Dear Neighbors,
Board Credit Card Abuse Investigation
Several weeks ago, I wrote to inform you of news that the County Board Chairman was taking a leave of absence and investigations into inappropriate use of County credit cards (aka p-cards) were ongoing. In response to those discoveries, I proposed a detailed action plan to the entire County Board and engaged in multiple meetings with the acting Board Chair and other members. I am happy to report that some of my suggestions were acted upon.
- The board agreed with my request to have an outside entity conduct an immediate review of credit card policies and usage by County Board members (I don't have one). The Bronner Group consulting has completed their review, and concluded that Lake County's oversight of p-card use by elected officials was generally weak and our policies must be strengthened. The acting chair even commented that she believes the p-cards continue to be used inappropriately by some board members. A copy of The Bronner Group presentation is available to read here. (The crux of the issue is that individual board member expenses are approved by the Chairman, the only official reviewing the Chairman's expenses is the County administrator. This dynamic is not ideal. If we continue to allow officials to use p-cards, there will be a different approval structure going forward.)
- We did get clarification from the States Attorney about the legal investigation. The Illinois State Police have taken over the investigation into the Chairman's p-card spending and related issues, no timeline for a conclusion has been provided and no other information has been shared with us. The Chairman remains on a leave of absence.
- I requested that the Board should immediately make available to the public detailed information about all elected officials p-card spending. Some Board members contend that credit cards are necessary for board member related expenses, such as travel to conferences. Many board members agree that we should eliminate them for elected officials. In response to calls for greater transparency, some elected officials have published copies of their receipts, others have been published by news organizations. Full county publication of all credit card spending has not yet happened. It is clear that additional conversations are ongoing about how to reform the related policies.
Vendor Disclosure Policy Review
Lake County currently does not require that bidders, vendors and contractors fully disclose any family relationships that may exist with County Board members, elected officials or County staff. While no wrongdoing has been implied, there are existing relationships between County staff and County contractors that many Board members including myself were unaware of while we voted on some of those contracts.
While examining ways to implement a new policy, we learned that other Chicago-area Counties and The State of Illinois do require vendors to disclose such relationships. A new vendor disclosure form and related policies have been under consideration by the Board, but still have not yet been approved. I hope to also include in the new disclosure statements a requirement that vendors also disclose campaign contributions made by bidders and vendors to any county elected official. As with the p-card issue, more transparency and more relevant disclosures will serve the county well.
Thanks for taking time to read these updates. As you can see, the Board has been quite busy these past two months in an effort to get clarity on these issues and implement policies that will improve County government transparency and accountability. As always, email me or call me to share your thoughts.
 Early Voting
In-person early voting for the Nov. 6 Election is now
available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 19 at the Lake County
Clerk’s Office, 18 N. County St., Waukegan.
Beginning Oct. 22 through Nov. 5, early voting will be available
at 16 early voting sites throughout the county including at the Highland Park Police Department and at the West Deerfield Township Office on Deerfield Road. Use any early voting site
regardless of where you live. Some sites offer evening and weekend hours. Find an early voting site near you.
Vote by Mail
Registered voters wishing to vote by mail must submit a completed
electronic application or paper application to the Clerk’s office by noon Nov.
1. Voted ballots must be returned to the Clerk’s office bearing a postmark no
later than midnight on Nov. 6. Complete your vote by mail application.
More Information
Visit LakeCountyClerk.info and click on the “November 2018 Election” icon to find voter
registration information, preview your ballot, and details on how to vote
by mail, early, or on Election Day.
