May 27, 2021
Dear Neighbors,
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I hope this finds you well and you have a great Memorial Day weekend.
I've received quite a few questions about the reapportionment process for county districts. This happens every 10 years as we receive new Census data. State and congressional districts are also redrawn.
Due to a number of COVID-related and other delays, we won't have the complete census count until this fall. Springfield, however, has required us to draw new districts by our July board meeting, so we'll be using partial -- and in some cases old -- Census data.
We've asked the General Assembly to give us more time to draw maps that represent a more complete picture of how Lake County population has changed over the past decade. But we won't know the status of that request until after Memorial Day.
Why is the most current Census data important? We need to know where people are to draw fair districts that represent our diverse population. We need, for example, a district that represents our LatinX population. I'm strongly in favor of that move.
We're also considering having districts represented by more than one member or a countywide-elected chair, both of which I oppose. In any case, we're doing our best to draw fair maps. There's more on this process on this page.
COVID-19 Update
Please keep in mind that we are still taking walk-ins at nearly all of our COVID-19 vaccination sites. You can bring in your children (ages 12 +) for a free shot. If you know of anyone who hasn't gotten a shot, please tell them it's a community effort to beat the bug. We're definitely making a major dent in infection and hospitalization rates, but we still have more shots to give. Thanks to parents and students who showed up for our "School Spirit Day" at the fairgrounds. It was a fun day full of healing!
One note: Our county fairgrounds vaccination supersite will close in a few weeks, but there are dozens of other locations where you can get a vaccine. Find a vaccine near you
Forest Preserve News
We're not only accepting permit applications for our fabulous picnic shelters, our new beer garden will be opening soon at Independence Grove in the old beach house. Stayed tuned for more details. We'll be featuring a variety of locally produced craft beers. Check for updates on the Independence Grove web page.
As always, it's more honor and privilege to serve you. If you need immediate help with housing, food or any social services, please call 2-1-1. I'm also available to speak to your group.
Best,
John Wasik
Lake County Board District 6
John Wasik Webpage
Lake County Government News
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911 Consortium Approves New Technology to Improve Public Safety
In an emergency, response time is critical. In a step to improve 9-1-1 call-taking, dispatch services and public safety throughout Lake County, the Regional 9-1-1 Consolidation Consortium coordinated with the Lake County Board to enter into two contracts with Tyler Technologies of Troy, Michigan to replace and improve public safety technology for participating agencies. The new technology will include Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Mobile Messaging and more. |
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The consortium includes 21 public safety entities working together to improve 9-1-1 service and increase public safety efficiencies for residents and communities. In 2019, the Consortium approved a general plan to move partners toward consolidation of 9-1-1 technology and future operations. Learn more
First Installment of Property Tax Bills Is Due June 7
To view your property tax bill and payment history, and for helpful information about understanding your tax bill, visit the Treasurer’s Office Property Tax web page.
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Public Meetings on Redistricting
On May 19 and 20, Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart hosted four public meetings to talk about upcoming redistricting in Lake County, which happens every 10 years based on new U.S. Census data. Each meeting focused on a separate quadrant of the county. To listen to the discussion, please visit the following links:
County Offices Closed for Memorial Day
All County offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day, Monday, May 31. On this day, we encourage everyone to take some time to reflect and remember all of those who died while in the military in service to our country, and the families who have lost their loved ones. We owe many of the luxuries and freedoms that we enjoy today to the sacrifice they made. |
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Lake County COVID-19 Update
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Mask Guidelines for the Fully Vaccinated
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued new mask guidance for people who are fully vaccinated. If you are fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask in most indoor and outdoor settings. However, if you are not yet fully vaccinated (two weeks past your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or two weeks past your Johnson & Johnson vaccine), you must continue to wear masks as before. |
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llinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health have aligned with CDC guidance and issued an updated executive order. Vaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks:
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On public transit
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In healthcare settings
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In congregate settings
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In schools and daycare settings
We encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated.
