New 911 Technology, CDC Mask Guidelines, Forest Preserve News and more

 

view as a webpage  •   translate

 
Catherine Sbarra Banner Color 11
 

Newsletter Sign Up  •  Contact Me  •  Website

May 28, 2021

Color 11 Person Behind Desk

Lake County Government News  

911 Consortium Approves New Technology to Improve Public Safety

In an emergency, response time is critical. In a step to improve 9-1-1 call-taking, dispatch services and public safety throughout Lake County, the Regional 9-1-1 Consolidation Consortium coordinated with the Lake County Board to enter into two contracts with Tyler Technologies of Troy, Michigan to replace and improve public safety technology for participating agencies. The new technology will include Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Mobile Messaging and more.

9-1-1 consolidation

The consortium includes 21 public safety entities working together to improve 9-1-1 service and increase public safety efficiencies for residents and communities. In 2019, the Consortium approved a general plan to move partners toward consolidation of 9-1-1 technology and future operations. Learn more


First Installment of Property Tax Bills Is Due June 7

The first installment of Lake County property tax bills is due June 7. There are many ways to pay your bill, including online and pay by phone. Click here to learn about payment options.

 

To view your property tax bill and payment history, and for helpful information about understanding your tax bill, visit the Treasurer’s Office Property Tax web page.

June 7

Public Meetings on Redistricting

On May 19 and 20, Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart hosted four public meetings to talk about upcoming redistricting in Lake County, which happens every 10 years based on new U.S. Census data. Each meeting focused on a separate quadrant of the county. To listen to the discussion, please visit the following links:

• Northeast Lake County: English link | Spanish link
• Southeast Lake County: English link | Spanish link
• Northwest Lake County: English link | Spanish link
• Southwest Lake County: English link | Spanish link

To learn more, visit the Reapportionment Committee web page.


Remembering Our Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day 

All County offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day, Monday, May 31. We invite friends, family, and those who have served with fallen heroes to share the stories of those who fought and died for our freedom. Submit an Honor Post, consisting of a photo, written tribute and the hometown location of a fallen hero at this website.  

Memorial Day

Over the holiday weekend, we encourage everyone to take some time to reflect and remember all of those who died while in the military in service to our country. We owe many of the luxuries and freedoms that we enjoy today to the sacrifice they made. 

Color 11 Divider 4px
Color 11 Heart Rate

Lake County COVID-19 Update  

Mask Guidelines for the Fully Vaccinated

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued new mask guidance for people who are fully vaccinated. If you are fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask in most indoor and outdoor settings. However, if you are not yet fully vaccinated (two weeks past your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or two weeks past your Johnson & Johnson vaccine), you must continue to wear masks as before.

CDC guidelines

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health have aligned with CDC guidance and issued an updated executive order. Vaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks:

• On public transit
• In healthcare settings
• In congregate settings
• In schools and daycare settings

We encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated.


How to Find a Vaccine

There is ample supply of vaccine for everyone who is eligible. It’s easy to schedule an appointment convenient to where you live, and there are also many locations where no appointment is required and you can just walk in.

covid-19 vaccine

To find a convenient vaccination location near you, visit lakecountyil.gov/vaccine, or call our vaccine helpline at 847-377-8130. You may also create an account or login to your current account on our AllVax portal to schedule an appointment.

The last day of operations for the mass vaccination site at the Lake County Fairgrounds will be Monday, June 14. After that date, the Health Department will focus on offering vaccines through a community-based model, including providing vaccinations through mobile units and pop-up events in locations across the county. The vaccination site at 102 W. Water St. in Waukegan will also remain open. Learn more 


Current COVID-19 Data

Vaccination Count:  According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), as of May 26, there have been 595,710 vaccine doses administered to Lake County residents, and 271,047 residents have been fully vaccinated with two doses. View IDPH Vaccine Administration Data 

Coronavirus Data Hub

Case Count: As of May 26, there are 61,461 Lake County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, including 1,001 deaths. View the Lake County Coronavirus Datahub      

Positivity Rate: As of May 23 the rolling 7-day average testing positivity rate in North Suburban Region 9, which includes Lake and McHenry Counties, was 2.1 percent. View Region 9 information 

 


COVID-19 Helpful Links

Color 11 Divider 4px
Color 11 Megaphone 36px

Get Help 

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 211lakecounty.org.   

211

Other Resources for Help

food pantry

Many individuals and businesses continue to feel the economic impacts of the pandemic. Here are some additional resources:

  • Rental Assistance: Lake County’s new program for renters provides needed relief to those who need help making past-due or current rent and utility payments. Learn more
  • Food for Families in Need: Check out the Northern Illinois Food Bank calendar for a list of mobile food pantries and pop-up food markets planned for Lake County. Find food
  • Mental Health Support: The Lake County Health Department offers a free, 24/7 confidential hotline for those experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use issue. Call 847-377-8088 any time. Learn more
  • Assistance with COBRA Premium Payments: Did you lose your medical benefits when you were laid off? Learn about COBRA and a special healthcare subsidy under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 available through September 1, 2021 at the website for the Employee Benefits Security Administration. Call 866-444-3272 with questions.
  • Get Help Paying Your ComEd Bill: Commonwealth Edison offers many resources to customers who are having trouble paying their bill. Learn more

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.

