May 22, 2024
Friends,
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Memorial Day will soon be upon us and, as the great granddaughter of a U.S. Army veteran who served under General Patton in the Battle of the Bulge and helped free prisoners from the Buchenwald concentration camp in Nazi Germany, I am proud to join all Lake County residents in honoring the thousands of men and women who have given their lives in service to their country. Please take a moment this week, between graduations, BBQs and time with friends and family, to reflect on their sacrifices and how very fortunate we are to live with the freedom that they have preserved for us.
And then, please take some time to read this week’s newsletter. It’s that time of year again. The first installment of property taxes is due June 5. Please read on to learn about various ways you can pay your bill and access a video from the Lake County Treasurer’s Office that will help you understand your bill.
The Lake County Clerk’s Office has also created a video that’s included in this week’s newsletter. The video explains the vote by mail process. This is a presidential election year, and lines are expected to be long at the polls in November on Election Day. Make a plan to vote early and avoid the crowds.
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Finally, I am so proud to share that, earlier this month, the Lake County Board approved a policy that requires new Lake County government buildings to use bird-friendly glass to mitigate bird collisions.
Lake County lies within one of the major bird migratory routes in North America. According to Birdcast, more than 37 million birds have crossed the region this spring, making it crucially important to the health and safety of Lake County wildlife that we do our part to protect our feathered friends.
This bird-friendly policy is one of many sustainability efforts Lake County is undertaking. You can learn more about the Lake County Board’s vision for a greener and more environmentally friendly Lake County by reading our Strategic Plan.
Please remember, I love to hear from you. Contact me at sknizhnik@lakecountyil.gov to share your thoughts, questions or concerns or if there is anything I can do to support you with a county-related issue.
Best wishes for a safe and peaceful Memorial Day weekend.
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Lake County Government News
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Property Tax Bill First Installment Payment Is Due June 5
The first installment of the property tax bill is due June 5. There are various ways to pay your bill, including in person and free via an e-check. Visit the Lake County Treasurer’s Office website to view your tax bill and read about all payment options.
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Video Helps Explain Property Assessment Notice and Property Tax Bill
As property owners receive their property tax bill, there may be questions about your bill. The Lake County Treasurer’s Office has developed this video to help you understand your property tax bill. The video also delves into explaining your blue property assessment notice.
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Big Event Fuels Economic Growth
Leaders across Lake County interested in collaborating and supporting the mission to drive economic development gathered at Lake County Partners’ signature Big Event. Among the guest speakers were County Board Chair Sandy Hart, who spoke about the county’s strategic community investments, skilled talent, a supportive business environment and collaborative partnerships. Learn more about Lake County Partners
Sustainability News
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Sustainability Initiatives Take Root in 2024
Lake County is looking forward to a brighter future focused on sustainability initiatives now underway and planned for the remainder of 2024 and 2025. One of Lake County’s core goals in our Strategic Plan, adopted by the Board in 2023, is to work to become a national leader in sustainability.
The County Board has set goals for a Net Zero Lake County, which includes setting targets to reduce emissions, increase renewable energy generation and use, and divert waste going into landfills from County operations. An official plan to reach these goals is to be adopted by the end of 2024. Learn more
Groundbreaking Bird-Friendly Building Design Policy Implemented
The Lake County Board approved a new policy that will keep birds at the top of mind on all newly constructed and renovated Lake County government-owned facilities. The primary aim of the policy is to mitigate hazards for birds posed by the building environment, particularly from collisions with glass surfaces.
The policy, which went into effect May 14, requires newly constructed Lake County government-owned facilities to use at least 80 percent bird-friendly glass on their exteriors from ground level to 100 feet high. If Lake County renovates or adds on to one of its facilities, then 80 percent of the glass and reflective materials utilized in the project must be bird-friendly as well. Learn more about the new policy.
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Emergency Management News
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Learn to Become a Weather Spotter
Learn what to do and not to do during severe weather, the basics of storm spotting, thunderstorms, and methods to report severe weather as the Lake County Emergency Management Agency hosts a National Weather Service Severe Weather Spotter class on June 5 at the Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville.
Two sessions will be offered from 1 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The class is free, and no registration is required. Classes are appropriate for all ages.
Health News
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Protect Yourself Against Ticks. Fight the Bite
Tick exposure can occur year-round, but ticks are most active during warmer months, typically from April to September. Ticks live in grassy or wooded areas and can carry diseases, such as Lyme disease, which are harmful to humans and animals when bitten.
It is important to know how to prevent, check for, and remove ticks on yourself, your family, and pets. Learn more about how to protect yourself and loved ones from ticks at fightthebitenow.com.
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Digital Growth Initiative News
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Broadband Work Continues in Lake County as Affordable Connectivity Program Ends
The Federal Communications Commission is actively winding down the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which has provided free or low-cost internet services to eligible low-income residents through a monthly subsidy.
Learn more about the ACP, including resources available to residents as the program ends.
As the ACP ends, Lake County continues its work to understand the current state of high-speed internet service and address solutions for improvement countywide through our Digital Growth Initiative.
