At its Feb. 11 meeting (02-11), the Lake County Board recognized 2-1-1 Day in Lake County in honor of the 2-1-1 helpline service launched by United Way of Lake County last fall. The service provides free, confidential referrals to health and human services for anyone who lives in Lake County. To get help, all you must do is dial 211 or text your zip code to 898211, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From there, you’ll be able to speak to a live, expert navigator in more than 150 languages. From housing and food needs, to mental health and addiction issues to assistance paying utility bills and more, the expert navigator will connect you to the right agency to help you. Lake County government provided funds to help launch the service.
Watch as Mary Ellen Vanderventer, Lake County Recorder of Deeds, visits with United Way staff to learn exactly what 2-1-1 provides, the idea behind it, and how United Way is spreading the word about the service.
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2019 Was a Blockbuster Year for Economic Development in Lake County
Lake County Partners, a public-private partnership focused on economic development in Lake County, led strategic initiatives in 2019 that landed more than 20 projects, creating nearly 2,500 jobs and retaining 1,500 jobs with a total investment of more than $260 million and an annual economic impact of more than $550 million. Since 2014, Lake County’s labor force has gained more than 20,000 people, whereas other counties in the region stayed relatively flat or lost people. Learn more |
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At its Feb. 11, 2020 meeting, the Lake County Board named Gary Gibson as Lake County’s next County Administrator.
Gibson has been serving as Interim County Administrator since September of 2019 while the board undertook a national search to fill the position permanently. Gibson previously worked for Lake County for 23 years, most recently as Manager of the Workforce Development Board. During Gibson's tenure, he also served as Assistant County Administrator for 11 years, and was the Interim County Administrator from 2001 to 2002.
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At its Feb. 11 meeting, the Lake County Board voted to impose a one-year moratorium on recreational cannabis businesses in unincorporated Lake County.
The moratorium is effective immediately through Feb. 12, 2021. During this time, Lake County will not be accepting or reviewing applications for proposed recreational cannabis businesses. All recreational cannabis businesses, including dispensaries, cultivation centers, craft growers, infusers, processors and transporters, will remain prohibited within unincorporated Lake County.
Take Steps Now to Protect Your Home from Costly Flood Damage
After a very wet summer and fall in 2019, river levels in Lake County reached record highs. Since we're still expecting more rain and snow this winter, the National Weather Service cautions that there are higher risks of flooding in the spring. Though there is no immediate concern, we encourage all Lake county residents to start thinking about flood preparedness now.
For floodproofing tips and information about flood preparedness and flood insurance, check out this guide.
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Qualified Professionals Needed to Serve as Lake County Board of Review Hearing Officers
The Lake County Board of Review is seeking qualified professionals with a background in real estate to serve as Board of Review Hearing Officers. All applicants must pass a two-hour qualifying exam, which will be administered on Wednesday, May 6, 11:30 a.m. at the Lake County Building, 18 N. County Street, Waukegan.
Hearing Officers play an important role in striving for equitable and fair property assessments through the assessment appeal process. They act as unbiased intermediaries, and hear testimony on written appeals of any real estate parcel that is claimed to be over or under-assessed. They then determine if the assessment is just or if it needs to be corrected. Learn more
Lake County Selected to Participate in Innovative Criminal Justice Program
Lake County is one of 13 counties in the country selected to participate in an 18-month County Justice Peer Learning Network through the National Association of Counties (NACo). |
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Teams made up of justice and health and human services stakeholders will work with subject-matter experts to explore and develop strategies at the intersection of mental health and racial and ethnic disparities to help justice-involved individuals leverage existing resources, and implement best practices to engage people in appropriate treatment and services rather than jail. At the end of the 18-month period, each participating county’s accomplishments will be distilled in a report highlighting best practices for counties looking to address mental illness and racial and ethnic disparities in their own jurisdictions. The program is part of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC). Learn more
Circuit Judge Jay Ukena Retires from Lake County Bench
Circuit Judge Jay W. Ukena retired on Jan. 30 after more than 11 years on the bench.
"Judge Ukena's service has assisted and guided our Circuit and the people of Lake County. His knowledge of the law, and experiences in both prosecution and defense made him a well-respected judge to the people of Lake County, attorneys, and his peers on the bench,” said Chief Judge Diane E. Winter. Read more
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Reginald C. Mathews Appointed as Circuit Court Judge
Congratulations to Associate Judge Reginald C. Mathews, who has been appointed Circuit Judge in the 1st Subcircuit of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit by the Illinois Supreme Court effective March 2, 2020. He will fill the position previously held by Judge Ukena. To maintain his position as Circuit Judge after Dec. 5, 2022, Mathews must be nominated in the 1st Subcircuit in the March 2022 primary and elected in the Nov. 2022 general election. Read more |
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Lake Cook Road Reconstruction
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Construction has begun on the Lake Cook Road Reconstruction Project in Buffalo Grove and Wheeling. Expect daily lane closures on the eastbound and westbound lanes of Lake Cook Road, northbound lane of Buffalo Grove, and northbound lane of Weiland Road to allow for watermain relocation and the installation of temporary street lighting and traffic signal systems.
