July 28, 2022
Lake County Government News
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Dear Neighbor,
I hope this email finds you well. Personally I am still reeling from the horrific mass murder in Highland Park. Many of us have friends and family who attended the Highland Park parade and are continuing to struggle with their experience and the aftermath. There are resources available for those who are traumatized; if you or someone you know needs support, please read below or call 211 to get help. I am grateful for the expressions of sympathy and support from the many non-profits and businesses that reached out and am proud of the actions of the first responders and medical professionals who acted quickly to save lives.
On a much lighter front, the new Ride Lake County service for seniors and people with disabilities continues to grow, increasing ridership for people to get to work, medical appointments, and shopping. We know that transportation is an issue for people in Lake County, and this new service has provided an important resource for employment and health care. I want to thank PACE and our Lake County Division of Transportation staff for their hard work in creating this important service.
As always, it is an honor to serve as your representative on the Lake County Board and the Forest Preserve Board. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.
Thank you,
Sandy Hart
Lake County Board District 13
Sandy Hart Webpage
Your Input Is Wanted! Attend Final ARPA Community Night
Your feedback is requested to help the county identify local needs for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to aid in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and move Lake County forward.
The final community input night will be held in person on August 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Round Lake Beach Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Way. This event is open to the public to give residents an opportunity to learn more, share information, and provide their input. No registration is required.
All residents are encouraged to complete the online survey to provide their input. Individuals can access the survey in English and Spanish. The deadline to complete the survey is 5 p.m. Aug. 11.
Lake County recently held a virtual event that provided information and answered questions from residents about ARPA. Watch the recording in English or Spanish to learn more about the topics that will be covered at the Round Lake Beach event on Aug. 10.
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Resources Available Following the Highland Park Shooting Incident
Lake County is working with the City of Highland Park, governmental agencies and community organizations to provide resources and assist those affected by the tragic shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade. View the available resources, and be sure to follow HPStrong.info for the most up-to-date information.
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Sheriff's Office News |
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office recently swore in their newest K9 officers Axel and Echo! Axel and Echo received their badges, and they also got to meet the Lake County students who selected their names. K9 Axel with partner Deputy Kevin Gauer and K9 Echo with partner Deputy Tyler Girmscheid are now ready for their first assignments.
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Property News
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Property Assessment Notices Are Being Mailed
The 2022 property assessment notices will be mailed to homeowners across Lake County through July and August. It’s important to read and understand this notice for accuracy as it contains important information about your property. Taxpayers are encouraged to contact their local township assessor’s office if they have questions regarding the valuation of their property.
Appeal Information
Property owners that decide to appeal must do so electronically. Property owners can appeal their assessment on their own through the Lake County Board of Review. No attorney is required for a residential appeal. Appeals can be done in a few minutes by using the new SmartFile E-Filing Portal.
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Public Works News |
Be Lead Informed
The presence of lead in drinking water can still be an issue for some homeowners, especially homes built before 1986. While Lake County Public Works provides safe water, with no lead water pipes in their distribution system, homeowners could have lead lines on their property causing them harm.
Investigate around your home to see if you have lead service lines or fixtures. Review these tips to help you determine if there is lead piping within your home.
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Health News
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Health Department Announces First Probable Case of Monkeypox
The Lake County Health Department is investigating a single case of a probable monkeypox infection in a resident of Lake County.
The Lake County Health Department and Illinois Department of Public Health are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control, the patient, and the patient’s healthcare providers to conduct contact tracing and identify any individuals who may have been in contact with the patient while infectious.
This is the only identified, probable monkeypox case within Lake County at this time. Monkeypox does not spread easily between people, and the risk to Lake County residents remains low. For information, check out our Myth vs. Fact Flyer or visit the CDC’s Monkeypox page.
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Dial 988 To Access Hotline Beginning July 16
Dialing 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The current Lifeline number (800-273-8255) will continue to be available even after 988 is available. For information, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.
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Fight the Bite
Do you know the 4 Ds of Defense to fight the bite this summer? Protect yourself and your family from West Nile virus and mosquito bites by following the 4 Ds of Defense and more helpful tips. Visit Fight the Bite to learn more.
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Beat the Heat This Summer! Follow These Tips
During the summer months, the temperatures can reach dangerous levels. Extreme heat can be particularly hazardous for children, seniors, those with special needs, and pets. To protect yourself and others, familiarize yourself with these guidelines.
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Environmental News
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Dispose Hard to Recycle Items Using New Service
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) launched a new program to handle your "hard-to-recycle" items including small propane tanks, residential fire extinguishers and latex paint. The items collected will be either recycled or refurbished for reuse.
