Washington Street Thoroughfare Project Comes to an End 
I recently joined local officials to celebrate the completion of the Washington Street Thoroughfare Project here in District 6. 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. 

As with the Rollins Road overpass/Route 83 intersection and the Peterson Road widening improvement projects (two other recently completed Lake County projects here in District 6), this should greatly assist with decreasing traffic congestion and travel times in our area, improving our quality of life. 

A special thanks to the nearby residents in Haryan Farm, Highland Lake, Cranberry Lake North, Deer Point, Misty Hill and the Round Lake Park neighborhoods off Washington Street for enduring the construction site challenges through this two-year project. Watch this video to learn more about the project.

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. 

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!

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

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.

Lake County’s Dirty Jobs: Working to Improve Water Quality
Did you know Lake County roadways have storm sewer vortexes that act as filters for road grime, oil and other debris and help improve water quality? Watch our latest Lake County’s Dirty Jobs as County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor cleans out a vortex structure using a sewer truck on Old McHenry Road, east of Quentin Road.

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.