I am glad so many of you are getting vaccinated and know that many of you are still anxiously waiting for a vaccine. At this time more than 11% of Lake County residents are fully vaccinated and over half of those who are 65 and above have gotten at least one dose of vaccine. However, the supply of vaccine continues to be inconsistent.  While it has increased in some weeks, and we hit a daily high on March 12, with 8,667 doses administered, our first dose allocation is estimated to decrease dramatically by the end of the month.   

We have multiple sites that are ready to vaccinate people and we have ample capacity at these sites, including the Fairgrounds, which can accommodate well over 1,000 doses a day. We have reached out to our officials in Springfield to solve this problem. Once the Lake County Health Department, along with countywide vaccinator partners, are able to administer 6,000 doses a day consistently, it will take up to six months in order to reach herd immunity in our community. This could occur earlier if the vaccine supply increases.

At the March 9 Board meeting the County voted 14-7 to enact at 4 cent/gallon gas tax. This issue was brought to committee on February 24 and voted on by the full board on less than 2 weeks later. I voted against the tax because we did not discuss our priorities and develop a plan for the 10 million dollars/year that will be generated. Advance planning and the development of a consensus plan are keys to success.

As the longest serving member on the committee that oversees transportation, I am well aware that Lake County has a backlog of over 1 billion dollars in transportation projects. Over the years I have been involved in numerous discussions and planning processes as we adjust and refine our goals.

In 2019 the State legislature gave Lake County (and other collar counties) the ability to impose a gas tax. At a minimum, we should have been discussing the following issues before enacting a tax:

• Will the monies be used for state roads?
• Will we bond the money?
• Will we run and fund a County wide paratransit system
• Can the money be used for stand-alone non-motorized transit projects (this needs legislative clarification)
• What changes might be made to the 2040 plan?

None of these issues are new, and there was ample time to address at least a few of them to provide greater transparency.

At the March Forest Preserve Board meeting we approved another bond refinancing plan that will save tax payers $600,000, this is the 6th refunding that we have done since 2013, with a total net present value savings of 8 million dollars.  It is important to me that we are good stewards not only of the land, but of your tax dollars. 

With the snow all melted (thankfully slowly so flooding wasn’t too bad), the trails are all open, if a bit soggy.  In the past two weeks I’ve been all over the county and hiked, Pine Dunes, Van Patten, Daniel Wright and Grassy Lake Preserves.  The chorus frogs are out in force and we’ve had some great views of sand hill cranes gracefully picking their way along the wet areas. 

Just this morning I presented an update on Lake County Forest Preserve District and Lake County Board activities to a local Rotary group.  I’d be happy to set up a zoom meeting with your homeowners, civic, scout, religious or other group.  It’s a privilege to be your representative and I enjoy sharing what is happening in Lake County and the Forest Preserves. Just contact me and we can arrange a time.  

Sincerely, 

Vaccine Help for Veterans

Veterans in Lake County who would like to establish care at the VA in order to be eligible to receive the vaccine should contact the Veterans Assistance Commission for assistance at 847-377-3344. Veterans age 50 and older who are already established patients of the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center may call 224-610-3899 to schedule a vaccine appointment.  

Vote by Mail: Due to COVID-19, all voters are encouraged to vote by mail and avoid lines during early voting or on Election Day. Request a ballot or track your request at lakevoterpower.info. 

Early Voting: Early voting will be available at 16 sites countywide. Twelve sites will be open Monday to Saturday from March 22 to April 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Four sites will offer extended hours including evenings and Sundays, and will be open from March 22 to April 5.  View early voting hours and locations or use our Early Voting Sites Finder. Wait times will be displayed on the finder beginning March 22. 

Election Day Voting April 6: Neighborhood polling sites will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Learn more about the April 6 election 

Under Illinois law, every 10 years the Lake County Board must reapportion its districts so that each district has approximately the same number of residents. On Feb. 18, the board’s newly formed Reapportionment Committee met to discuss the framework of the redistricting process. Data collected from the decennial census is used to determine the population in Lake County and then political boundaries are redrawn based on the data. 

The next meeting date has yet to be determined. Visit our Reapportionment Page for up-to-date information regarding the redistricting process and for a link to the video of the Feb.18 meeting. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding Illinois businesses that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are still available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and private nonprofit organizations affected by civil unrest that occurred from May 26 to June 8, 2020. The application deadline is March 23, 2021. Learn more 

To maintain proper social distancing, the number of persons permitted to attend will be limited. Public comments can also be submitted by email and phone call. Learn more    

To see a current schedule of board and committee meetings, click here.  

All meetings are recorded, and are posted on the Lake County website. Here are links to the most recent board and committee meetings, including the video recordings and agendas: