Important COVID-19 Community Updates
We appreciate the chance to bring you up to speed on what we are learning from local and regional sources now every Monday, Wednesday and Friday or as necessary.

Please dial 9-1-1 in case of emergencies only and call 847.234.2601 for non-emergencies.

Check the City's website for additional information and continue to send any inquiries to cityhall@cityoflakeforest.com . During this time, residents should stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to leave the house, continue to practice physical distancing and wash their hands as often as possible.

Many staff members are working remotely and will respond to you at the earliest opportunity.
May 4 City Council Meeting
You may view the meeting here . Thank you to First Ward Alderman Prue Beidler and Fourth Ward Alderman Michelle Moreno for their six years of service on the City Council, and a warm welcome to Jennifer W. Karras and Eileen Looby Weber!
A New Message from the Mayor
The photos below were taken at the Beach this week, with restoration underway.
The Governor Announces "Restore Illinois"
 Building on data, science, and guidance from public health experts and after consulting with stakeholders across the state, Governor J.B. Pritzker announced Restore Illinois, a five-phase plan focused on saving lives, livelihood, and safely reopening Illinois.
 
The five-phase plan is guided by public health metrics designed to provide a framework for reopening businesses, education, and recreational activities in each phase. This initial plan can and will be updated as research and science develop and as the potential for effective treatments or vaccines is realized.

The plan can be viewed at Restore Illinois .
Recycling Education Effort Off and Running!
 Meet Bart the Cart. Bart is the spokesperson (or “spokescart”) for a new City-wide campaign to improve residential recycling habits. According to Bart, if we become even better recyclers we can reduce recycling waste, save the City significant processing costs and be even kinder to our environment. Bart calls it a “win, win, win” situation.

The campaign is called "Rethink Recycling". The goal is simple: Help Lake Foresters make sure what goes into their recycling carts belongs in their recycling carts...and that means nothing contaminated, no plastics and styrofoam, plus a few more simple guidelines you’ll find on this new website: www.bartthecart.com.
 
In the days and months ahead, you’ll find Bart’s tips on Facebook and Instagram: @bartthecart_lf, in the summer Dialogue and throughout Lake Forest via posters and recycling carts.
 
Now, you might ask why an animated recycle cart? Well, who better to tell us the rights and wrongs of recycling--it is his tummy we’re talking about. And while Bart is fun...the benefits are serious. Our goal is to reduce recycling waste from the current 25 percent to 10 percent, thereby reducing the city’s recycling process costs by 25% per ton which equates to an annual savings of up to $50,000.
 
We know it might seem like an unusual time to launch a recycling campaign, but the timing couldn’t be better. With most of us staying home these days, residential recyclable waste is piling up. Now more than ever, we need to become better recyclers.
 
We’d like to thank The Lake Forest Garden Club for providing support and funding for Rethink Recycling--we couldn’t do it without them! And big thanks to the City’s recycling collection teams still out there doing very essential work in a very challenging environment. If you happen to see them, maybe give ‘em a wave...from a safe distance, of course.
 
Happy recycling, everyone!
Updated FAQs for Businesses and Operations
Check here  to see new State DCEO guidelines for:
  • Businesses and activities that may increase services and operations
  • Social distancing requirements for essential stores
  • Requirements for essential manufacturing
  • Requirements for all businesses
  • A list of businesses and operations now considered essential
Don't Forget...
It's Easy!

Do it for Lake Forest!



The Census paper questionnaire was mailed on April 8 to anyone who has not yet responded. Please complete the questionnaire and return it or respond online at my2020census.gov or by phone at 844.330.2020.

In the coming months, when it is safe to do so, Census takers will follow up with in-person visits to addresses for which responses have not been received.

Completing the Census questionnaire is easy, secure and important. Thank you for helping Lake Forest and Illinois achieve a Complete Count!
Lake County Interactive Map
The Lake County Health Department's interactive map shares the number of residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 in each municipality. According to the LCHD website, it is best viewed on a computer. You can view the map here .
Local Resources
State/Federal Resources
The City of Lake Forest, Illinois | Website