Totally Shop Locally

They say all politics is local. And where Lake County politics is concerned, "local" is defined as somewhere inside Lake County. In theory at least. According to the News-Sun ...

The county of Lake is launching a new "buy local" program to support Lake County businesses, and keep money in the local economy. While Lake County has always encouraged local purchasing, the new initiative is aimed at improving relations with the business community and encourage local vendors to seek business with the county, officials said.
County taking steps to 'buy local'

But as readers of this blog are shockingly aware ...

A Toad in the Road

revelations that the Lake County Dept of Transportation's new traffic wiretapping monitoring system was purchased from a Wisconsin vendor, has sent shock waves ringing somewhere inside Lake County.

The fact that the government of Lake County purchases many of its geegaws from Wisconsin vendors does not surprise your LakeCountyEye. Isn't it a well-known fact that most Lake County businesses have already fled north to the cheese-friendlier state of Wisconsin -- leaving in their wake an economically devastated Lake County to rival the best of any post-apocalyptic dystopia ever imagined?

Ha ha j/k. For your LakeCountyEye's money one could do worse than shop local. Operatives are urged to divert their patronage dollars toward the direction of some local Lake County vendors. With a two-day weekend just around the corner, here are ten fun suggestions for spreading the wealth:

Ten Ways to Grease the Economic Wheels in Lake County

Go for a round of eighteen at the Fort Sheridan golf course. You can't beat fun at the old ballpark. Catch the Fielders at their new stadium. Stop for gas and a lube-job at the Route 53 Extension Tollway Oasis (Long Grove facility). Then head over to the Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve Shell for a scenic & fully automated car wash. Dispose that toxic waste at the Buffalo Grove Land and Lakes landfill. Sample Waukegan's finest cuisine at the Lake County Courthouse cafeteria. Take a romantic horse-and-buggy ride at the Lakewood Forest Preserve Olympic Equestrian Village. Pick up some quick cash at a North Chicago payday loan outlet. And spend it at the Park City Casino. Finally, pick up your I ♥ My Deadbeat Dad campaign bumpersticker at the nearest Re-Elect Joe Walsh office.

Look for your LakeCountyEye this weekend at -- where else? -- the Dells.