County Board News
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New Program Offers Help for Rent Payments and Utility Bills
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Lake County renters and homeowners who have been impacted by COVID-19 are invited to apply for a new program that offers financial assistance to help pay for rent, gas and electric bills.
The COVID Housing Relief Program is being funded by the Lake County Board, using federal dollars the county received through the federal CARES Act. The program offers financial assistance for up to three months of rent and/or utility bills for qualified residents who meet certain income guidelines. In order to qualify:
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- You must be a Lake County resident.
- You must have recently lost income due to COVID-19, because of a job loss or other reasons, such as because you have to miss work to care for your school-age children. You can also qualify if you have a large unexpected medical cost.
- You must have limited savings.
- Your household must meet annual household income requirements.
To apply for the program, Lake County residents should call 211 or text their zip code to 898211.
Learn more
Open Burning of Landscape Waste to Be Permitted on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
The Lake County Board recently voted to enact a modified emergency ordinance which temporarily allows open burning in unincorporated Lake County from sunrise to sunset on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The ordinance is effective through Oct. 14, 2020. |
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An emergency ordinance had previously been in effect that temporarily banned open burning in the unincorporated areas at all times and on all days of the week due to COVID-19. In recognition of the upcoming landscape maintenance season as leaves begin to fall, Lake County is temporarily permitting open burning on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from sunrise to sunset.
Not adhering to the emergency ordinance can result in a violation. To report an open burning violation occurring in the unincorporated area, please call the Lake County Open Burning Hotline at 847-377-2999. Lake County reminds residents that there are possible alternatives to burning yard waste that can benefit areas surrounding homes.
Lake County Property Assessment Notices Are Being Mailed Now Through September
The Lake County Chief County Assessment Office has begun mailing property assessment notices to all Lake County property owners. Property owners who wish to file an assessment appeal are encouraged to do so on their own through the Lake County Board of Review. No attorney is required for a residential appeal. The appeal deadline varies by township, and can be found
on the assessment notice mailing and on the
assessor’s web page.
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Prior to filing a formal appeal to the Board of Review, property owners are encouraged to contact their local township assessor's office to discuss their concerns.
Election Judges Wanted: Be a Good Neighbor and Get Paid for It!
Are you looking for a way to help your community and earn some extra spending money? Sign up to be an election worker for the Nov. 3 general election. Most importantly, your help is needed to maintain the integrity of the voting process.
Your responsibilities could include verifying voters’ identity, issuing ballots, or observing the ballot bins in the county’s voting sites. Some roles would require your assistance in setting up the voting site on election eve. Pay rates vary according to the level of training you successfully complete and your assigned duties.
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You must be a Lake County registered voter and enthusiastic about customer service. Training classes will be held in August and September. Illinois Department of Public Health safety practices and health standards will be implemented in all training rooms, early voting sites and Election Day voting sites.
Vote from the Safety and Comfort of Home
As required by a new Illinois law, the Lake County Clerk has sent a vote by mail Application for Ballot to all Lake County residents who:
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Voted in the March 2020 General Primary Election, April 2019 Consolidated Election, or the November 2018 General Election, or
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Registered to vote or updated their address between March 18, 2020 and July 31, 2020.
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If you are a Lake County registered voter, want to vote from home, and prefer an online Application for Ballot, log onto LakeVoterPower.info and select “electronic request."
Due to COVID-19, you are encouraged to vote from the safety of your home and avoid the lines at busy, crowded voting sites.
If you choose to vote by mail, your completed Application for Ballot must be returned to the Lake County Clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on Oct. 29. Ballots will be mailed beginning Sept. 24 through Oct. 29.
For more information:
Census Home Visits Are Underway
Your participation in the 2020 Census is vital to ensure that Lake County receives adequate funding to support healthcare, schools, public transportation, roads and more.
