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I've been reaching out to our state legislators and fellow board members to see how we can provide meaningful property tax assessment transparency and reform. We've begun to discuss what we can do on our legislative committee.
What I've been hearing from constituents is that 1) they don't know if their assessments are fair and 2) they don't know how their total equalized assessed valuation is calculated. We are hoping to provide more transparency on these vital questions.
On our Energy and Environment Committee, we are working with a consultant to see how we can achieve carbon emissions reductions throughout our operations. We're studying climate change impacts, energy efficiency, solar energy installations and waste reduction. Since all of this involves quite a bit of number crunching and collaboration, it will take some time to pull this all together, but we're making progress. We are also writing code for solar installations throughout the county, studying how to reduce waste and quantifying carbon footprints and climate change impact.
We also advanced a bill in Springfield to allow us to replace our county board chair. It has been introduced in the General Assembly and we continue to follow its progress. Learn more about this in the video below.
In Forest Preserve news, the District staff has introduced an exciting “Healthy Hedges” program to help us identify native shrubs that can be planted to replace invasive buckthorn. A free brochure gives an extensive list of plants that are suitable for our county. Learn more about this program in the story below.
The Lake County Board recently acted to increase the County’s transparency and accountability. Learn about a new process where vendors that submit a proposal to Lake County will need to disclose the name of family members working for Lake County and campaign contributions to Lake County elected officials. Also, hear about a legislative initiative to allow counties to remove its board chair, and find out about a new task force that will prepare guidelines for those who want to use solar arrays and further the County’s efforts towards using environmentally sustainable practices. Watch Video.
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Starting the week of Feb. 25, you can tune in to www.lakecounty.tv to watch all Lake County Board standing committee meetings. The Finance and Administrative (F&A) Committee recently approved filming these meetings to enhance transparency and increase access to local government. At the committee level, board members spend a significant amount of time discussing and evaluating significant financial and policy matters before these items are sent to the full board for final approval. Filming committee meetings will allow the public to see all the work that goes on at the committee level and have a deeper understanding of the issues.
The meetings will not be broadcast live but can be viewed anytime at www.lakecounty.tv. The meetings also will be replayed frequently on LCTV, which is available on Comcast Cable, either channel 18 or 30, depending on where you live in the county. AT&T Customers can view LCTV on channel 99.
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While we’re hopefully more than halfway through another winter, February has proven to be one of the rougher winter months. There are things you can do to keep yourself safe this winter.
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Senior citizens may defer part or all of their property taxes on their personal residence if they qualify for the Senior Citizen Tax Deferral program. Your application will be filled out by the Lake County Treasurer's Office using the information you provide. All applications must be submitted by March 1.
- Applicants must be 65 years old or older as of June 1 of the tax year claimed.
- Total household income must be $55,000 or less.
- This is a State loan with a 6% simple interest rate per year.
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Learn more about this program.
Applications for the 2019 Lake County Summer Youth Employment Program are now being accepted through March 31! The program, funded by the Lake County Board, provides meaningful work experiences for participants, who will work at various sites in Lake County, including private employers and nonprofit organizations, local municipalities and community-based organizations. Applicants should be age 14 to 18 (by April 15) or age 14 to 22 with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
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There has been a recent increase in reported cases of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) throughout Illinois and in Lake County. Since January 2018, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed 110 cases of HAV and has identified 35 cases to be part of a statewide outbreak. Learn more about HAV and steps you can take to prevent it.
The Midwest's premiere environmental film festival, the One Earth Film Festival is running March 1 through 10. See a series of powerful, solution-oriented environmental films in a variety of venues across the county. Learn more.
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From exploring a winter wonderland to playdates with cold-blooded creatures to escaping reality in snowy murals, Lake County is the place to indulge in frosty festivities. Check Visit Lake County’s guide to winter festivals to warm yourself up.
