November 5, 2019
Neighbors,
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As an economist and as a resident of Lake County, one of my main concerns has always been improving our infrastructure. Well built roads, bridges, bike paths, storm water facilities and more are vital to our economic development and our quality of life. That is why I am so pleased to announce that the State of Illinois will be investing $540 million over the next five years in Lake County to improve infrastructure and ease traffic congestion as part of the Rebuild Illinois state infrastructure plan. We worked closely with our elected officials and IDOT to ensure that our priority projects as outlined in our State Highway Consensus Plan were included in the Rebuild Illinois plan. These projects will improve the quality of life for Lake County residents, decrease fuel consumption and decrease our carbon footprint. For a list of the projects click here.
Speaking of road construction, St. Mary’s Road will be closed to through traffic from Illinois Route 176 to Illinois Route 137 starting at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19 and should reopen by late afternoon on Wednesday, Nov. 20. This closure is necessary due to work replacing a culvert near the railroad crossing.
If you are a veteran or know a veteran, the Veteran’s History Project is seeking veterans to share their stories about their experiences for the Library of Congress. Veterans who served in any capacity as well as civilian defense workers supporting war efforts are invited to register for the program. Volunteers will interview all participants about their war time experiences and produce transcripts of the interviews that will be archived at the Library of Congress to be available for use by researchers for years to come. Interviews will take place on the morning of Veteran’s Day, Monday, Nov. 11 at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan. Click here for more information or to register to be a part of this important project.
The arrival of snow last week was a reminder of the upcoming holiday season. Each year when I get out my holiday lights, there is usually a strand or two that will not light. You cannot put lights in your recycling bin, but I am co-hosting a Holiday Open House and Holiday Light recycling event along with SWALCO on Friday, Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mundelein Police Department office at 221 N. Lake Street, Mundelein. You will be able to drop off your old holiday lights to be recycled properly. We will also be collecting eye glasses and hearing aids for recycling. Refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
 
County News
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Lake County to Receive Significant State Funding for Road Improvements
The State of Illinois will invest $540 million in Lake County to improve roads, repair bridges and ease traffic congestion, including $325 million for new projects, as part of the $23.5 billion Rebuild Illinois state infrastructure plan, according to a report released earlier this week by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). |
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The long list of projects outlined in the proposed Highway Improvement Program (HIP) will be funded over a five-year period, from state fiscal years 2020 through 2025. Read more
Lake County Census Complete Count Committee Update
The Lake County Complete Count Committee (CCC) held its first meeting on Oct. 7, attended by many local elected officials and community leaders. Meeting participants received training from the U.S. Census Bureau on best practices
for ensuring that every citizen in the County is counted in the 2020 U.S. Census.
Following the meeting, committee members established a schedule to meet every two months from November through May to work on strategies to carry out its goals. The meetings are open to individuals or organizations who wish to get involved. Meetings are scheduled for 1 p.m. on Nov. 11, Jan. 13, March 9 and May 11 at the Lake County Division of Transportation, Main Conference Room, 600 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville. If you wish to attend or want more information, contact Assistant County Administrator Cassandra Torstenson at
ctorstenson@lakecountyil.gov. Read more
Libertyville Township Property Assessment Appeal Information
Property owners in Libertyville Township recently received their assessment notices in the mail. The appeal deadline is Dec. 2. The assessment appeal process for Libertyville Township is different than other townships in Lake County because they have opted to use a different software system.
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Visit or call the Chief County Assessment Office
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday
Address: 18 N. County St., Waukegan
Phone: 847-377-2050
Visit or call the Libertyville Township Office
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday
Address: 359 Merrill Court, Libertyville
Phone: 847-816-6800
County to Add Low Emission Vehicles to Fleet
Lake County could soon be adding low emission vehicles to its fleet that will lead to an approximately 72% reduction in tailpipe emissions! The Lake County Board’s Finance & Administrative, and Public Works, Planning, & Transportation Committees recommended including funds in next year’s budget to replace 14 traditional sedans used by the County with hybrids and fully electric vehicles.
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The proposed fiscal year 2020 budget will be voted on at the Nov. 12 County Board Meeting. Watch this video to learn more.
Lake County to Discuss Recreational Cannabis at Upcoming Meeting
The recreational use of cannabis in Illinois will become legal effective Jan. 1, 2020. Under the law, jurisdictions in Illinois may establish regulations on the production and sale of cannabis within their boundaries. To prepare, the Lake County Planning, Building & Development Department (PBD) recently led a Recreational Cannabis Regulatory Task Force comprised of representatives from a majority of Lake County municipalities and various community organizations. The Task Force developed regulatory options for local governments to consider, including model bans on commercial cannabis businesses and model regulations permitting them with certain restrictions.
The Lake County PBD staff will present the Task Force’s findings and models to the Lake County Board at the Committee of the Whole on Friday, Nov. 8. After Board member discussion on the topic, staff will seek direction on the Board’s preferred regulatory approach. Note that this is only a discussion on this item, and no formal action will be taken at the meeting. A decision by the Board will be made at a later date.
