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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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 Become A
Corrections Officer
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.
Career
services and job fair
Job
seekers are invited to join a career services and job fair from 9 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. Sept. 15 at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. Network with
employers, submit resumes and receive information on resources for the
unemployed and underemployed. For information, call 847-599-2800.
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 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.
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
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 Forest Preserve News
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Update: Waukegan Savanna Dog Park
Construction on the new dog park at Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve
is progressing as scheduled. The new turn lanes on Yorkhouse Road, parking lot,
evaporator toilet and concrete walkways are all complete. Perimeter fencing and
shade shelters will be installed this fall. Grass seeding and other
landscaping work is underway. The grass establishment period will continue
through most of 2018. The anticipated opening of the new Dog Park is fall
2018. Learn
more
 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 on Saturday, 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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 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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 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! Today is the final day to submit your application. Learn more about the Adopt-A-Highway program.
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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
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
Oakwood Cemetery Walk
Join the 23rd annual Oakwood Cemetery Walk on Saturday, Sept. 9 starting at
Lilac College in Bowen Park. Learn
more
Enjoy the car show
Enjoy the Rides for Elders classic car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sept. 16 at Christ Episcopal Church in Waukegan. Admission is free.
Save the dates!
Join the autumn community flea market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 7 and 9 a.m.
to 2 p.m. Oct. 8 at 2424 Washington St., Waukegan. This outdoor event will take
place rain or shine. Parking is free.
 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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