September 18, 2024
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Dear Neighbors, |
There's something sweetly splendid about the last days of summer, which are tinged with warmth and vibrant color. I'm hoping you had a good summer while looking forward to autumn.
Among my many environmental duties, I'm honored to serve on the executive board of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO). This past week, our board approved SWALCO's legislative agenda, which is our template for legislation the agency is hoping to pass in Springfield.
Guided by a county policy goal, which I support, to divert at least 60% of the county's wastestream from landfills by 2040, our legislative agenda is calling for more aggressive legislation to keep more waste from becoming buried garbage.
SWALCO's top priorities for the coming legislative session include:
Extended Producer Responsibility for Household Chemical Waste (EPR). What if the state required manufacturers of household chemicals from cleaning solutions to pesticides to take them back and safely dispose of them? It would not only divert dangerous chemicals from landfills, it would save the county an estimated $450,000 a year.
Food Scraps Diversion
There's a bevy of academic research that shows that kitchen waste doesn't need to go into the landfill, where it produces methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas. It can be recycled and converted to compost, a fertile soil component that can be used in any garden or farm. SWALCO would like the state to form a task force to see how we could scale up this process, which is already offered in Grayslake and other communities. We would also like the state to study how to bolster commercial markets for compost. Learn more about this subject.
Extend the Consumer Electronics Recycling Act
Did you know Grayslake and SWALCO sponsor the largest electronics facility in the state? (It's at the Grayslake Public Works facility on IL 83/Barron Blvd. just north of Frederick.) We would like to extend this law and expand the list of acceptable items.
And don't forget our Reuse-O-Rama at the Fremont Township Center on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon.
SWALCO will take a stunning variety of household items from books and clothing to musical instruments (no drums or keyboards, please). Collected items will be recycled, reused or donated.
More Local Environmental News
At the Round Lake Area Public Library last week, I attended the fourth public meeting of Stormwater Management Commission's (SMC) Manitou Creek-Fish Lake Drain Watershed Plan. SMC is creating a draft action plan for this sub-watershed, which runs through Nippersink Forest Preserve and the western section of our area.
By listening to a variety of stakeholders from farmers to residential land owners, SMC is eyeing ways to improve water quality, reduce flooding and pollution. A final report is expected sometime in the next few months.
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Public Safety News
Did you know you can obtain a free gun lock from the county? Gun safety at home is vitally important because it can save lives.
Our county's Gun Violence Prevention Initiative, along with our justice partners in the State's Attorney's Office and Sheriff's Office are offering locks at several locations. View the Free Gun Lock Facility Finder
Forest Preserve News
Don't forget to mark your calendar for Festival de Cultura, Comida y Vida on Sunday, Sept. 29 from 2 to 6 p.m. The Forest Preserves are hosting the event at Nippersink Forest Preserve in Round Lake. Stop by and say hola as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Lake County.
Please join us for a community celebration featuring music, food for purchase and bilingual environmental education. You'll have a chance to talk with and learn from our excellent staff and enjoy local vendors and organizations. The event is free and has something for the entire family.
Experimente una vibrante celebracion de la cultura, la comida y las vida!
As always, it's my honor to represent you. You can contact me at JWasik@lakecountyil.gov. If you have immediate need for county services, call 2-1-1. For suicide prevention, please call 9-8-8.
Be well,
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Sustainability News
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Lake County Celebrates New Solar Array to Power Central Permit Facility
 Officials gathered to celebrate the completion of a new solar array system that will power the Lake County Central Permit Facility in Libertyville at a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 17. The Central Permit Facility is the first Lake County government building to utilize solar power. Learn more
Program To Make It Easier to Collect Hard-to-Recycle Items
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County is partnering with Lakeshore Recycling Systems and Hefty brand to offer the Hefty ReNew program to nine communities and five townships in Lake County in October, making it easier to collect hard-to-recycle plastics and offering residents a convenient way to divert more plastic waste from landfills.
Starting in October, the program will be offered in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Gurnee, Highland Park, Highwood, Lake Villa, Lincolnshire, North Chicago and Riverwoods and the unincorporated areas of five townships including Avon Township, Moraine Township, Shields Township, Warren Township and West Deerfield Township.
