Dear Neighbors,
Exciting things are happening on the Lake County Board. In December, we elected Sandy Hart as our Lake County Board chair. I had the honor of nominating her for the position. She is the second female board chair in Lake County's history, and our new Vice Chair is Mary Ross Cunningham of Waukegan. We also chose board member Angelo Kyle as president of the Forest Preserve District of Lake County.
As your representative, I have taken on some exciting new responsibilities on the board as well. Chair Hart has appointed me Chairman of the Financial and Administrative and Rules committees.
We have gotten right to work and at our first rules committee meeting we eliminated credit cards for Board members. As you know, spending abuses by board members had been an issue in the past and we have eliminated the cards to reduce the risk of future abuses. There are still funds available for Board members to use to attend conferences and to communicate with constituents.
We have also created a new Energy and Environment Committee to focus on new policies, which will help Lake County reduce our carbon emissions and other sustainability initiatives.
As always, feel free to contact me anytime if there's anything I can do for you.
Paul Frank
Lake County Board Member
Forest Preserve District Commissioner 11th District
www.facebook.com/PaulFrankLakeCounty
 Discontinuing Lake County Board members’ use of Purchasing Cards (P-Cards) was one of many recommendations made by the Lake County Board’s Rules Committee and approved by the full Board as the County Board closed 2018.
The Rules Committee met last year to review its Rules of Order and Operational Procedures, as is traditionally done following an election and the Board’s reorganization. The Committee approved several measures related to Board spending, including travel, technology, and mailings.
Watch this video as I explain more.
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County Board members will start the work of 2019 as standing committees convene this week for the first time since new members took office in December. The County Board has 10 standing committees. New this year is the Energy and Environment Committee that will focus on sustainability, as well as energy and environmental policy, and energy and environment legislation. The other change this year is that some committee meetings will take place at the Lake County Central Permit Facility in Libertyville, as well as Lake County Courthouse and Administrative Building in Waukegan. Previously, all meetings took place in Waukegan. View agendas for all committee meetings and listen to audio recordings. You can also sign up to receive notifications of all County committee and board meetings through the County’s Notify Me® tool.
 More than 250 new laws have gone into effect in Illinois as of Jan. 1. This includes a new requirement for children to sit in a rear-facing car seat, background checks for ride operators, and expanded stalking laws to include messages via social media. View the complete list of new laws.
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Congressman Brad Schneider (Dist. 10) is hosting open houses at his Lake County offices on Monday, Jan. 7. Residents can meet share what is on their mind, learn more about expediting passports, apply for federal grants and receive help with federal agencies, such as Social Security and Medicare.
This marks the grand opening of the new satellite office at Waukegan City Hall. In 2019, the Waukegan Office will be open on Tuesdays from noon to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 On America Recycles Day, the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County and other agencies and communities around the state released a new set of guidelines for recycling. Since then, discussions with local recycling facilities have led to a few new updates. Please find the “recycling reboot,” the latest Lake County Recycling Guidelines. Take a special look at the NO list as these items can negatively impact recycling efforts in many ways. It’s estimated that as many as one in four items placed in a recycling cart is not accepted for recycling.
A New Year is upon us, and it’s a great time to review and make sure you are getting all the right things in and keeping all the wrong things out. You can find alternative recycling and reuse opportunities available in your community at swalco.org, along with more detailed information and frequently asked questions about recycling.
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Holiday Tree Recycling
Donate your holiday tree to us and we’ll recycle it into woodchips for trails and landscaping at forest preserves throughout Lake County. Bring your tree to a drop-off site through Feb. 1. |
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Holiday Lights
Do you have strings of lights that you don’t need or that don’t work anymore? Don’t throw them away! The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County offers four locations across Lake County where you can recycle those lights for free. Visit the drop-off locations.
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 Electronics Recycling
Make sure you don't throw away your old electronics! Items such as TVs, computers, video game consoles, tablets, and printers are prohibited by State law from being disposed of in the trash. Lake County residents can bring their unwanted electronics to one of four year-round drop-off locations.
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The FY19 operating budget—which funds the County’s day-to-day operations—is $3.3 million less than last year (or 1%). In an effort to provide some relief to taxpayers, this budget does not take the allowable property tax levy increase based on the Consumer Price Index. This keeps $3.4 million in taxpayers’ pockets. The only increase in property tax revenue will come from growth on new property.
