The deadline to take part in the Road to Reinstatement Pilot Program is approaching. Individuals throughout the county are unable to restore or renew their driving privileges based on inability to pay outstanding fees and fines. Unable to drive, this often prevents them from obtaining or maintaining employment so they can support themselves and their family and makes it difficult for these individuals to get back on the road as fees accumulate over time.
I encourage Lake County residents who are unable to pay outstanding fees and fines to explore this opportunity, which could reduce the outstanding costs needed to get their licenses renewed or reinstated. To apply for this 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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Lake County Stormwater Management Commission Presents Upper Des Plaines River Watershed Impact Analysis Findings
The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) recently presented initial findings from a study of the potential impacts to the Upper Des Plaines River Watershed (DPRW) in Wisconsin and Illinois due to development in the region. The study area includes the Foxconn Technology Group development site. Areas of concern are outlined in the study which could lead to increased flooding and impact the health of the DPRW in both Wisconsin and Illinois if they are not addressed.
Initial results from the study are available on the SMC website. Any comments about the draft report should be sent to Stormwater@lakecountyil.gov.
Lake County Creates Solar Energy Task Force
As the cost of solar energy goes down, the interest of solar energy from residents and communities increases! Lake County is creating a Solar Energy Task Force in partnership with local communities to develop a solar energy model ordinance that will serve as a template for communities to use when adopting solar specific zoning codes. Lake County and our partners aim to modernize regulations to adapt to emerging trends in solar technology. Further updates will be provided in my future newsletter.
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2018 Stormwater Awards
Congratulations to the 2018 Lake County Stormwater Award winners! These individuals, communities, groups and organizations exemplify SMC’s core mission of flood damage reduction, water quality improvement, natural resource protection, and enhancement. Meet this year’s winners.
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Voter Registration
Grace Registration is available through April 2 at 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 is 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.
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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Public Housing Waiting List
The Lake County Housing Authority will accept preliminary applications for the Public Housing Scattered Site Waiting Lists. The list will open at 12:01 a.m. April 1 and will remain open through April 5 at 11:59 p.m. for Scattered Site 4 bedroom units throughout Lake County. All completed applications will be accepted, however, 350 of the preliminary applications will be randomly selected using a computer-generated lottery system. Learn more
Home Repair Grant
The Lake County Housing Authority is accepting applications for its $2,500 home repair grant. Property must be located in Lake County, be owner-occupied and the primary residence. Learn more, including eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Wheelchair Initiative
New wheelchairs are available to qualifying households and organizations. Distribution is first-come, first serve. To apply or make requests for accommodations, contact Alecia Boddie at aboddie@lakecountyha.org or 847-417-7180.
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The Waukegan Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) opening wait list will be open online only from April 10 to 17. If you have questions or require reasonable accommodations, call 847-625-4606 or 847-625-4621 or 847-249-3661 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. April 10 to 17 daily excluding weekends.
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The Senior Freeze provides seniors with limited income protection against real estate tax increases due to rising property values. Because this exemption provides for a base year frozen assessment, it will potentially provide increased savings each year a senior is eligible.
Seniors are invited to attend an upcoming outreach session to learn more about this exemption, and 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.
New this year, you may also submit homestead exemption forms electronically using the Smartfile E-Filing Portal.
Fremont School District 79 is teaming up with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in a new pilot program that will enhance school safety efforts when seconds matter. The program will focus on information sharing between County schools and the Sheriff’s Office. Through the partnership, the Sheriff’s Office will maintain an internal website which will provide live-video feeds of cameras within the school (for schools with installed cameras), aerial views of the school and surrounding area, floor plans of each school building, and other updates to first-responders in a critical incident. Find out more.
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Low-cost pet vaccination clinics provide a convenient and affordable way to keep pets up to date with their shots and rabies tags. The Lake County Health Department will begin its spring pet vaccination clinics on March 30. Only cash will be accepted on site. Find a pet vaccination clinic near you.
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Forest Preserve News
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Volunteers Lend Hands and Hearts to Help Forest Preserves Grow and Thrive
Helping with fishing camps, planting native gardens, monitoring wildlife and assisting at the Dunn Museum are just a few of the volunteer efforts performed by single individuals or groups. A total of 1,921 volunteers spent 25,910 hours in forest preserves throughout Lake County in 2018. Playing key roles in operations and public safety, habitat restoration, education and cultural preservation, the hours had a value of $674,000. Learn more »
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Sharing Our Shore
Become a volunteer steward and help monitor bird species on the lake shore as the Lake County Audubon Society partners with the City of Waukegan on a beach stewardship program, "Sharing Our Shore - Waukegan." Volunteers will have a presence on the beach from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays from May to July. A kick-off event will be May 4. To learn more and to volunteer, send an email to lakecountyaudubonsociety@gmail.com.
Ironworkers Joint Apprenticeship Program
The Ironworkers Joint Apprenticeship Program will be accepting applications April 8 through 12. The test will be given May 5. Applicants must be able to read and write the English language and provide required documents. To learn more, including documentation required, send an email to bob@iwonejac.org.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at 847-721-1563 (cell) or email me at mcunningham@lakecountyil.gov.
I encourage you to forward this update to others who may be interested in Lake County news. Residents who wish to automatically receive my bi-weekly newsletter can email me, or click the “Newsletter Sign Up" button at the top of the newsletter.
Thank you,
Mary Ross Cunningham
Vice-Chair, Lake County Board
Ms. Cunningham, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on:
Lake County Board, 9th District
Law and Judicial, Chair
Diversity and Inclusion, Chair
Health and Community Services
Rules
Lake County Forest Preserves
Operations Committee
Diversity and Cultural Awareness Committee
Other appointed positions:
National Association of Counties (NACo), Member of Community, Economic and Workforce Development Policy Steering Committee
Lake County Community Health Center Governing Council
Community Action Partnership of Lake County, Board Member
Lake County Domestic Violence Council
Lake County Sexual Assault Coordination Committee
Waukegan High School Advisory Board
Lake County Veterans Advisory Board
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