Business is Booming in Lake County
Lake County Partners, the nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting economic development in Lake County, reports that since 2015, 23 companies have expanded or located in Lake County, including Caterpillar, Horizon, Nypro, Fisher Paper, Flexan,
Handi-Foil, ThreadUp and more. |
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This has resulted in the creation of nearly 2,400 new jobs, and the retention of about 1,500 jobs,with an annual economic impact of $550 million. Read the latest from Lake County Partners.
Transportation News
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St. Mary’s Road to Close at Metra Railroad Crossing for Culvert Repair
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St. Mary’s Road will be closed to through traffic from Illinois Route 137 to Illinois Route 176 beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 through late afternoon on Wednesday, Nov. 20. The closure is necessary to replace a large deteriorated cross-road culvert.
Local traffic will be allowed from IL 137 south to Thornbury Lane/Greenbriar Drive and from IL 176 north to Minard Lane. The railroad crossing will be closed to all traffic.
Detour Route: Illinois Route 137 to Illinois Route 21 to Illinois Route 176.
Learn more
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Goodbye Millburn Strangler! Hello Millburn Bypass!
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Local officials recently gathered to celebrate the opening of the US Route 45 Millburn Bypass in north-central Lake County. This $31 million project
improved Route 45 from IL 132 to IL 173 and created a bypass of the Millburn Historic District, addressing one of the most congested traffic spots in Lake County, hence its nickname “the Millburn Strangler.”
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Grass Lake Road was realigned to the south, eliminating the existing offset “T” intersections through the Millburn Historic District.
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A raised center median along US 45 enhances safety and provides water quality benefits, along with green space for plants and trees.
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The bypass accommodates a bike path on the west side and sidewalks on the east side.
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Numerous federal, state, and local organizations worked together over a 25-year span.
Use Lake County Passage to Ease Your Commute in Bad Weather
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It’s still fall, but snow season is officially underway. Ease your commute by knowing the road conditions before you leave home. Make Lake County PASSAGE your go-to resource before you hit the roads this snow season. See the latest road conditions.
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Veteran News
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Veterans Sought for Veterans History Project
Are you a veteran? Share your story! Veterans who served in any capacity from WWII to the present, as well as people who worked as civilian defense workers supporting war efforts, are invited to register to participate in the Veterans History Project on Monday, Nov. 11 at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan. |
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Volunteers from the Lake County legal community will interview participants about their wartime experiences, and court reporters will produce verbatim transcriptions that will then be archived in the Library of Congress. Once archived, these first-hand accounts of American war veterans will be accessible online to serve as both an inspiration for generations to come, and to be available for use by researchers so that Americans can better understand the realities of war. A copy will also be provided to the veteran.
Space is limited to 28 veterans, and breakfast and other refreshments will be provided. Registration is required. If you are interested in participating, please contact Brian McClain at (847) 377-3733 or bmcclain3@lakecountyil.gov.
Learn more
Health News
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Avoid Bats to Protect Yourself from Rabies
Three bats in Lake County have tested positive for rabies in 2019: two in Antioch and one in Highland Park. Bats are commonly encountered in the fall because of their migration and search for warm winter quarters in places like attics. The Lake County Health Department warns residents to avoid possible exposure to rabies by taking the following precautions. |
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Do not touch bats or attempt to remove them from your home. Report bats to Animal Care and Control by calling (847) 377-4700.
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Safeguard your home. Bats can enter existing holes as small as 3/4 inch in diameter. Cover and seal possible access routes, especially around chimneys, vents, doors, windows, and plumbing.
- Do not feed, touch, or adopt wild animals or stray dogs and cats.
- Vaccinate your pets and do not allow them to roam free.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you have been bitten or exposed to a bat.
Environmental News
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Ethylene Oxide Air Monitoring Resumes in Lake County
A second round of outdoor air monitoring for ethylene oxide (EtO) began the week of Oct. 21 near Vantage Specialty Chemicals in Gurnee and Medline Industries in Waukegan. In partnership with the Lake County Health Department and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), the Village of Gurnee and City of Waukegan have contracted GHD Services, Inc. to conduct an additional 90-day period of air monitoring to determine levels of ethylene oxide (EtO) in the air. Read more
What Happened in Committees?
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Public Works, Planning and Transportation Committee
Staff from the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) gave board members an overview of the road construction and improvement projects that will be funded by the State of Illinois’ Rebuild Illinois program. View the presentation |
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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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Lake County Sheriff’s Office Joins Neighbors App by Ring
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has developed a new partnership with Ring, Amazon’s smart doorbell company, which will allow the sheriff’s deputies and detectives to use the Neighbors App by Ring to ask the community for assistance to help solve crimes. |
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When sheriff’s staff believe a crime may have been captured on a Ring device, sheriff’s personnel can send a message to members of the community in a specific geographical region via the Neighbors App by Ring. Then, the community can determine if their device captured anything relevant. Camera owners have the choice to share the video directly with the Sheriff’s Office, or they can decline the request. Ring customers also have the option to decline receiving messages from the Sheriff’s Office. Learn more
Take Steps to Prevent Vehicle Theft
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has received more than 60 reports of vehicle theft so far in 2019, just in unincorporated areas of Lake County. This number does not include vehicle theft reports received by municipalities within Lake County.
