The Lake County Board has adopted a new Strategic Plan, serving as the road map guiding and influencing how Lake County will prioritize resources. The plan was adopted at the Board’s Sept. 12 meeting and will be utilized for the next four years.   

The 2023 Lake County Strategic Plan details six strategic priorities that will help the county further its mission to provide exceptional services and support for people, communities, and the environment. 

Learn more 

Gary Gibson, Lake County Administrator has announced his retirement effective at the end of his contract on February 16, 2024. Gibson’s career spans 34 years in the public sector, with 28 years with Lake County government and the last four as County Administrator.   

Through his leadership as the County Administrator, Lake County navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic, allocated more than $250 million via CARES Act and ARPA funds, secured funding for the Regional Operations and Communications (ROC) Facility, and maintained the County’s triple-A rating from both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. 

Moving forward, County Board Chair Sandy Hart will be leading an internal search for a new County Administrator that will be initiated this week. Lake County employees will have an opportunity to apply for the position. 

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You can order four free rapid COVID-19 tests for your household. Visit COVID.gov/tests to order. Also, make sure to check any "expired" tests you have before throwing them out. Some test expiration dates have been expanded. Check your tests 

 

Get Your Seasonal Flu Vaccine 

Stay ahead of flu season by getting your seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible. It is recommended that everyone ages six months and older get the flu shot sometime in September or October. Still, flu vaccinations will continue for the duration of the flu season.  

Getting the flu shot can keep you from getting the flu, help to reduce the severity, and prevent hospitalizations. 

You can find flu shot locations near you on Vaccines.gov.  

Join the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) and area partners for special recycling events. Both events are free and open to the public. 

Community Recycling Event in Waukegan 

Bring electronics, clothing and textiles, shoes, electronics and more to a community recycling event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Waukegan Park Maintenance Facility, 2211 Ernie Krueger Circle. The event is a partnership between SWALCO, the City of Waukegan and Waukegan Park District. Learn more 

Shred and Seeds 

SWALCO and the Village of Vernon Hills will hold a Shred and Seeds event from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 7 at the Vernon Hills Metra Station. Bring sensitive documents to be shredded and recycled. And while there, get a packet of seeds for plants that will benefit pollination. Learn more 

Sixth through eighth grade students who live in Lake County are invited to showcase their artistic talent and participate in the Lake County Treasurer's Office annual art competition. Interpret the theme, "Now is the Time" however you wish and submit a drawing that reflects your interpretation. Enter by Nov. 17. Learn more 

Road salt is the most commonly used tool to manage snow and ice removal, but there are best practices to follow and sensible methods and alternatives to use that can be more environmentally friendly and cost-effective. The 2023 Deicing Event is a virtual workshop for snow and ice management professionals of Northeast Illinois.  

Register now! Registration will be open until all spaces are filled. 

Dinosaurs will visit the Bess Bower Dunn Museum in Libertyville with the opening of a special exhibition, Dinosaurs: Fossils Exposed. The exhibit runs from October 7 through January 15, 2024 at the nationally accredited Museum, operated by the Lake County Forest Preserves. 

The new exhibition explores the bones and fossils belonging to the giant creatures that once roamed the earth. Visitors can view and even touch six full dinosaur skeletal molds including a Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptor. Learn more » 

The Lake County Forest Preserves is holding its popular OAKtober Native Tree & Shrub Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, October 1 at Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods. 

"Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs," said Director of Education Nan Buckardt. Plant metabolism is slowing, and this lessens the stress for the newly planted tree. "Choose your favorite plants from our extensive planting list that includes oak, hickory, hawthorns, dogwood, hazelnut and more. The OAKtober woody plant sale offers native tree and shrub species with genetics adapted for our region." Learn more » 

The Lake County Forest Preserves earned a prestigious award in the Best Green Practices category of an Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) contest. 

“The IAPD Best Green Practices Award is presented to a park district, forest preserve, conservation, recreation or special recreation agency that has taken the initiative to incorporate and encourage environmentally friendly business practices and policies,” according to the association. 

“We’re thrilled by this recognition,” said Executive Director Alex Ty Kovach. “It’s a testament to the talent and dedication of our hardworking staff and to the visionary leadership of our elected board of commissioners.” Learn more » 

The Bess Bower Dunn Museum in Libertyville received funding assistance to improve museum facilities through the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) administered the program.  

The Dunn Museum, operated by the Lake County Forest Preserves, received a $161,100 grant to make needed HVAC system modifications. The project updated its current heating and cooling system to provide more detailed temperature and humidity control throughout the collections space. 

The improvement project also involved adding a humidity control system to five permanent floor cases in the Museum's exhibit galleries. These cases are where the Museum’s most sensitive items are on display. Learn more » 

The Lake County Farm Bureau announced the arrival of its new cow, born Sept. 20, and they are asking you to help name her! Standing at the Farm Bureau office in Grayslake, she stands 14 feet high, 23 feet long and weighs 1,000 pounds. 

Be creative and have fun. The Farm Bureau Board of Directors will review all names submitted and choose the winner. Submit your entry by noon Oct. 31.  

Submit your suggested name