Schools are Opening, County Jobs, Transportation, Forest Preserves and More

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Chuck Bartels

Aug. 17, 2018

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Hello Neighbors

In the last newsletter, as part of a "Know Your County Services" series, I highlighted the departments, offices and services related to the Law and Judicial committee, on which I serve.

The Public Works and Transportation Committee (PWT), of which I am not a member, oversees the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) and the Public Works Department (PW). Every committee meeting is recorded, and online audio is available here

With 900 lane miles of roads and 60 miles of bike paths/lanes, LCDOT provides an invaluable service to County residents, focusing on construction, maintenance, snow management, technology and more. I'll detail more about this division in my next issue.

Public Works builds, owns and maintains a system with miles of sewer lines. The department also owns 12 water distribution systems, serving thousands of customers with water. Both sewer and water services are provided directly to homeowners and businesses and/or indirectly through services to partner communities.

Sylvan and Forest Lake areas receive services in whole or part. Hawthorn Woods has a five-mile county interconnect that allows services to county customers and the Aqua system and its customers. When we built our home in Countryside Lake in 1988, one of the benefits was county sewer and water throughout the community.

In addition to numerous wells, pumps, pipelines, a water treatment facility, vehicles, construction equipment and more, the department provides billing and account services to thousands of customers.

The Lake County Board has been in the news recently. As your representative and a member of the core committees, I have a perspective to share. As a general observation, these meetings were a good example of representative democracy in action. The debate and discussions were often quite spirited - too much so, some believe - with strongly-held positions and perspectives. Some voices were raised, motives questioned and more. But, unlike many other nations, no one overturned tables or threw punches. In the end, we voted and the results were reported, to the satisfaction of some and the dissatisfaction of others.

I continue to encourage everyone to attend the meetings with the most detail, discussion and debate, the standing and/or ad hoc committees and Committee of the Whole (COW).  If you cannot attend, know that you can listen to meetings' audio recordings

As an example, I've linked you to the Aug. 8 Financial and Administrative Committee, of which I am vice-chair. Using the County web site, you can also locate other committees, members, schedules, agendas and audio recordings with the search bar and drop-down committee list. When the video recording pilot project (which I liked) ended, we decided to provide expanded coverage with online access to audio recordings of every committee meeting.

In the Financial and Administrative Committee meeting, we discussed the Board Chairman's open-ended leave for drug addiction rehab. Some see addiction as a brain health disorder (I among them) and others see any addiction as a moral deficiency. Most wish him progress and improving health.

Additionally, it became apparent amid allegations of his misuse of a Procurement ("P-") Card that P-card policies and procedures need review for best practice revision. Results are due by Oct. 7. I don't have a card. In December 2014, I chose not to take/have a P-card.

Before some of the meetings ended, the County's Purchasing Department, practices, policies and procedures were called into question, along with allegations of named and unnamed individuals, family members, firms, donors and others which prefaced a call for a purchasing system that may go beyond current laws and ethics policies. Stay tuned for an evaluation, methodology and discussion to come.

At the Financial and Administrative Committee and Committee of the Whole meetings, a motion aimed at placing an advisory referendum item on the Nov. 6 ballot drew heated debate. The final vote at the Aug. 14 County Board meeting with more debate, approved the ballot item, an advisory notice for a state constitutional amendment to prevent a state property tax.

Keep informed about Lake County government! You can watch meetings live online or on Comcast channels 18 and 30, or AT&T channel 99. You can also view archived County Board meetings anytime.

As usual, please write or call with your questions, comments or concerns. 


Regards,

Chuck Bartels Signature

Building Healthy, Inclusive and Resilient Communities

Lake County works to deliver exceptional, financially sustainable services and solve problems that impact your daily lives from property taxes to roads to jobs. Fellow members and I who represent your County Board use a strategic plan as our road map, influencing how we prioritize and invest our resources. At our recent Committee of the Whole Meeting, we received an update on how the County is working to build healthy, inclusive and resilient communities through the Go Lake County program, expanding access to mental health services for youth, and connecting affordable housing residents to workforce development programs. View our 2018 Strategic Plan Impact Report to learn how we are making progress toward achieving these priorities.

Building healthy communities

Why Work for Lake County?

Why work Lake County large

Discover opportunities for professional growth, abundant career choices, and jobs that offer variety and the chance to make a meaningful difference. These are a few of the reasons that Lake County employees love working for us! Watch this video and discover why Lake County is a great place to work!

 

Lake County Is Hiring
Lake County is currently hiring for a variety of positions, including nurses, counselors, maintenance workers, and court security officers. View the job openings!


