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

The State of Illinois is celebrating its bicentennial throughout 2018 and has just endorsed the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce's 12th Annual Taste of the Towns event as an official Bicentennial Event. The Lake Zurich Taste will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 19 at Paulus Park. Learn more about bicentennial events and activities across Illinois.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.