The April 1 Consolidated Election is right around the corner. The Lake County Clerk’s Office is dedicated to helping every eligible voter be prepared to participate in the election. Visit the County Clerk’s website to confirm your voter registration, view your sample ballot, locate your preferred polling place and more. 

The Lake County Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of two land parcels—55 acres in Fremont Township and 34 acres in Antioch Township.

The larger of the two, known as the Steffenhagen property, will extend Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda. Located on Gilmer Road, it sits less than a mile north of Route 176. The board also agreed to buy 34 acres to expand Lotus Country Conservation Preserve in Antioch. The land, known as the Elliott W. Frank LLC property, is on Rena Avenue, about a quarter mile south of Grass Lake Road. It protects the county's largest egret and heron rookery.  

Learn More » 

Born in Waukegan 137 years ago this month, Mary Louise Spoor Brand (1887–1985) made her mark as a children’s book illustrator. After graduating with high honors from Waukegan High School, she studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and built a thriving career. 

If the name Spoor rings a bell, her brother, George K. Spoor, co-founded Chicago’s Essanay Studios. He even cast 8-year-old Mary Louise in a short film, making her—she joked—the first “child star.” Read History Blog » 

Lake County Public Works will conduct its semi-annual water hydrant flushing program beginning March 31, 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.   

Residents are urged not to do laundry during periods of flushing in your area to avoid staining clothing, which may occur due to the disturbance in the water main. 

Metra invites you to complete a survey and provide feedback as to what you think about potentially renaming lines to make the system easier to understand for new and occasional riders.   

Take the survey 

Learn more about the signage and wayfinding project 

The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors approved a construction contract totaling $13.8 million for toll plaza improvements on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway between Barrington Road and Arlington Heights Road. 

Nearly $117.3 million in contracts has been approved by the Tollway Board this year, including $82 million as part of the 14th year of the Tollway’s 16-year, $15 billion Move Illinois capital program and $35.3 million as part of the first year of the seven-year, $2 billion Bridging the Future plan. The Tollway’s 2025 capital program calls for investing $1.15 billion. 

Learn more about the Illinois Tollway capital program 

With Earth Month right around the corner, now is the perfect time to declutter your closet and donate your unwanted shoes. The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County’s Reuse-A-Shoe program offers year-round drop-off sites across Lake County for individuals and families.

SWALCO also supports short-term collection events for schools, workplaces and organizations. SWALCO can provide custom posters and supplies. Short-term collection is flexible, easy, and free. An organization can collect for a week, a month or more.

Learn more about the Reuse-A-Shoe program 

The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is hosting two public meetings across Lake County in April to receive feedback from residents to assist in updating the 2025 Lake County Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan. SMC staff will be available to discuss your stormwater and drainage concerns. 

The meetings will be: 

The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) has opened a public comment period through May 5 for the draft Manitou Creek-Fish Lake Drain Watershed Based Plan. The plan recommends voluntary actions to reduce flood damages, improve water quality and restore water resources in the Manitou Creek-Fish Lake Drain watershed in Lake County.  

There will be two information meetings April 9 in Round Lake and virtually on April 10 where staff will present an overview of the plan and answer questions. The public also can provide their feedback about the plan at the meetings. 

Learn more about the plan and the public information meetings  

The Lake County Emergency Management Agency, in partnership with the National Weather Service held their annual Community Weather Preparedness Training on March 20 at Vernon Hills High School.   

A lead meteorologist from NWS spoke on topics ranging from severe thunderstorms to heat safety and flooding. Courses like these are crucial to help residents be better prepared for all types of weather, understand weather data and increase community resiliency.

Learn more about resources the Lake County EMA provides to help you prepare for extreme weather
 

Illinois Virtual Schools & Academy (IVSA), in partnership with the University of Illinois System, is launching an expanded initiative to bring high-quality virtual education to more school districts across Illinois following a successful pilot in Lake County. 

IVSA is a program of the Lake County Regional Office of Education, providing access to more than 380 course options, including credit recovery, Advanced Placement, core curriculum, electives and world languages. The U of I System plays a critical role by funding stipends for in-person teachers to support virtual learners at each of the participating schools. 

Learn more about this partnership for student success
 

Don’t miss the First Responders Expo, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 17 at Gurnee Mills Parking Lot E.

This family-friendly event will feature displays by over 45 police and fire departments, safety demonstrations as well as the Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit.  

There are numerous outdoor venues to explore nature in Lake County. With 170 lakes and rivers, enjoy Illinois Beach State Park in Zion off the shores of Lake Michigan and Chain O’ Lakes State Park in Spring Grove. Plus, with nearly 31,000 acres of land to explore at the Lake County Forest Preserves, there’s many choices to visit for hiking, fishing, bird watching, golf and more.

Check Visit Lake County’s Spring Outdoor Guide to give you suggestions for enjoying the season.