September 13, 2019
County News
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New State Law: County Boards Now Able to Remove Board Chair
Under a new state law signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker on Aug. 23, county boards that are empowered to choose their county chair now have the legal ability to remove the board chair. The specific provision contained in the law, Senate Bill 1236, was drafted at the behest of Lake County.
The new law amends the Illinois Local Government Officer Compensation Act and Counties Code, and establishes a specific process whereby a county board chair who is chosen by the board, which is the case in Lake County, can be removed if at least four-fifths of board members vote in favor of removal. Read more
Update: Recreational Cannabis Model Ordinance Task Force
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act legalizing the production, sale and adult use of recreational cannabis in Illinois effective January 1, 2020. Local governments across the state and in Lake County are currently evaluating how they will regulate and/or restrict recreational cannabis businesses through zoning (to the extent permitted by law) in terms of location, operations, parking, security, distances to sensitive land uses and other considerations.
The Lake County Planning, Building & Development Department is currently leading a Recreational Cannabis Regulatory Task Force with participation from a majority of Lake County municipalities and community organizations. The goal of this Task Force is to jointly develop regulatory options (from jurisdictional bans to allowing subject to restrictions) to address commercial cannabis in our respective jurisdictions. At the Task Force’s first meeting, the group discussed a number of topics, including health, law enforcement, revenue implications and the new law’s parameters for local government regulation.
As the task force meetings conclude, Lake County will continue its study of the issue, develop its own regulatory strategy (taking into account the Task Force’s model options) and encourage residents to provide input. Updates will be provided as the Task Force continues to meet and when the public meetings are scheduled.
Innovative Program Helps Low-Income Drivers Get Back on the Road
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Lake County celebrated a milestone recently in its innovative Road to Reinstatement Driver’s License Pilot Program.
The program—the culmination of a concerted effort led by Vice-Chair Mary Ross-Cunningham on behalf of the Lake County Board—was established to address on the local level an issue that is experienced by many low-income individuals nationwide: the loss of their driver’s license because of an inability to pay outstanding fees and fines. Read more
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Lake County’s Amazing K9s: Boomer and Browser
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Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Kilpatrick and Explosive Detection K9 Boomer won five first-place national titles and one third-place national title at the 20th Annual Vohne Liche Kennels Certifications and Trails.
K9 Browser, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office electronic detection canine, put his skills to work as he and Handler Carol Gudbrandsen assisted the F.B.I. in a child pornography case involving an Indiana man. Read more
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What Happened in Committees?
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Helping to Improve the Flow of Traffic
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Often times people think the only way to fix traffic congestion is to make roads bigger, or to construct new roads. But through a new program through the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT), traffic flow can be improved by making roads smarter. On Aug. 28, the Public Works, Planning and Transportation Committee discussed a contract with a qualified vendor to provide software for Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures (ATSPM). With ATSPM, LCDOT can review inconsistencies in traffic progression and address traffic signal issues in as little as one hour. Watch the discussion
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Watch All County Board Meetings
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Keep informed about Lake County government! Watch County Board meetings live at 9 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. You can watch meetings live online or on Comcast channels 18 and 30, or AT&T channel 99. You can also view archived board meetings and standing committee meetings anytime.
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Forest Preserve
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Hike Lake County Challenge
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Grab your hiking shoes and head to the trails to participate in the Hike Lake County challenge while enjoying fall breezes and autumn colors. You have until Nov. 30 to complete seven hikes throughout the Lake County Forest Preserves and earn a commemorative shield for your walking stick or a zipper pull when you turn in your Travel Log.
Learn more »
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Waukegan Savanna Dog Park
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The Waukegan Savanna Dog Park in Wadsworth is scheduled to open Sept. 13. The 11-acre off-leash park features amenities including a separate enclosed area for small dogs weighing less than 25 pounds, shade shelters, and drinking water for dogs and people. Annual or daily permits are available for the new dog park located within Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve. The new dog park joins four other parks operated by the Lake County Forest Preserves.
