Dear Neighbors,
This month, I am continuing our work to develop new Lake
County Green Fleet Policies. Between the Lake County DOT, Sheriff's Office, Health Department and all the branches of Lake County Government, your
county government owns and operates more than 500 vehicles. We need to
find ways to reduce emissions, shrink our carbon footprint, reduce fuel
consumption and at the same time identify ways to reach those goals while also
reducing operating costs.
I am very happy to share that we have taken
some important first steps. With the support of the County Board Chairman and
the Finance Committee Chairman, at my request the Finance Committee is now
working with staff to develop policy guidelines that will move the county in
that direction. It's complex: a lot of analytical work will need to be
done to evaluate performance standards, alternative fuels, capital and
operating costs - but this is is a very big first step in moving our county's
vehicle fleet to become cleaner.
This week, I also participated in a meeting with Highland
Park City Councilwoman Kim Stone, the City of Highland Park and representatives
of the Pace Suburban Bus Agency where we discussed ways to reduce bus engine idling
on North Shore bus routes including the Pace Ravinia buses. We also
discussed possible future opportunities to introduce no-emissions electric
buses on certain Pace routes.
We have a responsibility to acknowledge that each of us
contributes to greenhouse gas pollution with our daily activities. We all
compound the effects of global warming and the negative impacts it is having on
our local and global environments. We can all do more, and we should
expect and demand that our local governments do more to reduce carbon emissions
wherever possible. I will continue to keep you updated on
our progress.
The
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Lake County Health Department
are urging people to not use synthetic cannabinoids, often called Spice, K2, or
fake weed. Dozens of people in Illinois have experienced severe bleeding after
using synthetic cannabinoids. Since April 9, the IDPH has received reports of 107
cases, including three deaths, linked to an outbreak. There are currently
no confirmed cases in Lake County. Find Out More
Highland Park Holds Recycling Drive
Donate unwanted items including gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, linens and household items as the City of Highland Park holds a recycling drive April 28 at Ravinia School and May 19 at Hidden Creek Aqua Park. The drive will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. both dates.
Highland Park Announces Spring Clean-Up
The 2018 Annual Spring Clean-Up dates have been announced for Highland Park single family residential refuse customers only. Learn more, including items that will and will not be accepted and the schedule.
Deerfield Hosts Recycling Events
Get your secure documents shredded and bring electronics to be recycled between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. April 21 at Coldwell Banker.
Bring your shoes to be recycled during regular business hours from now through April 22 to the Deerfield Public Librar. Get more information here.
There also will be an electronics recycling event with the Deerfield Park District from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28 at Deerspring Pool. Get more information here.
Join Highland Park Neighborhood Meeting
Join the City of Highland Park and various other local government agencies as they host a series of neighborhood meetings to solicit feedback and answer questions about community priorities and opportunities to enhance quality of life in Highland Park. View meeting schedule
Our Historic Jewel House Tour
Join the Fort Sheridan Historical Society for a showcase of Fort Sheridan's past and present from 1 to 5 p.m. May 19. Take a tour of historically landmarked mansions and homes around the famed parade ground where soldiers lived, trained and served our country. Learn more
The more than 20,000 Lake County taxpayers who prepaid their
property taxes last December are allowed to deduct their prepaid
property taxes on their 2017 federal tax return, according to a statement from
the U.S. Treasury Department. Find out more.
 The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) is
gearing up for a busy road construction season. In 2018, Lake County will have
nearly $100 million in road projects under construction, including 30 new
projects such as the Quentin Road widening project near Lake Zurich and the
intersection improvement and reconstruction of Old McHenry Road in Long Grove.
There will also be several resurfacing projects, culvert replacements, signal
modernizations, and enhancements to the non-motorized network.
View the Interactive
Construction Map to find a project you are interested in and connect to the
latest information and important updates.
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 Work Zone Safety
Please slow down in work zones for the safety of
LCDOT employees and yours! Every day, 70 work zone crashes occur that results
in at least one injury. Work zone safety is everybody's responsibility. Follow
these roadside safety reminders.
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 After spending more than a year relocating its vast historic
collections and building brand-new exhibitions from scratch, the Lake County Forest Preserves announces the opening of the new Bess Bower Dunn
Museum of Lake County, in Libertyville. Dedicated to sharing the entwined
stories of people, events and nature, the Dunn Museum provides a chronological
walk through Lake County’s history from prehistoric times to the present and
invites visitors to explore the land where it happened.
The Dunn Museum
uses a balance of authentic artifacts, interactive exhibits, reproductions
and audiovisual displays. Permanent exhibitions include Prehistoric Lake County, The First People, An
American Frontier, Innovations and Preservation and Woodland Theater. A Special
Exhibition Gallery will host temporary exhibitions, traveling exhibitions and
staff-curated exhibitions on topics touching on art, history and popular
culture. Each gallery includes an interactive touch screen that directs
visitors to different forest preserves to see firsthand where history took
place. Galleries also include fun animations narrated by Bill Kurtis, Chicago’s
legendary television journalist, that tell stories about Lake
County’s past. Visit the Dunn Museum today.
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 Have you seen the “Blue Kids” posters across Lake
County? As part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Lake County is
joining social service organizations, park districts, libraries, townships,
businesses and more to raise public awareness of child abuse. Visit the Blue Kids Lake County Facebook page to learn more.
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 Did you know 84 million Americans have prediabetes, and you
might be one of them? Prediabetes means you’re at risk for developing type 2
diabetes. Find
out if you’re at risk by taking the test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. As you can see, It
takes only a minute!
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 Celebrate Earth Day by checking out these family-friendly events
across the county.
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The Forest Preserves are celebrating Earth Day (April
22) with a week of free nature programs now through April 22. Locations
vary based on program. Learn more.
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Enjoy a day of fun, free outdoor activities as
Lindenhurst celebrates Earth Day from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 21. The
celebration will include a 5K run and walk, recycling opportunities, a
Concert for the Earth, an Earth Day kite fly and more. Learn more
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Join the first Earth Day Expo from noon to 4 p.m. April
22 at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills. Participate in the Cardboard
Challenge, enjoy face painting, music and more. Learn more
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Enjoy a recycling experiment, scavenger hunt, music,
recycling opportunities and more at a free Earth Day and Recycling event
from 1 to 3 p.m. April 22 at the Dunbar Recreation Center in Mundelein. Learn more
For more information on actions you
can take to make a more sustainable Lake County, visit sustainablelakecounty.org.
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 Forest Preserve News
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 Independence Grove Beach Season
Passes
Get unlimited access to the swimming
beach at Independence
Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, -- including
participation in Family Fun Friday games and prizes –– with the purchase of a
2018 beach season pass now on sale to Lake County residents. The pass
allows holders unlimited use of the 400-foot
sand beach that runs along the South Bay
of Independence Grove's 115-acre lake. Purchase yours today!
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 Rainbow Trout Season Opens
Lakewood
Forest Preserve in Wauconda has opened for
rainbow trout fishing, following the release of trout in Banana Lake. Most of
the trout range in size from three-quarters to one pound. The trout stocking is
a biannual fall and spring event at the 3.2-acre Banana Lake. Daily creel limit
is five. The deepest point in Banana Lake is 25 feet. Learn more
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 The state
of Lake County is strong. The Lake County Board continues to
deliver on its mission of providing exceptional, financially sustainable
services that promote a safe, healthy and economically strong Lake
County.
In this State
of the County video, Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor provides a
look back at the progress we are making to advance our strategic goals and
looks ahead at the priorities for this year.
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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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