March 30, 2021
Dear Neighbor,
I am happy to report that it was announced yesterday that a state-run mass vaccination clinic will open in Waukegan on April 1 at the same location where the mass testing site is held-102 West Water Street. In addition, Abbvie and North Chicago Community Partners (NCCP) developed a site at the Greenbelt Forest Preserves, and is now vaccinating any senior living in Lake County. Baxter has also announced that it will be soon be opening a mass vaccination site in Round Lake Beach (appointment information below).
I am incredibly grateful for all of our outstanding partners in Lake County who have stepped forward to help with this vaccination effort. Abbvie employees were going door to door in senior housing developments to help people make appointments, and NCCP is coordinating the operation at Greenbelt. Schools, non-profits, townships, and other entities are quietly and efficiently vaccinating thousands of Lake County residents. When speaking with other county chairs, I learned that this type of partnership is not happening elsewhere, and I thank all of the people who worked together to get this done.
Unfortunately the supply of vaccine remains low for Lake County (click here to see allocations-scroll down), but in conversations with IDPH and the Governor's Office I have been assured that our allocations will increase exponentially. I am so proud of the Lake County Health Department (LCHD) and how hard they've been working to get as many people vaccinated as possible.
As a result of the federal American Rescue Plan Act, Lake County is estimated to receive $130 million in two installments over the year. This money will be used to keep providers of vital services on the job and assist businesses, non-profits, and residents recover from the pandemic. The Finance & Administrative Committee is responsible for determining the allocations of how the money will be spent. As always, the public is welcome and encouraged to attend (virtually or in person) any of our committee meetings (links below). For more information on what Lake County has been doing to get us through this pandemic, please visit Lake County Forward.
In closing, I just want to say how appreciative I am for the thousands of residents who have been volunteering their time and donating money to help our county get through this terrible time. So many people have experienced incredible losses-lives, jobs, relationships, housing, businesses...the list is endless and staggering. While I feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel, many lives have been changed forever and my heart goes out to all who have been impacted.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. It is a privilege and an honor to represent you as Chair of the Lake County Board and on the Forest Preserve Board. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
 
Lake County COVID-19 Update
|
Lake County Seniors aged 65 or older may now schedule an appointment through the AllVax portal. Check your email (and be sure to check your spam folder too) for a link to schedule your appointment, or log in to your Allvax account.
Vaccinations for seniors at Greenbelt Cultural Center: The Greenbelt Cultural Center is now vaccinating seniors age 65 and older who live in Lake County. To make an appointment, email: vaccine@northchicagocommunitypartners.org or call (847) 582-1362.
The best vaccine for you is the first one available to you! Vaccine supply is expected to improve in April once more doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are received by the State. To explore the four ways to access your vaccine, visit www.lakecountyil.gov/vaccine.
Attention Lovell Federal Health Care Center patients: All VA and TRICARE patients enrolled and eligible for care at Lovell FHCC, age 18 and older, are now eligible to schedule vaccination appointments. Learn more
|
Assistance With Allvax Portal
Residents who need assistance with the Allvax portal can call (847) 377-8130 or email AllVax@lakecountyil.gov. The call center hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional volunteers are on duty to take calls from Lake County residents age 65 and older during special senior hours:
-
Tuesdays: Noon to 3 p.m.
-
Thursdays: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
-
Fridays: Noon to 3 p.m.
|
COVID-19 Testing
State-run COVID-19 testing sites, located in Waukegan (102 W. Water St.) and Arlington Heights (2000 W Euclid Ave.) are open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Testing at these sites is free. For more information, visit the IDPH website.
Many healthcare providers in Lake County also have COVID-19 testing available. Please contact your provider or the facility to ask about testing criteria and appointment availability. Residents without a healthcare provider or insurance can contact the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center for an appointment at (847) 377-8800.
For a schedule of mobile testing sites and locations, visit our COVID-19 Testing page.
|
Get the COVID-19 Weekly Newsletter: The Lake County Health Department sends out a weekly COVID-19 newsletter every Friday with the latest information about the COVID-19 vaccine, coronavirus in Lake County, how to protect yourself, and more. Stay informed--subscribe here
Caution Urged as First Case of Brazil Variant Reported in Lake County
Last week, the Lake County Health Department reported that it identified and is investigating the first case of the Brazil COVID-19 variant in Lake County. Multiple cases of the variant first identified in the United Kingdom have also been found in Lake County. So far, studies suggest that currently authorized vaccines in the United States are effective for these known variants. This is being closely investigated and more studies are underway.
