August 23, 2023
Lake County Government News
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Petition Is Filed To Merge East Skokie and West Skokie Drainage Districts
A Petition has been filed with the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court to merge East Skokie and West Skokie Drainage Districts, annex certain properties and create an East Skokie and West Skokie Subdistrict.
The proposed changes will not increase the Annual Maintenance Assessment currently being assessed on properties within each District. The purpose for seeking consolidation is to reduce duplicate administrative costs that have been incurred to maintain two separate drainage districts.
The Petition scheduled for hearing at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Lake County Courthouse, Courtroom C-205 in Waukegan.
To learn more, visit the East Skokie and West Skokie Drainage District websites:
East Skokie Drainage District
West Skokie Drainage District
Board Members Spearhead Advocacy Efforts Nationally for Vital Policy
Lake County Board Members recently took center stage at the National Association of Counties annual meeting, advocating to secure support in critical areas for counties nationwide. These critical areas include disaster relief, broadband affordability, railway safety enhancement, and law enforcement deflection initiatives.
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Share Your Perspective on Broadband Access. Attend Community Meeting
Lake County is hosting a Community Broadband Meeting as part of our ongoing effort to strategically address the digital needs of all residents in Lake County. The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 13 at the University Center of Lake County, 1200 University Center Drive, Grayslake.
Broadband internet is essential for many aspects of our lives, including work, education, healthcare, and communication. However, not everyone in our community has access to affordable and reliable high-speed broadband. The information gathered from this meeting will help us to better understand the challenges and opportunities that exist in our community regarding broadband access and to develop a Broadband Action Plan for the whole county.
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Health News
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Dangerous Heat and Humidity Are Predicted. Use the Cooling Center Finder
Environmental News
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Second Mobile HCW Collection is Coming
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) will hold its next mobile household chemical waste collection from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Lake Forest Municipal Services facility. SWALCO provides these mobile events to help Illinois residents dispose of household chemical waste (HCW).
Appointments are required. The appointment scheduling tool works online and on mobile devices, allowing you to book an appointment at your convenience.
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Set the PACE BY Going Green in Lake County
If you're a commercial property owner that is interested in pursuing energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, electrical vehicle charging and resiliency projects for their commercial buildings, consider watching this webinar.
Lake County and the Illinois Energy Conservation Authority (IECA) NFP recently hosted a webinar overviewing the Lake County Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program.
C-PACE allows property owners to obtain 100 percent financing from private capital providers for eligible improvements such as HVAC, lighting and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and other improvements in both existing buildings and new construction projects.
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Thinking About Going Solar? Attend Free Presentation to Learn How
Solar Switch is an education and group buying program for solar that is available to Lake County residents. Solar Switch does the work of finding qualified installers and leveraging participants' group buying power to lower the price on quality products.
Join a free Solar Power Hour presentation at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29 at the College of Lake County in Grayslake to learn how the program makes going solar accessible and affordable.
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Discover Landscaping with Native Plants
Learn more about selecting native plants to develop your home’s landscaping, including habitats they need and how to maintain the plants you choose at the next Garden Learning Series program from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13. Discover the benefits of designing native habitats such as butterfly gardens and rain gardens too.
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, University of Illinois Extension and Lake County Forest Preserves present the 2023 Garden Learning Series. Register to join the Sept. 13 virtual program
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Transportation News
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Enroll To Adopt A Highway. Enrollment Runs to Aug. 31
Volunteer with friends, family or coworkers to help pick up litter and debris along Lake County highways and bike paths. Participants adopt a section of a county highway and commit to cleaning it twice a year.
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Treasurer's Office News
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Second Installment of Property Tax Bill is Due Sept. 5
The second installment of Lake County property taxes is due Sept. 5. Please note, you received one bill in May, and you will not receive another bill for the second installment. If you misplaced your second installment coupon, print a copy from the Treasurer's Office website by entering your PIN number or address.
Some people go to the Lake County Treasurer’s Office to pay in person, but there are other convenient options. Pay your property tax bill at your local bank, online, by phone, or by mail. Learn more about your payment options.
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Invest in Your Child’s Talent. Here’s How
It’s never too early or too late to start planning financially for college. Understand the financial aid process, award packages, and financial management skills to fund your education as the Lake County Treasurer’s Office concludes this year’s Fiscally Fit series with “Goals and Gains: Financial Planning for College.” The program will begin at 11 a.m. Sept. 9.
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County Clerk's Office News |
Keep Up with the County Clerk’s Office
From bustling farmer's markets to inspiring back-to-school gatherings, the Lake County Clerk's Office has been on the move, connecting with residents at exciting events.! If you'd like to keep up with the Clerk, meet the team at these upcoming community events across Lake County.
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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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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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Forest Preserves News
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Hike Lake County Kicks Off
As the temperature cools down, take advantage of the annual Hike Lake County program. This marks the 25th season for the popular walking challenge.
Complete seven of 12 designated walks through November 30 and you'll earn a free commemorative shield for your walking stick or a zipper pull. Let your canine companion join in the fun and your dog will receive a free commemorative dog tag (up to three dogs). Bicycling or horseback riding do not count toward the program. At each selected preserve, look for Hike Lake County logo signs at the preserve entrance and trailhead to get you on the right route. Learn more »
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Nature Celebration Set
The Lake County Forest Preserves is taking part in a state-wide celebration marking the 60th anniversary of an agency dedicated to preserving Illinois’ highest-quality natural areas. Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves is planning programs across Illinois from Saturday, August 26 through Monday, August 28 to mark the anniversary.
You're invited to learn about these coveted areas Saturday, August 26. Register to join one of three tours: Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods at 9 a.m., Wright Woods in Mettawa at 1:30 p.m. or Middlefork Savanna in Lake Forest at 6 p.m. Learn more »
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Budding Birder Walk Planned
A “Budding Birder Walk” takes place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29 at Van Patten Woods in Wadsworth. The program, for children 8 and older, is designed for families and adult beginners in birding. The introductory walk will give you the tools of the trade to help your new hobby take flight.
The cost is $5 for residents and $7 for nonresidents. Meet at Shelter A parking lot. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow, please bring your own if possible.
Get a ticket »
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Neighbors,
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Thank you for taking the time to read the latest edition of my e-newsletter. I encourage you to check out the community news and events below. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at pfrank@lakecountyil.gov or visit my Facebook page.
I encourage you to forward this update to others who may be interested in Lake County news. Residents who wish to automatically receive my bi-weekly newsletter can email me, or click the “Newsletter Sign Up” button at the top of the newsletter.
Thank you,
Paul Frank
Mr. Frank, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on the following committees:
Lake County Board, 11th District:
| Financial & Administrative, Chair |
Rules, Chair |
| Planning Building Zoning & Environment |
Special Committee on ARPA, Chair |
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Lake County Forest Preserves, 11th District:
| Finance, Vice-Chair |
Ethics, Vice-Chair |
| Rules, Vice-Chair |
Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves |
Community Events and News
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Hooray for Labor Day Weekend! Here’s Ways To Celebrate!
Do you know the history behind Labor Day?
Check out Visit Lake County’s Labor Day Weekend blog post, explaining the history of this national “take it easy” day and find out some ways you and the family can enjoy the extended Labor Day weekend 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 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. |
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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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