July 2, 2020
Lake County Government News
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Lake County to Begin Accepting Applications for Small Business Assistance Grant Program on July 7
The Lake County Board has allocated $10 million to fund the Lake County Small Business Assistance COVID-19 Grant Program. The grant program was created to assist small businesses in Lake County that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
Beginning July 7, 2020, businesses will be able to apply online for up to $30,000 to cover up to four months of occupancy costs (rent, mortgage, utilities) as well as expenses incurred due to COVID-19 (new equipment, plexiglass, masks, sanitization services/materials, employee training, etc.).
The Lake County Small Business Assistance COVID-19 Grant Program will be administered by Lake County Partners with final grant approval and dispersing of funds performed by Lake County.
Small businesses in Lake County that meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for the program:
- For profit, incorporated business (e.g., LLC, S Corp, Partnership, Sole Proprietorship, etc.) - Independent contractors are currently not eligible
- In business prior to February 15, 2020
- Earn less than $2.5 million in annual revenue
- Must be able to document a significant negative business impact from COVID-19
- Preference will be given to businesses that have not received Federal Assistance (i.e., Paycheck Protection Program or Economic Injury Disaster Loan)
Lake County small businesses that meet the above requirements may apply online at lakecountyil.gov/forward beginning at 8 a.m. on July 7. The application period will be open for two weeks, with submissions accepted until July 20 at 11:59 p.m.
Tune in to Recording of COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall
Lake County held a live COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, June 23. Hosted by Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart, panelists discussed the current COVID-19 situation, funding and relief efforts for residents and businesses, plans to reopen schools, and what to expect in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. |
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Watch the meeting recording in English or Spanish. Those with questions that did not get answered during the town hall can email communications@lakecountyil.gov to get the information they need.
Senior Freeze and Other Property Tax Exemptions Will Be Automatically Renewed This Year Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Lake County residents who in 2019 applied for and received the Senior Citizen Freeze Homestead Exemption, the Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities, and the Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans With Disabilities will not be required to re-apply for those exemptions in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as long as the following criteria are met:
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The owner of record of the property as of January 1, 2020 is the same as the owner of record of the property as of January 1, 2019;
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The exemption for the 2019 taxable year has not been determined to be an erroneous exemption; and
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The applicant for the 2019 taxable year has not asked for the exemption to be removed for the 2019 or 2020 taxable years.
Lake County property owners who did not apply for and/or were not found eligible for the exemptions in 2019 but believe they are eligible to receive them for the 2020 tax year may still apply.
Lake County Recovery Programs Coming Soon
Relief for Residents
The Lake County Financial and Administrative Special Committee on COVID-19 Recovery met on June 19 and June 26 to discuss the distribution of $121.5 million in federal relief funds. Some of the funds are being allocated for assistance with rent, utility bills and food needs throughout the county.
Residents may soon apply for assistance
through local social service organizations and townships. Information is subject to change and additional information will be shared soon on how and where to apply.
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Relief for Businesses and Municipalities
The Committee also further discussed guidelines and the mechanics for two other programs: $10 million for small business assistance and $10 million for municipalities and fire protection districts.
Refer to the article at the top of this newsletter for information about the grant program to help small businesses.
The $10 million for municipality and fire protection districts will be appropriated for the reimbursement of eligible COVID-19 expenses.
New Law Could Provide Significant State Funding to Reduce Flooding and Traffic Congestion
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Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly recently approved a new law as part of the state's proposed 2021 fiscal year budget package that could bring millions of dollars to Lake County for projects that will reduce flooding, improve roads, ease traffic congestion, and improve homeless service facilities.
Public Act (PA) 101-0638 includes more than $195 million for critical infrastructure projects in Lake County and puts Lake County on track to begin the discussion of how and when these projects will be implemented. Read more
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Lake County Liquor Commission Approves Temporary Outdoor Liquor Sales
The Lake County Liquor Commission has approved Class A and E bar and restaurant license-holders in Lake County unincorporated areas to temporarily serve liquor to patrons outside, on premises, while adhering to Illinois guidelines.
License-holders who were not previously authorized to serve liquor outside and would like to do so are asked to send a photo of the proposed set up to the Lake County Liquor Commission via email to countyboard@lakecountyil.gov, or via mail to the Lake County Liquor Commission, 18 N. County St, 10th Floor, Waukegan, IL 60187.
Lake County Parking Garage Closing for Rehabilitation
Lake County will temporarily close its 508-space public and employee parking garage located at 18 N. County Street in Waukegan for four months beginning Monday, July 13 for scheduled repairs.