How to Find a Vaccine
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There is ample supply of vaccine for everyone who is eligible. It’s easy to schedule an appointment convenient to where you live, and there are also many locations where no appointment is required and you can just walk in.
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To find a convenient vaccination location near you, visit lakecountyil.gov/vaccine, or call our vaccine helpline at 847-377-8130. You may also create an account or login to your current account on our AllVax portal to schedule an appointment.
The last day of operations for the mass vaccination site at the Lake County Fairgrounds will be Monday, June 14. After that date, the Health Department will focus on offering vaccines through a community-based model, including providing vaccinations through mobile units and pop-up events in locations across the county. The vaccination site at 102 W. Water St. in Waukegan will also remain open. Learn more
Current COVID-19 Data
Vaccination Count: According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), as of May 26, there have been 595,710 vaccine doses administered to Lake County residents, and 271,047 residents have been fully vaccinated with two doses. View IDPH Vaccine Administration Data |
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Positivity Rate: As of May 23 the rolling 7-day average testing positivity rate in North Suburban Region 9, which includes Lake and McHenry Counties, was 2.1 percent. View Region 9 information
Get Help
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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. To receive general COVID-19 information via text message, text "COVID19" to 211211. For more information, visit 211lakecounty.org. |
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Other Resources for Help
Many individuals and businesses continue to feel the economic impacts of the pandemic. Here are some additional resources:
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Rental Assistance: Lake County’s new program for renters provides needed relief to those who need help making past-due or current rent and utility payments. Learn more
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Food for Families in Need: Check out the Northern Illinois Food Bank calendar for a list of mobile food pantries and pop-up food markets planned for Lake County. Find food
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Mental Health Support: The Lake County Health Department offers a free, 24/7 confidential hotline for those experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use issue. Call 847-377-8088 any time. Learn more
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Assistance with COBRA Premium Payments: Did you lose your medical benefits when you were laid off? Learn about COBRA and a special healthcare subsidy under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 available through September 1, 2021 at the website for the Employee Benefits Security Administration. Call 866-444-3272 with questions.
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Employment Resources
Are you looking for a job during this challenging time of layoffs, furloughs, and hiring freezes? Here are some helpful resources from the Job Center of Lake County:
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Job Search Resources in a Rough Market; Tuesday, June 8 at 1 p.m. via Zoom: Are you seeking a job or transitioning careers? The Job Center of Lake County can help! Hear our top tips for seeking work during a time of social distancing. Review our online tools to help you land your next job! Register here
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Your Personal Brand & Resumes; Tuesday, June 15 at 1 p.m. via Zoom: Are you seeking a job or changing careers? Regardless of your job title or field, you have a personal brand. Learn how to customize your resume and other written tools to help you land a great job! Register here
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Find more workshops on the Job Center Calendar
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Onsite Help: The Job Center has computers you can use for your job search. Face coverings are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed. To schedule an appointment, call 847-377-3450.
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Get Hired Illinois: Get Hired Illinois is a single portal where individuals can access virtual job fairs, free online training, and current job listings.
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Stormwater Management Commission News
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Fish Lake Drain and Squaw Creek Watershed Stream Inventory Notification
The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is conducting a stream inventory for Fish Lake Drain and Squaw Creek watersheds in Lake County between May and September 2021.
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The stream inventory will assess channel conditions such as bank height, erosion problems, bank vegetation, lateral recession rates, hydraulic structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams, pipes and swales draining to the stream, land use and vegetative cover along the stream corridor, available habitat in the stream, and channel substrate and degree of sedimentation.
The information collected will be used in the development of the update to the watershed-based plans for the Fish Lake Drain and Squaw Creek watersheds. This plan will address water quality impairments, flooding problems and natural resource protection along with other problems and opportunities identified by watershed stakeholders. The watershed plan is expected to be completed in 2022.
