 I would like to take this holiday season as an opportunity to remind you how much you mean to me. Representing District 5 as your County Board member has been a wonderful experience, and I just want to say thank you for giving me that opportunity by placing your faith in me.
They say that the holidays are extra special when you spend time with people you care about. I am so fortunate to spend my time representing the people's needs because I truly care about our county, our businesses and you.
I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a happy, prosperous New Year. May all of our efforts turn into achievements as we enter the new year.
Happy Holidays!
Judy Martini
Lake County Board Member District 5
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Homes across Lake County are decorated in twinkling lights for the holidays. Check out Visit Lake County's video of some beautiful displays to see this holiday season with your family. |
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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 Lake County Board makes policy
and budget decisions each month that touches many areas, from economic development and human services to law
enforcement and public safety, along with transportation and infrastructure. In
this new video series, we wrap up recent County Board actions. Watch
now.
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Wauconda and Volo residents are urged to be aware as incidents have been reported of criminal damage to vehicles. The Wauconda Police Department reports a high-powered air rifle has been used to target the vehicles. Lake County Crime Stoppers is offering an $1,000 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who committed this crime. If you have information on this crime, call 847-662-2222. All callers will remain anonymous.
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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.
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The Illinois Secretary of State's Office will provide a mobile driver services facility from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 19, 2018, at the Antioch Township Center, 1625 Deep Lake Road. Visitors can renew or replace a driver's license or state ID, purchase vehicle stickers, get the vision screening and more.
 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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 Residents who receive law enforcement services from the Lake County Sheriff's Office and may be leaving home for the holidays may arrange a house watch where a random check of the residence is provided as time permits. Call the Dispatch Center at 847-549-5200 a few hours prior to
leaving. The call taker will ask a series of questions, including emergency
contact information. Learn more
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The Lake County Sheriff's Office, Health
Department, and Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities have launched a new
educational program to train at-risk inmates on the use of naloxone, an opioid
overdose antidote that counteracts the effects of heroin and other opioids in
the brain and essentially “brings back” an individual from an overdose. Learn more
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Returning citizens and individuals with a criminal background can learn
the skills needed in today’s workplace through a new program the Lake County
Workforce Development will launch early next year called Revive Lake County. Individuals who
successfully complete the program may be eligible to receive financial aid for
job training or a paid work experience. Interested
individuals must attend a Job Center information session by Dec. 29. View the schedule.
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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 current job opportunities. |
 December is a busy time of year and
can often bring about stress and other challenging emotions or situations,
especially for those impacted by addiction and those who have lost someone to a
substance-related passing. Be aware of these programs that can help your loved
ones in a time of need.
Crisis Call Center
Speak
anonymously to a counselor 24 hours a day and get help by contacting the crisis call
center at 847-377-8088. Information and referrals to Lake County
Health Department programs are available.
Text-A-Tip
Text-A-Tip
is
a 24/7 anonymous text-communication system for youth needing immediate mental
health assistance for themselves or a friend. Download the Lake County Help
app, available at the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Within the
app, select the 24-7 Text-A-Tip hotline where you will send a message to a
dedicated number and receive an immediate response from a licensed clinician
while remaining anonymous.
“A Way Out”
Individuals who struggle with
substance use disorders can get directed quickly to treatment through a program called “A Way Out." The program is offered 24 hours a day, 365
days a year at participating police departments in Lake County. In the event that an
individual seeking help may possess narcotics or paraphernalia when entering a
participating police department, they will not be charged and any drugs on
their person will be destroyed.
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The 19th Judicial Circuit
recently honored the Guardians Ad Litem, from both the private bar and
from the Lake County Public Defender’s Office, for safeguarding children
through the adoption process. The Guardians Ad Litem serve as the eyes and
ears of the court and make the recommendation as to whether adoption is in
the best interest of the child. Throughout the month of November, courts
and communities all over the country participated in finalizing thousands
of adoptions of children from foster care as part of Adoption Awareness
Month. Watch this video
to learn more.
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 Forest Preserve News
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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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 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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Enjoy the winter outdoors at Volo Bog
Join a bird walk or a guided tour, enjoy a book discussion with coffee, or help restore the habitat at Volo Bog State Natural Area in Volo this winter. View the calendar of winter activities.
And don't miss the indoor and outdoor fun at Volo Bog's Winterfest from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 14, 2018. Enjoy live music, photo contest awards, winter-theme crafts, bog tours and much more.
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