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Dear Neighbors, |
I’m pleased to see that the state’s and the County’s supply of COVID vaccines is continuing to steadily increase. I encourage everyone who is eligible at this time to continue to seek appointments through your medical providers, retail pharmacies and any location you can find one including the Lake County Health Department’s AllVax Portal. The supply of vaccines and the availability of appointments will continue to increase, and we are making progress. Please be patient and please continue to seek appointments. Our Senior Call Center continues to thrive, and we have helped hundreds of seniors with questions, AllVax Sign ups and vaccine appointments. Please call 847-377-8130 Option 1 if you are a senior 65+ who needs some guidance.
At the March 9th County Board and Forest Preserve District meetings we enacted some important policies. The Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners has decided to permanently close the swimming beach at Independence Grove due to operating costs and declining use. It was the only swimming facility in the Forest Preserves and not aligned with the Preserve’s operations. We approved this week a plan to convert that space to a beer garden featuring locally brewed beers, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. I’m excited to see this space converted to a new use and I look forward to visiting there this summer when we can all resume some fun outdoor activities.
We also debated a significant investment in the County’s transportation infrastructure and public transportation systems and how to pay for it. The County Board has held the County’s portion of our property tax bills completely flat for the past two years, something not achieved before, and we are hoping to do that again this year. We’ve cut nearly 3% from the County’s operating budget during this crisis, the Forest Preserves is about to save $600,000 in costs through bond refinancing initiatives, and later this year we will even discuss refunding to taxpayers nearly $2 M in property taxes collected for a special fund that can no longer be used.
All of our efforts to help taxpayers are important, but we are also in need of additional transportation investments and this board does not want to pay for that with property tax dollars. So, we have been debating a motor fuel subsidy at the pump that would contribute to the $1.7 billion in our backlog of vitally important road projects in our county. After studying the impact on fuel prices, several national and state studies show that fuel prices are driven by the petroleum markets and the oil companies. When the state enacted a motor fuel tax increase of 19 cents per gallon in 2019 gas prices in Illinois decreased significantly. A subsidy to go to Lake County’s transportation projects of 4 cents per gallon is what we approved this week.
We heard from Lake County Partners, the economic development organization about a very real and recent example of a road widening project that reduced congestion, improved traffic safety, spurred a business investment and helped create nearly 300 new jobs in central Lake County. These investments will help us reduce congestion, which reduces carbon emissions and improves traffic safety. Overall, we are focused on improving transportation in Lake County and investing in the future economic development of the County.
Please get out of your homes and enjoy our beautiful weather. Still follow social distancing guidelines, as we are moving in a more positive direction, but we all still need to be careful and safe.
Best,
Marah Altenberg
Lake County Board District 20
Marah Altenberg Webpage
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Lake County COVID-19 Update
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Tips for Finding a Vaccine Appointment
One year ago this week, Lake County recorded its first case of COVID-19. While it’s been a tremendously difficult year, we are fortunate to have access to effective vaccines that were developed in record time.
The vaccine supply is finally starting to increase this month, and although it will still take months for everyone who wants a vaccine to receive one, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
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Because of the increased supply, the Lake County Health Department has been able to expand the hours of its mass vaccination site at the Lake County Fairgrounds to six days a week, so more people are being offered appointments. Additional locations in the county will be available soon. We continue to encourage all residents to explore their options for COVID-19 vaccination and take the first available appointment if they are eligible. There are several ways to access the vaccine:
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Register to get notified of appointment availability in the county’s AllVax system. Check the box to give your consent for the Health Department to securely share your registration information with local vaccination partners. This will give you more options for receiving an appointment at partnering community vaccination sites that open as vaccine supply increases. Once registered, you can log in to your Allvax account any time to verify and/or update your information.
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Visit our vaccine web page to see a list of community vaccination sites. More sites are opening and will be listed on the page as they become available.
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Use the State’s Vaccine Locator that lists pharmacies and other providers that are offering vaccinations to the public.
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Check with your hospital system or healthcare provider group for registration and availability. Most systems are reaching out to their existing patients and cannot accommodate other people calling to inquire about appointments at this time.
- Stay informed--get the COVID-19 weekly newsletter: The Lake County Health Department sends out a weekly COVID-19 newsletter every Friday with the latest information about the COVID-19 vaccine, coronavirus in Lake County, how to protect yourself, and more. Subscribe here
Assistance With Allvax Portal
Residents who need assistance with the Allvax portal can email AllVax@lakecountyil.gov or call (847) 377-8130. The call center hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Recently, additional volunteers have been added to take calls from Lake County residents age 65 and older during special senior hours:
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Tuesdays: Noon to 3 p.m.