RFP to Seek Digital Navigators
Lake County has opened a Request for Proposal to establish a contract with eligible organizations to provide Digital Navigator services to Lake County residents. Any parties that may be interested in viewing and applying for the RFP needs to register on the County’s Vendor Registration Portal. A virtual informational session on the Digital Navigators Program for interested parties will be held at 1 p.m. May 28. Join the meeting
Digital Equity Coalition
Organizations and Lake County residents are invited to join the Digital Equity Coalition, which will support the planning and implementation of strategies outlined in Lake County’s Broadband and Digital Equity Plan. To join, fill out the interest form on the Digital Growth Initiative Webpage.
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Election News |
Learn the Vote by Mail Process in This Video Series
Did you know the Lake County Clerk’s office is responsible for all official ballots in Lake County? We’ve created a three-part video series to learn about the entire process of voting by mail. Learn about the behind-the-scenes process of requesting and creating your vote by mail ballot before it arrives in your mailbox with our latest Did You Know video.
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State’s Attorney’s Office
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Comfort Dog Hitch Retires
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office recently held a retirement party for Hitch as he ended his eight years of service. Hitch was a comfort dog who helped support those involved in the Mental Health Court, Drug Court and Veterans Court.
He will stay with his handler, Victim Specialist Jenna Melloy and enjoy much-deserved time off. Thank you Hitch for your dedicated service to Lake County!
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Welcome Linden to Lake County!
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center are excited to announce the newest member of the team, Duo Dog, Linden. Linden will primarily serve as comfort and support to children during the investigative process.
Linden has been partnered with his handler, Carrie Wings, the LCCAC’s Education and Outreach Specialist. As a comfort dog, Linden will accompany children throughout the forensic interview process. Learn more about Linden.
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Sheriff's Office News
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 Sheriff’s Office Holds Annual Police Memorial
Lake County law enforcement, community, and stakeholders recently gathered to honor and pay tribute to the 20 law enforcement heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice, serving and protecting the people of Lake County at the annual Police Memorial at Lincoln Plaza in Waukegan.
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Education News |
2024 Educator of the Year Is Announced
Dawn Smith of Big Hollow Elementary District 38 was announced as the 2024 Educator of the Year as the Lake County Regional Office of Education held its annual Educator of the Year event earlier this month.
The event honored over 140 educators in Lake County and recognized the contribution of maintenance and custodial staff. View the full list of this year's honorees.
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Get Help
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Use 211 to Get Connected to the 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 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. The website now has a new look including improved navigation and streamlined content.
Navigate to the featured content, including workforce solutions for businesses, career resources for job seekers, job opportunities vetted by our business service team and a robust calendar of events. And while on the website, try the “select language” feature in the upper right corner of the page.
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Forest Preserve News
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Leave Cicadas in Your Yards
Cicadas can be beneficial to your grass and gardens. When cicadas emerge from the ground as nymphs, or babies, they molt and leave behind their exoskeletons. The discarded exoskeletons, along with their bodies after they die, decompose and contribute nutrients to the soil, enriching it and promoting healthy plant growth.
In addition, cicadas dig tunnels underground as nymphs, which can help aerate the soil when they emerge. This process improves soil structure, allowing better water and nutrient penetration, essential for grass and garden plants to thrive. Female cicadas lay their eggs in tree branches, which can lead to the weakening and eventual pruning of these branches. This pruning can allow more sunlight to reach the grass and plants below, promoting their growth. Read more »
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Summer Concert Series Announced
Imagine calming breezes, breathtaking sunsets over the lake and award-winning music performers on stage at the outdoor venue for the annual Concerts in the Plaza music series. Nine concerts will be held at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, June 11 through Aug. 6. The performances take place at the preserve's outdoor Millennia Plaza overlooking a 129-acre lake.
From Beatles tributes to the blues, from rock and country to reggae, there’s something for just about any music taste in this season's entertainment schedule. View full band descriptions and the 2024 concert lineup. This year's concerts are supported by North Shore Gas (platinum sponsor), Libertyville Bank and Trust (bronze sponsor) and Lake County Journal (media sponsor). View full entertainment lineup and band descriptions. Discover more »
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Lakewood Upgrades Forge Ahead
Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda, the county’s largest forest preserve spanning 2,835 acres, is undergoing a transformation that includes a new 1.6-mile paved loop trail, a floating fishing pier, overlooks, new and reconstructed interior roads, a Children’s Nature Play area and more.
A segment of the regional Millennium Trail, which connects the underpass tunnels at Route 176 and Fairfield Road and passes between Banana and Taylor lakes, will be paved to form part of a new loop. “Reconstruction will occur on portions of the trail, but it will remain open as much as possible with a grass detour in place when necessary,” Planning Director Kevin Kleinjan told the Forest Preserves’ planning and operations committees earlier this month. Portions of the forest preserve will be closed throughout construction, with anticipated completion during the summer in 2025. Learn more »
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Community News and Events
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 Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend in Lake County
Embrace the sunshine, light up your sparklers and remember the men and women who have fallen in battle to maintain our freedom. Memorial Day weekend also is a kickoff to summer. Find ways to fill your three-day weekend as Visit Lake County shares its Memorial Day Weekend in Lake County blog.
Watch 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 St., 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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