New laws, Upcoming job fairs, Free recycling opportunities, and More

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January 4, 2018

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New Laws for 2018

new law 2018

The new year brings more than 200 new laws that have gone into effect beginning Jan. 1. 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.


Job News

job fair

Waukegan Park District Job Fair
The Waukegan Park District will hold a job fair from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today (Jan. 4) at the Field House, 800 Baldwin Ave. Learn more

 

Zion Job Fair
Bring your resume and dress for success as the Job Center of Lake County and the City of Zion hold a job fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Zion Benton Library, 2400 Gabriel Ave. A total of 20 employers are expected to attend. Learn more


Paratransit Market Study for the Lake County Region

A Paratransit Market Study is underway in Lake County to evaluate transportation options for seniors, people with disabilities, and the general public. Please join us for the second round of community meetings for the Paratransit Market Study. Lake County, in conjunction with the Lake County Coordinated Transportation Services Committee (LCCTSC), is conducting this study to evaluate transportation options for county residents and to prepare an implementation plan to improve service. At the community meetings, we will provide an overview of the draft analysis of existing conditions and draft recommendations for service implementation. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback and comments on these findings to help shape public transportation in Lake County.

 

Tuesday, Jan. 23, 1 – 3 p.m.
Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center, 2007 N. Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach

Wednesday, Jan. 24, 5 – 7 p.m.
Warren Township Senior Center, 17801 W. Washington St., Gurnee

 

The meetings will be conducted in an informal, open house format so feel free to attend at any time during a session. The same information will be provided at all meetings. Additional information can be found on LCDOT’s website.


Keep the Earth Clean in 2018

holiday tree

Stay Green after the Holidays
The holidays are over, but don’t throw those decorations away! Recycle your old and unwanted strings of lights for free! View the list of locations and what items are accepted.

Donate your holiday tree to the Lake County Forest Preserves, and we’ll recycle it into wood chips for trails and landscaping at forest preserves throughout Lake County. Bring your tree to a drop-off site now through Feb. 1.

 

Dispose Unwanted, Expired Prescriptions Safely
Dispose your unused, unwanted and expired prescription drugs properly at disposal boxes across Lake County. The service is free! Find a drug disposal box near you, and learn what is not accepted.



drug disposal
clothing

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, including two new locations at the Waukegan Park District's maintenance facility and the Wadsworth Village Hall. View accepted and unacceptable items


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.


Government Reform and Accountability Commission Wrap-Up

The Lake County Commission on Government Reform and Accountability held its last meeting in December 2017. The bipartisan commission was created by the County Board to evaluate proposed government reform measures and will be reporting their key findings to the County Board for consideration. Some of their proposed recommendations include ideas for local government consolidation and independent redistricting. Watch this video to learn more. 

gov reform commission wrap-up 2017

County’s Mental Health Coalition Completes First Year of Work

MHC wrap up

Lake County is on the front lines of addressing the mental health crisis impacting our country and our communities. Over the past year, the Lake County Mental Health Coalition has been working diligently to study this issue at the local level and make recommendations on how to better serve this vulnerable population in order to maintain their health and well-being. Watch this video to learn more. 


Age to Buy Tobacco Increases to 21 in Unincorporated Areas

The minimum legal sales age to purchase tobacco products has increased to 21 years old in unincorporated Lake County as of Jan. 1, following an ordinance approved by the County Board.  Lake County is the first county in Illinois to raise the minimum legal sales age to 21 in unincorporated areas. 

The Lake County Health Department provides FREE one-on-one and group counseling with a certified tobacco treatment specialist for adults looking to quit smoking or other tobacco use. 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 new law recently 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


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Forest Preserve News

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 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.


Mary Ross Cunningham

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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