The County Board recently approved the 2018
budget that spends $437 million on core services, including transportation and
infrastructure, health services, courts and public safety. The budget is up
less than 2% from last year. The county board maintains a strong track record
of practicing fiscal responsibility, which means making prudent, data-driven
decisions, using resources efficiently and maintaining sustainable, financial
operations. As a result, this budget is balanced and Lake County is fiscally stable. The
County has been able to hold the line on its budget because across the
organization, departments are implementing operational efficiencies, leveraging
technology, and sharing services that are making a difference to our bottom
line.
Learn more by visiting our online Budget
Story, and watch the budget presentation and discussion from the board
meeting by going to lakecounty.tv and
clicking on items 60 & 61.
Delivering Exceptional, Financially Sustainable
Services Lake County works to
improve the quality of life in Lake County and provide services that benefit
more than 700,000 Lake County residents. Our mission is to deliver exceptional,
financially-sustainable services that promote a safe and healthy community
while enhancing economic vitality. Our core values of fiscal responsibility,
exceptional service, operational excellence, leadership and environmental
stewardship influence everything we do. Watch this video to see how we are delivering on our mission
and values every day!
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Homeowners and business owners impacted by the July 2017 flooding
in Lake County may be eligible for loan assistance from the U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA). A Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be open through Tuesday, Nov. 21 at the Lake
County Emergency Operations Center, 1303 Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville
where SBA customer service representatives will issue loan applications, answer
questions and help individuals complete applications. Find out more by
viewing this SBA news release.
Tax Credit Bill to Help Property Owners Affected by July Floods
Lake County property owners, along with those in 17 other Illinois
counties who were affected by the July 2017 floods, may be eligible for a $750
tax credit under a new law recently approved by the Illinois Legislature and
signed by the governor. If eligible, the natural disaster credit may be applied to the resident’s 2017 Illinois income taxes.
More information about how property owners can apply for this credit will be
forthcoming. Read news release.
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FEMA Denies Governor’s Request for Federal Disaster Declaration In September, Governor Bruce Rauner sent a request to the president of the United States asking that he approve federal assistance to help people in the northern Illinois region, including Lake County, recover from record flooding and severe storms in July. Lake County has been notified that FEMA has denied this request. For information on the July 2017 flood, including a breakdown of the Disaster Declaration Process, visit the county’s flood information page.
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This Thanksgiving, you can get everything you
need by shopping local! Lake County has more than 30,000 businesses and you may
be interested to learn how some have a surprising connection to Thanksgiving
and preparing a fabulous dinner! Watch video |
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Thanksgiving is time to think about all that we’re thankful
for and enjoy a home-cooked meal with family and friends. But sometimes the
meal can contain unhealthy amounts of calories and fat. You can enjoy the
holiday season and be healthy too! Here’s some tips from Elizabeth, a dietitian
from the Lake County Health Department.
- Find recipes which are carbohydrate controlled, low
sugar, low sodium, and low fat.
- Eat a light snack, such as raw vegetables or a piece of
fruit, and consume adequate water to help prevent overindulging at parties
and family gatherings.
- Find fun ways to incorporate physical activity with the
family both indoors and out. Go on a walk together, try lunges and chair
exercises, or play charades with the family.
- Go to the health department’s Healthy Eating Active
Living page
to find more tips to eat healthy and stay active all year long.
Here’s some healthy holiday recipes that you can make for
your Thanksgiving table.
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As the holidays approach, a great way to relax and unwind is
to go to one of Lake County’s tree lightings and other special holiday events.
Check out Visit Lake County’s
listing of tree lightings and special holiday events to enjoy
time with family and friends.
Join these community festivities:
- Deerfield's fourth annual holiday lighting ceremony
will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22 at the Deerfield Village Centre
Plaza. Learn
more
- Lake Forest's 34th annual tree lighting ceremony, featuring thousands of twinkling lights, will be Friday, Nov, 24 in Lake Forest’s historic Market Square and on Western Avenue at the train station. Learn more
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Telephone
Scam The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is receiving reports of Lake
County residents getting fraudulent telephone calls from individuals
representing themselves to be from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Learn more
Join
Town Hall Meeting The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will discuss issues such as
the opioid crisis, “A Way Out” program and other programs offered by the
Sheriff’s Office at a town hall meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Woodland
Elementary School West cafeteria, 17371 W Gages Lake Road, Grayslake. The event is free and open to the public. For information, send an email
to RepSamYingling@gmail.com or call 847-231-6262.
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Forest Preserve News
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Our
Favorite Fall Preserves
There’s still time to view fall color in Lake
County. While all of our forest preserves are beautiful and
unique, we asked staff to share their favorites.
Nan Buckardt, Director
of Education
Favorite Preserve: Van
Patten Woods, Wadsworth
Great Plant: “The colors on oak leaves are so saturated and rich.”
Fun Fall Fact: “Colors are brightest when the fall frost strikes early.”
Allison Frederick,
Assistant Public Affairs Manager
Favorite Preserve: Rollins
Savanna, Grayslake
Great Plant: “Virginia Creeper! This vine slowly morphs from green to deep
burgundy–and every color in between.”
April Vaos,
Environmental Educator
Favorite Preserve: McDonald
Woods, Lindenhurst
Great Plants: “Maple trees, Virginia creeper, and little bluestem.”
Ken Klick, Restoration
Ecologist
Favorite Preserve: Captain
Daniel Wright Woods, Mettawa
Great Plant: “Sugar maple.”
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Documenting Species in
Lake County
To document the diversity and richness of species present in the
Lake County Forest Preserves, our wildlife biologists began a
formal wildlife monitoring
program. Since the late 2000s, the biologists with the
help of trained wildlife technicians have monitored the presence of reptiles,
amphibians, birds, and mammals. They have already collected more than
200,000 wildlife records. Visit the Forest
Preserves’ blog to learn more!
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Since 2006, the Stormwater Awards Program has
recognized outstanding efforts by organizations, communities, groups, and
individuals for projects and other proactive and innovative efforts to improve
water quality, reduce flooding, and help restore the natural drainage system.
If you know of something or someone who fits this description, please nominate
them for one of the award categories. The
deadline to submit nominations is Dec. 1. Learn
more |
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