Please continue to wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance, and if you plan to travel, refer to CDC’s public health travel and quarantine guidance.
|
Current COVID-19 Data
Case Count: As of March 29, there are 56,453 Lake County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, including 949 deaths. View the Lake County Coronavirus Datahub
Positivity Rate: As of March 29, the rolling 7-day average testing positivity rate in North Suburban Region 9, which includes Lake and McHenry Counties, was 2.6 percent. View Region 9 information
Vaccination Count: According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), as of March 24, there have been 248,402 vaccine doses administered to Lake County residents, and 88,878 residents have been fully vaccinated with two doses. View IDPH Vaccine Administration Data
|
Get Help
|
Call 211 to Get Connected to the Help You Need
If you need help 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 211lakecounty.org.
|
Many Resources Available
Many individuals and businesses continue to feel the economic impacts of the pandemic. If you need help, here are some resources:
-
Food for Families in Need: Check out the Northern Illinois Food Bank calendar for a list of mobile food pantries and pop-up food markets planned for Lake County.
-
Health Insurance: Anyone who needs health insurance may enroll through May 15, 2021 during the special open enrollment period through the Affordable Care Act. Depending on income, some people may qualify for subsidies to help reduce monthly premiums and other costs.
-
Mental Health Support: The Lake County Health Department offers a free, 24/7 confidential hotline for those experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use issue. Call 847-377-8088 any time.
|
Employment Resources
Are you looking for a job during this challenging time of layoffs, furloughs, and hiring freezes? Here are some helpful resources from the Job Center of Lake County:
-
Contact tracers are being hired. Fluency in Spanish is a plus. Learn more
-
Your Personal Brand and Resume, April 13 at 1 p.m.: Regardless of your job title or field, you have a personal brand. Learn how to customize your resume and other written tools to help you land a great job! Register here
-
Mastering the Virtual Job Interview, April 20 at 1 p.m.: Virtual interviews are becoming a staple of the candidate recruiting process. Learn the necessary tips and tricks to successfully interview online and land your next job! Register here
-
Find more workshops on the Job Center Calendar
-
The Job Center of Lake County has computers you can use for your job search. Face coverings are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed. To schedule an appointment, call 847-377-3450.
-
Get Hired Illinois: Get Hired Illinois is a single portal where individuals can access virtual job fairs, free online training, and current job listings.
|
Apply by April 30 for Summer Youth Employment Program
Young people from low-income families in Lake County are encouraged to apply for the Lake County Summer Youth Employment Program! This popular program from the Job Center of Lake County is funded by the Lake County Board and will provide meaningful work experiences in either onsite or virtual environments for approximately 215 young people this summer.
Applications are due by April 30. Learn more
|
Lake County Government News
|
Register for April 21 Virtual Town Hall Meeting
I hope you will consider joining me at our next Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, April 21 at 7 p.m.
Lake County Health Department Executive Director Mark Pfister, Lake County Board Member/Finance & Administrative Committee Chair Paul Frank and others will be on hand to discuss the latest on COVID-19, the American Rescue Plan monies, and answer questions from the community.
Register online and submit your questions here
|
VOTE!!!
Early voting is underway for the April 6 Consolidated Election where voters cast their ballots for many local races, including municipalities, school districts, park districts and more. All voters are encouraged to learn about their local races and participate.
If you’re planning to vote, be aware that some precincts have new polling place locations. Libertyville Township Precinct 175 will now vote at the Knollwood Fire Department. Voters who were impacted by the change should have received a mailing from the Lake County Clerk’s Office.
|
Cannabis Public Hearings to Be Held in April
Next month, the Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) will be seeking public input as it considers proposed zoning amendments that would permit adult-use cannabis businesses in unincorporated Lake County subject to certain restrictions. Click here for more information. The ZBA will also host virtual public hearings via Zoom beginning on 5:30 p.m. Monday April 19 and continuing at 1 p.m. April 21. Members of the public are welcome to attend- the agenda will be posted here; use the drop-down menu to select "Zoning Board of Appeals."
