Board approves balanced budget, Tax credit for July flood victims, and More

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Michael Rummel, District 12

November 20, 2017

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Lake County Board Approves Balanced, Fiscally Responsible 2018 Budget

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. 


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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! 


SBA Offers Disaster Loan Assistance and Opens Outreach Center

flood insurance

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.

 

Flooded home

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.


Bounty of Lake County

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 

Bounty of Lake County

Eat Healthy This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

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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Enjoy the Holiday Season Across Lake County

holiday guide

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

News from the Sheriff's Office

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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

Van Patten Woods

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.”

 

 

Documenting species

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!


Stormwater Management Commission Awards

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. 1Learn more

SMC award

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SWALCO

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