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The Lake County Stormwater Management
Commission has entered into a contract with Christopher B. Burke Engineering,
Ltd. to review the proposed Foxconn development and related adjacent
improvements due to concerns of adverse impacts on flooding and water quality
along the Des Plaines River in Lake County. The Foxconn site is in the
headwaters of the Des Plaines River Watershed, which is immediately upstream of
Lake County and encompasses a major source of surface water. Learn
more
The proposed Lake County 2019 budget is balanced and
the operating budget reflects a slight decrease from last year. The Lake County
Board will hold budget hearings on the proposed budget later this month and
will vote on it at its November meeting. In an effort to provide some relief to
taxpayers, the County Board directed that the budget be developed keeping the
County’s property tax levy flat (or not taking the allowable levy growth
based on the Consumer Price Index). The only increase in property tax revenue will come from growth
on new property. (Lake County’s portion of our property tax bill is about 7%). The proposed FY19 operating budget — which funds the County’s
day-to-day operations — is $3.3 million less than last year (or 1%). The budget can be viewed at lakecountyil.gov/budget.
As I mentioned at the top of this newsletter, following an
analysis of Lake County’s P-card program, an independent firm recommended Lake County update its policy, processes and procedures. Lake
County has approximately 260 County-issued P-Cards used by employees, some
board members and elected officials for County business related expenses. The
firm analyzed a sample of Lake County P-card transactions representing 52% of
total spending for 12 months and reviewed best practices from across the
country. The study’s findings show there are gaps that can be improved with
stronger internal controls. Recommendations to be immediately implemented
include: updating current practices and refining procedures to better document
approvals and handle exceptions (including personal charges and late
submissions); implementing regular departmental reviews of active cards and credit
limits, as well as additional training. The Board is also likely to consider
policy changes and updates to its rules that govern board members’ P-card use
and consider measures to improve transparency, including posting P-card
transactions to the County website.
In local government, much of what we do and how
we do it is dictated by State and sometimes Federal laws. For example, Lake
County government purchases a variety of goods and services and there are
different ways to procure those services depending on what it is. For
example, when hiring architects, engineers and land surveyors, Lake County (and
local governments) are required to use the Professional Services Selection
process and award these contracts through a “Qualifications Based Selection.”
This allows the County to evaluate a firm based on experience and expertise
relative to the project, and cost is negotiated after the most highly rated
firm is selected.
How does it work? When professional services are needed, the department
develops the project scope and then publicly advertises the request for
services. Interested firms submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) and Statement
of Qualifications (SOQ) and a selection committee –made up of professionals
from the department—evaluate the proposals and select a minimum of three firms
to participate in an interview/presentation. They rank the firms based on
several criteria, including their expertise and past related experience.
The County then begins negotiating the number of hours it will take to
complete the scope of services. The final contract is then presented to the
Lake County Board for approval.
Following this process is required by State and Federal law; it provides value
to the County and helps us deliver cost-effective, efficient services to our
residents because our Lake County team of professionals has selected the most
qualified firm to perform the work, and these firms are then qualified to do
similar work in the future, based on their past successful performance.
Learn More: Qualifications Based Selection FAQ’s
 One of the best things about saying farewell to summer is looking
forward to fall in Lake County! Enjoy autumn’s glows firsthand while getting
spooked, picking out pumpkins or getting lost in a maze of maize. View Visit Lake County’s guide to the top 10 things to do in October.
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 With more than 200 lakes and rivers in the county, it’s
important to keep our water safe! Lake County Public Works has been working
hard to increase their sustainability efforts to their water operations, from
taking phosphorous and nutrients out of wastewater that can be harmful to aquatic
life, to performing energy audits performed in coordination with the Illinois
EPA. Watch Video.
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 Lake County Workforce
Development is piloting a text-messaging service where you can opt in and
receive occasional text messages regarding employment events, paid internships
and more. You can opt out at any time. Sign
up now!
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 The Lake County
Sheriff’s Office is piloting a new collaborative program with the Lake County
Health Department called the Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COaST) to
support residents with mental or behavioral health illness who interact with
law enforcement.
Within approximately
three days of a law enforcement officer encountering a mental health
interaction or an opioid overdose, the COaST deputy will arrange a meeting with
the individual or “cold call” their residence. During that meeting, the deputy will check the well-being
of the person and determine if he or she has sought treatment or services since
the initial event. The deputy will then provide a “warm handoff” to the Health
Department counselor, who will conduct a brief assessment, and if necessary,
refer the person to appropriate services. Learn
more
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The public entrance of the Lake County Jail has moved from 20 South County Street to the lobby of the Community Based
Corrections Center (CBCC) at 15 South Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, Waukegan. The
relocation is due to the ongoing renovations at the Lake County Jail.