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To date, more than one in four Lake County households still have not responded. Census workers have begun visiting those homes. While census takers
are wearing personal protective equipment and following all safety protocols, we
encourage you to respond online to avoid the need for an in-person visit. Watch this video to learn how you can be counted this year.
To complete the Census, please visit my2020census.gov, call 844-330-2020, or complete the paper questionnaire that was mailed in mid-April. The Census is available in English and many other languages online and by phone.
For more information about each of the ways you can respond, please visit:
Identity Theft and Unemployment Fraud
A number of Lake County residents have had their identity stolen and fraudulently
used to get Illinois Department of Employment Services (IDES) debit cards. Most individuals find out about this when they receive an IDES debit cards or a letter about unemployment insurance. If this happens, please call IDES at 800-814-0513 and select option 1 for claimants and then option 5 to report the identity theft. You should also contact your local police department. Do not activate the card, and be sure to check your credit report for unauthorized activity, such as applications for additional credit cards. The scheme targeted the state’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance programs.
Lake County Selected for Wellness Center Study Pilot Program
Lake County was recently selected to participate in a pilot program funded by the MacArthur Foundation that will study the feasibility of implementing and sustaining a crisis/wellness center to help residents experiencing mental health crises.
The wellness center, if implemented, would leverage the success of the County’s existing criminal justice and behavioral health programs such as A Way Out and the Jail High Utilizer Program, and merge them into a 23-hour stabilization unit.
The wellness center would offer a space where individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis can receive assistance and referrals to services that will help them start the road to recovery.
Lake County COVID-19 Update
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Case Count Update
The Lake County Health Department continues to monitor COVID-19 cases in Lake County. As of Aug. 12, there are 12,934 Lake County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, and there have been 432 deaths associated with COVID-19. View the most current information.
As of Aug. 9, the testing positivity rate in the North Suburban Region was 5.6
percent, with daily increases in five of the past ten days. Cases in our region continue to rise, with higher rates reported among teens and young adults in recent weeks. The 20-29 age group now has the highest case count in both counties. Read the recent press release on the rise in Region 9 COVID-19 cases.
Health Department Recommends Avoiding Non-essential Travel
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Across the country and in Illinois, COVID-19 cases continue to rise. The Lake County Health Department recommends avoiding any non-essential travel at this time.
This is a recommendation to limit the spread of COVID-19. Please remember wherever you go to follow the 3 Ws:
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- Wear a mask
- Wash your hands
- Watch your distance
If you are returning from travel and did not follow the 3 Ws while away, please
consider a 14-day self-quarantine to keep our communities safe. Please note that this is not a mandate or a public health order. For more information on travel recommendations visit our page, Community Guidance and Resources for Travelers.
New Safety Guidelines for Recreational Sports Take Effect Aug. 15
Governor Pritzker recently announced updated guidance for youth and adult recreational sports that will go into effect Aug. 15. This includes school-based sports, travel clubs, private leagues and clubs, recreational leagues and centers, and park district sports programs. The newly released guidance categorizes sports into three risk levels based on the amount of contact between athletes and their proximity during play. View the updated guidance
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Additionally, the Illinois High School Sports Association has announced modified schedules for the 2020-21 school year.
Get Help
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Employment Resources
Are you looking for a job during this challenging time of layoffs, furloughs, and hiring freezes? Here are some helpful resources.
1. The Job Center of Lake County provides:
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2. Attend a Virtual Job Expo at 1 p.m. each day the week of Aug. 24 to Aug. 28 sponsored by Congressman Brad Schneider and Illinois State Senator Melinda Bush:
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Monday, Aug. 24 - Manufacturing
- Tuesday, Aug. 25 - Transportation, Distribution, Logistics (TDL)
- Wednesday, Aug. 26 - Healthcare
- Thursday, Aug. 27 - Professional Services
- Friday, Aug. 28 - Other
- Register here
3. Get Hired Illinois is a single portal where individuals can access virtual job fairs, free online training, and current job listings.
