Hutchins Road bridge replacement, Report your road concern, Restaurant Week, and More

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February 19, 2019

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Watch All County Board Standing Committee Meetings

LCTV

Starting the week of Feb. 26, 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.


Vendor Disclosures, Solar Energy, and More

February 2019 County Board Wrap-Up

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.


Hutchins Road Bridge Replacement

The Lake County Division of Transportation announced a contractor is expected to be hired in late spring, and construction work will begin between June and September 2019 on the Hutchins Road bridge replacement.

Detour
Hutchins Road will be closed to vehicle traffic at the bridge. The official detour route will include using U.S. Route 45. 

Impacts to the Pedestrian Bridge
The pedestrian path and bridge will remain open during construction, with the exception of when construction activities are in close proximity to the path, and safety is a concern. Temporary closures are expected to be limited. Further updates will be provided in my future newsletters.


Report Your Road Concern

report potholes

Has your time on the roads been a little bumpy lately? Road crews are hoping a break from the snow will allow them to catch up on the recent crop of potholes following the freeze and thaw cycles.  If you encounter potholes or any road issue on a county road, you can report your concern to the Lake County Division of Transportation. If it’s a state road, report to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Here’s how to report:

Report concern to Lake County Division of Transportation

Report concern to the Illinois Department of Transportation


Senior Citizen Tax Deferral Program

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.
  • Learn more about this program

 


Enjoy 10 Days to Savor during Lake County Restaurant Week

2019 Lake County Restaurant Week

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.


One Earth Film Festival

2018 one earth film festival

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.


Volunteers Work Overnight at Point-in-Time Homeless Count

2019 PIT Count

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.


Congratulations to K9 Dax and Deputy Forlenza

2019 Dax

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


Meet Mitch, Hitch and Browser!

State's Attorney's Office service dogs

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!


Forest Preserves Logo

Forest Preserve News

Dunn Museum tour

Dunn Museum Behind the Scenes Tour
Take a rare peek at the Dunn Museum collections care and storage facility on Thursday, 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. 

2019 maple syrup hikes

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 »

Marvelocity

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 »

LCFPD monarchs

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. 

healthy hedges

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. 


Community News

Grandwood Park Spaghetti Dinner
Enjoy spaghetti, salad, drinks, dessert and great neighbors at the spaghetti dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22 at the Grandwood Park Park District Community Center. Learn more

Supporting Your Child's Development

The Gurnee Park District will offer a free workshop to provide parents information about how your child's gross motor, fine motor, and sensory systems develop to better understand how you can support your child's development at home and help prepare them for educational and recreational opportunities. The discussion will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 11 at Viking Park. Learn more

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