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It's been an extremely busy week at the County Board and Forest Preserves. Here are some highlights from the eight committees I have the honor to serve on as your commissioner.
Legislative
As chair, my objective is straightforward: To enhance our relationship with Springfield and Washington to deliver more dollars to Lake County so that we can better address our needs. We've forwarded our legislative priorities, and I've personally reached out to local legislators. We're planning a legislative breakfast for early next month (locally) and one in Springfield. I'm excited about the new General Assembly and congressional delegation. We have many legislative goals, but my strategy is to improve our communication and get results for Lake County.
Forest Preserve
As chair of the Forest Preserve's Planning Committee, our members received a comprehensive overview of all of the district's plans. The overall goal is to link all of our trails and to acquire more land for future preserves. In my district, two links between the Third Lake community and the Rollins Savanna trail are expected to be completed by the end of the year. We'll also see a new extension of the Millennium Trail in Millburn running alongside -- and eventually under -- Route 45. As you know, this stretch of road known as the "Millburn Strangler" is being re-routed to improve traffic flow, so the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) is adding trails as part of the project. Eventually, the Millennium Trail will extend from McDonald Woods to the Des Plaines River Trail. I'm working to see that we complete and link all of our many trails and preserves. I'm excited about the prospect of biking or hiking from my home in Grayslake to Wisconsin, Cook County and the western part of the county.
Energy and Environment Committee
This was our first-ever meeting (I'm vice chair). We've been chartered to measure and mitigate climate change impacts, reduce energy and material use and to implement a renewable energy portfolio. We're working with county staff and 11 communities on solar panel bidding processes, reviewing department energy audits and developing carbon footprint models. We also hope to build on an existing "sustainability network" to partner with everyone from the College of Lake County to local school districts to Green Lake County. We should have recommendations on the solar project by the end of the month. We're also seeing how we can reduce energy use for the county's 600 vehicles, improve county recycling rates and providing community solar power in underserved areas.
Planning, Public Works and Transportation
This newly combined committee of Planning, Public Works and Transportation is moving forward on a number of projects. A study of Single Occupancy Vehicles is ongoing. We're trying to see how we can better reduce the number of single drivers and reduce carbon impacts. LCDOT is aiding in building new trails and converting street lights and signals to energy-saving LEDs.
I'm also serving on the Stormwater Management Commission, Lake County Partners and the Finance and Administrative Committee.
You can 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. Please contact me if you have questions.
Sincerely,
John Wasik
County Board Member, District 6
jwasik@lakecountyil.gov
Did you know more than one in seven jobs in Lake County is in the manufacturing industry. In fact, Lake County manufacturers employ more people than any other private sector industry. Find out more in Lake County Partners’ latest economic update.
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The Lake County Clerk’s Office is seeking election judges to process voters in their neighborhood Election Day voting site during the April 2 Consolidated Election! Sign up today by filling out this application.
Election judges are paid based on successfully completing a three-hour in-person training class and their Election Day assignment. Contact the Lake County Clerk’s Election Judge Department for details on class times, locations, and availability at electionjudge@lakecountyil.gov or 847-377-2408. For job descriptions and pay rates, visit the election judge web page.
Already an election judge? Provide your availability to the County Clerk’s Office as soon as possible and don’t forget to invite a friend to be an election judge!
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” As we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day today, help serve your community. There are many opportunities to volunteer with Lake County government!
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Adopt A Highway: Help keep Lake County highways and bike paths clean by adopting a section of a county highway that you and your group commit to cleaning twice a year. Learn more, including the available sections and sign up online! The deadline to apply is Feb. 1.
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Government boards, agencies and commissions: Apply to serve on various boards, commissions, and other special purpose units of government ranging from drainage and fire districts, transportation services and human services boards. Learn more
- View all volunteer opportunities
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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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Starting to make your travel plans this year? Make sure getting or renewing your passport is part of your plans! Apply for or renew your passport at one of the several Mobile Passport Events the Lake County Circuit Clerk’s Office will host this year. View the full schedule.
Passport applications also are processed from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Circuit Clerk's Office in Waukegan. View application requirements, including fee information.
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Individuals who earned $66,000 or less in 2018 can self-file their federal and state taxes for free and save an average of $200 in fees by using My Free Taxes. English and Spanish support via telephone (1-855-MY-TX-HELP) is available, along with email and online chat support from IRS-certified specialists. Learn more about My Free Taxes.
Forest Preserve News
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New Special Exhibition at the Dunn Museum
Celebrate African American History Month by learning about the Booker T. Washington Progressive Club, an African American-led civic organization located in Zion, IL, from 1936–1982. The Club’s mission was to unite individuals “interested in promoting the cause of good citizenship, better civic relations and any topic that improved local relationships.” This special exhibition runs now through Sunday, Feb. 24 at the Dunn Museum (Libertyville). The Dunn Museum is located in the General Offices of the Lake County Forest Preserves at 1899 W. Winchester Road and is within walking distance from multiple Pace bus stops. Plan your visit today »
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Meet the Author
Join us on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 10:30 a.m. at the Dunn Museum to explore the life of Civil War drummer boy, Orian Howe of Waukegan. Author Marlene Brill will read from her children’s book, Diary of a Drummer Boy. Following the reading, there will be crafts, activities and a book signing. Learn more »
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Dunn Museum’s Collections Significant to Native Artists Last summer, the Dunn Museum’s collections staff welcomed traditional Native artists and researchers, Pat Kruse, of the Red Cliff Band of Superior Chippewa Indians (descendent of Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), and Terri Hom, of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians (Ojibwe). Kruse was one of eight accomplished artists awarded the 2018 Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF) Mentor Artist Fellowship. Kruse began a yearlong mentorship with apprentice, Terri Hom, to create birch bark quill art. Kruse and Hom researched the Dunn Museum’s Native American collection with special focus on 19th and early 20th century artifacts with cultural ties to their heritage and use of beadwork, quillwork and birch bark. Learn more about the Dunn Museum and its collections »
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Where Will Your Kids Grow This Summer?
Registration for our 2019 camp season is now open. Camps are led by professional educators trained in supervision, safety and activity development. Early bird discounts are available through Feb. 15. Programs fill quickly so enroll early. Register online today » |
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