Illinois has nearly 7,000 local governmental entities -- more
than any other state. Lake County has more than 200 local government units and
the County Board is taking steps to consolidate or dissolve those districts
(that it has control over) in order to enhance efficiency, accountability, and
cost-savings. Chairman Aaron Lawlor explains in this video, and learn more by reading
the Consolidation
Action Plan. |
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Lake County property owners can make a pre-payment for
the 2017 tax year to the Lake County Treasurer’s Office through Dec. 29. This could benefit you when
filing your 2017 income taxes. Visit the Treasurer’s
Office website to learn more.
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The Illinois State Treasurer is holding $2.5 billion in unclaimed funds
for Illinois residents. The State holds these lost funds until they are claimed
by either the original owner or their heirs. Property is returned at no cost
with the proper identification. Find out if you have
unclaimed funds. |
We’re entering the final phase of
construction and the installation of exhibitions at the new Bess Bower Dunn
Museum of Lake County, set to open to the public on March 24, 2018. The
new Collections Care and Storage Facility in the lower level of the Dunn Museum
is complete. It offers stable environmental conditions suitable for protecting
the Museum’s irreplaceable historic collections. To date we have moved the
entire Lake County History Archives and a significant portion of the object
collections. Work will continue over the coming months to complete the
move.
The Lake County History Archives
includes a new public research center, which is almost
complete. Installation of a commissioned life-sized Dryptosaurus dinosaur
is also nearly complete. With guidance from Native American tribe members on
authenticity, the build-out of the wigwam is moving along. The wigwam will serve
as an in-gallery teaching space for programs and an interactive space for
visitors. Learn more
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The Village of Lake Zurich continues to focus on development, bringing new amenities to village residents that will benefit quality of life, create a sense of community and help reinvigorate the downtown area. Watch this video to learn how the village is leading the way in bringing new development to Lake Zurich. |
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December is Here!
SNOW SEASON is Upon Us!
Have you ever
wondered what it looks like from behind the wheel of a snow plow? Watch this
video taken from a dashboard camera last winter, and learn more
about our operations as the plow clears Lake County highways. Which roads do we
maintain? Map of LCDOT Snow Routes.
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Lake County PASSAGE: View Camera
Images from Major Intersections
Did you know that you can look in on the road conditions from your computer
or mobile device before you hit the roads? You have access to the PASSAGE
cameras which means you can look at real-time snapshots from major intersections,
like this image taken last winter. Go to LakeCountyPASSAGE.com, turn on camera
images in “Layer Options” at the top right, find intersections along your
route, and check road conditions in each direction.
Other
Resources: LCDOT Snow Season
Story Map: This interactive mapping tool explains everything you need to
know about our snow and ice removal operations.
Don’t Crowd the Plow: Watch
this to learn valuable safety tips. Give plow drivers space to do their jobs,
and we can all get to our destinations safely.
Ask A Snow Plow Driver: You
asked your questions, and our plow drivers answered! Hear directly from them
about what they see on the roads, and the challenges they face when clearing
the roads for you. If you have additional questions, you can submit them
here: Ask A Snow Plow Driver.
Build an Emergency Kit for Your Vehicle
You may have an emergency supplies kit for your home, but
what about your vehicle? Make sure to keep a shovel, blankets, booster cables,
and these other items in your
car this winter.
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The Lake County Board
recently thanked more than 300 people who serve on various County Board
appointed boards, commissions, and other special purpose units of government.
This ranges from drainage and fire districts to the transportation service
boards, human services boards and the Board of Review. These dedicated
volunteers make decisions and deliver services that our families and businesses
depend on every day. Watch
this video to see more from this event.
There are
opportunities for residents to serve their communities in an appointed
leadership role. Those interested are encouraged to view the County
Board's website.
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County Provides
Information to Help Minimize Flood Damage The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission recently
hosted the 2017 Homeowners Floodproofing Expo and Workshop, a great opportunity
for homeowners and property owners to learn about products, services, and
solutions to minimize flood damages to homes and properties. If you couldn't
attend the workshop, don't worry! Check
out this video to learn more, and connect
with additional flooding resources and information.
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Project Spotlight: Bull Creek Stream Restoration The Stormwater Management Commission recently completed the
Bull Creek Stream Restoration Project in Beach Park. Bull Creek flows through
Beach Park, into Illinois Beach State Park and enters Lake Michigan. With heavy
rain, this creek system experiences significant increases in water volume which
leads to damage from erosion and ultimately large amounts of sediment and
nutrients deposit into Illinois Beach State Park and Lake Michigan. The project
goal was to reduce nearshore and nonpoint source pollution, and to improve
water quality in Lake Michigan by restoring and stabilizing Bull Creek. The
Bull Creek Stream Restoration Project was funded with local and federal grants,
and the Village of Beach Park and Bull Creek property owners and stakeholders
were instrumental to the project by supporting and developing conservation and
drainage easements on their properties. Learn
more
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Start Your Job Search the
Right Way
Are you launching a new career in the new year? Learn some of the hottest
growing fields in Lake County and how the world of work is changing at a
workshop, “Career Trends for 2018.” The program will run from 10 a.m. to noon
Dec. 27 at the Job Center of Lake County. Reservations are recommended. Learn more
Engineering
Internship and Job Fair Don’t miss a unique chance to interview with Lake
County’s top employers in engineering, med-tech, automation, biopharma, precision
manufacturing and more at the Lake County Engineering Internship and Job Fair.
