New laws, Leading government reform, Forest Preserves update, and More

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Aaron Lawlor - Banner

January 26, 2018

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New Laws for 2018

new law 2018

Did you see the new Illinois laws that went into effect a few weeks ago? This includes lowering the organ donor registry age, allowing motorists to pass bicyclists in a no-passing zone, and a new law that protects consumers who leave negative online reviews. See the complete list.


Lake County is a Leader in Addressing Government Reform

gov reform commission wrap-up 2017

I am excited to serve as chairman on the newly formed Lake County Government Reform Implementation Committee that is charged with evaluating the recommendations outlined in the final report from the Lake County Commission on Government Reform and Accountability. 

The County Board recently accepted the report from the special bi-partisan Commission, which was created in 2017 to explore reform measures, including redistricting, the method of electing the chair, and the size of the county board. The Commission concluded that Lake County functions well, and Lake County has the opportunity to be a leader in pursuing independent redistricting. Lake County would be the first county in Illinois to undertake independent redistricting reform, and would join only a handful of other counties in the U.S. that have addressed this.

The Committee will meet monthly to evaluate the recommendations in the report and submit its findings to the County Board for consideration and action. To learn more about the work of the Lake County Commission on Government Reform and Accountability, watch this video, and read the final report and other resources.

 


Forest Preserves Progress Update

In the general election on November 5, 2008, Lake County voters approved a referendum of $185 million to support the mission and vision of their Lake County Forest Preserves. The referendum provided $148 million to purchase between 2,500 and 3,000 acres of land to expand existing preserves and create new open spaces. The balance of $37 million provided funds to complete trails, open new preserves, restore habitat for endangered wildlife and plants, and improve and renovate existing preserves and facilities. 

Now, nearly a decade later, it’s time to check in and report what value those funds have brought to Lake County. Learn more


Don’t Stand in Line on Election Day. Vote by Mail

vote by mail

Skip the lines on election day and vote by mail! Registered Lake County voters can now request a ballot by mail for the March 20 primary election. Request a ballot at www.LakeVoterPower.info or call 847-377-2410.


Dirty Jobs – Utilizing Drone Technology

Lake County is consistently leveraging technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, including using drones to conduct land surveys in a fraction of the time. And, during the July 2017 floods, new drone technology helped assess damage quickly and easily that otherwise would be inaccessible. Watch this edition of Lake County’s Dirty Jobs as I explore how drones can make jobs less dirty.

Dirty Jobs drones

Working Through the Night at Point-in-Time Homeless Count

Lawlor Point in time homeless count

Every year, volunteers conduct a Point-In-Time Homeless Count to search all over Lake County to interview and offer assistance to unsheltered people experiencing homelessness. This year, I joined 85 volunteers to help document the need in our communities and serve as the boots on the ground to connect individuals with resources.

I welcomed the volunteers with a story of a past count when I met a homeless man who was in the emergency room due to his mental health struggles. I think about this man often. His story has stayed with me and has compelled me to become more engaged in mental health issues. We won’t stop working until we have the system we need to end homelessness and address the mental health needs in this county. Learn more about this year's Point-in-Time Homeless Count.

Get involved! Lake County residents can make a difference by supporting the Lake County Coalition for the Homeless and the various member organizations. Each organization has different needs or ways to get involved. For example, the Lake County Haven shares volunteer opportunities on their Facebook page, and individuals can sign up to volunteer with PADS.


Processing of Prepayments for 2017 Tax Year Near Completion

The Lake County Treasurer's Office is now finalizing all prepayments of 2017 real estate taxes and will shortly conclude mailing out receipts to taxpayers who submitted a prepayment by mail. The rush to prepay real estate taxes last December led to a record year in Lake County. More than 20,000 taxpayers prepaid their real estate taxes in 2017, compared to 200 to 300 who prepay on average. View other facts and an important notice for those who prepaid their 2017 real estate taxes.

property tax prepayment

Free Filing for Federal and State Taxes

Form

Individuals who earned $66,000 or less in 2017 can self-file their federal and state taxes for free and save an average of $200 in fees by using My Free Taxes. English and Spanish support via telephone (1-855-MY-TX-HELP) is available, along with email and online chat support from IRS-certified specialists. Learn more about My Free Taxes.


Leaders Launch Chicago Regional Growth Corporation

I recently joined leaders from Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, the City of Chicago, and the business community to launch the Chicago Regional Growth Corporation (CRGC). The CRGC will work to strengthen the regional economy and better connect resources to generate economic opportunities. Learn more about CRGC.

Lawlor helps launch CRGC

Striving to Deliver Exceptional, Financially Sustainable Services

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

 

2017 County Board Wrap-Up

Keep the Earth Clean in 2018

drug disposal

Dispose Unwanted, Expired Prescriptions Safely
Dispose your unused, unwanted and expired prescription drugs properly at disposal boxes across Lake County. The service is freeIn 2017, more than 13,000 pounds of unused and unwanted prescriptions were collected, a 19 percent increase from 2016. Find a drug disposal box near you, and learn what is not accepted.


Donate Clothing and Textiles
Donate your new and gently used clothing and textiles to be reused, along with worn or stained items, which will be recycled. There are several collection bins in Lake County to donate your women’s, men’s and children’s clothing. View acceptable and unacceptable items.   


clothing
shoe

Reuse-A-Shoe
Donate new and gently used shoes to SWALCO’s Reuse-A-Shoe program. Individuals or families with a few pairs can visit the drop-off locations. Groups or families who have a large number of shoes or who want to collect them can contact Merleanne Rampale at SWALCO at 847-377-4954 to set up a seasonal collection site or drive. View acceptable and unacceptable items.

