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The Lake County Board approved a balanced budget at its November meeting. 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.
 View the unofficial results from the Nov. 6 Election. Election results are unofficial and not final until 14 days after Election Day. There are votes to count from verified provisional ballots and mailed ballots with a postmark no later than Election Day sent by county results, military members and overseas citizens.
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 In Lake County, we appreciate the dedication and commitment of the men and women who have served in the United States Military. To honor their service, we offer resources to help veterans and their families. To learn more, visit the Veterans Assistance Commission website, and sign up for their monthly newsletter.
Recorder of Deeds Office Offers Information to Our Veterans
The Lake County Recorder of Deeds Office offers various services to our veterans and their families. This includes being the official keeper of veteran’s military records, or DD214. The Recorder’s Office is happy to provide veterans a free copy of this form upon the completion of a request for discharge record.
Multiple Ways Veterans Can Save Money on Their Property Taxes
Multiple exemptions are available through the Chief County Assessment Office that can help eligible veterans save money on their property taxes. Learn more about the exemptions available to veterans.
Helping Veterans Find Jobs
Lake County Workforce Development offers a variety of job search services and training opportunities to help job seekers gain the necessary skills to be competitive in today’s job market. Veterans receive priority service, which includes specialty workshops. Visit the Job Center of Lake County’s website to learn more.
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 The holiday season is among us and it’s that time of year where we take the family out to see the bright lights! Lucky for all of us in Lake County, there are plenty of holiday trees around the area decked in festive illumination. View the list of Lake County’s tree lighting ceremonies.
Don't miss this area celebration!
- Enjoy Waukegan's tree lighting ceremony from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 1 in Jack Benny Plaza. As part of the festivities, join a winter wonder walk, also beginning at 4 p.m.
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 The Lake County Board recently approved funds for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to introduce a new tablet system to the Lake County jail in early 2019. The new tablets eliminate funding fees for phone, video visitation, and tablet use. The tablets cannot access the internet, but instead contain such as law library applications, educational materials, mental health service information and jail forms/grievances. Learn more
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 Never touch bats or attempt to remove them from your home! They are known carriers of rabies, which can be a fatal disease. If you encounter a bat, contact Animal Care and Control at (847) 377-4700. Check out this video to learn what you can do to protect yourself, your family, and pets from bats and rabies. Watch Video.
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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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 Maintaining and preserving the current Lake County transportation system takes top priority when putting together the Lake County Division of Transportation’s annual improvement plan. Maintaining pavements is a large part of this effort.
Watch this video to learn more about the pavement management program, which allows LCDOT to evaluate when and where repairs are needed. Also, visit our pavements website to learn more, including answers to frequently asked questions such as how the county chooses what roads to repair.
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 Forest Preserve News
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 Guided Hike Lake County
Join us for our last guided walk Sunday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. at Prairie Wolf in Highland Park. All ages welcome. Adult supervision required. Learn more »
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#OptOutside This Black Friday
Skip the stores and #optoutside in your forest preserves on Friday, Nov. 23. Share your photos with us using hashtags #LCFPD and #optoutside. Learn more »
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 Burn off Thanksgiving Dinner with Forest Fitness
Join us at Old School in Mettawa on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 8 a.m. for Forest Fitness. Walk a new preserve each week with a group of outdoor enthusiasts. Learn more »
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 Lunchtime Tour at the Dunn Museum
Make the most of your lunchtime break on Friday, Nov. 30 at noon. Learn about local history on a 30-minute tour of the Dunn Museum. Then, bring your brown bag lunch to enjoy in our cafe. Learn more »
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