The work to replace the Squaw Creek culvert is
90 percent complete. The road is now paved and is open to traffic. All
remaining work for this part of the project will be done while the road is
open, but 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. Learn more
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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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The
County Board has approved an ordinance to increase
the minimum legal sales age to purchase tobacco
products to 21 in unincorporated Lake County, effective January 1,
2018. Lake County is the first county in Illinois to raise the minimum
legal sales age to 21 in unincorporated areas. To date, five Lake County
communities including Deerfield, Highland Park, Lincolnshire, Vernon Hills, and
Buffalo Grove are among 11 municipalities in the state of Illinois to adopt
Tobacco 21 ordinances. Read news release.
Tobacco use continues to be the leading preventable cause
of disease and death in the United States and is responsible for 480,000
deaths annually. In Illinois, 6,300 youth become new daily smokers each
year. The Lake County Health Department provides FREE one-on-one and
group counseling with a certified tobacco treatment specialist for adults
looking to quit smoking or other their tobacco use. Learn more
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth ages 15 to
24 nationwide. By understanding and knowing the warning signs, we can bring
hope to those affected by suicide and change the conversation. 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 helping its residents maintain their mental health and
well-being, creating the Mental Health
Coalition in 2016 to address the mental health crisis. Those needing crisis
care and mental health assistance can use the following services 24/7.
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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.
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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 App 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.
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.
Residents May Be
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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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 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. |
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Do you still have the glasses you used to view the solar eclipse?
Don’t throw them away! Bring glasses to one of four locations
across Lake County now through Nov. 11 as the Solid Waste Agency of Lake
County is working with Astronomers Without Borders to bring these glasses and
provide a first-hand science experience for schools in developing countries. Please
do not donate scratched, broken or torn glasses.
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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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At around 1:30 am 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
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Lake
County Public Works has begun its semi-annual water hydrant flushing program.
After hydrant flushing, customers may notice a slight discoloration of the
water. Residents are urged not to do laundry during periods of flushing to
avoid clothes to be stained. This is not harmful and will dissipate after a
short time. It is recommended to run cold water for several minutes to clear
your pipes. View the schedule
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