2015, the Chiwaukee Prairie Illinois Beach Lake Plain (Lake
Plain) was designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar
Convention, an intergovernmental treaty for protection of exemplary wetland
systems around the world. In June, the Lake Plain received added recognition by
the Society of Wetland Scientists as a Wetland of Distinction. This publicly
and privately protected ecosystem connects 14 different community types along
Lake Michigan in southeast Wisconsin and northeast Illinois. Our partnership in
this restoration project supports two of five strategic directions to help us
achieve our 100-year Vision for Lake County. Learn more
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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
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First Fox Lake Fish Fest and Youth Fishing Derby The first Fox Lake Fish Fest and Fox Lake Youth Fishing Derby will take place Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9 at Lakefront Park. Learn more
Blood drive Blood
supplies in the Midwest are critical due to the devastating impact of Hurricane
Harvey. Help those impacted by Hurricane Harvey by donating blood between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Meadows Apartments in Lakemoor. Learn more
Northern Illinois Airshow is coming to Waukegan
The Northern Illinois Airshow will take place Saturday, Sept. 9 at the
Waukegan Airport. Enjoy a variety of performances as well as helicopter rides. Learn more
Lakemoor Charity Car Show is coming
Join the 19th annual Lakemoor Charity Car Show from 8 a.m. to 2
p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10 at Morrison Park. Enjoy cool cars, music, and food. Learn more
Grant Community High School news Parent University and College Night will take place at 6 p.m. Sept. 13 at the high school. And, don't miss Grant's homecoming festivities, including the game Sept. 15 and the parade Sept. 16. Learn more
Learn basic disaster response skills Learn how to prepare for a disaster as the Round Lake Beach Emergency Management Agency offers its fall CERT training class Sept. 15 to 23. The class covers basic first aid, fire suppression and some ways to deal with the effects of a disaster. Admission is free. Learn more
Save the dates!
- Enjoy a week of bacon and live music at Bacon Fest Sept. 18 to 23 at Middleton's on Main in Wauconda. Learn more
- Enjoy family fun at the next Wauconda Cruise Night from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 19 at Route 176 and West Mill Street in Wauconda. Learn more
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