The program’s orange bags will be used in homes to collect and contain hard-to-recycle plastics such as chip bags, foam egg cartons, plastic pet food bags, plastic grocery bags, bubble wrap, foam cups, plastic utensils and other flexible film and packaging. The program is intended to complement, not replace, current recycling efforts. Learn more
Next Reuse and Recycle-O-Rama Oct. 5
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Don’t throw away your clothing, shoes, books and household electronics! Bring these items to the Reuse and Recycle-O-Rama from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Riverwoods Village Hall, 300 Portwine Road. This free event is a great chance to drop off items to be reused, recycled and donated and kept out of the landfills.
View the complete list of items you can bring. This event is hosted by the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, Riverwoods Preservation Council and Village of Riverwoods.
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Forest Preserves News
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Virtual Program: Native Landscaping
Interested in learning how to use native plants in your home landscapes? “Ready, Set, Grow” virtual program takes place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. Dr. Doug Tallamy, an agriculture professor at the University of Delaware, is the guest speaker at the session that’s free for Lake County residents and $5 for non-residents.
His books have been honored. “Nature's Best Hope,” is a New York Times Best Seller and “The Nature of Oaks,” earned the American Horticultural Society's 2022 book award. Tallamy also co-authorized “Bringing Nature Home, The Living Landscape,” with Rick Darke. Get Ticket »
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Open House at Ryerson Education Center
Stop by the Ryerson Education Center in Riverwoods for a free open house from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. Located within the Ryerson Conservation Area, this net-zero energy building is designed to produce as much energy as it uses annually.
Meet the planning and environmental education teams, who were key in shaping both the building's design and the programs happening in this new space. Learn More »
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Migration and Motus
Learn about animal migration and the Forest Preserves Motus Wildlife Tracking System during a Senior Series program from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Ryerson Welcome Center in Riverwoods. Seniors, 62 and over, can sign up for the session that is free for Lake County residents and $3 for nonresidents.
The innovative technology tracks movements of birds, bats and large insects. Tiny, digitally encoded tags are safely attached to an animal and detected by receiving stations on the landscape. Stations come in many configurations, but at their basic level consist of a radio receiver, one or more antennas and a power supply.
Get Ticket »
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Lake County Government News
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Reminder: Join First Digital Equity Coalition In-Person Meeting
You’re invited to join the conversation as to how Lake County can help improve digital access in our community. The Lake County Digital Equity Coalition will hold its first in-person meeting from 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 25 at the College of Lake County Lakeshore Campus Eleanor Murkey Community Center in Waukegan.
We’ll introduce updates to programs that will be launching this fall and hear from Latinx organizations and community members. This is a great opportunity to share ideas and work together to close the digital divide. Let your voice be heard! Register to attend
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Daily Travel Survey Underway This Fall
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is launching a major survey called My Daily Travel this fall to better understand the travel needs of residents in northeastern Illinois, including Lake County. They will soon start mailing out invitations to a number of Lake County households to request your participation. Learn more
Transportation News
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Road and Bridge Projects Highlight IDOT Construction Season
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that 12 major projects in Lake County are planned or underway, fueled by Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program. The projects combined represent a total investment of $74.3 million.
Of the 12 major projects in Lake County, seven are scheduled to be completed in 2024 and the remainder are anticipated to be completed from late 2024 through 2026. Learn more
Election News
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Be Vote Ready Lake County
 The Lake County Clerk's Office has launched a new resource to make sure every Lake County voter has the information they need to confidently cast their ballot in the Nov. 5 General Election. Download the Vote Ready brochure, available in English and Spanish, to find important dates, voting options and more.
State's Attorney's Office News
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County to Use State Funding to Open a New Pediatric Health Care Facility
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center (LCCAC) announced the receipt of $1 million in state funding that will be used toward implementing and integrating a medical forensic clinic, in partnership with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.