Please follow these basic crime prevention steps to avoid becoming a victim: |
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Don’t leave cars running while unoccupied – even with the doors locked
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Don’t leave spare keys or key fobs in the vehicle
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Always keep your vehicle locked
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Remove valuables from your vehicle
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Keep residential exterior lighting on during the overnight hours
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Consider residential video surveillance
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Always call 911 if you see suspicious activity
Job News
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Job Fairs and Workshops in November
Looking for a job? There are many job fairs and career workshops to help you land your next job happening in Lake County in November! Click on each link below for full details. |
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Operator Engineers Apprenticeship Information Session:
Thursday, Nov. 7, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Return to the Workforce: Addressing the Gap:
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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Electrical Apprenticeship Information Session:
Thursday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m. till noon.
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Job Search During the Holidays:
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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Electrical Apprenticeship Information Session:
Thursday, Nov. 20, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Forest Preserve News |
Ethel’s Woods Now Open
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Lake County residents are able to experience the breathtaking beauty of Ethel’s Woods Forest Preserve in Antioch. The long-hidden landscape did not have public access while it underwent a major multi-year land restoration effort and public access improvements. The preserve is named after Ethel Untermyer who directed the successful referendum campaign in 1958 that formed the Lake County Forest Preserve District. Learn more »
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2020 Budget Approved
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In order to continue moving toward the 100-Year Vision and Strategic Plan to preserve and sustain Lake County’s natural landscape, and extend community outreach and education, the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners approved the fiscal year 2020 budget of $62,449,340.
The Lake County Forest Preserves shifted to a calendar fiscal year (January 1 to December 31) allowing for better tax revenue forecasting and budget planning for program activities and construction projects. Learn more »
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Phenology and Photography
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An outdoor workshop, designed for serious amateur photographers, combines a staff naturalist’s insight with technical tips from a professional photographer.
Phenology and Photography takes place 1–4 pm, Saturday, November 9, at Ethel’s Woods in Antioch. Participants will explore autumn beauty along a restored stream, overlooking one of Lake County’s largest oak woodlands. For adults and youth ages 16 and older. Registration required. $20 residents, $28 nonresidents. Learn more »
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Community Events and News
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 Attend Lake County’s Geographic Information System (GIS) Day
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have many applications, including improving public health, transportation, the environment and more. Whether you are an expert, an occasional user, or are interested in understanding how you can use GIS in your operations, come to GIS Day and connect with Lake County's GIS professionals! See how Lake County government and Lake County Forest Preserves are leveraging the latest GIS technology to be more transparent, efficient, and save money.
Registration is encouraged, but not required. View the complete GIS Day schedule
When: Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 Green Bay Rd, North Chicago
Mundelein Community Center Open House
Come to a FREE open house at the Mundelein Community Center on
Saturday, Nov. 16 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., 1401 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Tour the fitness center, participate in free group exercise or open swim, take advantage of discounts, and learn about the NovaCare Rehabilitation physical therapy clinic. Learn more
 Open House and Recycling Opportunity
Come chat with local leaders, enjoy the holiday cheer and refreshments and go green by dropping off unwanted holiday lights and eyeglasses for recycling. On Friday, Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mundelein Police Department, 221 N. Lake St.
Leaders Participating in the open house are:
- Jennifer Clark, Lake County Board Member, District 15
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Jessica Vealitzek, Lake County Board Member, District 10
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Mary Edly–Allen, State Representative, District 51
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Merleanne Rampale, SWALCO (Solid Waste Agency of Lake County)
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 CLC Open House
The College of Lake County’s Open House takes place on Thursday, Nov. 14 from 5 p.m. till 7 p.m. at the
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Grayslake campus - 19351 W. Washington St. Grayslake
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Lakeshore campus - 33 N. Genesee St., Waukegan
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Southlake campus - 1120 S. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills
Surplus Vehicle & Equipment Auction
Cars, trucks, landscape equipment and other surplus items from municipalities and government agencies will be up for sale at the Lake County Municipal Auction conducted by Obenauf Auction Service, Inc. View the list of items that will be auctioned.
Pre-Auction Inspection and Registration: Friday, Dec.1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 2 from 8 a.m.
Auction Begins: Saturday, Dec. 2 at 9 a.m.
Where: Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake
Tree Lighting and Holiday Event Guide
As the holidays approach, a great way to relax and unwind is to go to one of Lake County’s tree lightings and other special holiday events. Check out Visit Lake County’s listing of holiday events and activities to enjoy time with family and friends. Learn more
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