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Forest Preserve News
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Dunn Museum Behind the Scenes Tour
Take a rare peek at the Dunn Museum collections care and storage facility today (Feb. 21) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Guided by our collections staff, experience an in-depth tour focused on unique objects in our collection. Learn more »
Enjoy free programs every first and third Thursday evening at the Dunn Museum sponsored by USG. Experience the Museum after hours to learn more about your local history and environment, engage in hands-on programs for all ages, and expand your curiosity.
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Maple Syrup Hikes
Learn how trees work and about the sweet sap of sugar maples. Ryerson Woods is one of the few places in Lake County where conditions are right for maple syrup production, and where trees grow to a diameter and height that allows for tapping. Everyone gets a taste. Hikes run every half-hour from noon to 2 p.m. March 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24 at Ryerson Woods in Riverwoods. Register today »
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Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross Opens March 9
The work of a renowned comic book artist is coming to the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross will be on exhibit from March 9 through Sept. 8.
Considered one of the greatest artists in the field of comic books, Alex Ross has created some of the most iconic images known to fans today. For nearly 30 years, he has revitalized classic superheroes into works of fine art by illustrating characters including Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, Storm from the X-Men, the Avengers, Black Panther and many more. Learn more »
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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. Today is the final day to receive early bird discounts. Programs fill quickly so enroll early. Register online »
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View the History of Your Forest Preserves
This time-lapse map depicts the Forest Preserves’ land acquisitions from our inception in 1958 to the present. In addition to seeing land acquisitions appear on the map year by year, the interactive map allows you to zoom into a specific area or preserve to watch its development over time. Zoom in close to see landscape, roads and improvements. This is just one of the tools available on the our Featured Maps site, which also includes useful information such as trail and underpass closures, the status of Independence Grove activities, controlled burn notifications, and the Interactive Trail Map, on which trail users can find their real-time location on a trail from their portable device. View time-lapse map »
Learn about the history of your forest preserves »
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Grant Helps Songbirds, Monarchs and Students
Supported by funds from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a $77,000 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Great Lakes Coastal Program grant will benefit habitat restoration efforts and environmental education outreach at Greenbelt Forest Preserve (North Chicago).
Grant funds will help restore 20 acres of wetland habitat and 20 acres of mesic prairie within the preserve, and be used to plant native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plant species in the restored areas. The project goal is to expand existing habitat for migratory songbirds and purple milkweed (Asclepias pupurascens), a regionally uncommon and favored host plant of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Coastal Program priority species. As part of the grant funding, Forest Preserve education staff will help connect over 1,000 students to this habitat restoration project through field trips and classroom programs.
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Healthy Hedges
The Lake County Forest Preserves has partnered with other organizations to create a resource for homeowners who want to know what to plant following buckthorn removal. European buckthorn is an invasive species that is detrimental to native flora and fauna, and now unfortunately makes up about 40 percent of our canopy in the Chicago area. Learn about recommended species that can be planted in its place to maintain privacy screens and shady areas. Here is an example of a backyard landscape following buckthorn removal and the addition of native plants.
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This year, 87 volunteers took part in the Point-In-Time Homeless Count, searching across Lake County to help document the need in communities by gathering data and providing outreach to the homeless. Volunteers made contact with 29 people experiencing homelessness, compared to 24 last year.
Learn more about this year’s Point-In-Time Homeless Count and find out how you can make a difference in ending chronic homelessness. Watch Video.
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K9 Dax, who works for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office was recently voted the K9s of Valor Foundation “K9 of the Year!” K9 Dax and Deputy Forlenza were nominated for their many successful tracks locating dangerous criminals and citizens in need of help. Learn more
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Meet Mitch, Hitch, and Browser, the amazing Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office four-legged staff members.
Mitch provides comfort to child victims. Hitch is assigned to the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit's Therapeutic Intensive Monitoring Program, which includes specialty courts such as Mental Health Court, Drug Court and Veterans Court. And Browser is trained to sniff out electronic devices for criminal investigations.
Watch this video and learn about the incredible work these dogs are doing!
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