December 23, 2021
Lake County Government News
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Lake County Board Approves County Board District Map
The Lake County Board approved a new map that details the boundaries of 19 County Board districts at its December 14 meeting. The approved map can be viewed online and will go into effect in December 2022.
Under state law, every 10 years all Illinois counties are required to use Census data to go through a redistricting process--known as reapportionment--to ensure that each district includes a substantially equal number of residents. Reapportionment consists of redrawing district boundary lines based on the decennial census.
As your County Board Member, I fought for a fair mapping process that would serve the residents of Lake County well for the next 10 years. Unfortunately, the process didn’t turn out that way. Instead we have gerrymandered lines that tear townships, municipalities, and neighborhoods into tiny pieces. Most County Board Members put themselves before you. I will continue to do the right thing and represent your interests rather than my own. Hopefully my colleagues will learn to do the same.
Board Approves Policy to Prohibit Single-Use Plastics in County Operations
The Lake County Board has approved a policy that will prohibit single-use plastics within many County operations, furthering efforts to promote sustainability and support the environment. Effective January 1, 2023, single-use plastics associated with service ware, eating, and drinking will cease to be purchased, sold, or distributed within Lake County government operations and many County government sites. Learn more
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Committee to Consider Ordinance Restricting Open Burning in Unincorporated Lake County on January 5
The Public Works Planning and Transportation (PWPT) Committee will consider a proposed ordinance to enact permanent open burning restrictions for unincorporated areas of Lake County at its January 5 meeting. As part of that discussion, the committee also will consider franchise waste hauler agreements to provide consolidated waste hauling services in unincorporated areas within certain townships. If the PWPT Committee recommends approval of the proposed ordinance and consolidated waste hauling agreements on Jan. 5, the agreements would then be separately reviewed and acted on by the Financial and Administrative (F&A) Committee on Jan. 6. Following both committee actions, the ordinance and agreement drafts would proceed to the full Lake County Board on Jan. 11 for final action.
The PWPT Committee last discussed these topics at its Dec. 8 meeting. The meeting was recorded and can be watched online.
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Lake County COVID-19 Update
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New COVID-19 Variant Is Identified
A new COVID-19 variant (B.1.1.529) has been identified, called Omicron. On December 1, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) classified the Omicron variant as a Variant of Concern alongside the Delta variant. The Delta variant still remains the predominant strain in the United States at this time. New variants of the virus are expected to happen.
The best way to prevent new variants from spreading is to get vaccinated and follow the 3 Ws: wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance. Visit Vaccines.gov to find a vaccination location near you. Learn more about variants on the CDC page, What You Need to Know about Variants.
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Be Aware of COVID-19 Restrictions as You Travel This Holiday Season
As you look forward to travel plans as part of your holiday celebrations, please note that COVID-19 guidelines and requirements for travel have been extended through March 2022. This includes required mask wearing on planes, trains, and buses, required mask wearing at airports and transit stations, and new testing requirements for international travel. Visit these CDC resources for more information.
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COVID-19 Helpful Links
Get Help
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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. 211 is multilingual with English and Spanish speaking staff and interprets more than 150 other languages. Learn more
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Other Resources for Help
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Rental Assistance: Lake County’s program for renters provides needed relief to those who need help making past-due or current rent and utility payments. Learn more
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Food for Families in Need: Northern Illinois Food Bank operates a traveling food pantry that delivers nutritious food directly to those in need and coordinates pop-up food markets across Lake County. Find food
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Help for Veterans: The Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County can help veterans and their families with a variety of issues, including financial help, survivor spousal benefits, burial arrangements and more. Call 847-377-3344.
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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. Learn more
Employment Resources
Sheriff's Office News
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Law Enforcement Agencies Partner to Better Respond to Mental Health Calls
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has joined a pilot multi-agency collaborative initiative with the Gurnee, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Lincolnshire and Mundelein police departments to improve responding to mental health-related calls for service. While this team will not replace normal police operations, it will provide added benefits for the partner law-enforcement agencies when responding to calls involving someone in mental crisis. Learn more
Treasurer's Office News
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Treasurer’s Office Will Accept Prepayment for Tax Year 2021
The Lake County Treasurer's office will be accepting prepayments for tax year 2021 due in calendar year 2022 now through December 29. Prepayment amounts are limited to the tax amount due in 2021 as a maximum. Learn more
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Environmental News
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Make Your Holiday Season Green. Recycle Your Holiday Lights
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County wants to help Lake County green the holiday season by offering free opportunities to recycle your old and unwanted strings of lights. There are four sites in Lake County where holiday lights can be taken. Wire string holiday lights and extension cords are accepted. No trees, wreaths, garlands or other holidays items are allowed.
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Forest Preserves News
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Give the Gift of Golf
Holiday Tree Recycling
Don’t send your Christmas tree to the landfill, drop it off with the Lake County Forest Preserves for recycling. Donated trees are chipped and used for trails and landscaping. Bring your tree to one of eight forest preserve drop-off locations between December 26, 2021, and February 1, 2022. Only undecorated, real Christmas trees can be accepted; no yard waste. Commercial drop-offs are prohibited. Learn more »
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History Blog
The most famous cavalry officer to be stationed at Fort Sheridan was George S. Patton Jr. (1885-1945), according to Dunn Museum Curator Diana Drestske’s Lake County history blog. The Fort’s unique terrain was a welcome challenge for cavalry training and a feature that makes Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve a coveted place to visit today. Many of the images and information in the history blog are found in the collections at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. Learn more »
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Community Events and News
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‘Holiday Your Way’ to Lake County for Festive Fun
Now through the end of the year, "Holiday Your Way" to Lake County for festive family fun and activities. Lake County is home to holiday festivities, shopping sprees, delectable eats and other activities perfect for the family. Learn more
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College of Lake County Begins Construction on Advanced Technology Center
The College of Lake County has begun construction of an Advanced Technology Center in Gurnee. The Center is being designed as a destination for students to earn degrees in machining, manufacturing, welding, fabrication, and industrial technology. Learn more about the Advanced Technology Center.
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Watch All County Board and Committee Meetings
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All Lake County board and committee meetings can be viewed on 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 also is welcome to attend all meetings in person at the Lake County Administrative Tower, 18 N. County Street, Waukegan or may attend meetings remotely using the registration link on the front page of each meeting’s agenda. |
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Individuals attending meetings in person or remotely may present their public comments during the meeting. Those not in attendance may provide written public comment via email or by mail. View the current meeting schedule.
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:
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