Lake County Government News

The Lake County Board approved a $640 million Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Budget at its Nov. 14 meeting. The operating funds in the budget that fund most government services are balanced at $375.2 million. 

The entire budget was developed in direct alignment with Lake County’s newly updated mission that strives to provide exceptional services and support for Lake County’s people, communities, and environments. The County Board established the guidelines and framework of the FY2024 budget concurrently while updating its strategic plan. The updated plan prioritizes safe communities, economic opportunities, adaptive infrastructure, a sustainable environment, healthy and inclusive communities, and superior County operations and services.

Transportation News

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) introduced Move Illinois: the 2024 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) which will strategically outline goals, objectives, and strategies for Illinois' diverse transportation network for the next 20 to 30 years.

Help the project team identify the plan’s goals and objectives by taking their survey. The survey will close by Dec. 31. IDOT also is holding two Virtual Advisory Group webinars that will shape the plan's strategic goals, objectives, and strategies, influencing Illinois’ diverse transportation network for the next 20 to 30 years. 

The LRTP will take place through late 2024. Your input is critical for developing a well-rounded plan. Learn more

Metra has approved a $1.1 billion operating budget for 2024 that includes a major revision to its fare structure and new mix of fare products. The fare structure was created to be easy to understand, encourage ridership, simplify onboard fare collection and meet Metra’s financial and technical constraints. Under the new fare structure, which will start Feb. 1, 2024, fares will be equal to or lower than 2018 levels.

Learn more

The Transit app offers trip plan results that now include Pace On Demand – making it easier than ever to plan rides throughout the region. Pace On Demand offers a reservation-based, shared-ride service in 10 designated service areas throughout the suburban region, which include the Round Lake Area and Vernon Hills-Mundelein.

Reservations can be made up to 7 days in advance and as little as ten minutes prior to pick-up time, based on availability. Learn more by viewing this flyer in English and Spanish.

Health News

Every U.S. household is eligible to order an additional four free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of eight tests. The order is free, which includes shipping. This service is managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Order your tests

Environmental News

The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County wants to help Lake County green the holiday season by offering free opportunities to recycle your old and unwanted strings of lights. Visit one of four locations across the county to drop off your wire string holiday lights and extension cords.

We’re entering the holiday season and during this time of the year we create a large amount of waste. Our waste stream increases by 25-43% between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Most of it just ends up in a landfill, but food can be diverted and put to good use through composting.

Learn more about composting by watching this video.

Job News

More than 135 high school students in Lake County gained meaningful work experience while earning a paycheck during the 2023 Lake County Summer Youth Employment Program.

Funded by the Lake County Board, the program offers students a paid, part-time work experience. For most student workers, this represents their first job. Hear from supervisors and student workers regarding work assignments and what students gained from the experience. Watch video.

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.

The Lake County Clerk's Office has announced increased compensation for the diligent and dedicated pollworkers who play an essential role in ensuring the smooth conduct of elections within our community as a result of the recently approved budget passed by the Lake County Board on Nov. 14.

The County Clerk's Office relies on hundreds of community members to serve in a variety of roles to ensure adequate staffing for every election. It is the policy of the Office of the County Clerk to compensate these pollworkers for their time, training, and service in ensuring effective election administration.

The Lake County Clerk's Office encourages community members interested in becoming pollworkers to apply here.  Learn more

This year, the 19^th Judicial Circuit’s Problem Solving Court Teams, which includes Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Veteran’s Assistance Court joined the Lake County’s Division of Transportation Adopt-A-Highway Program.  Initiated by Public Defender Joy Gossman, the team was able to adopt the Robert McClory Bike Path in North Chicago. 

Judge Christen Bishop and Judge Paul Novak, who oversaw the project, were joined by members of the Public Defender’s Office, the Adult Probation Division, Psychological Services and several current Problem Solving Court clients as well as peer support specialists and program alumni.

This initiative is not only a great way to give back to the community, but it also provides an opportunity for Problem Solving Court clients to interact with team members in a pro-social environment outside of a Courtroom. Both clean-ups were deemed great successes.  The team is already anticipating even more clients and members will partake in the next event which is being planned for early spring.

Email Adult Probation Assistant Director, Jeff Ross at jross@lakecountyil.gov for more information about our Lake County Problem Solving Courts.

Forest Preserves News

Explore the night. Join an educator for a guided twilight stroll on a solar-lit trail. Participants will learn about animals that are active at dusk.

The program runs from 5 to 6 p.m., Sunday, December 10 at Old School Forest Preserve in Mettawa. Designed for adults, the cost is $5 for Lake County residents and $7 for nonresidents. Email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org with questions. Get a ticket »

Discover winter wonders at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. During special winter break hours, visitors of all ages can engage in creative crafts, delve into fossil mysteries or experience sensory-friendly exploration times.

Programs take place during the day on Wednesday, December 27 and Thursday, December 28. Registration is required. Times and pricing are listed on our website. Get a ticket »

The Chicago Wilderness Alliance recognized the Lake County Forest Preserves with two prestigious awards.

Restoration work at Greenbelt Forest Preserve in North Chicago was honored with a Platinum-level Excellence in Ecological Restoration award. And the esteemed George B. Rabb Force of Nature Award for 2023 celebrates the Chiwaukee Prairie–Illinois Beach Lake Plain Partnership, a regional collaborative project initiated by the Forest Preserves in 2010. 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 

Community Events and News

Take a journey through Lake County's most enchanting light events, from the magical tree lighting ceremonies illuminating town squares with a warm, golden glow to the mesmerizing lightscapes that transform gardens into captivating wonderlands. Take a delightful ride through holiday drive-thru lights extravaganzas where miles of twinkling lights create a dazzling path to explore.

Discover Visit Lake County’s guide to holiday light displays to enjoy the festive magic that twinkling lights create.

Watch All County Board and Committee Meetings