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!

The Lake County Public Works Department is responsible for making sure we have a safe and sustainable source of drinking water. One important step in this process is the inspection of our water systems. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) inspects the County’s water systems every three years and reviews each system for technical, financial and general management. 

The Grandwood Park and Wildwood water systems were inspected earlier this year with no violations, and the Countryside Lake system is being inspected this October. In 2018, IEPA will be inspecting the Pekara, Hawthorn Woods, Fox Lake Hills and Forest Lake water systems. In addition to the inspections, Public Works also publishes an annual Water Quality Report with information on the sources, treatment and chemical analysis of each water distribution system.  To learn more, visit the Lake County Public Works website. 

Protect yourself and fight the flu by getting a flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend everyone ages 6 months and older receive an annual flu shot by the end of October before influenza activity increases as it takes about two weeks after the vaccination for the body’s immune system to fully respond and for you to be protected. 

The Lake County Health Department offers the flu vaccine by appointment at the Immunizations Clinic, 2303 Dodge Ave., Waukegan. Learn more, including cost. Retail clinics, pharmacies, and individual healthcare providers also provide flu shots. Visit the Flu Vaccine Finder to find a convenient location.

At 9 a.m. Oct. 28, Obenauf Auction Service, Inc. will auction off surplus equipment from area municipalities and government agencies at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake.

Among the items featured, the auction will include unclaimed property found in forest preserves throughout Lake County such as bicycles, clothing, electronics, and other assorted items in the possession of the Lake County Forest Preserve Ranger Police Department. All items will be sold as-is. Check the Obenauf Auction Service Inc. website for details of auction items. 

Construction on the new courthouse in downtown Waukegan is progressing and on track to open in summer of 2018. Here are some interesting facts about the construction and the facility:

• With the steel structure now in place, it is now officially the tallest building in Waukegan standing approximately 170 feet above street level.
• The predominant exterior elements include more than seven million pounds of architectural precast panels. These panels weigh more than 2,200 Volkswagen Beetles and were put into place by a 210 foot tall tower crane.
• The north face of the building features a façade referred to as “the wave,” a signature design concept that recognizes the significance of Lake Michigan in Lake County. (Construction and design teams are currently installing the windows to complete this piece).
• There are over 120 workers per day on site.
• The exterior work is almost complete, and the facility should be fully enclosed by the end of October.  

To learn more about this project, please visit www.lakecountycourthouseexpansion.com.

Forest Preserve News

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 are now being accepted. Purchase permits online, by phone, or in person.

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. The expected project completion is late 2018. View map

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