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Route 45 between Peterson Road and Route 137 in unincorporated Lake County near Libertyville reopened Tuesday night after it was closed in both directions last Monday afternoon when a 20-foot-high embankment retaining wall began to collapse. A representative from Metra, the suburban rail agency which owns the retaining wall, said that they believe the weather played a part, but the root cause is under investigation. The agency has engaged a firm to design a new retaining wall and once ready, construction will begin on a replacement.
In my last newsletter, I told you about some railroad crossing closures that were planned at several locations in the Village of Grayslake as Metra and the Canadian National Railway scheduled construction. I'm pleased to report the Metra railroad crossing at IL Route 120 in Hainesville is now open, and the Canadian National crossing at Lake Street also has reopened.
Please be aware the Canadian National crossing at Center Street is now closed and is scheduled to reopen on Monday, Sept. 10.
The public is invited to attend an open house regarding the
Tri-County Access Project from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6 at Concorde Banquets in
Kildeer.
The Tri-County Access (TCA)
Project, formerly the IL Route 53/120 project, is a comprehensive regional
study being conducted by the Illinois Tollway to study how to ease traffic
congestion in Lake, northern Cook, and eastern McHenry counties that is
environmentally friendly and fiscally responsible. However,
as many of you know, there is a wide range (a long history!) of
both support and opposition to this potential project here in
District 6. These open house meetings are a critical part of this
process. I urge you all to learn about it and weigh in with
your opinion to the Tollway Authority at these public meetings
or through the other process input channels provided to us.
More public meetings are being planned to help foster awareness of project
developments and alternatives that are being evaluated and to provide a forum
for public input, including concerns and comments regarding project
alternatives. Learn more
 Learn
life-saving skills such as CPR and first aid. Check your insurance policies for
hazards you may face. Know practical safety steps like shutting off water and
gas. As Lake County joins in observing National Preparedness Month through
September, work with your family and community to develop an action plan, so
you can be prepared if an emergency should occur. Check out these resources that can help you plan.
Learn How To Get Emergency Information
A Tornado Warning was issued to those living in western Lake
County over the weekend. An emergency can happen in your community at any time.
Prepare yourself and your family for any emergency by seeking immediate and
reliable information. Watch this video to learn how.
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 The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the
Federal Communications Commission, will issue a test of the Nationwide Wireless
Emergency Alert (WEA) which will be sent to all compatible cell phones on Sept.
20. Please note some older cell phones may not receive the test message. This
test will be followed by a test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), which is
scheduled to last about one minute and will be similar to regular monthly EAS
test messages. Learn
more
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The second installment due date of 2017 Lake County property taxes is
approaching. Please note, you received one bill in May, and you will not receive
another bill for the second installment. If you misplaced your second
installment coupon, print a copy from
the Treasurer's Office website by entering your PIN number or address. If you
are mailing your payment, be sure to have it U.S. postmarked on or before Sept.
6 to avoid late penalties.
 Property Tax Bill FAQs
Do you have questions about your Lake County property
tax bill such as who determines your taxes and what are the different ways you
can pay? Watch
this video as Lake County Treasurer David Stolman
answers these and other commonly asked questions. Watch now.
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 Property Tax Process, Relief, and More
Learn more about what Lake County does with your property tax payment,
property tax relief that may be available to you and more by visiting lakecountyil.gov/propertytax.
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 The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is
reporting the first human case of West Nile virus in Lake County for 2018. A
Waukegan resident in her 60s became ill in mid-August. To date, 61 pools or batches of mosquitoes and two birds
have tested positive for West Nile virus in 2018. Learn
more, including the 4Ds of defense to protect yourself and your
family from mosquitoes.
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 Lake County prides itself as being a leader in public health,
working to enhance access to mental and behavioral health services through
partnerships between the Health Department and law enforcement
agencies, the work of the Lake County Mental Health Coalition, and
addressing the rapidly increasing opiate problem through the Lake County Opioid Initiative. There are many
services available 24/7 to those experiencing problems related to emotional and
mental illness or drug and alcohol addiction.
In recognition of National Recovery Month, we ask that
you help spread the word of these life-saving services. We've all been impacted
in some way by mental health and substance disorders. Let's make it known that
prevention works, treatment is effective, and recovery is possible. Learn
more
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 With so many farmers markets across Lake County, our
residents have many options for picking up fresh produce, packed with nutrition
and flavor. Watch this video
as Chef LaiSha Ponder from the Lake County Health Department shares how you can
bring that market freshness to your table with two easy, mouthwatering dishes,
a summer ribbon salad and a sautéed vegetable mélange. Go to your local
farmer’s market using our Farmers
Market Finder and give these recipes a try!
