April 9, 2020
Dear Neighbors,
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I wanted to thank all of you -- particularly our great health department, county staff and all front-line healthcare workers and first responders -- for helping us through this crisis. If we can keep on practicing social distancing, we can keep our forest preserves open. Your cooperation is heartily appreciated and it will help all of us.
I know there’s a lot of information flying at you from all directions, so I’d let to give you a summary of what we’re doing on the county level. We’ve requested all the aid we could possibly ask for on the state and federal level. We know that we’re in line to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in emergency funding. We’ll keep you posted on how we’ll be spending the money to bolster our services. I’ve been working with federal legislators to ensure that Lake County receives the funding we need to help our community.
Federal aid will include emergency assistance to individuals and small businesses. Our Small Business Development Center at the College of Lake County has been doing a terrific job in helping small business owners fill out applications for Small Business Administration loans. Please consider them a resource in going through this process.
I urge you to connect with older community residents who may be alone to see if they’re okay. And please practice safe distancing and proper sanitation.
We are going to get through this together, so hang in there. More help is on the way. If you want to keep up to date on the COVID-19 situation in your area, check out our new Coronavirus Data Hub. Visit the Lake County/ Coronavirus page for the latest updates, and I will continue to share new information in my newsletter.
The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is hard at work, even during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic. Rain and flooding doesn't stop, and staff continues SMC's mission to protect people and property in Lake County from flooding and flood damages.
SMC is currently implementing three projects to acquire up to 23 repetitively flooded properties throughout Lake County. Last week, SMC acquired three properties, including one in unincorporated Zion. All three properties are currently flooded due to the recent rain Lake County received. SMC also acquired five properties last month: one home in Gurnee, three homes in Highland Park, and another in Riverwoods. These acquisitions are part of the first of two projects for which Lake County has received 100 percent funding through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Water Resources Flood Mitigation Program.
Be well and be safe!
 
Lake County COVID-19 Update
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The Lake County Health Department continues to monitor COVID-19 cases in Lake County. As of April 8, 2020, 1,044 Lake County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and there have been 23 deaths associated with COVID-19 complications. |
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Lake County’s new Coronavirus Data Hub shows the number of cases and deaths in Lake County and Illinois, an interactive map of COVID-19 cases in Lake County by municipality, a breakdown of cases by age and gender, and more. View it at www.lakecountyil.gov/COVID19data.
"This data hub is an excellent tool to share information with our community about cases of COVID-19 in Lake County. However, our data does not reflect the greater number of residents who are likely infected and have not been tested," said Lake County Health Department Executive Director Mark Pfister. "This is why we continue to reiterate the importance of staying home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out. By following social distancing guidelines and improving our hand hygiene and cough etiquette habits, we will continue to slow the spread of this disease and protect countless lives.”
For daily updates visit www.lakecountyil.gov/coronavirus.
COVID-19: How it is Spread and Why Social Distancing is Important
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According to the CDC, recent studies show that a significant percentage of individuals infected with the coronavirus do not experience symptoms but can still spread the virus.
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This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people have no symptoms. That’s why it’s so important to maintain six feet of social distancing between others, and to stay home whenever possible.
In settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) the CDC issued a new recommendation last week to wear cloth face coverings in public. Read more
Volunteers Needed for COVID-19 Response
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Lake County has received many inquiries from residents about how they can help during this challenging time. Because of this outpouring of support, we have teamed up with the United Way of Lake County to coordinate local COVID-19 response volunteer opportunities.
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Volunteers are needed to serve meals to the homeless, deliver meals to seniors, provide general office support, and much more. Both telework and in person volunteer opportunities exist.
Interested volunteers are asked to complete an online registration form that asks for contact information, areas of interest and times of availability, in order to appropriately match volunteers with organizations in need of assistance.
Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund Raises More than $300,000 to Date
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More than $300,000 has been raised so far for the Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund, administered by United Way of Lake County, to support local non-profits providing urgent resources for Lake County’s most at-risk neighbors.
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Local corporations and philanthropies have added their generous early support, including a $100,000 gift from First Midwest Bank, $40,000 from Trustmark, $25,000 each from Medline Industries and Takeda Pharmaceutical, $20,000 from The Julian Grace Foundation, $15,000 from United Conveyor Corporation, among others.
In addition, nearly 300 individuals have contributed to the fund with gifts ranging from $10 to $5,000.
Board Votes to Set Aside Funds
to Help Provide Emergency Shelter
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At its April 7 meeting, the Lake County Board voted to approve setting aside $100,000 of 2020 Video Gaming Revenue (VGR) grant funds in the event the money is needed to reimburse local agencies for emergency shelter expenses incurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds are normally used to fund behavioral health programs.
In Lake County, agencies like PADS Lake County and A Safe Place that provide services to the homeless and to victims of domestic violence normally provide shelter in group settings. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these types of arrangements would pose high risk to those clients.
Lake County Closures and Service Modifications
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Lake County Government remains committed to protecting the public and our staff while maintaining essential government operations. For a list of Lake County departments and services and how to obtain information during this time, please visit Lake County/Closures.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency Reporting: The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has a new online system for reporting non-emergency incidents. If you live in an unincorporated area or a village where the sheriff’s office provides police services, please use this online portal to report non-emergency incidents. After making a report, a deputy will contact you within 24-48 hours to further discuss the matter.