This project is being managed by the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (DOTH). Stay informed on this project by signing up for updates from the Village of Buffalo Grove and the Cook County DOTH, and by using Lake County PASSAGE to see the latest traffic conditions.
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March Primary Ballots Are Ready
Ballots for the March 17, 2020 General Primary Election are available for those choosing to vote by mail or early.
Voting by mail is easy. Your required ballot application must be received at the Lake County Clerk’s office by Thursday, March 12. Your voted ballot must be returned via mail with a postmark no later than March 17th or hand-delivered to the Lake County Clerk’s office by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
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Is voting early more your style? Early voting is available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lake County Clerk’s office, 18 N. County Street, Waukegan now through Friday, February 28.
On Monday, March 2, early voting begins at 16 conveniently located sites, and you may use any early voting site regardless of where you live in Lake County. Dates and hours of operation vary at the different sites as some locations offer evening and weekend hours.
For a vote by mail application, list of early voting sites and more, visit the Lake County Clerk’s Office March Primary Election Page, or call the County Clerk’s Office at 847-377-VOTE.
Life Skills Program Helps Inmates
Life Skills is an eight-week program held two times a week in the Lake County Jail. The curriculum covers behaviors inmates can work to improve and ways to access and evaluate their behavior. Some of the areas covered include self-awareness, empathy, critical thinking, decision making, problem solving, communications, interpersonal relationship, coping with stress, diversity, and mental well-being.
Our latest group of graduates completed this course of instruction in December of 2019. It included 19 inmates.
Sheriff John Idleburg looks forward to continuing this program, and seeing the success resulting from those willing to complete the program.
Flu Cases in Lake County
The Health Department’s Communicable Disease program has seen a rise in influenza cases in Lake County since late January. Outbreaks in long-term care facilities, calls from schools reporting above normal absenteeism due to influenza-like-illness (ILI), and emergency room visits for ILI have all been increasing in Lake County. As of Feb.1, 21 Lake County residents have been admitted to the intensive care unit for influenza-related illness.
It is not too late to get vaccinated. The flu vaccine is available from many providers and retail locations throughout Lake County. Contact your doctor or visit www.vaccinefinder.org to search for locations where flu vaccinations are given, then call ahead to check on availability.
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Summer Youth Employment Program 2020
Applications are now being accepted for the popular Lake County Summer Youth Employment Program, funded by the Lake County Board, which will provide meaningful work experiences for approximately 215 youth for about six weeks this summer.
To qualify for employment, youth must:
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Be age 14 to 18 (by April 15) OR age 14 to 22 with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
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Attend middle school or high school
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Receive free or reduced lunch OR meet low income guidelines
The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 31 at 5 p.m. Applications are available at the Waukegan Job Center, 1 N. Genesse Street, Waukegan and online.
Employee Spotlight: Ashley Strelcheck
Ashley Strelcheck, Water Resources Professional for the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC), recently became a Certified Professional in Erosion & Sediment Control (CPESC). From watershed planning to best management practices for erosion and sediment control, Ashley’s knowledge is an integral part of the work SMC and Lake County does. Watch this video to learn more. |
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Water Resource Internship
Intern with the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) this spring! Apply your classroom experience to the real world as a Water Resource Intern. You’ll work closely with SMC staff to assist in watershed planning, geographic information system projects, field work and more. Applicants must be a recent graduate or current student with a strong background in environmental sciences, planning or related hydrology fields. This paid internship has the flexibility to be part-time or full-time beginning in April. Come make a difference in Lake County. Applications close March 20. Interested? Learn more and apply |
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Forest Preserve News
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In the colder months, creatures that are commonplace during the Midwestern summer are often the furthest things from our minds. Ever wonder where insects go in the winter? Some head south, others burrow in the ground or underwater to hibernate. Learn more »
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If someone asked you how snowflakes form, would you be able to explain it to them? A Lake County Forest Preserves environmental educator explains the details in the latest Words of the Woods podcast. The episode is available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and others. Learn more »
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Cardinals are a welcoming splash of color in a winter scene. Learn what makes this bird so special through a nature-based story and craft. Hikin’ Tykes takes place 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18, at Ryerson Woods in Riverwoods. Includes a take home list of resources, coloring page and nature activity suggestions. Tickets are required for each child, ages 2–4, and adult. Learn more »
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