Speaking of Washington Street, the Division of Transportation is still seeking comments on a proposed multi-use path from Almond Road to Sextant Drive in Third Lake, Gurnee and Warren Township.

We're moving ahead on the Hainesville Road improvement project, which will include multi-use paths on each side of the road. We plan to begin construction in 2024 -- after we complete design and engineering details.

The Cedar Lake Road Realignment Project, which will straighten the road as it runs through downtown Round Lake, was included in Congressman Brad Schneider’s Community Projects Funding initiative submission. This is the first step in a process that could lead to $7 million in funding for this project if approved at the federal level. Following the recent public hearing, I have asked that the public comments be translated into Spanish and we will continue to have ongoing conversations with the local business community, residents, stakeholders and the Village of Round Lake.

This isn't a road project, but I'm thrilled to report that our Ride Lake County service, offered in partnership with PACE, hosted more than 1,000 riders in its first month. This dial-a-ride service is offered at a reasonable cost to anyone in the county over age 60 or with a disability. You can contact the Pace Call Center directly to register and schedule a ride by calling 1-800-201-6446.

Thanks to Third Lake/Linden Road residents and their HOA for hosting a backyard meeting Saturday about fixing the main sewer line, which needs a much-needed overhaul.

Our Public Works Department engineers tell me the project will start in July and last a few weeks. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to avoid any major disruptions. For specific questions on the project, contact the chief engineer on the project Dave Humbert via email at Dhumbert@lakecountyil.gov.

Property Tax News
I recently hosted a public information seminar on property tax assessment notices and bills. I was joined by Treasurer Holly Kim, Chief County Assessor Bob Glueckert and Avon Assessor Chris Ditton. (Thanks, folks!)

Want to know how to appeal your assessment and understand your tax bill? Watch this helpful video I did with Treasurer Kim and find some additional key links.

Please note: If you think your assessment is too high, you have only 30 days from receiving your blue notice to appeal to our Board of Review. If you miss that window, you'll have to wait until next year. Watch your mailbox. 

Environmental News
I'm thrilled to report that we're soon bringing on board our new sustainability director, who will direct our extensive portfolio of environmental improvements.

One of our major green projects is to eventually derive 100% of our energy from renewable sources by 2040. We're taking the first step by installing solar panels on two of our major county facilities. 

We have a solar installation firm under contract and hope to begin construction soon. The best part is that the larger project -- we hope to have solar panels on nine county buildings total -- will not cost taxpayers a dime while generating cheaper, clean power.

Forest Preserve News
We just broke ground on a new environmental education facility at Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods. The facility aims to achieve net-zero energy, meaning it will produce enough renewable energy to meet its own annual energy consumption requirements, reducing the use of nonrenewable energy. The facility will replace two cabins that have been safely moved to new locations. Thanks to our staff for preserving these legacy properties and getting the Ryerson project moving despite huge, inflationary construction cost increases. I was happy to help raise more than $2 million in private donations to finance this project. 

Now for some real summer fun. Our Beer Garden at Independence Grove is now open for business and will feature local microbrews. Come by and sample some of Lake County's finest...vistas. You can also hear some live music!  

As always, it's my honor to serve you. If you need immediate county services, please call 9-1-1. I'm also happy to speak to your community, faith or service groups.

Be well. 

Transportation News

The Lake County Division of Transportation will be applying pavement rejuvenator, a glue-type substance that can extend the life of a road by five years, to several newly completed road surfaces in Lake County over the next few weeks. Learn more

Environmental News 

The staff at the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County receives calls and emails daily from residents and businesses asking how to properly recycle or dispose of common household materials. Sometimes they also receive calls from concerned residents alerting that they observed their waste collector throwing the contents of their recycling cart into the trash truck.