Health Department Closures and Modifications: The Health Department’s Community Health Centers continue to care for patients during this time, and modifications have been made to protect the health and safety of all patients and staff. Learn more
Job Center of Lake County: Although the Job Center of Lake County is closed to the public, you can continue to access all Job Center services remotely. Visit the job center website or call 847-377-3450.
Forest Preserve News
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Increased Monitoring
With the weather improving, Forest Preserve staff will be even more closely monitoring trails and preserves to make sure social distancing is taking place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. "We intend to keep preserves and trails open during the state’s stay-at-home order, but that could change quickly and preserves could close immediately if visitors don’t abide by safe social distancing rules. |
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All preserve visitors must maintain a 6-foot separation between people or family groups at all times and follow other public health guidelines while in parking lots or on trails," said Executive Director Ty Kovach. Learn more »
Closures and Cancellations
The Forest Preserve has closed all its public buildings, restrooms, playgrounds, dog exercise areas, marinas, and golf courses. All programs and restoration workdays are canceled. Preserves and trails are open but without regular maintenance. Pack it in, pack it out. Check our website for updates on closures and cancellations. Learn more »
Social Media Inspiration
Get Help
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Illinois Unemployment Claims
To handle an extremely high volume of unemployment claims, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has implemented a staggered schedule, based on the first letter of your last name, for those filing claims online and over the phone. Learn more about filing an
unemployment claim
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Small Business Assistance
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Federal Paycheck Protection Program: This program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Learn more
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Low-Interest Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration: The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program provides small businesses with a long-term, low interest loan of up to $2 million to pay for expenses they would have met if not for the COVID-19 pandemic. Application Process: The SBA has just recently rolled out a new, streamlined application process that is available here.
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SBA Coronavirus Relief Options: In addition to traditional SBA funding programs, the CARES Act established several new temporary programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak. Learn more
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Illinois Programs for Small Businesses: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced several new programs to provide more than $90 million in financial relief to small businesses across the state. These include a Hospitality Emergency Grant Program and an Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund. Learn more
Childcare for Essential Workers
The State of Illinois has launched a new resource to connect essential workers to childcare. Effective on April 1, all essential workers in health care, human services, essential government services, and essential infrastructure now qualify for the state’s program. This includes people working as doctors, nurses, hospital staff, grocery store clerks and food producers.
If you are an essential worker and need help finding childcare, call 888-228-1146, or use the COVID-19 Emergency Provider Search.
Call 211 to Get Connected to the Help You Need
If you need help finding any social service, including resources for finding food, healthcare, paying your utility bills, mental health services, etc., please reach out to United Way of Lake County’s free, confidential 211 service through any of the following:
Public Works News
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Save the Pipes, Don’t Flush Wipes
With many stores selling out of toilet paper quickly, and residents turning to alternatives like wipes and paper towels, the Lake County Public Works Department is asking customers to please refrain from disposing of certain products down your toilet.
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When flushed, products like disinfecting wipes, 'flushable' wipes and paper towels cause clogs which can cause damage to the sewer pipes in your home and yard, the sewer system in your neighborhood, Lake County’s pumps and treatment facilities, and the environment. Learn more
Board and Committee Meetings
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Upcoming Lake County Board and Committee Meetings Will Be Held Virtually
As Lake County Government continues to follow social distancing requirements and Governor Pritzker’s Stay-At-Home order, all Lake County board and committee meetings held during the month of April will be conducted remotely. Many regularly scheduled meetings have been canceled, and meetings that are held will be limited to agenda items necessary to ensure that essential functions and services can be carried out. |
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Meetings will be live-streamed at lakecounty.tv, and on cable television (Comcast channels 18 or 30, depending where you live, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99). Public comments will be accepted by email and phone call only. Learn more
Beware of Scams and Rumors
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There have been several reports of scam attempts since the spread of the
coronavirus. Take a look at the Federal Trade Commission’s tips on how to avoid these scams.
Testing Scams: Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim warns residents of potential COVID-19 testing scams. Fake companies are posing as health care workers and offering coronavirus testing. These scammers claim they can obtain test kits or get test results to people quicker. |
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They might ask people to pay in cash or share personal information in exchange for the test. Please know that testing is limited to high-risk individuals in the State of Illinois and should be arranged through a healthcare provider. Read more
FEMA Rumor Control Page: Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis. Do your part to stop the spread of disinformation by doing three easy things: Don’t believe the rumors, don’t pass them along, and go to trusted sources of information to get the facts. Check out the FEMA coronavirus Rumor Control Page.
Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) News
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Lake County SMC Acquires New Properties for Floodplain Buyout Program
The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is hard at work, even during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic. Rain and flooding doesn't stop, and staff continues SMC's mission to protect people and property in Lake County from flooding and flood damages. |
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The SMC is currently in the process of acquiring 23 properties that flood repeatedly. In the coming months, these properties will be demolished, and the space will be returned to open land, ensuring that it becomes a place where flood waters can settle naturally without damaging homes. Read more
Respond to the Census
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While you’re home, you can respond to the U.S. Census online. Even if you have not yet received the Census invite letter with your unique Census ID, you can still respond. Go to my2020census.gov and use your address instead of the Census ID.
By responding, you help make sure that Lake County receives federal funding to support local schools, health care services, housing, infrastructure and much more.
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COVID-19 Resources
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