It’s important to remember that Lake County receives revenue from a variety of sources. Lake County’s portion of your property tax payment is about 7%. The rest goes to other taxing bodies, including municipalities, townships, park districts and schools – with schools getting about 69% of your property tax payment. See exactly where your property tax dollars are going by visiting our Property Tax Distribution website.
Lake County’s budget invests in many service areas, from transportation and public safety to health and economic development/jobs. The County Board is committed to fiscal responsibility and delivering cost-effective, efficient services. As a result, the County has implemented operational efficiencies, leveraged technology and cut costs by sharing services between governments, which has made a difference to our bottom line. Lake County government has maintained a AAA credit rating (the highest possible) for more than 20 years due to our strong budgetary performance and well-managed financial operations, along with our strong financial policies and practices, healthy reserves and manageable debt.
To read the budget and learn more about County services and programs, visit www.lakecountyil.gov/budget.
 Lake County provides an Open Data and Records Hub that makes Lake County government data easily accessible – and searchable — to a broad audience, including residents and taxpayers, enhancing transparency and accountability. Additionally, government employees can now access other departments’ data to help enhance services and drive efficiency. The Open Data and Records Hub centralizes a wide range of data in one place from property taxes and health and recreation to transportation and government contracts and agreements. This new tool allows users to search and discover PDF maps, web mapping applications and other datasets all free of charge. The existing datasets on the Hub will consistently be updated, and Lake County is exploring adding new information, including financial data.
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Zion Job Fair
Meet with more than 25 Lake County area employers who are looking to hire at the annual Zion Job Fair from 3 to 6 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Zion-Benton Public Library. Learn more |
 Lake County is Hiring!
Lake County is currently hiring a number of positions, including nurses, court security officers, counselors, physicians and more. View current job opportunities.
Professional growth opportunities, abundant career choices, jobs that provide variety and the chance to make a meaningful difference are just a few of the reasons Lake County employees love working for us.
Watch this video and see what makes Lake County a great place to work.
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As individuals age, housing needs also change. Many homes were not built in consideration for older adults or multigenerational households, so communities are turning to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also known as “granny flats.” Learn more about ADUs and the impact they can have on older residents’ lives at the Granny Flat Academy.
When: 5:30 p.m. Jan. 17
Where: Lake County Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville
 Officials recently broke ground on the new state-of-the-art Transitional Care of Lake County facility, formerly known as Winchester House. For more than 150 years, Winchester House has served the vulnerable elderly and disabled people of Lake County.
Located on Route 45 near the corner of Route 83 in Mundelein, the new facility will be operated by Transitional Care Management, which will continue the tradition of providing compassionate, high quality healthcare for Lake County residents. Watch this video to learn more.
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 Homeowners are urged to test radon levels in their homes and apartments during the winter months, when indoor radon levels are at their highest. Radon is an odorless and colorless gas that naturally occurs in rock and soil and can seep into homes from the soil through cracks in the basement floors and foundations, crawl spaces, poorly sealed sump pumps, porous cinder block walls and other foundation floor and wall penetrations. Watch this video to learn ways to protect your home.
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There have been recent concerns regarding ethylene oxide emissions from two facilities in Lake County, Medline Industries in Waukegan and Vantage Specialty Chemicals in Gurnee. Residents seeking information about ethylene oxide in Lake County can find the latest updates at a webpage created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The U.S. EPA has been working with Illinois EPA to examine emissions information from both the Medline and Vantage facilities to determine potential next steps. Questions and concerns should be sent via email to the U.S. EPA at eto@epa.gov.
 State, regional and local officials recently gathered to discuss Lake County transportation needs at the Lake County Transportation Alliance (LCTA) annual meeting. A major focus of discussion was improving the quality of life in Lake County through a multi-modal transportation network that provides mobility and economic opportunity for all. Watch this video to learn more.