Lake County recognizes the success of recycling is reliant on our willingness to do more to reduce, reuse and recycle but also recognize success is possible if we all follow the recycling guidelines within our communities.  Learn more

Early voting begins today, June 13 at sites across Lake County for the June 28 General Primary Election. Early voting is available to any Lake County resident who meets all voter registration requirements. You can use any early voting site regardless of where you live. Some locations will even offer extended hours. View the list of early voting sites 

Lake County Government News  

There is much more done behind the scenes at Lake County than you realize. Learn more about our Print Shop, whose work impacts every resident throughout the county.

Health News 

The days of sunshine and beach time are here! When you’re visiting the beach or the pool, we want you to be as safe as possible while swimming. There are tips you can follow to help avoid recreational water illnesses this summer.

The Lake County Health Department monitors lake water for E.coli bacteria in over 100 Lake Michigan and inland lake beaches to ensure that the water is acceptable for swimming. Now through Labor Day, beach closure information can be found on the Health Department’s Beach Advisory web page, which is updated daily. Learn more  

The Lake County State's Attorney's Office, with a substantial investment by the County Board through ARPA funds and the State of Illinois through budget allocation, announces the leadership team of the Gun Violence Prevention Initiative.

The Lake County Gun Violence Prevention Initiative will partner with community and law enforcement to address the root causes of gun violence and implement proven short-term and long-term strategies, to immediately interrupt cycles of gun violence. Learn more

Lake County Public Works is committed to providing safe water throughout the County. As strong supporters of the Safe Drinking Water Act, Public Works releases annual water quality Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) for the 11 water systems they own and operate. Visit the water quality reports webpage to read your report.

If you’re looking for a way to give back to your community, consider volunteering with the Lake County Emergency Management Agency. Watch this video to learn more about volunteer opportunities, and if you think it might be right for you, complete the volunteer interest survey.

Lake County COVID-19 Update   

Get Help  

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. Speak to a live person in English or Spanish when you call. The 211 team will also interpret more than 150 other languages. Learn more 

The Job Center of Lake County has partnered with local employers to help connect jobseekers with local companies that are hiring. View the full Job Center calendar to learn about various upcoming events and resources.

Forest Preserves News

Construction started this week on phase 1 of a new environmental education facility that aims to achieve net-zero energy. The building at Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods is designed to replace and expand Lake County Forest Preserves education programming that has been offered in two 1940s-era cabins. 

A net-zero energy building produces enough renewable energy to meet its own annual energy consumption requirements, reducing the use of nonrenewable energy. The building uses cost-effective measures to reduce energy usage. 

Forest preserve commissioners, staff and funding partners in the project gathered Friday for a ceremonial groundbreaking and look at some of the materials and systems that will be employed in the new building. "As stewards of healthy landscapes and proponents of climate resiliency, the Lake County Forest Preserves is leading the way in sustainable building technologies," said Executive Director Alex Ty Kovach.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Lake County Forest Preserves. The award recognizes the annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year that ended December 31, 2020.

"The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in government accounting and financial reporting," GFOA Director Michele Mark Levine said. "Its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management." Learn more »

The Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County in Libertyville is joining museums across the country in offering free admission to military personnel and their families.

The free admission program runs through September 5, Labor Day. The Blue Star Museums program is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, working with the Department of Defense and museums across the U.S. Learn more »

A 1,300-pound bison that escaped from a Wauconda farm late last year was safely and humanely removed from Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda. Officials believe it settled at Lakewood in early April.

Lake County Forest Preserve officials worked with a professional livestock specialist from Illinois to capture the bison. "We are thankful the animal has been removed from the forest preserve safely," said Mike Tully, chief operations officer for the Lake County Forest Preserves. "The safety of our users and the animal has been our No. 1 priority throughout this process. Bison are considered domestic livestock in Illinois, therefore roaming free in a public forest preserve is not an appropriate place for it to call home." Learn more

Community Events & News

The summer festival season always brings the heat in Lake County. Across the county, this summer promises to be a good time as families and neighbors gather for food, good music and fun. Check out Visit Lake County’s Guide to Summer Festivals.

Watch All County Board and Committee Meetings 

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.

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.