Dear Neighbors,
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With Valentine's and President's Day coming up, I hope this finds you, family and neighbors well.
Lately we've had some pressing concerns on whether federal funds promised to us from Washington will be paid. As you know, the new administration has ordered a temporary freeze on federal funds. I'm worried that grants such as $19 million for the Cedar Lake Road realignment project may be in jeopardy.
We've contacted all of our Congressional representatives to ensure that these funds are delivered. Better yet, our legislative team will be going to Washington in a few weeks. As chair of the County Board's Legislative Committee, I look forward to talking with our Washington delegation. We will fight for every federal dollar promised to our communities. Later next month, we're also going to Springfield to visit with our state delegation.
Despite the confusion emanating from Washington, we remain laser-focused on fixing our roads, ensuring safe and healthy communities and creating attainable housing.
Forest Preserve News
Thanks to your support, we're making great progress in evaluating potential additions to the Forest Preserves' 31,200-acre portfolio.
I've had the pleasure of volunteering in three of our splendid local forest preserves. Since I'm now a certified brush pile burn boss, which requires supervised training, I helped to rid Duck Farm, Nippersink and Rollins Savanna of buckthorn. This invasive shrub covers countless acres in Lake County. Eliminating buckthorn takes time and labor, but when it's gone native wildflowers and grasses can flourish.
 Interested in joining our volunteer stewardship corps? We have crews working across the county nearly every weekend. We also welcome students and scouts seeking service hours. Best of all, you'll have the opportunity to work with our incredible stewards. We'll supply the tools and the tasks. You'll supply the camaraderie.
I want to thank all of our volunteers, staff and stewards for their time and energy. There's always plenty of good work to do, and it's a great way to meet interesting people. Learn more about volunteer opportunities with the Lake County Forest Preserves.
Thanks also are due to the Manitou Creek Alliance, which sponsored a fascinating tour of beaver water levelling sites in and around Campbell airport and other locations in Round Lake. Working with the Illinois Beaver Alliance, the Manitou group is working to protect beavers while reducing unwanted property flooding. These enterprising mammals are not only great water engineers, they restore biodiverse habitats. They are masters of what we call "green infrastructure," which employs natural systems (forests, grasslands, wetlands) to restore and preserve our local environment.
Congratulations to Laura Morgan, principal of Meadowview School, for her excellent work in bringing environmental education to her students. She’s been a principal for 24 years in District 46 and is retiring. She was honored this morning in a special proclamation from the Lake County Forest Preserves Board.
Among her many accomplishments, Laura has worked with the Forest Preserves for the past nine years to bring environmental education to 400 students every year. This is essential instruction in a time in which global warming is an existential threat. Her leadership was also honored with the “Green Ribbon Award” from the U.S. Department of Education in 2019.
I would also note that Community Consolidated School District 46, led by Superintendent Lynn Glickman, has been a strong community leader in clean energy and environmental awareness. Several district buildings have extensive solar arrays, so they are not only generating clean energy, they are reducing operating costs for the district.
Thanks are also due to District 46 administration, board members, teachers, students and parents. It takes more than a village to “green” a community. District 46 has set a prime example through its curriculum and leadership.
 As always, it's my pleasure to represent and serve you. If you have an immediate need for county services, please call 2-1-1. You can best reach me at JWasik@lakecountyil.gov.
Be Well,
Sustainability News
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Bills To Address Food Scrap Diversion and Compost Market
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County is supporting two companion bills that were introduced by Senator Adriane Johnson to strengthen food scrap diversion and compost market development in Illinois.
The Food Recovery and Diversion Bill (SB 1398) establishes a clear path for food scrap diversion from landfills. The Compost and Digestate Market Development Bill (SB 1397) creates a grant program to expand and study compost and digestate use.
According to the U.S. EPA, landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions from human activities. Methane is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Food scraps make up 24% of landfill waste and generate 58% of methane emissions. These bills will:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting food scraps from landfills.
- Increase food recovery for human consumption.
- Provide data on the benefits of compost and digestate use on agricultural land.
- Phase in requirements to provide time for infrastructure to develop.
