Community Celebration and Resource Fair Sunday, Take voter engagement survey, Join Digital Equity Coalition, Lake County Fair and More

Lake County, Illinois sent this bulletin at 07/25/2025 01:00 PM CDT

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July 25, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you are staying cool and enjoying the heart of the summer!

I am proud to partner with Family First Center to host a free Unity in the Community Celebration and Resource Fair. Join us at Saratoga Square, 5101 Washington St., Gurnee on Sunday, July 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a fun-filled day of community, celebration, and support!

Not only will you enjoy:

Free food
Games and prizes
Music and dancing
Obstacle course and bounce house
Snow cones and popcorn
Games, resources and more!

But also, this event is a fantastic opportunity to access important resources and get connected to what you need. Whether you're looking for support, local services, or community programs, our resource tables are here to help. We’re committed to connecting you with:

Local support agencies
Community services
Health and wellness resources
Educational programs
And more!

This is a FREE event! For more information, please contact us at: info@familyfirstcenter.org or (224) 421-0948.

If you have a nonprofit and you’d like to join us, please email me at ccasbon@lakecountyil.gov.

Let’s come together, celebrate, and connect. I can’t wait to see you all there!

In community spirit,

Carissa Casbon
Lake County Board, District 7
View My County Board Member Web Page

Lake County Government News

Lake County Board Unites with Counties Nationwide to Push Key Resolutions

Several Lake County Board Members recently returned from the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference in Philadelphia, where they participated in important policy discussions and helped advance county priorities on the national stage. Learn more

Lake County Ranks in Top 10 Nationally for Economic Development

Lake County has been named one of the top 10 counties in the nation to do business in by Site Selection Magazine, recognizing the County’s ongoing efforts to foster a business-friendly environment while enhancing the quality of life for residents.

The magazine publishes its “America's Best Counties” report annually, ranking counties based on their performance in attracting corporate facility projects, capital investment and jobs created. Learn more

Transportation News

Belvidere Road Bridge Maintenance

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that maintenance on the Belvidere Road (IL 120) bridge over the Des Plaines River, east of Milwaukee Avenue (IL 21), in Gurnee and Warren Township will require intermittent daytime lane closures. The work is expected to be completed in October.

The public should expect delays and allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

County Clerk's Office News

Provide Your Feedback on the Election Experience

The Lake County Clerk’s Office is launching a Voter Engagement Survey to hear directly from you to help improve voter outreach, education and the overall election experience in Lake County. Please complete the survey before July 30.

Take the voter engagement survey

Digital Equity Coalition News

Join Lake County’s Digital Equity Coalition

Connect with other Lake County organizations dedicated to promoting digital equity in our County. Each monthly Digital Equity Coalition meeting offers organizations the opportunity to learn from one another and from subject matter experts in the field.

Register for the July 29 meeting where participants will:

Learn digital skills teaching tips
Hear about a new partnership with The Patricia A. Jones Center
Learn about Digital Growth Initiative accomplishments and upcoming programming
Receive marketing materials to boost Digital Growth Initiative participation

If you would like to join the Coalition, please complete this interest form.

Forest Preserves News

Gospelfest Returns to Greenbelt Cultural Center

Award-winning gospel artist Dr. Frozene Lott Hayes headlines this year’s free Gospelfest from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 27 at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. The indoor event features powerful performances, food vendors and family-friendly fun.

Additional acts include Rose & Co., Light of the World, Christian Valley Missionary Baptist Church and Tara Pipes. Admission and parking are free. Learn More »

National Recognition Earned

The Lake County Forest Preserves received two national awards from the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials.

The Ryerson Education Center in Riverwoods was honored for its energy-efficient design and environmental education programs. The 2,900-square-foot net-zero energy facility serves 25,000 students annually. The Periodical Cicadas campaign was recognized for its creative public outreach during the 2024 emergence. The effort engaged over 10,000 people locally and reached 213 million worldwide through media and online content. Read More »

Launch Your Next Adventure

Make the most of summer at Fox River Marina in Port Barrington. Enjoy easy access to the Fox River with a daily launch pass.

Launch your boat, jet ski, kayak or paddleboard from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Whether you're out for a quick cruise or a full day on the water, this scenic spot is ready when you are. Temporary slips are also available.

Sheriff's Office News

Meet the New K9s

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office introduces its new K9s, Simba, Hemi and Lux, who join the men and women to help protect the residents of Lake County. The K9s will help to track suspects and missing persons, sniff out illegal narcotics and protect their partners in the line of duty.

Join the Lake County Sheriff's Office at the Lake County Fair through July 27 to see exciting K9 demonstrations. Watch our skilled handlers and their incredible K9 partners showcase obedience, detection and apprehension work. Meet our team and learn more about the vital work our K9s do every day to help keep Lake County safe.

View the demonstration schedule

Thank You K9 Boomer for Your Service to Lake County

K9 Boomer honorably served the Lake County Sheriff’s Office as an explosives-detection and patrol K9, partnered with Deputy Brian Kilpatrick. Throughout his career, which began in May 2017, Boomer was a critical asset to both local and federal law enforcement operations.

From tracking fleeing suspects to locating missing children in dangerous conditions, K9 Boomer saved lives and helped apprehend dangerous individuals. He conducted countless deployments searching for explosives at the scenes of bomb threats and was deployed to check for explosives at nationally attended events across the Midwest.

Retiring last June, K9 Boomer’s legacy will live on in the safety he provided and the countless lives he impacted.

Health News

First 2025 Human Case of West Nile Virus in Lake County

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is reporting the first human case of neuroinvasive West Nile virus in Lake County for 2025.

Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms of illness. However, some may become ill usually three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. People older than 50 years and individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness from West Nile virus.

Follow the 4 Ds of Defense to protect yourself from mosquitoes

Helping Those Who May Have a Mental Health Crisis

Did you know that the Lake County Health Department has a Mobile Response team to respond to residents experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis?

Learn more about this Health Department team of specialists that go out into the community to help those in crisis by watching this video.

Visit the Health Department's Mobile Response Program web page to also learn more about this program, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Treasurer's Office News

Rebuilding and Boosting Your Credit

At noon Aug. 25, join the Lake County Treasurer’s Office online for their next financial literacy class, "Recovery Shake: Rebuilding and Boosting Your Credit.” Taking an injury isn't the end. Discover practical steps to rebuild your credit, improve your score and strengthen your financial health.

Register to join

View the full Fiscally Fit schedule and watch videos of previous classes

Get Help

Call 211 to Get Connected to the Help You Need

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 live person in English or Spanish when you call. The 211 team will also interpret more than 150 other languages. Learn more

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.

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

Community Events and News

Cape Up and Chow Down at the Lake County Fair

The Lake County Fair is swooping in through July 27 with superhero-sized excitement for its 96th year of legendary entertainment. From high-flying motocross to monster trucks, a demolition derby and pulse-pounding bull riding, this fair is an ultimate action adventure.

Check out Visit Lake County’s list of the top six must-see activities at the Lake County Fair and go to the Lake County Fair website to check out all the fun planned this year.

Watch All County Board and Committee Meetings

The public is welcome to attend all 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 current meeting schedule. All meetings are recorded, and are posted on the Lake County website.