Lake County Government News
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County Board Holds Hearings To Review FY2024 County Budget
The budgeting process for the Fiscal Year 2024 is underway. The Lake County Board recently held its budget hearings earlier this week . View the FY2024 recommended budget
All County Board and committee meetings, including the budget hearings, are streamed live in their entirety, and will be available for viewing at lakecounty.tv.
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Lake County Holds First-Ever Burial of Indigent, Unclaimed Persons
I recently joined local officials as the Lake County Coroner’s Office held a ceremony to bury the remains of 79 indigent and unclaimed persons, the first-ever such burial to be held in Lake County. The ecumenical nondenominational burial ceremony took place at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville.
The remains of 79 indigent or unclaimed people, who have previously been cremated, were interred in the cemetery. The Lake County Sheriff's Office provided an escort for the procession to the cemetery.
Pace, Lake County, and Local Officials Celebrate Improved Access to Round Lake Area On Demand Service
Lake County Board members joined Pace and local government officials to celebrate the expansion of the Round Lake Area On Demand service. The change more than doubles the service area and adds more vehicles to the program, providing additional flexible weekday service to a larger portion of western Lake County.
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Sheriff's Office News |
Sheriff’s Office K9 Axel Received Donation of Body Armor
Lake County Sheriff’s Office K9 Axel has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified.
Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,289 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.
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Kudos to K9 Dax
The Lake County Sheriff's Office Canine Team was requested by the Round Lake Beach Police to provide assistance to search for a man wanted in an aggravated domestic battery.
Read the news release shared by the Sheriff's Office to learn about the action by K9 Dax, continuing the team's effort to serve the Lake County community, from missing endangered people or fleeing offenders to showing off their skills at community events.
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Public Works News |
County Board Appoints Austin McFarlane as Public Works Director
Austin McFarlane has been appointed by the Lake County Board as the Director for the Lake County Public Works Department.
McFarlane assumes the role following more than 30 years with Lake County Public Works, which provides water and sanitary sewer service to about 40 percent of Lake County's population, primarily the unincorporated areas.
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Environmental News
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Be Green This Halloween
Halloween is soon approaching. While the holiday is filled with treats and fun spooks, the waste generated by costumes, candy and decorations do not need to create a scary sight too!
Making costumes out of recycled fabrics, using natural elements for decorations and composting your pumpkin are all ways to make your Halloween spook-tacular.
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Dispose Household Chemical Waste at Upcoming Mobile Collection
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County is making its third and final stop in this year's mobile household chemical waste collection schedule to the Round Lake Beach Metra station from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21.
Items you can bring include CFL bulbs, unwanted prescription, over-the-counter medicines and supplements (people and pet), household cleaners, gasoline, garden chemicals, pesticides, oil-based paints and varnishes. View acceptable and unacceptable items
The mobile HCW collections are now by appointment. The appointment scheduler works online and on mobile devices allowing you to book an appointment at your convenience.
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Shoes, Shred and Seeds
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County and City of Highland Park will host a Shoes, Shred and Seeds Event from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 28 at the shared parking lot at 1201 Park Ave. W.
Bring confidential documents to be shredded, shoes that can be reused or recycled and get a packet of seeds for plants that will benefit pollinators. The event is open only to residents.
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Health News
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Health Department Offers Free Mental Health First Aid Courses
Mental Health First Aid is a free course that teaches you how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.
The Lake County Health Department’s Mental Health First Aid initiative is now offering classes virtually. This includes a two-hour self-paced course, followed by four hours of instructor-led training delivered virtually. The virtual course curricula includes expanded content on trauma, addiction and self-care.
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Transportation News
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Quiet Zone Suspended While Crossing Improvements Are Completed
Changes to federal railroad crossing regulations required inspections along the CN/Metra rail line - home to the Lake County Quiet Zone. Inspections performed along the 10 Quiet Zone communities determined the need for improvements at several railroad crossings.
Until improvements are completed at all locations throughout the entire Quiet Zone, a temporary suspension of the Quiet Zone has been put into place meaning trains are expected to sound their horns when approaching crossings.
