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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!
 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 Observance
- Grayslake will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade on May 28. The parade will step off from the Hillside Avenue parking lot across from
Grayslake Central High School on Lake Street at 9:30 a.m. The memorial ceremony will follow at Memorial Park at Seymour and Junior avenues.
- The
Villages of Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Park, Round Lake Heights,
Hainesville, Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion will
sponsor this community wide event on May 28. The ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the parade will begin at 10 a.m. in front of the American Legion, 111 W. Main, Round Lake Park. Learn more
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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. |
 The
Grayslake Community Park District, in partnership with the Lake County
Stormwater Management Commission and the Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), is restoring the shoreline of Chesapeake
Landing Pond 2 this spring. The pond, which was constructed in the early
1990s, is located in the Chesapeake Farms subdivision in
Grayslake. The network of stormwater ponds in Chesapeake Landing, a seven-acre
park in Chesapeake Farms, serve as the headwaters for a branch of Mill
Creek and therefore play an important role in water quality
downstream. Like many detention ponds in our area, the shorelines of
Chesapeake Landing Pond 2 are vegetated with turfgrass and have experienced
erosion since the pond went into operation. This project will remedy
erosion and install a buffer of native vegetation around the shoreline to help
reduce nonpoint source pollution downstream in Mill Creek.
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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
 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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 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,
view this news release.
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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.
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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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 Preserve and Trail Improvement Projects
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.
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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.
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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.
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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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 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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Fireside Chat
Join Casey Torrey, president of the Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, and Richard Hill, mayor of the Village of Round Lake Beach, for a Fireside Chat from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17 at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center.
George Weinert Fishing Derby
Get hooked and have some fun at this free event on June 2 at Jones Island Park. Awards will be given for the largest fish, smallest fish and most fish caught. Bring your own rod, reel, cast line and bait. Breakfast will be provided. Learn more
Grayslake Craft Beer Festival
The sixth annual Grayslake Craft Beer Festival will take place from noon to 6 p.m. June 2 in downtown Grayslake. Learn more
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