January 24, 2023
Dear Neighbors,
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I hope your year is getting off to a great start!
It has been an exciting month in Lake County. I am proud to be vice chair of our Special Committee on Broadband, which met for the first time this month. Our District 7 community has played a significant role in bringing the lack of access to adequate broadband connectivity in Lake County to the attention of our County Board. I couldn’t be more excited to help lead this effort that will positively affect our county community for decades to come.
Our committee will work to ensure that our Lake County residents and businesses have access to the technological infrastructure, education, and devices we need to work, grow and thrive for the next three decades. As vice chair, I will be conducting research with our community leaders to better understand and document our technology access needs in Lake County.
Coming up this week, I will again be a team leader for the Lake County Coalition for the Homeless’ annual Point-In-Time (PIT) Count on Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. The PIT Count is a census of all sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons in each county in the United States in a 24-hour time period. The data gathered captures a picture of what homelessness looks like on any given day and helps coordinate services for people in our county experiencing homelessness. Learn more about this meaningful effort, including other ways to help address homelessness in the County.
As always, don’t hesitate to contact me at ccasbon@lakecountyil.gov with questions, concerns, or invitations to community events.
Lake County Government News
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Use Online Tool To Know Your County Board District
For some residents, their County Board District may have changed as a result of the 2021 reapportionment process that created a new County Board district map.
To help Lake County residents identify which County Board district they live in, there is a new easy online tool available. Use the new district lookup tool and type in the home address. From there, see what district they reside in and view information about their current County Board Member.
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Election News
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Early Voting Begins for Feb. 28 Democratic Primary
Voters in the City of North Chicago Ward 2 and the City of Waukegan Wards 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 who want to vote in the Feb. 28 Democratic Primary may now do so at the Lake County Administrative Complex Lobby, 18 N. County St., Waukegan.
This location will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Feb. 18. Hours will expand to include additional weekday and weekend hours through Election Day, beginning Feb. 19.
Beginning Feb. 13, eligible voters will be able to cast their ballot at the City of North Chicago City Hall at 1850 Lewis Ave.
The primary election is not county-wide. Registered Lake County voters in the City of North Chicago Ward 2 and the City of Waukegan Wards 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 may preview their ballot and find additional information at LakeVoterPower.info.
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Want To Serve Your Community? Become An Election Judge
Do you want to learn more about how elections are conducted? Are you interested in serving your community? Consider becoming an Election Judge.
Election Judges administer the proper and lawful conduct of all elections by serving in voting sites.
To serve, election judges must successfully complete the two-part (online and in-person) training offered by the Lake County Clerk's Office before receiving their Election Day assignment.
Sign up using the County Clerk’s Office secure online application or by calling the office’s Election Judge Department at 847-377-2408.
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Public Works News
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Help The County Choose the Name of the New Water Tower
Lake County Public Works will be constructing a new water tower at 18534 W. Old Gages Lake Road, Grayslake. We are looking for your help in choosing the name of the new water tower before construction begins in 2023.
Choose the name you prefer among four options. Provide your feedback using the online form, or you can provide your choice by email or mail. LCPW will leave the form open for submissions until Feb. 5. The name of the new water tower will be announced later in 2023. Learn more
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Transportation News
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Use Lake County PASSAGE To Know Before You Go
The snow that started our week reminds us winter is here and so are messy road conditions that the snow creates. But remember Lake County has built several tools in-house through Lake County PASSAGE for you to get real-time, local traffic information. See the latest road conditions.
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LCDOT Receives Two APWA Awards for Hart Road Projects
The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) recently received two awards from the American Public Works Association (APWA) Lake Branch for its work on Hart Road in 2022.
The Hart Road corridor improvements were recognized as Project of the Year. LCDOT, in conjunction with the Village of Barrington, completed three projects along Hart Road that included improvements to the intersection of Hart Road at US Route 14, the replacement of an existing bridge over Flint Creek, the installation of a new multi-use path and sidewalk, and the resurfacing of Hart Road.
Jeff Dayson, Resident Engineer, also received the APWA Award of Merit for his work on the Hart Road Bridge.
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Environmental News |
Discover Seed Starting for Your Vegetable Garden
Learn timely tips on how to start seeds to grow your own seedlings for your vegetable garden as the 2023 Garden Learning Series begins at 6 p.m. Feb. 15. The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, University of Illinois Extension and Lake County Forest Preserves will partner to provide a series of programs through the year focused on promoting composting and food waste diversion in Lake county. Registration is free to all. Learn more
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Forest Preserves News
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Special Exhibit Opens January 28
Through Darkness to Light: Photographs Along the Underground Railroad opens Saturday, January 28 at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. The special exhibition, featuring the work of photographer Jeanine Michna-Bales, runs through March 19.
Michna-Bales spent more than a decade meticulously researching "fugitive" slaves and the ways they escaped to freedom. While the unnumbered routes of the Underground Railroad encompassed countless square miles, the path Michna-Bales documented encompasses about 2,000 miles. It is based off actual sites, cities and places that freedom-seekers passed through during their journey. Read more »
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Profiles in Excellence Planned
The 40th annual Profiles in Excellence event takes place from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, February 5, at the Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 Green Bay Road in North Chicago. The theme this year is Women in Sports.
Sponsored by the Lake County Forest Preserves, the event commemorates Black History Month by recognizing notable African Americans in the area who will be remembered for their contributions to their community and society for years to come. The event is free and open to all ages. Waukegan native China Jude is the special guest speaker. She is the vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion for the Denver Broncos American football franchise. Read more »
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All About Beavers
All About Beavers is a free program that takes place 5:30 to 6:30 pm, Thursday, February 2 at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. Drop-in with your family to learn about North America’s largest rodent through hands-on activities and a nature-based craft. Our environmental educators designed the program for families with children 12 and under. Adult supervision is required. No registration needed.
Enjoy free programs every first and third Thursday evening at the Dunn Museum. Engage in hands-on programs, and expand your curiosity, thanks to our partner, USG.
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Lake County COVID-19 Update
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COVID-19 Helpful Links
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. Speak to a person in English or Spanish when you call. The 211 team will also interpret more than 150 other languages. Learn more
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Employment Resources
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.
Check Hire Lake County
Check Hire Lake County for information about job opportunities and businesses vetted by the Job Center’s business service team.
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Community Events and News
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Pick Up Fresh Produce, Grains and More at Pop-Up Food Giveaway
Community Action Partnership of Lake County invites you to pick up free fresh produce, nonperishables and more every other Tuesday at its main office parking lot, 2424 Washington St., Waukegan. The pop-up food giveaway runs from 10 to 11 a.m. or until supplies last. Upcoming dates are Jan. 31, Feb. 14 and 28. View the market flyer in English and Spanish
Become A Storm Spotter. Attend Free Training
Learn the basics of storm spotting, thunderstorms, and methods to report severe weather as the National Weather Service hosts a Storm Spotter Training Session at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at Vernon Hills High School. The training is free and open to the public. Classes are appropriate for all ages. Learn more
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State Funds Available To Help Make Home Accessibility Improvements
The Community Partners for Affordable Housing is assisting Lake County residents to distribute state funds that have been received to help residents make home accessibility improvements up to $20,000 per home. This may include ramps, lifts, accessible kitchens and baths, and accessible doorways.
View English flyer
View Spanish flyer
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. |
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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.
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