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Dear Neighbors, |
On April 11, the Lake County Board approved a resolution in support of “Ethan’s Law” on a unanimous vote with full bi-partisan support.
Ethan’s Law (IL Senate Bill 1521) would require safe storage of firearms, that firearms be locked and secured in any home where children under age 18 are present. Firearms are now the leading cause of death for children and teens in our country. By approving this resolution, the County Board added our voice of support to the effort to pass this law in Springfield.
At our March Committee of the Whole meeting, we had the opportunity to hear from Kristin and Mike Song, whose son Ethan was killed when a child had access to an unsecured handgun at a friend’s house in 2018. Since that time, Mike and Kristin have campaigned for safe storage laws across the country.
At our April 12 Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting, we approved the purchase of electric utility vans and electric mowers to replace diesel burning utilities. This is the first time the Lake County Forest Preserves has purchased electric utility vehicles and continues our progress to reduce our district’s impact on our environment.
The County Board is always seeking volunteers to serve our community on the dozens of boards and commissions under the County’s jurisdiction. View the full list of boards and commissions
Currently, there are opportunities for individuals to serve on the Board of the Southlake Mosquito Abatement District. If you live in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood or Riverwoods and are interested in serving on the Board of The Southlake Mosquito Abatement District Board, please contact me at: pfrank@lakecountyil.gov
Thank you for reading my newsletter.
Lake County Government News
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Small Businesses Affected by Highland Park July 4 Shooting May Apply for Loans. Deadline To Apply Is April 25
The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses in Illinois and Wisconsin affected by the Highland Park Parade mass shooting and related investigation that occurred July 4 to 10, 2022 that the deadline is approaching to apply for working capital disaster loans.
Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations with economic losses from the incident should apply by the April 25 deadline. The declaration includes the counties of Cook, Lake and McHenry in Illinois; and Kenosha in Wisconsin. Learn more
County Board Recognizes Professionals, Cultural Groups, Causes
 The Lake County Board presented numerous special recognitions at its April 11 meeting. These included National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week to honor 9-1-1 and dispatch center staff, and National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognized the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center and their work to prevent child abuse and neglect. For National Public Health Week, we thank the dedicated health care workers who supported our county through the pandemic and work to better community health.
The board also recognized Holocaust Remembrance Day and Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust, Arab American Heritage Month, Autism Awareness Month and Fair Housing Month. Watch the April 11 County Board Meeting
Help Lake County Join Forces Against Child Abuse
In honor of April being Child Abuse Prevention Month, community partners are coming together to support the Blue Kids Program. The program encourages residents to learn more about child abuse prevention in Lake County by knowing the signs and creating awareness. Learn more about the Blue Kids Program
The Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center sees about 1,000 child victims each year, providing not only a place for forensic interviews, but also offering counseling and direct support to child victims and their families in a child-friendly atmosphere.
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County Plans Numerous Workshops for Vendors or Businesses
Lake County is committed to working with the County’s diverse and inclusive vendor community. We understand that doing business with government can sometimes be confusing and overwhelming. So we hosted a recent webinar, Working with Lake County is as Easy as 1, 2, 3 , to help explain the process and make it more user-friendly. The recording of the webinar can be found on our website.
Workshops also have been scheduled to help navigate the procurement process with Lake County and provide an interactive discussion on possible challenges one may face. Learn more
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Volunteer Your Time in the Kids Korner
The Kids Korner is a fun place where kids can wait in the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan while their parents or guardians take care of court business. Volunteer in the Kids Korner and help provide this incredible service to those who come to the courthouse.
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Meet Our Community Development Team
It’s National Community Development Week, so we want to give a shoutout to this dedicated group. They work hard to administer federal funds by working with local agencies to identify housing and community development needs in Lake County. To highlight some of their work, learn more about recent projects they worked on with our communities.
 Top right: Clearbrook Wright’s Home in Gurnee: This project rehabilitated an existing group home that had drainage issues. The home now serves as a Community Integrated Living Arrangement facility to accommodate individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, all low income and are Medicaid-eligible. The Lake County Board appropriated funding to help support this project; Bottom left: Kirwan Apartments in Waukegan: This 24-unit affordable housing residence is designed to allow adults with physical disabilities to live independently. Units are equipped with accessible kitchens and appliances, a large bathroom turning radius and roll-in showers. The Lake County Board appropriated funding from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development to help support this project; Bottom right: Demolition Project in Zion: An abandoned building was recently demolished in the City of Zion to make way for future development.
