Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you, family and neighbors well. My wife and I have been enjoying hitting the trails and talking to neighbors. My dog Brogan and I have nearly walked all of the trails in the Hike Lake County Challenge, which are spread out throughout our gorgeous county. 

Speaking of trails, I wanted to give you an update on the Illinois Route 53 Land Expansion Alternative Use Task Force. I was appointed a member, along with many other representatives from our area, to come up with alternatives to the long-cancelled highway project. We are close to drafting a final report, which will be sent to the Illinois General Assembly around the end of the year.

The good news is that there's a consensus on the task force to create a greenway, a natural corridor that would stretch from Lake-Cook Road to Route 120 in Grayslake. I support this concept, which may deed or transfer state-owned land to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). 

If the land ends up in the hands of IDNR, the General Assembly will also need to fund the creation and ongoing expenses of a 1,000-acre state park.

Here are some of the guiding principles directing our plan

In addition to these principles, I would also like the task force to recommend that parcels along the corridor be reserved for regenerative or sustainable agriculture. Lake County has a rich tradition of farming. Growing food locally can reduce the cost of producing it.

Of course, much has to happen in Springfield for this greenway to become reality. I have personally asked Gov. Pritzker for his support. We will know more after the new legislature is seated in January. 

Learn more about the Route 53 Task Force  

November 8 General Election
Please note: Early voting sites are now open across Lake County, and you also can still request to vote by mail. Please make a plan to vote. Check the voter information guide, mentioned below in my newsletter, to find out more about the Nov. 8 General Election.

Forest Preserve News

What could the future of Lake County look like? I encourage you to explore the On to 2050 exhibit at the Forest Preserve's Dunn Museum. It's a visual display of what's possible. The exhibit runs through Nov. 13.  

As always, it's my honor and privilege to serve you. I am available to speak before any civic, faith or service group. You can contact me at jwasik@lakecountyil.gov.

Lake County Government News  

The Lake County Board held its annual hearings on the County’s proposed Fiscal Year 2023 recommended budget. The proposed $597.7 million budget is flat, compared to last year, and the operating funds budgets are up only 1.6%.

After the budget hearings, further revisions will likely be made to the budget, and the board is anticipated to vote on the final budget at its Nov. 15 meeting.

Watch the full budget hearings.

The purpose of Lake County’s legislative program is to pursue new laws and authorities, oppose laws that are believed to have a negative impact on county government and residents, and pursue funding from the State of Illinois and the federal government.

The County's Legislative Committee and County Administrator's Office establish the state and federal legislative program, which is approved by the county board annually.

View the County’s Fiscal Year 2023 Legislative Agenda 

Have you taken the Lake County website survey yet? We want your feedback about lakecountyil.gov to help us improve our website. Please take a minute to complete this quick survey by Friday, Oct. 28.

Transportation News

The Lake County Division of Transportation is conducting the final virtual public forum for the Washington Street Bike Path Project. Today is the final day to give your feedback. Learn more, see the proposed improvements, and submit comments and concerns.

All comments received will be summarized and become part of the public involvement documentation. Construction is planned for 2024, depending on funding availability, land acquisition, securing permits, and project readiness.

Crashes involving deer increase significantly during the fall during deer mating season. Deer become more active, mainly at dawn and dusk from October through December. Last year, 42% of those crashes in Illinois occurred in October, November and December. Check these driving tips to consider during deer mating season

Election News

The November 8 General Election Voter Information Guide is available online. The guide includes a list of all offices being contested, the candidates, referenda, early voting sites, Election Day voting sites, and more.

Environmental News

The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County has partnered with local organizations to offer pumpkin composting again this year. The Pumpkin Smash is an annual effort to divert pumpkins and other fall materials like gourds and corn stalks from landfills. They also decay into wonderful material for rich compost for our local agriculture.

Check out this year's Pumpkin Smash locations

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year in Lake County. The cooler weather and changing leaves make it a great time to marvel at the scenery. Fall also signifies a time of year that is all too familiar with property owners - leaf cleanup! As you glance at the colorful leaves now laying at your feet, here are some options to consider using or collecting those leaves this fall. 

Lake County Public Works is launching a new online payment platform on Nov. 1 that will allow customers to both view their bill and pay online in one place. Customers that want to pay their bill online and receive paperless billing will need to re-register and create an account with the new payment platform starting in November. Learn more

Sheriff's Office News

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, misuse, and overdose.

Lake County is joining National Drug Enforcement Agency Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 29 and urges you to properly dispose unused drugs to save lives and the environment. There are 32 permanent prescription drug disposal boxes at police departments across the County.

View items accepted and not accepted in disposal boxes
Find a collection box near you

Donate your new or gently used adult and children’s coats and outerwear to help area veterans and their families as part of the Lake County Law Enforcement Veteran's Coat Drive. Drop off your donation at one of these locations:

• Sheriff’s Office, 25 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Waukegan
• Patrol Substation, 1301 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville
• Lake County Administrative Complex, Court Security Office, 18 N. County St., Waukegan

The Job Center of Lake County can help you to transition careers, identify job opportunities and connect with employers. Watch this video to learn about virtual and onsite resources that are available to job seekers through the Job Center partners. And view the Job Center calendar to learn about upcoming events and resources.  

The Success newsletter shares stories of individuals and employers who benefited by using the resources of Lake County Workforce Development and the Job Center of Lake County. Read their stories today.

Forest Preserves News 

The fall issue of Horizons magazine is now available. Horizons is a quarterly publication of your Lake County Forest Preserves featuring articles on Lake County wildlife, nature, history, news, programs and events.

This issue covers information about fall fungi, details about Hike Lake County, facts about the Preservation Foundation, an update on the Lakewood Master Plan and more. Read it online or subscribe to receive the magazine FREE in your mailbox: LCFPD.org/horizons. Read it online » 

In response to growing community interest in controlling invasive species, the Lake County Forest Preserves developed a library of free resources that support efforts to eradicate common or European buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).

Growing up to 22 feet tall, buckthorn is a non-native, invasive shrub or tree that harms native plants and wildlife. The educational materials were designed to support residents and landowners through the process of removing the species from their property. These free, easy-to-use resources can be accessed at LCFPD.org/buckthorn and LCFPD.org/nativeplants. Learn more »

The 2023 budget places a heavy focus on restoration and technology. The Lake County Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners approved the $68,674,017 budget that represents a decrease of $17,412,834 (20.2%) from the previous year’s modified budget. The decrease is due to a reduction in capital expenditures and debt service. It covers expenditures for the period from January 1 through December 31, 2023.

"Many factors influenced this budget, including inflation this past year that has been running higher than it has for the last 30 years," said Executive Director Alex Ty Kovach. "Current economic data indicates that this higher rate of inflation is going to be around for a while and impact budgets for the foreseeable future." Learn more »

Lake County COVID-19 Update  

• Find a Vaccine 
• Find a COVID-19 testing location  
• Illinois Vaccine Administration Data 
• Lake County Coronavirus Data Hub 

Get Help

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

Community Events and News

Dust off the candy bags and buckets. Snip off stray strands from the costumes. And parents, wear a nice pair of sneakers for walking! It’s that time when your youngsters go door-to-door and demand people to smell their feet and provide their taste buds with some nourishing sugar treats. These are the trick or treat hours in Lake County.

Enjoy two weekends of independent films as the 12th Lake County Film Festival comes to the College of Lake County in Grayslake and the Gorton Center in Lake Forest. The festival begins Nov. 3 with a free presentation of the student short film competition. The festival continues with screenings Nov. 4 to 6 and then Nov. 11 to 14. Learn more

Watch All County Board and Committee Meetings