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Due to changes initiated by the contractor, the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) will be keeping the current detour route in place, instead of closing Old McHenry Road in both directions to through traffic, for the roadwork taking place on Old McHenry Road. The one block section of Old McHenry Road south of Robert Parker Coffin Road will remain limited to one-way southbound traffic only to Archer Road in downtown Long Grove. Downtown Long Grove businesses will remain open and easily accessible during this project. For more information, including detour information, visit the project website.
 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, early voting will be available at 16 early voting sites throughout the county. Use any early voting site regardless of where you live. 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 Election Day. 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 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). This keeps $3.4 million in taxpayers’ pockets. The only increase in property tax revenue will come from growth on new property. The proposed FY19 operating budget—which funds the County’s day-to-day operations—is $3.3 million less than last year (or 1%) as a result of efficiencies from shared services with other governments, technology enhancements, and operational improvements. The budget can be viewed at lakecountyil.gov/budget.
Following an
analysis of Lake County’s P-card program, an independent firm concluded that
there is not widespread misuse of Lake County P-Cards. However, the 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. While the County has a policy that specifically defines appropriate
expenses, 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 will also
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.
P-Cards are a
valuable procurement and payment tool used by governments, as well as
businesses, because it reduces length of time to make a purchase or pay vendor,
can decrease transaction costs and earn revenue through rebates. The Committee
will review and discuss the action plan for implementing the recommendations at
its next meeting.
Watch this video
with Finance & Administration Chair, Mike Rummel.
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
 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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 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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 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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Effective today, the public entrance of the Lake County Jail is
moving 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.
 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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 What's Happening With..."
The Village of Lake Zurich continues its "What's Happening
With..." series by reviewing the group of properties at 300 and 320 North Rand Road and 881 North Old Rand Road. This
series, presented by the village, reviews the history, ownership, development
activity and current conditions of various properties in the village that are
often asked about. Read the story.
Scarecrow Fest
Enjoy pumpkin and cookie decorating, pony rides, scarecrow decorating, and more at the annual Barrington Scarecrow Fest. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13.
DIY Scarecrow Day
Also, join Long Grove's Do-It-Yourself Scarecrow Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13 in downtown Long Grove.
Free Senior Car Safety Check
The Barrington Police Department has partnered with the Barrington Area Council on Aging to provide a free vehicle 21-point inspection to check for basic safety and maintenance issues. The service will be offered from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13. Learn more
Leaf Vacuuming
The Village of Lake Zurich will begin leaf vacuuming the week of Oct. 22, which will continue until Dec. 8. Residents are asked to rake leaves to the curb by Monday morning for pickup by Waste Management that week. Learn more
Buckthorn Busters
European native buckthorn is an invasive shrub that is slowly destroying native oak woodlands and natural areas. Learn how to identify it and rid it from your property from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 30. Learn more
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