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Stormwater Management News |
Hats On and Shovels Ready, SMC Construction Is Starting
Spring is construction season in Illinois. Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is gearing up for several infrastructure projects to vastly improve regional and local stormwater issues that will help reduce flooding impacts for hard-hit communities across Lake County.
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Public Works News
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Spring Hydrant Flushing Has Begun
Lake County Public Works is conducting its semi-annual water hydrant flushing program, weather permitting. The process will be performed between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. and is anticipated to be completed May 12.
During and immediately after flushing, you may notice a slight discoloration of your water due to the disturbance in the water main. This is not harmful and will dissipate after a short time. Residents are urged not to do laundry during periods of flushing in your area to avoid staining of clothing. After flushing, we recommend running cold water for several minutes to clear your pipes.
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Job News |
Workforce Development Is Expanding Access To Jobs and Talent
Lake County Workforce Development is using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to expand engagement and outreach to local businesses and job seekers while providing job seekers with work experience opportunities and occupational training. The goal is to address skills gaps and to improve the economic standing of local employers and residents.
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Job Center of Lake County Is Your Career Solution
The Job Center of Lake County can help you to transition careers, identify job opportunities and connect with employers.
Watch this video to learn more about the virtual and onsite resources that are available to all job seekers through the Job Center partners. And view the full Job Center calendar to learn about various 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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State's Attorney's Office News |
Thank You Carol and Browser for Your Service to Lake County
Lake County recently gave a fond, farewell to Cyber Crime Analyst Carol Gudbrandsen and electronic detection canine Browser, who've retired from the State's Attorney's Office.
Carol started at the State's Attorney's Office in 2010 and worked in the Cyber Crime Division, specializing in digital evidence forensics of computers, mobile devices, and computer networks. She has been an integral part of criminal investigations including homicides, crimes against children, sexual assault, theft, burglary, and white-collar crimes.
By her side for the past six years has been Browser, an English Labrador who was trained to sniff out a bonding chemical baked on to all electronic circuitries. He assisted Carol and other law enforcement agencies throughout Lake County, including federal agencies, in search warrants.
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Public Defender's Office News
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Gideon v. Wainwright Paves Way for Public Defender’s Day
Lake County recently recognized National Public Defender’s Day and the 60th anniversary of the Gideon v. Wainwright case, in which the Supreme Court held that the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee a right of legal counsel to anyone accused of a crime, even if they could not afford to pay for counsel. The unanimous decision made the Public Defender's profession possible.
Here in Lake County, the Public Defender's Office consists of 52 employees, all of whom work together to serve the indigent accused in Lake County. Public Defender Joy Gossman is the first woman to be appointed to the role. Watch this video to learn more about National Public Defender's Day and the incredible work done daily by this department.
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Get Help
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Use 211 to Get Connected to the Help You Need
Finding the help you need may be three numbers away. If you need help finding food, healthcare, shelter, or other services, call 211 or text your zip code to 898211 to speak with someone who can help 24/7. Speak to a live person in English or Spanish when you call. The 211 team will also interpret more than 150 languages. The service is free and confidential. Learn more
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Forest Preserves News
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2,200 Pounds of Food and Toiletries Collected for Charity
The Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County in Libertyville celebrated its five-year anniversary last week by offering free admission to visitors with the donation of a non-perishable food item or toiletry. Collected items benefit the Libertyville Township Food Pantry.
Nearly 2,000 people visited from March 25 to April 2, a 20% increase over spring break week last year. More than 2,200 pounds of food and toiletries were collected for the food pantry. “The generosity of the visitors over this past week has been amazing,” said Museum Operations Manager Alicia Fullerton who coordinated the effort with the food pantry. Learn more »
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Current Horizons Magazine Online
New Exhibition Opening at the Dunn Museum
A special exhibition, "Ready, Set, Go! Lake County's Racing History," has opened at the Bess Bower Dunn Museum in Libertyville. It runs through September 10.
Inspired by artifacts in the Museum's collections and those shared by other Lake County historical organizations, the exhibit examines racing venues and many forms of racing that have occurred in Lake County. The exhibit features photographs and artifacts of boat races on the Chain O' Lakes, harness racing at the Lake County Fair, motor racing at Half Day and Waukegan speedways, runners at 5Ks and the Lake County Races and more. Find details »
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Community Events & News
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Spring Has Sprung! Check Out A Guide To Spring Festivals
Whether or not we base our meteorology off a ground-dwelling mammal that can locate his or her shadow and predict the weather is moot now. Experience the fanfare of our warming season as Visit Lake County provides you the guide to spring festivals in Lake County.
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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.
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