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I'm often asked about my work, a typical week, what kind of help/questions I get from constituents etc. In addition to serving as a member of the Lake County Board (LCB), I also serve as a Lake County Forest Preserves District (LCFPD) commissioner.
We had a ribbon-cutting event Tuesday for the new Lake County Courthouse. Open the link in the story for photos of the event. The new courthouse will be officially open on July 30th. This was especially rewarding because I serve on both the Law and Judicial and the Financial and Administrative committees.
Friday morning, July 20th, 10 a.m. at the Grand Dominion Lodge, State Senator Dan McConchie and State Representative Nick Sauer will have an informal (free) Coffee and Conversation - open to all. This is your opportunity to speak with two state legislators.
A number of residents have hade drainage issues during recent significant rainstorms. We have expert, responsive staff members at LCFPD and the varius Lake County departments. I connected with the LCFPD staff in one case. In several other situations, after I brought the issues to a county staff member, he is collaborating with Fremont Township and the Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) to develop potential solutions. Other common issues include neighboring yards, homes and construction sites that are not maintained properly. Our inspectors are at the site within 24 hours.
Each year, we hold our LCFPD onsite board meeting at a forest preserve. Last Wednesday, we met at Spring Bluff Preserve, part of a coastal wetland of international importance, for an update on construction of the observation tower and improved trails. Spring Bluff is at 9th St. in Winthrop Harbor. North Point Marina, the largest marina on the Great Lakes is adjacent to Spring Bluff. We met in the Yacht Club building before our tours. During the meeting, the Youth Conservation Corps presented a $100,000 check to the LCFPD to fund the employment of 36 crew members and 6 assistant crew chiefs for the summer youth program.
In the next issue, I'll provide more information on meetings, all of which are open to you. Until then, please call me with your issues, concerns and suggestions.
Regards,
 Transportation and Public Works employees from Lake County, and
many of the surrounding communities are collecting food to feed our hungry
neighbors. We are partnering with the American Public Works Association Lake
Branch, the Northern Illinois Food Bank, and the Lake County Sheriff's Office
for a county-wide food drive! All food donations will be delivered to the Lake
County Fairgrounds for a huge Touch A Truck event with all the participating
agencies.
Admission to the July 24
event is free, but you are invited to bring non-perishable food items to
participate in the food drive. Bring the kids to see all their favorite big
trucks up close! Learn more
When: 9 a.m. to noon July 24
Where: Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake
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 The
90th annual Lake County Fair returns July 25 through 29 at the Lake County Fairgrounds
and Event Center in Grayslake. Don't miss favorites include truck-and-tractor
pulls, demolition derby, 4-H exhibitions, and more. Visit www.lcfair.com
for more information.
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 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.
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Lake County is
one of many counties nationwide that participates in the National Association
of Counties (NACo) Live Healthy Prescription, Health and Dental Discount
program, which helps residents better manage the cost of prescription
medications and health and dental services. There are no income requirements or
age requirements, and it is open to residents with or without insurance.
Residents have saved over $2 million on prescriptions over the past 13 years
with this program! Learn more
 Curbside recycling keeps so much out of our
landfills, BUT did you know there are items that you should not put in your
recycling bin such as plastic bags and Styrofoam containers? Watch this video, and get an inside look of the recycling process at the Waste
Management Recovery Facility in Grayslake. *Note* You'll notice items like
plastic bags get wrapped in the machines. Before you add items to your
recycling bin, check these guidelines from the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County.
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Lake County continues
to look for ways to be more sustainable—both environmentally and economically.
The Lake County Board authorized at its July 10 Board meeting to upgrade and
install light-emitting diode (LED) street lighting at roundabout street lights
and underpass luminaires. Over the past several years, the Lake County Division
of Transportation retrofitted all existing traffic signals throughout the
county with long-lasting LED lamps, and now they are looking at street
lighting. LED lights reduce power consumption and keep ongoing maintenance
costs low. Learn more ways that Lake County focuses on sustainability by
visiting our Sustainable Lake County website.
 Lake County is currently hiring for a variety of
positions, including nurses, counselors, maintenance workers, and court
security officers. View
the job openings!
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Lake
County recently evaluated the Land Development Fee Schedule for development in unincorporated
Lake County, and changes went into effect July 2. Learn four things you need to
know about these changes.
 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.
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 Watch this edition
of Your Courthouse at Work as Lake County judges share information about the
guardianship help desk, bond court, and small claims court. Also, take an
inside look at the first Annual Veterans & Family Services RUCK March and
an update on new laws and changes at the 19th Judicial Circuit. Watch
now.
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 Forest Preserve News
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 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
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 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
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 Gospelfest
Be
inspired by Lake County’s gospel voices on July 29 at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. This
annual favorite feature choirs, solo performances and praise dancers that bring
you to your feet. Children can also enjoy fun nature activities during the
event. Learn more
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 Fort Sheridan Reopens with Lake Michigan Overlook
The Lake County Forest Preserves announces
the reopening of Fort
Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake
Forest with new and improved features that provide greater access to the site’s
natural beauty and rich military history. Following more than a year of
construction, visitors will once again be able to enjoy portions of the
preserve’s scenic trails and access to the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Improvements include:
- Three scenic observation areas, including a 70-foot
overlook of Lake Michigan, with new and relocated educational exhibits
that tell the story of the area’s unique history and include new
information about the Lake Michigan Bird Flyway.
- Nearly a mile of new accessible paved trails and
conversion of the woodchip section of the Hutchinson Trail with new
bridges and boardwalks.
- Redesigned main entrance on Gilgare Lane, widened to a
full two lanes, which leads to a new 45-car parking lot with five
accessible spaces and an evaporator toilet building (an innovative waste
disposal method that is odor free and saves water).
- Improved north parking lot with new paved trailhead and
an evaporator toilet building.
- Restored shoreline with native plantings.
- Remaining portion of George Bell Road and gates removed
and area restored with native plantings.
Public access to the
restored 1.8-mile mowed grass trail will remain closed until summer 2019 to
allow time for the grass surface to become better established for foot
traffic. Management and monitoring of the 73-acre woodland, prairie and
savanna portions of the site will continue in perpetuity. Learn more
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