District 4 Newsletter

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Brent C. Paxton, District 4

April 10, 2019

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Scott’s Law – A Traffic Law You MUST Know

Scott's Law

In 2019, two Illinois State Troopers have been killed in crashes directly related to Scott’s Law violations. Scott’s Law requires all motorists to yield a full lane or, when unable to yield a full lane, reduce their speed upon approaching a vehicle with flashing lights. For everyone’s safety, if you see flashing lights, move over and slow down! Watch this video to learn more.


Lake County Announces $134 Million in Road Projects for 2019

2019 Road Construction

Spring is here, so get ready for a busy road construction season in Lake County! The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) has already started to work on a few of the 29 projects, investing nearly $134 million in road projects this year. This includes 22 new projects, including the reconstruction and widening of Weiland Road and intersection improvements at Hunt Club Road at IL 132 and Old McHenry Road at U.S. 12. Learn more.

Be in the Know! Connect with LCDOT
View our Interactive Construction Map to find the project you’re interested in and connect to important updates.

Use technology to get where you want to go! Check out Lake County PASSAGE to find real-time local traffic information and sign up to receive traffic alerts in your inbox.


Learn More About Scams, Cyber Safety at Open House

Crime Victim Rights Week 2019

Registration is still open to join the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office in recognizing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11 at the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center, 123 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee. Listen to presentations on protecting senior citizens from abuse and scam, identity theft, cyber safety and consumer protection, and a "Youth Handbook for Success." There will be resource tables, events for kids, refreshments and more. Register


Ethylene Oxide Air Monitoring Plans Defined

Based on recommendations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Village of Gurnee, City of Waukegan, and Lake County Health Department officials have completed preliminary plans for outdoor air quality monitoring for ethylene oxide (EtO) near Vantage Specialty Chemicals in Gurnee and Medline Industries in Waukegan.

The preliminary plan includes one vendor being hired to collect air quality samples from four sites near Vantage and four sites near Medline. Samples will be collected at two additional remote sites to provide background levels of EtO. Learn more


Health Department Offers Mental Health First Aid Training

mental health first aid training

The Lake County Health Department has openings for its Mental Health First Aid training class April 26 at the Zion Health Center. The eight-hour course teaches you how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Additional classes will be offered through May and June across Lake County. Classes are offered in English and Spanish. Register for the class.


Person with Measles Visited Locations Near Lake County Border

A person infected with measles visited locations near the Lake and Cook counties border. Individuals who visited the following locations on the following days and times may have been exposed to measles. If you are experiencing symptoms of measles, please call your healthcare provider. Learn more


Seeing Through the Vapor

Vaping

Parents are invited to join a workshop about vaping presented from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 18 at Woodland Middle School in Gurnee. Learn to recognize if your teen is smoking e-cigarettes, long-term effects and more. Also, help protect teens against drug abuse and overdose by bringing in your unused and expired medications where the DEA will safely dispose of them. Learn more.


Where Do I Recycle This?

Recycle Triangles

While large items like TVs, bicycles, and appliances can't be thrown in your curbside recycle bin, they CAN be dropped off at locations in the area. Use the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County's "Where Do I Recycle This" finder to see where you can take these items to prevent them from heading to the landfill.


April 2 Election Results

election

View the unofficial results from the April 2 Election. Election results are unofficial and not final until 14 days after Election Day. There are votes to count from verified provisional ballots and mailed ballots with a postmark no later than Election Day sent by county results, military members and overseas citizens.


Celebrate MetraMore Service at Launch Party

MetraMore launch

Celebrate the success of the new MetraMore service, which makes it easier to get between Lake County and Chicago during peak commute hours, at a special launch party at 4:30 p.m. April 16 at the Telegraph Road Train Station. There will be guest speakers, refreshments, live entertainment and more. Learn more.


Get Your Pet Vaccinated at A Low-Cost Clinic

pet vaccination clinics

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 is offering spring pet vaccination clinics at sites across the county. Only cash will be accepted on site. Find a pet vaccination clinic near you.


County Board Wrap-Up

March County Board Wrap-Up

Learn about the Upper Des Plaines River Watershed (DPRW) Impact Analysis, which outlined concerns of increased flooding and negative impacts to the DPRW in both Wisconsin and Illinois due to development in the region. Also, the Lake County Board created a new Ad-Hoc Committee that will look for opportunities to consolidate local drainage districts to enhance government efficiency and provide cost savings, and introduced new budget policies that will make the County’s budget more transparent and easier to understand. Watch Video.