Inmates being released from custody will be released at the CBCC
Lobby. Any visitors coming to the Lake County Jail should also utilize the CBCC
Lobby.
 Donate your new or gently used adult and children’s
coats and outerwear to help area veterans and their families as part of the Lake
County Law Enforcement Veteran's Coat Drive. The collection is running now
through Nov. 7. Find a collection
site near you.
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 Diabetes is a disease that affects how your body uses blood
sugar or glucose and is the sixth leading cause of death in Lake County. The
good news is diabetes is preventable and can be controlled. Watch
this video to learn about a new resource created by Live Well Lake
County to teach you more about diabetes prevention and management.
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Starting January 1, 2019, the Lake County Health Department
will implement the new Illinois Food Code, based on the 2013 Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) model. The new code contains the most up-to-date food
safety guidelines based on science and research. It increases the
responsibility of food permit holders, ensures faster reporting of foodborne
illness risk factors, and strengthens food production and documentation
requirements of certain foods. The new state inspection form will replace the
current Lake County Health Department pass/fail system with a new re-inspection
standard to assure that foodborne illness risk factors are corrected.
 With so many farmers markets across Lake County, our
residents have many options for picking up fresh produce, packed with nutrition
and flavor. Watch this video
as Chef LaiSha Ponder from the Lake County Health Department shares how you can
bring that market freshness to your table with two easy, mouthwatering dishes,
a summer ribbon salad and a sautéed vegetable mélange. Go to your local
farmer’s market using our Farmers
Market Finder and give these recipes a try!
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 As you discover a growing pile of shoes that no longer
fit, don’t throw them away! Keep them out of the landfills and recycle it all
instead. As part of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County's Reuse-A-Shoe
program, new locations have opened to bring your new and gently used shoes
including drop-off bins in Deerfield, Gages Lake, Port Barrington and Vernon
Hills.
Learn more about the Reuse-A-Shoe
program, including all locations and what items are accepted. And, make sure to
learn about all of SWALCO’s recycling programs, including clothing and textiles, household electronics
and household chemical
waste.
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 Simba,
the newest member of the Lake County Public Defender’s Office, is the first
certified facility dog ever assigned to an American Public Defender’s Office! A
2-year-old Labrador Retriever, Simba will provide comfort, compassion and
companionship to children involved in abuse, neglect and dependency cases. Learn
more
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 Forest Preserve News
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 2018 Ethel Untermyer
Conservation Forum: Preserving Lake County
Lake County has a rich history of
preservation. Join Dunn
Museum curator Diana Dretske on Sunday,
Oct. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. as we step back in time to meet the individuals whose
efforts preserved the county’s historical and natural heritage. Such as Robert
Vogel, pictured here in 1957 with the Museum’s 420 million-year-old fossil. Learn
more »
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 Halloween
Hikes
Join a guided group hike along a
candlelit path at Ryerson
Woods Welcome Center on Oct. 19 and 20 to
watch fun nature-themed skits, followed by donuts and cider. The hikes are not scary.
Even your littlest will enjoy this family favorite. Hikes begin every 30
minutes from 6 to 8 p.m. Total event time is 90 minutes. Total distance walked
is about 1.5 miles. Learn
more »
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 Free Senior Museum Admission
Senior admission to the Dunn Museum in Libertyville is
free for the entire month of October. Daily admission for seniors (62 and up)
is just $3 all other months and $1.50 on Discount Tuesdays. Plan your visit.
