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Continuing the discussion about County services, departments and processes, Lake County Workforce Development Department is another example of a public/private collaboration . It helps businesses and potential employees connect through the Workforce Ecosystem. On Monday, I facilitated an Interviewing Workshop for job searchers.
The Workforce Development Department along with Lake County Partners, College of Lake County, Lake County Tech Campus and University Center of Lake County are key members of the "Workforce Ecosystem." As explained in this video the Ecosystem is focused on jobs - made possible by having talented employees ready to fulfill employer needs so businesses grow or move to Lake County. I've been a volunteer for each of these organizations. If you know a job seeker, please have them contact Workforce Development or me.
In my newsletter one month ago, I partially explained the role of the Financial and Administrative Committee of which I am vice-chairman. You may want to attend or listen to audio recordings of this or any committee meetings to understand in detail the workings of the Lake County Board on your behalf - including day-long Budget hearings on October 23rd and 24th.
Since that newsletter, some media outlets and others have presented misinformation about Lake County government's ethics commitment and supply, construction and services bidding and contract awards.
The County's Transparency page provides a link to the County Ethics Ordinance. Every office holder is required by state law to provide the names and relationships that could be potential conflicts of interest. County department heads and supervisors must also identify relationships that might prove to be potential conflicts.
The Transparency page also includes every elected officials' and employees' compensation and benefits, every vendor payment, the County's check register and much more.
Lake County's Purchasing Ordinance adheres to state and federal laws that require Sealed, Competitive Bids or Proposals. (See page 4 of the Ordinance Guide). Price-based contracts are awarded to the lowest cost, responsible bidder. However, state law prohibits price-based Professional Services bidding. Rather, the multi-step process first requires interested suppliers to provide Competitive Sealed Proposals with their qualifications for engineering, architectural and other services as mandated by state and federal law. Eventually, pre-award conferences are held to negotiate final terms and project pricing.
If you have questions or comments on items in this newsletter or other issues, please contact me by phone or email.
Regards,
 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
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 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
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 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.
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 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 visit SWALCO's
website to learn about their recycling programs, including
clothing and textiles, household electronics and household chemical waste.
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 Lake County Public Works has begun 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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
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 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.
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The Stormwater Management Commission is currently looking for two
fall 2018 ravine interns who will spend most of their internship outside
collecting data for slope and channel erosion, locations of stormwater pipes
and discharges, and more. Applicants must be able to work primarily outdoors
within natural resource areas, (e.g., wetlands, ravines and streams),
occasionally be in the office, and be willing to engage in limited to
moderately strenuous physical activity. Apply today!
 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.
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 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
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 Forest Preserve News
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 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
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 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!
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Apple Fest
Apple Fest will take place Friday, Sept. 21 to Sunday, Sept. 23 in
historic Long Grove. The festival will include apple-inspired treats as well as
music and the Kid Zone, headlined by the apple pie-eating contest and
interactive activities like ballroom dancing and tug-o-war. Learn more
Hawthorn Woods Fall Family Fun Fest
Join the annual Hawthorn
Woods Fall Family Fun Fest from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 22 at the
Hawthorn Woods Aquatic Center. At this free event, touch a truck, enjoy arts
and crafts, and go on a mini-train ride. Learn more
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