I just had a stimulating week while attending the annual National Association of Counties (NACo) conference in Austin, TX, which brings together County officials from all over the country to discuss important issues that we are all grappling with in order to improve the services each county offers.

We share important ideas and solutions that can make a difference in our communities. Lake County also earned an award from NACo for rolling out our program at the county level to eliminate single use plastics. Our county has already been contacted by others who would like to emulate our program.

This conference also had seminars on other environmental issues, affordable housing, mental health issues and more. I also sit on three NACo committees. 

This past week, I visited interns from the Youth Conservation Corps, who work hard cleaning up and sprucing up our forest preserves across Lake County each summer. They perform tasks such as removing buckthorn, building new fences, planting new seeds and much, much more. Many high school and college students participate in this program to get environmental experience that will contribute to their potential career journey. 

I hope some of you made it out this weekend to the annual Lake County Fair in Grayslake. There are many more festivals coming up this summer, including Buffalo Grove Days over Labor Day weekend. Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Transportation News

Construction has started on a 1.2 mile stretch on Aptakisic Road from IL 83 to Buffalo Grove Road. This project will create a new five-lane roadway cross-section and will connect the bike path and sidewalk gaps that currently exist along Aptakisic Road.

Crews have begun pavement excavation on the south side of Aptakisic Road and will soon begin storm sewer installation. A temporary signal has been installed at the intersection of Brandywyn Lane and Aptakisic Road.

Motorists should expect delays throughout this project. No road closures are expected. One lane of traffic will be open in each direction, but temporary lane closures may occur a few hours per day to complete major work. Motorists are urged to drive carefully, watch for flaggers, and be aware of trucks entering and exiting the job site. 

Learn more

Metra is soliciting public feedback as the agency proposes changes to its fare structure for 2024 that would reduce the number of fare zones to four from 10 and change some fare options available to improve the rider experience. The survey will close Aug. 6. 

Take the survey

Learn about proposed 2024 fare structure modifications

Automated flagging assistance devices, also known as auto-flaggers, allow road crews to control the flow of traffic through work zones remotely, without putting flaggers out on the road in front of moving traffic. The Lake County Division of Transportation’s contractor is utilizing these for the Kilbourne Road resurfacing project.

Watch this video to learn more

Lake County Government News  

An update has been made to Lake County’s Bridge Industrial Development Updates web page to now include a 24-hour automated public information telephone hotline number for residents to provide their comments, input and concerns via voicemail. This accompanies the online form that previously launched. 

By using the form or hotline number, you can provide input and submit applicable information with the assurance that it will be reviewed by our staff and retained for future reference. 

Visit Bridge Industrial Development Updates Web Page

The fee to file an expungement petition has been modified in Lake County, making it more affordable for former criminal offenders to have their record expunged and sealed. The County Board unanimously approved reducing the filing fee at its July 11 meeting.

Erin Cartwright Weinstein brought a resolution before the County Board which would amend the previous resolution’s fee structure. The Illinois Legislatures changed the law to allow an individual to put multiple offenses on one petition.  Previously, each offense had to be on a separate petition. 

Following the Board approval, the cost will not exceed $160 for the Circuit Clerk’s administrative costs to file the petition, regardless of the number of offenses are on the petition. The fee structure was initially reviewed by the Law and Judicial Committee, and following discussions and a review of the research provided by Circuit Clerk, the fee structure was brought to the County Board for final approval.

View the legislation text

Learn the process to file an expungement

Property News

The 2023 property assessment notices will be mailed to homeowners across Lake County through mid to late summer. It’s important to read and understand this notice for accuracy as it contains important information about your property. Taxpayers are encouraged to contact their local township assessor’s office if they have questions regarding the valuation of their property.

Appeal Information
Property owners that decide to appeal must do so electronically. Property owners can appeal their assessment on their own through the Lake County Board of Review. No attorney is required for a residential appeal. Appeals can be done in a few minutes by using the new SmartFile E-Filing Portal.

• Watch this video or view these printable instructions (PDF) to learn how to file an appeal online
• Begin filing an appeal online
• Learn how to use the Public Access Tool to research comparable properties and create a comparable grid that can be included in your appeal (PDF)
• Learn more

Special Instructions for Property Owners in Cuba, Ela, Grant, Libertyville and Vernon townships

The assessment appeal process for these five townships is different than the other 13 townships in Lake County. That’s because assessors in these five townships have chosen to use a different software system from what the county offered. This decision impacts how taxpayers in these townships review and appeal their assessments.

View instructions for appealing a property assessment in Cuba, Ela, Grant, Libertyville or Vernon townships

Health News

Air quality can change from day to day. Many people live in areas where air pollution can cause serious health problems. Poor air quality can be hazardous to anyone, especially people with lung and heart diseases, older people, teenagers, and children.

Poor air quality can cause headaches, irritated eyes and sinuses, fatigue, difficulty breathing, chest pains and asthma attacks, irritated throats, and coughing. Learn how to monitor air quality and what you can do to stay safe

To stay updated on the air quality forecast, visit enviroflash.info/signup.cfm and sign up today for air quality notifications.

Environmental News

What factors have influenced butterfly populations in our area and how can gardeners help foster these winged jewels? Attend a virtual program on butterfly gardening at 6 p.m. Aug. 9. The program is part of the Garden Learning Series, sponsored by the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, Lake County Forest Preserves and University of Illinois Extension.

Register to join and view the full 2023 Garden Learning Series

Join Lake County’s election judge community and be the proud face of democracy. The County Clerk’s Office is looking for election judges for the 2024 election cycle. Election judges are responsible for the proper and lawful conduct of the election within their community.

Become An Election Judge

The Lake County Treasurer’s Office continues its Fiscally Fit online classes by hosting a Tenants’ Rights Training Session at 11 a.m. Aug. 12. The session will cover tenants’ rights, responsibilities and protections, including resources to use in an emergency and how to keep you and your family safe and secure during difficult times.

Register to join

Forest Preserves News 

“When is it going to open?” was one of the most frequently asked questions at a recent webinar on the potential transfer of the 77-acre Openlands Lakeshore Preserve. If the acquisition is finalized, it will add one mile of public shoreline to Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake Forest. 

If everything goes as planned with the transfer, we hope to open on or around Labor Day weekend. A public comment form, Q&A and webinar are available on our website. Read more »

Two of our leaders recently won awards! The Forest Preserves are fortunate to have such dedicated leadership.

• Executive Director Alex Ty Kovach was named a Notable Leader in Sustainability for 2023 in a competitive Crain’s Chicago Business “I am honored that our organization’s work is valued and acknowledged in the Chicago area,” Kovach said. “Sustainability is now included in every aspect of the Forest Preserves’ operations.” Learn more »
• Chief Operations Officer Mike Tully received the Lifetime Professional Award from the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials. Tully, who is retiring at the end of July, has led or co-led major initiatives, such as serving as liaison to the Youth Conservation Corps program, which first drew him to the Forest Preserves. Learn more »

Program fees and bus transportation can be barriers for schools in Lake County's low income communities. Gateways Grants ensure that students in historically underserved communities can benefit from the Forest Preserves environmental and history education field trip and in-school programs. With teachers planning for the coming school year, our education team has already received more requests for Gateways Grants than in prior years.

Any gift to the Gateways Grants program is meaningful. The grants cover all program fees and provide a $150 bus stipend for eligible schools. Make your gift to support the Gateways Grants program today. Learn more »

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 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 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.

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.