Lake County Partners brought together key stakeholders, business leaders and innovators from across the region at its annual Big Event, making it a catalyst for collaboration, idea exchange, inspiration and networking. 

The program is renowned for its cutting-edge economic development insights, and this year focused on the monumental impact of artificial intelligence. Watch this video to learn more. 

The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission and the City of Park City marked the completion of the Park City Stormwater Capital Improvement project. This infrastructure improvement will alleviate flooding for more than 800 properties in Park City.

This project was funded by the initial $30 million of $122 million awarded to SMC by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to complete regional stormwater infrastructure projects. Watch this video to learn more about the project.  

The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, Fremont Township Highway Department and Lake County Board gathered to celebrate the start of construction on the 100-year-old Sylvan Lake Dam in unincorporated Mundelein.   

The Sylvan Lake Dam will be reconstructed to protect nearly 300 nearby homes and Sylvan Lake. Work includes relocating the above-ground sanitary sewer pipe, increasing the dam’s flood storage and installing a sidewalk. Learn more 

The Lake County Forest Preserves received more than $2 million in grants over the past 13 years from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF). The Foundation ceased its grant-making activities due to the exhaustion of its funds. 

Two notable grants recently benefited the Forest Preserves. The first is $233,600 to help preserve 18.2 acres as an addition to Wadsworth Savanna Forest Preserve in Wadsworth. The second grant is designated to support volunteer efforts at Heron Creek Forest Preserve in Lake Zurich. It offers $3 in matching funds for every $1 raised to support the project, up to $21,000. It also provides $4,000 once volunteers donate at least 400 hours at the preserve, for a total grant of $25,000. Read more » 

A "Sensory-Friendly Hour" is taking place at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville from 9 to 10 a.m., Saturday, June 29. The Museum will be open to those who need a calm and quiet visit before it is open to the public. A quiet room for stimulation breaks will be accessible. Creative crafts hands-on activities will be available in the cafe space. Adult supervision is required. Get Ticket » 

"Family Ponding" takes place from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 17 at Hastings Lake Forest Preserve in Lake Villa. Participants will discover and identify aquatic life through ponding. This is a drop-in event. Adult supervision is required for the free educational program. Follow forest preserve event signs and meet by the canoe launch. Learn More » 

The Job Center of Lake County is on the move with these bonus events. Meet with a Job Center representative for one-on-one support at these times. Check the Job Center calendar to learn more about all the upcoming events.  

• 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, June 27 and 9 a.m. to noon Friday, June 28 at Waukegan Township, 149 S. Genesee St.  

The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) will be applying pavement rejuvenator, a glue-type substance that can extend the life of a road by five years, to several newly completed road surfaces in Lake County over the coming days. 

Applying pavement rejuvenator is one of the many pavement management techniques LCDOT uses to preserve the county highway system. Learn more by watching this video and visiting LCDOT's website.  

Did you know people across the country throw out over 32 billion pounds of clothes each year? In Lake County, there is a solution. Instead, drop your new, gently used clothing and textiles into one of over 70 bins operated by the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County where the items will be reused or recycled.  

View what items are accepted and not accepted 

Find a clothing and textile drop-off location near you 

A mosquito pool, or batch of mosquitoes, sampled on June 12 in Highland Park has tested positive for West Nile virus. This mosquito pool is the first confirmed indicator of West Nile virus presence in Lake County in 2024. Learn how to practice the “4 Ds of Defense” to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes. 

The Lake County Health Department’s Mosquito Surveillance Program coordinates mosquito trapping results throughout Lake County. Mosquitoes are tested weekly for West Nile virus. The program also monitors reports of dead birds (an early sign of the presence of the virus) and investigates areas of stagnant water for the presence of mosquito larvae, specifically from the Culex mosquito, which is the primary carrier of West Nile in Illinois.   

Congratulations to Joy Gossman, who recently retired from the Public Defender’s Office after serving 37 years, including 17 years as the Chief Public Defender.  

She was recognized at the June County Board meeting for her many contributions to the office, including creating an Immigration Investigator position to help attorneys navigate complex immigration issues faced by their clients. She was also the first Public Defender in the nation to be granted a certified facility dog, Duo Dog Simba, who works with adult clients and abused and neglected minors in juvenile court. 

Joy also was known for her unwavering commitment to her clients. She empowers her staff to guide clients to treatment alternatives over incarceration, low-cost housing opportunities and created a necessities bank to distribute donated toiletries, shoes, clothing and luggage needed by clients.