While adult-use of cannabis has been legal in Illinois since Jan. 1, 2020, business establishments are currently prohibited to operate in unincorporated Lake County. Under Illinois law, Lake County government has the option to establish regulations to allow the production and sale of adult-use cannabis in the unincorporated areas or to ban adult-use cannabis businesses. The Lake County Board adopted a resolution on Feb. 9 to initiate the ZBA public hearing process.
Explore Outdoor Dining in Lake County
As the weather warms up, outdoor dining options in Lake County can elevate a great meal into an experience that won’t soon be forgotten. VisitLakeCounty.org has put together a great guide to outdoor dining across Lake County. We encourage you to bookmark it and check out some new places this spring! View the Lake County Outdoor Dining Guide
|
Transportation and Public Works
|
Stearns School Road Closure
While conducting routine maintenance inspections, Lake County DOT discovered the beginning signs of a culvert failure beneath Stearns School Road on Friday, March 26 which has gotten substantially worse over the last few days, as shown here. The road is now closed to traffic between Hutchins Road and Hunt Club Road. It is not known how long the road will need to remain closed until the damage can be fully assessed and an emergency repair strategy has been determined. This culvert is one of two large corrugated metal pipe culverts that have been in place for a number of years at that location and were programmed for replacement in 2023.The Average Daily Traffic (ADT) along this section of roadway is 12,700 vehicles per day and we will be moving expeditiously to complete the repair with safety to the motoring public paramount.
|
Spring Hydrant Flushing Begins April 5
Lake County Public Works will begin its semi-annual water hydrant flushing program on April 5, depending on weather conditions. Flushing will take place daily, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., until all water mains have been flushed. The expected completion date is May 7.
During and immediately after flushing, you may notice a slight discoloration of your water due to the disturbance in the water main. This is not harmful and will dissipate after a short time. Residents are urged not to do laundry during periods of flushing in your area to avoid staining of clothing, which may occur due to the disturbance in the water main. After flushing, we recommend running cold water for several minutes to clear your pipes. Signs will be posted in each area before the start of hydrant flushing. View the hydrant flushing schedule. For further information, please contact the Public Works office at 847-377-7500.
|
Forest Preserve News
|
Order Plants In Your Sweatpants 🌼
Sales of native trees, shrubs and perennials are open NOW. For the past 16 years, the Lake County Forest Preserves and Possibility Place Nursery have partnered to host one of the most-visited native plant sales in Chicagoland. Due to social distancing guidelines, we are hosting an online sale again this year. Your plant purchases will be shipped right to your doorstep! I've had great luck expanding our own native garden through this sale, and am glad that the Forest Preserves will receive a portion of each sale to benefit our environmental education programs and events. Thank you for your support.
Get started at LCFPD.org/plantsale.
|
Virtual Summer Camp Registration
Registration is now taking place for virtual summer camps. The camps are designed to keep children safe while delving into Lake County’s nature and history. Campers will take part in live sessions with our educators, then try outdoor and off-screen activities themselves. Farming, bugs, prehistoric Lake County, and fishing are included in the camp topics. The weekly camps run from June 14 through August 6. For a full roster of virtual camps: LCFPD.org/camps.
Browse all virtual education offerings and register online at LCFPD.org/calendar. Follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @LCFPD for more educational resources, webinars and videos.
|
Community Events and News
|
First Art in Public Places Program Celebrates Women
Lake County Government is pleased to announce a new Art in Public Places Program in partnership with local artists and galleries. Throughout the year, artwork created by local artists will be exhibited in the county's main administration building, located at 18 N. County Street, in downtown Waukegan.
The first exhibit opened earlier this month and is a celebration of Women's History Month. Six local female artists are presenting I Connect: Women Artists of Lake County. Learn more
|
Beyond the Basics in the Vegetable Garden
The University of Illinois Extension, Lake County, and SWALCO (Solid Waste Agency of Lake County) invite all gardeners to get the dirt on vegetable gardening this season! The 2021 Garden Learning Series features one program from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month through July. The next session on April 14 will equip participants with the knowledge they need to improve their vegetable gardening skills. Learn more and register
|
Watch All County Board and Committee 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). The public is also welcome to view the livestream of all meetings in-person at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, 10th Floor Assembly Room.
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.
|
|
