December 19, 2022
Dear Neighbors,
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I hope you are getting in the holiday spirit and your family and friends are well.
Even though it's December, we board members had a lot on our calendars. I was sworn in for a new, four-year term and was elected unanimously as vice president for the Forest Preserve. I will also chair the county legislative committee and be a member on Public Works and Transportation, Planning Building and Zoning and Environment and the Forest Preserve Operations and Planning committees. I will also represent the county on the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County.
One of the last duties of the year (as your County Board representative) was voting to approve a greenway proposal for the Route 53 corridor. The 1,000-acre area from Lake-Cook Road to Route 120 will hopefully be a state park. This is an extraordinary move forward for our community and future generations. It was approved by a bipartisan vote. Only Mundelein officials opposed it.
Of course, the final disposition of this land will be up to Springfield. They will also need to fund the greenway improvements, but I am optimistic they will do the right thing and preserve this land forever for our residents.
I want to thank Sen. Melinda Bush for chairing the Route 53 Commission and her overall sterling service to our community in her tenure. I hope to be on a task force that irons out the final details for the greenway.
Forest Preserve News
As you know, if you like hiking trails in the winter as I do, the Forest Preserve never sleeps.
We also have an excellent new exhibit at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. “Color & Light: Charles Warner’s Miniature Cathedrals,” runs through Jan. 8. Experience Mundelein resident Charles Warner’s (1884–1964) hand-carved folk art cathedrals, created in remembrance of his childhood in Poland. Each of Warner’s five models capture his impressions of the architecture and vibrant colors of the Old World.
If you want to explore other wonderful examples of Lake County history from Native Americans to the present, the Dunn Museum is a must-see. They also have a neat little gift shop.
And, if you're still in search of a meaningful, lasting gift, a contribution to the Preservation Foundation will help the Forest Preserves for generations to come. By supporting our foundation, you can do anything from adopting rare native Blanding's turtles to commemorate loved ones on preserve benches. Thanks for your kindness and generosity! Learn more about this opportunity.
As always, I am honored to serve you. You can send me comments and suggestions to my county email: JWasik@lakecountyil.gov. I answer all constituent queries.
In the interim, enjoy the holidays, friends and family. The season is about sharing, but it's also about giving thanks and experiencing the joy of living.
Warmest Regards,
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Lake County Government News
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New Online Tool to Help Residents Know Their County Board District
The Lake County Board is now comprised of 19 board members representing specific geographic districts in their area. This change is a result of the 2021 reapportionment process that created a new County Board district map and reduced the number of districts from 21 to 19. For some residents, this means your County Board District may have changed.
To help residents identify which County Board district they live in, there is a new, easy online tool available especially for that purpose. Use the new district lookup tool and type in the home address. From there, residents can see what district they reside in, and view information about their current County Board Member, including contact info.
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Congratulations to Our New Countywide Elected Officials
Congratulations to the following countywide elected officials, who were sworn in and began their new term of service on Dec. 1. All were elected to four-year terms. Learn more
- Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega
- Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim
- Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg
Help Needed! Review the FCC's New National Broadband Map
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking your help. The FCC has created a new National Broadband Map showing where high-speed internet service is - and is not- across the United States. And now they need your assistance reviewing the map.
- Go to broadbandmap.fcc.gov to search for your home or small business to see if your location and service availability are accurate. Learn more about using the map.
- If the information is accurate, no action is needed from you.
- If you think the map is incorrect or incomplete, submit a challenge to the FCC to correct it. Learn more about the different types of challenges.
Learn More
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Lake County Board Adopts the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget
The Lake County Board adopted its Fiscal Year 2023 budget. The $601.7 million budget is focused on maximizing efficiencies and a recommitment to facility and technology capital improvements.
Individual tax bills will vary depending on how a property’s assessed value has changed and depending on the actions of other local government taxing bodies. The Lake County portion of the tax bill for the average homeowner is expected to be relatively flat. Learn more
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Qualified Candidates Sought for Two Local Government Boards
Are you interested in participating in local government? Lake County is seeking qualified candidates for two local government boards! There are openings on the Lake County Housing and Community Development Commission and the Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals.
