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Dear Neighbors, |
I hope this finds you, family and neighbors well. I have some interesting developments to report to you.
Quite a few neighbors have asked me "What's going on with Route 53?" Since the highway was proposed to run right through the middle of Grayslake, Wildwood and Hainesville, the subject has been squarely in my sights.
Ever since the Tollway Authority nixed this highway project in 2019, the Illinois General Assembly faced the question on what to do with the 1,000-plus acres of the corridor.
In the middle of last year, Springfield agreed to set up a bi-partisan commission to study what to do with the land. I, along with others up and down the corridor, were appointed to the commission (and had successfully lobbied for its creation). We are meeting at least four times and will need to produce a report by the end of the year.
Based on presentations given by the Lake County Forest Preserve and Stormwater Management Commission (SMC), there are several areas worth preserving for a number of reasons. In our immediate area, the northeast section of the corridor -- roughly along Route 120 going east to the Tollway -- is where the Almond Marsh complex and an Illinois Nature Preserve are home to several native plant and animal species. In an area near the Grayslake Park District park on Alleghany Road, the headwaters of Mill Creek reside.
One question that I asked during the last commission meeting raised a practical, longer-term concern: Would preserving and restoring wetlands near Alleghany Park prevent flooding downstream in the heart of Grayslake and Third Lake? (Remember the awful floods of 2017?) Kurt Woolford, the executive director of our SMC, said "yes," although much more study is needed.
As the commission's work unfolds, many stakeholders will be involved -- and we truly want to hear from everyone -- but some critical questions are being asked: How can we create a continuous trail and wildlife corridor? How can we expand and connect forest preserves? How can we encourage "green" public, residential, transportation and commercial uses? That's where you come in. Please let me know your thoughts. I'm at jwasik@lakecountyil.gov.
Forest Preserve News
At Tuesday's board meeting, commissioners approved access to preserve property for the non-profit Farm Foundation to what was formerly known as the Casey/Radical Root Farm.
The farm is directly across from our Independence Grove Dog Park and adjacent to the Casey Road trail that goes into the preserve and links to the Des Plaines River Trail. It was closed some time ago, although many of you will remember that it was extensively rehabilitated by Conserve Lake County (Liberty Prairie Conservancy), long since merged with Openlands.
Why is this significant? The Farm Foundation is proposing to locate a regional "Innovation and Education Center" at the farm property and create a "state of the art facility" for "gathering, breaking bread, accelerated learning and community engagement."
While I haven't seen detailed plans for the center, an executive with the foundation told me they could collaborate with the Forest Preserve and other non-profits such as the Liberty Prairie Foundation on areas like regenerative agriculture. At first blush, it looks like a good fit for that site; I will certainly keep you posted.
And if you haven't seen the Ansel Adams exhibit yet, please stop by the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. This is a rare opportunity to see Adams' powerful early work.
If you have immediate needs for rental, food or mental health assistance or there are other ways the county can help you, please call 2-1-1. I am available to talk to your community or faith group about county and forest preserve activities. As always, it's my honor to serve you.
Be well,
John Wasik
Lake County Board District 6
John Wasik Webpage
Lake County Government News
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Celebrate 211 Day in Lake County
Friday, February 11 is 211 Day in Lake County. 211 is a free, confidential one-stop resource that can connect you to services you need.
Call 211 or text your zip code to 898211 to speak to a live highly trained expert navigator who will lead you to help you need. 211 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is available in more than 150 different languages.
Since its launch in 2019, 211 has made more than 125,000 connections from every zip code in Lake County for help with housing and shelter, rent and utility assistance, food, mental health and addictions, healthcare, and much more. For more information about 211, visit 211lakecounty.org.
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Commercial Property Owners Invited to Learn about C-PACE Program
Lake County will host a virtual webinar from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, February 18 to kick off our new Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program. Lake County’s commercial property owners can learn about what C-PACE is and how they can apply for Lake County’s program.
Join the Webinar
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County Board Reinstates Temporary Open Burning Restrictions in Unincorporated Lake County
At its Feb. 8 meeting, the Lake County Board approved to reinstate temporary open burning restrictions within unincorporated Lake County. The temporary restrictions will apply until the permanent restrictions enacted in January go into effect on June 1, 2022.