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 Teacher Open House
Lake County educators, learn about exciting programs and resources for your
class, tour the exhibitions and take part in guided teacher training sessions
with our education staff on Oct. 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Dunn Museum in
Libertyville. Professional development credits will be available. Learn more
Welcome REI
Our county’s
first REI store has opened in Vernon Hills. The retail
and outdoor recreation services company has already forged a partnership with
the Lake County Forest Preserves. In addition to offering recreation programs
in various preserves, we are delighted to thank REI for its recent $20,000
grant to support two public access projects. With these funds, and the help
of Youth Conservation Corps crews this summer,
we extended an existing boardwalk at Ryerson Woods in
Riverwoods and stabilized the Des Plaines River shoreline with
native wetland plants at the Wright Woods Canoe Launch at
IL Route 60 in Vernon Hills.
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 Forest Preserve Education Hawk Turns 30
With a badly injured right wing, the future was uncertain for a
4-month-old red-tailed hawk found near Highland Park in the summer of 1988. The
hawk was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation facility, but after healing, it
could only glide short distances. It was unable to gain enough lift to soar and
hunt, and as a raptor both skills are necessary for survival in the wild. We
knew the hawk could touch many lives as an ambassador for Lake County birds of
prey, so we built a home for it at Ryerson
Woods in Riverwoods where it became an honorary Environmental Educator.
Throughout her long life, the hawk has served as an educational assistant to
our staff during school programs, summer camps and special events. Learn
more
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 Let’s
Start a Movement
The
spread of invasive species is recognized as one of the major factors
contributing to ecosystem change and instability in our county, region and
nation. These species have the ability to displace or eliminate native species,
alter fire regimes, damage infrastructure and threaten human livelihoods.
Invasive species are changing the iconic landscapes of our nation. To
effectively control invasive species, removal needs to extend beyond the
borders of natural areas. The invasive species European buckthorn is currently
the most common tree in Lake County, making up more than 40 percent of our
canopy, according to a 2010 tree census conducted by the U.S. Forest Service
and The Morton Arboretum. It will continue to be an issue until the community
is involved: from private landowners to homeowner associations, golf courses to
garden clubs, businesses to school districts.
Want to join the
movement? We invite all Lake County residents to help eradicate buckthorn.
Several homeowners have already volunteered to help. Whether they have removed
buckthorn from their yard or are simply considering it, every resident who
participates will benefit the community. In the coming months we will
distribute resources to help assess your yard, plus tips to remove buckthorn,
landscape with native plants, and get further involved with this effort toward
an even more beautiful, healthy Lake County. Join
the movement.
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 Quadruple Your Gift to Help Restore
Grassy Lake
Thanks to a Community Stewardship Challenge Grant from Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation,
every dollar raised to restore Grassy Lake in Lake Barrington will be
matched with $3, giving your $100 gift a $400 impact! This grant will supply
volunteers with native woodland seeds and wetland plants to replace the
buckthorn thickets and other invasive species that have been degrading this site
for decades.
We have until October 2019 to hit
our $7,000 fundraising goal and reach 400 hours of volunteer service at Grassy
Lake. Help us get there!
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 Trail Extension at Lyons
Woods
A newly completed 1.9-mile paved trail now connects
Lyons Woods Forest Preserve in Waukegan to the Robert McClory Bike Path and
local parks. The Lake County Forest Preserves, City of Waukegan, Waukegan Park
District and the Village of Beach Park partnered to create this trail
extension. It represents the first phase of a longer 6.9-mile
regional trail that will continue west through Waukegan Savanna Forest
Preserve and eventually connect to the Des Plaines River
Trail at Sedge Meadow Forest Preserve in Wadsworth. Visit Lyons
Woods today.
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If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at pfrank@lakecountyil.gov or visit
my Facebook page.
I encourage you to forward this update to others who may be interested in Lake County news. Residents who wish to automatically receive my bi-weekly newsletter can email me, or click the “Sign up for my mailing list here” button at the top of the newsletter.
Thank you,
Paul Frank
Mr. Frank, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on:
Lake County Board, 11th District:
Lake County Law and Judicial Committee
Lake County Health and Community Services Committee
Lake County Ad Hoc Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Lake County Ad-Hoc Legislative Committee
Lake County Forest Preserves, 11th District:
Planning Committee
Ethics Committee
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