Lake County News: April 2019

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SHart

April 18, 2019

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Dear Neighbor,

I hope this email finds you well and ready to welcome spring! I have been the Chair of the County Board for just over four months and I have had numerous meetings across the county and throughout the Chicagoland area, meeting with social service agencies, business leaders, elected officials, and residents on a variety of topics. Flooding, infrastructure needs, public transportation, homelessness, health concerns, permitting, sustainability, and legislative matters are just some of the areas we cover. At every meeting I hear a story or two about the professionalism and commitment of Lake County employees. I feel very fortunate to work with our talented employees who work diligently every day to make Lake County a great place to live, work, and visit. To that end, I am in the process of visiting all of our Lake County facilities so that I can say thank you and learn about their area of expertise. It has been a wonderful experience to meet so many dedicated employees and hear about what's important to them. 

As usual, there is a lot to report on in Lake County. I hope you will take a moment to read about some of things we are working toward on your behalf. As always, it is an honor to serve you on the Lake County Board and the Forest Preserve Board. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions, concerns, or suggestions.

Sandy Hart Signature

Ethylene Oxide Air Monitoring Plans Defined
You may have been reading about ethylene oxide in the news lately. While the U.S. EPA will not agree to conduct testing in the areas surrounding Vantage Specialty Chemicals in Gurnee and Medline Industries in Waukegan, the Lake County Health Department (LCHD) has partnered with the Village of Gurnee and the City of Waukegan to conduct outdoor air quality monitoring to determine the levels of ethylene oxide near these two companies. 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. The LCHD continues to monitor this situation very closely and has been in contact with local, state, and federal officials to obtain as much information as possible on this very serious issue. Please visit our website to learn more.


Scott's Law

Scott’s Law – A Traffic Law You MUST Know
In 2019, two Illinois State Troopers have been killed in crashes directly related to Scott’s Law violations. Scott’s Law requires all motorists 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.


Vaping

Tonight! Seeing Through the Vapor
Parents are invited to join a workshop about vaping presented from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 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.


Workshop To Address Flooding Around Your Home
Join me and special guest Lake Bluff Open Lands at a free seminar to address homeowners' best practices that can reduce flooding and help the environment at 7 p.m. April 25 at the Lake Bluff Public Safety Building Community Room, 45 E. Center Ave. 

Flood Workshop

Environmental Town Halls
Please join me and County Board Members Jessica Vealitzek and John Wasik, as well as State Representatives Mary Edly-Allen, Daniel Didech and Sam Yingling, at Environmental Town Halls sponsored by Sierra Club and Livable Lake County. We will provide updates and asking for input on transportation solutions for Lake County, clean energy initiatives, and what we can do to protect some of our most valuable assets - our woods, wetlands, biodiversity and open space. 

  • Saturday, April 27 at 2 pm at Hawthorn Woods Village Hall (2 Lagoon Drive)
  • Saturday, May 4, 12 pm at Prairie Crossing Charter School (1531 Jones Point Rd, Grayslake)

Native plant sale

Native Plant Sale
Join us at Independence Grove in Libertyville on Saturday, May 11, 9 am - 3 pm and Sunday, May 12, 10 am - 2 pm. Purchase native flowers and woody plants, a rain barrel or compost bin, and learn about eco-friendly practices to benefit your home, pocketbook and the community. Rain barrels and compost bins are available for sale on Saturday only from the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County. Learn more


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.


Mental Illness and the Criminal Justice System
For the last five years I have written and spoken about the need for a crisis center in Lake County. This vision is shared by many people in the criminal justice system who see people cycle in and out of our jail due to their battle living with serious mental illness. For example, one woman was in and out of the Lake County Jail seventeen times in one year due to her untreated mental illness. As chair, one of my top priorities is to address this critical issue and provide an alternative to incarceration and a place for people to get the help they need. Last week we formally contracted with a firm to study the needs and the solution to this problem. I will continue to keep you informed, and I look forward to our progress on this important initiative that can change lives.


Lake County Careers

New Lake County Careers Website
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.


County Board and Lakes Region Sanitary District Close to Consolidating Services
Property owners and customers of the Lakes Region Sanitary District will soon see real savings as the Lakes Region Sanitary District and the Lake County Board are close to entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement that will consolidate sanitary sewer services.

The District collects and transmits wastewater for more than 5,500 customers in the northwestern part of Lake County. Consolidating District operations and allowing Lake County to assume all future operational services will streamline resources and eventually eliminate the District Tax levy. All operations, maintenance, and customer service will be handled by Lake County Public Works.

Operational and maintenance services are anticipated to be ready by May 1, 2019, and customer service will transition over to Lake County Public Works by June 3, 2019, pending mutual agreement by both Boards. District and County employees are working to ensure customers do not experience any reduction or interruption of service. Additional information will be made available as this consolidation process moves forward.  Find out more


March County Board Wrap-Up

County Board Wrap-Up
Learn about the potential impact of the FoxConn development in Wisconsin may have on Lake County residents in the Des Plaines River Watershed. Also, hear about our new committee that will look for opportunities to consolidate local drainage districts to enhance government efficiency and provide cost savings,  Watch Video.


Earth Week

Celebrate Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day by checking out these family-friendly events across the county.

April 20 to 27: Earth Week From conserving soil to reducing waste generated by plastic drinking straws, learn what you can do to help make our world a little more sustainable during the College of Lake County’s Earth Week events. Learn more

April 20:  Earth Day Expo
Enjoy crafts, a performance by In the Green Productions and recycling opportunities from noon to 2 p.m. April 20 at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills. Learn more 

Through April: Reuse-A-Shoe Drive
Bring in six or more unwanted pairs of shoes to Hawthorn mall any day through April and receive a gift card as Hawthorn Mall supports SWALCO's Reuse-A-Shoe Program. Drop off shoes to the mall management office between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SWALCO offers groups to be a part of the community-wide program to collect shoes. It's free! Learn more about SWALCO’s Reuse-A-Shoe Program.

April 22: Earth Day Family Event 
Enjoy music, a nature walk and take home environmentally friendly items at this event from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 22 at the Century Park Pavilion in Vernon Hills. 

New Recycling Gudelines

Choose To Recycle First. Recycle Right
It’s Earth Month, a great time to educate ourselves on ways to protect our environment. One way is by recycling! View Lake County’s Recycling Guidelines to make sure you keep the right things in and the wrong things out of your recycling bin.

Even if certain things can’t go in your recycling bin, there are ways to keep those items out of the landfills. The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County offers recycling opportunities for your electronics, household chemical waste, shoes, and clothing and textiles.

Where Do I Recycle This?
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 Where Do I Recycle This finder to see where you can take these items to prevent them from heading to the landfill.

 


Food scrap program

New Sustainability Program at the Jail
Last fall, the Lake County Adult Corrections Facility opened its newly remodeled kitchen and implemented a food scrap program that has led to much less garbage! Approximately 125 tons of material will be composted and recycled this year instead of thrown away. That is equal to 243.75 metric tons/month of avoided CO2 emission, or taking 631 cars off the road. The program is essentially paying for itself, as the cost previously needed to transport waste to the landfill is now being used to compost and recycle food scraps. Watch this video to learn more.


lcfpd spring bird walk

Spring Walks in Your Preserves
Get outside and take a guided walk through one of our spectacular forest preserves! More and more physicians and insurance companies are urging people to spend more time outdoors, and our Lake County Forest Preserves are renowned for our trails, biodiversity,and beauty. 


pet vaccination clinics

Low-Cost 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 its spring pet vaccination clinics across the county. Only cash will be accepted on site. Find a pet vaccination clinic near you.


Spring

Celebrate Spring at Lake County Festivals
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.


Concerts in the Plaza

Concerts in the Plaza at Independence Grove
Music lovers, dance lovers, outdoor lovers, get ready for award-winning performers playing under the stars at the annual Concerts in the Plaza music series. Eight concerts will be held at Independence Grove in Libertyville, 7:30 pm Tuesdays, June 18 through August 6. From Beatles to the blues, from rock and bluegrass to swing and jazz, there's something for just about any musical taste in this season's entertainment lineup. This year's concerts are supported by North Shore Gas (Platinum sponsor), Blue Oak Financial Services (Gold sponsor), Libertyville Bank and Trust, A Wintrust Community Bank (Bronze sponsor), and Lake County Journal (Media sponsor). 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 »



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 »


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 to assist with our popular eight week summer fishing camps at Independence Grove Forest Preserve. We are 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.

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


2019 SMC award

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.


2019 Road Construction

Lake County Announces $134 Million in Road Projects for 2019
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.


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 Katherine Hamilton-Smith

Staying Connected to the Lake County Forest Preserves
In this interview with Katherine Hamilton-Smith, Director of Public Affairs and Development at the Lake County Forest Preserves, she tells us more about her role, how she got started, how we can connect with the Forest Preserves and some new interesting facts you may not know. Learn more »


hydrant flushing

Semi-annual 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.

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