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Dear Neighbors, |
I hope this finds you, family and neighbors well as we embrace our most colorful season, which is always my favorite.
It's an extremely busy time of year as we review and pass our annual budgets for the County and Forest Preserves. In addition, I've been out and about in nearly every community in the 6th District.
I was invited by the Round Lake Community Alliance to attend the Round Lake Village Board meeting last Monday night, where I also talked with Mayor Kraly, Manager Steve Shields and several trustees and residents.
One highlight was the swearing-in of Officer Gasparini to the Round Lake Police Department, which was family affair. His dad pinned on his new badge!
On Friday, I was back in Round Lake, listening to business owners concerned about the Cedar Lake Road Realignment. This was my fourth meeting involving this project, which will be a $40 million boost to Round Lake's economic development plans.
FY2023 Legislative Agenda
The County's Fiscal Year 2023 Legislative Agenda was approved by a majority vote at the County Board's Oct. 11 meeting. In the agenda, we supported a strong federal measure to fund veteran services, five environmental measures and a call for better gun safety legislation. View the County's FY2023 legislative agenda.
County Committee Update
At the Oct. 5 Energy and Environment Committee meeting, the committee approved endorsement of a Grow Solar Chicagoland program that offers discounts to residents and businesses that install solar systems. We also advanced a measure to eliminate single-use plastics in county facilities by Jan. 1, 2023.
To end the week, I attended the Oct. 7 Committee of the Whole meeting on gun safety, where we heard State's Attorney Eric Reinhart talk about the county's Gun Violence Prevention Initiative, which I strongly support.
Forest Preserves News
The Lake County Board of Commissioners approved the 2023 annual budget yesterday. Due to some major expense savings and other factors, we didn't levy the full amount that we are able to under state law. As a result, the property tax rate for the Forest Preserves is slightly lower this year (and has dropped for the last three years).
In terms of actual dollars, the average property tax is $133.62 for a $250,000 home. What's remarkable is that the tax was $153 for the same home in 2008. Over the years, your Forest Preserves are doing more in restoration and expanding preserves despite not getting back to where we were 14 years ago. Really tight fiscal management by your board of commissioners (I am vice president), Executive Director Alex Ty Kovach and his excellent staff make this possible.
As always, it’s my honor to serve you. I am available to speak to your service, faith or community group.
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John Wasik
Lake County Board District 6
John Wasik Webpage
Lake County Government News
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County To Review Fiscal Year 2023 Recommended Budget
The Lake County Board will hold its annual hearings on the County’s proposed Fiscal Year 2023 recommended budget on Oct. 18, 19 and 20. During these hearings, board members carefully examine the proposed budget and make recommendations prior to adopting the final budget in November.
The proposed $597.7 million budget is flat compared to last year and the operating funds budgets are up only 1.6%. The budget incorporates the County Board’s guidelines, which included strategic review of personnel, limited new or expanded programming, environmentally sustainable alternatives, and ensuring the ability to move forward with a new regional operations and communications facility project. The proposed budget also includes a significant increase in funding toward capital projects, including facilities and technology.
After the budget hearings, further revisions will likely be made to the budget, and the board is anticipated to vote on the final budget at its Nov. 15 meeting.
The public may attend these meetings virtually and in person at the Lake County Administrative Building, 18 N. County St., 10th Floor, Waukegan. View the schedule of all Board and committee meetings and agendas on the County website.
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Lake County Accepts American Rescue Plan Act Project Requests
Lake County is accepting program, service, and other funding requests from nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations, and local units of government other than municipalities (who have previously received ARPA funding from the federal government) to aid in the response and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lake County is now seeking to accept and evaluate strategic investments from community partners that will benefit residents for years to come. For projects selected, funding will be provided to approved programs and services on a reimbursement basis unless a case is established for upfront funds. Requests will be accepted through Oct. 28.
Learn more
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Lake County Rental Assistance Program Now Open
Lake County renters who faced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic may now apply for the new Lake County Rental Assistance (LCRA) Program, which provides help for individuals paying rent. The application period will run through Nov. 15.
