Washington Street closure, Watch out for ticks, and More

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Bill Durkin, District 8

May 15, 2018

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Washington Street Closes To Vehicular Traffic

Washington Street has closed to vehicular traffic between County Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. This closure will allow work to be completed on the walkway and pavement re-surfacing on Washington Street. It is anticipated this work will take two to three weeks to complete. Both the sidewalks on the north side of Washington Street and the Washington Street entrance to the Lake County Building will remain open during this street closure.

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. 


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

telephone town hall

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



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. 


tick protection video

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.


Recognizing Our Veterans This Memorial Day

veteran

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. 

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. Learn more

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


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


Receiving Recognition for Exceptional Services

Tyler Public Sector Excellence Award

Lake County was recently honored with 2018 Tyler Public Sector Excellence Award for implementing an innovative new integrated permit and inspection system.

 

The Tyler Public Sector Excellence Award is presented to organizations who exhibit leadership, innovation, and excellence by using their Tyler product in new and effective ways, Lake County's successful integration of the Tyler EnerGov system has streamlined daily operations. In 2017, Lake County implemented a new integrated permit and inspection software system in an effort to further integrate multiple county departments into a single unified permitting system. This allowed customers to submit and pay for many permit applications online and review the status of their applications and inspections using their home computer. Moving to a more streamlined and efficient permitting and inspection software system provided a better customer experience and saved valuable time and resources.

 

To learn more, please visit the press release.


Forest Preserves Logo

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.

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