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I’d like to offer a hearty thank you and congratulations to Chief Jeff Steingart on his retirement after 37 years of service with the Countryside Fire Protection District. I’ve known him only a short time, but his friendliness and work ethic is immediately apparent.
Some of what I’ve been up to: I toured Lakewood Forest Preserve with the executive director; master planning for that forest preserve will happen this year. I also toured the University of Illinois Extension office in Grayslake to learn more about their programs for residents (there are a lot!). Learn more.
Board update: We entered into a contract for a planning study for a crisis drop-off center. There is a growing need for crisis/wellness drop‐off resources in Lake County for people struggling to manage their mental health. Currently, the only options available for law enforcement officers responding to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis include transportation to a hospital emergency department or to jail for low-level offenses. A drop-off center would provide individuals with a mental health assessment and referral to treatment and allow police officers to return to patrol duties quickly.
A reminder to please join me for coffee and conversation on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Fremont Library, meeting room B.
Also, please join me and County Board Chair Sandy Hart, as well as State Representatives Mary Edly-Allen and Daniel Didech and the Sierra Club at an Environmental Town Hall from 2 to 3 p.m. April 27 at the Hawthorn Woods Village Hall. We will be providing updates and seeking 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.
Have a great week.
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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.
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The County Board had a busy month acting on various measures that will directly impact transportation and sustainability in Lake County. The board reaffirmed the countywide State Highway Consensus Plan that identifies transportation projects to relieve traffic congestion and approved a contract to ensure all County-owned street lights use LED’s. Additionally, the board appropriated funds for a new court case management system that will make more court documents available electronically, cutting the need for paper. Watch this video to learn more.
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Drop the phone, slow down, and drive safely! Through April, which is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, motorists will see increased patrols and enforcement zones. Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent of driving blind at 55 miles per hour for the length of an entire football field. Get tips on how to avoid distracted driving.
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The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) is seeking public input as it conducts a wayfinding and signage study to make it easier for users to find their location on the trails and help them travel to connecting destinations.
Provide your feedback and get your questions answered by at an open house anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. May 1 at LCDOT’s building, 600 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville. Watch this video to learn more about the study.
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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, recycling opportunities and more 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 the 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 family activities from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 22 at the Century Park Pavilion in Vernon Hills. There will be music, a nature walk, and take home environmentally friendly items.
April 27: One-Day Forest Preserve Clean-Up
Join the Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation to help clean up one of our forest preserves from 8:45 a.m. to noon April 27. Participants will meet at the Greenbelt Cultural Center. Registration is requested. Learn more
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April 18: Seeing Through the Vapor
Parents are invited to join a workshop about vaping 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.
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Starting April 27: Spring Walks in Your Preserves
Enjoy this beautiful spring weather with a guided walk through a preserve.
- Spring Bird Walks: April 28, May 4, 5, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22
Learn more »
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April 27: El Dia Del Niño
Come to "El Dia Del Niño, a huge “Kid’s Day" celebration from 3 to 6 p.m. April 27 at Supermercado La Salsa grocery store, 325 N. Seymour Ave. in downtown Mundelein. Enjoy music, vendors, children's entertainment and more. Learn more
April 27: Arbor Day Celebration
Join the Village of Lake Zurich in celebrating Arbor Day from 9 a.m. to noon April 27 at Paulus Park. Following breakfast, there will be a tree planting ceremony, and a park clean-up. Learn more.
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May 11-12: Native Plant, Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale
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 at the Native Plant, Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Independence Grove in Libertyville. On Saturday only, rain barrel and compost bins will be available for sale from the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County. View the native plant species available.
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Starting June 18: Concerts in the Plaza at Independence Grove Forest Preserve
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, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, June 18 through Aug. 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 »
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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.
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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
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.
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Five Steps to Your Next Job
Are you transitioning careers? Attend “5 Steps to Your Next Job” to launch your next job search. The next session will meet from 10 a.m. to noon May 6 to 10 at the Warren-Newport Public Library 224 N. O’Plaine Road, Gurnee. To make reservations, call 847-377-3439 or send an email to mmueller@lakecountyil.gov.
Veteran/Military Job Fair
A Veteran/Military Job Fair will run from 2 to 6 p.m. May 14 at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago. Veterans, active duty military, retirees, reservists, eligible family members and DoD employees are welcome to attend. Learn more
Look Who’s Hiring
There are many other job opportunities across Lake County! Visit the Job Center of Lake County's website to learn about upcoming recruitment events.
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Come to Lake County’s largest gathering of business and civic leaders to focus on economic growth and innovation. Hosted by Lake County Partners, the Big Event will take place May 17 at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort. Register today!
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Forest Preserve News
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How to Stay 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 »
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