April 15, 2020
Lake County COVID-19 Update
|
Case Count Update and New Data Hub
The Lake County Health Department continues to monitor COVID-19 cases in Lake County. As of April 14, 2020, 1,641 Lake County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and there have been 56 deaths associated with COVID-19 complications.
Lake County’s 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.
|
|
 |
When looking at the data, keep in mind that it does not reflect the many residents who are likely infected and have not been tested. Testing is not available to everyone, and many people who have COVID-19 have no symptoms, or only mild symptoms. That is why it’s so important to continue social distancing and follow the Illinois Stay-At-Home order.
COVID-19: How it is Spread and Why Social Distancing is Important
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.
|
|
 |
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.
Wear a Face Mask in Public: In settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) the CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public. Read more
|
|
 |
Watch this video from the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, showing how easy it is to create your own face covering.
Volunteers Needed
Lake County has teamed up with United Way of Lake County to coordinate local COVID-19 response volunteer opportunities. 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
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. |
|
 |
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
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.
Get Counted, Lake County!
Do your part to help our county - respond to the census while you’re staying home! When you participate in the census, you are helping make sure Lake County gets the funding it needs to support critical services like healthcare, education, roads, and more. Your answers are confidential and by law cannot be shared with anyone—even with law enforcement or immigration agencies. It’s easy to respond online or by phone. Visit my2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020 (English) or 844-468-2020 (Spanish).
|
|
 |
Lake County Closures and Service Modifications
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 www.lakecountyil.gov/closures.
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
19th Judicial Circuit Court: The Court is only hearing emergency matters at this time. All cases, including trials, have been continued until at least May 18th or later. Please contact your attorney or the Circuit Clerk’s Office at 847-377-7888 to receive your new court date. To view current court administrative orders related to Covid-19, visit this link:19thcircuitstate/COVID-19/RELATED.
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.
Community Events
|
Apply to Serve as a Long Grove Fire Protection District Trustee
The Lake County Board invites interested individuals to apply to serve as a trustee of the Long Grove Fire Protection District. Trustees serve for
3-year terms and are responsible for overseeing the administration and management of the fire protection district. Meetings are generally held once a month on Monday evenings. To serve as a trustee, you must reside in the fire protection district. View the district map.
Please apply no later than April 24. Click here to apply. Make sure to select Long Grove Fire Protection District in the dropdown menu. If you have questions, please email me at maltenberg@lakecountyil.org.
Vernon Township Food Pantry Needs Donations
Vernon Township’s food pantry is in need of
canned tuna and chicken, fresh and boxed potatoes, rice, beans, pasta, cleaning supplies, personal care items, diapers and more. Donations can be placed in the shopping cart outside of the entrance at 3050 N. Main Street, Buffalo Grove during business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Learn more about how you can help.
|
|
 |
 |
|
Forest Preserves |
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.
|
|
 |
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
|
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
|
|
 |
Small Business Assistance
-
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
-
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.
|
|
 |
-
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
-
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
-
Additional information: Lake County Partners has compiled helpful resources for businesses. View it here.
Utility Bill Payment Assistance
The Community Action Partnership of Lake County is accepting
applications for utility bill payment assistance. Those who have recently experienced a loss or reduction in income are encouraged to call to see if they are eligible, since eligibility is determined by your household's income from the past 30 days. Call 847-249-4330 during normal business hours and ask to be transferred to a client service representative, who will help complete an application for you over the telephone. For more information, visit caplakecounty.org.
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.
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:
Board and Committee Meetings
|
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. 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
Sheriff News
|
Reporting a Stay-At-Home Order Violation
For people that may have information regarding businesses possibly operating outside the guidelines of the Governor’s Executive Order, or people congregating or not otherwise following the stay-home order, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has developed an online reporting system at
www.lakecountyil.gov/report where the public can log a complaint. Those complaints will be forwarded to other departments as appropriate for review, including municipal police departments, the Lake County Health Department, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and others. However, please keep in mind that many businesses are considered essential and are allowed to remain open. Please refer to this guide from the State of Illinois prior to filing a report.
State’s Attorney’s Office News
|
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Children’s Advocacy Center aims to provide a safe environment for all children in Lake County.
|
|
 |
The Children’s Advocacy Center remains open during the COVID-19 pandemic. To report suspected child abuse call 1-800-25-ABUSE. Learn more
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. 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 |
|
 |
SWALCO News
|
Bag, Mulch or Compost, but Don’t Burn
So many of us are using this time to catch up on yard work. There are a lot of leaves on the ground this spring because it was too cold to pick them up by the time they fell last fall. While leaf burning is permitted in many areas of Lake County, it poses serious health consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
|
 |
People with underlying respiratory issues are more likely to develop serious complications if they contract COVID-19, and smoke exposure can make it worse. Even for people who do not have underlying respiratory issues, smoke exposure can cause worsening symptoms of COVID-19. Do your part to protect your family and your neighbors: Please bag, mulch or compost this spring—don't burn!
Proper Disposal of Protective Material
The waste disposal agencies serving Lake County are reporting a significant increase in the amount of trash being collected because so many people who are working and staying at home. To help crews collect trash as safely and efficiently as possible, please be sure to put all household trash in bags and tie them properly.
|
|
 |
Personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, masks and gowns are not recyclable and should always be bagged and placed in a trash bin with a lid. Additionally, cleaning supplies such as disposable wipes, paper towels and tissues are not recyclable and should always be bagged and placed in a trash bin with a lid.
Stormwater Management
Commission (SMC) News
|
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. |
|
 |
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
COVID-19 Resources
Transportation news
|
Lake Cook Road Reconstruction Update
IL 83 between Fairway View Dr. and Lake Cook Road has been placed into Stage 1 travel configuration. During this stage, lanes are reduced to a single lane in each direction. There will be daily lane closures from 7:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday throughout the project site. Learn more about this project at cookcountylcr.org.
Weiland Road from Lake Cook Road to Deerfield Pkwy Update
The concrete work for the culvert and retaining walls at Aptakisic Creek is complete and the railing is being installed. The decorative stone pattern for the walls will be colored to look like natural stone.
Excavation for the roadway and placement of the stone base on the east side has begun. The contractor has been crushing and processing recycled concrete and asphalt to reuse for the stone base. The asphalt recycling is being done onsite at a staging area by the detention pond. Learn more about this project at weilandproject.com.
|
|
 |
| 
