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!
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 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.
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 Waukegan. Watch
this video to learn more about the
process to file an appeal online.
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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.
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.
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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
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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.
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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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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
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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.
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