4. Apply to be a COVID-19 Case Investigator: The Lake County Health Department is hiring people to help with its COVID-19 case investigation. Applicants who reside in Lake County communities most impacted by COVID-19 are particularly sought. Job responsibilities include conducting case investigations, interviewing individuals who have tested positive, educating individuals and their household contacts on issues such as disease spread, prevention, isolation and quarantine guidelines, and more.
Learn more and apply
Community Action Partnership Energy Assistance Program
The Community Action Partnership invites low-income Lake County residents to apply for grant assistance to help pay for energy bills. The program is funded through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). Income guidelines to qualify for the program have recently been raised to serve more families. To apply, please call the Community Action Partnership at 847-249-4330 to schedule an appointment. Learn more
Get Assistance With ComEd Bills
If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may be eligible for ComEd’s Bill Payment Assistance Program. Eligible ComEd customers who have limited income and are past due on their energy bills can apply to receive a one-time bill assistance credit of up to $500. The program expires on Dec. 31, 2020 or until funds are exhausted, so apply soon.
Call 211 to Get Connected to the Help You Need
If you need assistance finding food, shelter, rent or utility assistance, or other essential services, call 211 or TEXT your zip code to 898211 to speak with someone who can help 24/7. To receive general COVID-19 information via text message, text “COVID19” to 211211. For more information, visit www.211lakecounty.org.
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Health Department News
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Mental Health First Aid
Lake County Health Department’s Mental Health First Aid initiative has resumed operations and is now offering classes virtually. This includes a two-hour self-paced course, followed by four hours of instructor-led training delivered virtually. |
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The virtual course curricula includes expanded content on trauma, addiction and self-care. Mental Health First Aid is an education program that teaches adults how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a mental health challenge, how to listen non-judgmentally and give reassurance to a person who may be experiencing a mental health challenge, and how to refer a person to appropriate professional support and services. For more information and to sign up for classes, visit mentalhealth.today.
Make Sure Your Child's Vaccinations are Up-to-Date
School will look different this year due to COVID-19, but the importance of on-time vaccinations hasn’t changed. Children should still receive their routine vaccinations that help protect them from diseases like chickenpox and pertussis.
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Vaccination appointments are available at the Health Department’s Community Health Centers throughout Lake County. To schedule an appointment, please call (847) 377-8800.
Transportation News
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Provide Input: 'Explore Lake County' Wayfinding Signs
The Lake County Division of Transportation is seeking public input on its new ‘Explore Lake County’ signs. The signs, which were installed on a test section along the North Shore Bike Path, aim to give bike path users a better understanding of where they are on the trails and to make it easier to find connecting destinations. Try out the test section and provide input through an interactive survey by Aug. 14. Watch this video to learn more.
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Midlothian Road to Close for Culvert Replacement
The Lake County Division of Transportation will be closing Midlothian Road between Winchester Road and IL Route 176 to through traffic starting Monday, Aug. 10 at 6 a.m. and is scheduled to reopen Sunday, Sept. 6 in the late afternoon. The closure is necessary for a culvert replacement. View the detour route. |
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Public Works News
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Learn about Local Lake County Public Works Projects
Lake County Public Works delivers high quality water and wastewater services to thousands of Lake County residents and businesses. In order to maintain a high level a service, Public Works must preserve, modernize and sometimes expand pipes, sewers, reservoirs, treatment facilities, and more. Public Works prioritizes and plans for this work through its capital improvement program, which is very active during the summer months. Learn more about this program and see the projects Lake County Public Works is working on.
