July 28, 2023
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Dear Neighbors, |
I hope this newsletter finds you well and beating the heat. We are so fortunate to have so much green space in our communities, which helps mitigate some of the hot weather. The summer has been busy with a number of construction projects happening. Read below for information on the water project in Wildwood as well as a number of road construction projects.
Many of you, especially from Riverwoods and Deerfield, have contacted me about the proposed Bridge Development on the Baxter property. You will find information below about a dedicated web page the county has set up and the ability for you to submit questions. On that page, you can also sign up for updates. While I will also provide them, I encourage you to use the information on that page as it can get to you more quickly.
I wanted to share with you this website from NHTSA where you can put in your car VIN and quickly find out about any recalls. I’ve found it helpful.
The farmers’ markets are going strong with blueberries, corn, zucchini, and tomatoes. I find my bag is always overflowing! If you don’t know where one is in your area, check out this Visit Lake County site and locate one. You’ll be glad you did.
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As always, feel free to contact me about these or other issues. I am available to meet with groups in a setting that is comfortable for you.
This month’s photo is of bottlebrush buckeye. It’s a gorgeous native that this homeowner planted all around his house. Send me your nature photo from a yard or your favorite preserve and I’ll include it!
Sincerely,
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Lake County Government News
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Bridge Industrial Development Updates
An update has been made to Lake County’s Bridge Industrial Development Updates web page to now include a 24-hour automated public information telephone hotline number for residents to provide their comments, input and concerns via voicemail. This accompanies the online form that previously launched.
By using the form or hotline number, you can provide input and submit applicable information with the assurance that it will be reviewed by our staff and retained for future reference.
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Forest Preserves News
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Openlands Acquisition
“When is it going to open?” was one of the most frequently asked questions at a recent webinar on the potential transfer of the 77-acre Openlands Lakeshore Preserve. If the acquisition is finalized, it will add one mile of public shoreline to Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake Forest.
If everything goes as planned with the transfer, we hope to open on or around Labor Day weekend. A public comment form, Q&A and webinar are available on our website. Read more »
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Leaders Earn Awards
Two of our leaders recently won awards! The Forest Preserves are fortunate to have such dedicated leadership.
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Help Make Programs Available to All Communities
Program fees and bus transportation can be barriers for schools in Lake County's low income communities. Gateways Grants ensure that students in historically underserved communities can benefit from the Forest Preserves environmental and history education field trip and in-school programs. With teachers planning for the coming school year, our education team has already received more requests for Gateways Grants than in prior years.
Any gift to the Gateways Grants program is meaningful. The grants cover all program fees and provide a $150 bus stipend for eligible schools. Make your gift to support the Gateways Grants program today. Learn more »
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Transportation News
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Patriot Path Update
For the past several years the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) has been studying, planning, and obtaining federal funding for a 5.5-mile off-road multi-use path. Named the “Patriot Path," this path would run along IL 137 from near Independence Grove Forest Preserve to Naval Station Great Lakes.
The Patriot Path would provide a host of new commuting options for residents in central and east-central Lake County, as currently this corridor has limited pedestrian accommodations. Parks, forest preserves, schools, commercial entities, employment centers and transit stops would all be found along the path.
The project has been divided into four segments in order to better manage the construction effort. LCDOT is currently in Phase II Design Engineering for segments 1 and 4. Segment 1 is from the Des Plaines River Trail to Brookhaven Drive. Segment 4 is from just east of US 41 to the Robert McClory Bike Path in North Chicago. Construction of one or both of these segments is programmed for the year 2025, depending on project readiness and available funds.
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Stearns School Road Closure for Bridge and Road Construction
The Lake County Division of Transportation will be closing Stearns School Road to through traffic from Hutchins Road to Hunt Club Road beginning Tuesday, Aug. 1 at 6 a.m. The closure will last 80 days and the road is scheduled to reopen the afternoon of Oct. 19. The closure is necessary to remove the existing culvert pipes and construct a new bridge over Mill Creek.
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Winchester Road Construction Update
Winchester Road is being resurfaced from east of IL 83 to IL 21 in Mundelein and Libertyville with fresh pavement and a new multi-use path is being constructed between IL 21 and the Libertyville Bike Path that extends from Butler Lake. A majority of the curb, gutter, and sidewalk improvements have been completed. Road pavement work began last week.
