September 5, 2019
Dear Neighbors,
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Acorns litter the driveway, chipmunks are coming ever closer to my house, hawks are about (see picture below, of a hawk in my yard), and the deer are back (See: hosta). All of these are sure signs of fall, which I normally welcome, but after last winter, I do admit to a feeling of utter dread.
 Speaking of, winter is a great time to get rid of buckthorn, an invasive shrub that causes flooding and erosion, harms wildlife and prevents native plants from growing. And it’s everywhere. If you’d like to find out more about the what & why of buckthorn eradication efforts in the county and how you can help, please join me and the Lake County Forest Preserves on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 6pm at the Hawthorn Woods Village Barn (2 Lagoon Drive). Preserve staff will be on hand, and I’ll be bringing my tools and some before & after photos of my own buckthorn adventures.
I hope you received my postcard in the mail. If not (my communications budget allows for one mailing per year to about 11,500 residents), please feel free to respond, and I can email you a picture of it. It included information about some of the Board’s efforts this year, as well as my upcoming Open Office Hours. Please stop by to hear about County news and share your thoughts:
Oct. 14, 6 - 7:30 p.m., Ela Area Library, Meeting Room A
Oct. 15, 10 - 11:30 a.m., Fremont Library, Study Room 4
Read below for some more great news and events.
Happy(?) fall.
County News
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Second Installment of Property Tax Payment Due Sept. 6
The second installment due date of 2019 Lake County property taxes is Sept. 6. There are numerous ways to pay, many without leaving your home. If you mail your payment, make sure it is postmarked no later than Sept. 6. If you want to pay in person, the Treasurer’s Office business hours on Sept. 6 are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Learn about the various ways to pay.
Strong Financial Management Helps County Secure AAA Bond Rating
Lake County in 2019 has once again been awarded AAA bond ratings, the highest possible, by both Standard & Poor's Financial Services (S&P) and Moody’s Investors Service, two of the world’s largest credit rating agencies. This marks more than 20 consecutive years that Lake County has achieved this rating. |
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The high rating is important because it helps keep borrowing costs low and reflects a vote of confidence by financial experts in Lake County's strong financial management. The AAA rating has led to significant tangible savings for Lake County. The county will realize more than $7 million in savings on borrowing costs over the next nine years from replacing and reissuing two transportation bonds. Read more.
New State Law: County Boards Now Able to Remove Board Chair
Under a new state law signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker on Aug. 23, county boards that are empowered to choose their county chair now have the legal ability to remove the board chair. The specific provision contained in the law, Senate Bill 1236, was drafted at the behest of Lake County
The new law amends the Illinois Local Government Officer Compensation Act and Counties Code, and establishes a specific process whereby a county board chair who is chosen by the board, which is the case in Lake County, can be removed if at least four-fifths of board members vote in favor of removal. Read more.
Innovative Program Helps Low-Income Drivers Get Back on the Road
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Lake County celebrated a milestone recently in its innovative Road to Reinstatement Driver’s License Pilot Program.
The program—the culmination of a concerted effort led by Vice-Chair Mary Ross-Cunningham on behalf of the Lake County Board—was established to address on the local level an issue that is experienced by many low-income individuals nationwide: the loss of their driver’s license because of an inability to pay outstanding fees and fines. Read more.
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Lake County’s Amazing K9s: Boomer and Browser
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Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Kilpatrick and Explosive Detection K9 Boomer won five first-place national titles and one third-place national title at the 20th Annual Vohne Liche Kennels Certifications and Trails.
K9 Browser, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office electronic detection canine, put his skills to work as he and Handler Carol Gudbrandsen assisted the F.B.I. in a child pornography case involving an Indiana man. Read more.
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Requests for Watershed Management Board Funded Project Proposals
The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission is accepting requests for proposals for Watershed Management Board (WMB) funded projects for FY2020. Homeowner associations, water alliance groups, and community members can submit a project idea that can positively impact the community. The proposal submission deadline is at 4 p.m. Oct 4. Additional information.
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Public Meetings |
Lakewood Forest Preserve Open House
Lake County residents are invited to attend an open house to learn about the Lakewood Forest Preserve Master Plan. Staff from the Lake County Forest Preserves and members of the Board of Commissioners will share draft master plan concepts and gather feedback about potential recreation and restoration improvements for the 2,835-acre forest preserve in Wauconda. |
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Open house visitors can arrive anytime from 5–7 pm, Monday, September 23, at the Fremont Township Administration Center, 22385 W. Highway 60, Mundelein. For those unable to attend, draft master plan concepts can be viewed at LCFPD.org/Projects. A three-week public comment period will begin after the open house. Email comments to Lakewood@LCFPD.org by October 14.