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Forest Preserve News
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Farm Stand Offers Fresh Produce
Each year, fresh organic produce is grown and sold by 20 high school students employed at a 1.25-acre sustainable farm located within Greenbelt Forest Preserve in North Chicago. Herbs, honey, flowers, and fresh vegetables and fruit are available for purchase weekly at discount prices. The farm stand is open Wednesdays from 9 am–1 pm, through October 14. It's located across the street from the farm at the Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 N. Green Bay Road. As the farm stand operates this summer, there may be safety protocols in place due to COVID-19 concerns. Before heading out, please check LCFPD.org/produce for updates. |
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The Green Youth Farm program is a partnership between the Lake County Forest Preserves, its charitable partner the Preservation Foundation, and the Chicago Botanic Garden. The program provides teens with a paid summer job working on an urban farm. In addition to work experience, high school students also gain entrepreneurial and job skills training, and exposure to healthy foods and cooking. The Green Youth Farm is made possible by donors from across the region. Learn how you can help support a student crew member. A gift of any amount helps grow stronger students. Visit LCFPD.org/farm for details.
Ask an Educator Live: Hummingbirds & Monarchs
Join Environmental Educators, Eileen Davis and Jen Berlinghof, as they answer your hummingbird and monarch butterfly questions live. This biweekly Q&A series features a panel of educators excited to share their expertise about Lake County nature and history. Join us live via Zoom or Facebook every other Wednesday for a new topic about the amazing history, creatures and places that make our county special. Learn how to join »
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Mid-Season Rates Available at Fox River Marina
Boaters love the marina’s central location within the Fox River Forest Preserve in Port Barrington. The entrance is on Roberts Road west of Route 59. It's a perfect place to start your day in the sun. Mid-season rates are now available on slips and summer storage. Boat slips, floating pier, public boat launch, indoor storage, and paved parking lots are available here. The surrounding water makes a great playground for a variety of sports, including wakeboarding, water-skiing, tubing and fishing. You’ll need approved flotation gear, and your motorized watercraft must be registered and titled with the state of Illinois. Learn more » |
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Important Bee Discovery
Kelly Schultz, stewardship ecologist for the Lake County Forest Preserves, recently spotted a rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) at Greenbelt Forest Preserve in North Chicago. It was the first documented sighting in our county's forest preserves of this rare pollinator protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. Finding the species is an indication of our successful habitat restoration efforts providing healthy woodlands, grasslands, and tall-grass prairies that are essential to the rusty patched bumble bee’s survival. |
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Community Events & News
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Pop-Up Market for Those in Need
Northern Illinois Food Bank invites anyone who needs a little extra help during this time to come to a drive-thru Pop-Up Market to pick up fresh groceries from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 29 at Grant Community High School, 285 Grand Avenue, Fox Lake. |
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The event is being hosted in partnership with Lake County elected officials and Lake County Board Member Judy Martini.
Volunteers for the event are needed. If you can help, sign up at this link.
Learn more
Remote Preschool For All Program at College of Lake County
The Children’s Learning Center at College of Lake County offers a free program for children ages 3-5 starting Aug. 31 through the Preschool for All program for Lake County families who qualify. Due to COVID-19, the program will be remote e-learning this fall.
To learn more, call the Children’s Learning Center at (847) 543-2190.
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Illinois Beach State Park Closed to Public on Weekends
Illinois Beach State Park in Zion recently announced that it will be closed to the public on weekends, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and overcrowding. It remains open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, the park’s beaches will only be open to registered guests of the Illinois Beach campground and the Illinois Beach Hotel. Learn more
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Watch All County Board and Committee Meetings
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All Lake County board and committee meetings are continuing to be conducted remotely. Meetings are live-streamed at lakecounty.tv and on cable television (Comcast channels 18 or 30, depending on where you live, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99). The public is also welcome to view the livestream of all meetings in-person at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, 10th Floor Assembly Room. |
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To maintain proper social distancing, the number of persons permitted to attend will be limited. Public comments can also be submitted by email and phone call. Learn more
To see a current schedule of board and committee meetings, click here.
All meetings are recorded, and are posted on the Lake County website. Here are links to the most recent board and committee meetings, including the video recordings and agendas:
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