Lake County Government News
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Statement on Illinois Assault-Style Weapons Ban
After years of work and many hours of negotiations with stakeholders, leaders, and advocates in both the House and Senate, Illinois has passed HB5471, a ban on assault-style weapons. Next, it will go to Governor Pritzker to sign into law.
Following the tragedy that occurred on July 4 in Highland Park, County Board Member Paras Parekh and I asked our fellow Board members to help us advocate for banning assault weapons at the state and federal levels. The Lake County Board supported our request and made banning assault weapons a priority. Our Board amended our 2022 Legislative Program to include the ban or sale of assault rifles as a support priority, among other regulation requests. The Board also included similar language in the 2023 Legislative Program that was adopted this past October.
I commend our state legislators and thank them for their hard work. Restricting access to these weapons of war will make our communities safer.
New Laws for 2023
More than 180 new laws took effect on Jan. 1, 2023, covering a range of issues big and small that affect Illinois residents. View the complete list
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Lake County Joins New Collaboration to Drive Economic Growth and Advance Equity Across the Region
A new era of regional economic cooperation in Chicagoland has begun. Lake County recently joined Cook, DuPage, Kane, McHenry, Kendall, and Will counties, and the City of Chicago to announce the Chicagoland Economic Partnership to promote economic development across the entire Chicagoland region.
The metro is one of the largest and most diverse economies in the world, with an $800+ billion gross domestic product (GDP). This new partnership brings together an incredible set of leaders and resources, announcing a unified front for business attraction on the world stage. Learn more
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President Biden Signs Legislation Appropriating Nearly $5 Million to Lake County Infrastructure Projects
Lake County is slated to receive nearly $5 million in infrastructure funding as part of a new federal bill. In December, President Biden signed into law the omnibus bill that included federal funding for infrastructure projects in Lake County.
The funding was awarded for the $4 million Cedar Lake Road realignment project and $750,000 to the Lake Bluff Downtown Flood Mitigation Project.
Learn more
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Help End Homelessness. Join the Next Point-in-Time Count
Join the fight to help end homelessness by joining Lake County’s 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. On the night of January 25, teams will search across Lake County to interview and offer assistance to unsheltered people. This year, volunteers can create their own teams of three to five people or volunteer as an individual and be paired up with a team. All volunteers are required to attend a virtual training. Learn more and register to join
The data gathered during the PIT Count will capture a picture of what homelessness looks like on any given day, help coordinate services for people experiencing homelessness and provide organizations with the information needed to work towards the goal of ending homelessness in Lake County
Want to make a difference but are not able to attend the PIT Count? Visit the Lake County Coalition for the Homeless website to learn other ways year-round to make an impact in the lives of residents experiencing homelessness.
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Environmental News
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Out with the Old and In with the New. But Don’t Throw the Old Away!
Did you receive electronics, clothing or snazzy new shoes this past holiday season and looking to purge older items? Don’t throw them away! Check out these programs available through the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County so you can discard those items responsibly and keep items out of the landfills.
Clothing and textile recycling
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County makes it easy to recycle clothing and other textiles, providing 69 collection bins across the county to keep it out of the landfill. View what’s accepted and unaccepted, and then find a drop-off location near you to bring your new, gently used or worn items that can be reused, repurposed and or recycled/upcycled.
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Reuse-A-Shoe
Donate new and gently used shoes to SWALCO’s Reuse-A-Shoe program. Individuals or families with a few pairs can visit the drop-off locations.
Groups or families who have a large number of shoes or who want to collect them can contact Merleanne Rampale at SWALCO at 847-377-4954 to set up a seasonal collection site or drive. View acceptable and unacceptable items.
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Transportation News
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Enroll To Adopt A Highway. Enrollment Runs to Jan. 31
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Treasurer's Office News |
Do You Know About the Senior Citizen Tax Deferral Program?
Senior citizens may defer part or all of their property taxes on their personal residence if they qualify for the Senior Citizen Tax Deferral Program.
