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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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 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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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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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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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.
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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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Forest Preserve News
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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 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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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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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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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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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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Think Summer! Registration will begin April 29 to join summer programs through the Gurnee Park District. Check out the Summer 2019 Program and Events Guide to find all the fun you can have this summer!
Save the Date for Grandwood Park Pancake Breakfast Enjoy pancakes, eggs, and more as the Grandwood Park Civic Association holds its pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon May 19 at the Grandwood Park Park District community center. Learn more
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