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 Looking for a job?
The Job Center of Lake County will offer a variety of resources this month,
including job fairs, tips to succeed in your next job interview and much more. View
this month’s schedule.
Sign Up to Receive Job
News by Text
Lake County Workforce
Development is piloting a text-messaging service where you can opt in and
receive occasional text messages regarding employment events, paid internships
and more. You can opt out at any time. Sign
up now!
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 Students in eighth through twelfth grade can now apply
to join the Lake County State's Attorney's Office's Young Ambassadors Board
(YAB). Applications are available online at www.lcsao.org and are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7. The Young
Ambassadors Board members serve as partners to the State's Attorney's Office
and are involved in various community outreach engagement efforts. Learn
more, including how to submit your application.
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The Lake County Stormwater Management
Commission has entered into a contract with Christopher B. Burke Engineering,
Ltd. to review the proposed Foxconn development and related adjacent
improvements due to concerns of adverse impacts on flooding and water quality
along the Des Plaines River in Lake County. The Foxconn site is in the
headwaters of the Des Plaines River Watershed, which is immediately upstream of
Lake County and encompasses a major source of surface water. Learn
more
 Forest Preserve News
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 Carp-O-Rama
Help reduce overpopulation, win cash prizes and fish to your heart’s
content at Carp-O-Rama on Saturday, Sept. 8 in the South Bay of Independence
Grove Forest Preserve! Compete to catch the most carp by
weight and the largest single carp by weight. Learn more.
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 Lakewood Forest Preserve Master Plan
We
have initiated the master planning process for Lakewood Forest Preserve. The
master plan will evaluate the existing conditions and uses of the preserve and
will identify potential recreation, education and conservation improvements at
the preserve. Learn more
We want to hear from you!
Please take our 10-minute survey below to answer questions that
will help us understand how you enjoy Lakewood and what opportunities to
explore for the preserve’s future. The survey will be open until Sept. 24. Take our survey!
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 Trail
Extension at Lyons Woods
A
newly completed 1.9-mile paved trail now connects Lyons
Woods Forest Preserve in Waukegan to the Robert McClory Bike Path and local
parks. The Lake County Forest Preserves, City of Waukegan, Waukegan Park
District and the Village of Beach Park partnered to create this trail
extension. It represents the first phase of a longer 6.9-mile
regional trail that will continue west through Waukegan Savanna Forest
Preserve and eventually connect to the Des Plaines River
Trail at Sedge Meadow Forest Preserve in Wadsworth. Visit Lyons
Woods today.
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 Let’s Start a Movement
The spread of invasive
species is recognized as one of the major factors contributing to ecosystem
change and instability in our county, region and nation. These species have the
ability to displace or eliminate native species, alter fire regimes, damage
infrastructure and threaten human livelihoods. Invasive species are changing
the iconic landscapes of our nation. To effectively control invasive species,
removal needs to extend beyond the borders of natural areas. The invasive
species European buckthorn is currently the most common tree in Lake County,
making up more than 40 percent of our canopy, according to a 2010 tree census
conducted by the U.S. Forest Service and The Morton Arboretum. It will continue
to be an issue until the community is involved: from private landowners to
homeowner associations, golf courses to garden clubs, businesses to school
districts.
Want to
join the movement? We invite all Lake County residents to help eradicate
buckthorn. Several homeowners have already volunteered to help. Whether they
have removed buckthorn from their yard or are simply considering it, every
resident who participates will benefit the community. In the coming months we
will distribute resources to help assess your yard, plus tips to remove
buckthorn, landscape with native plants, and get further involved with this
effort toward an even more beautiful, healthy Lake County. Join the movement.
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 Don't Miss This!
The Village of Hainesville's annual Civil War Encampment and Battle will take place Saturday, Sept. 8 and Sunday, Sept. 9 at the
Northbrook Sports Club in Hainesville. Watch military battles, medical
displays, period music and more. Learn more
Scholarship Opportunity
Graduating seniors who reside within the municipal
limits of the greater Round Lake area can apply for a scholarship to be awarded by the Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Applications will be accepted beginning Dec. 1. Learn more
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