The Lake County Board voted unanimously last Tuesday to oppose
federal and State of Wisconsin decisions to reduce air pollution standards in
five southeastern Wisconsin counties where Taiwan-based Foxconn plans to
manufacture flat screen displays, citing special regulatory treatment and
diversion of Lake Michigan water, as well as impacts to air quality, increased
flooding, and other ecological impacts from this development. Read the full news release.
You're
invited to join our upcoming Telephone Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, June 20 at 7 p.m. During the Telephone
Town Hall, I will discuss our current
priorities, and you will be able to share your thoughts and ideas to make Lake
County a better place.
Participants will be
able to provide input in a variety of ways as I will answer
questions from residents during this live interactive discussion. If you would
like to take part in this event, make sure to sign
up to receive a call!
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Summer is around the corner, and there is so much to do right here in
Lake County. In this video,
get a sneak peek inside the new Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee and find out all of
the “Must-Do’s” in Lake County this summer. Also, learn how tourism is big
business with more than 10,000 tourism-related jobs and adding more than $1
billion to our local economy annually. Watch now.
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Shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, baked treats
and more while supporting local businesses at one of Lake County’s farmers
markets. Check out our Farmers
Market Finder to find a farmers market
near you.
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The
boom of cannons, the crack of rifles and the galloping of horse hooves welcomes
you at the annual Civil War Days encampment. Wander the camps to see soldiers,
civilians and tradespeople at work. Watch as union and confederate forces
collide in battle. A large-scale battle can be viewed on both Saturday and
Sunday. Visit the 1863 Summer Fair, meet President Lincoln and shop Civil
War-era vendors. Kids enjoy period crafts, games and more.
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Spring
has sprung, which means drivers across Lake County will be seeing construction
projects popping up along their commutes as the County continues its commitment
to investing in transportation. In this County update, join me and Lake County Division of Transportation’s new Director, Shane
Schneider, as we talk about some of the projects such as Cedar Lake Road, Quentin
Road and the Millburn Bypass as well as the County’s innovative efforts to make
transportation more efficient for drivers with tools such as Lake County
PASSAGE. Watch Now
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The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) has closed Gilmer Road, from Midlothian Road to Diamond Lake Road, to through traffic. The road will reopen the afternoon of Friday, July 6. The closure is necessary to replace a culvert south of Sequoia Road. Local traffic will have access to Sequoia Road from the north and access to Darlington Drive from the south. Visit the project website for more information.
Detour Route: Midlothian Road to IL Route 60/83 to Diamond Lake Road.
The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) will be partially
closing Old McHenry Road to through traffic starting June 25 at 6 a.m. and
anticipate reopening to all traffic in November. The closure is necessary as
part of the Old McHenry Road reconstruction and intersection improvements
project at Robert Parker Coffin Road. Downtown Long Grove businesses will
remain open and access to the downtown area is available by following the local
detour route. For more information, please visit the project website.
Detour Route: IL Route 22 to IL Route 83 to IL Route 53
Local Detour Route for Downtown Long Grove:
Local traffic will have access on Old McHenry Road from IL Route 22 and
IL Route 53. Old McHenry Road will only accommodate one-way traffic
between Robert Parker Coffin Road and Archer Road. Southbound local traffic on
Old McHenry Road will have access between Robert Parker Coffin Road and Archer
Road. Northbound Old McHenry Road will be closed to all traffic from Archer
Road to Robert Parker Coffin Road. The detour for northbound local traffic on
Old McHenry Rd will be Archer Road north to Robert Parker Coffin
Road.
I recently joined more than 500 Lake County business and civic
leaders to celebrate 20 years of driving economic growth as Lake County
Partners hosted its annual “Big Event.” The Big
Event focuses on giving companies and communities the tools they need to fuel
economic development. This year’s focus was on business growth and innovation. I reflected on where
we’ve been and where we are going, affirming that Lake County is stronger than
ever before!
Through the “Lake County
Workforce Ecosystem” established in recent years, Lake County Partners has
teamed with Lake County Workforce Development, the College of Lake County, the
Lake County High Schools Technology Campus and others to meet with company
leaders, identify and address critical marketplace needs and help attract top
talent.
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Lake
County, along with the Lake County Opioid Initiative is working to combat
the increasing opiate problem. Hear from Lake County State's Attorney Michael
Nerheim and Bill Gentes, who talk about what is being done to combat the opioid
epidemic and learn about programs such as prescription drug disposal boxes and
the “A Way Out” program, which are part of the county-wide effort to prevent
opioid abuse, addiction, overdose, and death. Watch Now
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Those who struggle with substance abuse now have two more locations they
can go to seek help 24/7 as part of the “A Way Out” Program. With the additions
of Waukegan Police Department and Lake Zurich Police Department, there are
now 13 “A Way Out” police entry points in Lake County. Individuals, who possess
narcotics or paraphernalia, enter a participating police department and tell an
officer they are requesting help will avoid criminal charges as long as the
participant seeks assistance. 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.
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This summer, the Lake County Health Department
reminds you to take action to protect yourself from illness and prevent the
spread of germs when swimming. Here
are ways to protect yourself from illness at pools and water parks.
The Health Department monitors lake water for
bacteria in over 100 Lake Michigan and inland lake beaches to ensure that the
water is acceptable for swimming. Through Labor Day, beach closure information
can be found on the Health Department’s Beach Advisory web page, which is
updated daily by 10 a.m.
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The Lake County Coalition for the Homeless is looking for an
individual to help serve those who experience homelessness in Lake County. This
individual will help plan
the 2019 Homeless Point-in-Time Count and work on initiatives to ensure the
homeless have access to needed services. Apply
today.
Learn more about this position by reading
this blog about a VISTA member sharing his experience coordinating the 2018
Homeless Point-in-Time Count.
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
Lake County was
recently honored with the 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 read the news release.
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Forest Preserve News
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Events in the Plaza Summer Concert Series
Events in the Plaza is Independence Grove's outdoor summer
concert series featuring live music. Performances will be held Tuesday evenings
to Aug. 7 (excluding July 3). View the 2018 entertainment line-up.
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Family Fun Fridays
The
beach at Independence
Grove in Libertyville gets better Friday afternoons with games,
contests and prizes around a different theme each week. Everyone can
participate in the fun. Prizes awarded in age categories for kids 15 and under.
The program is FREE with beach admission. No registration is
required. Learn more
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Battling Buckthorn
Learn about our
efforts to eliminate buckthorn, one of the area’s most invasive plants at this
program June 21. Experts will share identification and removal tips. Let us
inspire you to join the effort and make Lake County a buckthorn-free
zone. Learn more
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Senior Series: Gardening with Native Plants
Discover the benefits of using native plants to create habitat for local birds
and butterflies at this program on June 27. Plant selection and identification,
habitat requirements and maintenance will be discussed. A tour of the
Welcome Center's native landscaping will follow an indoor presentation. Learn more
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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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Annual Fund Spotlight
When you give to the Annual Fund, you help us do more.
The Preservation Foundation board recently approved a $24,000 grant from the
Annual Fund to monitor the population and health of Blanding’s turtles this
summer–data that directly strengthens our ongoing Blanding’s Turtle Recovery
Program. Learn
how you can help.
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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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Have a Berry Good Time at Strawberry Festival
The
Long Grove Strawberry Festival, which will take place June 22 to 24 in historic
downtown Long Grove, will consist of days dedicated to all things strawberry,
from cooks doling out strawberry BBQ to strawberry pie-eating contests. Also,
enjoy a classic carnival, three stages of live music, and the Kid Zone with
enduring summer entertainment and games. Learn more
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