The Lake County Treasurer collects and distributes taxes on behalf of 200+ taxing bodies in the county. In this video, Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor explains how high property taxes are directly linked to the high number of taxing bodies and takes a closer look at how the Lake County Board is working to reduce the property tax burden through consolidation efforts. Watch Now

The state of Lake County is strong. The Lake County Board continues to deliver on its mission of providing exceptional, financially sustainable services that promote a safe, healthy and economically strong Lake County. 

In this State of the County video, Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor provides a look back at the progress we are making to advance our strategic goals and looks ahead at the priorities for this year. 

Forest Preserves News

Dunn Museum Opens Its Doors
After spending more than a year relocating its vast historic collections and building brand-new exhibitions from scratch, the Lake County Forest Preserves announces the opening of the new Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County, in Libertyville. Dedicated to sharing the entwined stories of people, events and nature, the Dunn Museum provides a chronological walk through Lake County’s history from prehistoric times to the present and invites visitors to explore the land where it happened.

The Dunn Museum uses a balance of authentic artifacts, interactive exhibits, reproductions and audiovisual displays. Permanent exhibitions include Prehistoric Lake County, The First People, An American Frontier, Innovations and Preservation and Woodland Theater. A Special Exhibition Gallery will host temporary exhibitions, traveling exhibitions and staff-curated exhibitions on topics touching on art, history and popular culture. Each gallery includes an interactive touch screen that directs visitors to different forest preserves to see firsthand where history took place. Galleries also include fun animations narrated by Bill Kurtis, Chicago’s legendary television journalist, that tell stories about Lake County’s past. Visit the Dunn Museum today.

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.

Rx for Health: Walking in Nature
Join a health professional and an educator for a walk to explore the preserve as we improve our health as part of the Rx for Health series. The next walk will be May 19. Out of respect for all program participants, please leave pets at home. Service animals are permitted. The event is free. No registration is required. Adult supervision is required. Learn more

Rookery Watch
Join us for viewing nesting herons, cormorants and other waterfowl at the Rookery Watch at Almond Marsh Forest Preserve.  This free event takes place from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday until the end of July. Learn more

Independence Grove Beach
Grab your swimsuit, towel and sunscreen, and head to the beach at Independence Grove, opening weekends only starting May 27. The beach will open daily beginning June 5. The beach offers 400 feet of sand along the lake's South Bay. Learn more

Rainbow Trout Fishing

Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda has opened rainbow trout fishing, following the release of trout in Banana Lake. Most of the trout range in size from three-quarters to one pound. The trout stocking is a biannual fall and spring event at the 3.2-acre Banana Lake. Daily creel limit is five. The deepest point in Banana Lake is 25 feet. Learn more
 

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. 

• 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

Public Access Project at Ethel’s Woods 

Lake County residents are one step closer to being able to experience the breathtaking beauty of Ethel’s Woods Forest Preserve in Antioch. At their Feb. 13 meeting, the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners awarded a $824,522 contract to Campanella & Sons of Wadsworth to build trails and parking at the preserve starting this spring. 

 
Ethel’s Woods currently is closed and does not have public access as it undergoes a major multi-year land restoration effort. Planned public access improvements to the 500-acre preserve will include an entrance drive from Miller Road, a 25-car parking lot, toilets, a 0.7-mile gravel loop trail and three scenic overlooks. A 0.7-mile section of the Millennium Trail will run along the western edge of the preserve. Weather permitting, these improvements are expected to be completed and open to the public in early summer 2019.  Learn more

Wildlife in the Preserves
By early June, coyote pups begin to venture out of the den that has sheltered them since birth. In early summer, we often receive reports of sightings due to increased daytime activity. When dens are located near trails we install signs to inform trail users about coyote behavior and how to safely respond if a sighting occurs. Learn more at LCFPD.org/coyotes. 

Volunteer 
Are you seeking to expand your knowledge, meet new people and make a difference? The Lake County Forest Preserves has a variety of volunteer opportunities — both indoors and out — that can help you reach those goals. View volunteer opportunities.

Book Your Event at a Forest Preserve Picnic Shelter
Reservations for 2018 picnic permits are now available. Choose from 31 picnic shelters located in scenic forest preserves throughout the county. Picnic shelter permits ensure exclusive use of a shelter for your family reunion, company picnic or other group gathering. Plan early to help ensure your first choice of shelter and date. Learn more

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 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.

