Nationwide, individuals are unable to restore or renew their driving privileges based on inability to pay outstanding fees and fines. Unable to drive, this often prevents individuals from obtaining or maintaining employment so they can support themselves and their family. To combat this issue, the Lake County Board, along with the 19th Judicial Circuit, Lake County Bar Association, Lake County Circuit Clerk, Lake County Public Defender, and other partners launched the new Road to License Reinstatement Pilot Program, which provides qualified individuals the ability to get their license renewed or reinstated.
I recently helped lead an education session, where nearly 30 Lake County residents learned more about this pilot program, along with Illinois rules of the road and driver safety, and Lake County employment and training resources.
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Starting the week of Feb. 25, you can tune in to www.lakecounty.tv to watch all Lake County Board standing committee meetings. The Finance and Administrative (F&A) Committee recently approved filming these meetings to enhance transparency and increase access to local government. At the committee level, board members spend a significant amount of time discussing and evaluating significant financial and policy matters before these items are sent to the full board for final approval. Filming committee meetings will allow the public to see all the work that goes on at the committee level and have a deeper understanding of the issues.
The meetings will not be broadcast live but can be viewed anytime at www.lakecounty.tv. The meetings also will be replayed frequently on LCTV, which is available on Comcast Cable, either channel 18 or 30, depending on where you live in the county. AT&T Customers can view LCTV on channel 99.
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The Lake County Board recently acted to increase the County’s transparency and accountability. Learn about a new process where vendors that submit a proposal to Lake County will need to disclose the name of family members working for Lake County and campaign contributions to Lake County elected officials. Also, hear about a legislative initiative to allow counties to remove its board chair, and find out about a new task force that will prepare guidelines for those who want to use solar arrays and further the County’s efforts towards using environmentally sustainable practices. Watch Video.
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The February 26 Primary Election is not a county-wide election. Only voters in the specific City of Waukegan alderman wards 2, 3, 7, and 8 are eligible to cast a ballot. There are only Democratic candidates. No Republican candidates or public questions were certified for the primary election.
Voter Registration
Now through Feb. 25, grace registration is available during early voting at the Lake County Courthouse, 18 N. County St., Waukegan. On Election Day, you must register at the voting site assigned to serve your address. Applicants must present two forms of valid identification. Both must show your current name, and one must show your physical Lake County street address. Voting a ballot is required at the time of registration.
Vote Early
Early voting is open through Feb. 25 on weekdays, evenings, and weekends at the Lake County Courthouse, 18 N. County St., Waukegan. View the dates and hours.
Vote on Election Day
Those choosing to vote on Election Day, Feb. 26 must go to their assigned polling location. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. List of Election Day Voting Sites.
County Clerk’s Customer Service Counter Closed Feb. 26
The Lake County Clerk’s office will be closed for walk-in and non-election customer service on Feb. 26 as all County Clerk staff will be dedicated to supporting voters, election workers, and candidates on Election Day. All County Clerk departments will re-open for service as usual at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 27.
Voter Power
Registered voters who log into LakeVoterPower.info can preview a personalized sample ballot, find assigned Election Day voting site along with driving directions and photo, see a list of currently elected officials serving their address and more.
Election Results
After the polls close on Feb. 26, Election Day voting site tallies can be seen at the County Clerk’s website under “Election Results.” Immediately following the complete reporting of all Election Day totals, tallies for the early and mailed ballots will be added to the website on election night. By statute, these ballots can only be counted in the Clerk’s office after Election Day polls close at 7 p.m.
Per Illinois election law, election results are not final until 14 days after Election Day. There are votes to be counted yet from verified provisional ballots and mailed ballots with a postmark no later than Election Day sent by county residents, military members, or overseas citizens.
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This year, I joined fellow County Board members and dedicated volunteers who took part in the Point-In-Time Homeless Count, searching across Lake County to help document the need in communities by gathering data and providing outreach to the homeless. Volunteers made contact with 29 people experiencing homelessness, compared to 24 last year.
Learn more about this year’s Point-In-Time Homeless Count and find out how you can make a difference in ending chronic homelessness. Watch Video.
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Senior citizens may defer part or all of their property taxes on their personal residence if they qualify for the Senior Citizen Tax Deferral program. Your application will be filled out by the Lake County Treasurer's Office using the information you provide. All applications must be submitted by March 1.
- Applicants must be 65 years old or older as of June 1 of the tax year claimed.
- Total household income must be $55,000 or less.