Those visiting the courthouse are encouraged to park in the City of Waukegan lot at Clayton and County Street or view this map for additional parking lot locations. Learn more
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Marriages and Civil Unions to Resume
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, and in order to protect the health and safety of the general public, judges, and court employees, marriages and civil unions were suspended on March 17. The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit is now officiating weddings and civil unions, virtually for active-duty members of the military and couples where at least one participant is a Lake County resident. Read more
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Lake County COVID-19 Update
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Case Count Update
The Lake County Health Department continues to monitor COVID-19 cases in Lake County. As of July 2, 9,812 Lake County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and there have been 400 deaths associated with COVID-19. View the most current information. |
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Lake County Joins State to Move to Phase 4
- More businesses will be able to open following state safety guidelines;
- Gatherings of 50 people or fewer will be permitted while social distancing and wearing face coverings;
- Restaurants and bars will be able to reopen for indoor dining with capacity limits and safety measures;
- Travel can resume; and
- Childcare and schools can reopen under guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Watch the video and Read more
What to Expect During COVID-19 Testing
Are you curious about what a drive-thru COVID-19 test is like? Watch this video for a step by step, first-person view. The Waukegan drive-thru test site at 102 W. Water Street is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Anyone can get tested, regardless of symptoms or other criteria. No appointment, doctor referral, or insurance is needed, and testing is free.
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Walk-ins Welcome at COVID-19 Testing Site
Walk-ups are now allowed. Walkers should enter off of Genesee Street and follow the line marked by orange cones. The Illinois National Guard will guide walkers. Learn more about COVID-19 testing
Health Department Expands COVID-19 Testing in Long-Term Care Facilities
Health Department staff have been working very hard to protect residents and staff of long-term care facilities in Lake County. On June 1, the Health Department started a new testing program to help these facilities identify active COVID-19 infections, prevent further spread of the virus, and collect baseline data to help in ongoing testing plans. Read more
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Beware of Contact Tracing Scams
Lake County officials are warning residents of contact tracing scams where criminals pretend to be contact tracers to steal vital information like Social Security
numbers and banking information over the phone, via email, and text message. At least one Lake County resident has claimed to have given vital information such as their Social Security number during what they thought was a contact tracing call.
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The Lake County Health Department reminds all residents that a contact tracer will NEVER:
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Ask for your Social Security number;
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Ask for money, bank account or credit card numbers, or any other form of payment;
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Ask for your immigration status; or
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Threaten consequences of not participating or answering questions.
If you receive a suspicious call, text message, or email about contact tracing or exposure to COVID-19, you may call the Health Department’s Communicable Disease program at (847) 377-8130. Staff can help verify if you have been contacted by the Health Department. Read more
Get Help
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Business Interruption Grants Program (BIG)
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has launched the first round of Business Interruption Grants (BIG) by providing $60 million to businesses experiencing losses or business interruption as a result of COVID-19 related closures. The BIG Program is available for up to 3,500 businesses that experienced a limited ability to operate due to COVID-19 related closures. DCEO will accept applications until 5 p.m. on July 7. Check eligibility criteria and access the English or Spanish Application form.
State Resources Available for Illinois Families
The Pritzker Administration, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, has launched a new initiative to help Illinois families access and afford home energy assistance and other essential services during COVID-19. Families seeking emergency assistance to cover costs of utility bills, rent, temporary shelter, food and other household necessities may visit www.helpillinoisfamilies.com for program details and how to apply.
Read more
The Immigrant Family Support Project
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is dedicating $2 million in pandemic-related emergency assistance funding to Illinois immigrants - regardless of immigration status - who are facing unemployment, loss of income, medical costs, and food and housing insecurity as a direct result of COVID-19 and are ineligible for any federal funding relief. Learn more at this link, or call the COVID-19 Immigrant Family Support Hotline 855-437-7669.
Employment Resources
Are you looking for a job during this challenging time of layoffs, furloughs, and hiring freezes?
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Call 211 to Get Connected to the Help You Need
If you need assistance finding food, shelter, rent or utility assistance, or other essential services, call 211 or TEXT your zip code to 898211 to speak with someone who can help 24/7. To receive general COVID-19 information via text message, text “COVID19” to 211211. For more information, visit
www.211lakecounty.org.
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How to Help
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Census 2020 Follow-Up Calls Are Underway
Census workers occasionally follow up with households over the phone to ask questions about their responses to the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau’s goal is to ensure a complete and accurate count and that no person is left out of the census or counted in more than one place. |
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By law, all responses to the 2020 Census are kept confidential. If you receive a call, the caller will only review the responses that you previously provided. They will not ask about your financial information or Social Security number. If you receive a call asking about this information, do not provide it and report the call to the Census Bureau. Learn more
If you have not already done so, there is still time to respond to the 2020 Census. Your participation is vital to ensuring that Lake County gets adequate funding to support healthcare, schools, public transportation, roads and more. Fill out your form now at mycensus2020.gov, or call 844-330-2020. While the census self-response date has been extended to Oct. 31, don’t delay and respond today!