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Thursdays: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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Fridays: Noon to 3 p.m.
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Vaccine Help for Veterans
Veterans in Lake County who would like to establish care at the VA in order to be eligible to receive the vaccine should contact the Veterans Assistance Commission for assistance at 847-377-3344. Veterans age 50 and older who are already established patients of the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center may call 224-610-3899 to schedule a vaccine appointment.
Current COVID-19 Data
Positivity Rate: As of March 5, the rolling 7-day average testing positivity rate in North Suburban Region 9, which includes Lake and McHenry Counties, was 3.4 percent. View Region 9 information.
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Vaccination Count: According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), as of March 8, there have been 159,483 vaccine doses administered to Lake County residents, and 51,123 residents have been fully vaccinated with two doses. View IDPH Vaccine Administration Data
COVID-19 Testing
Drive-thru and walk-up testing is available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Waukegan at 102 W. Water Street.
Residents may schedule an appointment for their COVID-19 test by visiting the Illinois Department of Public Health MyChart website at https://rebrand.ly/idph. Sign in or sign up to create an account, and then select ‘Visits’ and then ‘Schedule an Appointment.’
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Testing is free and open to all regardless of symptoms. Be aware that high demand for testing may result in long wait times. Testing locations may close early due to inclement weather or if daily testing supplies are exhausted. Find additional testing locations and information at https://www.dph.illinois.gov/testing.
Lake County Government News
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Lake County Board Addresses $1.7 Billion Transportation Project Backlog
At its March 9 meeting, the Lake County Board enacted an ordinance to address the $1.7 billion transportation project backlog in Lake County. The new ordinance will provide an estimated $10 million each year in new transportation infrastructure investments through the adoption of a four cents per gallon local county motor fuel tax.
Temporary Open Burning Restrictions in Unincorporated Lake County
The Lake County Board voted on March 9 to reinstate a temporary emergency ordinance effective through June 9, 2021, which allows open burning of landscape waste in unincorporated Lake County from sunrise to sunset only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The ordinance also permits open burning from sunrise to sunset on any day of the week if the burning occurs at least 500 feet from the nearest habitable structure. |
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Some unincorporated areas are also subject to the open burning rules of their local fire protection district, which may be more restrictive.
Temporary emergency ordinances restricting open burning of landscape waste in unincorporated Lake County were in effect in 2020 in recognition of the increased risk of negative health impacts from open burning on individuals infected with COVID-19. The most recent ordinance expired on Dec. 31, but has been reinstated for the 2021 spring landscape waste burning season.
Learn more
How to Vote in April 6 Election
April 6 is Election Day for local offices including city, village and township officials, school board members, park district and library board members and more. Referendum questions will also be on the ballots for some communities.
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Vote by Mail: Due to COVID-19, all voters are encouraged to vote by mail and avoid lines during early voting or on Election Day. Request a ballot or track your request at lakevoterpower.info.
Early Voting: Early voting will be available at 16 sites countywide. Twelve sites will be open Monday to Saturday from March 22 to April 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Four sites will offer extended hours including evenings and Sundays, and will be open from March 22 to April 5. View early voting hours and locations or use our Early Voting Sites Finder. Wait times will be displayed on the finder beginning March 22.
Election Day Voting April 6: Neighborhood polling sites will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Reapportionment Committee to Look at New District Boundaries
Under Illinois law, every 10 years the Lake County Board must reapportion its districts so that each district has approximately the same number of residents. On Feb. 18, the board’s newly formed Reapportionment Committee met to discuss the framework of the redistricting process. Data collected from the decennial census is used to determine the population in Lake County and then political boundaries are redrawn based on the data.
The next meeting date has yet to be determined. Visit our Reapportionment Page for up-to-date information regarding the redistricting process and for a link to the video of the Feb.18 meeting.
Useful Things to Know
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Summer Youth Employment Program
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Young people from low-income families in Lake County are encouraged to apply for the Lake County Summer Youth Employment Program! This popular program from the Job Center of Lake County is funded by the Lake County Board and will provide meaningful work experiences in either onsite or virtual environments for approximately 215 young people this summer. Applications are due by April 30.
Learn more
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Spend Your Summer in a Stream!
The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is seeking two stream inventory interns to work this summer in the Squaw Creek and Fish Lake Drain Watersheds.
Interns will be responsible for performing a field-based assessment of channel conditions, hydraulic structures draining to the stream, available habitat in the stream and more.
