SMC Hosts Another Successful HOA Workshop and Vendor Expo
 Thank you to everyone who attended the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission's (SMC) 2026 Homeowners Association (HOA) Workshop and Vendor Expo on February 25! The event was held for HOAs or property owners interested in learning more about maintaining detention ponds, wetlands, natural areas, and other drainage infrastructure.
Over 70 people attended the HOA Workshop in person, and an additional 40 people joined the event virtually. Attendees heard from six speakers at four different informational sessions. Speakers shared information about stormwater systems, operations and maintenance plans, stormwater funding assistance programs, HOA legal maintenance responsibilities for subdivision systems, and a recent case study about finishing a project despite challenges. Attendees also had opportunities to ask questions and talk with SMC staff one-on-one between presentations.
The Vendor Expo featured 12 maintenance, engineering, and ecological consulting companies. The vendors provided additional information about designing, installing, and maintaining detention ponds, wetlands, natural areas, and other drainage infrastructure.
Special thanks to all the speakers and vendors for helping make this a successful event!
If you weren't able to make the workshop, a recording of the presentations will be available on our HOA Workshop webpage soon.
2026 Watershed Management Board Funded Projects Approved
The Watershed Management Board (WMB) has chosen 10 projects to receive a total of $232,100 in funding through the WMB Grant and Watershed Management Assistance Grant (WMAG) during Fiscal Year 2026. The WMAG supports the growth and sustainability of local watershed partnerships in Lake County. The WMB Grant helps fund local drainage improvement, flood reduction and water quality projects.
Congratulations to our winners!
The projects chosen to receive grant funding are:
Daybreak Farm Shoreline Restoration Phase 1, Daybreak Farm Community Association
The shoreline will be stabilized with riprap and a French drain will be installed. Invasive plants will be removed and native buffer plants will be installed to limit flooding and sediment loads.
Del Mar Woods Drainage Improvement, Lake County Stormwater Management Commission
A consultant will create a phased plan to combat flooding by identifying drainage improvements and stormwater storage options in the community.
East Main Pump Station Bank Stabilization, Lake County Public Works Department
Metal wire baskets, rock slope with a native cap, and a full native slope will be used for streambank stabilization to limit erosion that threatens the stream, the pump stationâs access road and eventually the building itself.
Lake Aldo Leopold Lake Management Plan, Prairie Crossing Homeowners Association (WMAG)
A management plan will be created to address nutrient levels, aquatic vegetation and water quality impairments. This will also be a stewardship guide for future HOA board members.
Petite Lake Drainageway Sediment and Erosion Control Phase 2 Project, Lake Villa Township
A ravine with invasive plants and overgrowth will be cleared and restored with native plants. Then stone structures and an outlet scour pool will be installed.
Ray Lake Hydrologic Analysis Project, Lake County Forest Preserve District
Drain tile systems will be removed, overland flow paths will be reconfigured and stabilized, and critical drainage systems will be improved to implement restoration efforts at the Ray Lake Forest Preserve.
Route 45 Preserve Hydrological & Ecological Restoration Project Phase 2, Libertyville Township
A sedge meadow, stream, prairie and wetland prairie will be restored at an abandoned tree nursery to reduce stormwater, sediment, and excess nutrient runoff in the Bull Creek watershed.
Sustainable Landscapes: Demonstrations, Data and Outreach Phase 2, Openlands
Four traditional, native landscapes will be installed in the Grayslake Village Center to assist with flood reductions and water quality improvements. The project also includes data collection with outreach and education to local landscapers.
Tower Lake Gateway Vegetated Streambed Restoration Project, Tower Lakes Improvement Association
Non-native vegetation will be removed, replaced with native trees, shrubs and grasses, with meanders and rock features installed to reduce flow and improve infiltration. A five-year maintenance plan for invasive species control will also be created.
University of Saint Mary of the Lake Shoreline Wellness Initiative, University of Saint Mary of the Lake
Shoreline erosion will be stabilized on St. Mary Lake, with over an acre of buckthorn removed. This will reduce sediment accumulation, reduce erosion of trails and lower nutrient amounts in the lake.
Learn more about the Watershed Management Board.
Registration is now open to attend the Designated Erosion Control Inspector (DECI) Make-Up Webinar, hosted by the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC).Â
Register here to attend this virtual webinar and learn about creating successful green infrastructure, sustainable practices, local case studies, and more. This webinar is open to anyone interested in water quality, soil erosion, and sediment control practices.
DECI Make-Up Webinar
Tuesday, March 17
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join the meeting. You will receive 4.5 professional development hours for attending. Registration is required.
If you have questions regarding the webinar, please contact Mea Blauer at iblauer2@lakecountyil.gov or at 847-377-7701.
SMC Projects Recognized for Improving Transportation Resilience
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency of Planning (CMAP) recently released their Transportation Resilience Improvement Plan (TRIP). This report identifies where the Chicagoland regional transportation system is vulnerable to extreme weather and climate change, and how we can prepare and invest in the future so it can be made more resilient.
As storms become more intense and temperatures rise, it increases flooding, cracks pavement, disrupts transit and damages infrastructure. In the future, these impacts will continue to grow. The TRIP highlights 64 projects that are strengthening the resilience of our regional transportation system to better withstand these impacts. Six Lake County Stormwater Management Commission projects are featured in the report. They are:
- Four Corners Drainage Improvement Project Phase 3 located in Round Lake
- Grassmere, Haverton, and Oaksbury Pond Drainage Improvements Project located in North Barrington
- Knollwood Subdivision Flood Mitigation and Road Improvements located in Fox Lake
- Montesano Avenue Improvements located in Waukegan
- Round Lake Drain Master Plan Project Phase 1 located in Round Lake Beach
- West Scranton Avenue Viaduct Project Phase 1 located in Lake Bluff
These projects were funded through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). You can learn more about these DCEO projects and many more with our Stormwater Grants in Action booklet.
Read the full TRIP on CMAPâs website.
Prepare Now for the Next
Weather Emergency
Illinois recently observed Severe Weather Preparedness Week. This week reminds us how important it is to understand local severe weather hazards and take steps to reduce risk before storms occur. Severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, and damaging winds can all affect Lake County, but flooding remains one of the most frequent and costly hazards associated with severe storms.
Flooding generally occurs along rivers, streams and lakes, in low-lying neighborhoods, on streets and underpasses, and near drainageways and storm sewer systems, but can happen anywhere in Lake County because of our large number of lakes and water sources. Itâs important to be informed about local flood risks.
You can learn more about flood preparedness on SMCâs website.
Ready.gov also offers important safety tips and guides to make an emergency plan for you and your family.
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