All impacted communities are working swiftly to complete the required improvements and anticipate the Quiet Zone to be reinstated by the new year. View a map of the impacted rail lines.
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Snowbirds Are Needed This Winter. Apply Now
The Lake County Division of Transportation is hiring 11 temporary road maintenance workers, often called “snowbirds” to join the team this winter.
Snowbirds operate trucks with plows and salt spreaders and perform a variety of maintenance and traffic tasks to preserve and upkeep the County’s highways, bridges, drainage structures and more.
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Veteran News |
Veterans Are Invited to Join 2023 Veteran’s History Project
Veterans are invited to register and join the 2023 Veteran's History Project, hosted by Lake County's Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court.
On Nov. 10, veterans will be interviewed by volunteers and have their oral histories recorded by official court reporters who will produce written verbatim transcripts. The typed transcripts will be archived at The Library of Congress, making their personal accounts accessible to future generations. The registration deadline is Oct. 27.
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County Clerk's Office News |
Hey Students! Design The 2024 “I Voted” Sticker
Kindergarten through twelfth grade students are invited to channel their inner artist and help design the 2024 “I Voted” sticker.
The Lake County Clerk’s Office’s sticker design contest is open now through Nov. 30. Students may submit entries online, in person at the County Clerk’s Office or by mail.
The grand prize winner will receive a gift card and the honor of having their design transformed into the official Lake County “I Voted” sticker for the 2024 elections. The winner be chosen Dec. 6.
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Job News |
Attend an Open House to Learn Features of New Job Center Kiosks
In a continued effort to expand outreach to all, the Job Center of Lake County has deployed two kiosks at the Waukegan Public Library and the College of Lake County Lakeshore Campus.
Attend an open house from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 31 at the College of Lake County Lakeshore Campus to learn about the features available on these kiosks, including access to job search workshops and events, featured job opportunities, partner resources, and an application for WIOA training or a paid work experience.
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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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Clerk of Circuit Court News |
Mobile Passport Event Is Coming
If getting or renewing a passport is part of your travel plans still this year, don’t miss the mobile passport event, offered by the Clerk of the Circuit Court office from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Grayslake Area Public Library.
Before you attend, follow these important tips.
Passport applications also are processed from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Circuit Clerk's Office in Waukegan. View application requirements, including fee information.
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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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History Symposium Proposals Accepted
Love history? Professional, amateur and student historians are invited to submit proposals by November 6 for presentations at the Lake County History Symposium, an annual gathering of people interested in the history of Lake County.
This year’s theme, “Good Neighbors: Making a Difference in Lake County” shares stories of individuals and organizations that made significant contributions to society and continue working to improve their communities today. The Symposium takes place virtually on Zoom on January 4 and 18, 2024 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Learn more »
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Sign Up for Prescribed Burn Notifications
During fall, winter and spring, our professionally trained crews conduct prescribed burns across hundreds of acres throughout your forest preserves. Prescribed burns are considered a natural resource manager’s most cost-effective tool available for managing natural communities.
Mailed notifications will be discontinued after this fall. If you would like to receive a digital, phone call or email notification when a prescribed burn is happening near you or if you have special health concerns, complete this contact form »
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Halloween Hikes Planned
The popular Halloween Hikes take place Friday, October 20 and Saturday, October 21. Join a group hike along a candlelit path to watch fun, nature-themed skits at Ryerson Welcome Center in Riverwoods.
The program is not scary and suitable for all ages. Total distance walked is about 1.5 miles and should take about 90 minutes. Tickets are required for the program that fills up quickly. Register here»
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Community Events & News
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Immerse Yourself in the Charm of Fall Foliage
As the leaves turn from vibrant greens to hues of fiery reds and golden yellows, Lake County transforms into a captivating canvas of fall magic. Amidst the crisp air and the scent of pumpkin spice, there's no better time to capture the essence of the season than now.
Join a picturesque journey as Visit Lake County unveils the most festive fall photo locations 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.
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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