Important Community Updates
Regions 8 and 9 Move to Tier 1 of the Restore Illinois Plan

Great news for our community! Effective today, the Illinois Department of Health announced that Regions 8 and 9 (which includes Lake Forest) are moving to Tier 1.

The next goal is to return to Phase 4 of the Plan without mitigations.

Restaurants and Bars
  • Indoor service limited to the lesser of 25 guests or 25% capacity per room
  • Establishments offering indoor service must serve food
  • All bar and restaurant patrons should be seated at tables
  • No ordering, seating, or congregating at bar (bar stools should be removed)
  • Tables should be 6 feet apart
  • No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting

For information on guidance for businesses, please visit the DCEO website.

Organized Group Recreational Activities (fitness centers, sports, etc.)
  • Sports should follow the mitigation measures set forth in the All Sports Guidance, which outlines appropriate levels of practice and competition based on individual sport risk
  • Face coverings must be worn at all times in fitness centers, including while engaged in individual exercise regardless of person or machine spacing
  • Recreation, fitness centers and outdoor activities (not included in the above exposure settings) follow Phase 4 guidance

Meetings and Social Events (including weddings, funerals, potlucks, etc.)
  • Limit to lesser of 25 guests or 25% of overall room capacity both indoors and outdoors
  • Applicable to professional, cultural and social group gatherings.
  • Not applicable to students participating in-person classroom learning, or sports.
  • This does not reduce the overall facility capacity dictated by general Phase 4 business guidance such as office, personal care, retail, etc.

Please check the IDPH press website for more information.
Snow Program Reminders

"The City began plowing and salting at 1 a.m. today to address the winter storm and predicted snow fall," states Public Works Director Michael Thomas. "The crews have been able to sufficiently maintain snow removal on Rtes. 60 and 43 and will continue to do so through the evening hours."

For the second winter season, snow crews are using "Beet Heat", a dispensable liquid which is added to the road salt. Beet juice is less harmful to the environment and stays on roadways longer, reducing the frequency of how often it is applied.

Streets
All City streets are plowed according to a master plan which assigns first priority to major arterials. The eleven designated snow routes and three cul-de-sac routes cover 240 lane miles of streets.

Parking Lots
The objective of the parking lot plowing program is to plow and consolidate snow in parking lots prior to 7 a.m., Monday - Friday; 8 a.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. Sunday.

Sidewalks
Sidewalk plowing will commence when the accumulation of snow has reached two inches. The objective is to plow sidewalks within a quarter mile radius of schools and the Central Business District by 7 a.m., Monday - Friday. Main arterial and residential sidewalks will be completed within 48 hours of the conclusion of a snow event. Snow that is obstructing sidewalk corners will be cleared within 48 hours after the conclusion of a snow event.

Damaged Mailboxes
Please call the Public Works Department at 847.810.3542 to report a damaged mailbox within 48 hours.

Please check the City's website for complete information.
Register for the COVID-19 Vaccine here.

The Lake County Health Department encourages all who work or live in Lake County to register so you can be notified when it is time to make your appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Frequently Asked Questions from LCHD 

Question: I registered in AllVax and haven’t received my email yet to schedule an appointment. When will I get an email? 

Answer: Three things have to happen for a person to receive an email from AllVax to set up their appointment:  
  1. The registered person must be currently eligible to get the vaccine (they meet the requirements of the current phase of vaccinations);
  2. The Health Department receives a supply of vaccine; and
  3. Appointment times are available. 

The AllVax system does not email everyone who is eligible at the same time. This is to avoid the frustrating situation where you might get an email to schedule, log in, and all appointments are already taken. For example, there might be 30,000 people currently eligible, but the Health Department receives a shipment of 1,200 doses. The AllVax system may notify the next 1,500 people who are eligible to allow them to schedule, and then notify more people if appointments do not fill up. 

Question: Can an exception be made so that I (or my family member) can get vaccinated sooner? 

Answer: No. We understand that many people are eager to get the COVID-19 vaccine and are concerned for their own health and the health of their loved ones. We are following the guidelines set in place by the CDC and Illinois Department of Public Health. We are not making exceptions to the vaccination phases. Be assured, everyone who wants a vaccine will be able to get one, but this process will take time. Remember that while we wait for the vaccine, we still have the power to protect ourselves and our families from COVID-19. Consistently follow the 3 Ws – Wear a mask, Wash your hands, and Watch your distance – to keep yourself and those you love safe. 

Question: Why is getting the COVID-19 vaccine important? 

Answer: The COVID-19 vaccine works by helping your body build protection against the virus. Getting the vaccine will help keep you, your family, and your community healthy and safe. The more people that choose to get the COVID-19 vaccine, the more protection our communities will have. Until herd immunity is reached, which could take several months or even longer than a year, it is important to protect yourself and others by continuing to follow the 3 Ws: Wear a mask, Wash your hands, and Watch your distance. Check out the CDC’s page about the Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine. 

Question: Why can’t I receive my vaccine yet? 

Answer: Our vaccine supply is very limited. We expect supply to increase over the coming weeks and months, so our Health Department is working to build a network of local providers to give vaccinations. As supply increases and more providers are set up to administer vaccines, the number of people getting vaccinated will increase.

Question: Why do I need the vaccine if I’ve already had COVID-19?

Answer: Right now it’s unclear how long immunity for COVID-19 lasts after you have been sick. We do know that immunity from having the virus decreases over time, especially for mild cases. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from getting COVID-19 again.  
Upcoming City Meetings

  • Historic Preservation Commission: Wednesday, January 27, 6:30 p.m.
  • Public Works Committee: Thursday, January 28, 3:30 p.m.
  • City Council: Monday, February 1, 6:30 p.m.
  • Building Review Board: Wednesday, February 3, 6 p.m.

Click here for agendas. Meetings are held remotely unless noted.
Xmas Tree Recycling - Pickup Ends on Friday, January 29

During January, Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery will be picked up on regularly-scheduled recycling days at the curb. Please remove all lights and ornaments and trees must be removed from plastic bags. Trees should be cut into six-foot lengths. Thank you!
Local COVID Resources


State/Federal COVID Resources
The City of Lake Forest, Illinois | Website