Both boards are critically important to local government and serve in an advisory capacity to the Lake County Board. Residents that serve on the HCDC and ZBA are appointed by the Lake County Board Chair with the advice and consent of the Lake County Board. They are terrific opportunities to work on local initiatives and issues while serving the community. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
Learn about each of these opportunities
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Transportation News
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IDOT Issues New Guidelines to Protect Endangered Northern Long-Eared Bat
The northern long-eared bat, which is found in Lake County and across the northern and north central United States and Canada, has been reclassified from 'threatened' to 'endangered' by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The Illinois Department of Transportation, in coordination with state and federal environmental resource agencies, recently issued new guidance to protect northern long-eared bat habitats. The guidance places restrictions on when trees can be cleared for transportation projects, and a new process to be followed for bridge and culvert work.
This means you may see the Lake County Division of Transportation team in more than just snow plows this winter. Crews will be actively preparing for projects ahead of what will be another busy spring and summer construction season in 2023. Learn more
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Pace Transit App Helps You Navigate Commuter Bus System More Easily
The Pace Transit Royale app makes it easier to take advantage of the local commuter bus system with its recently upgraded features. This upgraded version of the Transit app shows all bus routes, along with future departure times, tracks vehicles and even shows transit lines that aren’t Pace routes. Users can also set reminders to leave to catch the bus and get notifications on when to transfer, plus more. The Pace Transit Royale app is available now in app stores on phones and mobile devices. Learn more
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County Clerk's Office News
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Recorder of Deeds Office Officially Merges with County Clerk’s Office
The Lake County Recorder of Deeds Office has officially merged with the County Clerk’s Office, as of Dec. 1, and is known as the Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk’s Office.
Accounts will remain intact, phone numbers will remain unchanged, processes will remain the same and the public will still find the friendly, knowledgeable staff on the sixth floor at the Lake County Administrative Complex in Waukegan. When submitting payments via check, please make checks out to the Lake County Clerk.
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Treasurer's Office News |
Treasurer’s Office Is Now Offering Property Tax Prepayment
Now through Thursday, Dec. 22, the Lake County Treasurer’s Office will be accepting prepayments for tax year 2022 (payable in calendar year 2023). Prepayment amounts are limited to a maximum of 50% of the tax amount from the previous year's tax bill. Learn ways to pay
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Sheriff's Office News
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Advance Your Career in Law Enforcement. Join the Lake County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff John D. Idleburg is excited to announce we are hiring both new-entry deputies and lateral deputies. There has never been a better time to apply to join an amazing crew of colleagues and play a role in keeping our community safe! Watch this video to learn more.
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Health News
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Lake County Residents Can Save on Prescriptions with Live Healthy Program
Lake County residents can save up to 80 percent on generics and up to 40 percent on name brand medications at more than 65,000 pharmacies across the nation through the National Association of Counties (NACo) Live Healthy Prescription Discount Program.
The Live Healthy Discount Program, which is provided to County residents in a joint effort by participating county governments and NACo, provides savings on prescriptions and other health services to support individuals and families. Learn more
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Forest Preserves News
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Historical Landmark Facts
Many influential figures walked the grounds of the Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home in Mettawa, including then-Senator John F. Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, journalist Edward R. Murrow, and actors Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.
The peaceful setting with interpretive signs allows visitors to experience the historic landscape similar to how it appeared when Stevenson lived there, according to this Daily Herald column. Note: Readers may have to pay to access this content.
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Office Landscaping Sees Makeover
The Lake County Forest Preserves recently gave its General Offices and the Dunn Museum in Libertyville a landscaping makeover, thanks to a long-time supporter.
Valent BioSciences, with its headquarters and Biorational Research Center in Libertyville, recently donated $15,000 to cover the cost of removing Callery pear trees, an invasive species, at the General Offices, 1899 W. Winchester Road. Native trees, such as oak and hickory, replaced the invasives. With its strong global presence, Valent BioSciences is a worldwide leader in the development, commercialization, and manufacturing of biorational products and technologies used in the agriculture, public health and forestry markets. Learn more »
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Lake County COVID-19 Update
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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. Speak to a person in English or Spanish when you call. The 211 team will also interpret more than 150 other 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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Community Events and News
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Discover Ideas To Fill This Winter Break in Lake County
It is the magical time of year when the kids have winter break, are playing with their holiday gifts and looking for something to do with their day.
Whether enjoying the holiday light displays, catching a theater performance, or buying last-minute deals, use Visit Lake County’s Winter Break in Lake County guide to plan your schedule.
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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.
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