March 19, 2024
Election News
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Today is General Primary Election. Here’s What to Know
Whether you’re curious about what’s on your ballot, want to track your vote-by-mail ballot, or need to find your Election Day polling place, go to Voter Power to find your election information.
After the polls close on Election Day, and once early vote and vote-by-mail results are uploaded, Election Day site totals also will begin to upload to our Election Results portal. Access unofficial election results
Per Illinois election law, election results are not final until 14 days after Election Day. There may be votes that need to be counted from verified provisional ballots and late-arriving vote-by-mail ballots postmarked no later than Election Day.
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Lake County Government News
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Exciting News! Lake County’s Website is Getting a New Look
Redesigned with you in mind, Lakecountyil.gov is getting updated to be easier to navigate on mobile devices, provide translation and improved user accessibility, along with a refreshed design and look. Be on the lookout for these changes coming soon!
Lake County Addresses Legislative Priorities at Annual Event
On March 9, Lake County and the Lake County Municipal League (LCML) partnered to hold their annual Joint Legislative Breakfast.
Over 100 county and local government officials attended the event and listened to a joint presentation provided by Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart, County Legislative Committee Chair John Wasik, and LCML President Mayor Nandia Black. Eight members of Lake County’s state delegation were in attendance for the presentation and answered questions from the attendees regarding their priorities.
The County’s Legislative Program addresses public safety, sustainability, and other important issues at the local level. Learn more about the county’s Fiscal Year 2024 Legislative Program.
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Happy 185th Birthday Lake County!
Join Lake County as we celebrate our 185th birthday. Visit our Facebook and Instagram pages to join the celebration, learn more about our rich history and discover fun activities to fill your spring such as a birthday-themed bingo game.
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Education News
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Spell W-I-N-N-E-R! Lake County Student Heads to National Spelling Bee
Congratulations to Ian Leong from Matthews Middle School in Island Lake, who won Lake County’s Regional Spelling Bee competition and will move on to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee Championship in May.
Kudos also goes to the regional spelling bee runner-up, Debarghya Das from Hawthorn Middle School South in Vernon Hills.
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Ian and Debarghya were among the top four winners from each sectional spelling bee who advanced to compete in the regional competition. A total of 62 Lake County schools registered and took part in the initial school-wide spelling bees, which led to the sectional and then regional events.
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Transportation News
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See the Initial Alternatives for the Hunt Club at Stearns School Road Improvement Project
The Lake County Division of Transportation is hosting a public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 4 at the Holiday Inn Chicago North, 6161 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee to show the initial range of alternatives for the Hunt Club at Stearns School Road Intersection Improvement Project. Everyone is invited to attend!
The purpose of this project is to increase safety, reduce delays at the intersection and to increase pedestrian and bicycle connectivity.
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Health News
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Health Department Offers Reduced Well Water Testing Rates
Homeowners who use well water as their primary source of drinking water can take advantage now through Friday, March 22 of a reduced well water testing fee, provided by the Lake County Health Department. The normal $18 fee for testing bacteria and nitrates will be reduced to $15.
Sterile test bottles and sampling instructions are available at the Lake County Central Permit Facility at 500 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, the Health Department's headquarters at 3010 Grand Ave., Waukegan, and 19 township or municipal offices located throughout Lake County. Find a location near you to pick up a water sample kit. Water sampling kits also can be mailed to residents for an additional postage fee. Learn more
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Public Works News
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$1.9 Million Earmarked Towards Infrastructure as Part of New Legislation
Lake County is slated to receive more than $1.9 million as part of a bill that President Biden signed into law on March 9. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, includes federal funding for two Lake County Public Works infrastructure projects.
The projects are the Idlewild and Dady & Decker Water Main Replacement in unincorporated Grayslake and New Century Town Water Reclamation Facility upgrades in Vernon Hills. Learn more
Spring Hydrant Flushing Schedule Will Begin April 1
Lake County Public Works will conduct its semi-annual hydrant flushing program beginning April 1, depending on weather conditions.
The process will be performed daily, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., per the hydrant flushing schedule and will continue until all water mains throughout our water systems have been flushed. The anticipated completion date is May 24.
View the hydrant flushing schedule
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Get Help
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Call 211 To Get 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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Learn about Lake County's Cicada Symphony
The dynamic spring issue of Horizons magazine is available online. The vibrant hues on the front cover reveal the focus of the main feature—periodical cicadas. “The alarm clock is ready to ring for the periodical cicadas of Lake County,” writes Environmental Communications Specialist Brett Peto. Expect the impressive bugs to emerge late in May.
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Technology Improves Communication
The Lake County Forest Preserves adopted cutting-edge technology designed to enhance communication and accessibility for visitors to their website.
The Forest Preserves utilizes a computer program, known as chatbot, to simulate conversation with human users through text-based interactions. This technology prioritizes accessibility for all users and bridges language barriers through multi-language translation capabilities. Discover more »
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Self-Guided Tours Available
Embark on a journey of discovery at the Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods where self-guided maple syrup trails await. Beginning at the Ryerson Welcome Center trailhead, learn how trees produce sap and the journey to becoming syrup through informative signs.
This tranquil walk through nature's classroom is open 6:30 a.m. to sunset, free of charge. Enjoy at your leisure and immerse yourself in the sweet science of syrup making. Read more »
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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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Discover Fun Spring Break Ideas in Lake County
Spring break brings springtime joy, offering opportunities to venture into the wonders of Lake County. Discover a plethora of engagements, ranging from egg hunts to vibrant parades, catering to a spectrum of preferences from high-energy adventures to leisurely pursuits.
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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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