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 intersection improvements at Hunt Club Road at IL 132 and Old McHenry Road at U.S. 12 and reconstruction and the widening of Weiland Road . 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.
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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.
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Join the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office in recognizing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week from 3 to 7 p.m. 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 for the family throughout the event. Register today.
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Parents are invited to join a workshop about vaping, hosted by the Lake County State's Attorney's Office, 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.
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.
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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 national 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.
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
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.
Art and Craft Swap
Don't throw away those unwanted arts and crafts supplies! Swap them! Warren-Newport Public Library will hold an Art and Craft Swap from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 13. Donated items can be dropped off between 1 and 6 p.m. April 12 or the day of the event. Check my next newsletter for other events planned across the county to celebrate Earth Month.
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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.
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Forest Preserve News
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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 >>
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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 »
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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 »
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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.
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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.
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. April 11. Meet program representatives to ask questions about curriculum and admission, discuss career paths, and find the right programs. Register today!
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Preschool Open Houses
Join the Gurnee Park District's Preschool Open Houses to learn more about the 2019-2020 options. The open houses will take place April 9 at Viking Park Community Center and April 10 at the Hunt Club Park Community Center. Both will begin at 6:30 p.m. See the classrooms and meet the teachers while children enjoy unique preschool activities.
Easter Egg Hunt
The Grandwood Park Park District will hold its annual Egg Hunt at 1 p.m. April 13 at the Hutchins Athletic Field. Children up to age 10 are invited to hunt for eggs, make a craft and visit with the bunny. Learn more
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