Recognition is Indicator of County’s Strong Financial Reporting

Lake County recently was recognized with a "Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting" by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). For many years, Lake County has earned this recognition which reflects the County’s commitment to meet the highest principles of governmental accounting, financial reporting and transparency, and shows Lake County satisfies nationally recognized guidelines for preparing a comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). While the annual budget provides the County’s financial plan for the next fiscal year, the CAFR is a set of independently audited financial statements which contains the results of the County’s prior year’s financial activities. Previous CAFRs are posted on Lake County’s website, and the 2018 report will be posted during the middle of this year.


Pilot Program Tests Innovative School Safety System

School safety system pilot program

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.


Celebrate Spring at Lake County Festivals

Spring

Spring festivals in Lake County feature the most delectable eats, eclectic live music, radiant works of art and more. Check out Visit Lake County’s Spring Festivals Guide.


Join the Lake County Workforce

Lake County Careers

Lake County Careers
Visit the new Lake County Careers website to discover careers pathways, industry information, and career-focused programming.  The website is designed both for youth and adults who are researching career options.  Lake County Careers is brought you by the Lake County Workforce Ecosystem, a consortium made up of Lake County Workforce Development, College of Lake County, Lake County High Schools Tech Campus, and Lake County Partners.

WEL Program

Develop new skills in a variety of career fields by receiving training by industry professionals through the Work, Earn & Learn (WEL) program. Attend an information session to learn more about work opportunities in Lake County, including a full-time, six-month paid internship with the Lake County Division of Transportation. View the upcoming information sessions


University Center Open House April 11

University Center open house

Learn about 130 bachelor’s, graduate, and professional development programs available at the University Center of Lake County Spring Open House from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 11.  Meet program representatives to ask questions about curriculum and admission, discuss career paths, and find the right programs. Register today!


Semi-annual Hydrant Flushing

hydrant flushing

Lake County Public Works has begun its semi-annual water hydrant flushing program. The expected completion date is April 26.  Hydrant flushing enhances water quality because it removes any residue buildup in the mains. Residents are urged not to do laundry during periods of flushing in your area to avoid staining of clothing, which may occur due to the disturbance in the water main. View the hydrant flushing schedule.


2018 Stormwater Awards

2019 SMC award

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.


Forest Preserves Logo

Forest Preserve News

Rx for Health 2019

Rx for Health: Walking in Nature
Explore nature in Lake County’s breathtaking forest preserves select Saturdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. beginning April 13. Join a health professional and an environmental educator on these walks to explore the preserve as we improve our health. Walks are one to two miles in length. View upcoming walks >>

LCFPD fishing volunteers

Fishing Volunteers Needed
If you enjoy fishing and want to share your knowledge with children, the Lake County Forest Preserves is looking for volunteers for the summer.

"We are seeking volunteers to assist with our popular summer fishing camps," said Mark Hurley, volunteer coordinator at the Lake County Forest Preserves. The 8-week camps, beginning in June, are held in the mornings at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville. Campers are eager to learn more about fish, bait, lures and techniques.

Hurley said he is looking for volunteers who have a passion for the sport and want to share their experience with children. Volunteers will be provided training on how the camps are run and what they should be teaching the campers. "The fishing camps are a tremendous opportunity for volunteers to share their knowledge with young, eager children wanting to learn the skill," Hurley said.

Contact Hurley at 847-968-3324 or mhurley@LCFPD.org for more information. Learn more »

LCFPD beach passes

Independence Grove Beach Passes Available
Season passes to the swimming beach at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville are on sale for Lake County residents. Purchase on or before May 1 and receive a 10 percent discount. The pass allows holders unlimited use of the 400-foot sand beach that runs along the South Bay of Independence Grove's 115-acre lake. Learn more »

Marvelocity

How the Dunn Museum was Able to Capture Marvel Comic Book Artist
Alex Ross, referred to as the "Norman Rockwell of comics," has revitalized classic superheroes into works of fine art by illustrating characters including Spider-Man and Captain America. Steve Furnett, exhibitions and collections manager at the Dunn Museum, sent the initial Facebook message to Ross’ manager about six months ago asking about the artist's availability for a temporary exhibition. One thing led to another, and Ross accepted the offer. Less than two weeks ago, Ross, who lives in the Chicago area, welcomed more than 600 fans to the opening of his exhibition, "Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross" at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville, which is operated by the Lake County Forest Preserves. He autographed about 1,750 items on opening day. Learn more »

LCFPD volunteers

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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