The Latest Vaccine Information, Lake County Moves to Tier 1, Senior Freeze Info and more

 

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Carissa Casbon Banner Color 4
 

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January 28, 2021

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Dear Neighbors,

I hope this message finds you well. As I write this, I’m near the end of my first months of meetings on the Lake County Board, and I’m feeling pretty settled in. I love this job!

This month, I had the pleasure of visiting the Warren Township Center. Township Supervisor Sue Simpson, Assessor Charlie Mullin and Highway Commissioner Amy Sarver spent a significant amount of time showing me around and helping me get a feel for the many services they offer our township. I was grateful for their time and hospitality. To learn more about the Warren Township, you can visit https://www.warrentownship.net/  

If you’d like to donate to the Warren Township Food Pantry, they have a no-contact dropoff where you can leave nonperishable food items and call them to let them know donations are outside. Cash or check donations can be dropped off or mailed to the Warren Township Food Pantry, 17801 W. Washington Street, Gurnee, IL 60031. So many families are food insecure right now. Every little bit helps. 

Please feel free to reach out if you need anything. I will be starting office hours via Zoom soon. Until then, you can reach me at 224-501-5323.

Most sincerely,

Carissa Casbon

Carissa Casbon
Lake County Board Member District 7

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Lake County Government News  

Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Information  

Property owners age 65 and older who have total household incomes of $65,000 or less are encouraged to apply for the Senior Citizen’s Assessment Freeze.  While applications were not required for this program in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, applications WILL BE REQUIRED in 2021.  All applications must be submitted online by July 31, 2021 through the Chief County Assessment Office Smart E-Filing Portal. 

senior freeze tax exemption

Where to Get Help Completing the Online Application: 

  • Call or visit the Chief County Assessment Office Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 847-377-2050; 18 N. County St., Waukegan, 7th Floor 
  • Call or visit your local township assessor’s officeCalling ahead for hours of operation is recommended. 
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Lake County COVID-19 Update   

Lake County Moves into Tier 1 Mitigations 

Coronavirus restrictions in Lake County have been loosened as our region has been moved from the more restrictive Tier 2
mitigations up to Tier 1, effective Jan. 26
Under Tier 1:  

  • Restaurants and bars may offer indoor service limited to the lesser of 25 guests or 25% room capacity. 
  • Sports should follow the mitigation measures set forth in the All Sports Policy.
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  • Meetings and social events, including weddings and funerals, are limited to a lesser of 25 guests or 25% of overall room capacity both indoors and outdoors. 
  • Cultural institutions and gaming establishments are permitted to open under Phase 4 rules.  
  • Movie theaters may operate at 50% capacity.  

Please continue to follow the 3W’s  Wear a mask, Wash your hands, Watch your distance  and stay home as much as possible. Learn more


COVID-19 Vaccination Information   

More than 250,000 Lake County residents have registered to date through our 
AllVax portal to get notified about when it is their turn to schedule an appointment to receive a vaccine from the Lake County Health Department. Thank you for your patience as vaccine supply is currently still very limited. If you haven’t already done so, please register on the Allvax portal to be sure you get notified about when you can schedule your appointment. People who are already registered can log on at any time to update their registration information. 

VACCINE

Phase 1a: As of this week, our Health Department is still currently vaccinating only those who are in Phase 1a, including healthcare workers.  No AllVax
appointments are available to people in later phases. While some pharmacies and healthcare systems have begun to provide Phase 1b vaccinations, Lake County has a large population of frontline healthcare workers. There are still thousands of individuals in Phase 1a who have not yet received vaccines, and we continue to focus our efforts there until 85% of that population has been vaccinated. 

Phase 1b: Depending on vaccine supply, we may begin vaccinating people in Phase 1b in early February. This includes all individuals age 65 and older, as well as essential frontline workers Some area providers may begin providing Phase 1b vaccinations sooner. If you are contacted by a local hospital or pharmacy and can get an appointment for your first does of the COVID-19 vaccine from them, please take advantage of that opportunity. There is no need to remove your account from the AllVax system if you are are vaccinated elsewhere. Learn more about who's eligible in Phase 1b. 

Scheduling an appointment If you have registered in the AllVax portal, you will receive an email when you become eligible to receive the vaccine. The email will come from allvax@communications-lakecohealth.org. However, not everyone in the eligible group will receive an email at the same time. For example, if there are 30,000 people eligible, but the Health Department receives a shipment of just 1,200 doses, the AllVax system may notify the next 1,500 people who are eligible to allow them to schedule, and then notify more people if appointments do not fill up.   

Please be patient: Our vaccine supply is currently very limited. We expect supply to increase over the coming weeks and months, so our Health Department is working to build a network of local providers to give vaccinations. As supply increases and more providers are set up to administer vaccines, the number of people getting vaccinated will increase. Your turn will come!  

Stay safe! It’s been a long haul, but we will get there. Meanwhile, while we are all waiting for the vaccine, please continue to remain vigilant.  By following the 3 W’s: Wash your hands, Wear a mask and Watch your distance, you can help ensure that you and your loved ones will be healthy when we finally can start to resume our normal lives. 