Health Department News
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Ethylene Oxide Air Monitoring Program Concludes
The Lake County Health Department, Village of Gurnee, and City of Waukegan have received the final set of results from the last phase of outdoor air monitoring for ethylene oxide (EtO) near Vantage Specialty Chemicals in Gurnee and Medline Industries in Waukegan.
The third phase of outdoor air monitoring in Lake County began April 4, 2020. Samples were collected from 12 sites every third day during a 30-day period, which ended on May 2, 2020. The three phases of air monitoring were conducted over 120 days, with samples collected on 54 separate days between June of 2019 and May of 2020. A total of 606 samples were collected throughout the program, with an additional 54 samples collected by Medline and Vantage.
The results are available on the Health Department’s website,
www.lakecountyil.gov/eto.
Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Lake County
A mosquito “pool” or batch of mosquitoes sampled on June 4 in Hawthorn Woods has tested positive for the West Nile virus, the Lake County Health Department reported. This mosquito pool is the first confirmed indicator of West Nile virus presence in Lake County in 2020.
Help ‘Fight the Bite’ from mosquitoes and protect yourself and your family by practicing the “4 Ds of Defense.” Learn more
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Transportation News
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Lake County Fleet Recognized as Top 100 in North America
Lake County was recently recognized as having one of the 2020 Top 100 Best Fleets in the Americas by the National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA). The 100 Best Fleets in the Americas program recognizes fleet operations that have high levels of performance improvement and innovation within the public fleet industry.
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Some of the initiatives that demonstrated Lake County Division of Transportation’s (LCDOT) effectiveness are the installation of idle-reduction software that lowers a vehicles RPMs when it’s stationary and adding 14 low emission vehicles to its fleet in 2020, leading to an approximately 72 percent reduction in tailpipe emissions. Learn more
Des Plaines River Watershed Workgroup News
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Chemicals in Pavement Sealants Can Cause Environmental Harm
Summer is here! For some residents and businesses, the nice weather is a chance to perform maintenance on driveways, parking lots and playgrounds by using sealants to protect and enhance the appearance of the underlying asphalt. While this is a common practice, coal-tar sealants contain Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), a class of chemicals that harm humans and aquatic life.
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Stormwater runoff carries these chemicals into waterways, and the particles caused by normal wear and tear can be tracked into homes. PAHs in asphalt-based sealants are 1,000 times lower than in coal-tar sealants. This summer, consider choosing contractors that only use asphalt-based sealants on driveways, parking lots and playgrounds. Learn more.
What Happened in Committees
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Lake County Board Special Call
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During the Lake County Special Call Meeting on June 26, the Lake County Board extended the county's emergency declaration, approved an agreement for the Small Business Recovery Program, and passed a resolution to raise the LGBTQ Pride flag. Watch the video and read the agenda
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Watch All County Board Meetings
All Lake County board and committee meetings are continuing to be conducted remotely. Meetings are live-streamed at lakecounty.tv, and on cable television (Comcast channels 18 or 30, depending on where you live, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99). To see a current schedule of board and committee
meetings, and to find links of recordings of past meetings, click here.
Public comments will be accepted by email and phone call only. Learn more
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Forest Preserve News
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Dog Parks Open
#LoveYourPreserves
In the middle of this pandemic, the Lake County Forest Preserves offer hundreds of miles of trails to support our physical health, and beautiful views and vast open spaces to restore our mental health. As one user posted on Facebook: “Thank you for staying open. It has been our moment of Zen to hike the trails.” Since mid-March, more people are loving the forest preserves than ever. Visitation in May was 18% greater than the busiest summer weekend in any of the previous four years. Daily average visitation in April was 60% greater than the busiest summer weekend in any of the previous four years. Visit LCFPD.org/preserves/ to navigate your next adventure.
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How to Grow a Modern Victory Garden
Do you have a garden at home? Whether you plant in the ground or in pots, growing food at home can be done in ways that are healthy for you and the planet. Learn how to start your own home garden by checking out this recorded webinar presented by
Dunn Museum Educator Nicole Stocker in partnership with the Vernon Area Public Library. Home vegetable gardens are on the rise as families enjoy the idea of growing their own fresh food. Watch video »
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Route 45 Trail Connection Opens
The Lake County Forest Preserves announced the opening of a new community trail connection resulting from a successful partnership with the Village of Gurnee to provide safe and direct access to neighboring forest preserves and trails. This 0.4-mile crushed gravel trail links the Village's existing bike path and several large residential areas to Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve and to the Millennium Trail and Greenway. Learn more »
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Neighbors,
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Thank you for taking the time to read the latest edition of my e-newsletter. I encourage you to check out the community news and events below. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at pfrank@lakecountyil.gov or visit my Facebook page.
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,
Paul Frank
Mr. Frank, County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner, serves on the following committees:
Lake County Board, 11th District:
| Energy & Environment |
Financial & Administrative |
| Ethics & Oversight |
Diversity & Inclusion |
| Rules |
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Lake County Forest Preserves, 11th District:
Community Events and News
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