June 18, 2019
County Board News
|
Agreements with Lake Villa Lead to Increased Efficiency and Cost Savings
The Lake County Board approved at its June 11 meeting two intergovernmental agreements with the Village of Lake Villa for the Lake County Planning, Building and Development department to provide building inspection and plan review services for the Village. Lake Villa is located near the County’s largest concentration of current inspection activities - making it an efficient location to provide service while cutting driving time between inspections.
Lake Villa also will be the first community to use the County’s land management system. The County negotiated a “Shared Services” clause with its vendor to allow municipalities to use the system at a fraction of the County’s cost to purchase it. This not only provides cost savings for the Village and allows it to expand online permit services to residents and businesses, but it also makes it more efficient for the County to provide inspections and plan reviews since the County and Village will be using the same system.
What Happened in Committees?
|
Public Works, Planning & Transportation Committee
|
Established altered speed zones on some streets within Warren and Vernon townships as well as authorized contracts toward various county road and culvert improvements including Deep Lake Road from IL 132 to Grass Lake Road and Washington Street, west of U.S. 45. Watch the discussion.
|
|
 |
Health & Community Services Committee
|
Authorized $25,000 in additional grant funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, which will be used to purchase Naloxone and a $220,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health, which will purchase vaccines. Watch the discussion.
|
|
 |
Law & Judicial Committee
|
Approved a grant of $250,000 for the Lake County Crisis Intervention Team Program, which will help train 395 police officers, corrections officers and dispatchers throughout Lake County. In addition, the State’s Attorney’s Office provided a presentation on the Children’s Advocacy Center. Watch the discussion.
|
|
 |
Watch All County Board Meetings
|
Keep informed about Lake County government! Watch County Board meetings live at 9 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. You can watch meetings live online or on Comcast channels 18 and 30, or AT&T channel 99. You can also view archived board meetings and standing committee meetings anytime.
|
|
 |
Environmental News
|
Lake County Experiencing More Rainfall
Rainfall and flooding affect all Lake County residents regardless of whether or not you live in a floodplain. Over the last few years, Lake County has been experiencing more frequent and stronger rainfall events, and as a result, the precipitation has broken records, caused millions of dollars in damage to properties, and obstructed the lives of Lake County residents and visitors. |
|
 |
The July 2017 flood led to flash flooding that impacted roads, homes, parks, and businesses. In 2018, the county hit a new record when it went above flood stage during six separate storm events. With current rainfall trends, Lake County could be on track to break 2018's flood stage exceedance in 2019. Read more.
Provide Input: In response to the increase in rainfall and its affects to the county and based on data from a recently released water survey, SMC opened a 30-day public comment period to collect feedback from residents, business owners, and all those who are affected. All perspectives, ideas, and concerns are welcome. Comments may be submitted to Kurt Woolford at kwoolford@lakecountyil.gov until July 6, 2019. More information.
Transportation News
|
Signal Study Leads to Getting You to Work and Home Faster
The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) reviews signals and enhances technology on county streets, which not only helps reduce delays but also can reduce CO2 emissions, which means you save money on fuel.
Recently LCDOT conducted a Signal Coordination and Timing Study on Lewis Avenue from Sunset Avenue to IL 173. |
|
 |
By adjusting signal timing, enhancing technology, and coordinating signals through Lake County PASSAGE, we were able to decrease vehicle delay time to 403 hours per day and reduce fuel consumption by 4,380 gallons per year.
Health News
|
Health Department Urges Lake County Residents to Swim Safely
Whether swimming at your local pool or enjoying family time on your favorite beach, it is important to protect yourself from illness, prevent the spread of germs, and check and see if conditions are safe for swimming. |
|
 |
The Lake County Health Department monitors lake water for bacteria in more than 100 Lake Michigan and inland lake beaches to ensure that the water is acceptable for swimming. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, beach closure information can be found on the Health Department’s Beach Advisory web page, which is updated daily by 10 a.m. Find Out More
Property News
|
Solicitors’ Rules for Working in Unincorporated Lake County
Door-to-door salespeople working in unincorporated Lake County must register with the Lake County Clerk's office and carry a solicitor’s certificate while on the job. When a solicitor comes to your home, ask to see the certificate before conducting any business. Report any violations to the Lake County Sheriff’s office at 847-549-5200 where fines and penalties can be enforced. |
|
 |
The ordinance applies only to unincorporated Lake County and provides exemptions to religious groups, candidates, and minors under age 18 who participate in fundraising activities. If you live in a municipality or village, check with your local officials for your specific ordinances. Learn more
 |
|
Forest Preserve News |
More than Meets the Eye
|
As the second largest forest preserve in Illinois, how does the organization—which today protects 65 forest preserves, 204 miles of trails and nearly 31,000 acres of natural lands—keep them picturesque? It’s rooted in the daily and vigorous behind-the-scenes maintenance and operations work most preserve visitors never see or think about. Find out what Forest Preserve teams do behind the scenes to make visits enjoyable. Learn more »
|
|
 |
Blanding’s Turtles Released into Wetlands
|
Gary Glowacki, wildlife ecologist with the Lake County Forest Preserves, with the help of college veterinary students and wildlife technicians, recently released 91 Blanding’s turtle hatchlings into local wetlands in an effort to grow the population of the endangered reptile. In 2010, the Forest Preserves instituted a recovery program for the endangered species. Funding for the program comes from various sources, including the Adopt-a-Turtle program managed by the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves. Learn more »
|
|
 |
Family Fishing Programs
|
Drop in a line and see if the fish are biting. The Lake County Forest Preserves will supply the poles, bait and tips on getting started. The drop-in fishing program takes place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 2 and 5 at Independence Grove in Libertyville. No registration required. For families with children ages 5 and up. $2 for residents, $4 nonresidents. Illinois fishing regulations apply. Learn more »
|
|
 |
Community Events and News
|
|
 University Center Open House
Learn about more than 120 academic options available in Lake County from 17 colleges and universities as the University Center of Lake County hosts an open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 26. Representatives can answer questions about curriculum, admission, financial aid, and transferring credits from a prior institution. Register to attend.
Live Music in the Parks
Enjoy free concerts from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at select locations in Lake Villa and Lindenhurst as part of the Live Music in the Parks series. American English will take to the stage on Wednesday, June 19. View the full concert lineup.
It's Thursday Concert Series
Enjoy free concerts at 7:30 p.m. at Antioch's bandshell as part of the It's Thursday Concert Series. Upcoming artists include Sushi Roll on June 20 and One of the Boyzz on June 27.
 Antioch Taste of Summer July 18-21
Visit the Taste of Summer, Carnival & Sidewalk Sales from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 18, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 19, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 20 and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 21 in downtown Antioch at the Antioch Bandshell. Learn more
|
 Summer Meals Illinois
Children ages 18 and younger can access FREE meals at sites throughout the state as part of Summer Meals Illinois. Find a Summer Meals site near you by texting FOODIL to 877877 or by visiting Summer Feeding Illinois.
 Antioch Independence Day Celebration
Antioch's celebration will kick off on July 4 with the annual 5K run. The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will be followed by activities, food and the family fun fair at Williams Park.
Lindenhurst-Lake Villa Fireworks
Don't miss the fireworks show on July 3 at Lakes Community High School, 1600 Eagle Way. The show will begin at about 9:45 p.m., and admission is free.
Tempel Lipizzans Season Begins
Public performances, which are scheduled on select Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning in June through September follow the development of these majestic horses from foals through advanced training, set at the beautiful fields of Tempel Farms in Old Mill Creek. Learn more
|