Work zone speed limit signs have been posted. Please watch for workers, trucks entering and leaving the job sites, and lane closures between IL 83 and Butterfield Road.
Take Survey To Provide Your Feedback on Metra 2024 Fare Structure Proposal
Automated Flaggers Help Keep Construction Workers Safe
Automated flagging assistance devices, also known as auto-flaggers, allow road crews to control the flow of traffic through work zones remotely, without putting flaggers out on the road in front of moving traffic. LCDOT's contractor is utilizing these for the Kilbourne Road resurfacing project.
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Transportation Links
Tollway Construction
IDOT
Metra
Travel Midwest
Wisconsin Construction
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Public Works News |
Water Main Pipes Replacement Planned in Wildwood
Construction will begin in August to replace aging water main pipes on Big Oaks Road, Greentree Road and Valley View Drive in Wildwood. This work is part of a project that will replace nearly 1.3 miles (7,200 feet) of water main pipes in the area.
During construction, residents will observe daytime lane closures, and temporary water service shutdowns will be required in some areas. Customers will be notified in advance. Work to replace aging water main pipes in the Allen Farms subdivision in Wildwood is anticipated to begin in spring 2024.
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Health News
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Learn Air Quality Basics
Air quality can change from day to day. Many people live in areas where air pollution can cause serious health problems. Poor air quality can be hazardous to anyone, especially people with lung and heart diseases, older people, teenagers, and children.
Poor air quality can cause headaches, irritated eyes and sinuses, fatigue, difficulty breathing, chest pains and asthma attacks, irritated throats, and coughing. Learn how to monitor air quality and what you can do to stay safe
To stay updated on the air quality forecast, visit enviroflash.info/signup.cfm and sign up today for air quality notifications.
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Environmental News
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Learn About Butterfly Gardening
What factors have influenced butterfly populations in our area and how can gardeners help foster these winged jewels? Attend a virtual program on butterfly gardening at 6 p.m. Aug. 9. The program is part of the Garden Learning Series, sponsored by the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, Lake County Forest Preserves and University of Illinois Extension.
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Property News
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Property Assessment Notices Are Being Mailed Across the County
The 2023 property assessment notices will be mailed to homeowners across Lake County through mid to late summer. 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.
Special Instructions for Property Owners in Cuba, Ela, Grant, Libertyville and Vernon townships
The assessment appeal process for these five townships is different than the other 13 townships in Lake County. That’s because assessors in these five townships have chosen to use a different software system from what the county offered. This decision impacts how taxpayers in these townships review and appeal their assessments.
View instructions for appealing a property assessment in Cuba, Ela, Grant, Libertyville or Vernon township.
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Clerk of the Circuit Court News |
County Board Modifies Expungement Fees to Not Exceed $160 Per Petition
The fee to file an expungement petition has been modified in Lake County, making it more affordable for former criminal offenders to have their record expunged and sealed. The County Board unanimously approved reducing the filing fee at its July 11 meeting.
Erin Cartwright Weinstein brought a resolution before the County Board which would amend the previous resolution’s fee structure. The Illinois Legislatures changed the law to allow an individual to put multiple offenses on one petition. Previously, each offense had to be on a separate petition.
Following the Board approval, the cost will not exceed $160 for the Circuit Clerk’s administrative costs to file the petition, regardless of the number of offenses are on the petition. The fee structure was initially reviewed by the Law and Judicial Committee, and following discussions and a review of the research provided by Circuit Clerk, the fee structure was brought to the County Board for final approval.
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Election News |
Get Involved! Become a Lake County Election Judge
Join Lake County’s election judge community and be the proud face of democracy. The County Clerk’s Office is looking for election judges for the 2024 election cycle. Election judges are responsible for the proper and lawful conduct of the election within their community.
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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 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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Job Center of Lake County Is Your Career Solution
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.
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 and News
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Discover the Can’t-Miss Activities at the Lake County Fair
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 St., Waukegan or may attend meetings remotely using the registration link on the front page of each meeting’s agenda. |
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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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