Important COVID-19 Community Updates
Lake Forest is currently in Phase 4 of the Governor's "Restore Illinois" Plan. View the Phase 4 Guidelines here.

Please remember that face coverings, frequent hand sanitizing and 6-foot physical distancing are still required.

  • Wear a Mask
  • Wash Your Hands
  • Watch Your Distance

If you have noticed you are not following COVID-19 precautions closely, you may be suffering from caution fatigue. This may cause you to have lower motivation to social distance and increase your risk of getting COVID-19. There are ways to combat caution fatigue.

  • Take care of your physical and mental health.
  • Reframe risks and benefits.
  • Rebuild your routine.
  • Make altruism a habit.
  • Switch up your media diet.
Almost all City buildings are open with limited staffing and safety protocols in place. The City encourages residents to continue using online City services as often as possible.

This E-Newsletter will continue to be issued every Friday or as necessary.

Please dial 9-1-1 in case of emergencies only, and 847.234.2601 for non-emergencies. For all other City services, please call the City's general phone line, 847.234.2600. Check the City's website for additional information and continue to send any inquiries to cityhall@cityoflakeforest.com.
Where can I find COVID-19 data specific to Lake Forest?

Check here to see COVID activity by zip code. This dashboard was created and is updated by the Lake County Health Department.
City Council Workshop

The City Council will hold a Capital Budget Workshop on Monday, September 21, 6:30 p.m. in person at City Hall, 220 E. Deerpath. All social distancing requirements will be in place. View the agenda here.
Expressions of Gratitude Keep Coming

The Lake Forest Garden Club recently delivered these beautiful floral arrangements to the Public Safety Building and the hospital to recognize first responders and healthcare workers.

The outpouring of community support in our community is truly remarkable.

Thank you!
State of Illinois Announces Second Round of BIG Grant Funding


The grant is available to small businesses in Illinois with $20 million or less in annual revenue in 2019 that have experienced losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants will be awarded and funded on a rolling basis until funding is depleted, and $220 million is available. 

Applications were accepted starting September 17. Early applications are encouraged as it is anticipated that funds will be depleted quickly.

You can prepare in advance for the application by reviewing sample application questions and a list of required documents here. DCEO will also be hosting a series of webinars on the program, and advance registration is currently being accepted for these sessions:





Fall Ward Meetings Reminder

Fall Ward Meetings will take place virtually online.

We hope you will be able to join your Aldermen to learn about issues important to your neighborhood and all of Lake Forest. Please check here for the details on how to participate and submit questions in advance of the meetings.

Ward 2: Tuesday, September 29; 7-8:30 p.m. with Aldermen Melanie Rummel and Ted Notz

Ward 4: Thursday, October 8; 7-8:30 p.m. with Aldermen Ray Buschmann and Eileen Looby Weber

Ward 1: Tuesday, October 27; 7-8:30 p.m. with Aldermen Jed Morris
and Jennifer Karras

Ward 3: Thursday, October 29; 7-8:30 p.m. with Aldermen Jim Preschlack and Ara Goshgarian
Work on Deerpath to Take Place Tomorrow

Beginning at 5 a.m., Deerpath will be closed between Oakwood Avenue and Bank Lane for asphalt repair. Signage will be in place, and the work is expected to be complete by mid to late afternoon. Please be prepared to take a detour or an alternate route.
Have a Safe and Fun Halloween!

Visit the Haunted Trail at Northcroft Park on Saturday, October 10, 7 p.m.

Prepare to be spooked on a self-guided walk through the haunted forest from Northcroft Park to Stirling Hall. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. After your adventure, join the bonfire at Stirling Hall with hot apple cider and s'mores. A shuttle will be provided from Stirling Hall back to Northcroft Park until 9 p.m. The event is free but registration is required here.

Join the Halloween Tricks & Treats Parade at the Rec on Friday, October 30, 4 p.m.

Come dressed in your Halloween costumes and take a spooky tour of the building and experience the haunted hay maze! The event is free (and open to Lake Forest residents only) but registration is required here.

Trick-or-Treating will Take Place on Saturday, October 31,
4-8 p.m.

Please practice current COVID safety measures and stay safe!

