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By the time you read my next newsletter, we will have paused, on Memorial Day (Monday, May 28th), to remember the men and women who died while serving in the armed forces.
That weekend is also known as the unofficial start of summer. Not only is it the traditional weekend to plant a garden, Saturday, May 26th is opening day for our park districts' swim activities. Check schedules for Aquatic Centers in Hawthorn Woods and the Round Lake Area, Barefoot Bay in Mundelein and the beaches of Wauconda's Bangs Lake, Mundelein's Diamond Lake and our Forest Preserve District - at Independece Grove.
Golf is in full swing (sorry) at Forest Preserve golf courses: Countryside, ThunderHawk and Brae Loch. A number of park districts in or near our 10th district have golf courses.
If you swim, fish, golf, hike, bike, paddle and want details about these and other activities, please use the links below.
And please call or email me with questions, concerns and suggestions
Regards,
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!
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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 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
- The Village of Mundelein and American Legion Post 867 will present the Mundelein Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m. May 28. Learn more
- The Round Lake area ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. May 28, and the parade will begin at
10 a.m. in front of the American Legion, 111 W. Main, Round Lake Park. Learn more
- Wauconda's Memorial Day parade will begin at 10
a.m. May 28. The parade will end at Memorial Park where there will be a
ceremony, honoring the veterans. Learn more
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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,
please visit the press 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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Mundelein Offers Concerts in the Park
Concerts will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. every Sunday beginning May 27 through Aug. 19 at the gazebo in Kracklauer Park. All concerts are free.
Rear Parking Lot Closure
The Round Lake Area Park District announced on May 22 the rear parking lot to the Robert W. Rolek Community Center will be closed for resurfacing.
During this time, there will be temporary access to the upper level through the front doors.
The entrance to the Child Development Center will remain open.
Hawthorn Woods Spring Clean-Up
The Village of Hawthorn Woods and Waste Management North
will be conducting the Annual Spring Clean-Up Week May 21 to 25. Hawthorn Woods residents can dispose oversized items normally not accepted. Acceptable items will be picked up on your regularly scheduled
pick-up day only. For information, call 800-796-9696.
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