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See Yourself in Cyber. Take Steps To Be Safe Online
While cybersecurity may seem like a complex subject, it’s really all about people. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so take time to learn smart decisions you can make, whether on the job, at home or at school, to stay safe online. Learn more
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Environmental News
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Put Some Green in Your Halloween
Shred & Shed Event Oct. 15
Bring your personal confidential documents to shred and shed your clothing and textiles at the Shred and Shed event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 15 at First Baptist Church parking lot in Waukegan. Collected items will be reused, recycled and donated. This event is free and open to all Lake County residents.
View the full list of accepted items
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Election News
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Vote-by-Mail Application Deadline is Nov. 3
Want to vote by mail in the Nov. 8 General Election? Applications must be received by the Lake County Clerk's Office by 5 p.m. Nov. 3. Applications can be downloaded from the County Clerk’s website and submitted electronically, mailed or hand-delivered to our office.
Your mailed ballot must be postmarked by Nov. 8 or deposited into one of the Lake County drop boxes or hand-delivered to the County Clerk’s Office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. For your convenience, Lake County has drop boxes at 18 early voting sites as well as six 24-hour drop boxes.
View the drop box locations and hours
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Health News
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Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Boosters
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone ages 12 years and older receive the updated bivalent booster if it has been at least two months since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna release an updated booster in early September. Pfizer-BioNTech’s updated booster shot is recommended for individuals 12 and older, and Moderna’s updated booster shot is recommended for adults 18 and older.
Visit Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters for more information. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions regarding the new booster.
Visit Vaccines.gov to find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you.
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Education News |
Lake County Receives Grant To Address School Violence
The Lake County Regional Office of Education (LCOE) has been awarded a $1 million grant that will be used toward training school personnel and educating students on preventing school violence, including strategies to improve the school climate. Learn more
Lake County COVID-19 Update
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COVID-19 Helpful Links
Get Help
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Use 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. Speak to a live person in English or Spanish when you call. The 211 team will also interpret more than 150 languages. Learn more
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Job Center of Lake County Is Your Career Solution
The Job Center of Lake County can help you to transition careers, identify job opportunities and connect with employers.
Watch this video to learn more about the virtual and onsite resources that are available to all job seekers through the Job Center partners. And view the full Job Center calendar to learn about various upcoming events and resources.
Check Hire Lake County
Check Hire Lake County for information about job opportunities and businesses vetted by the Job Center’s business service team.
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Additional Resources
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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. Find food
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Veterans assistance: 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. Learn more
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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
Forest Preserves News
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Residents Give High Marks
Lake County's forest preserves are clean, safe and popular places to relax and enjoy nature, as rated by local residents in a countywide attitude and interest survey. Results are based on a survey of 698 households conducted earlier this summer by aQity Research & Insights.
Through the countywide survey, 77% of residents rated the Forest Preserves positively, with 40% holding us in the highest regard. Residents believe our top priorities should be to care for the trails and preserves and to restore and manage natural lands for native plants and wildlife and for the services that nature provides, such as flood mitigation, cleaner air and water, and carbon storage. Learn more »
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Helping Pollinators Program Planned
"Ethel Untermyer Conservation Forum: Helping Pollinators" program takes place from 1 to 2 p.m., Sunday, October 16 online and at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville.
Pollinator Ecologist Alma Schrage and Environmental Educator Eileen Davis will discuss current research about native bees in the preserves. Attendees will discover important ways home gardeners can support native bees and other pollinators. The free program is designed for adults. Get a ticket »
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Halloween Hikes
The much-loved Halloween Hikes event is back. Capturing the hearts of children and adults since 1986, this two-night production in the woods leads families along trails aglow with luminaria, intricately carved jack-o-lanterns and nature-themed skits.
The program features fun, donuts and cider on Friday, October 21 or Saturday, October 22 at Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods. Get a ticket »
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Community Events & News
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Check Out Visit Lake County’s Top 10 Things To Do in October
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.
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.
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