I recently visited the Wauconda Fire Protection District (WFPD) to learn more about their new Mobile Integrated Healthcare-Community Paramedicine program. WFPD, in collaboration with Antioch, Countryside, Libertyville, and Round Lake fire departments, identify people with chronic health needs who frequently call 911. The team works proactively with the resident to reduce the number of emergency calls and hospital visits, resulting in lower costs and fewer visits while providing better care. The Lake County Board allocated $311,000 in support of their work, and it was wonderful to hear about how their team is changing lives in their community. You can learn more about how the County is using these funds to support projects and programs to improve lives, solve problems and make our County more resilient to future challenges.

Several board members and I were in DC for a conference and meetings with our federal representatives to thank them for our promised federal funding and let them know that the potential loss of federal funding for Lake County would be devastating. In 2023, Lake County Government (which includes the Health Department) received approximately $67MM in federal funding. These monies are used for:

• Affordable housing programs, like new construction and rehabilitation and rental and homebuyer assistance
• Community services including homeless services and food assistance
• Cancer prevention and HIV, addiction, and mental illness care
• Crime victim assistance and fighting drug trafficking
• Highway planning, construction and our paratransit program
• Dislocated worker assistance, vocational training, and youth employment programs.

We are keeping a close eye on any negative impacts to federal funding and I will keep you apprised if we hear about any loss in these reimbursement funds.

I am excited to tell you that everyone has been relocated out of Halsey Village and that demolition has begun in preparation for the land to be transferred back to the US Navy. The County is working closely with representatives from the Navy and the City of North Chicago to develop a tentative plan on how that land could be utilized for housing and economic development. Investing in this neighborhood, which has been neglected for decades, would be transformative for North Chicago and all of Lake County due to its excellent location and access to highways and public transportation. It has been a pleasure working with Captain Steve Yargosz, Commanding Officer of Naval Station Great Lakes, and I am extremely grateful for the support of Senators Tammy Duckworth and Durbin and Congressman Brad Schneider for their advocacy and attention to this project. I will continue to keep you updated as this project moves forward. 

Lake County Government News  

Thanks to Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega and federal ARPA dollars awarded by the Lake County Board, Lake County voters can cast their ballot at any of the fully equipped vote centers located throughout Lake County, regardless of their residential address. Lake County voters will still be assigned a Preferred Election Day Voting Site but are no longer restricted to voting at that location.

There is often a great deal of confusion and inconvenience for residents when voting, especially when their voting place has changed or they have moved within Lake County. This program offers greater accessibility, convenience and efficiency for all voters in Lake County. Learn more 

We need to hear from you! The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is hosting public meetings across Lake County to receive feedback from residents as we update the 2025 Lake County Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan. SMC staff will be available to discuss your stormwater and drainage concerns and will have several exhibits and a presentation. Unable to attend the meetings? Take the Stormwater Management Survey to provide your feedback about water quality and flooding.

• Wednesday, April 9, 5pm - 7pm, Heller Nature Center, Highland Park
• Thursday, April 17 5pm - 7pm, Grayslake Area Public Library

Lake County Partners (LCP) continues to drive economic development in Lake County. So far this quarter, they have secured three project wins which will provide $125MM in new capital investment, the creation of 1,032 new jobs, and the retention of 128 existing jobs in Lake County. Fortune Brands Innovations is restructuring and moving up to 800 jobs here from various other states. Plano Pharmaceuticals has selected Zion for construction of its world headquarters, R&D, manufacturing, and distribution facility; and Miller Cooper Consulting has selected Deerfield for their office relocation into Lake County. LCP President Kevin Considine has been appointed Chair of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership to assist with leading the region’s global business attraction effort. Chicagoland was named, for the 12^th year in a row, the #1 location in the country for corporate expansions and relocations. To learn more about LCP’s work, check out their 2024 Year in Review. I hope you will consider joining us for LCP’s Big Event at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort on Thursday, May 1^st from 7 – 9:30 a.m. 

In observance of National Groundwater Awareness Week, the Lake County Health Department is offering a reduced well water testing fee for homeowners who use well water as their primary source of drinking water. Now through March 21, the normal $25 fee for testing for bacteria and nitrates will be reduced to $20. Learn more about well water testing

The Illinois Department of Public Health recently reported that the Illinois respiratory illness level is moderate with the flu making up most of the cases. View the IDPH Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard to keep track of levels.

