Dear Neighbors,
At our March 13 Lake County Board meeting, I addressed the
board and urged my colleagues to think about what more we can do to keep our
community safe. As we are all engaged in discussions about violence, gun
violence, and school safety. I asked the board to reflect and to to challenge
ourselves to do more. Watch this video to listen to my comments from the meeting. All Lake County Board meetings are available to watch online. View the Lake County Board meeting archives.
Focusing On Election Data Security
Also at that same board meeting, Lake County Clerk
Carla Wyckoff made a presentation to the board about her office and election
data security. Watch this video of the discussion. I engaged with the
clerk and asked questions about voter data security precautions. Ensuring that
our voter data and our elections are secure from tampering should be a top
priority for the clerk and for all of us. This is not just a national security
issue. Elections are a locally controlled process.
 A major tie replacement project between Libertyville and Fox Lake will impact midday and weekend service on Metra’s Milwaukee District North Line during the month of April, including a shutdown of the line north of Lake Forest for three weekends. Learn more
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Attention seniors!
Receive assistance filling out the 2018 Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze
Application at an upcoming outreach session. View Upcoming Outreach Sessions and Qualifications.
The Senior Freeze
provides eligible seniors (based on income levels) protection against real
estate tax increases due to rising property values as this exemption “freezes”
your home’s equalized assessed value at a base year value. The base year
is generally the year before you first qualify and apply for the exemption. For
example, if you first qualify and apply in 2018, your property’s equalized
assessed value will be “frozen” at the 2017 equalized assessed value. Please
note that this exemption is not a tax freeze or a tax reduction and does not
protect against increased taxes due to tax rate increases.
 Spring is here, which means it’s time to
start making vacation plans! If travel plans will bring you outside the country,
the Lake County Circuit Clerk’s Office can serve as your one-stop shop to apply
for or renew your passport. No appointment is required. You can even get your
passport photo taken. Learn about the passport services provided.
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Take time to learn how to prepare for severe emergencies. Here are ways you can prepare.
 View a map of road conditions and events and see camera images of major intersections at www.lakecountypassage.com. iPhone and Android users can also download the PASSAGE app.
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 Have an emergency supply kit for your house, vehicle and place of work so you have basic survival items needed during an emergency. Prepare your emergency kit.
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Make sure your pets
are up to date with shots and rabies tags! The Lake County Health Department is offering spring pet vaccination clinics at locations across
the county. View the spring clinic schedule. |
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The mental health
crisis facing our nation and our communities affects everyone - individuals,
families, employers, schools, hospitals, the criminal justice system, and more.
Lake County is working with health and public safety partners and community
members to better understand the problem, strengthen and connect services, and
build a continuum of care. Learn more by viewing
this interactive story map! |
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The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center recently
hosted a press conference to recognize kaléo, a Virginia-based pharmaceutical
company, for its substantial contribution of Naloxone auto-injector kits to
help save lives in Lake County. Naloxone is 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. Watch
this video to
learn more. |
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 A Paratransit Market Study is underway in Lake County to
evaluate transportation options for seniors, people with disabilities, and the
general public. The public was recently invited to learn more about the study
at the second round of community meetings held in January 2018. Meeting
attendees had the opportunity to provide input on the analysis of existing
conditions and draft recommendations for service implementation. If you weren’t
able to attend one of the meetings, please provide your feedback by taking the
online survey.
Learn More: Watch VIDEO, Visit
Project WEBSITE,
Take SURVEY
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 Lake County recently received the 2018 Excellence in Snow
and Ice Control Award from the American Public Works Association (APWA). The
Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) is proud to accept this award of
national recognition for bringing an innovative, safe, and environmentally
friendly snow and ice control program to the residents of Lake County. More
information.
In addition to the work LCDOT is doing, the Stormwater
Management Commission and the Lake County Health Department support the snow
and ice control program through training, river monitoring, researching best
practices and providing educational opportunities to our regional partners. Learn
more about LCDOT Snow
Operations.
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The
Internal Revenue Service is warning taxpayers of a quickly growing scam
involving erroneous tax refunds being deposited into their bank accounts. After
stealing client data from tax professionals and filing fraudulent tax returns,
criminals use the taxpayers' real bank accounts for the deposit. Thieves are
then using various tactics to reclaim the refund from the taxpayers. Find out more.
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Professionals
recently had the opportunity to engage with recruiting healthcare organizations
and learn about career paths within the healthcare industry at a Healthcare Job
Fair. The fair was hosted by the Lake County Health Department and Job Center
of Lake County. Find
Out More. |
Did you know you can anonymously submit a crime tip to the Lake
County Sheriff’s Office online? Tips and information from the community often
aid law enforcement in identifying potential threats, problems, concerns, or
issues. Report a crime tip online.
Individuals who have a general tip also can call the Sheriff’s Office at 847-549-5200, leave
a message on our tip line at 847-377-4424 or send an email. |
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 The
newest member to Lake County is Bones! Bones was officially sworn in
as the newest deputy of the Lake County Coroner’s Office. Bones is a Belgian
Malinois who is training to become a cadaver dog and to search for missing
persons. Bones also will provide grief support for family members who lost a
loved one.
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 Forest Preserve News
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Rx for Health: Walking in Nature
Join a health professional and
an educator for a walk to explore the preserve as we improve our health as part of the Rx for Health series. Out of respect for all
program participants, please leave pets at home. Service animals are permitted. This event is free. No registration is
required. Adult supervision is required. Upcoming Rx for Health walks
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 Join the Youth Conservation Corps
This summer jobs program is designed to employ high school
youth in natural resources, construction, and park maintenance related
projects. Recruitment is underway now for the 2018 season. View the
application for details.
Crew members work together in teams to build trails and
boardwalks, restore natural areas and waterways, and complete basic preserve
maintenance projects. Additionally, crew members receive training in first aid,
basic work and life skills, construction skills and environmental
awareness. The program runs for eight weeks each summer from mid-June
through early August. Learn more
Preserve Trail Repair
How do we maintain 205 miles of trails in forest preserves
around the county? Through the hard work and heavy equipment of our
Operations and Infrastructure department. Watch this video as
Forest Preserve crews took care of a section of the Millennium Trail at
Singing Hills Forest Preserve in Volo last fall.
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Book Your Event at a Forest Preserve Picnic Shelter
Reservations
for 2018 picnic permits are now available. Choose from 31 picnic
shelters located in scenic forest preserves throughout the county. Picnic
shelter permits ensure exclusive use of a shelter for your family reunion,
company picnic or other group gathering. Plan early to help ensure your
first choice of shelter and date. Learn more |
Lake County Public Works is responsible for the operation,
maintenance, repair and replacement of 12 separate water systems in Lake
County. What happens when we detect a water main leak or break? Watch this video
and learn how our crews work around the clock and in any kind of weather to
restore service as quickly as possible for our customers. |
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 Earlier this year, the 2017 Stormwater Award winners were honored
for their outstanding achievements. These individuals, communities, groups and
organizations exemplify SMC’s core mission of flood damage reduction, water
quality improvement, and natural resource protection and enhancement. Lake
County is very fortunate to have this level of collaborative dedication and
investment to stormwater management.
Watch the 12th Annual Stormwater
Management Commission Awards video to see highlights from the event.
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If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at pfrank@lakecountyil.gov or visit
my Facebook page.
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,
Paul Frank
Mr. Frank, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on:
Lake County Board, 11th District:
Lake County Law and Judicial Committee
Lake County Health and Community Services Committee
Lake County Ad Hoc Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Lake County Ad-Hoc Legislative Committee
Lake County Forest Preserves, 11th District:
Planning Committee
Ethics Committee
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