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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 County Board will deliberate over the proposed
FY2018 budget at a series of meetings on Oct. 24 (starting at 9 a.m.) and Oct.
25 (starting at 8:30 a.m.) The proposed budget is balanced and sustainable. At the budget hearings, board
members will carefully review the budget, ask questions, and may propose
changes. The final budget will be adopted in November.
The proposed budget continues to maintain our core
services and invests in both our physical and technological infrastructure.
Lake County remains fiscally stable primarily due to the county board’s focus
on strategic, data-driven decision-making, and the board’s commitment to fiscal
responsibility.
These budget hearings are open to the public. They
will also be televised live on Comcast Cable, either channel 18 or 30,
depending on where you live in the county. AT&T Customers can view LCTV on
channel 99. The hearings will be also be webcast and archived on www.lakecounty.tv.
 Lake County is committed to promoting a
sustainable environment, and we have several initiatives and projects underway to
make progress toward this strategic goal and core value. Recently, the Lake
County Board approved a contract with a professional consulting firm that
provides expertise in sustainability that will help advance specific tasks over
the next year. They include: grant opportunities, energy audits for selected
County facilities, a waste reduction program/food scrap collection (composting)
pilot program at the Lake County Jail, and completion of a baseline carbon
footprint for Lake County. Visit our Sustainable Lake County website to
find out ways you can help promote sustainability!
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 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
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 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
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The Lake County
Sheriff’s Office recently participated in the A&E Network’s “Live PD” show,
which followed Sheriff’s deputies as they gave an inside look at the many
responsibilities of the Sheriff’s Office and the calls deputies respond. Watch this
video to learn more about how the Sheriff’s Office helps keep Lake County
safe. |
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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. |
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 Find
Workshops, Job Events at Job Center of Lake County
Are you seeking employment? Transitioning careers? The Job
Center of Lake County offers a variety of workshops and job events each month
to help you learn job search techniques and other resources to land your next
job. View the schedule of workshops and events that will be offered
through October.
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.
Barrington Community Job Fair
Meet local employers and learn about full-time, part-time and seasonal opportunities at the Barrington Community Job Fair from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at Lagendorf Park, 235 Lions Drive, Barrington.
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 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.
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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. |
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 Forest Preserve News
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Hike
Lake County Challenge
Enjoy fall breezes and autumn colors while exploring designated
“Hike Lake County” trails. Complete just seven of the hikes by Nov.
30 to earn a commemorative shield. View this year’s hike locations here.
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 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.
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 Shelter
update
Plan early for your family reunion, company picnic or other group gathering to ensure your first choice of shelter and date. Reservations for 2018 picnic shelter rentals begin Monday, October 16. Purchase permits online starting at 12:01 am; by phone or in person starting at 8 am.
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Spring Bluff Project Includes New Trail and
Habitat Restoration
Thanks to an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development
Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 0.7 miles of new trail
will be developed at 229-acre Spring Bluff Forest Preserve in Winthrop Harbor,
converting an existing asphalt roadway to a
recreational trail. The new trail will connect to
existing trails at adjacent Illinois
Beach State Park via the 7th Street bike lanes. The project also
includes building a wildlife education and observation deck and
completing habitat restoration work within the preserve. Spring Bluff is
primarily wetlands with oak savanna and prairie. The land being
restored is part of a greater ecological complex that supports multiple natural
landmarks, including the recent designation as a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance, nine
endangered plant and animal species, and 114 bird species. Expected
project completion is late 2018. View map »
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Halloween
Hikes
Join a guided
group hike along a candlelit path to watch fun nature-themed skits,
followed by donuts and cider. Not scary. Even your littlest will enjoy this
family favorite. Friday and Saturday. Hikes begin every
30 minutes from 6–8 pm. Total event time 90 minutes. Total distance walked
about 1.5 miles. Ryerson Woods. All ages. Learn
more » |
Opioid and substance abuse community forum
Join a panel discussion on the opioid epidemic and learn more about early detection, prevention, harm reduction and more at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Foglia YMCA in Lake Zurich. The panel will conduct a question and answer discussion as well as provide references to take home. Registration is required. Learn more
Lake Zurich leaf and brush collection
The Village of Lake Zurich will begin its leaf vacuuming Oct. 16, which will continue until Dec. 1. Residents are asked to rake leaves to the curb by Monday morning for pickup that week. Learn more
TasteFest
Taste signature dishes and
spirits from restaurants, microbreweries, wineries and distillers and mingle with
chefs, brew masters, distillers and vintners at the Great Barrington Area
TasteFest from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at The Onion Pub & Brewery in Lake Barrington. Learn more
Classical violinist to perform in Barrington
Violinist William Hagen will perform from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15 at Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St. Debuting professionally at age nine,
this talented violinist is already a renowned international performer. For information, call 224-512-4284.
Fall bird walks
Enjoy fall migration with Barrington area naturalist Wendy Paulson at a series of fall bird walks. The walks are free and open to the public, but space is limited so reservations are requested. Learn more
Oak woodland habitat restoration
Volunteers are invited to join a series of workdays through October to help remove invasive species and collect native seeds to continue habitat restoration work in Lake Zurich. Wear sturdy gloves and insect repellent. Send an email info@ancientoaksfoundation.com to learn more.
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