A Visit From Gov. Pritzker: On Wednesday, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker visited our Health Department’s mass vaccination site at the Lake County Fairgrounds. The site is currently vaccinating 600 people a day, three days a week, and will be equipped to handle 1,000 people a day, seven days a week as more vaccine supply is available. View the video

Vaccine Clinic Lake County Fairgrounds

Sharing Information With Underserved Communities 

Our Health Department has been working with two community partnership groups—Asociacion Communitaria Latina (ACL) and the African American Community Partnership Group (AACPG) to address COVID-19 disparities along racial and ethnic lines.  This includes developing culturally tailored outreach materials, including materials in Spanish. Learn more at  


Case Count Update  

The Lake County Health Department continues to monitor COVID-19 cases in Lake County. As of Jan. 26, there are
51,373 Lake County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, 
including 856 deaths. 
View the Lake County Coronavirus Datahub  
    
 

data hub lake county

As of Jan. 24, the rolling 7-day average testing positivity rate in North Suburban Region 9, which includes Lake and McHenry Counties, was 7.2 percent. View the Region 9 current information. 


COVID-19 Testing Locations 

The state of Illinois operates the following testing sites, open seven days a week from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Testing at these sites is free.     

  • Waukegan, 102 W. Water Street   
  • Arlington Heights, 2000 W. Euclid Ave.   
COVID Testing

For more information, visit the IDPH website at 
https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/ covid-19-testing-sites.     

Many healthcare providers in Lake County also have COVID-19 testing available. Please contact your provider or the facility to ask about testing criteria and appointment availability. Residents without a healthcare provider or insurance can contact the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center for an appointment at (847) 377-8800.  

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Transportation news

Stay Alert and Aware about the Weather 

Lake County saw its biggest storm of the season this week. Make sure you’re prepared when bad weather hits. 

 

Monitor Weather Updates: Use a weather app or website, or watch the local news. You can also use the National Weather Service’s website: https://go.usa.gov/xAAnQ 

snow

View Live Road Conditions: Download the Lake County PASSAGE app on your smartphone or visit lakecountypassage.com. From there, you can get live traffic updates and can view images from the dashboards of Lake County's snow plows and intersection cameras. 

Report a Power Outage: If you see downed power lines, leave the area immediately and then call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1. If your electric power is interrupted, be sure to report the outage to ComEd right away by phone or online at Comed.com/outage. 


Metra to Purchase New Modern Railcars          

Metra approved the purchase of up to 500 state-of-the-art railcars that will be more comfortable, accessible, reliable and safe than the outdated gallery cars they will replace. The railcars will improve passenger flow, increase safety and reduce time spent boarding and deboarding at each station. The new cars will feature stainless steel bodies and be compatible with Metra’s existing fleet, which means they can be coupled to current cars. Learn more 

Metra
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Sheriff News

Sheriff Invites Students to Apply for $1,000 College Scholarship 

Sheriff John D. Idleburg is partnering with the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association to award a $1,000 school scholarship to a Lake County resident, for an institution of higher learning.  The scholarship is to be applied to tuition, books and fees only. The student must be enrolled full-time at a certified institution of higher learning within the State of Illinois, full-time online learning is acceptable. The application deadline is March 15. 

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Treasurer’s Office News 

Free Classes to Help You Meet Your Financial Health Goals 

The Treasurer’s Office is hosting "Fiscally Fit in 2021" with local community banks in Lake County. These convenient and free zoom lessons help you meet your financial health goals.  Upcoming classes include: 

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  • Fraud is Broad: Don't Get Scammed; Wednesday Feb. 3, 5 p.m. 
  • Unclaimed Property: Leave no Stone Unturned; Wednesday, March 17, 11 a.m. 
  • Increasing Endurance: Borrowing Basics; Monday, April 12, 9 a.m. 
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Stormwater Management Commission 

Wetland Restoration and Preservation Plan 

Lake County Stormwater Management Commission Planning Supervisor Mike  
Prusila and Principal Wetland
Specialists 
Juli Crane and Glenn Westman discussed the Wetland Restoration and Preservation Plan (WRAPP) with the managing editor of Storm Water Solutions Magazine.   

WRAPP

The WRAPP assesses wetland functions, as well as identifies opportunities for preserving, restoring, and enhancing wetlands in the County. The goal of the WRAPP is to provide a wide audience of end-users with the decision-making support to help prioritize wetland restoration and preservation efforts using and on-line decision support tool, both of which are available through the SMC
website 

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Get Help 

Get Help Paying Rent and Utilities 

If you're a Lake County resident and need help paying rent or utility bills because you've lost income due to COVID-19, you are encouraged to apply for the Lake County COVID Housing Relief Program (CHRP).  

 

Applying is easy—simply dial 211 from your phone or text your zip code to 898211, and you will be connected with someone who can help.  Learn more about the Lake County COVID Housing Relief Program. 