  • Turn on your porch light or other outdoor lights to show that your house is welcoming Trick-or-Treaters. Please let your children know to not ring a doorbell if the lights are off. 
  • Trick-or-Treat as a household.
  • Maintain a safe distance from other Trick-or-Treating groups.
  •  Do not participate in Trick-or-Treating if you are feeing unwell, if someone in your house is unwell, if you are awaiting COVID-19 test results, if you have recently returned from travel to a hot spot state, or if you know that you have been exposed to COVID-19.
  •  Use hand sanitizer regularly.
  • Wear a mask and gloves while passing out candy or consider leaving a bowl of candy outside.
Time is running out to respond to the Census. The federal government uses Census results to determine how to distribute billions of dollars each year to state and local governments. For every person not counted, Lake County loses $1,400 a year in federal funding to support schools, roads, health services and more. Respond today at my2020census.gov, or call 844.330.2020.
“My Metra” Campaign Assures Riders they can Commute with Confidence

Metra recently unveiled a multimedia communications campaign to highlight the comprehensive steps it has taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and demonstrate to riders that Metra is a safe and healthy option for their travel needs.

“The thrust of this effort is to tell our customers that we’re ready for them when they’re ready for us,’ said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “They will find clean stations and trains, a mask requirement, plenty of room for physical distancing and a multitude of signs and announcements reinforcing our efforts to help them Commute with Confidence.”

The campaign theme is “My Metra” – meant to remind riders of the central role Metra plays in their lives and in their community. The campaign aims to reach as many riders and potential riders as possible, with advertising across a wide range of media, including television, radio, streaming radio, outdoor billboards, social media, website, direct mail and others.

The campaign will highlight all the steps Metra has taken, following the guidance of the CDC and health officials, to create a safe experience for its customers on its system. Those include thoroughly deep cleaning all cars and stations in the spring and summer and keeping them that way
with daily cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting, using new equipment and new cleaning methods. Other safety protocols include requiring that masks be worn for the duration of the ride, providing plenty of room for riders to spread out and giving them plenty of time to board and deboard so they don’t bunch up. Additionally, the campaign highlights Metra’s use of hospital-grade air filters and new touchless hand sanitizer dispensers in each car.

For more information, visit Metra's website.
Lake County Virtual Town Hall Meeting

Lake County is holding its third live Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. Hosted by Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart, panelists will discuss the most current information about how COVID-19 is impacting Lake County, relief efforts including programs that have provided funding to Lake County businesses and residents who have been financially impacted, and information about voting in the November General Election. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1GEusWj4RiKTbJxmKT2eUA.
What's Open in Lake Forest?
Parks & Recreation Facilities
  • Deerpath Golf Course
  • Kinderhaven
  • Forest Park Beach
  • Park Grounds & Trails
  • Tennis Courts
  • Playgrounds at All Facilities
  • Park Restrooms
  • Stirling Hall 
  • Dickinson Hall (by appointment; call 847.234.2209)
  • Wildlife Discovery Center (outdoor exhibits and trails open, indoor exhibits & restrooms are closed)
  • Recreation Center (to registered program participants)
  • Fitness Center
  • CROYA 
  • Lake Forest Library
  • Lake Forest Cemetery Gatehouse (by appointment; call 847.615.4341)
  • Park and Beach Pavilions will remain closed for rental throughout 2020 
*For a complete list of the status of recreation facilities visit the Lake Forest Parks & Recreation's website.
City Buildings 
  • Cemetery & Gatehouse
  • City Hall
  • Compost/Recycling Center
  • East Train Station - Restrooms, Silver Lining Barber Shop and Slick Shine (Metra ticket office closed)
  • Telegraph Road Train Station
  • Municipal Services Building
  • Public Safety Building
  • Water Plant
*For a complete list of the status of City buildings visit the City's website.
Community Facilities

Visit their websites for the most up to date information:
 
Lake County Interactive Map
Lake County occupies 1/2 of Region 9 according to the latest revisions to the Restore Illinois Plan. The western 1/2 of Region 9 is McHenry County.

The Lake County Health Department's interactive map shares the number of residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 in each municipality. You can view the map here.
Local Resources
State/Federal Resources
The City of Lake Forest, Illinois | Website