Forest Preserve District Approves Reduced Budget

The Lake County Forest Preserve District's overall budget for 2013-14 decreased $12.4 million over the last fiscal year.

To keep more than 30,000 acres of forest preserves in Lake County safe, clean and open for people to enjoy, the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners adopted a reduced fiscal year 2013-2014 budget of $101.5 million at its May 14 meeting. For the fifth consecutive year, total forest preserve property tax revenues collected are projected to decrease substantially due to declines in Lake County’s equalized assessed value (EAV), and because of the district's conservative budgeting practices and wise use of available fiscal resources. The overall budget decreased $12.4 million (11 percent) from the previous year, primarily due to an $11.4 million (21.5 percent) decrease in the capital budget. Of property taxes collected in…

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Deer Ticks Can Pass Lyme Disease: Protection Tips

Two species of ticks live in Lake County. Tips from the Lake County Forest Preserve District on how to protect yourself from the bugs.

  Warmer weather will be here to stay soon, and with it comes the draw towards outdoor activities. While enjoying these activities, don’t forget to take action to prevent bites from ticks that share our outdoor spaces. Ticks can infect humans and wildlife with bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause serious illness. There are two species of ticks in Lake County, Illinois: deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) and wood tick (Dermacentor variabilis). Of these two species, only deer ticks can pass on Lyme disease. However, wood ticks, also referred to as American dog ticks, do have the ability to pass on other bacterial infections such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. Before you go outdoors, choose light-colored clothing, tuck …

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New Director Named to Forest Preserve District

Board of commissioners names new executive director to lead Lake County Forest Preserves.

The Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners named a new executive director Tuesday to lead the district—one of the nation’s top conservation agencies and the second largest forest preserve district in the state of Illinois. Following an extensive recruitment and selection process, the board approved a contract with Alex Ty Kovach, of Akeley, Minn., to serve as the district’s next executive director, effective June 12. Kovach succeeds Tom Hahn who retired March 29 after 14 years of service, nine in the top position. Deputy Executive Director Andy Kimmel will serve as interim executive director until Kovach officially begins work. “We are excited about this new chapter as we welcome Ty to the Forest Preserve team. Ty’s …

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Maine to Focus on Extending Lake County's Trail System

Ann Maine and Linda Pedersen retain leadership on the Lake County Forest Preserve board.

  At a special meeting on Monday, Dec. 3, the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners elected their new leaders, choosing to retain Ann Maine of Lincolnshire as President and Linda Pedersen of Antioch as Vice President. Both will serve two-year terms that end December 2014. As newly re-elected Forest Preserve President, Maine will focus on continuing her efforts to complete and extend popular multi-use trail systems like the Millennium Trail and Greenway, restore wetlands, prairies and forests, and open new preserves throughout the county. "It is a great honor to be chosen by my fellow Commissioners to serve a second term as President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. I'm very thankful for their trust in me and humbled by the…

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Train Blamed for Cuba Marsh Fire

The cause of the blaze was confirmed by Lake County Forest Preserve officials.

A Canadian National Railway train is said to have sparked the Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve fire on June 25.  Lake County Forest Preserve officials say it's not uncommon for sparks from the train rolling across the tracks to start a wildfire, especially in dry weather.  The blaze burned 50 acres of Cuba Marsh with no damage to any structures. Two fire departments, the Lake County Wildland Wildfire Response Team and District staff responded. No injuries were reported.  "The response team came prepared and educated and set a backburn to limit the wildfire from burning more acreage," said Jim Anderson, Natural Resource Manager with the Lake County Forest Preserve District. "Several years of collaboration with the fire departments has paid off as…

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Celebrate the Earth at Free Lake County Events

CLC, Lake County Forest Preserves sponsor nature activities, environmental education events.