 

Remember the R’s
Just as important as reusing or recycling is purchasing eco-friendly items, including those that contain recycled content.  There are numerous markets out there, and even your local retailer offers eco-friendly options. Visit SWALCO’s website to learn more.


Tax Credit for Victims of July 2017 Flood

flood insurance

Lake County property owners who sustained flood damage from the July 2017 flood may be eligible to claim an income tax credit worth up to $750 under a law approved by the Illinois Legislature and signed by the governor. If eligible, the income tax credit may be applied to the resident’s 2017 Illinois income taxes. Learn more


More Than 100 Positions Available at Healthcare Job Fair

healthcare job fair

Meet with healthcare employers and training professionals at the Job Center of Lake County’s and Lake County Health Department’s Healthcare Job Fair! More than 100 positions are available, including physicians, registered nurses, social workers, medical assistants, and more.  The event will run from 3 to 7 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Lake County Health Department, 3010 Grand Ave., Waukegan.

RSVP for the job fair, and learn more about the event by watching this video.


Test Your Home for Radon Gas This Winter. Kits Are Available

radon test kits play button

Lake County homeowners are urged to test radon levels in their homes and apartments during the winter months, when indoor radon levels are at their highest.

Radon is an odorless and colorless gas that naturally occurs in rock and soil. It can seep into homes from the soil through cracks in the basement floors and foundations, crawl spaces, poorly sealed sump pumps, porous cinder block walls and other foundation floor and wall penetrations.  

To purchase a radon testing kit, please call 847-377-8020. Learn more about radon in Lake County.


New Program to Train At-Risk Inmates on Naloxone

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

Naloxone training

Annual Workshop Teaches Sensible Salting Practices

Deicing workshop

Road salt and other deicing materials are needed to keep Lake County’s roads, parking lots and sidewalks safe, but the products used can impact our water quality. Lake County departments recently teamed up to offer deicing workshops to public agencies and private contractors to show how to wisely use road salt that will reduce the environmental impacts and help them save money. Watch this video.


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Forest Preserve News

Register for School Programs Today
Registration for school programs at the Dunn Museum is now open. Field trips are available beginning March 26. For more information or to book a field trip or in-school program, contact Nicole Stocker, Museum Educator, at 847-968-3422 or nstocker@lcfpd.orgLearn more

 

LCFPD school programs
lcfpd winter beauty

Experience Winter’s Beauty
Hiking across the snow. Tracing figure eights on the ice. Feeling the tug of a fish below the frozen water. Zooming downhill on a snow-packed surface. These experiences and more await winter outdoor enthusiasts at your Lake County Forest Preserves, where breathtaking scenery goes hand-in-hand with exercise and fun. Before heading out, check online for current trail, snow and ice conditions for sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, ice skating, and cross-country skiing.

 

Take an Evening Hike on Solar-Lit Trails
With small solar lights to guide the way, hikers, skiers and snowshoers can get some evening exercise along the 1.3-mile fitness trail at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville, and along a 1.65-mile hilly section of the Millennium Trail adjacent to the Winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda. Though regular preserve hours are 6:30 a.m. to sunset, the illuminated trails and adjacent parking lots will remain open after sunset until 9 p.m., daily, through March 11.  Learn more

 

LCFPD 2018 summer camp

2018 Camp Registration is Now Open
Research has proven that time spent in nature fosters the healthy development of children. Most of our camps are held completely outdoors, and those that aren’t have components outside. Outdoor play helps children manage stress and become resilient. Natural spaces stimulate children’s limitless imaginations and foster creativity. Camp provides children with a safe, positive environment that helps children grow. Our wide variety of topics allows your camper to attend camps from ages 4 through 14 without repeating a topic. Register today!


winter habitat

Winter Habitat Restoration
This winter, our well-trained crews will remove invasive woody species, primarily buckthorn, autumn olive, sandbar willow, and honeysuckle, from 17 preserves. A total of 23 restoration projects are scheduled for this season, including 852 acres of woody clearing, forestry mowing, and small invasive tree and shrub removal. View map and details

 

Profiles in Excellence
Join us for an inspiring afternoon in honor of Black History Month at the 35th annual Profiles in Excellence on Feb. 11 at the Greenbelt Cultural Center. This year’s theme focuses on the Illinois Bicentennial (1818–2018) and features the important role of African Americans in Lake County’s history. The event is free and open to all ages. There will be presenters and musical entertainment.


2018 profiles in excellence
Fort Sheridan update

Fort Sheridan Project Update
Construction of public access improvements at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve is going well. The project is on schedule for reopening a portion of the preserve this summer. Progress has been made on the entry drive, parking lot, pond expansion, turf trail, timber bridges, and overlooks. Boulders selected by our preserve planners are incorporated in the overlooks as gateway and seating elements. During construction, all portions of the preserve north of Fort Sheridan’s historic district and south of the Vattman Road entrance drive to the cemetery are closed to public access. Respect all safety blockades and closure signage. Do not move blockades or attempt to access closed areas. Respecting the closure will keep work moving apace and allow the site to be reopened sooner. View closure map

 

lcfpd history symposium

Lake County History Symposium–Call for Papers
On April 29, the Dunn Museum (Libertyville) will host the fourth Annual Lake County History Symposium. The Symposium is open to the public and aims to bring together those interested in and actively researching the history of Lake County. This year’s theme is History from Objects. Proposals for presentations and posters are requested. Submissions are due on or before Feb. 1. Submit yours today.


passage

SWALCO

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