Lake County Announces $100 Million in Projects for 2018 Construction Program

The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) is gearing up for a busy road construction season. In 2018, Lake County will have nearly $100 million in road projects under construction, including 30 new projects such as the Quentin Road widening project near Lake Zurich and the intersection improvement and reconstruction of Old McHenry Road in Long Grove. There will also be several resurfacing projects, culvert replacements, signal modernizations, and enhancements to the non-motorized network.

View the Interactive Construction Map to find a project you are interested in and connect to the latest information and important updates.

Work Zone Safety
Please slow down in work zones for the safety of LCDOT employees and yours! Every day, 70 work zone crashes occur that results in at least one injury. Work zone safety is everybody's responsibility. Follow these roadside safety reminders.

Let’s Go Biking, Lake County!

It's a great time to go for a bike ride! Lake County has more than 550 total miles of trails and bikeways, connecting forest preserves and communities. Discover bike paths near you by using our Bike Lake County application.

Electronics: Lake County residents can bring electronics free of charge to four locations across Lake County. View the complete list of locations, and view acceptable and unacceptable items.

Household chemical waste:  View acceptable and unacceptable items. Schedule an appointment to drop off your household chemicals. 

Reuse-A-Shoe: Don't throw away your unwanted shoes! Make sure they get recycled or reused! Drop off your shoes at one of several locations across Lake County. View Drop-Off Locations

Clothing and textiles: Bring your new, gently used, and used clothing to be reused or recycled. Even clothes with stains or holes will be taken. Learn more, including what is acceptable and where to drop off your items.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings to the public this spring and summer. These full-day workshops will provide adults with the knowledge to identify and support adolescents who are at risk or displaying warning signs of mental health/substance use problems or experiencing a mental health crisis. Registration is required. View all upcoming trainings.

Crisis Care and Mental Health 

The mental health crisis facing our nation and our communities affects everyone - individuals, families, employers, schools, hospitals, the criminal justice system, and more. Lake County is working with health and public safety partners and community members to better understand the problem, strengthen and connect services, and build a continuum of care. Learn more by viewing this interactive story map!

Dispose Your Unwanted Prescriptions Safely

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement agencies provide drug disposal boxes at locations across Lake County where your unwanted and expired prescription drugs can be disposed safely all year round. Find a drug disposal box near you. 

Take the 'Do I Have Prediabetes?' Test

Did you know 84 million Americans have prediabetes, and you might be one of them? Prediabetes means you’re at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Find out if you’re at risk by taking the test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. As you can see, It takes only a minute! 

Countryside Manor Water Tower Comes Down

Lake County Public Works recently demolished the old Countryside Manor Water Tower. Built in the 1960s, it could hold up to 40,000 gallons of water. A new tower was recently built next to the old one and holds a capacity of 150,000 gallons of water. The water tower provides water to local residents, and the higher elevation of the new tower allows for much better water pressure. Watch this inside look at the demo, where they took down the tower not by wrecking ball or dynamite but one piece at a time.

Taking Steps to Improve Water Quality

Lake County Public Works recently completed upgrades to the Des Plaines River Water Reclamation Facility, which will reduce the amount of phosphorus discharged into local waterways. Now all three of Lake County’s water reclamation facilities have a new biological process for treating water. Watch this video to learn more. 

Water Main Repairs

Lake County Public Works is responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of 12 separate water systems in Lake County. What happens when we detect a water main leak or break? Watch this video and learn how our crews work around the clock and in any kind of weather to restore service as quickly as possible for our customers. 

Become A Lake County Deputy Sheriff

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.

Learn About Law Enforcement Careers
Are you considering a career in law enforcement? The Job Center of Lake County recently partnered with the Lake County Technology Campus and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to talk to students about pursuing a career within criminal justice. Watch this video to learn more. 

If You 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. 

Congratulations to Anmol Dash, an eighth-grader at Daniel Wright Jr. High School, and Sharanya Pastapur, an eighth-grader at Lake Zurich Middle School North, who were declared co-winners after competing for more than 30 rounds in the Lake County Final Spelling Bee Competition! Both competitors will travel to Washington D.C. to compete in the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee May 27 to June 2. Watch this video to learn more, and view all this year’s Lake County competitors.