Lake County Board members recently met with Lake County’s legislative delegation to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Lake County as the 101st General Assembly convenes and begins its work. Meeting at the County Board Legislative Committee meeting, the attendees heard a brief overview of current bills pending for which Lake County requested sponsorship, discussed the need for an infrastructure bill and reviewed a countywide State Highway Consensus Plan that identifies the transportation projects that would have the biggest regional impact in Lake County. Leaders also discussed further opportunities for property tax relief through consolidation and reform. Learn more.
Watch the Lake County Legislative Committee meeting, and hear the discussion.
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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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Lake County residents who are unable to pay outstanding fees and fines may be eligible for Lake County’s Road to Reinstatement Pilot Program. This program will provide individuals an opportunity to reduce outstanding costs to get their licenses renewed or reinstated. To apply for the program, individuals must submit an application for waiver of court fees, personal information form, and their driving abstract by March 29. Find out more.
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On November 2, 2018, the Lake County Health Department learned of concerns surrounding ethylene oxide emissions from Medline Industries in Waukegan and Vantage Specialty Chemicals in Gurnee. The Health Department immediately initiated communication with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to better understand the situation and express the public’s desire for appropriate air monitoring and timely and transparent communication. The Health Department has maintained regular communication with these agencies, which have sole jurisdiction for regulating emissions.
Lake County Health Department officials have since visited Medline and Vantage to gather information and convey the public’s concerns. Along with the Village of Gurnee and City of Waukegan, the Health Department is taking measures to assure air monitoring will occur and has urged the U.S. EPA to conduct a town hall meeting in Lake County. Learn more about Health Department activities related to ethylene oxide emissions.
Residents seeking information about ethylene oxide in Lake County can find the latest updates on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) web page. Questions and concerns can be sent via email to the U.S. EPA at eto@epa.gov.
The April 2 Consolidated Election will give Lake County residents some real voter power as they will be electing municipal offices, library trustees, park district commissioners and school board members. Also on the ballot will be seven public questions.
Voter Registration
Grace Registration will be available now through April 2 at the Clerk's Office during weekday business hours, any early voting site when open, and at the voter’s assigned Election Day site. Applicants must meet all voter registration requirements, provide valid identification, and vote at the time of registration.
Vote Early
Early voting will be available through April 1 at sites throughout Lake County. Find an early voting site near you by using this locator. Hours vary at the different sites, and some locations even offer weekend and evening hours.
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Vote by Mail
Registered voters wishing to vote by mail must submit a completed electronic application or paper application to the Clerk’s office by noon March 28. Voted ballots must be returned to the Clerk’s office bearing a postmark no later than midnight on Election Day. Complete your vote by mail application.
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Vote on Election Day
Those choosing to vote on Election Day, April 2 must go to their assigned polling location. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your assigned voting site.
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In June 2018, the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) entered into a contract with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. to study the Upper Des Plaines River Watershed (DPRW) within Wisconsin and the potential impacts in Wisconsin and Illinois due to development in that region. The initial results from the analysis were presented at the Stormwater Management Commission board meeting on March 7.
Initial results from the study are available on the SMC website. Any comments about the draft report should be sent to Stormwater@lakecountyil.gov.
Metra has partnered with business and civic groups in Lake County to pilot a two-year project for expanded rush hour commuter service on the Milwaukee District North Line.
The morning and afternoon train schedule are now improved to accommodate rush hour riders at the western Lake Forest station on Telegraph Road. A new outbound express train will depart Union Station at 6:25 a.m. and arrive in Lake Forest at 7:15 a.m.
In the afternoon, express service will leave the Lake Forest station at 5:09 p.m. and 5:35 p.m. and arrive at Union Station in about 50 minutes or less.
The new train schedule benefits residents during the weekday morning rush hour by: 1) adding a new morning inbound train; and, 2) modifying an existing morning inbound train to provide express service. The expanded service will make it easier for local businesses to attract and retain talent and draw from the diverse workforce living in Chicago. Lake County residents will also be able to take advantage of the service to quickly get to Chicago during peak hours. As part of this groundbreaking partnership, stakeholders will also work on a definitive agreement to share the cost of installing a universal crossover near Lake Forest to create additional opportunities for enhanced service.
To learn more, visit: https://metrarail.com/MetraMore.
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Attention seniors! Attend an upcoming outreach session to receive assistance filling out the 2019 Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Application for taxes payable in 2020 as well as assistance on other homestead exemptions available. Residents will work one on one with a staff member to complete the necessary forms. View Upcoming Outreach Sessions.
The Senior Freeze provides eligible seniors (based on income levels) protection against real estate tax increases due to rising property values as this exemption “freezes” your home’s equalized assessed value at a base year value. The base year is generally the year before you first qualify and apply for the exemption. For example, if you first qualify and apply in 2019, your property’s equalized assessed value will be “frozen” at the 2018 equalized assessed value. Please note that this exemption is not a tax freeze or a tax reduction and does not protect against increased taxes due to tax rate increases.
New this year, homestead exemption forms can now be filed electronically using the Smartfile E-Filing Portal!
Lake County Workforce Development recently invited a local company to speak with Lake County Tech Campus students about career development in manufacturing. Jobs in manufacturing are in high demand in Lake County, making it important for students to have opportunities to grow within their career. Watch this video to 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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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 23 and 24 at Ryerson Woods in Riverwoods. Register today »
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Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross
See the work of a renowned comic book artist at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross is on exhibit 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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The Perfect Venue for Any Event
Looking for the perfect venue for your wedding, corporate event or holiday party? The Greenbelt Cultural Center has exceptional indoor and outdoor spaces ideal for any occasion. This expansive 18,500-square-foot facility has large windows with panoramic views of the surrounding forest preserve. Book your event today »
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How Minnesota, the West Indies & Africa Prepared Forest Preserve Executive
Alex Ty Kovach, executive director of the Lake County Forest Preserves, oversees the second largest forest preserve district in Illinois. He is responsible for managing nearly 31,000 acres of natural lands, more than 200 miles of trails, an accredited museum, three golf courses and several special facilities. Learn more about Ty's job, his background and personal thoughts on leadership in this Daily Herald article.
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Trails and Tales: How a woman and her curious son started the Lake County Forest Preserves
A 33-year-old spontaneous homemaker with drive and determination, coupled with her son's desire to explore nature, sparked the start of the Lake County Forest Preserves a little more than 60 years ago.
Ethel Untermyer moved to Lake County from Chicago in 1952. She wanted to take her 3-year-old son, Frank, and her other children out to explore the woods at a forest preserve and asked a friend where the closest one was. Untermyer was shocked to learn there were none in Lake County. 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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