The Lake County Health Department advises you to protect yourself and others by taking precautions from getting and spreading the flu. Prevent the spread of flu by covering coughs and sneezes, wash your hands and stay home when sick.

Everyone six months and older should get vaccinated against the flu. The flu vaccine can reduce flu illnesses, doctor’s visits and hospitalizations. Visit Vaccines.gov to find a location near you to get the flu vaccine.

More than 100 volunteers worked until the wee hours to conduct the 2025 Homeless Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. Volunteers fan out across the County to find people in need of shelter and connect them with services. Following the PIT 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 to assist homeless families and individuals. Last year, the County saw a 50% increase for individuals and a 75% increase for families. Full data and information from this year’s PIT 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.

Learn where to monitor weather information, how to be prepared when severe weather hits and how to get involved in reporting severe weather in Lake County.

The Lake County Emergency Management Agency will hold the annual NWS community weather preparedness training from 7 to 9 p.m. March 20 at Vernon Hills High School auditorium.

Take an important role to help our communities and the National Weather Service. Participants ages 10 and older are invited to join this free course taught by a NWS Chicago meteorologist. No registration is required. Visit the NWS website to learn more about the course.

Job News

The Summer Youth Employment Program, which is funded by the Lake County Board, will provide meaningful work experiences in various worksites for about 175 young people this summer. To qualify, applicants must live in Lake County and meet age requirements. Applications are due by April 15. Learn more

Members of the Lake County Workforce Development team recently addressed 85 Navy recruits transitioning from the military, delivering essential career services to prepare for their transition to civilian careers.

The team covered available resources at the American Job Center, the benefits of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and employability skills. The presentation also included valuable resume-writing tips to better prepare the recruits for their job searches.

Overall, the session provided a comprehensive guide on leveraging workforce development resources for a successful career transition.

Lake County Workforce Development is thrilled to share its latest success story through a new video, “Manufacturing: Upskilling Today’s Workforce in Lake County.” The video showcases the impact of Incumbent Worker training programs and On-the-Job Training, featuring testimonials from manufacturers, upskilled employees and training providers.

Through partnerships with employers, the initiative provides tuition assistance, invests in skill development aligned with industry needs and equips workers with relevant expertise to support business growth.

These efforts ensure Lake County manufacturers have the skilled workforce necessary to succeed in today’s competitive environment. Watch the video to see how we’re driving growth and innovation in our community!

The Job Center of Lake County can help you to transition careers, identify job opportunities and connect with employers.

Take a virtual tour to learn about the services the Job Center provides, and view the full Job Center calendar for upcoming events and resources.   

Check Hire Lake County
Visit Hire Lake County for information about job opportunities and businesses vetted by the Job Center’s business service team.

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is launching a survey called My Daily Travel to better understand the travel needs of residents in northeastern Illinois.

As travel behaviors change and technologies evolve over the next few years, planners will use this survey data to guide future transportation investments and prioritize improvements.

At least 4,000 households in northeastern Illinois are expected to participate in the survey over the next year. Households will receive an invitation by U.S. mail to participate in the survey.  Invited households may complete the survey online, over the phone, or through a smartphone app called rMove.

Forest Preserves News 

A new exhibition has opened at the Lake County Forest Preserves Dunn Museum in Libertyville:   Threads of Time: Quilts and Textiles.  For generations, the clothes we wear and the fabrics we sew have told much about who we are, our relationships and communities. Quilts and textiles provide a colorful glimpse of Lake County's history from the 1830s to the 2000s. This exhibition showcases stories stitched into every piece—from a quilt passed down through four generations to a winter wedding gown. Textiles, whether used for fashion, décor or comfort, reveal the rich and intricate narratives woven into the fabric of our shared past.The special exhibit runs through May 4.  Read More

Want to learn how to grow vegetables, a native garden, or just get some landscaping tips? Join us for our FREE virtual monthly gardening classes!  Presentations are 6pm - 7:30pm on the second Wednesday of each month. Note: Registration closes end of day on the proceeding Tuesday. 

View the 2025 Garden Learning Series, including how to register

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