The temporary restrictions allow open burning on all properties in unincorporated Lake County from sunrise to sunset on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only, as was the case through much of 2020 and 2021. The temporary ordinance also will allow open burning from sunrise to sunset any day of the week if the burning occurs at least 500 feet from the nearest habitable structure. There are exemptions for prescribed habitat and ecological landscape burns.
Residents who live within unincorporated Lake County may continue to burn all yard waste until the permanent ordinance provisions take effect on June 1.
Learn more about open burning in unincorporated Lake County at lakecountyil.gov/openburning.
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Lake County COVID-19 Update
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How Do You Know if a COVID-19 Testing Site is Legitimate
COVID-19 Helpful Links
Get Help
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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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Veterans assistance: The Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County can help veterans and their families with a variety of issues, including financial help, survivor spousal benefits, burial arrangements and more. Learn more
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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
Employment Resources
Public Works News
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See the Public Works Improvements Programmed for Next Five Years
Lake County’s 2022-2026 Public Works Capital Improvement Program is now available. The program is created annually to plan, design and construct projects that are necessary to preserve, modernize and expand the water and wastewater systems under the jurisdiction of Lake County.
View the 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Program to see the projects Lake County Public Works will be working on over the next several years.
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Recorder of Deeds Office News
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In-Person Services Are Temporarily Suspended
Until further notice, the Recorder of Deeds Office will not be offering in-person services due to the increase of COVID-19 positive cases in Lake County. The office is currently operating from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Documents to be recorded can be brought to the office’s drop box, and staff are available to answer phones and respond to emails. Learn more
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Treasurer's Office News |
Join Zoom Class to Learn About Grants Available to Non-Profits
Join Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim and Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs as they host a Zoom program at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11 to explain the Charitable Trust Fund available to non-profit organizations. Grants of up to $20,000 are available to qualifying non-profits working in areas of food, housing and workforce and economic development. Register to join this program
Nineteenth Judicial Circuit News
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Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Implements Crime Victims’ Services Fund
Non-profit organizations, local government agencies, and agencies providing services to the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit may apply for grant funding to assist crime victims in Lake County through the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court Crime Victims Services Fund.
Grants, which may not exceed $50,000 may be used to create new programming, enhance an agency’s current programming, purchase one-time capital items, or be applied toward larger capital projects. Learn more
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Forest Preserves News
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Plowed Trails Provided
The Lake County Forest Preserves offers a few trails that are plowed during the winter, snowy months. Shortly after storms, paved loops are cleared at Hastings Lake in Lake Villa, Old School in Mettawa and Independence Grove in Libertyville. Learn more about winter activities and view status maps: www.LCFPD.org/winter-sports/
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Nature Blog
The winter landscape, stripped of its lush layers of leaves and fields of flowers, reveals hidden homes, writes Environmental Educator Jen Berlinghof. “It’s surprising to see how many critters have been raising families without us always noticing.” The most recent Lake County Nature Blog features information about American goldfinches, eastern gray squirrels and bald-faced hornets. Learn more »
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Virtual Program: Restored Landscape
“The Restored Landscape of Lake County,” a free virtual program, takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 17. The discussion revolves around how the Lake County Forest Preserves focus on landscape preservation, with a close look at the transformative restoration of Ethel’s Woods in Antioch. Registration is required. A Zoom link will be emailed to participants no later than one hour prior to the start of the program. Email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org with questions. To register»
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Community Events & News
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Discover Fun Things To Do Through February
Application Process To Begin for Housing Authority Voucher Waiting List
The Lake County Housing Authority will open the opportunity to complete a pre-application for the Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List. The opportunity to apply will be open from 8 a.m. Feb. 21 to 11:59 p.m. Feb. 25. Submission of a pre-application does not guarantee a family a spot on the waiting list. Learn more
Become a Severe Weather Spotter
The National Weather Service will offer free training webinars where you can learn the nature of tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and other severe weather systems, how to report severe weather to the National Weather Service, the role of trained spotters, and more.
Sessions will be offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 24, 28, March 8 and 16. Register today to join a webinar!
Watch All County Board and Committee Meetings
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All Lake County board and committee meetings can be viewed on 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 also is welcome to attend all meetings in person at the Lake County Administrative Tower, 18 N. County Street, 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.
Here are links to the most recent board and committee meetings, including the video recordings and agendas:
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