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I am very proud to announce that we have implemented new rules that require vendors to disclose if they have given campaign contributions to Lake County Board Members or other countywide elected officials. They also have to disclose if a close family member works for Lake County. To learn more about the new vendor disclosure policy, watch the video below.
Another new policy we have implemented is beginning this week, all Lake County Board standing committee meetings will be filmed and will be available to view on www.lakecounty.tv and will be replayed on Lake County's public access television channel, LCTV. So much important discussion and information is given during our committee meetings, and this will allow citizens to see and learn more about decisions made by the Board. I truly believe that this increased transparency leads to better and more responsive government.
One highlight for me this month was my visit to the Blandings Turtle nursery. These turtles were once common in the Great Lakes region but were put on the endangered list of species in 2009. The Lake County Forest Preserve began the Blandings Turtle Recovery Program in 2010 to increase the number of turtles in our area. The turtles are hatched at the nursery and are raised there until they reach a large enough size to be able to live in the wild and then they are released. You can adopt a baby turtle and name it by becoming a Turtle Champion through the Adopt-a-Turtle program. Each turtle is tracked by the design on its shell and carapace. Turtle Champions are even invited to an event where you can meet your turtle before it is released. The turtles are adorable, and I am so happy to report that this program has successfully increased the turtle population in the Forest Preserves. I adopted a turtle for a friend as a birthday gift, and she can’t wait to meet her turtle. Become a Turtle Champion today!
I am excited to participate in Visit Lake County’s Restaurant Week from March 1 to 10. Over 65 restaurants will be featuring special offers and menu items with the theme “Ten Days to Savor." It is a great opportunity to try someplace new and discover some of the many outstanding restaurants we are fortunate to have here in Lake County. Read the story below to learn more.
European buckthorn is an invasive species that now makes up almost 40 percent of our plant canopy in Lake County. Many homeowners have worked hard to remove buckthorn from their property but are not sure what to plant in place of it. The Lake County Forest Preserve has created a resource called “Healthy Hedges” that gives a large assortment of recommended species to plant in the newly cleared areas. Learn about recommended species I am looking forward to spring so that I can add some of these plants to my own yard.
Jennifer Clark
County Board Member, District 15
jclark@lakecountyil.gov
Don’t forget to mark your calendars, "Coffee and Conversation with Sheriff John Idleburg and County Board Commissioner Jennifer Clark" will be held on Saturday, March 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Cook Memorial Library Meeting room (lower level) in Libertyville.
Stop by and meet our new Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg and myself. Drop in for some casual conversation and let us know what issues are important to you. Hope to see you then!
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Starting this week, 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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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.
Beginning March 4, the morning and afternoon train schedule will be 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 will also benefit 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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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 how Lake County is working to protect residents.
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 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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Explore new places to dine or enjoy old favorites during Lake County Restaurant Week, which starts today and runs to March 10. Participating restaurants will offer either a specially designed prix fixe menu or a special dining offer. View this year’s participating restaurants.
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The Midwest's premiere environmental film festival, the One Earth Film Festival is running today through March 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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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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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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