Reconstruction and Widening of Weiland Road
The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) will be reconstructing and widening Weiland Road from Lake Cook Road to Deerfield Parkway. Utility relocation is currently underway, so you may have already noticed some work on site. At the September County Board meeting, several actions were taken to advance this project.

• Lake County finalized an agreement with the Village of Buffalo Grove for right of way and temporary easements, as well as an agreement for non-motorized features for the project.
• Lake County is using federal funds for this project which will account for 80 percent of the cost. For this to happen, Lake County had to authorize an agreement with IDOT to appropriate $4,355,000 million of Sales Tax for Transportation Funds.
• A construction engineering contract was awarded to Baxter and Woodman, Inc. to oversee Phase III construction at a maximum cost of $1,001,347.

Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways is also leading a construction project on Lake Cook Road in the area. LCDOT and Cook County are coordinating with the Village of Buffalo Grove to help make sure residents have access to project information.

Old McHenry Road Partially Closes for Improvements
LCDOT has partially closed Old McHenry Road for roadwork. The closure is necessary as part of the Old McHenry Road reconstruction and intersection improvements project at Robert Parker Coffin Road. The road will reopen to all traffic in November. Downtown Long Grove businesses will remain open and easily accessible during this project. For more information, visit the project website.


Aptakisic Road To Close at Railroad Tracks
The Canadian National Railroad will be closing Aptakisic Road to through traffic from Prairie Road to IL Route 21/US Route 45 (Milwaukee Avenue) for repairs. The closure will begin at 6 a.m. on Sept. 21 and is scheduled to reopen the afternoon of Sept. 28. This project will include replacing the crossing surface, asphalt and concrete milling, repaving and striping to improve ride quality at the crossing. View detour information. 

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
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. 

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

The Lake County Sheriff's Office recently reported that there were two vehicles stolen and several vehicles burglarized in Long Grove.  In both instances, it appears that the keys or key fobs were left inside the parked vehicles. Regardless of whether your vehicle is parked on the driveway or in the garage, lock the doors and do not leave keys inside the vehicle no matter how convenient it may be. Learn more ways to discourage becoming a victim.

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.

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

All collection fees and accrued interest will be waived on any past due fines owed in criminal and traffic matters in Lake County as part of Lake County Amnesty Week, which will run Sept. 24 to 28. Full or partial payment will be accepted either over the phone or at any of our branch court locations. Learn more

Looking for a job? The Job Center of Lake County will offer a variety of resources this month, including a job fair, 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!

Lake County Public Works will soon begin its semi-annual water hydrant flushing program. After hydrant flushing, customers may notice a slight discoloration of the water. Residents are urged not to do laundry during periods of flushing to avoid clothes to be stained. This is not harmful and will dissipate after a short time. It is recommended to run cold water for several minutes to clear your pipes. View the schedule.

Forest Preserve News

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!

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.

Forest Preserve Education Hawk Turns 30
With a badly injured right wing, the future was uncertain for a 4-month-old red-tailed hawk found near Highland Park in the summer of 1988. The hawk was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation facility, but after healing, it could only glide short distances. It was unable to gain enough lift to soar and hunt, and as a raptor both skills are necessary for survival in the wild. We knew the hawk could touch many lives as an ambassador for Lake County birds of prey, so we built a home for it at Ryerson Woods in Riverwoods where it became an honorary Environmental Educator. Throughout her long life, the hawk has served as an educational assistant to our staff during school programs, summer camps and special events.  Learn more

Meridian School Opens New Early Learning Center

I was pleased to recently join members of the Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102 Board, administrators, teachers, students, and families as they gathered for the Early Learning Center Ribbon Cutting at Meridian School. Congratulations to the district on creating a beautiful, child-centered facility for the Early Childhood Program.