West Nile virus update, Ela Township Day, and More

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Craig Taylor, District 19

Sept. 13, 2017

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Veterans Invited to Join Next Veterans History Project

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

Veterans history project

Help Give the Gift of Warmth to Veterans

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. 

veterans coat drive 2017

Lake County Increases Minimum Legal Sales Age for Tobacco Products to 21 in Unincorporated Areas

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


First Human Cases of West Nile Virus Found in Lake County

mosquito

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


Join Ela Township Day Sept. 21

Enjoy family-friendly festivities at Ela Township Day from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at Knox Park. The day will include a community cookout, music, games and more. Learn more

Ela Township Day 2017

Be the Voice to Stop Suicide

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.

  • 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 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. 

July 2017 Flood Update

flood

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


Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead! You Can

emergency alerts

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


Lake County Recognized Nationally for Communication Efforts

Savvy awards

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. 


Donate Your Eclipse Glasses

eclipse glasses

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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Forest Preserve News

lcfpd strategic plan

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

 

Middlefork Savanna Sept 2017

Bridge Connects Middlefork Savanna to Local Trails, Parks
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

 

Nippersink Forest Preserve

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 mapLearn more

 

Don't Miss These Upcoming Events

  • Travel in a 34-foot Voyager canoe while learning about the fur trade in 18th-century Lake County from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 on Sterling Lake at Van Patten Woods. Learn more
  • Join an evening of forest folklore, legends, myths, and stories from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 29 at Fox River Forest Preserve. Learn more
  • Two-player teams will compete for fun and prizes at the Par 3 Challenge at 2 p.m. Oct. 1 at Countryside Golf Club. All playing levels are welcome. Learn more
  • On Sundays now through Nov. 19, join a naturalist for a guided walk of some of Lake County’s scenery. Discover a new trail every week. Learn more

Community News

Join next legislative summit 
The state budget, Route 53 extension, road construction, school funding and more will be discussed at the next legislative summit from 7 to 9 a.m. Sept. 28 at Concorde Banquets in Kildeer. Among the guests will be Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor. Learn more 

Seed collecting Saturday
Help restore local habitat by joining volunteers to collect native grass and flower seeds to spread in areas that have been cleared of buckthorn and other invasive species. Volunteers will work from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 16 at Oak Ridge Marsh Nature Park, 500 Lions Drive, Lake Zurich. Adults and children ages 8 and older with an adult are welcome. 

Enjoy sloppy joe dinner
Barrington Memorial VFW Post 7706 will hold its annual all-you-can-eat sloppy joe dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Barrington Park District's fitness and recreation center. 

Great Barrington Area TasteFest
Enjoy tastes from the Barrington area at the Great Barrington Area TasteFest from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Onion Pub and Brewery in Lake Barrington. Learn more


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