We recently tested the water in public buildings in Highland Park for lead, and are taking steps to remedy areas where contamination was discovered. Here’s a list of certified labs that you can contact if you’d like to test the water in your home for lead. More information on lead and how it gets into drinking water is here. The City of Highland Park regularly tests drinking water, you can find information on the quality of the water here.
Be a Voter
To have a well-functioning democracy, it’s important for people to participate by voting. As you may know, voter turnout rates are very low in the United States — lower than in Slovakia, Estonia and Slovenia. Here’s an interesting article about why voting is important. To register to vote or confirm your registration (for those in Lake County, IL) click here. To request a ballot by mail, click here.
Food Scrap Composting
In Highland Park, you can now put food scraps into your yard waste bin. Here’s a new video from the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) with some good tips on food composting. Countertop bins to collect food scraps are available at City Hall for $5 each. Click here for more information or to contact Lakeshore Recycling Systems to request a compost cart for your home. Food scrap and yard waste pick up continues until December.
Voting By Mail
Voting has gotten more convenient. You can now vote in person on election day, in person during early voting, or by mail. If voting by mail is convenient for you, click here to find out how to get your ballot.
Voter Registration
Active By Design Summit
Please join me on October 4 at 1 pm at Chicago Botanic Gardens to learn more about the many benefits of designing communities that promote physical activity. Featuring Mark Fenton, nationally renowned walkability expert, and Eric Chehab, MD, of Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, the program will also include a panel of local community leaders who will share their successes with complete street enhancements and strategies for funding healthier places for walking and bicycling. Registration is required for this free event. There will also be a “walk audit” in Highland Park at 8 am on October 5. If you’d like to participate, email me for details.
New Shoe Recycling Drop Off
Do you have old shoes that you’d like to dispose of, but not send to the landfill? The City of Highland Park has recently begun to collect shoes at the Recycle Center, 1180 Half Day Road. Please pair the shoes with a rubber band or by tying together the laces. Moldy or wet shoes, ice skates, roller blades and snow boots are not accepted. Shoes can be dropped off when the Recycle Center is open — 7 am – 1 pm every Tuesday and the first Saturday of each month.
Important Post about Radon
Have you tested your home for radon lately? It’s a leading cause of lung cancer, and you should test your home every 18 mos. to 2 years. You can get test kits from the American Lung Association. Start with a short term test, and, if it shows anything of concern, follow up with a long term test. Our tests were fine until recently. Remediation is relatively easy – I’ll let you know how it goes.
Bike Walk Fair and Film Fest
Bike over to the Highland Park Library on Sunday, May 15, 2016 for Highland Park’s second annual Bike/Walk Fair. From 1-3 pm there will be bike and helmet safety checks, information from local bicycle shops and environmental organizations, and even some free stuff. Bring used bikes that you no longer need to donate to Working Bikes. Stay to see the one hour Bicycle Film Fest inside the Library at 2 or 3:15. This event is free and all are welcome. Please share.
Spring Clean Up Season
The City of Highland Park is hosting a donation drive this weekend — May 7th and 8th from 9 am to 1 pm at Hidden Creek Aqua Park. Bring over books, small household items, toys, shoes and other items (for the specifics please call 847-926-1000) to donate for reuse. Got clothing too?? Our clothing and textile bin is only a few minutes away at 1180 Half Day Road! There are many year-round Reuse-A-Shoe drop offs nearby.