Jobs
  • Job Search Resources in a Rough Market; Tuesday, June 8 at 1 p.m. via Zoom: Are you seeking a job or transitioning careers? The Job Center of Lake County can help! Hear our top tips for seeking work during a time of social distancing. Review our online tools to help you land your next job! Register here
  • Your Personal Brand & Resumes; Tuesday, June 15 at 1 p.m. via Zoom: Are you seeking a job or changing careers? 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
  • Find more workshops on the Job Center Calendar
  • Onsite Help: The Job Center 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.
  • Get Hired Illinois: Get Hired Illinois is a single portal where individuals can access virtual job fairs, free online training, and current job listings.

Color 11 Divider 4px
Color 11 Heart Rate

Health Department News

Get Trained in Mental Health First Aid

Learn how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The Health Department is offering Mental Health First Aid classes virtually. This new virtual class is a two-hour self-paced course, followed by four hours of virtual instructor-led training. The new curricula includes expanded content on trauma, addiction, and self-care. Learn more and register

Mental Health First Aid
Color 11 Divider 4px
Forest Preserves Logo 2020 Redesign

Forest Preserve News

New Website Launched

Check out our new website at www.LCFPD.org. It was designed with ADA compliance in mind and with new features that make sure everything web users would need is just a click away or easily searchable. A few new features include:

Forest Preserves - New Website
  • A new one-stop shopping cart that allows customers to process all their online purchases in a single transaction. They can now add to their cart multiple permits at once, register for multiple events, purchase a product from the Dunn Museum, and donate to the Preservation Foundation all in one easy checkout process.
  • Customers can now also make purchases from their mobile device––like registering for events, purchasing a permit, buying a t-shirt from the Dunn Museum, or making a donation to the Foundation––all from their phone or tablet.

The new website is responsive on all devices. You can now switch easily from your phone, tablet, or computer and be able to see all of the same information as page content automatically scales to fit your device screen.


DunnTV YouTube Channel Introduced

The Dunn Museum in Libertyville added a dedicated YouTube channel to its mix of strategies to further engage its audience. Named DunnTV, the channel gives viewers an inside look at the Dunn Museum, operated by the Lake County Forest Preserves at its headquarters at 1899 W. Winchester Road.

Forest Preserves - DunnTV YouTube

"We are dedicated to sharing the entwined stories of people, events and nature through exhibitions, education, and community engagement," said Andrew Osborne, superintendent of educational facilities. The channel features videos about the Dunn Museum's collections and exhibits, programming, Lake County history, and other information. Learn more» 


Saying Goodbye to our Education Hawk

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our resident education red-tailed hawk, who passed on May 7, 2021. At 33, she was one of the oldest red-tailed hawks on record and a true education ambassador. She lived her life at the Ryerson Conservation Area where she inspired many visitors. Her legacy will live forever in the more than 500,000 people she inspired. Learn more»

Forest Preserves - Hawk
Color 11 Divider 4px
Color 11 Sun 36px

Community Events and News

Lake Zurich Offers Styrofoam Recycling

Lake Zurich Offers Styrofoam Recycling 

The Village of Lake Zurich has begun a pilot program for styrofoam recycling. Styrofoam products may be dropped off in a designated container behind the American Legion Building, 51 Lions Drive, Lake Zurich, on Tuesdays from Noon to 2 p.m. and Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m. View the flyer to learn what products are acceptable. 

Styrofoam Recycling

Local Employers Sought to Participate in Virtual Job Expo

Local employers who are looking for workers are invited to apply to participate in a virtual job expo sponsored by State Senators Melinda Bush and Adriane Johnson. The event will be held via Zoom all day on June 17. Employers will be selected to participate in the job fair based on available job openings, geography, and job sector.

Learn more and apply here to participate no later than June 2


Learn How to Maintain Your Vegetable Garden

“The Vegetable Garden’s Planted: Now What?” is the latest class in the 2021 Garden Learning Series sponsored jointly by the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County and the University of Illinois Extension, Lake County. It will be held virtually via Zoom on June 9 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Learn more and register

Garden Learning Series

CLC Free Summer Classes Help Prepare Students for College-Level Work

New students needing to complete a math, English or English Language Instruction (ELI) course that leads to college-level classes are eligible to participate in the Lancer Summer Start program at the College of Lake County.

CLC Summer Start

The program pays your tuition, fees, and required textbooks for one pre-college math, English or ELI course and CLC’s college success seminar, CLC 120. You pick the schedule that’s best for you. Any student beginning their education at CLC in summer 2021 and continuing enrollment for fall 2021 is eligible to participate! Learn more

Color 11 Divider 4px
color 11 Group of Three

Watch All County Board and Committee Meetings 

All Lake County Board and Committee Meetings are currently being held remotely via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 and agenda information, 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: