Lake County Government News  

Lake County Community Development Administrator Brenda O’Connell is moving May 1 to a statewide policy role at the Illinois Housing Development Authority to support the statewide homeless response.

During her tenure at Lake County, Brenda partnered with the Lake County Coalition for the Homeless in achieving national recognition for innovative efforts to end veteran homelessness. During the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, she led the County’s efforts in overseeing emergency rental assistance, shelter and food support, administering over $60 million in CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Act funds to support our most vulnerable residents. All the while, Brenda and her team continued to administer the County’s annual award of federal, state and local funding to address affordable housing, homeless services, public infrastructure, public services and behavioral health.

Learn more about the services offered by Lake County Community Development

Get Help 

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 person in English or Spanish when you call. The 211 team will also interpret more than 150 other languages. Learn more 

The Job Center of Lake County can help you to transition careers, identify job opportunities and connect with employers. 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.

Sheriff's Office News

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office recently accepted the POW/MIA Chair of Honor, donated by Rolling Thunder Illinois Chapter 2.

Community Events and News

Join the 25^th annual First Responders Expo, featuring safety activities, food trucks, live demonstrations and more from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 18 at Gurnee Mills Parking Lot E. Over 45 police and fire departments will participate. Also, experience the Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit with a private tour from 9/11 New York firefighters.

Then on May 19, see the Rods for Remembrance Car Show from noon to 5 p.m. The free family-friendly car show is in support of first responders, their families and veterans. The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit will again be open to view.  Learn more

Veteran News

Superintendent Andrew Tangen of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County testified before the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs on Capitol Hill on several pending and proposed legislative initiatives considered by Congress.

These initiatives focus on improving the processing of claims and appeals for benefits in the veteran community. These legislative initiatives may bring faster, more accurate decisions to veterans and survivors and clearer communication from the VA so that veterans and survivors have a better understanding of the decisions they receive on benefits.

The Veterans Assistance Commission provides a variety of services to veterans and their families including VA disability claims advocacy, financial assistance, burial benefits and survivor’s benefits. All services are provided at no charge to the veteran. Learn more

Health News 

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, misuse, and overdose.    

Lake County is joining the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Drug Enforcement Agency Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 27 and urges you to properly dispose unused drugs to save lives and the environment. There are permanent prescription drug disposal boxes across the county where you can properly dispose of old and unneeded medications safely and anonymously.  Find a collection box near you 

The Lake County Health Department’s Animal Care and Control program has a new Facebook group. Here, you can find updates on found, reunited and rescued pets in Lake County. Join the group

To report a lost or found animal, contact Animal Care and Control at 847-377-4700 or email animalcare@lakecountyil.gov.

Transportation News

Access Pilot Program

Reduced fares are available through the Metra system to riders experiencing low incomes through the Regional Transportation Authority Access Pilot Program. All Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipient household members within RTA’s six-county jurisdiction are eligible for reduced fare. The pilot program will end July 31, 2025. Learn more, including how to apply.

RTA also coordinates discounted fare and free ride programs to qualifying riders in the region. Learn more about these programs

Travel Training Program

The RTA offers a free Travel Training Program to teach older adults and people with a disability how to use public transportation in the RTA region. The goal is to increase travel independence and is customized based on a person’s need. To sign up, email traveltraing@rtachicago.org or call 312-913-3120.

Sustainability News

While people around the world held many events to celebrate Earth Day April 22, in Lake County we’re always looking to ways to protect the environment and provide resources to residents to be more sustainable.

Visit the County’s Sustainability website to see how we are working to be more sustainable and resources you can use including a discounted way to move toward rooftop solar installation and ways to make your home bird friendly inside and out.

There are many other resources in Lake County to protect and enjoy our natural resources. Check out the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County website to learn about recycling services and composting. Also, visit the Lake County Forest Preserves website  to explore over 31,000 acres of protected natural land for recreational activities, trails, education and more. 

Join compost giveaways, community garden tours, library story times and more May 5 to 11 as the Illinois Food Scrap and Composting Coalition and Solid Waste Agency of Lake County educate communities about the role composting plays and the myriad of benefits it offers during International Compost Awareness Week. View Illinois’ ICAW schedule of events

Forest Preserves News

The Dunn Museum in Libertyville is combining a spectacle of nature with a special exhibition. Dedicated to the emergence of the 17-year periodical cicadas, “Celebrating Cicadas” runs from April 27 to Aug. 4.

Every 17 years, billions of periodical cicadas emerge from the ground, creating a natural phenomenon that captures the imagination of people worldwide. The Dunn Museum's exhibition offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the biology, behavior and ecological significance of these remarkable creatures.

Cicadas are expected to emerge in Lake County in late May and early June, once the temperature of the upper 8 inches of soil reaches 64 degrees. Read more »

Enhance your gardening efforts with our upcoming Native Plant Sale. The sale takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 11 and 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday, May 12 at the North Bay Pavilion within Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville. Inventory is limited and first come, first served. The best plant selection will be on Saturday. Plants are not restocked overnight. We encourage shoppers to bring boxes to transport plants home.

Possibility Place Nursery provides the plants. Admission to Independence Grove is free for all Native Plant Sale customers. Plant prices vary. The Native Plant Sale is an annual fundraiser benefiting our environmental education programs and events. Discover more »

The Beer Garden at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville opens Saturday, May 4 with limited hours through the month.

The popular venue features a variety of Lake County craft brews on tap, along with packaged snacks and other beverages. Plenty of casual lakeside seating is available. The hours are:

• Beginning May 4: Friday through Sunday, 1 to 9 p.m.
• Special hours Monday, May 27: 1 to 9 p.m.
• Beginning May 28: Tuesday through Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday: 1 to 9 p.m.
• Learn more »

Neighbors,

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