Please join me tomorrow evening for an open house regarding the Tri-County Access Project, which is formerly the IL Route 53/120 Project. This is a great and important opportunity to express your thoughts on this project so that the decision makers can make an informed decision. Read the story below for details as to the time and location.

I recently had the pleasure to join fellow County Board members, justice partners and many more distinguished guests to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new Court Tower in downtown Waukegan. This beautiful facility will open to the public July 30. Watch the video below to learn more.

Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Jay Ukena, Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor, along with judges, county board members, elected officials, justice partners and others gathered July 17 for the ribbon-cutting of the new Court Tower in downtown Waukegan. The ceremony also included the dedication of the Audrey H. Nixon Pedestrian Bridge.

The new eight-story, 200,000 sq. foot court tower houses 12 new courtrooms, jury assembly space, various administrative services and room for six future courtrooms. The tower construction began in June 2016 and will open to the public July 30, 2018. Watch this video to learn more. 

The Village of Buffalo Grove recently approved new regulations for the outdoor parking and storing of recreational vehicles (RVs) on residential lots, which will take effect on Aug. 1, 2018. View the new regulations on the village website.

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.

Another television show will be riding with members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office beginning this month. The show, “Women on Patrol” will ride along with our Highway Patrol Division and provide an inside look at the responsibilities of the Sheriff’s Office and the variety of calls Sheriff’s Deputies respond to. This is not the first time the Sheriff’s Office has been featured on a television show!  Watch this video to learn more about the Sheriff’s Office on “Live PD.”

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has opened its new Zion Health Center, which will greatly expand access to quality health services for residents of northeast Lake County. Located at 1911 27th St., the site was fully renovated to provide integrated health services, including primary care, dental care, behavioral health, women’s health, nutrition services, case management, and more to provide patient-centered care under one roof. Watch this video to learn more about the new center.

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.

Returning citizens and individuals with a criminal background can learn the skills needed in today’s workplace through a new program through Lake County Workforce Development called Revive Lake County. Individuals who successfully complete the program may be eligible to receive financial aid for job training or a paid work experience. Interested individuals are required to attend an information session at the Job Center’s Waukegan location. View the schedule.

Forest Preserve News

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

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

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