Lake County property owners will soon get their property tax bills in the mail. The Lake County Treasurer collects and distributes taxes on behalf of 200+ taxing bodies in the county. In this video, Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor explains how high property taxes are directly linked to the high number of taxing bodies and takes a closer look at how the Lake County Board is working to reduce the property tax burden through consolidation efforts. Watch Now

Electronics: Lake County residents can bring electronics free of charge to four locations across Lake County. View the complete list of locations, and view acceptable and unacceptable items.

Household chemical waste:  Chemical waste in our landfills can potentially leach into the soil and pollute the surrounding groundwater. View acceptable and unacceptable items. Schedule an appointment to drop off your household chemicals. 

Reuse-A-Shoe: Don't throw away your unwanted shoes! Make sure they get recycled or reused! Drop off your shoes at one of several locations across Lake County. View Drop-Off Locations

Clothing and textiles: Bring your new, gently used, and used clothing to be reused or recycled. Even clothes with stains or holes will be taken. Learn more, including what is acceptable and where to drop off your items.

Celebrate Earth Day by checking out these family-friendly events across the county.

• The Forest Preserves are celebrating Earth Day (April 22) with a week of free nature programs now through April 22. Learn more. 
  
  
  
• The Grayslake Park District is hosting an Earth Day Volunteer Cleanup Event on April 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Central Park, 250 Library Lane. This is a free event and lunch will be provided. Visit www.glpd.com for information.
  
  

• Enjoy a 5K run and walk, recycling opportunities, a Concert for the Earth, an Earth Day kite fly and more at Lindenhurst's Earth Day celebration from 9 to 12:30 p.m. April 21. Learn more.
  
  
  
• The Round Lake Area Park District will host an Earth Day celebration from 11 a.m. to noon April 21 at the Prairie Grass Nature Museum in Round Lake. Learn more
  
  
  
• Participate in the Cardboard Challenge, enjoy face painting, music and more at the Earth Day Expo from noon to 4 p.m. April 22 at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills. Learn more
  
  

For more information on actions you can take to make a more sustainable Lake County, visit sustainablelakecounty.org.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office is now hiring Corrections Officers. Take pride in serving your community, enjoy working in a team environment, receive training to further a successful career path, and receive great benefits while working for Lake County's largest law enforcement agency. Apply today!

Have you seen the “Blue Kids” signs 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.

Forest Preserve News

Meet the Turtles of Lake County

Drop in Thursday, May 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville to meet some of the turtles who call Lake County home. Learn how you can help local turtles through the Herp Mapper program. The program and admission are free to the public. Learn more.

Lake County History Symposium

Join local historians and history enthusiasts for this daylong symposium on April 29 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., featuring a fascinating series of presentations on this year’s theme, History from Objects. Learn more.

Public Access Project to Begin at Ethel’s Woods

Lake County residents are one step closer to being able to experience the breathtaking beauty of Ethel’s Woods Forest Preserve in Antioch. At their February 13 meeting, the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners awarded a $824,522 contract to Campanella & Sons of Wadsworth, to build trails and parking at the preserve starting this spring. 

 
Ethel’s Woods currently is closed and does not have public access as it undergoes a major multi-year land restoration effort. Planned public access improvements to the 500-acre preserve will include an entrance drive from Miller Road, a 25-car parking lot, toilets, a 0.7-mile gravel loop trail and three scenic overlooks. A 0.7-mile section of the Millennium Trail will run along the western edge of the preserve. Weather permitting, these improvements are expected to be completed and open to the public in early summer 2019.  Learn more.