Lake County Forward

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Now Accepting New Loan Applications 

To provide continued support to small businesses, the U.S. Small Business Administration has opened the second round of the federal Paycheck Protection ProgramFirst-time applicants can apply here and second-time applicants can apply at this linkLearn more 

Earlier this week, Lake County Partners hosted a webinar with more information about the PPP program. View the presentation 


Mobile Food Pantries and Pop-Up Food Markets 

The Northern Illinois Food Bank maintains a list of mobile food pantries and pop-up food markets planned for Lake County. Families in need of food are invited to come to attend any of the markets to receive free groceries. No ID or registration is required. For a complete calendar, visit 
https://solvehungertoday.org/get-help/distributions/ 

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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:    

  • Census Bureau Field Representatives: The U.S. Census Bureau is seeking field representatives in Lake County to work on surveys and special censuses. To learn more or request an application, call 800-865-6384 Ext. 15, or email chicago.
    recruiting@census.gov
     View the flyer
CENSUS
  • Four vital Virtual Tools for Job Seekers.          
  • January and February Calendar of online events.   
  • Schedule time to use the Job Center of Lake County resource room computers for your job search by calling 847-377-3450. Face coverings are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed. For more information, visit the Job Center website.      
  • Get Hired IllinoisGet Hired Illinois is a single portal where individuals can access virtual job fairs, free online training, and current job listings.  

Get Assistance With ComEd Bills 

Commonwealth Edison offers several different programs for individuals and small businesses experiencing financial hardship to receive assistance with their electric bill payments. To learn more, visit ComEd.com/Support.      


Mental Health Crisis Care 

The Lake County Health Department offers mental health support through its Crisis Care hotline, available 24/7 at (847) 377-8088. Services are free and confidential. Learn more   

MENTAL HEALTH

Call 211 to Get Connected to the Help You Need     

If you need help 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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Forest Preserves News

Virtual Event: Profiles in Excellence 

Join us virtually for the 38th annual Profiles in Excellence event for inspiring presentations and performances in honor of Black History Month.  

The free event takes place from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 6. The virtual event theme, Our Voice is Black History, features students and faculty from the College of Lake County sharing their experiences through stories collected from Lake County's African American community. 

Profiles

The project is the foundation of an exciting new exhibition opening virtually in February at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville.  

You must get your free ticket in advance online at LCFPD.org/Profiles to join this virtual event. A Zoom link will be sent before the event only to those with tickets. Questions? Email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org. Follow on Facebook @LCFPD for live streaming and for links to the recorded event. Learn more » 


19 Donations Added to Museum 

The Dunn Museum in Libertyville has accepted 19 new donations to its collections, including a 1927 plaster architectural remnant from the balcony of Waukegan's Genesee Theater and watercolor paintings depicting everyday scenes in Libertyville and Lake Forest in the 1980s. Every item tells a story. 

Museum

The nationally accredited Dunn Museum is frequently contacted by individuals and organizations with items they wish to donate. “When someone offers to donate an item to our collections, it goes through a thoughtful review process before a decision is made,” said Dunn Museum Curator Diana Dretske. Learn more » 


Give, Naturally 

Through his role as president of the
Preservation FoundationNels Leutwiler 
spends a great deal of his time advocating for the Lake County Forest Preserves. “Through private philanthropy, the Foundation is able to accelerate the agency’s strategic goals and priorities,” he said. "Donations to the Foundation help to preserve and restore Lake County's natural lands and cultural resources in perpetuity.” 
 

Leutwiler

Last year, forest preserves across Lake County experienced record high usage levels as people turned to nature as an escape. Leutwiler, who grew up in Lake Forest enjoying Captain Daniel Wright Woods, has been interested in environmental protection for years and is a lifelong supporter of open lands. Learn more about Nels Leutiwiler and giving opportunities at 
LCFPD.org/Foundation. 


Virtual Program: Hibernation or Migration 

Have you ever wondered where some of Lake County's animals go during the winter season? Join in for a virtual program, “Hibernation or Migration,”  to learn which animals hibernate locally and which ones migrate once the temperature starts to drop. The program, designed for families with children ages 12 and under, takes place virtually from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 7. Tickets are required. 

Migration

The cost is $3. A Zoom link will be emailed to registered participants no later than one hour prior to the start of the program. Learn more and get ticket to attend»  

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Community Events and News

United Way of Illinois Launches ‘21 Week Equity Challenge’ 

United Way of Lake County joins United Way organizations across the state in the United Way of Illinois Equity ChallengeThis free 21-week online program is designed to encourage residents to engage in racial equity conversations to gain a deeper understanding about the impact systemic racism and inequality have on our state and in our local communities. 

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Participants will complete weekly learning assignmentsincluding readings, videos, and questions for participants to consider. Read more

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Watch All County Board and Committee Meetings 

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. 

LCTV

The public can also offer "live" public comments during the Zoom meetings from the comfort of their own home or submit comments 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 video recordings and agendas:   

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