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Protect Your Home from Flooding
The snow and ice around Lake County has melted, leaving the ground saturated, and now we’re heading into the rainy season of spring. Here are some steps homeowners can take to help prevent flooding:
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Inspect your foundation and seal any cracks to prevent water seeping indoors
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Check your sump pump to make sure it’s working
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If possible, clear storm sewer inlets near your house to prevent ponding and facilitate melt water run-off
Learn more
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Get High-Quality Plat Images Online
The Lake County Recorder of Deeds Office is offering a new service that provides online access to the 400DPI plat image database. This allows users to download high- quality full size scanned plat images in TIF or PDF formats without having to call or email the Recorder of Deeds Office to request a copy. All plat copies can be either billed to a credit card or charged to your monthly recording/copies statement account.
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Senior Designee Form for Property Taxes
Homeowners who receive the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption may choose to designate another person to receive a duplicate copy of any delinquent real estate tax notice. If you would like to do this, please print and complete the form at this link, and mail it with a check for $5 to the Lake County Treasurer’s Office, 18 N. County St., Room 102, Waukegan, IL 60085-4361. Questions? Call the Treasurer’s Office at 847-377-2323.
Get Help
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SBA Loan Deadline for Small Businesses Affected by Civil Unrest in 2020 is Approaching
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding Illinois businesses that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are still available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and private nonprofit organizations affected by civil unrest that occurred from May 26 to June 8, 2020. The application deadline is March 23, 2021. Learn more
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.
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ComEd assistance: ComEd 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.
Food for Families in Need
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 attend any of the markets to receive free groceries. No ID or registration is required. For a complete calendar, visit solve hunger today.
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Don't Go Without Health Insurance
Did you lose your health insurance when you lost your job, or are you uninsured for any reason at all? You may be able to purchase coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
A special enrollment period is open through May 15, 2021 to anyone who needs to obtain health insurance. Individuals who are already insured through the ACA but would like to change their current plan may do so at this time as well. Some people may qualify for subsidies (tax credits) to help reduce monthly premiums and other costs. Visit GetCoveredIllinois.gov to learn more and enroll.
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Mental Health/Substance Abuse
The Lake County Health Department’s Crisis Care Program has a free, confidential hotline staffed by professional counselors for those experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use issue. Services are available 24/7 to anyone. Call (847) 377-8088 or walk in to 3002 Grand Avenue, Waukegan. People can also get connected to this line by calling 211. |
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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 from the Job Center of Lake County:
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Your Personal Brand and Resume, March 16 at 1 p.m.: Regardless of your job title or field, you have a personal brand. Learn how to customize your resume and other written tools to help you land a great job! Register here
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Mastering the Virtual Job Interview, March 23 at 1 p.m.: Virtual interviews are becoming a staple of the candidate recruiting process. Learn the necessary tips and tricks to successfully interview online and land your next job! Register here
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Find more workshops on the Job Center Calendar
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The Job Center of Lake County has computers you can use for your job search. Face coverings are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed. To schedule an appointment, call 847-377-3450.
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Get Hired Illinois: Get Hired Illinois is a single portal where individuals can access virtual job fairs, free online training, and current job listings.
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 Preserve News |
Maple Syrup Hikes & Programs
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Throughout March, enjoy self-guided Maple Syrup Hikes through Ryerson Woods in Riverwoods along with a variety of related virtual programs and field trips that teach the sweet science behind turning sap from sugar maple trees into maple syrup.
Browse all virtual education offerings and register online at LCFPD.org/calendar. Follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @LCFPD for more educational resources, webinars and videos. Learn more about maple syrup programs»
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Temporary Positions Available
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Looking to spend the summer outdoors in a beautiful, natural setting? We are in the process of hiring an array of temporary positions. "We offer a wide variety of seasonal employment opportunities with openings available this spring," said Laurel Diver, manager of human resources and risk.
Temporary positions are available at the three golf courses we operate, Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, Fox River Marina in Port Barrington and other locations. Learn more»
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Fast Facts About Your Preserves
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There are so many interesting fast facts and figures about your Lake County Forest Preserves. Created in 1958, we are the second-largest Forest Preserve District in Illinois, managing nearly 31,000 acres of land and 208 miles of trails.
A 162-acre land purchase in 1961 started things off, creating Lake County's very first preserve—Van Patten Woods in Wadsworth. Discover a dozen more facts»
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Community Events & News
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Successful Vegetable Gardening
The University of Illinois Extension, Lake County, and SWALCO (Solid Waste Agency of Lake County) invite all gardeners to get the dirt on vegetable gardening this season! The 2021 Garden Learning Series offers a monthly program from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month through July. The next session will be held April 14, and will explore Successful Vegetable Gardening: Beyond Basics. Learn more
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Get Ready to Golf, Lake County!
Lake County is a golfer’s haven! The County’s 46 golf courses are getting ready for spring and should be opening up in late March. Check out Visit Lake County’s Golf Lake County guide for information on where to golf in Lake County.
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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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