The fair will run from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 5 at the College of Lake County. Learn more
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Lake
County Public Works operates 35 active wells. To make sure customers have
a safe and reliable water source, we invest $125,000 per year to maintain and
preserve these wells. Routine maintenance ensures the pumps run efficiently and
water is delivered safely to our communities. This year, maintenance was
performed on wells in the following systems: Mill Creek, Oak Terrace, Brooks
Farm, Countryside Lake, and Pekara. Learn
more about the water distribution systems
operated and maintained by Lake County Public Works. |
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Forest Preserve News
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Middlefork Bridge and
Trail Connection Now Open
The Middlefork Bridge
and Trail Connection is now open. The new bridge connects 4.5 miles of trails
at Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve in Lake Forest to the Lake
Forest Academy and Townline Community Park and provides trail users a safe
passage over the Metra Railway. Other new elements include a scenic
overlook and crosswalk improvements at the intersection of IL Route 60 and
Academy Drive. This project is part of a larger effort by several organizations
to connect Middlefork Savanna and the Middlefork Trail and Greenway to the
Des Plaines River Trail at MacArthur Woods Forest Preserve in Mettawa. We are
pleased to have worked with the following partners and donors to make this
project possible: City of Lake Forest, Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest Bank
& Trust, Lake Forest Open Lands Association, and Richard and Elizabeth
Uihlein. View
Map.
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Join the Preservation Foundation Carol and Ed’s home is surrounded
on three sides by a beautiful forest preserve. Appreciation for their Forest
Preserve neighbor and a life-long love of nature led Carol and Ed to support
the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves in their will. If you are grateful for all the Lake County
Forest Preserves provide, consider making a planned gift through your will or
estate.
There are many ways to leave a
legacy, including gifts of cash, land, a vacation home, or life insurance.
Whatever you choose, the impact of your gift will live on for years to
come. Carol and Ed are extending the impact of their legacy gift by
joining the Preservation Society. Why join them? Because we want to acknowledge
your gift and celebrate your commitment to the Lake County Forest Preserves.
Also, allowing us to recognize you in our publications lets others know that
the Forest Preserve mission is worth your investment. For more information
or to become an inaugural member of the Preservation Society, contact Ellen at 847-968-3448.
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Special Feature: Science in
the Preserves
Finding eight common garter snakes under your first cover board of
the day is a good start for John Vanek and wildlife technicians Katherine
Waguespack and Elizabeth Mullen. “The technicians write down where we are,”
said Vanek, a graduate research assistant completing his Ph.D. in the
Department of Biological Sciences at Northern Illinois University. “They record
surrounding habitat conditions, such as the height of the vegetation and the
amount of shading. Those variables help us figure out why snakes and other
species are in one place and not another.”
For his dissertation, Vanek is
working with Forest Preserve wildlife biologists, Gary Glowacki and Andrew Rutter,
to study how habitat restoration and other factors affect animals in the
preserves. “We are at an exciting point where our data can tell us how wildlife
responds to the way we restore and manage our land,” Glowacki said. “This will
allow us to more effectively manage our natural areas and better conserve
biodiversity.”
Vanek is also analyzing our
wildlife monitoring program, drawing on the accumulated knowledge of our
Natural Resources Department. “One of the most important facets of the
wildlife monitoring program is diversifying our sampling methodologies,” said
Rutter. “Different species call for different sampling techniques, which we
employ in an attempt to confirm the presence, abundance, and diversity of
wildlife on our lands.” By the end of his three-year tenure, Vanek will
have sifted through a decade worth of data containing more than 180,000
records, identifying trends and ways to improve our restoration actions. Learn more
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Congratulations to the Village of Lake Zurich The Village of Lake Zurich recently was awarded second place at the Lake County Municipal League annual innovation awards
for its 20-year Community Investment Plan. The plan allows for better planning for heavy infrastructure costs and when possible, to set aside resources to provide minimal impact to the operations budget. View the Community Investment Plan.
Enjoy holiday music from around the world An intimate holiday concert
with music from around the world will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 at The Presbyterian Church of
Barrington, 6 Brinker Road.
Public invited to Barrington's annual economic summit The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its
2018 Annual Economic Summit, "State of the Barrington Region" from 8 to 10 a.m. Feb. 7, 2018, at Barrington’s White House. The event gathers village officials from 11
surrounding communities to update business leaders and the community on
current economic conditions and what lies ahead. Learn more
Save the date for Lake Zurich's Everything Expo The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its 2018 Everything Expo on March 3, 2018, at the Lake Zurich High School Field House. Learn more
Join a habitat restoration workday Get some exercise and fresh air while helping preserve our beautiful oak woods from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 16 at Oak Ridge Nature Park, 500 Lions Drive, Lake Zurich. Make sure to dress for the weather and bring gloves! Water will be provided. For more information, contact the Ancient Oaks Foundation at 224-286-1312 or send an email to info@ancientoaksfoundation.org.
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