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

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 tips to succeed in your next job interview, how to start a small business, 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!

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for Lake County Sheriff’s Auxiliary Deputies. The Auxiliary Deputy Unit is comprised of members who give back to Lake County, through community service in the area of law enforcement. The unit assists other Sheriff’s Office divisions as well as municipal police departments in times of natural and man-made emergencies or disasters.

Applications are available at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, 25 S Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave, Waukegan, or at the Lake County Sheriff’s Auxiliary Deputy website.  Applications are due by Sept. 30.

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

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

Quadruple Your Gift to Help Restore Grassy Lake 
Thanks to a Community Stewardship Challenge Grant from Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, every dollar raised to restore Grassy Lake in Lake Barrington will be matched with $3, giving your $100 gift a $400 impact! This grant will supply volunteers with native woodland seeds and wetland plants to replace the buckthorn thickets and other invasive species that have been degrading this site for decades.

We have until October 2019 to hit our $7,000 fundraising goal and reach 400 hours of volunteer service at Grassy Lake.  Help us get there!