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Dear Neighbors, |
I hope this newsletter finds you well.
It’s elderberry season. Elderberry bushes are native to our area and grow quickly. They are a wonderful alternative to buckthorn, if you’re looking for privacy (and good fruit!). Apparently the fruit is great for syrup, wine, and other recipes, but I ate them before I had the chance to test that out.
At our monthly Board meeting this past Tuesday, we approved our Strategic Plan for the next four years. A copy of the Strategic Plan will be available in the coming days on the County website. In it, we show a continued and strengthened commitment to safe and healthy communities, adaptive infrastructure, and a sustainable environment. I’m particularly glad for the changes we made to show stronger leadership around the issue of climate change.
A special congratulations to Pati Vitt, director of natural resources at the Lake County Forest Preserve District for being recognized by Crain’s for her awesomeness. You can read about her achievements below.
Take care,
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Lake County Government News
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Lake County’s ARPA Story
Lake County has officially allocated all of $135.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds it received from the federal government. The projects funded demonstrate the Lake County Board's commitment to address immediate pandemic response needs and pursuing long-term equity-informed initiatives to support our residents and local businesses.
This two-and-a-half-year process took swift decision-making and thoughtful planning on how we can best support projects and programs that solve problems our community is facing and make Lake County more resilient to future challenges.
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Transportation News
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Over 300 Projects Programmed in Lake County Division of Transportation Five-Year Transportation Improvement Program
The Lake County Division of Transportation has released the 2023-2028 Transportation Improvement Program that includes more than 300 projects designed to maintain the more than 900 lane-miles of county highways, increase driver and pedestrian safety, improve mobility and reduce carbon emissions.
This program is updated annually to show the projects that are planned in the current year and the next five years.
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Pace Round Lake Area On Demand Service Expands
Environmental News
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Save these Dates for Upcoming Recycle-O-Rama
Not sure how to dispose your household electronics, shoes, or even sports equipment? How about that bag of stuffed animals?
Bring these and many more items to an upcoming Recycle-O-Rama. The first will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 23 at the Fremont Township Offices.
Another will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Riverwoods Village Hall. Collected items will be reused, recycled and donated.
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Tour Open Solar Homes, Businesses and Join Illinois Solar Tour
The 2023 Illinois Solar Tour will take place Sept. 30. Home and business owners with renewable energy installations will open their homes to the public and share their passion, knowledge, and experience of owning, maintaining, and living with renewable energy.
The 2023 Solar Tour is available in a hybrid format, offering both in-person and video tours. This FREE event offers the opportunity to tour innovative green homes and buildings, and see how solar energy can be used efficiently. The tour hopes to inspire people across the state to make sustainable energy choices that reduce costs, support energy independence, protect against power outages, and reduce carbon emissions.
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Health News |
Access Lake To Increase Access to Affordable Specialty Healthcare
On Sept. 13, the Access Lake Board held its first official board meeting to launch its formation as a non-profit. Board members from area hospitals, Erie Family Health, Lake County Government and the Lake County Health Department held a kickoff event introducing Access Lake to the community.
Access Lake will coordinate and increase access to affordable specialty healthcare services to uninsured residents of Lake County, Illinois. Through this collaboration, participating health systems will provide additional healthcare services to low-income, uninsured individuals and increase the impact of these services. We are excited about the Health Department's role in Access Lake and look forward to sharing more updates in the future.
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Lake County Is Taking Steps to Address Opioid Epidemic With Settlement Funds
The Lake County Board has authorized to spend over $1.5 million the county has received so far through national settlements to address the effects of the opioid epidemic. Funds will be used to hire an opioid coordinator and implement an Opioid Education Program.
Lake County is estimated to receive about $215,000 per year for 18 years for a total of approximately $3.9 million. As of July 2023, the County has received the first five years of payments totaling near $1.5 million.
The funds must be used to address the opioid epidemic through remediation. This includes focusing on the misuse and abuse of opioid products, treating or mitigating opioid use or related disorders, and mitigating other alleged effects of the opioid abuse crisis, including those injured as a result of the crisis.
Job News
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Hire Lake County Job Fair Is Coming
The third Annual Hire Lake County Job Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, 10 Marriott Dr. Interviews and job offers will be offered on the spot. Veterans will be provided early access at 10:30 a.m. Register now!
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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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State's Attorney's Office News |
Thank You Mitch for Your Service to Lake County
Mitch, the therapy service dog from the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center has retired after eight years of dedicated service.
His primary role was to comfort and provide compassion to child victims who are interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center. The center assists with the investigation and prosecution of crimes involving the sexual and physical abuse of children.
Watch this video as Lake County gives Mitch a fond farewell.
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Get Help
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Use 211 to Get Connected to the Help You Need
Finding the help you need may be three numbers away. If you need help finding food, healthcare, shelter, or other 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. The service is free and confidential. Learn more
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Forest Preserves News
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SeptOberFest Kicks Off
As the days grow cooler, the Lake County Forest Preserves has planned a variety of entertainment as part of SeptOberFest at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville. Music by local artists, events and programs will take place Wednesdays and Thursdays through the end of October.
Throughout SeptOberFest, the Beer Garden at Independence Grove is open 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and 1 to 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. The venue features an array of local craft beers on tap from Lake County breweries. Wine, non-alcoholic beverages, cold brew coffee and packaged snacks are also available. Beer flights and tastings will be included in the lineup this fall. Learn more »
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Natural Resources Director Honored
Crain’s Chicago Business named Pati Vitt, director of natural resources at the Lake County Forest Preserves, one of the 2023 Notable Women in STEM.
Vitt develops and implements land management and restoration programs at the Lake County Forest Preserves, the second largest forest preserve district in the state. Programs include prescibed burning, farmland management, reforestation and native vegetation planting, endangered and threatened species monitoring, wildlife species re-introduction and invasive species control. Learn more
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Fort Sheridan Addition Reopens
The Lake County Forest Preserves reopened a 71.55-acre parcel of land that is now part of Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve. The donation is known as the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve.
The property features 1 mile of Lake Michigan shoreline, three beautifully restored ravines and blufftops, accessible trails, overlooks and art installations. As part of the transfer, Openlands donated approximately $1.36 million for conservation and habitat restoration on the property. Learn more »
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Community Events & News
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Say Farewell to Summer and Hello Fall!
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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