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Getting to and from work on Metra just got easier for those that live in Chicago and commute to major Lake County employers like AbbVie, Horizon Pharma and others. Metra is testing new reverse-commute service on the Milwaukee District North Line. It is the result of a shared-cost partnership between Metra and Lake County Partners to improve reverse-commute service to Lake County in order to effectively recruit and retain employees living in Chicago. Previously, the schedule was not ideal for reverse-commute riders to and from Lake Forest because there were no morning outbound express trains, and the afternoon trains were either too early or too late for most workers. Learn more
 View Camera Images from Major Intersections
Did you know that you can look in on the road conditions from your computer or mobile device before you hit the roads? You have access to the PASSAGE cameras which means you can look at real-time snapshots from major intersections. Go to LakeCountyPASSAGE.com, turn on camera images in “Layer Options” at the top right, find intersections along your route, and check road conditions in each direction. Looking at the camera images before you leave allows you to see how weather is impacting the roads. This can help you make decisions about how early to leave and which routes to take.
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Which Roads Does LCDOT Plow?
The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) plows Lake County highways, the ones marked with the five-sided blue and gold route markers such as Butterfield Road, Washington Street, and Buffalo Grove Road. View map of LCDOT snow routes. We do NOT plow state routes like IL Route 120 or IL Route 60. State routes are maintained by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
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 Safety Tip: Don’t Crowd the Plow
Every year we ask drivers to remember to stay back when approaching a snow plow. This is for your safety, and the safety of our snow plow drivers. When visibility is low, and roads are potentially slippery, it is crucial to SLOW DOWN and STAY BACK! Watch now.
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 Build an Emergency Kit for Your Vehicle
You may have an emergency supplies kit for your home, but what about your vehicle? Make sure to keep a shovel, blankets, booster cables, and these other items in your car this winter.
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 Using salt to de-ice roads is a common method to make roads less slick, but that salt washes away into lakes and streams or seeps into groundwater supplies which can threaten aquatic plants and animals, and even human health. Lake County makes it a priority to use salt wisely while maintaining the highest level of service.
Watch this video to learn more how Lake County agencies are working with public and private partners to take steps to reduce salt by using safe alternatives - like beet juice. This is the 10th year that the County hosted the Annual Deicing Workshop to promote alternative winter maintenance practices and the importance of responsible road salt use to snow and ice professionals.
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 Interesting! By putting riffles, which are comprised of large rock, into streams, the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission is able to mitigate streambed and streambank erosion and enhance the natural drainage system in Lake County. Watch this video to learn more.
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 Forest Preserve News
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Winter Horizons Magazine Available Online
The winter issue of our Horizons magazine is now available online. Horizons is the quarterly publication of your Lake County Forest Preserves, featuring articles on wildlife, nature and history, news, and a calendar of programs and events. You can also subscribe to receive our free magazine in print form. Read it today »
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 Winter Snow and Ice Removal Operations
Lake County Forest Preserve staff will be performing adjustments this coming winter to reduce the amount of road salt applied during snow and ice removal operations. It is anticipated that the resulting reduction in the use of road salt will have positive environmental and financial benefits. Also, a corresponding reduction in staff time managing snow and ice is expected to allow for an increase of staff time invested in winter restoration activities.
The following shelters will be not be open for use through March 31, 2019: Greenbelt A, C, and D; Nippersink C and D; Van Patten B, C and D. In addition, the following parking lots will not be salted: Buffalo Creek, Cuba Marsh, Grant Woods – Rollins Road, Lake Carina, Lyons Woods, McDonald Woods, Pine Dunes, Prairie Wolf – Route 22 Lot, Raven Glen – Route 45 Lot, Raven Glen (West) – Route 173 Lot, Ray Lake, Singing Hills, and Sun Lake.
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 Winter Recreation and Solar-lit Trails
Before heading out to a Lake County Forest Preserve for a winter hike or a twirl on the ice, check the status map on the winter sports page.
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Solar-lit Evening Hikes
With small solar lights to guide their way, hikers, skiers and snowshoers can get some brisk evening exercise along the 1.3-mile fitness trail at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville and along a 1.65-mile hilly section of the Millennium Trail adjacent to the Winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda.
Though regular preserve hours are 6:30 a.m. to sunset, the illuminated trails and adjacent parking lots will remain open after sunset until 9 p.m., daily through Sunday, March 10. Bicycle and equestrian traffic are not permitted on the lighted trails after sunset. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed.
To access the lighted trails, park at Lakewood's Winter Sports Area located on the east side of Fairfield Road just south of Route 176, or at Old School's main entrance lot located on the east side of St. Mary's Road just south of Route 176. Lake County Forest Preserve Rangers regularly patrol the areas. Learn more »
 Forest Preserve Ranger Earns Military Honor
Paul Hettich, a Lake County Forest Preserve ranger police officer, was recently honored for his military accomplishments. Hettich, a part-time ranger for 30 years, was selected as an Illinois Bicentennial Honor 200 Veterans recipient. Hettich, an Army Reserve Officer, retired as a Colonel in the fall of 2017 after serving 30 years. Learn more >>
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 Thank You to ComEd, 2018 STEM Education Partner!
Thank you to ComEd, our 2018 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Education Partner! ComEd’s $20,000 grant allowed the Forest Preserves to hire an additional staff member in our education department – the ComEd Science Instructor – to expand our capacity to serve Lake County youth in 2018. Learn more >>
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 Forest Preserve Board Elects Angelo Kyle President, Julie Simpson Vice President
The Board of Commissioners has elected its new leaders, choosing Angelo Kyle of Waukegan (District 14) as President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. The Board also elected Julie Simpson of Vernon Hills (District 18) to serve as Vice President. Both will serve two-year terms, which end December 2020.
"I thank everyone for this privilege and wonderful opportunity,” Kyle said after he was named to the top post. He said he is looking forward to again serving and was taught by his parents that leadership starts with service. He previously served as a Forest Preserve Commissioner for 22 years, from 1990 through 2012. Learn more >>
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Annual Fund Breaks Records
Thank you to all who contributed to the Preservation Foundation's Annual Fund before June 30 and helped us exceed our $100,000 goal for the fiscal year! With your help, we raised more money than ever before for this fund, which provides a flexible source of funding for all areas of the Lake County Forest Preserves mission. In the past year, Annual Fund grants supported education loan boxes to put learning tools in the hands of Lake County teachers, helped staff assess the health of our Blanding’s turtle population, and supported habitat restoration and volunteer engagement at Greenbelt Forest Preserve in North Chicago. Support the Annual Fund today »
 Volunteer for the annual Homeless Point-in-Time (PIT) Homeless Count on Jan. 30, 2019. Each year, the Lake County Coalition for the Homeless holds the Point-in-Time Homeless Count where volunteers search across Lake County to interview and offer assistance to unsheltered people experiencing homelessness. The data gathered helps coordinate services for people experiencing homelessness and allows organizations to track progress toward the goal of ending homelessness. Apply to volunteer.
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 The Stormwater Management Commission has hidden four geocaches (boxes) around Lake County to teach you about stormwater best management practices and introduce you to a few of the beautiful areas our county has to offer!
Inside each box, find information about your current location, a question you must answer, and coordinates to the next location. Visit the geocaching website to get coordinates to the first location. Once you have them, you can put them into any map application. Geocaches can be located up to 30 feet from the posted coordinates.
As with any good treasure hunt, there’s a prize. Visit all four sites and correctly answer the questions at each location to win an SMC geocoin. Please note there are a limited number of geocoins.
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 Water is a critical resource in our lives and the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is committed to reducing flood damages and improving water quality. To specifically address water-related issues impacting communities within the Des Plaines River Watershed planning area, the County Board approved an ordinance to adopt the Des Plaines River Watershed-Based Plan as an amendment to the Lake County Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan. The Watershed-Based Plan identifies more than 3,000 projects in the Des Plaines River Watershed that can improve water quality, reduce flood damage, protect and enhance natural resources, provide watershed education opportunities, and improve community cooperation and participation in watershed improvement activities.
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 There are many myths about the flu vaccine. Watch this video as Jennifer Gassman, Nurse Practitioner at the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center, to tackle some of these common myths.
It's not too late to get the flu shot. To get vaccinated, speak with your healthcare provider or visit www.VaccineFinder.org.
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Have a question about Lake County government? Reply to this email, and I will answer reader questions in an upcoming newsletter. You also can send to me your question by email or my Facebook page. |
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If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at pfrank@lakecountyil.gov or visit my Facebook page.
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 “Sign up for my mailing list here” button at the top of the newsletter.
Thank you,
Paul Frank
Mr. Frank, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on:
Lake County Board, 11th District:
Energy and Environment Committee
Financial and Administrative Committee, Chair
Ethics and Oversight Committee
Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Rules Committee, Chair
Lake County Forest Preserves, 11th District:
Finance Committee, Vice-Chair
Ethics Committee, Vice-Chair
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