Have A Great School Year, Lake County!

back to school safety

Students will soon be returning to the classroom, so let’s make sure they are safe this school year! This means keeping an eye on the road for school buses and students walking to school and making sure students stay safe by using their technology responsibly. Watch this video as the Lake County Sheriff’s Office gives you safety tips. 


Transportation News

2018 adopt a highway

Apply Today to Adopt A Highway
The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) is currently looking for volunteers to help pick up litter and debris along Lake County highways and bike paths. Volunteers adopt a section of a county highway and commit to cleaning it twice a year. 

There may be a section of county highway or bike path in need near you. Several sections that haven't been available for years, have recently opened up. Please take a look at the available sections, fill out an application, and join us! Applications need to be submitted by Aug. 31.

2018-2023 highway improvement program

County's 2018-2023 Highway Improvement Program
Lake County’s 2018-2023 Proposed Highway Improvement Program is now available. Review the five-year plan to learn more about how the program is created and to see which projects are currently funded in the next five years. More information 

Speed studies

Lake County Implements Speed Studies

The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) is responsible for setting the speed limit for county highways under our jurisdiction and township roads. Safety on the roadways is always a top priority and guides everything we do, including the determination of speed limits. What is a speed study, and how does the process work? Learn more


Apply or Renew Passport at Round Lake Park Event

passports

Apply for a new passport or renew your passport as the Lake County Circuit Clerk's Office Mobile Passport Team comes to the Round Lake Park Village Hall, 203 E. Lake Shore Drive, from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18. Pictures also can be taken. No appointment will be necessary. For more information, including a helpful passport checklist, visit the Circuit Clerk’s website.


Health Department News

Health Department Investigates Food-Borne Illness Outbreak
The Lake County Health Department is working with local, state, and federal public health officials to investigate an increase in cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora infection), affecting residents of multiple counties and states. Since May, the Health Department has investigated 43 cases of Cyclospora infection among Lake County residents, more than 14 times higher than the number of cases reported in 2017. 


Cyclospora infection may occur when a person consumes food or water contaminated with the Cyclospora parasite. Symptoms typically begin one to two weeks after exposure and can be treated with specific antibiotics. If left untreated, symptoms can last weeks to months. Cyclospora infection is unlikely to be transmitted from person to person. Learn More

New Zion Health Center

Join Public Open House at New Zion Health Center
To celebrate National Health Week, which is running now through Aug. 18, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center will host a public open house from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17 at the new Zion Health Center., 1911 27th St. Tour the new facility and learn about Health Department services, enjoy fun activities for children, and schedule appointments, including school physicals and immunizations. Learn more


November 2018 Election News

Vote by mail

From your Mailbox to the Ballot Box
Lake County residents correctly registered with their current name and address can now complete the required application to request a ballot by mail for the Nov. 6, 2018 election. This is an ideal voting option for snowbirds, students away at school, and those who will be traveling on Election Day as your ballot can be mailed anywhere. Completed applications must be submitted to the Clerk’s Office by noon Nov. 1. According to Illinois state statute, ballots cannot be mailed to the voters until late September.

 

Electronic and paper forms are available by:

 

Election judge

We Need Election Judges

Fair and accurate elections are incredibly important to all of us, and attentive election judges are enlisted for the meaningful responsibility of processing voters. Join our amazing election judge team and take on the rewarding role of working in your neighborhood Election Day voting site. Reserve your seat in an upcoming training. 


Forest Preserves Logo

Forest Preserve News

2018 Hike Lake County Challenge

2018 Hike Lake County Challenge

Studies show spending time outdoors interacting with our natural world makes us healthier, happier and more mindful. Activate the power of nature for your good health by taking part in the annual Hike Lake County Challenge. Enjoy fall breezes and autumn colors while exploring designated “Hike Lake County” trails with family, friends or canine companions. Complete just seven of the hikes now through Nov. 30 to earn a commemorative shield. View this year’s hike locations.

2018 Bess Bower Dunn

Bess Bower Dunn Day
Celebrate Bess Bower Dunn’s birthday on Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission to the new Dunn Museum in Libertyville and special activities throughout the day. Learn more

2018 LCFPD Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan Update
Forest preserves benefit you 24 hours a day, even if you don’t visit them. Here’s a fun assignment: next time it rains, find a storm drain or creek as it enters a forest preserve. Scoop up a jarful of water. Now trace the flow until it leaves the site. Take another scoop and compare the two—cleaner water! The roots of trees and other native plants filter the water, protecting waterways and community water supplies from sediment and pollution. A key purpose of our conservation goal is to improve the water quality and aquatic habitat that forest preserves and other natural lands and waters in Lake County provide. We’re doing this by amending management and development practices on our lands. August is National Water Quality Month. Learn ways you can help protect water sources at EPA.govLearn more


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