- This is a State loan with a 6% simple interest rate per year.
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Learn more about this program.
Supported by funds from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a $77,000 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Great Lakes Coastal Program grant will benefit habitat restoration efforts and environmental education outreach at Greenbelt Forest Preserve in North Chicago.
Grant funds will help restore 20 acres of wetland habitat and 20 acres of mesic prairie within the preserve, and be used to plant native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plant species in the restored areas. The project goal is to expand existing habitat for migratory songbirds and purple milkweed (Asclepias pupurascens), a regionally uncommon and favored host plant of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Coastal Program priority species. As part of the grant funding, Forest Preserve education staff will help connect over 1,000 students to this habitat restoration project through field trips and classroom programs.
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Explore new places to dine or enjoy old favorites during Lake County Restaurant Week, which runs March 1 to 10. Participating restaurants will offer either a specially designed prix fixe menu or a special dining offer. View the participating restaurants.
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The Midwest's premiere environmental film festival, the One Earth Film Festival is running March 1 through 10. See a series of powerful, solution-oriented environmental films in a variety of venues across the county. Learn more.
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Forest Preserve News
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Dunn Museum Behind the Scenes Tour
Take a rare peek at the Dunn Museum collections care and storage facility on Thursday, Feb. 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Guided by our collections staff, experience an in-depth tour focused on unique objects in our collection. Learn more »
Enjoy free programs every first and third Thursday evening at the Dunn Museum sponsored by USG. Experience the Museum after hours to learn more about your local history and environment, engage in hands-on programs for all ages, and expand your curiosity.
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Maple Syrup Hikes
Learn how trees work and about the sweet sap of sugar maples. Ryerson Woods is one of the few places in Lake County where conditions are right for maple syrup production, and where trees grow to a diameter and height that allows for tapping. Everyone gets a taste. Hikes run every half-hour from noon to 2 p.m. March 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24 at Ryerson Woods in Riverwoods. Register today »
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Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross Opens March 9
The work of a renowned comic book artist is coming to the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross will be on exhibit from March 9 through Sept. 8.
Considered one of the greatest artists in the field of comic books, Alex Ross has created some of the most iconic images known to fans today. For nearly 30 years, he has revitalized classic superheroes into works of fine art by illustrating characters including Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, Storm from the X-Men, the Avengers, Black Panther and many more. Learn more »
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Healthy Hedges
The Lake County Forest Preserves has partnered with other organizations to create a resource for homeowners who want to know what to plant following buckthorn removal. European buckthorn is an invasive species that is detrimental to native flora and fauna, and now unfortunately makes up about 40 percent of our canopy in the Chicago area. Learn about recommended species that can be planted in its place to maintain privacy screens and shady areas. Here is an example of a backyard landscape following buckthorn removal and the addition of native plants.
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K9 Dax, who works for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office was recently voted the K9s of Valor Foundation “K9 of the Year!” K9 Dax and Deputy Forlenza were nominated for their many successful tracks locating dangerous criminals and citizens in need of help. Learn more
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Meet Mitch, Hitch, and Browser, the amazing Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office four-legged staff members.
Mitch provides comfort to child victims. Hitch is assigned to the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit's Therapeutic Intensive Monitoring Program, which includes specialty courts such as Mental Health Court, Drug Court and Veterans Court. And Browser is trained to sniff out electronic devices for criminal investigations.
Watch this video and learn about the incredible work these dogs are doing!
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Free Family Fun
Come enjoy family fun as the Kohl Children’s Museum offers free family hours select dates through February and March at its pop-up location at the Urban Edge Gallery in Waukegan. View the free family hours schedule.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at 847-721-1563 (cell) or email me at mcunningham@lakecountyil.gov.
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 “Newsletter Sign Up" button at the top of the newsletter.
Thank you,
Mary Ross Cunningham
Vice-Chair, Lake County Board
Ms. Cunningham, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on:
Lake County Board, 9th District
Law and Judicial, Chair
Diversity and Inclusion, Chair
Health and Community Services
Rules
Lake County Forest Preserves
Operations Committee
Diversity and Cultural Awareness Committee
Other appointed positions:
National Association of Counties (NACo), Member of Community, Economic and Workforce Development Policy Steering Committee
Lake County Community Health Center Governing Council
Community Action Partnership of Lake County, Board Member
Lake County Domestic Violence Council
Lake County Sexual Assault Coordination Committee
Waukegan High School Advisory Board
Lake County Veterans Advisory Board
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