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 December 20, 2017
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Every year, volunteers participate in a Point-In-Time Homeless Count to search for,
interview, and offer help to unsheltered people
experiencing homelessness in Lake County. We
need volunteers to help document the need in our communities and serve as the “boots on the ground” to
connect individuals with the resources they need.
Date: January 24, 2018
Time: 10 p.m. (into
the early morning hours)
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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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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. |
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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 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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 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 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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 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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 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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 If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at 847-721-1563 (cell) or email me at mcunningham@lakecountyil.gov.
I encourage you to forward this update to others who may be
interested in Lake County news. Residents who wish to automatically receive my
bi-weekly newsletter can email me, or click the “Sign up for my mailing list
here” button at the top of the newsletter.
Thank you,
Mary Ross Cunningham
Ms. Cunningham, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on:
Lake County Board, 9th District:
Diversity and Inclusion Committee, (Ad-Hoc), Chair
Lake County Law and Judicial Committee, Chair
Lake County Health and Community Services
Lake County Rules Committee, vice chair
Lake County Forest Preserves, 9th District:
Operations Committee, Vice Chair
Diversity and Cultural Awareness Committee
Gospelfest Committee, chair
Other appointed positions:
National Association of Counties (NACo), Board Representative
Lake County Community Health Center
Governing Council, secretary
Lake County Board of Health
Personnel Committee, Chair
Community Action Partnership
of Lake County, Board Member
Lake County Domestic Violence Council
Lake County Sexual Assault Coordination Committee
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