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 Oct. 3. The test was originally scheduled Thursday, 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 made available to radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers. The EAS test is scheduled to last about one minute and will be similar to regular monthly EAS test messages. Learn more

Join the Lake County Sheriff’s Auxiliary Deputy Unit

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.

I am pleased to be nominated and represent Lake County on the National Association of Counties' Community, Economic and Workforce Development Policy Steering Committee. The committee plays a pivotal role, providing feedback on legislative policy decisions to Congress and federal agencies. Serving on this committee also will be a wonderful opportunity to share with and learn from other county colleagues. 

Learn more about NACo and how Lake County and all the organization's 3,069-member county governments work together to achieve healthy, safe and vibrant communities.
 

Learn about the current state of the drug overdose epidemic nationally, statewide, and in Lake County. Attend this discussion titled, "An Epidemic Hits Home" on Oct. 2 at the College of Lake County, A-Wing lower level auditorium in Grayslake. Resource tables will open at 6 p.m., and guest speakers, including County Board Interim Chair Carol Calabresa will begin discussion at 7 p.m.  Learn more

Remembering. Ending stigma. Saving lives. Join the sixth annual Walk for Awareness and Suicide Prevention on Oct. 6 at Hastings Lake Forest Preserve in Lake Villa. There also will be a one-mile walk option. As part of the event, visit information tables from Lake County agencies covering topics such as mental health, physical health, counseling, aging and community services. Learn more

Diabetes is a disease that affects how your body uses blood sugar or glucose and is the sixth leading cause of death in Lake County. The good news is diabetes is preventable and can be controlled. Watch this video to learn about a new web page created by Live Well Lake County to learn more about diabetes prevention and management. And, visit DiabetesLC.org to find a class near you.

Seniors are cordially invited to attend Senior Law Day on Oct. 12! Learn about elder law, scams targeting seniors, and voting, and tour the new Court Tower!  Hosted by the 19th Judicial Circuit Court, this event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Lake County Court Tower, 301 Washington St., Waukegan. Reserve your spot.

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. 

Simba, the newest member of the Lake County Public Defender’s Office, is the first certified facility dog ever assigned to an American Public Defender’s Office! A 2-year-old Labrador Retriever, Simba will provide comfort, compassion and companionship to children involved in abuse, neglect and dependency cases. Learn more

Join College of Lake County for Solar Week
The College of Lake County invites the public to a series of events starting Saturday, Sept. 22 at its Grayslake campus to learn about the future of solar energy in Illinois, solar training and education opportunities and much more. View the full Solar Week schedule.

Come to Recycle-O-Rama
Recycle household electronics, new and gently used clothing, shoes and more at the next Recycle-O-Rama from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Fremont Township Complex. Individuals also can bring their documents to be securely shredded. Learn more

As you discover a growing pile of shoes that no longer fit, don’t throw them away! Keep them out of the landfills and recycle it all instead. As part of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County's Reuse-A-Shoe program, new locations have opened to bring your new and gently used shoes including drop-off bins in Deerfield, Gages Lake, Port Barrington and Vernon Hills.

Learn more about the Reuse-A-Shoe program, including all locations and what items are accepted. And, make sure to learn about all of SWALCO’s recycling programs, including clothing and textiles, household electronics and household chemical waste.

Forest Preserve News

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!

If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at 847-721-1563 (cell) or email me at mcunningham@lakecountyil.gov. 

I encourage you to forward this update to others who may be interested in Lake County news. Residents who wish to automatically receive my bi-weekly newsletter can email me, or click the “Newsletter Sign Up" button at the top of the newsletter.

Thank you,
Mary Ross Cunningham

Ms. Cunningham, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on:

Lake County Board, 9th District:
Diversity and Inclusion Committee, (Ad-Hoc), Chair
Lake County Law and Judicial Committee, Chair 
Lake County Health and Community Services 
Lake County Rules Committee, vice chair 
Lake County Government Reform Implementation Committee

Lake County Forest Preserves, 9th District: 
Operations Committee, Vice Chair
Diversity and Cultural Awareness Committee
Gospelfest Committee, chair

Other appointed positions:
National Association of Counties (NACo), Member of Community, Economic and Workforce Development Policy Steering Committee 
Lake County Community Health Center Governing Council, secretary
Lake County Board of Health Personnel Committee, Chair
Community Action Partnership of Lake County, Board Member
Lake County Domestic Violence Council
Lake County Sexual Assault Coordination Committee
Waukegan High School Advisory Board
Lake County Veterans Advisory Board