Flu activity increases, Healthcare job fair, Vote by mail, and More

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Bill Durkin, District 8

January 17, 2018

Durkin subscriber subhead revised

Dear Neighbors,

I am always looking for feedback on my newsletter as well as what's happening in Lake County. If you have any comments or concerns, feel free to send me an email, or give me a call at 847-513-1736. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, please sign up to continue to receive news about Lake County and District 8.


Flu Activity Increases

Seasonal flu activity has increased sharply in recent weeks, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting that influenza-like-illness is now widespread across most of the country, including Illinois.

The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get a flu vaccination:

  • The Lake County Health Department provides flu vaccinations at 2303 Dodge Ave., Waukegan. For information or to make an appointment, call 847-377-8470.
  • The vaccine also is available at sites throughout Lake County. Find a convenient location.

Learn more about the seasonal flu in Lake County, including tips to help prevent the spread of the flu.


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.


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.


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


Profiles in Excellence

Join the Lake County Forest Preserves 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

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy. Volunteer!

MLK Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” There are many opportunities to volunteer with Lake County government!  


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 County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor explores how drones can make jobs less dirty.

Dirty Jobs drones

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.


Annual Workshop Teaches Sensible Salting Practices

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.

Deicing workshop

Forest Preserve Logo

Forest Preserve News

LCFPD school programs

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 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

 

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

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