🐟 Mainstream - April 2025

Lake County, Illinois sent this bulletin at 04/02/2025 09:37 AM CDT

Lake County Stormwater Management Commission Newsletter

April 2025

SMC Leadership Shines at IAFSM 2025 Conference

The Illinois Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management (IAFSM) Annual Conference took place March 10 to 12 at the Tinley Park Convention Center with over 700 professionals from across Illinois gathering to share knowledge, forge partnerships and celebrate advances in floodplain and stormwater management. The conference featured contributions from the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC).

SMC Executive Director, Kurt Woolford, was a speaker at the conference. He gave a presentation titled “Reducing Stormwater Discharge in the North Branch of the Chicago River—Lake County,” which provided a comprehensive overview of Lake Michigan diversion regulations, stakeholder collaboration and Lake County’s flood risk mitigation efforts.

SMC staff attendees were able to attend keynote talks by national experts and more than 60 technical presentations and workshops covering climate resilience, stormwater mitigation strategies, floodplain mapping, digital innovation, hydraulic modeling, regulatory updates and more. They were also able to connect with peers from municipalities, state agencies and the industry to strengthen regional partnerships and professional networks.

Conference Chair Spotlight: Sharon Østerby

For the second consecutive year, SMC Water Resources Professional Sharon Østerby chaired the conference, including overseeing agenda development, speaker recruitment, logistics and sponsorship coordination. Her leadership exemplifies Lake County’s commitment to excellence and collaboration in advancing stormwater management.

Looking Ahead

Building on what they learned, Lake County Stormwater Management Commission and Planning, Building and Development staff will implement conference inspired initiatives throughout 2025. Key focus areas include advancing flood mitigation and green infrastructure projects, strengthening floodplain management frameworks, enhancing data-sharing capabilities and engaging residents to build a more resilient Lake County.

SMC staff attendees, pictured left to right: Ashley Strelcheck, Ernesto Huaracha, Bill Santelik, Sharon Østerby, Jacob Jozefowski, Mea Blauer, Dijana Silber, Brian Frank and Sharene Gould Dulabaum.

Not pictured but in attendance: Kurt Woolford (SMC), Tim Cook (SMC), Joel Krause (PBD), Alex Schiffer (PBD) and Lizeth Zuniga (PBD).

Attend a Lake County Comprehensive
Stormwater Management Plan Meeting

The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is hosting two public meetings across Lake County in April to receive feedback from residents in updating the 2025 Lake County Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan. Attend either one of these open house meetings to learn more with exhibits and a presentation. The same information will be presented at both meetings. SMC staff will also be available to discuss your stormwater and drainage concerns.

Wednesday, April 9 from 5 – 7 p.m.
Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Rd, Highland Park
Thursday, April 17 from 5 – 7 p.m.
Grayslake Area Public Library, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake

Unable to attend? Take the Stormwater Management Survey to provide your feedback on stormwater issues that impact you. The survey deadline is April 30.

View the 2002 Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan being updated.

Learn more about updating the Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan

Top: SMC's first Open House Public Meeting at the Zion-Benton Public Library on February 20.

Bottom: SMC's second Open House Public Meeting at Lakefront Park Building in Fox Lake on February 25.

Comment Period Now Open for Manitou Creek-Fish Lake Drain Watershed-Based Plan

The Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) has opened a 60-day public comment period now through May 5 for the draft Manitou Creek-Fish Lake Drain Watershed Based Plan. The plan recommends voluntary actions to reduce flood damages, improve water quality and restore water resources in the Manitou Creek-Fish Lake Drain watershed in Lake County. The plan documents and a web-based mapping application depicting recommendations are available on the SMC website.

Comments regarding the draft plan can be submitted via email to jjozefowski@lakecountyil.gov.

Public Information Meeting Dates

Two public information meetings have been scheduled during the public comment period. SMC staff will present an overview and summary of the watershed plan and be available to answer questions. The same information will be presented at both meetings.

Public Information Meeting: Wednesday, April 9 from 10 – 11 a.m.
Round Lake Area Public Library 906 Hart Rd., Round Lake

Virtual Public Information Meeting: Thursday, April 10 from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Register via Zoom

SMC and IECA BMP Field Day is Coming

Interested in learning more about erosion and sediment best management practices? SMC and the Great Lakes Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) are hosting the second SMC and IECA Best Management Practices Field Day on Wednesday, April 23 from 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake.

Erosion, sediment and stormwater subject matter experts will review proper installation and common issues along with best management practices in live demonstrations. Please see the agenda on the registration page. Participants will receive five professional development hours from this program.

Register now! An early registration discount rate is available through April 2. If you have any questions, please contact Mea Blauer at 847-377-7701 or at iblauer2@lakecountyil.gov.

Celebrate Earth Month 2025

Earth Month is a great time to reflect on all that our planet provides for us and how we can be more sustainable and earth-friendly in return. This April, challenge yourself to "go green" to make a difference. Examine your habits and see if there are any obvious or easy changes you can make.

You can learn more about incorporating earth-friendly design that reduces stormwater runoff and is native plant friendly for your home or business on our website.

If you're interested in volunteering, the City of Waukegan is hosting a River and Ravine Clean-Up on Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. - noon at Powell Park. SMC staff with be present to assist.

Get involved with a local Earth Day Activity to show your enthusiasm for Mother Earth, or take part in one of the fun ideas provided in the graphic below. We hope you join us in celebrating our planet this month!

Mark Your Calendars!

Indian Creek Community Meeting - April 10

Community members with properties bordering Indian Creek from Buffalo Grove Road to Port Clinton Road in Buffalo Grove are invited to an Indian Creek Community Meeting on Thursday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Vernon Township Community Building, 2900 N Main St., Buffalo Grove. We will discuss your perspective on the current condition of Indian Creek and explore potential stream enhancement opportunities in your neighborhood, including stream clean-ups and low-head dam removal.

Chicago River Day - May 10

Join the 33rd Annual Chicago River Day clean-up effort to help make this important waterway healthier. From 9 a.m. - noon on Saturday, May 10, there will be over 75 sites along the Chicago River in Cook and Lake counties to help clean up harmful litter, mulch trails and remove invasive plants. Learn more

Pollution Prevention MS4 Workshop with McHenry County - May 21

SMC and McHenry County are excited to partner up to provide a Pollution Prevention MS4 Workshop on Wednesday, May 21 from 8 a.m. - noon. The workshop will cover pollution prevention, good housekeeping and case studies from both counties on best management practices. The hybrid workshop will be hosted at the Central Permit Facility in Libertyville and via Zoom. Registration details are coming soon!