Hello District 3 residents,
This has been a productive couple of weeks on the County Board. The Board has implemented new methods to increase transparency that include an ordinance change that requires vendors to disclose familial relationships to certain County employees as well as Board Members, and further requires vendors to identify political contributions, going back five years, to Board Members and other County elected officials as well.
In addition to the above, we have also agreed to videotape all standing board committee meetings, in addition to the full board meetings which are already videotaped.
I want to remind you that I am always available to talk with you or meet with you to discuss your concerns. Please feel free to reach out if I can be of assistance in any way.
I hope you enjoy this week's newsletter! Please feel free to let me know how I can make it better for you!
Thank you,
Dick Barr
In 2011, Lake County Public Works created a partnership with Lindenhurst and Lake Villa to bring Lake Michigan water to Grandwood Park, Lindenhurst, Lake Villa, and Fox Lake Hills. While Lindenhurst has already connected, the project to bring Lake Michigan Water to homes in the remaining areas is complete, and customers in those areas will be switching to Lake Michigan Water over the next two weeks. As the water source changes from ground water to Lake Michigan Water, residents may notice a slight discoloration of water at first. It is normal after a major construction project to have deposits in your interior plumbing flake off due to changes in water pressure or disturbance to the water main. The discoloration, if it occurs, should not last long. For more information about water discoloration, visit the Public Works website.
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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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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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.
This year, I joined fellow County Board members and dedicated volunteers who 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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Explore new places to dine or enjoy old favorites during Lake County Restaurant Week, which runs March 1 to 10. Participating restaurants will offer either a specially designed prix fixe menu or a special dining offer. View the participating restaurants.
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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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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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Forest Preserve News
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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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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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