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Night Voyageur
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Paddle into the 1740s with our 34-foot Montreal canoe and learn about Lake County’s tie to the French fur trade. The program takes place 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14 at Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve in Wadsworth. Meet at the boat launch lot. Designed for adults, families with children ages 8 and up. $10 residents, $14 nonresidents.
Registration required. Learn more »
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Healthy Hedges
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Join Lake County Forest Preserves commissioners and staff to learn about the impacts of European buckthorn on our local ecosystems, and how to manage this invasive shrub in your home landscape. We will share best practices for buckthorn removal and suggest great replacement plants. Be inspired to join the movement toward a healthier Lake County. Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6–7 pm, Hawthorn Woods Village Barn, 2 Lagoon Drive, Hawthorn Woods.
Learn more »
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News from the County Clerk
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Get Paid to be an Election Worker
The Lake County Clerk’s office needs approximately 2,000 election workers to staff election day voting sites for the March 17, 2020 General Primary. Election workers are vital to ensuring the proper, lawful conduct of the election. Pay is based on Election Day assignment. English/Spanish speaking applicants are encouraged. Required training is free and begins in November 2019. |
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To apply or get more information, contact the Lake County Clerk’s Election Judge Department:
Sheriff News
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Drive Safely Near School Buses
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What is the most dangerous part of the school bus ride? The bus stop! Children are at greatest risk when they are getting on or off the school bus. Watch this video from the Lake County (IL) Sheriff's Office about what to do when driving near a school bus.
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Jobs News
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Job Center Hosts First Disabilities Resource Fair
Summer Youth Employment Program A Great Success
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More than 215 youth gained meaningful work experience this summer through the Summer Youth Employment Program. The program, funded by the Lake County Board, often represents the first job for those who participate. Read stories about some of the students who were in the program this year.
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Health News
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Become a Mental Health First Aid Instructor
The Lake County Health Department is offering free training to qualified individuals interested in becoming Mental Health First Aid instructors. The training, which normally costs $2,000 per person, will be held Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, 2019 in Waukegan. |
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Applicants accepted into the program must agree to teach three 8-hour Mental Health First Aid classes in 2020. Trainees will learn how to teach the Adult Mental Health First Aid course, including the five-step action plan, evidence-supported treatment, and self-help strategies. Application deadline is Sept. 27, 2019. Learn more and apply
Public Meetings
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Protect Your Home: Get Floodproofing Tips
Get some important floodproofing tips and learn how increased rainfall is impacting Lake County at an informational meeting Sept. 17 at the Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee.
Staff from the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) will share information about how frequent and stronger rainfall events in Lake County are impacting residents, business owners and public and private development projects, provide floodproofing tips and resources, and answer questions. More information |
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September 17, 10 a.m. - Noon
Warren-Newport Public Library, Meeting Room A/B
224 O’Plaine Rd, Gurnee
Community Events and News
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 Lake County Vehicle and Equipment Auction
Cars, trucks, landscape equipment and other surplus items from municipalities and government agencies will be up for sale at the Lake County Municipal Auction conducted by Obenauf Auction Service, Inc. View the list of items that will be auctioned.
Inspection and Registration: Friday, Sept. 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Sept 28, 8 a.m.
Auction: Saturday, Sept. 28, 9 a.m.
Where: Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake
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Securing Your Identity
Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, First Midwest Bank and Restoration America have partnered to offer residents a free Financial Literary course. Learn how to secure your identity on Saturday, Oct 5. From 10 a.m. to noon at the University Center, 1200 University Center Dr., Grayslake. For more information or to enroll, call Anton Mathews at (847) 377-2043 or email AMathews@lakecountyil.gov.
#EndOverdose Training Event
Member agencies of the Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium (NIPHC), including the Lake County Health Department, are joining together to promote opioid overdose awareness and are offering free training that covers how to recognize signs of an overdose and how to use Naloxone, a lifesaving antidote. All Lake County residents are welcome to attend on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Waukegan Public Library, 128 N County St. More details
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