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There is so much happening this spring at the Lake County Forest Preserves! View the stories below to read about upcoming events, including the native plant, rain barrel and compost bin sale this weekend as well forest fitness hikes, spring bird walks, and the season opening of Independence Grove's beach.
If you're making travel plans outside the country this year, remember to apply for or renew your passport. The Lake County Circuit Clerk's Office is making it easy to do by hosting a mobile passport event this month at the Aspen Drive Library. You can even get your passport photo taken! Read the story below to learn more.
 The Village water main project is nearing completion. Nicor gas main
relocation work is in progress, and AT&T is gearing up to begin their
utility relocation work.
The contractor is looking to begin the road reconstruction project
next week. Construction signage and electronic message boards for the road
project should be in place by this weekend. On Monday, crews plan to begin
pre-stage work for temporary pavement installation along the shoulder on the
west side of Old McHenry Rd starting about 500 feet north of Robert Parker
Coffin and working way north.
Traffic impacts: Watch for workers and flaggers as
daily lane closures are being utilized for utility/water main work. Watch for
trucks coming in and out of the job site. View the project website to learn more.
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The Tri-County Access (TCA) project, formerly the IL Route 53/120
project, is a comprehensive regional study being conducted by the Illinois
Tollway to study how to ease traffic congestion in Lake, northern Cook, and
eastern McHenry counties that is environmentally friendly and fiscally
responsible.
A Stakeholder Participation Group, which includes invited members from
over 85 communities, agencies and interest groups, will meet throughout the
project development process to provide input and develop a better understanding
of the project goals and objectives. The group held its second meeting in April 2018. Public meetings will be planned, which will help foster awareness
of project developments and alternatives that are being evaluated and provide a
forum for public input, including concerns and comments regarding project
alternatives.
Visit the project website
to learn more, including how to submit your comments as well as receive project
updates.
 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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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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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.
 Apply for a new passport or renew your passport as the Lake County
Circuit Clerk's Office Mobile Passport Team comes to the Aspen Drive Library,
701 Aspen Drive, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12. Pictures also can
be taken. No appointment will be necessary. For more information, including a
helpful passport checklist, visit the Circuit
Clerk’s website.
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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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 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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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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