  It has been 42 years since the first Earth Day laid the foundation for a global environmental movement. In Lake County, Earth Day has turned into Earth Week with loads of nature activities and educational opportunities. There are events every day of Earth Week at the College of Lake County in Grayslake and at Lake County Forest Preserve sites. April 15 Spring Celebration at Ryerson Woods, from 1 to 4 p.m. with sheep shearing, herding, hikes and games. April 16 Playdate with Nature at Fox River Preserve and Marina in Barrington, from 4 to 5 p.m.  Children can build forts, hunt for critters and satisfy their curiosity April 17 Photography for All Ages at Rollins Savanna in Grayslake, from 4 to 5 p.m. Learn the basics on how to take good …

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Letters to the Editor

Forest Preserve District Needs to Pay Up

District has no right to remove golf course requirement from deed restriction without new agreement with Fort Sheridan residents.

  Over 10 years after the promise was made, The Lake County Forest Preserve District said they will not build the 18-26 million dollar golf course that was promised to Highland Park, Highwood, Lake Forest and the town of Fort Sheridan (now the residents). After the partnership put up about $400 million to redevelop Fort Sheridan in honor to our soldiers, the LCFPD has seemingly defaulted on their promise. It is simply not true for the LCFPD to say they got the land for free. The 250+ acres that was deeded to the LCFPD was part of the entire $400 million Fort Sheridan redevelopment plan that was paid for in full by the residents of the Town of Fort Sheridan. These are the facts! Earlier: Fort Sheridan Through the Years The LCFPD has no …

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Lake County Conservative

3:44 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012

A judge won't exactly agree with you, Roger, as the judge doesn't care about your politics (or how well you can spell). The judge cares about the law and legally binding contracts. I do agree with you, signing up the tax payers to a new golf course was a wasteful boondoggle, but blaming people other than those who orchestrated the bulldozing of the existing course is stupidity........or just …   more ›

Highlands and Ravines

Lake County Forest Preserve Seeks Dishonorable Discharge

Board voted 22-1 to walk away from a legal commitment to maintain a golf course at Fort Sheridan Preserve.

On Tuesday, the residents and voters of Lake County learned that our elected officials feel no responsibility to their obligations.  The Lake County Forest Preserves Board voted 22-1 to walk away from a legal commitment to maintain a golf course at Fort Sheridan Preserve. LCFPD will, based on Tuesday's vote, approach the US Army and seek to remove the deed restriction included with the land transfer from the former Army base which stipulated that the land would be a "golf course...in perpetuity." Thus ends the latest chapter in a decade-long charade perpetuated by LCFPD. During base closure, LCFPD approached the Joint Planning Commission (JPC) with an offer to buy the golf course and surrounding land for $10 million. In what was envisioned…

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Lake County Forest Preserves Moves to New Location

The Lake County Forest Preserves consolidates eight offices into one.

The Lake County Forest Preserve has consolidated its eight offices that were scattered around Lake County and moved staff to a central location in Libertyville. The new general offices, located at 1899 W. Winchester Road, opened Monday and house nearly 100 Forest Preserve staffers responsible for administration, planning, natural resources, land acquisition, public information, education and registration, as well as a public meeting room. The Lake County Discovery Museum will also move to this location in the near future. Work groups will be moved to the new location over the next two weeks. The full move is expected to be completed by Nov. 4. In February 2010, the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of 6.59 acres …

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Long Weekend Presents Staycation Opportunities

From sporting events to Coyote howling to theater.

If you’re family is opting for a staycation over President’s Weekend, you’re in luck. Here are some great ideas to keep the entire family entertained. Sport enthusiasts, history buffs, nature lovers, and closet thespians will be happy that they spent the long weekend at home. Family Best Bets Of The Week  Lake Forest High School Boys' Basketball Game   Bowling at Fatman Bowl   http://fatman-bowl.com/   Family Craft Class  http://www.chicagobotanic.org/familyprograms/index.php   Coyote Howl http://www.lcfpd.org/programs/index.cfm?fuseaction=programs.viewDetail&section_id=2104   Civil War Sesquicentennial http://www.lcfpd.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=calendar.viewDetail&object_id=30625   Jake’s Women at The Citadel Theatre Company

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