The new medical unit within the LCCAC will facilitate the immediate medical care of children who are brought to the center when there has been an allegation of abuse. The creation of the clinic has been a long-term goal of the office with the medical wing being built in 2020. Learn more
Nineteenth Judicial Circuit News
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Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Judges Name New County Public Defender
Chief Judge Daniel B. Shanes and the Circuit Judges of the 19th Circuit Court are pleased to announce the appointment of Assistant Public Defender Gregory Ticsay as the new Public Defender of Lake County. Chief Judge Shanes will officiate Mr. Ticsay's swearing-in ceremony on Sept. 23. Learn more
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Sheriff's Office News
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Lake County Sheriff’s Office Mourns Loss of K9 Dax
 The Lake County Sheriff’s Office as well as so many in Lake County will forever be grateful for the lives Sheriff’s K9 Dax saved and the dangerous criminals he apprehended. On April 12, K9 Dax passed away.
Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “K9 Dax will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we are incredibly saddened by his passing. K9 Dax will be remembered for the lives he saved, violent offenders he apprehended, and drugs he kept from being distributed in our community.”
Watch this moving tribute to Sheriff’s K9 Dax
Health News
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Suicide Is Preventable. Learn What’s Available to Help
 September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to promote awareness around suicide prevention and to learn how you can help others who may be considering suicide.
In 2023, suicide claimed the lives of 83 Lake County residents. Suicide is preventable. Evidence shows that providing support services, talking about suicide, reducing access to means of self-harm and following up with loved ones are actions we can all take to help others. The Health Department offers Mental Health First Aid training, teaching people how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit the Health Department’s Crisis Care Program page for more resources. Services are anonymous and free to all.
Coming Soon! Order Free COVID-19 At-Home Tests
At the end of September, U.S. households will once again be eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. COVID-19 tests are great to have on hand and a useful tool when making decisions to prevent the spread of disease. Visit COVID.gov/tests at the end of September to order.
Check any unused and "expired" tests before throwing them out. Some test expiration dates have been expanded. Visit the FDA to check your tests.
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Veteran News
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Sign Up to Join the Annual Veterans History Project
Registration is now open to participate in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois Annual Veterans History Project on Nov. 11. Veterans will be interviewed by volunteer lawyers regarding their wartime experiences. These oral histories will be recorded and transcribed by court reporters and then archived in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.
Once archived, these first-hand accounts of American war veterans will be accessible online to serve as both an inspiration for generations to come and to be available for use by researchers so that Americans can better understand the realities of war. Civilians who were actively involved in supporting war efforts (war industry workers, such as “Rosie the Riveter,” USO workers, civilian flight instructors and pilots, medical personnel, etc.) are also invited to share their valuable stories.
Registration is open until Oct. 25. Sign up to join
Emergency Management News
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Volunteers Win State Competition for Workshop Creation
Lake County Emergency Management Agency volunteers won a state competition for creating a workshop that will be incorporated into the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security’s new Professional Development Series training curriculum.
The workshop titled, “Individual/Personal Resiliency in Disasters” focuses on providing emergency managers the necessary tools to build resiliency in themselves, centering on the most basic needs of an individual that are often forgotten about or ignored. The interactive workshop highlights both how taking care of one’s individual needs throughout the disaster cycle takes care of others, ultimately building whole communities resilient in disaster.
The designers of the workshop are Jason Segal, Michael Baygood, Poojitha Reddy Giri, and Jeff Caudill. Jeff and Jason presented their workshop to 15 attendees from various backgrounds in emergency management at the IEMA OHS Training Summit Sept. 4 in Springfield. Congratulations!
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Pets Need to be Ready for an Emergency Too! Here’s What to Know
Hey pet owners! As Lake County continues National Preparedness Month, remember to make a disaster plan for your pets before an emergency. Some important items to have ready include vet records, microchip information, a two-week supply of water, food, and medications, and a leash and collar with ID. Get more tips for pet preparedness
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Get Help
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Call 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 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 is Your Career Solution
The Job Center of Lake County can help you to transition careers, identify job opportunities and connect with employers.
Take a virtual tour to learn about the services the Job Center provides, and view the full Job Center calendar to learn about upcoming events and resources.
Check Hire Lake County
Visit Hire Lake County for information about job opportunities and businesses vetted by the Job Center’s business service team.
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Community Events and News
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Discover the Perfect Blend of Autumn Fun in Lake County
As summer fades into fall, Lake County has a diverse range of activities for you this month. Lake County has everything from festivals to themed events and cultural celebrations. Check Visit Lake County’s list of the top 10 things to enjoy in September.
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Watch All County Board and Committee Meetings
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The public 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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