|
Spring
has sprung, which means you've probably seen construction projects popping up
along your commute as the County continues its commitment to investing in
transportation. Learn more about the construction projects the County is
working on this year by watching the video in the story below.
This time of year, also means it's time to watch out for
ticks. Read the story below to learn how you can protect yourself from being
exposed to ticks and watch the right way to remove a tick if you should find
one on you or your pet.
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,
County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor joins Lake County Division of
Transportation’s new Director, Shane Schneider, who talk about some of the
projects such as Cedar Lake Road, Quentin Road and Old McHenry Road as well
as the County’s innovative efforts to make transportation more efficient for
drivers with tools such as Lake County PASSAGE. Watch Now
The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) will be closing Gilmer Road, from Midlothian Road to Diamond Lake Road, to through traffic starting Thursday, June 7 at 6 a.m. and 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.
 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.
|
 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.
|
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.
|
|
 |
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
|
|
 |
 Did you know that Lake County and its
municipalities occasionally auction off old vehicles and other surplus items,
including computers and office furniture? The next auction is scheduled
for 9 a.m. June 2 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. View
the auction items.
|
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
 Forest Preserve News
|
 Explore and Restore Workday
Dive deep into the wilds of southwest Lake County to restore
globally rare habitats of the Barrington Greenway from 9 to 11 a.m. June
9. Plant native sedges in the summertime at Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve. In
one morning, you can make a positive difference for the native plants and
wildlife of Cuba Marsh.
Volunteers should dress for the
work and weather, including long pants, sturdy shoes, and work gloves. All ages
and levels of experience are welcome. If the weather is questionable
(thunderstorms or heat) please contact the coordinator prior
to attending the workday. Learn more
|
 Phenology and Photography
Advance your photography skills and knowledge of the natural
calendar during adventures in the field with professional photographer, Jeff
Goldberg, and a Lake County Forest Preserve staff naturalist from 7 to 10 p.m.
June 9. This workshop is for serious amateur photographers. Each session
focuses on a particular subject and photographic technique related to the
current season. Join us on this summer evening to explore the beauty of Van
Patten Woods. 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
|
 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 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 vew this news release.
|
|
As always, I welcome your feedback. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, please sign up to continue to receive news about Lake County and District 20.
Thank you,
Sidney Mathias
Mr. Mathias, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on:
Lake County Board, 20th District:
Ad Hoc Legislative Committee, Co-Chair
Ethics and Oversight Committee, Vice Chair
Planning, Building and Zoning Committee
Public Works and Transportation Committee
Lake County Government Reform Implementation Committee
Lake County Forest Preserves, 20th District:
Diversity and Cultural Awareness Committee, Chair
Planning Committee, Vice Chair
Rules Committee
|
|
 |
|