How To Learn More
The most impactful action you can take right now is to contact your legislators and ask them to support these bills. Visit Feed and Conserve Illinois, which provides information to take action, including legislator lookup tools, fact sheets, a petition, and testimonial submissions.
Attend Seed Expo
Find free seeds, a seed swap and other resources at the Extension Master Gardeners Seed Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 8 at the College of Lake County Grayslake Campus, Building F. There also will be breakout educational sessions from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free.
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Sheriff's Office News |
Sheriff Idleburg Introduces Newest Sheriff’s K9
Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg announced that K9 Lux, a direct offspring of the late K9 Dax, has officially joined the Lake County Sheriff’s Office as its newest police canine.
Learn more about the Sheriff's Office newest K9.
Sheriff Idleburg Partners with Illinois Sheriffs’ Association to Offer Scholarship Opportunity
The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) has announced the availability of over $58,000 in college scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. The scholarships will help support students pursuing higher education at certified institutions of learning within the State of Illinois. Learn more about this scholarship and how to apply.
Lake County Government News
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Join February 25 Digital Equity Coalition Meeting
Register here to join the Lake County Digital Equity Coalition for our upcoming Zoom meeting on February 25 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Today, more than 19,000 households - about 8% of Lake County - do not have any type of broadband subscriptions, including a cell phone plan. This creates a huge barrier for neighbors to get connected to employment, healthcare, education, transportation and so much more.
During these meetings, government, private, community and nonprofit organizations come together for interactive discussions and hands-on activities on topics like digital advocacy and digital literacy as we work towards a more equitable county.
Technology Committee to Address Advances and Strategies
The Lake County Board’s new Technology Committee recently met for the first time. Committee Chair, Jennifer Clark opened the meeting with a discussion on how technological advances impact every aspect of government and the importance of making strategic and forward-thinking decisions about its use.
Topics included Artificial Intelligence (AI), broadband and aerial imagery. The Technology Committee will meet once a month, which will be streamed live on Zoom and aired on LCTV. Learn more about the meeting schedule and how you can attend or watch the County’s committee meetings.
Lake County Celebrates 211 Day
The Lake County Board recently recognized February 11, 2025, as 211 Day, celebrating a vital resource that has connected hundreds of thousands of residents to critical services since its launch.
By dialing 211 or texting a ZIP code to 898-211, residents of Lake County can connect with live, highly trained experts who navigate callers to the help they need. These services range from addressing food insecurity and housing challenges to finding health care, behavioral health services and much more.
Since its inception in 2019, 211 has facilitated more than 375,000 connections for people in Lake County. The service is free, confidential and accessible in every ZIP code across the county. The 211 team can interpret more than 150 languages.
Learn more about 211.
Annual Point-in-Time Homeless Count Conducted in Lake County
More than 100 volunteers worked overnight into Thursday, January 30 to conduct the 2025 Homeless Point-in-Time (P.I.T.) Count. Led by the Lake County Coalition for the Homeless, in collaboration with Lake County Community Development, the P.I.T Count is a vital initiative that measures unhoused individuals and families across the community on a single night every January.
Following the P.I.T. Count, volunteers and staff will conduct further interviews and pull additional information from local shelters and agencies. The data collected helps to demonstrate the County’s need for federal resources for assistance through the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program.
Full data and information from this year’s P.I.T. Count will be available in the late spring. Learn more about the Point in Time Count and what the County is doing to address homelessness.
Forest Preserves News
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Explore the Latest News
Want to stay informed about what’s happening in your forest preserves? Get the latest updates on special events, education programs, restoration projects, land acquisitions and more.
The Forest Preserves monthly e-newsletter brings the news straight to your inbox, keeping you connected to nature and the work being done to protect it. Sign up today and never miss a story! Sign up to receive e-newsletters »
New Exhibition Premiers
For generations, the clothes we wear and the fabrics we sew have told much about who we are, our relationships and communities. A new special exhibition at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville brings that story to life, going back to the 1830s.
