Register for the HOA Workshop and Vendor Expo!
The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission is excited to host the 2026 Homeowners Association (HOA) Workshop and Vendor Expo on Wednesday, February 25 at the University Center of Lake County, 1200 University Center Drive, Grayslake. This will be a hybrid event.
Vendor Expo: starts at 3:30 p.m. and is available to in-person attendees only
HOA Workshop Presentations: start at 5:30 p.m. and is available to attend in-person or via Zoom
This event is for HOAs and property owners who are responsible for maintaining detention ponds, wetlands, natural areas, and other drainage infrastructure to learn how to best care for these areas. The Vendor Expo will include maintenance, engineering, and ecological consulting companies who will provide educational information. The HOA Workshop presentations will feature knowledgeable speakers and experts to share more. Grants and funding opportunities will also be discussed.
This event will be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Anyone needing special assistance should contact Sharene Gould Dulabaum at least one week prior to the event.
 Interested in Being a Vendor at the HOA Vendor Expo?
This event will allow you to provide educational information about designing, installing, and maintaining detention ponds, wetlands, natural areas, and other drainage infrastructure for homeowners’ association and property owners. Vendor registration is open until Friday, January 16 at 3 p.m.
Space is limited, and a waitlist may be created depending on the volume of applications.
Vendor Registration Fee: $150 per table
Vendor Exhibit Time: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
The HOA Workshop begins at 5:30 p.m. The dedicated vendor exhibit time ends at 5:30 p.m., but vendors can continue their exhibits throughout the workshop.
Visit SMC’s HOA Workshop webpage for full details about being an HOA Expo Vendor or attending the HOA Workshop. Contact Sharene Gould Dulabaum with questions.
Be Salt Smart this Winter
While salt is an essential part of winter safety, using too much salt is bad for our environment. Excess salt use leads to chloride in our lakes, streams, and other waterways. Just one teaspoon of salt can pollute five gallons of water to a level that is toxic to freshwater ecosystems. Help protect our environment by using smart salting practices this winter. To learn more about using salt as a deicer, watch the video below.
Learn About Being a DECI
Are you interested in the Designated Erosion Control Inspectors (DECI) Program? Then, join us for the free DECI 101 Training Webinar on Tuesday, January 13. This one-hour virtual training is specifically designed for new and prospective Designated Erosion Control Inspectors.
The Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) will explain what the DECI program is and how it functions, how one becomes a DECI, what the responsibilities of a DECI are, and how to maintain one’s status. For those new to erosion and sediment control field work, SMC will also discuss the most commonly used measures in the field, how to inspect them properly, and how to properly fill out an inspection report. The webinar will conclude with a question and answer session.
Register for this free Zoom webinar. If you have questions regarding this training, please email Mea Blauer.
DECI 101 Training Webinar
Tuesday, January 13
10 a.m.
Attend the 2026 DECI Workshop
Registration is now open for the 2026 Designated Erosion Control Inspector (DECI) Webinar hosted by SMC. Join us on Tuesday, February 10, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. via Zoom to learn about creating successful green infrastructure, sustainable practices, local case studies, and more.
This webinar is best suited for current DECIs. Once you've registered, you will receive a unique meeting link from Zoom. You will receive 4.5 professional development hours for attending.
2026 DECI Workshop
Tuesday, February 10
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
2026 DECI Workshop Agenda
If you have questions regarding the webinar, please email Mea Blauer or call 847-377-7701.
Peek Behind the Scenes at SMC
While SMC staff spends a lot of time out in the field, making it their second office in some cases, we also have several staff members whose in-house office support allows us to keep the ball rolling and the lights on. Dijana Silber is one of those members of our team. She contributes to the management and oversight of the stormwater financial workflow.
This includes processing payments, invoices, and purchase orders, tracking expenditure and revenue, analyzing budget allocations, assisting with the yearly budget preparation, and streamlining financial processes while coordinating with the County’s Finance department. She also prepares monthly Commission meeting agendas and minutes, as well as financial and regulatory reports.
Dijana enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and playing with her dog in the backyard in her free time. She originally joined SMC as a part-time employee working with the Regulatory team in 2015. We’re lucky to have her support over the last decade to keep SMC on track to continue its mission.
Request for Proposals Now Open
Lake County Stormwater Management Commission has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for wetland mitigation projects within the Des Plaines River Watershed in Lake County, IL, using funds collected in the SMC Wetland Restoration Fund (WRF). The mitigation acreage goal is 6.57 acres, at a minimum, and approximately $716,395 of WRF funds are available.
Eligibility is open to any landowner (public or private) whose ownership property lies within the Des Plaines River watershed in Lake County, IL. The proposal submission deadline is Wednesday, January 21 at 11 a.m. (CST).
The complete RFP is available on our website.
Attend the 2026 ILMA Conference
The Illinois Lake Management Association (ILMA) Annual Conference is taking place February 16-18 in Champaign for those who want to learn about a variety of lake topics from over 30 expert speakers.
Register now
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