|
Spring has finally truly arrived! I love seeing all the flowers and trees bloom during my daily walks with my dog Pip. Everything seems to get greener each day.
Our Public Works, Planning and Transportation Committee is working on a Bike Path Wayfinding and Signage study to make hiking and biking along our trails easier to do. We would like to establish guidelines and sign templates that can be used throughout Lake County. We are having a public meeting on May 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lake County Division of Transportation building in Libertyville. Please join us to share your ideas. If you can not attend, we will be showing the meeting live on Facebook at 5:15 and 6:30 p.m.
The Lake County Forest Preserves now offer digital maps that deliver real-time information including trail flooding, controlled burn areas, beach status updates, and can even locate exactly where you are in the Forest Preserve. The map program even gives detailed information on bike trails, regional trail connections, parking areas, and activities and amenities offered at each Forest Preserve. To find out more, a video demonstration at LCFPD.org/maps explains what the map has to offer and how to use it.
Last weekend, the sixth annual 4-H Robotics Showcase was held in Grayslake. Over 300 middle school student teams attended and completed challenges, building and maneuvering robots using teamwork and engineering skills. It was inspiring to see so many teams working so hard together all day to solve robotic challenges. Their creativity was amazing. Find out more about 4-H Robotics teams and other opportunities, including summer camps for high school students at state universities.
I was driving to work on the tollway last week and was heartened to see so many drivers slow down and move over when we were passing a car and tow truck driver on the shoulder of the road. Scott’s Law requires that all vehicles slow down and move over a lane if possible when approaching ANY vehicle with flashing lights. This includes law enforcement but also public works trucks and also anyone pulled over with their hazard lights on.
Three Illinois State Troopers have been tragically killed while working this year alone, and so many other Troopers and other people have been killed or injured. As I write this today, I just heard that a passenger in a semi truck was killed after his truck was hit by another driver after pulling onto the shoulder of I-94. This needs to end. Please slow down and pull over if possible whenever you see any vehicle pulled over on the shoulder of any road. It is the law and it is the right thing to do. Watch this video to learn more about Scott’s Law.
Safe driving!
 |
|
|
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.
|
A recent audit showed that one in four items placed in recycling bins are not recyclable. To help reduce contamination, a statewide task force created new local recycling guidelines. As not everything can go in recycling containers, these guidelines help determine what you should and shouldn’t recycle curbside. Watch this video to see how easy recycling is if you do it right.
|
Lake County property owners can now apply online for certain homestead exemptions using the new Smartfile E-filing Portal. Homestead exemptions can provide tax relief to eligible homeowners, as it exempts taxable value prior to the calculation of property taxes. In Illinois, exemptions are available for a general homestead, senior, disabled person, disabled veteran, returning veteran (within the last two years), and for home improvements.
The Chief County Assessment Office launched this new tool to make it more convenient and efficient than using paper applications. All you need to sign up is a valid e-mail address.
|
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 »
|
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.
|
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. Register today!
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 job opportunities across Lake County! Visit the Job Center of Lake County's website to learn about upcoming recruitment events.
|
Real-time weather reports, provided by severe weather spotters who can detail hail size, wind speed and tornado development, are critical to issue warnings and to help save lives. Their data serves as a critical link for the National Weather Service between radar indications and what’s happening on the ground. Learn how to become a Severe Weather Spotter at a FREE training May 7 in Vernon Hills. No registration is required. View additional spotter trainings.
|
Healthy meal prepping doesn’t have to be hard! Watch this video as Lake County Health Department nutritionists LaiSha Ponder and Christopher Arty provide easy recipes and tips to get you started on your meal prepping journey.
|
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!
|
Forest Preserve News
|
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 »
|
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 »
|
|