Health Department News
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Get Trained in Mental Health First Aid
Learn how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The Health Department is offering Mental Health First Aid classes virtually. This new virtual class is a two-hour self-paced course, followed by four hours of virtual instructor-led training. The new curricula includes expanded content on trauma, addiction, and self-care. Learn more and register |
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Public Works News
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Bill Payment Assistance for Lake County Public Works Customers
Beginning July 1, 2021, water and wastewater shutoffs will resume for Lake County Public Works customers who are behind on their water and sewer bills, as the statewide moratorium on shutoffs that has been in place since March of 2020 is expiring. If you need assistance paying water or sewer bills, please call 2-1-1, where you will be connected with someone who can help you. Renters who need assistance paying any rent or utility bill, including water and sewer, may also apply for the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Forest Preserve News
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New Website Launched
Check out our new website at www.LCFPD.org. It was designed with ADA compliance in mind and with new features that make sure everything web users would need is just a click away or easily searchable. A few new features include: |
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- A new one-stop shopping cart that allows customers to process all their online purchases in a single transaction. They can now add to their cart multiple permits at once, register for multiple events, purchase a product from the Dunn Museum, and donate to the Preservation Foundation all in one easy checkout process.
- Customers can now also make purchases from their mobile device––like registering for events, purchasing a permit, buying a t-shirt from the Dunn Museum, or making a donation to the Foundation––all from their phone or tablet.
The new website is responsive on all devices. You can now switch easily from your phone, tablet, or computer and be able to see all of the same information as page content automatically scales to fit your device screen.
DunnTV YouTube Channel Introduced
The Dunn Museum in Libertyville added a dedicated YouTube channel to its mix of strategies to further engage its audience. Named DunnTV, the channel gives viewers an inside look at the Dunn Museum, operated by the Lake County Forest Preserves at its headquarters at 1899 W. Winchester Road. |
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"We are dedicated to sharing the entwined stories of people, events and nature through exhibitions, education, and community engagement," said Andrew Osborne, superintendent of educational facilities. The channel features videos about the Dunn Museum's collections and exhibits, programming, Lake County history, and other information. Learn more»
Saying Goodbye to our Education Hawk
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our resident education red-tailed hawk, who passed on May 7, 2021. At 33, she was one of the oldest red-tailed hawks on record and a true education ambassador. She lived her life at the Ryerson Conservation Area where she inspired many visitors. Her legacy will live forever in the more than 500,000 people she inspired. Learn more» |
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Community Events and News
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Learn How to Maintain Your Vegetable Garden
“The Vegetable Garden’s Planted: Now What?” is the latest class in the 2021 Garden Learning Series sponsored jointly by the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County and the University of Illinois Extension, Lake County. It will be held virtually via Zoom on June 9 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Learn more and register |
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CLC Free Summer Classes Help Prepare Students for College-Level Work
New students needing to complete a math, English or English Language Instruction (ELI) course that leads to college-level classes are eligible to participate in the Lancer Summer Start program at the College of Lake County. |
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The program pays your tuition, fees, and required textbooks for one pre-college math, English or ELI course and CLC’s college success seminar, CLC 120. You pick the schedule that’s best for you. Any student beginning their education at CLC in summer 2021 and continuing enrollment for fall 2021 is eligible to participate! Learn more
What Happened in Committees?
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All Lake County board and committee meetings are continuing to be conducted remotely. Meetings are live-streamed at lakecounty.tv and on cable television (Comcast channels 18 or 30, depending on where you live, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99). The public is also welcome to view the livestream of all meetings in-person at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, 10th Floor Assembly Room. |
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To maintain proper social distancing, the number of persons permitted to attend will be limited. Public comments can also be submitted by email and phone call. Learn more
To see a current schedule of board and committee meetings, click here.
All meetings are recorded, and are posted on the Lake County website. Here are links to the most recent board and committee meetings, including the video recordings and agendas:
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