Protect yourself against ticks, Assessment notices, and More

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May 16, 2018

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Participate in the County’s Next Telephone Town Hall Meeting

We often get asked – what does the County do? The Lake County Board makes policy and budget decisions each month that touches many areas, from the roads we drive on every day and healthcare programs that contribute to the health and wellness of our residents and communities, to public safety and judicial agencies that work 24/7 to keep your family safe.

You're invited to join one of our upcoming Telephone Town Hall meetings on June 6 and 20 at 7 p.m. During the Telephone Town Halls, Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor will discuss our current priorities, and you will be able to share your thoughts and ideas to make Lake County a better place. If you would like to take part in this event, make sure to sign up to receive a call! 

Sign Up to Participate

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Temporary Closure of Grand Avenue and U.S.-41 Intersection

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that they will be demolishing the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge now that the tracks have been switched to the temporary bridge. This demo project will require the complete shutdown of the Grand Avenue / US-41 intersection. The shutdown is tentatively scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Friday, May 18 and would re-open at 5 a.m. Monday, May 21. 


Assessment Notices are Being Mailed

Assessment notices for the 2018 tax year will be sent out this week to Benton 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. 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.

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Filing an Appeal? Use our Online System
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 WaukeganWatch this video to learn more about the process to file an appeal online.


Avoid Ticks and Lyme Disease

It’s the time of year to take precautions against ticks, which can be most active during the warmer weather and can carry diseases such as Lyme disease. The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center provides these tips to help protect yourself from exposure to ticks:

  • Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
  • Wear light-colored protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, closed-toe boots or shoes, and a head covering or hat.
  • Clear leaf litter, mowing grass, cutting back weeds, and keep the ground clean under bird feeders.

 

Tick removal

How to Remove A Tick
Whether it’s rubbing alcohol, nail polish, or a burnt match, there’s a lot of misguided folklore when it comes to how to remove a tick. Watch this video to learn the proper techniques to remove a tick. 

 

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Protect Your Pets from Ticks
Dogs love to roll around in the grass, jump in brush and walk in wooded areas – ALL places ticks may live. Watch this video to find out the proper way to check and remove ticks from your dog.


Forest Preserve and Trail Improvement Projects

Preserve and trail improvements

Several trail and preserve improvement projects are planned for completion this year, weather permitting. Here are a few highlights. Check our website for updates on all projects. 

  • Lyons Woods to Waukegan Savanna Trail Connection: We’re partnering with others to create a 2.3-mile paved trail connecting the Robert McClory Bike Path at Lyons Woods to the Green Bay Road right-of-way. Opening this summer. 
  • Waukegan Savanna Dog Park: Canines will soon have a new off-leash dog area to exercise, play and socialize. The entrance is at the northeast corner of Delany and Yorkhouse Roads. Opening late fall. 
  • Spring Bluff Observation Deck and Trail: An existing asphalt roadway is being converted to a 0.7-mile trail, and a new wildlife education and observation deck is being built. Opening late 2018. Learn more



Things To Do in District 2

Come to the Park
Meet neighbors and enjoy time in your neighborhood park. Meet Waukegan Park District staff, enjoy games, crafts and activities. Upcoming programs will be 1 to 3 p.m. May 19 at Woodard Park and 1 to 3 p.m. June 23 in the Glen. For information, call 360-4700.

Join Area Memorial Day Observances

  • Warren Cemetery in Gurnee will hold a multiple day event to honor fallen veterans. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to dusk May 25 and 26, 11 a.m. to dusk May 27 and 9 a.m. to dusk May 28. For information, call 847-855-2760.
  • Waukegan's Memorial Day Parade will step off at 10:30 a.m. May 28 at Grand Avenue and Genesee Street and will continue to Veterans Plaza at Washington and West streets for the ceremony.
  • The Village of Beach Park will hold its Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. May 28 at Founders Park.

Recognizing Our Veterans This Memorial Day

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Lake County will join the nation in observing Memorial Day, honoring the members of our U.S. Military who gave the ultimate sacrifice to help protect our country.  We appreciate the dedication and commitment of these men and women. To honor their service, we offer resources to help veterans and their families. 


Become A Lake County Deputy Sheriff

We are Lake County Sheriff's Office

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.

If You See Something, Say Something!

See Something Say Something

Did you know you can anonymously submit a crime tip to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office online? Tips and information from the community often aid law enforcement in identifying potential threats, problems, concerns, or issues. Report a crime tip online. Individuals who have a general tip also can call the Sheriff’s Office at 847-549-5200, leave a message on our tip line at 847-377-4424 or send an email


Taking A High-Tech Approach to Fight Repeat Drunk Driving

To improve public safety and reduce repeat offenses, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office has launched a new program to monitor high-risk DUI offenders 24/7 to ensure they aren’t drinking. As a condition of bond, drunk driving offenders who cause a crash with serious injuries, those with multiple DUIs and those who are arrested with a high BAC will be required to stay sober and wear a high-tech anklet known as the SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring. Also known as SCRAM CAM, this anklet automatically tests the wearer’s perspiration every 30 minutes for alcohol consumption. Find Out More


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Forest Preserve News

Forest Fitness

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.

Sunset paddle

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.

Science in the Preserves

Science in the Preserves
We are serious about our goal to eradicate the non-native invasive species, buckthorn, from our forest preserves and beyond. In 2015, we convened several regional organizations to discuss ideas for controlling buckthorn. This conversation was organized to launch a pilot project to improve landscapes within the vicinity of Middlefork Savanna (Lake Forest). Around that same time our Assistant Public Affairs Manager, Allison Frederick, forged a partnership with social scientists at the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Eager to discuss applicable methods for behavioral change and conservation psychology, she teamed up with researchers at the USFS to determine people’s perceptions of the trees and aesthetics in the buckthorn pilot area. Learn more

National Trail Award

National Trail Award Received
A pedestrian bridge installed last fall over the Metra Railway to connect 4.5 miles of trails at Middlefork Savanna (Lake Forest) to neighboring facilities and parks won the best in trails award from the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials. The award recognizes exceptional trail project planning, design and construction and benefits to the community. The Middlefork Bridge and Trail Connection was made possible by donations from:  Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein, The City of Lake Forest, Lake Forest Open Lands Association, Chicago Bears, Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest Bank & Trust Company and John and Paula Lillard. A special thank you to bridge and trail Project Manager, Michael Haug, Lake County Forest Preserves. Watch a short video of the amazing installation.


 
 
Diane Hewitt

I consider it an honor to be able to serve the Waukegan, Gurnee, Beach Park and Zion communities as your District 2 Board Member.  I hope this newsletter provides you with an insight to Lake County news, local topics and a way for you to connect with neighbors and fellow residents. 

If you have any comments or concerns, please contact me at: 847-244-2742 or dhewitt@lakecountyil.gov.

Remember, you can get relevant and up-to-date information important to District 2 on my Facebook page! Like my page today, and remember to hit "Like” at the top of the page!


Thank you,
Diane Hewitt

 
 

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