The Lake County Recorder of Deeds Office provides a tool for homeowners to help protect their biggest investment. Property Check is a free, easy-to-use, 24/7 online service that will alert subscribers, via email and/or text message, whenever a document is recorded against their name and/or property. The sign-up process only takes a few minutes. Once you enter your name notification criteria, you will only need to update your account information if your email address or cell phone number changes. Sign up!

Washington Street Thoroughfare Project Comes to an End
Local officials gathered to celebrate the completion of the Washington Street Thoroughfare Project in central Lake County. The $53 million project included reconstructing and widening Washington Street as well as providing a grade separation by lowering Washington Street under the CN/Metra railroad tracks. Watch this video to learn more.

Lake County Update - Pace Bus Services
Improving transportation is a top strategic goal for the Lake County Board, which includes working with our transit partners like Pace suburban bus service to provide services that meet the needs of our residents and our workforce. In this edition of Lake County Update, Linda Soto, Lake County’s representative on the Pace Board of Directors, talks about the fixed Pace routes in Lake County, Paratransit, the Shuttle Bug program, and new programs being rolled out elsewhere in the region that may make their way to Lake County, including Park-n-Ride and new Flex Lanes where express buses can move onto the shoulder of the Tollway when traffic is congested. 

Individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations impacted by the July 2017 flooding in Lake County may be eligible for disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The deadline to apply for Physical Damage loans, such as loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property, is Oct. 17, 2017. The deadline to apply for Economic Injury loans, such as loans to assist small businesses and non-profits through the recovery period, is May 16, 2018. For more information on eligibility, loan amounts, and other requirements, please view this SBA Fact Sheet. If the governor's request for a Federal Disaster Declaration is approved, other resources may become available for Lake County residents and businesses.

For more information, contact the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

This summer, Lake County experienced record flooding resulting in flood damage to many homes. The Stormwater Management Commission is hosting a Floodproofing Expo and Workshop for homeowners and property owners to learn about products, services, and solutions to minimize flood damages to your properties. The event will take place from 3 to 8 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Libertyville Sports Complex. Explore exhibitor tables, and listen to presentations, where you can learn about how drainage systems work and ask questions about anything from flood insurance to best practices for flood damage protection. The event is free. Learn more

College students and their parents can get help applying for college financial aid by attending a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) workshop offered now through February 2018 at locations across Lake County. View the full schedule in English and Spanish. At these free workshops, staff will help you complete and file your FAFSA online. The FAFSA must be filled out for students to be considered for state and federal financial aid, and many colleges and universities rely on FAFSA data to determine eligibility for the institution’s own financial aid funds.  Learn more, including what documents to bring to the session.

Join Lake County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Deputy Unit
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for reserve deputies. The Reserve Deputy Unit members assist other Lake County Sheriff’s Office Divisions and municipal police departments in times of natural and man-made emergencies or disasters. The unit also provides traffic and crowd control, searches for missing persons, aids in crime scene evidence searches, DUI checkpoints, and participates in many other Lake County events. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, a U.S. citizen and a high school graduate or equivalent. Applications are available online and at the Lake County Sheriff's Office in Waukegan. Applications are due by Oct. 20.  

Lake County is Hiring!
Lake County government offers career opportunities that cover a wide spectrum of fields including law, law enforcement, corrections, nursing, finance and budgeting, highway maintenance, and more. View the current job opportunities available. 

From connecting with friends on social networks to managing finances, there is a convenience to going online, but these benefits can come with risks. There are simple steps that everyone can take to stay safe online. Below are some tips from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

• Use complex passwords with a combination of numbers, symbols and letters.
• Keep a clean machine by updating security software, your operating system and web browser on all Internet-connected devices.
• When in doubt, throw it out. Links in emails and online posts can help cyber criminals compromise your computer.
• Limit the amount of personal information you share online, and use privacy settings to avoid sharing information widely
• More Tips

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. 

The Kids’ Korner at the Lake County Courthouse recently marked a milestone, caring for 50,000 children. The Kids’ Korner provides a safe and fun waiting area for children who are visiting the courthouse to testify or whose parents or guardians are conducting court business. Watch this video to learn more.

There is so much to do this fall in Lake County! Find haunted houses, pumpkin patches, festivals and much more by checking out Visit Lake County’s top 10 things to do in October.

Forest Preserve News

New Interactive Trail Map
Did you hear that? The preserves are calling your name. Find your next adventure with the new Interactive Trail Map. This easy-to-use map will help you locate trails, preserves, activities and amenities from your phone, tablet or computer. Start exploring today!

Unclaimed Property Auction
At 9 a.m. Oct. 28, Obenauf Auction Service, Inc., will auction off a variety of unclaimed property found in forest preserves throughout Lake County. The auction will be held at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake.

Bicycles, clothing, electronics, and other assorted items in the possession of the Lake County Forest Preserve Ranger Police Department will be sold at the auction. All property is sold "as is." Check the Obenauf Auction Service, Inc. website for photos and details of auction items. For information, contact our Ranger Police Department at 847-968-3404.

The hours of operation for receiving walk-in applications at the permit counter at the Lake County Central Permit Facility have changed to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This change applies to all walk-in permit applications for the Health Department, Planning, Building and Development, Public Works, the Division of Transportation, and the Stormwater Management Commission. The Central Permit Facility, however, will be open at 7:30 a.m. and will close at 4:30 p.m., so residents can still drop off applications or paperwork if the permit counter is not staffed. 

The implementation of a new County-wide permitting system has expanded the number and types of permit applications that customers can submit online, reducing the need for people to visit our permit counter. Customers can now create an account to submit and pay for many permit applications electronically and review the status of their applications and inspections online. We analyzed traffic at our public counters and found that less than 5% of permit applications take place before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m.  Adjusting the hours slightly will allow us to staff our public counters more efficiently, while still meeting the needs of our Lake County customers. For information, please visit the Planning, Building and Development website.

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.