Protect Your Home: Get Floodproofing Tips
Get some important floodproofing tips and learn how increased rainfall is impacting Lake County.
Staff from the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) will share information about how frequent and stronger rainfall events in Lake County are impacting residents, business owners and public and private development projects, provide floodproofing tips and resources, and answer questions. More information. |
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September 17, 10 a.m. - Noon
Warren-Newport Public Library, Meeting Room A/B
224 O’Plaine Rd, Gurnee
Forest Preserve News
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Hike Lake County Challenge
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Grab your hiking shoes and head to the trails to participate in the Hike Lake County challenge while enjoying fall breezes and autumn colors. You have until November 30 to complete seven hikes throughout the Lake County Forest Preserves and earn a commemorative shield for your walking stick or a zipper pull when you turn in your Travel Log. Learn more »
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Waukegan Savanna Dog Park
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The Waukegan Savanna Dog Park in Wadsworth is scheduled to open Sept. 13. The 11-acre off-leash park features amenities including a separate enclosed area for small dogs weighing less than 25 pounds, shade shelters, and drinking water for dogs and people. Annual or daily permits are available for the new dog park located within Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve. The new dog park joins four other parks operated by the Lake County Forest Preserves.
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Carp-O-Rama
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Compete to catch the largest and most carp. Help reduce carp overpopulation. Catch and keep, or turn in your carp in to us at Carp-O-Rama. No limit. Cash prizes awarded. Fish to your heart’s content Saturday, Sept. 7, from 6:30 a.m. to noon, in the South Bay at Independence Grove Forest Preserve. A valid Illinois fishing license is required for ages 16 and older. Learn more »
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Night Voyageur
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Paddle into the 1740s with our 34-foot Montreal canoe and learn about Lake County’s tie to the French fur trade. The program takes place 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14 at Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve in Wadsworth. Meet at the boat launch lot. Designed for adults, families with children ages 8 and up. $10 residents, $14 nonresidents. Registration required. Learn more »
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What Happened in Committees?
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Helping to Improve the Flow of Traffic
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Often times people think the only way to fix traffic congestion is to make roads bigger, or to construct new roads. But through a new program through the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT), traffic flow can be improved by making roads smarter. On Aug. 28, the Public Works, Planning and Transportation Committee discussed a contract with a qualified vendor to provide software for Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures (ATSPM). With ATSPM, LCDOT can review inconsistencies in traffic progression and address traffic signal issues in as little as one hour. Watch the discussion.
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Watch All County Board Meetings
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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.
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Sheriff News
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Drive Safely Near School Buses
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What is the most dangerous part of the school bus ride? The bus stop! Children are at greatest risk when they are getting on or off the school bus. Watch this video from the Lake County (IL) Sheriff's Office about what to do when driving near a school bus.
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Job News
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Job Fairs and Workshops in September
Community Events and News
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 Rock the Block
The Village of Lake Zurich will host its 7th annual Main Street block party, Rock The Block, on Sept. 7 from 5 to 11 p.m. on Main Street in Lake Zurich (approximately 70 E. Main Street). Eat great food and listen to music as three live bands take the stage. Young party goers can visit the face painter and balloon artist.
 Fall Family Fun Fest
Bring your family to Hawthorn Woods’ annual fall festival on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hawthorn Woods Aquatic Center, 94 N. Midlothian Rd., Hawthorn Woods. Enjoy arts and crafts, mini-train rides, checkers and more. Additional details.
#EndOverdose Training Event
Member agencies of the Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium (NIPHC), including the Lake County Health Department, are joining together to promote opioid overdose awareness and are offering free training that covers how to recognize signs of an overdose and how to use Naloxone, a lifesaving antidote. All Lake County residents are welcome to attend on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Waukegan Public Library, 128 N County St. More details.
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 Mundelein Garage Sale
Look for hidden treasures at the Grand Dominion Garage Sale on Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3555 Grand Dominion Circle, Mundelein.
2019 Foglia Games
Help provide financial support to children and families in your community by participating in the Foglia Games on Sept. 12 through 14 at Foglia YMCA, 1025 N. Old McHenry Rd., Lake Zurich. All proceeds go towards the Foglia YMCA Financial Assistance Program. Learn more.
 Mighty Oak Celebration
Join the Ancient Oaks Foundation as they begin their 12th year preserving the area’s oak woodlands and open spaces. Bring your family for a fun afternoon on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at
Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Learn more.
2020 Census Resources for You
The 2020 Census provides an opportunity for everyone to be counted. The results of the 2020 Census can help shape the future of your community. And there are many ways for individuals, businesses, community organizations and others to play a part:
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