There are minimal fees to help cover handling and processing costs. Schedule an appointment online to drive through and drop off materials on scheduled special materials event days. Learn more
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Clerk of the Circuit Court News
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Interest and Collection Fees Waived During Lake County Amnesty Week
All collection fees and accrued interest will be waived on any past due criminal and traffic fines owed at the Lake County Circuit Clerk’s Office for payments made Aug. 1 through 5. Full and partial payments will be accepted. Before submitting a payment, please contact the Lake County Circuit Clerk’s Office at any of their locations to find out the balance that is owed without the interest and collections fees. Learn more
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Lake County COVID-19 Update
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COVID-19 Helpful Links
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Get Help
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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. Speak to a live person in English or Spanish when you call. The 211 team will also interpret more than 150 other languages. Learn more
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Other Resources for Help
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Food for Families in Need: Northern Illinois Food Bank operates a traveling food pantry that delivers nutritious food directly to those in need and coordinates pop-up food markets across Lake County. Find food
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Help for Veterans: The Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County can help veterans and their families with a variety of issues, including financial help, survivor spousal benefits, burial arrangements and more. Call 847-377-3344.
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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
Employment Resources
The Job Center of Lake County is your career solution! Their mission is to cultivate and connect Lake County employers and workers to fuel economic growth and well-being in Lake County.
The Job Center of Lake County can help you to transition careers, identify job opportunities and connect with employers. Watch this video to learn more about the virtual and onsite resources that are available to all job seekers through the Job Center partners. And view the full Job Center calendar to learn about various upcoming events and resources.
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Check Get Hired Illinois
The State of Illinois launched Get Hired Illinois, designed to connect workers with available job and career training opportunities across the state.
Forest Preserves News
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Radio Show Features Independence Grove
Staff from several departments at the Lake County Forest Preserves worked with WGN Radio to produce an informative video segment about Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville. The piece is part of the station’s Destination Illinois feature that runs throughout the state.
Centered around a 115-acre lake, the segment highlights the history of the picturesque preserve as well as the amenities it has to offer from bike rentals to a beer garden. Watch segment »
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Fort Sheridan DunnTV Video
A video on our DunnTV YouTube channel about Fort Sheridan is available to view. The U.S. Army post at Fort Sheridan in Lake Forest was established in 1887 and became a cavalry post with the arrival of the 7th Cavalry in 1892.
Cavalry officers were the “knights in shining armor” of their day and were trained using the Fort’s uneven terrain of ravines and bluffs. Their horsemanship was enjoyed at public polo matches and horse shows, where the officers performed stunts such as jumping through hoops of fire. The Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves proudly supports DunnTV. Watch video »
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Ribbon Cutting Takes Place
We finally cut the ribbon at Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve in Long Grove. Though the ceremony was delayed due to the pandemic, the preserve has been open with new improvements.
We partnered with the Village of Buffalo Grove and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to help support this large regional project and achieve shared goals of providing improved public access, natural resource restoration and reduced flooding. The most recent public access improvements at Buffalo Creek include the addition of 1.7 miles of trails, seven new boardwalks, two scenic overlooks and 39 additional parking spaces. Learn more »
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YCC Receives Gift
Vernon Hills-based Gewalt Hamilton Associates Inc. gave a generous contribution of $10,000 to the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). Todd Gordon, CEO of Gewalt Hamilton Associates, presented a check recently to Angelo Kyle, president of the Lake County Forest Preserves.
YCC participants Spencer Steeves and Debanhi Jimenez were at the event. The YCC program provides an opportunity to gain valuable conservation and forestry education and hands-on experience for high school and college students interested in preserving Lake County’s wetlands, prairies and woodlands. Learn more »
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Gospelfest takes place July 31
New Vizion, a music group from Washington, D.C., is the headliner at this year’s free Gospelfest event at Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. The music festival takes place from 3–7 pm Sunday, July 31. The Greenbelt Cultural Center is located at 1215 Green Bay Road.
Admission and parking are free. All ages welcome. Concertgoers should bring a blanket or lawn chair and pack a picnic. A local vendor will also be available to purchase food. Waukegan resident Vernill Pipes will perform a solo during the festive event where other surprise guests will also sing. Learn more »
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Community Events and News
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Lake County Fair is Coming
The 93rd annual Lake County Fair is taking place through Sunday, July 31 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. Enjoy motor cross, monster trucks, a demolition derby, pig races and more. From ferris wheels to funnel cakes, there’s so much to enjoy.
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Watch All County Board and Committee Meetings
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All Lake County board and committee meetings can be viewed on 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 also is welcome to attend all meetings in person at the Lake County Administrative Tower, 18 N. County Street, Waukegan or may attend meetings remotely using the registration link on the front page of each meeting’s agenda.
Individuals attending meetings in person or remotely may present their public comments during the meeting. Those not in attendance may provide written public comment via email or by mail. View the current meeting schedule.
All meetings are recorded and are posted on the Lake County website.
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