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As Election Day draws near, this issue of my newsletter includes very specific, practical information and links to your voting details. Act now for Vote By Mail and Early Voting. You can preview your ballot and find your Tuesday, March 20 Election Day polling place and more.
The American way of life is based on free choice. A relative few of us serve as elected representatives while others serve in the functional (Executive) offices and the Judiciary. Each - and all - of us can attend school, village, park and other board meetings. We can speak up. We can be appointed or elected to, or volunteer for those very local organizations.
Voting is the most basic and powerful act. Please vote.
The Lake County Board takes action through a committee process. Most debate and detailed presentations are part of standing and ad hoc committee meetings. All financial and administrative items, including those vetted in the other committees, must be approved in the Financial and Administrative Committee. Then all committee and other actions are (re)vetted in the Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting on the Friday before the Board meeting (second Tuesday). This issue includes a new feature: a narrative summary of Board activity. Please attend one or more meeting. All of this is on the County website - below with other valuable links.
Seniors, please see Tax Freeze information below. You may now qualify since the income limit has increased.
I hope you enjoy the days ahead as we transition into Spring. Please contact me with questions, concerns and suggestions.
Regards,
 Fast-track permitting, regional 911 consolidation, and bond
refinancing are examples of recent Lake County Board actions that demonstrate
the Board's continued commitment to delivering exceptional, financially
sustainable services. Learn more in this five-minute
County Board Wrap-Up video.
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The March 20 Primary Election is fast
approaching. As a reminder, here are three ways to vote in the upcoming
election:
 Vote from the Comfort of Your Home
Registered voters can request a vote by mail
application from
the County Clerk's Office until noon March 15. Voted ballots must be postmarked by
midnight on Election Day.
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 Early Voting
Vote and register at any early voting site regardless of where
you live in Lake County. Early voting will be available until March 19. Grace
voter registration is available at all sites. Hours and dates vary at the
15 different locations. Find early voting sites.
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 Election Day
Those choosing to vote on Election Day must go to
their assigned polling location. Voters can find their polling location by
using this Polling
Place Locator. Grace voter
registration also will be available in all precinct voting sites on Election
Day and at the County Clerk’s Office in Waukegan.
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 March 20 Primary
Election Website
Voters can find all the
information they need on the March 20 Primary
Election website. Watch this video as Lake County Clerk
Carla Wyckoff explains all you can find on the website, including how to
preview your personalized ballot.
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 Arrive
curious and leave inspired when you visit the new Bess Bower Dunn Museum in
Libertyville. Come to the free grand opening from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 24 to
meet our Dryptosaurus dinosaur and paleoartist Tyler Keillor who created her.
Explore exhibitions on your own or take a guided tour, enjoy drop-in
activities, and stroll through the gift shop. The Dunn Museum is on Winchester
Road between Route 45 and Butterfield Road in Libertyville. Learn
more
Celebrate the new Dunn
Museum with a week of special events, free with general admission. Event details
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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.
 Make sure your pets
are up to date with shots and rabies tags! The Lake County Health Department
will offer spring pet vaccination clinics starting March 31 at locations across
the county. View the spring clinic schedule.
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As Illinois recognizes Severe Weather Preparedness Month through
March, take time to learn how to prepare for severe weather 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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 Preparing for a flood now will increase your safety and can possibly
minimize potential flood damage. As Lake County observes Flood Awareness Week, check
out these tips so you’re prepared.
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Take the Quiz! Win a Weather Alert Radio
Test your knowledge by taking an online quiz, and get a chance to
win one of 100 weather alert radios as part of the “Weather Alert Radios Save
Lives” contest, which runs through March 31.
Lake County residents can drop off unwanted electronics to be recycled free of charge year round at four locations across the county. Residents may drop off up to 10 electronics items per visit, excluding miscellaneous cords and cables. An appointment is not required. Find a recycling site near you, and view acceptable and unacceptable items.
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Don't Miss the Green Living Fair
The 2018 Green Living
Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at the Libertyville Civic Center. Admission is free. Learn about earth-healthy daily routines from the exhibitors. There will
also be recycling opportunities. Learn more
 Spring is almost 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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 Forest Preserve News
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 Maple Syrup Hikes
Learn
how trees work and about the sweet sap of sugar maples. Ryerson Woods is one of
the few places in Lake County where conditions are right for maple syrup
production, and where trees grow to a diameter and height that allows for
tapping. Everyone gets a taste. The program also is available as a school or
scout field trip. Call 847-968-3321. Hikes start every half-hour from noon to 2
p.m. March 18, 24 and 25 at Ryerson Woods. Learn more
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