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Dear Neighbors, |
As Halloween approaches, I hope this finds you, family and neighbors well. I'm savoring the cooler weather and brighter colors.
I was honored to join a ribbon cutting for Pace's Round Lake Area On Demand expansion last week. Make a reservation, and for a low cost, the bus will pick you up and drop you off to help you get where you need to go. You can also easily use your Ventra phone app.
Thanks to Linda Soto, our county Pace representative, and the Pace Board for doubling the area of this service. You can ride the bus to/from the College of Lake County, downtown Grayslake and Round Lake and travel all the way to Fox Lake. The service also connects with Metra stations. If you need a ride and don't want to (or can't) drive, On Demand is the way to go. Learn more, including how to make your reservation.
Speaking of transportation, you probably can't help but notice the extensive ongoing construction work on Route 137 and Atkinson Road. This joint county/state highway project will extend Atkinson Road across Route 137 to Route 83. The current Ivanhoe Road "cut-off" to Route 120 will eventually be closed.
While the first phase of the project is nearly complete, the second phase crossing the railroad tracks will go well into next year. After the reopening of Atkinson Road -- likely in early November -- work is expected to continue until July 2024. We apologize for the inconvenience and delays. Please slow down through the construction zone.
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Forest Preserve News
Our 2024 annual budget passed this week. As usual, staff at the Forest Preserves, led by Executive Director Ty Kovach, did an extraordinary job keeping expenses down while maintaining high levels of service. As vice president of the district, I'm immensely proud to be part of this team.
A little context: Like many public agencies, the Forest Preserves was slammed by loss of home values following the 2008 real estate crash. While home values have rebounded in recent years, total tax revenue (prior to the downturn) to fund the Forest Preserves has not completely returned.
Nevertheless, the district's tax rate dropped slightly this year, which means the owner of a $250,000 home is expected to pay $129 to the Forest Preserves. In contrast, in 2008, that same homeowner paid about $154 to the Forest Preserves. Running the numbers, this is quite a bargain for taxpayers considering home values have risen 7.5% in 2023 and are up 31% since 2014. This means the agency is running a tighter ship than many businesses and is not passing along significant inflationary increases to you.
Of the total property taxes collected in Lake County, less than 2% of the average tax bill goes to support the Lake County Forest Preserves. The actual tax rate fell to 0.165%, which is the lowest since 2020.
What's remarkable about this tiny share of your tax bill is that our first-rate staff has been consistently offering new programs and capital improvements throughout our area, including bilingual programming. We've also expanded our holdings, which includes the stellar 71.55-acre parcel of land now part of Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake Forest. Openlands donated the land, known as Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, and about $1.36 million for conservation and habitat restoration of the property.
A great example of the district's superior management is the ongoing accessibility project at the Duck Farm Off-leash Dog Exercise Area in Lake Villa. To save money, our operations crew is doing this work instead of contractors. We also continue to do habitat restoration work in many forest preserves including Fourth Lake in Lake Villa, Nippersink in Round Lake and Rollins Savanna in Grayslake. Thanks to a dedicated volunteer corps, we're getting a tremendous amount of work done. Thanks volunteers! Interested in volunteering? Learn more about volunteer opportunities.
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In other District 6 news, construction is scheduled to wrap up on the Highland Lake water project soon. The Lake County Public Works Department recently had a boil-water advisory in effect for water safety reasons. They expect to be done by Oct. 20. As noted in earlier newsletters, this project will provide a safe and expanded source of drinking water for the Highland Lake Community. Thanks for your patience!
If you have an immediate need for county services, please call 2-1-1. If you need to contact me or have me speak to your community group, you can reach me at JWasik@lakecountyil.gov.
Be well,
Lake County Government News
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Budget Hearings Are Scheduled To Review FY2024 County Budget
The budgeting process for the Fiscal Year 2024 is underway, and the Lake County Board is scheduled to hold its budget hearings beginning Tuesday, Oct. 17 at the Lake County Administrative Complex in Waukegan. View the FY2024 recommended budget
All County Board and committee meetings, including the budget hearings, are streamed live in their entirety, and available for viewing afterwards at lakecounty.tv.
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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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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. 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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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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