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Let's work together to keep Lake County a safe, healthy, and clean place to live and work. One thing we can all do is reuse and recycle. The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County offers convenient locations to bring your items, including electronics, clothing and shoes. There's also a way to safely dispose your unused prescription drugs. Check the story below to learn about these programs.
The weather is finally looking like spring, so let's go outside and enjoy! One fun activity to enjoy is taking a bicycle ride, and Lake County offers hundreds of miles of trails and bikeways to explore. Discover the Bike Lake County application below, and plan your trip today!
 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
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Your Property Tax Distribution
Check out our new online map to
see how your individual property taxes are distributed (for any parcel) and how
to contact those taxing bodies. Just type in your address, click on the
magnifying glass, and click on the property you want to see information on.
Property Tax Process, Relief, and More
Learn more about what
Lake County does with your property tax payment, property tax relief that may
be available to you and more by visiting lakecountyil.gov/propertytax.
The Lake County Division of Transportation's project to reconstruct part of Old McHenry Road in downtown Long Grove will begin soon. The project will include an intersection improvement at Robert Parker Coffin Road from a four-way stop to a controlled traffic signal, pavement reconstruction and resurfacing, drainage improvements, pedestrian accommodations (sidewalk and bike path), street lighting, and other associated improvements.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Construction Open House on April 4. If you were unable to make the meeting, please visit the project website where you can view project information, and sign up for construction updates.
LCDOT is working closely with the Village of Long Grove to coordinate construction to minimize impacts on community festivals.
One of our
newsletter subscribers asked about projects along the Tri-State Tollway (Interstate 94). These projects are all
managed by the Illinois Tollway. Projects planned in Lake County this year include bridge and ramp repairs as well as lighting upgrades from Russell Road to Half Day Road as well as median repairs at Grand Avenue. Learn more
 I was honored to join officials as Pace recently launched bus on-shoulder operations on the Edens (Interstate 94) Expressway. The 626 route, which connects the CTA Dempster Station in Skokie and various commercial and business centers in Northbrook, Deerfield, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, and Lincolnshire is one of two routes to be the first to use the shoulder in this corridor. Visit the Pace website to learn more about this expansion program.
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 It's a great time to go for a bike ride! Lake
County has more than 550 total miles of trails and bikeways, connecting forest
preserves and communities. Discover bike paths near you by using our Bike Lake County application.
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If you’re starting your spring cleaning, think recycle first, trash
last. The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) offers many options
to recycle your electronics, household chemicals, shoes, clothing and textiles.
 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
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 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.
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 Dispose your unused
and expired prescription drugs in an environmentally friendly and safe manner
between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. April 28 as the Lake County Sheriff’s Office
partners with the DEA for the national Drug Take Back program. The service is
free and anonymous. View the drop-off locations.
Remember, the
Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement agencies also provide drug disposal
boxes at locations across Lake County where your unwanted and expired
prescription drugs can be disposed safely all year round. Find a drug disposal box near you.
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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 24,
the IDPH has received reports of 153 cases, including four deaths, linked to an
outbreak. There are currently no confirmed cases in Lake County. Find
Out More
 Expect to see increased traffic patrols and enforcement zones across Illinois as the Lake County Sheriff's Office is teaming up with the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Illinois Department of Transportation for the Distracted Driver Safety Campaign now through April 30.
Texting while driving distracts the driver visually, manually and cognitively, putting everyone on the road at risk. Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent of driving blind at 55 m.p.h for the length of an entire football field.
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 Are you considering a
career in law enforcement? The Job Center of Lake County recently partnered
with the Lake County Technology Campus and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to
talk to students about pursuing a career within criminal justice. Watch this video to
learn more.
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Landscaping your yard with native plants is
one of the best things you can do for the environment, and this can save you
time and money. Native plants don’t require fertilizer, pesticides or
herbicides and eliminate the need for a lot of watering. View these upcoming
native plant sales:
Openlands will hold its online sale through
April 29. The native plant sale will be open May 18 to 31 at Almond Marsh
Forest Preserve in Grayslake. Learn more
Citizens for Conservation will sell plants May
4, 5 and 6 at Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. Learn more
 Forest Preserve News
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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As always, I welcome your feedback. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, please sign up to continue to receive news about Lake County and District 20.
Thank you,
Sidney Mathias
Mr. Mathias, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on:
Lake County Board, 20th District:
Ad Hoc Legislative Committee, Co-Chair
Ethics and Oversight Committee, Vice Chair
Planning, Building and Zoning Committee
Public Works and Transportation Committee
Lake County Government Reform Implementation Committee
Lake County Forest Preserves, 20th District:
Diversity and Cultural Awareness Committee, Chair
Planning Committee, Vice Chair
Rules Committee
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