The Lake County Health Department recently opened its new Zion Health Center, 1911 27th St. The Zion Health Center offers high quality primary care, behavioral health services, WIC, nutrition (dietitian) services, ACA Navigator services (to assist patients in applying for insurance), family planning, family case management, and the Be Well Lake County diabetes program. In the near future, dental services will also be available. For appointments, call 847-377-8800.

The 90th annual Lake County Fair returns July 25 through 29 at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Grayslake. Check out new attractions including the Timberworks Lumberjack Show and family activities presented by the Illinois National Guard. Returning favorites include truck-and-tractor pulls, demolition derby, 4-H exhibitions, and more. Visit www.lcfair.com for more information. 

The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) is launching a data-sharing partnership with Waze, the free, crowdsourced traffic and navigation app powered by the world’s largest community of drivers. Partnering with the Waze Connected Citizens Program gives LCDOT traffic engineers access to real-time road activity as reported by Waze users. Using the data from motorist insights, with information already generated through the Lake County PASSAGE system, operators can make well-informed decisions and act to reduce congestion and help keep traffic moving. Learn more

Anatomy of a Safe Driver
Driving safely requires your attention from head to toe. It may seem obvious, but time and time again we see traffic crashes that would have been prevented if drivers were paying attention and/or following the speed limit. You have the power to make roads safer. Learn more

Boating is one of the most popular activities in Lake County, and it’s no surprise as the area has over 170 lakes, rivers and waterways to visit. Check out BoatingLakeCounty.com as your resource, including maps of all the county’s public boat ramps, lakefront dining, upcoming events and more.

It’s time to lace up your walking shoes and GO Lake County! Founded by the Gurnee Park District in 2016 and adopted by Live Well Lake County, GO Lake County is a walking initiative that promotes healthy and active living. Over 15 park districts and communities across the County have partnered to create programs and events for children and adults. These events are open to all Lake County residents. Visit the new GO Lake County web page and navigate the map and calendar to find a walk specific to your area. If you take a picture at a GO Lake County program, share your photo!  

Lake County Public Works is committed to providing safe water throughout the County. As strong supporters of the Safe Drinking Water Act, Public Works releases annual water quality Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) for the 12 water systems they own and operate. These reports describe the sources, treatment, and chemical analysis of each water distribution system. All Lake County systems passed testing requirements for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Visit the water quality reports web page to read your report. 

The Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center is committed to providing a safe environment for child victims of abuse. The center wouldn’t be possible without help from community partners. Watch this video as the State’s Attorney’s Office took time to recognize these individuals.

Save the Date
The Lake County Opioid Initiative will be hosting its first Annual “Save a Life” fundraising event on Sept.  14 at the Double Tree by Hilton in Mundelein. Join us to support a significant cause and to continue our battle the against the opioid/heroin epidemic.  

Did you know solicitors seeking door-to-door purchases or orders are required to comply with a County Board adopted ordinance when working in unincorporated Lake County? 

Door-to-door salespeople must carry a solicitor’s certificate while on the job and are allowed to work only between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.  If a solicitor comes to your door, ask to see the certificate before conducting any business. You may report unregistered vendors to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office by calling 847-549-5200.

This ordinance applies only to unincorporated Lake County and provides exemptions for religious groups, candidates, and minors under age 18 who participate in fundraising activities. If you live in a municipality or village, check with your local officials for your specific ordinances. Learn more

Forest Preserve News

The Baldies are Back in Town

You’ll find bald eagles soaring high in the sky, slowly flapping over water, perched in trees, or even on the ground. Look for them near rivers, lakes, marshes and shorelines. Bald eagles mainly eat fish, but also hunt mammals, waterfowl and carrion. Young eagles attain their white head feathers after about five years, so don’t rule out the possibility that giant brown bird overhead is a baldy. Look for a bright yellow, hooked bill and mottled white feathers on the body.

Nests are built near the trunk, high in the tree but below the crown. The diameter of a nest is typically 5 to 6 feet; height ranges from 2 to 4 feet. The nest may be reused (and added to) for years. The Lake County Forest Preserves has confirmed a few local nests in recent years, including this one photographed in April in southwestern Lake County. Send us an email and let us know if you see an active nest while out exploring your preserves. 

Green Youth Farm Thrives, Thanks to Donors
Early summer lettuces and kale, beans and squash are ripening at the Green Youth Farm in Lake County, thanks to donors to the Preservation Foundation. Among the farm’s supporters in 2018, we are pleased to thank Lake Forest Bank & Trust and Libertyville Bank & Trust. The company’s $10,000 grant helped provide a paid summer job for North Chicago and Waukegan high school students, who sow, tend and harvest fresh, healthful food as they gain valuable work experience. Learn more

Wine and Nine
Enjoy a 30-minute golf clinic and a round of 9 holes, followed by hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting at ThunderHawk Golf Club in Beach Park at 4 p.m. July 20. Learn more

Lunchtime Tours: Civil War Stories
Tour the exhibition galleries of the Dunn Museum in Libertyville and hear stories of how men and women from Lake County were involved in the American Civil War: The tour will be offered at noon July 20. Learn more

Rx for Health: Walking in Nature
Join a health professional and an educator on this 1.5-mile walk to explore the preserve as we improve our health. The walk will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. July 21 at Lyons Woods Forest Preserve in Waukegan. The program is free, and no registration is required. The entrance is on Blanchard Road, west of Sheridan Road. Learn more

Family Fishing

Drop a line and see if the fish are biting. You could catch bluegills, largemouth bass and channel catfish. We’ll supply the poles, bait and tips on getting started. The program will run from 1 to 2:30 p.m. July 26 at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville. A valid Illinois fishing license will be required for those ages 16 and older. This is a drop-in program, so no registration is required. Meet at the North Bay Pavilion. Learn more

A mosquito pool (batch of mosquitoes) sampled on June 28 in Highland Park has tested positive for West Nile virus. The mosquito pool is the first confirmed indicator of West Nile presence in Lake County in 2018. Find out more, including who to call if you want to report areas of stagnant water, report locations of dead birds, and obtain more information on the signs and symptoms of West Nile virus. 

Lake County recently held two Telephone Town Hall Meetings. County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor discussed the County’s current priorities and residents participated by asking questions and sharing what’s important to them.  Listen to the recordings from the June 6 and June 20 meetings.

Make sure not to miss upcoming Telephone Town Halls the County hosts! Sign up today.