The deferral is similar to a loan against the property's fair market value. Deferred amounts are borrowed from the state, who then pays the tax bill to the County Collector's Office. Interest on the amount paid by the State accumulates and a lien is placed on the property for all deferred tax payments and interest.
Applications will be accepted through March 1. Visit the Senior Citizen Tax Deferral Program page for details and how to receive an application.
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Health News
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Check Radon Levels in Your Home This Winter
Radon gas builds up in homes over time and can’t be seen, tasted, or smelled—making it easy for radon problems to go unnoticed.
The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center recommends that all residents test the radon levels in their homes and apartments during the winter season, when indoor radon levels are highest. Short-term test kits are available for $10, which includes return postage, laboratory analysis and interpretation by Health Department staff. Learn more
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Forest Preserves News
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Winter Horizons Available Now
The winter issue of Horizons magazine is now available. Horizons is a quarterly publication of your Lake County Forest Preserves featuring articles on Lake County wildlife, nature, history, news, programs and events.
This issue features Winter & Wildlife: How Animals Survive the Season, a story about how animals have three strategies: migrate, active or dormant. The magazine also highlights Fox River Forest Preserve in Port Barrington and previews the next special exhibition at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. Through Darkness to Light: Photographs Along the Underground Railroad opens January 28 and runs through March 19. Read Horizons online or subscribe to receive the magazine FREE in your mailbox: LCFPD.org/horizons.
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Keep the Mistletoe, Let the Tree Go
Don't send your Christmas tree to the landfill. Donate it to us, and we'll recycle it into wood chips for trails and landscaping in your forest preserves.
Bring your real, undecorated tree to one of eight marked drop-off sites listed below, open 6:30 a.m. to sunset daily, through February 1. No yard waste or commercial drop-offs are accepted.
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Wildlife Tracking System Installed
A new, groundbreaking effort to study animal migrations and connect researchers, scientists and students to real-time migratory data across the globe is underway. Lake County is one of the newest links in the chain.
The Motus Wildlife Tracking System uses automated radio telemetry to study the movements of birds, bats and large insects. Tiny, digitally encoded transmitters are safely attached to an animal and detected by receiving stations on the landscape. The newest local site is now operational at Ryerson Conservation Area. The station was funded through grants from the Margot Merrick Fund and the Annual Fund of the Preservation Foundation. Read more »
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Free Snowmobile Safety Course Offered
Interested in snowmobiling? Ranger Police from the Forest Preserves are holding a FREE snowmobile safety education course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on January 14 at the Operations and Public Safety Facility in Lake Villa.
Registration is required. To reserve a spot, call 847-968-3404 between 6:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays. Minimum age for the safety course is 11; 12 for certification from the state of Illinois. Read more »
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Lake County COVID-19 Update
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COVID-19 Helpful Links
Get Help
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Use 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 languages. Learn more
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Job Center of Lake County Is Your Career Solution
The Job Center of Lake County helps 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 upcoming events and resources.
Check Hire Lake County
Check Hire Lake County for information about job opportunities and businesses vetted by the Job Center’s business service team.
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Community Events & News
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Talkin' Trash: Learn Why Recycling Still Matters at Jan. 18 Program
Join the Riverwoods Preservation Council, Village of Riverwoods and speakers from the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County and Lakeshore Recycling Systems for a virtual program at 7 p.m. Jan. 18 to learn more about recycling right and why it matters.
Learn what can go curbside, other recycling and reuse alternatives for items that can't go curbside and get answers to some frequently asked questions. Use this Zoom link to join the Jan. 18 meeting
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New Year, New Beginning: Attend Juvenile Expungement Clinic
Get a fresh start to the new year by getting your juvenile record expunged. The Lake County Juvenile Justice Council in partnership with the Lake County Bar Association will host “New Year, New Beginning: Juvenile Record Expungement Clinic” from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Waukegan Public Library. Bring the case number and arrest details, and a team of volunteers will help you fill out the paperwork. Learn more
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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