 Join me at my next Coffee with Your County Board Member. This will be an informal gathering where you
can share opinions and learn more about the County services that are available
to you. I hope to see you there!
When: Saturday, May 19 at 10
a.m.
Where: North Chicago Public Library, 2100 Argonne Ave, North
Chicago, IL 60064
For more information, email me at vwyatt@lakecountyil.gov,
or call 224-419-4509.
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 The American Red Cross has set up a number for all Waukegan residents impacted by the fire. The case work line is 872-529-1784.
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Assessment notices for the 2018 tax year will be
sent out this week to Shields Township residents.
What is A Property Assessment?
It may help to think of the property tax process like a pie. Taxing bodies,
including school districts, villages and the county (and many other taxing
districts) determine how much they need to collect in taxes. That determines
the size of the pie, and the property assessment determines how the pie is cut
up. The assessment process ensures property taxes are fairly distributed.
Elected township assessors are primarily responsible for appraising properties
and determining a property’s value, which ultimately determines the portion of
the total tax burden (or piece of the pie). If you have questions or concerns
regarding the assessed value of your property, you should discuss this with your local township
assessor’s office.
Understand Your Property Assessment
Get free one-on-one assistance with evaluating your assessment at a tax assessment help center. The first center will be offered May 16 at the University Center of Lake County in Grayslake. Also, centers will be provided on May 29 and June 5 at the College of Lake County Southlake Campus in Vernon Hills. All centers will meet from 4 to 7 p.m. More dates will be released on the Chief County Assessment Office website.
Taxpayer advocates are available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
through Friday at the Chief County Assessment Office, 18 N. County Street,
7th Floor, Waukegan.
Should You Appeal Your Property Assessment?
View the five steps to
determining if you should appeal your property assessment.
 Filing an Appeal? Use our Online System
The final filing date for assessment appeals in
Shields Township is June 11. Our quick and convenient Online Appeal Filing System allows
you to get your appeal information to the Board of Review without the hassle of
mailing or hand delivering them to the Chief County Assessment Office in
Waukegan. Watch this video to learn
more about the process to file an appeal online.
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 Become A Lake County
Deputy Sheriff
The Lake County Sheriff’s Merit Commission is accepting
applications for Lake County Deputy
Sheriff through May 31. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen and at least
21 years of age at the time of orientation, a high school graduate (or GED),
and possess a valid driver's license. Apply
today.
Be Aware of Deceptive Phone Calls
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has been made
aware of a current scam where the caller says, “This call is to inform you
there is an arrest warrant issued for your name and identity. Before the
warrant is issued to the State get back to us by calling 219-225-8553.” Don’t
give identifying or personal information to anyone over the telephone, unless
you have confirmed who you are speaking with.
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 The Lake County Health Department and Community Health
Center is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings to the public this
spring and summer. These full-day workshops will provide adults with the
knowledge to identify and support adolescents who are at risk or displaying
warning signs of mental health/substance use problems or experiencing a mental
health crisis. Registration is required. View
all upcoming trainings.
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The first installment of Lake County property taxes is due June 6.
Please note, the taxes due on property tax bills WILL reflect
pre-payments. Bills will show the total calculated taxes due for the year, the
amount prepaid, and the remaining amount due, if any. Find out more,
including how you can view your current property tax payment status, see the
property tax payment options available and view how your property taxes are
distributed.
Electronics recycling, paper shredding, and
latex paint collection will be available at the next Recycle-O-Rama from 9 a.m.
to noon May 19 at Hawthorn Mall’s Sears parking lot in Vernon Hills. Learn more |
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 Forest Preserve News
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 Forest Fitness
Join the Lake County Forest Preserves and dozens of local park districts in the
new Go Lake County movement. This countywide low-impact
fitness initiative aims to empower Lake County residents to improve their
overall health through the simple act of walking. And, there’s no greater
benefit to our bodies and minds than walking in nature. Our outdoor hiking
programs offered in forest preserves throughout Lake County are a natural fit
to get you going. Attend our weekly Forest Fitness hikes, which are now part of
the Go Lake County initiative, or take friends and family
along for a hike on any of our scenic preserve
trails.
Spring Bird Walk
May is the month for songbird
migration. Join skilled birders on these walks from 7 to 9 a.m. on select days
throughout the month. Bring binoculars if you have them. See days and locations.
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 Sunset Paddle
Enjoy a relaxing paddle and watch the sunset
from Hastings
Lake on May 20, at 7 p.m. Bring your own
equipment or use one of our kayaks. No experience required, but it is
recommended. Register
today.
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 Independence Grove
Beach
Grab your swimsuit, towel and sunscreen, and head to the
beach at Independence
Grove, opening weekends only starting May 27. The beach will open
daily beginning June 5. The beach offers 400 feet of sand along the
lake's South Bay. Learn more
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 Wildlife in
the Preserves
By early June, coyote pups begin to
venture out of the den that has sheltered them since birth. In early summer, we
often receive reports of sightings due to increased daytime activity. When dens
are located near trails we install signs to inform trail users about coyote
behavior and how to safely respond if a sighting occurs. Learn more at LCFPD.org/coyotes.
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 Lake County Public Works recently completed upgrades to the
Des Plaines River Water Reclamation Facility, which will reduce the amount of
phosphorus discharged into local waterways. Now all three of Lake County’s
water reclamation facilities have a new biological process for treating water. Watch this video to
learn more.
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I recently joined the Lake County Opioid Initiative and the Lake County Young Marines to take part in the Opioid March from the Gurnee
Police Station to the Lincoln Plaza, which is part of the Lake County Courthouse and Administrative Complex in Waukegan. |
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I also had the distinct honor to recently present the North Chicago Public library with a proclamation from Lake County congratulating them for their 90 years of service to the community. Visit the library's website to learn about all the services they offer to our community. |
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