Great News! Oriole Grove and Prairie Wolf Now Fully Owned by Lake County Forest Preserves! This land transfer was made possible by the governor's signing of HB534, which authorized a land exchange between IDNR and the Lake County Forest Preserves. As a result, the Lake County Forest Preserves now has full ownership of the 86-acre Oriole Grove Forest Preserve (Lake Bluff) and 435-acre Prairie Wolf Forest Preserve (Lake Forest), in exchange for the 131-acre Black Crown Forest Preserve (Volo), which will be added to Moraine Hills State Park in McHenry County. The agreement benefits all state and county residents since the land exchange provides that all three parcels will remain as open space in perpetuity.
The Oriole Grove parcel is an important link between two IDNR protected sites, the Skokie River Prairie Land and Water Reserve to the north (owned by Lake Bluff Open Lands and the Skokie River Nature Preserve to the south (owned by Lake Forest Open Lands Association). Collectively, this stretch of open space extending from Route 176 to Deerpath Road is 250 acres. Protecting and restoring large, interconnected islands of suitable habitat is critical for the survival of plants and animals.
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In
the 1970s, the state and the Forest Preserves cooperatively purchased parcels of land
at Oriole Grove and Prairie Wolf to build floodwater retention structures. The reservoirs were never built by the state because they were later
deemed economically unfeasible. The Forest Preserves has been working with IDNR for
many years to find a way to transfer IDNR’s interests at Oriole Grove and
Prairie Wolf so they are fully under the Forest Preserve's care and management. I am very grateful to the dedicated volunteers and professionals at both Lake Forest Open Lands and Lake Bluff Open Lands for the consistent protection of this vast area, and for their continued advocacy for the Forest Preserve's full ownership of this critical connection.
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Bridge Connects Middlefork Savanna to 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.
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Celebrate National Public Lands Day Grab some work gloves and join other Forest Preserve volunteers to save some of Lake County's natural areas on Sept. 30 at Rollins Savanna in Grayslake. Dress in long pants and sturdy shoes, and bring work gloves for brush clearing, seed collection, and tree and shrub planting. All ages are invited. No prior experience is necessary. Register today
Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve Reopening in 2018 Construction of public
access improvements at Fort
Sheridan Forest Preserve is going well
thanks to the relatively dry weather we've had this season. Overall, the
project is on schedule for reopening a portion of the preserve in the summer of
2018. Progress is being made on many items, including the entry drive, parking
lot, pond expansion, turf trail, timber bridges, and overlooks. Boulders
selected by Forest Preserve planners are being incorporated into the overlooks
as gateway and seating elements.
During construction,
all portions of the preserve north of Fort Sheridan’s historic district will be
closed to public access. Respect all
safety blockades and closure signage. Do not move blockades or attempt to
access closed areas. The only areas of the preserve open to the
public are the Parade Grounds and the Vattman Road entrance drive to the
cemetery. View
closure map. Learn
more
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Grants Received for Conservation
Projects
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Lake Michigan Lake Plain: A $1 million grant from the Sustain Our Great Lakes
Partnership will help support continued restoration efforts for the Lake
Plain project in northeastern Lake County. The grant, administered by the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, will be used by the Lake County
Forest Preserves and the Chiwaukee Prairie Illinois Beach Lake Plain
Partnership to restore connected habitat key to sustaining and enhancing
the biodiversity of the rare Lake Michigan Lake Plain ecosystem, which is
part of the Great Lakes basin. Chiwaukee was designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Rasmsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty for protection of exemplary wetland systems around the world. The project will restore critical
blocks of land through invasive plant and prescribed burn management
strategies to increase acreage of connected quality habitat for the Blanding’s
turtle and other federal and state-listed species of concern.
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Ethel’s Woods Forest Preserve: A $1 million Clean Water Act grant was received from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for work underway at Ethel’s Woods in Antioch. The grant will fund ecological restoration of the historicl North Mill Creek riparian corridor.
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Disaster
Loans: July 2017 Flood
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.
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Disaster Preparedness 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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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.
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.
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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.
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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 in North Chicago.
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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
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Save the Date for Small Business Workshop
Attention business
owners! Learn how to overcome the challenges of small business ownership and
mitigate risk by joining a half-day workshop Oct. 11 at the University Center
of Lake County in Grayslake. Topics include A State of Lake County from Lake
County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor, Overcoming Challenges of Small Business
Ownership, and Mitigating Risk with Subject Matter Experts. Sign
Up.
Lake County Approves 'Tobacco 21' 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 Jan. 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.
Following the board's action on Sept. 12, County Board Member
Steve Carlson spoke about what this ordinance can do to help protect the health
of the County's youth. Watch
now.
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
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Alert to Lake County Homeowners Lake County homeowners have been receiving letters from two
companies regarding the deed to their homes. The letters look official and
threatening, but the true purpose of the mailing is to get you to spend your
money with a fake company. Watch this video to
learn how to protect yourself. If you have any questions or need a copy of your
deed, contact the Lake County Recorder of Deeds Office at 847-377-2575. |
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Protect Your Home
with Property Check
The Lake County
Recorder’s 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!
Public Works Begins Fall
Hydrant Flushing 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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Lake County Working to Improve Air Quality Did you know that roundabouts, bike
paths and smart traffic signals not only can help lead to less traffic and
better fuel consumption but also help improve air quality? Watch this
video as representatives from the Lake County Division of Transportation
explain how. |
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