Threads of Time: Quilts and Textiles special exhibit opens Friday, February 14 and runs through May 4. The Lake County Forest Preserves operates the nationally accredited museum. “Step into this exhibit and explore how quilts, clothing and sewing artifacts from the museum’s collection carry stories in their stitches,” said Director of Education Alyssa Firkus. Read More »
Wedding Showcase Planned
Say "I do" to inspiration at Independence Grove in Libertyville. Join Relish Events at Independence Grove for a Wedding Showcase from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, February 23.
Explore the breathtaking venue at Independence Grove. Savor complimentary food and beverages while connecting with top wedding vendors and the Relish Events team. Register »
Stormwater Management News
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Provide Your Feedback on Lake County Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan. SMC Plans Four Public Meetings
The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is hosting four public meetings across Lake County between February and April to receive feedback from residents to assist in updating the 2025 Lake County Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan.
Stop by these open house meetings to learn more with exhibits and a presentation. SMC staff will also be available to discuss your stormwater and drainage concerns.
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Thursday, February 20 from 5 - 7 p.m., Zion-Benton Public Library
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Tuesday, February 25 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Lakefront Park Building, Main Gym
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Wednesday, April 9 from 5 – 7 p.m., Heller Nature Center
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Thursday, April 17 from 5 – 7 p.m., Grayslake Area Public Library
Unable to attend the meetings? Take the Stormwater Management Survey to provide your feedback about water quality and flooding.
State's Attorney's Office News
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Gun Violence Prevention Initiative Introduces The Root
The Gun Violence Prevention Initiative has launched, The Root. This quarterly newsletter is meant to inform you as to the work the GVPI is doing to approaching gun violence holistically and robustly. Through this newsletter, learn about the group’s achievements and ambitions and how you can get involved.
View the inaugural edition of The Root
Sign up to receive the newsletter
Health News
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Keep Your Pets Safe from Avian Flu
Although avian flu (H5N1) is affecting poultry and dairy cows in the United States, there are currently no human cases of bird flu in Lake County. Avian flu viruses mainly infect and spread among wild migratory water birds and domestic poultry, some bird flu viruses can infect and spread to other animals as well.
The Lake County Health Department provides these steps to keep your pets safe and healthy:
- Feed your pet only fully cooked food—H5N1 virus can survive in raw pet foods.
- Never feed your cat raw milk—H5N1 virus can be found in raw milk.
- Keep pets away from birds and wildlife.
- Keep pets away from livestock and poultry.
- If you work with livestock or poultry, wash your hands and change your clothes before being around pets.
Talk with a veterinarian if you have concerns about your pet's health. Visit the CDC website to learn more about bird flu and pets.
Job News
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Save the Date for Hospitality and Retail Workforce Summit
Lake County employers, business owners, HR professionals and residents are invited to attend the Hospitality and Retail Workforce Summit on March 11 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee.
Join this summit dedicated to driving growth, tackling workforce challenges and strengthening Lake County’s hospitality and retail sector. Hear from top leaders on workforce trends, wages, and retention strategies. Learn about hiring, training and business growth opportunities, and build partnerships with businesses, agencies and community organizations. Register to attend. Walk-ins are also welcome.
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 as the Job Center team guides you through the virtual and onsite resources available to job seekers through the Job Center partners. And view the calendar to learn about upcoming events and resources.
Hire Lake County
Check Hire Lake County for information about job opportunities and businesses vetted by the Job Center’s business service team.
Community Events & News
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February Flavor Festival Is Here
Now through February 28, Visit Lake County has combined the Lake County Restaurant Week and Libation Trail initiatives into one taste-tempting month-long event. Enjoy the February Flavor Festival.
The focus is encouraging residents to generate foot traffic to the cuisine makers in their hometowns and across the land of lakes. Learn more about the February Flavor Festival.
Watch All County Board and Committee Meetings
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The public is welcome to attend all Lake County Board and committee meetings in person at the Lake County Administrative Tower, 18 N. County St., 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 meeting schedule.
Lake County Board and committee meetings after July 8, 2024 are available to view online with English captions or subtitles (written translation into another language). Captions and subtitles are created automatically with artificial intelligence (AI) software. Access to automated captions and subtitles is being provided for viewer convenience and is not to be considered official transcription or translation of the meeting. Watch County Board meetings, including standing committee meetings.
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