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 June 28, 2018
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Dear Neighbors,
The recent heavy rains have taken a toll on our yards, our roads and trails. They also create great breeding conditions for mosquitos. The health department provides information on how to Fight the Bite. Be sure you read below on ways to keep you and your family safe. It’s always a good idea to review your family emergency kit. You can visit ready.gov for directions on how to build a kit for your family.
The festival and farmers’ market season is in full swing. I’ve listed the community 4th of July events below. For more activities see Visit Lake County. More than 15 communities and park districts have joined GO Lake County—a walking initiative. Find a walk near you.
We continue to look for ways to be more sustainable—both environmentally and economically. For example, the Public Works and Transportation Committee passed a resolution authorizing a contract for light-emitting-diode (LED) street lighting for roundabout street lighting and underpass luminaries. These use much less energy and have a life of about 10 years. The payback period is about 3.5 years. In the coming months, I’ll provide you with more examples of what the County and the Forest Preserve District are doing in this area.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Telephone Town Hall meetings. You can listen to the concerns of your fellow residents in the section below. I am always looking for feedback on my newsletter as well as what's happening in Lake County. If you have any comments or concerns, feel free to send me an email. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, please sign up to continue to receive news about Lake County and District 21.
Also, make sure to like my Facebook page where you can get relevant and up-to-date information important to District 21. Remember to hit "Like” at the top of the page!
Ann B. Maine
amaine@lakecountyil.gov
847-857-1732
Lake County Board, District 21
President, Lake County Forest Preserve District
 Protect Yourself Against Mosquitoes
“Fight the Bite” this summer and protect yourself and your family
from West Nile virus, an illness spread by mosquitoes. The Lake County Health
Department and Community Health Center says to follow the 4
Ds of Defense to help prevent mosquitoes from breeding and to
protect yourself from bites.
Since 2002, there have been 64 confirmed human cases of West Nile
virus in Lake County as well as two confirmed deaths. The Lake County Health
Department’s Mosquito Surveillance Program collects mosquitoes in traps around
the county and tests them weekly for West Nile virus. Visit the Fight
the Bite website to find more prevention tips and information on West Nile virus.
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State Provides Free Summer Meals to Kids
Children
don’t need to go hungry this summer. Children ages 18 and under can receive
free summer meals as part of the Summer Food Service Program, funded through
the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Illinois State Board
of Education. To find the closest meal sites, visit summermealsillinois.org, text FOODIL TO 877877 or
call 800-359-2163.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
The Health Department will host a full day workshop on July 13 at 3010 Grand Ave., Waukegan. This program provides those who work with youth (teachers, coaches, youth group leaders) with the knowledge and skills to identify and support adolescents (ages 12-18) who are at risk, displaying signs of mental health or substance abuse issues, or experiencing a mental health crisis. Cost is $20. Contact Angie Stefani at astefani@lakecountyil.gov to register.
 GO Lake County
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!
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 Forest Preserves News
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 Annual Civil War Days
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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 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 tours will be offered at noon July 11
and 20. Learn more
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 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
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 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
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 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. We’ve 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.
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View Herons and Other Waterfowl at the 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 8:00 a.m. to noon every Saturday until the end of July.
Enjoy nature? Want to learn something new? Visit our Nature Blog, and if you enjoy history, be sure to read the History Blog by Diana Dreske. You'll be surprised at what you learn.
You can also view a full calendar of Forest Preserve events for more information.
 Whether you’re looking for a parade, live music and delicious food
or a spot to set down your blanket and watch the fireworks, Lake County has
lots of ways to enjoy the Fourth of July. Check out Visit
Lake County’s Guide to the Fourth of July to
discover ways to celebrate.
Here are some local celebrations to check out:
- Join the Taste of Grayslake Family Picnic and Fireworks
on June 30. Enjoy live music, local food vendors, kids activities and
fireworks at dusk. Learn more.
- Join Deerfield's annual Family Days celebration on July
3 at Brickyards Park and July 4 at Jewett Park. View the full schedule.
- Lincolnshire's Red, White and Boom Fourth of July festival will take place July 3 and 4 at Spring Lake Park. Learn more
- Lake Forest's July 4 festival and fireworks will take
place from 5 to 10 p.m. at Deerpath Community Park. Learn more
- Libertyville's celebration will begin with a concert of
patriotic music at 7:30 p.m. July 4 at the Butler Lake Band Shell.
Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. Learn more
- Waukegan's American
Independence Parade will take place July 1, following Sheridan
Road north to Greenwood Avenue. Then, enjoy the fireworks display, which will be shot off July 4.
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 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.
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Bradley Road Bridge Closes for Reconstruction
The Bradley Road Bridge, which carries traffic over the North
Tri- State Tollway (I-94) is now closed for bridge reconstruction and is
scheduled to remain closed through September. A detour will be posted
directing Bradley Road traffic along Rockland Road (Illinois Route 176),
St. Mary’s Road and Townline Road.
The Illinois Tollway will rebuild the Bradley Road Bridge to
replace the existing bridge, built in the 1950s, and provide a longer and
wider bridge to provide two, 12-foot lanes and eight-foot shoulders.
Read this news release to learn more.
 Lake County Partners with
Waze
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
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Transportation Links
Tollway Construction
IDOT
Metra
Travel Midwest
Wisconsin Construction
 Sheriff’s
Office Warns of Misleading Telemarketers
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has received calls from the
public stating telemarketers are identifying themselves as calling on behalf of
the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and soliciting for donations and/or
pledges. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office does not make phone calls
soliciting money from the public. Learn more
Jury Duty Scam
The 19th Judicial Circuit
Court’s Jury Commission received notification of several occurrences where a
male identifying himself by phone as a Lake County Deputy Sheriff tells residents
they had failed to appear for jury duty and need to proceed to the Lake County
Courthouse in Waukegan immediately. Residents were told that they had failed to
appear for Jury Duty and needed to proceed to the Lake County Courthouse in
Waukegan immediately. Once at the Courthouse, they were instructed to call the
Deputy Sheriff stating that they had left their residence. Remember
these precautions to protect yourself.
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 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.
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 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
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Don't Throw Away Your Unwanted Clothing!
Did you know that almost 85% of textiles end up in landfills? You can help reduce this by donating your gently used clothing to a charity resale shop. If the clothing is ripped or stained you still have options. With 28 textile recycling drop off locations in Lake County, there is one near you. Find out what items are acceptable and help extend our landfills.
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Free Concert in Bannockburn
The Village of Bannockburn is hosting a free concert in the Park on July 22 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Attend the Next Art in the Park
Another Art in the Park will be on July 14 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., sponsored by the Deerfield Park District.
Donate Your Unwanted Books, CDs and More
The Lake Forest Library is
accepting donations for the annual book sale.
Here’s a good chance for your books, DVDs and CDs to find a new home.
Fun Upcoming Events at the Grayslake Aquatic Center!
On July 15 head over to the Grayslake Aquatic Center as they celebrate National
Ice Cream Day. Or go to Glow Swim night on July 21 from 7:30 - 9:30 pm.
Lunch in the Park
Attend Mainstreet Libertyville's Lunch in the Park on June 29 and July 6. This is a great chance to hear some music; bring your own picnic or
pick something up from a food truck.
Food Truck Fridays
The Village of Lincolnshire's Food Truck Fridays is back July 6. Come get food between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. every other Friday through Aug. 31 at 300 Knightsbridge Parkway.
Visit Your Local Library
Your local library offers programs for seniors, teens and everyone
in between. Find your library.
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