Happy Veteran’s Day to all of our veterans in District 19 and across our county!

We can never thank you enough for your service to our country! America would not be here without the unbelievable military we have in place to protect us.

Today, I joined Congressman Brad Schneider at his annual breakfast to honor veterans in our county. 

The new commander of the Great Lakes Naval Station and others reminded us of the value of a military background and how service members can take these skills with them to help build successful future careers. 

Our county between Nov. 6 and 12 is lighting up our facilities in green as part of the national Operation Green Light to honor our veterans across our county, state and country. 

I also had the pleasure this week of being part of a meeting hosted by our Lake County Public Works staff to discuss how our Pekara water system will be able to transition to Lake Michigan water from well water.

The Pekara system serves the Pekara and Horatio Gardens neighborhoods. This project finally made it over the finish line with $1.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds. This project is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2024 or 2025.

Please enjoy all of the beautiful colors of our leaves during this amazing fall season. Head out and try a new forest preserve trail. 

Best,

Lake County Public Works (LCPW) recently held a community meeting to provide information on its upcoming project to bring Lake Michigan water to the Pekara and Horatio Gardens neighborhoods in south central Lake County. 

This project will replace the groundwater wells that are currently the primary source of water in these neighborhoods with Lake Michigan water. All construction costs are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Lake County. This means there are no connection fees and special service area taxes being passed on to residents.  At the meeting, LCPW presented many important details about the upcoming project and answered questions from attendees. Construction is tentatively scheduled for 2024-2025. Materials from the community meeting along with more information about the project can be found at: lakecountyil.gov/LMWater.

Construction continues on Aptakisic Road from IL 83 to Buffalo Grove Road as the road is being expanded to five lanes, and gaps in the bike path and sidewalk are being filled.

The traffic pattern on Aptakisic Road has changed to allow for construction on the center lane. Westbound traffic has moved to the north side of the road, while eastbound traffic is remaining on the south side of the road. 

Learn more

State's Attorney's Office News

Join a Gun Violence Prevention Town Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 18, hosted by the Lake County State's Attorney's Gun Violence Prevention Initiative, in collaboration with Jesus Name Apostolic Church, and LIVEFREE Lake County.

The goal is for our community members to come together to address concerns surrounding gun violence and begin collaborative community responses. When you register, please leave two questions or concerns you have about gun violence in our community.

Register to attend

Environmental News 

The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County and College of Lake County's Sustainability Club invite you to attend a book collection drive and Upcycled Fall and Thanksgiving Craft Night from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 17 in Room B222 on the college's Grayslake campus.

Donate your reusable books with or without bar codes in good condition.  

Learn what types of books are accepted and how to donate

Lake County Government News  

As we recognize Veterans Day, Lake County continues shining a light on the issues veterans face and highlighting the resources available to them and their families as we join Operation Green Light. 

Lake County along with counties across the nation joins Operation Green Light, organized by the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, by lighting county buildings green now through Nov. 12.

Learn more

The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court and Lake County Circuit Clerk, Public Defender and State's Attorney offices rolled out a new Integrated Case Management System that will reduce delays, errors, and limitations associated with paper files and improve customer service. 

The new suite of tools will make information more accessible to the public. Individuals will be able to obtain additional data and documents about court cases and court calls from their homes and offices without the need to travel to the courthouse for basic services. The public also can pay court-ordered fines and fees online 24 hours a day. Attorneys will have an enhanced level of access to their cases.

Learn more

Recognizing the connection between housing and economic opportunity, Lake County Partners, with support from Lake County and Illinois REALTORS®, completed a Housing Analysis to help determine the county's needs and opportunities. 

The final report includes several significant findings that were recently presented to the Housing and Community Development Commission. Read the full report

Lake County recently participated in the groundbreaking of the Beech Street Senior Lofts in Island Lake.  

The new three-story energy efficient apartment building will feature 52 units of independent senior housing and various amenities and services that will keep residents active including a fitness room and community room.

The Lake County Board appropriated funding from the United States Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to help support this project. Construction is anticipated to be completed next fall.

Health News 

Keep yourself, your family, and your friends healthy this holiday season by safely handling, preparing, and serving food. Avoid foodborne illness by following the Four Steps to Food Safety: 

• Clean: Wash your hands and surfaces often
• Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate
• Cook to the right temperature
• Chill: Refrigerate promptly

For more ways to avoid foodborne illness, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Dangerous Food Safety Mistakes page. 

The Lake County Coroner’s Office and partner Gift of Hope have expanded their ability to work together by collaborating on an initiative that allows Gift of Hope to have more efficient electronic real-time access to decedent’s information.  

This has been a pivotal change that allows Gift of Hope to connect with families and coordinate tissue and organ donation when this is the intention of the decedent or their next of kin. Prior to the implementation of this new electronic interface, coroner's deputies would reach out to Gift of Hope representatives to notify them of potential donors.

Coroner’s deputies are responsible for conducting death investigations, working with families, and other investigative and logistic concerns. Since electronically interfacing with Gift of Hope, when a coroner’s deputy enters the decedent’s information into a portal, Gift of Hope can immediately begin its organ and tissue screening process.

Prior to this electronic implementation, annual Gift of Hope referrals were less than 15 with no tissue or organ donors. Since the collaboration began in 2023, the Lake County Coroner’s Office has referred 342 cases to Gift of Hope. Out of these referrals, 62 families have been approached for consideration, and 41 tissue/organ authorizations have resulted. Learn more

Coroner Jennifer Banek and the Lake County Coroner’s Office, in conjunction with Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago, conducted Lake County’s first Ecumenical Indigent Burial Ceremony at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville.

The remains of 79 indigent/unclaimed people, who have previously been cremated, were interred in the cemetery. Funeral Directors from throughout the county transported the remains from the coroner’s office to the cemetery with an escort from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Coroner Jennifer Banek and the Lake County Coroner’s Office are thankful to be able to lay to rest these community members in a dignified and respectful manner.

Get Help  

Finding the help you need may be three numbers away. If you need help finding food, healthcare, shelter, or other 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. The service is free and confidential. 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.

Forest Preserves News

Experience autumn with the fall 2023 edition of Horizons magazine. Delve into the vision of the Forest Preserves in a progress spotlight on the Road Map to 2025. 

Marvel at the exquisite photography at St. Francis Woods that brings to life the natural treasure of the forest inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network. Subscribe to receive the free magazine in print. Read online»

Discover the rich history of local Native peoples from the 18th and early 19th centuries and connect with fellow scouts on a journey to earn related badges. Engage in a meaningful exploration of the past in Lake County. 

"Potawatomi Lifeways for Scouts" takes place 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, November 18 at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. Registration is required for the program designed for Scouts ages 6 to 18. Pricing is on the website. Get a ticket »

Elevate your next event into a memorable celebration amidst the splendor of nature at one of our four exquisite venues. 

Whether hosting a casual outdoor gathering or an elegant indoor affair, each of the spaces is seamlessly integrated into a stunning and distinctive natural setting. Browse the selection and secure your 2024 rental that will be cherished for years to come. Booking 2024 rental now. 

Community Events & News

The 13^th annual Lake County Film Festival will be held Friday, Nov. 10 to Sunday, Nov. 12. All selected films will show in person at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, and selected films will show at the Gorton Center in Lake Forest. Learn more

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.