Dear Neighbors,

Our County Board is taking another step forward to increase accessibility and transparency for how we conduct our work on your behalf.

Our Diversity Equity and Inclusion and Financial and Administrative committees have both voted to advance a policy that would enact on-demand technology-enabled closed captioning in English and Spanish for all County Board meetings and committee meetings. 

Our county is home to a large Spanish language speaking population, and we believe it is important to ensure that government services as well as our policy deliberations are accessible as possible to everyone.

We welcomed our new County Administrator Patrice Sutton at a reception recently, and we also thanked and bid farewell to our retiring County Administrator Gary Gibson. I’ve gotten to know them both in my time on this Board, and I truly believe that our communities have benefited greatly from Gary’s leadership.

I am excited to work with Patrice going forward. Administrator Sutton has served as our County’s Chief Financial Officer for the past several years, and I have worked closely with her in my role as the Financial and Administrative Committee Chair. I know that our County is in good hands.

I recently attended several local government meetings including the City of Highland Park’s quarterly Government Partner / Intergovernmental meeting where representatives of all our different government bodies met to discuss common issues and share updates.  I also sat down with Lake Forest Mayor Randy Tack and City Manager Jason Wicha to learn more about Lake Forest’s priorities and to share updates about the County and the Forest Preserve District.

Last, I attended a press briefing to learn more about the status of Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, which recently had its level two trauma center designation suspended by the Illinois Department of Public Health in response to concerns raised by Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek. 

I applaud Coroner Banek for speaking up on behalf of patient safety, and we are hopeful that Vista can implement corrective action to restore its status. Vista has long been an important piece of the County’s healthcare delivery system, and it is needed.  While the County has no direct role in the operations of private hospitals, I will be following their progress closely.

Lake County Government News  

On February 2, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that Vista Medical Center East is no longer an Illinois Designated Level II Trauma Center in EMS Region 10. This change in status was due to the absence of a number of requirements for Vista to retain its trauma designation. As a result those requiring a higher level of care may need to travel further for definitive care during an emergency.

On Monday, Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek, Lake County Health Department Executive Director Mark Pfister, and Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart held a joint press conference to address community impact and health systems implications regarding recent challenges facing Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, Illinois. You can read more about the press conference and the shared expectations for Vista Medical Center East via the press release.

Lake County is seeking qualified candidates to serve on the Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). The ZBA is established under the statutory provisions of the County’s Code and focuses on zoning in the unincorporated areas of Lake County.

Residents of Lake County, whether they reside in the unincorporated area or in a village/city who are interested in serving on the ZBA are encouraged to apply online. Those interested in serving are encouraged to apply by March 1. Learn more 

Lake County recently celebrated 211 Day, celebrating this free 24/7 easy-to-remember helpline that connects residents to a wide range of essential health and human services. 

If you need help finding food, healthcare, shelter, or other services, call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 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. Expert navigators are trained specialists who listen, identify underlying problems, and guide people to available resources.  

Since its start, 211 has made more than 250,000 connections in every zip code in Lake County, providing help for housing and shelter, rent and utility assistance, mental health and addictions, food, healthcare and more. 

Visit 211 to learn more

Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart attended an event at the White House to discuss the positive impacts of President Biden's Investing in America Agenda for communities in Illinois and Indiana.

The “Communities in Action” forum, held on Feb. 1, gathered leaders who shared their success stories about community revitalization, economic recovery, sustainable energy initiatives, and increased access to health services. Learn more

Voters may begin casting their ballots for the March 19 General Primary Election 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, through March 1.

County-wide early voting opens at designated locations on March 4. Lake County voters may use any early voting site regardless of where they live.

View the full list of early voting locations Hours and dates vary at each location. Some sites offer extended weekend and evening hours.

Find more election information

Sustainability News 

If you are considering solar panel installation for your home or business, beat the Feb 21 decision deadline to harness the power of group buying and secure a discounted price from local installers through Solar Switch. 

Solar Switch is a solar group buying program to promote renewable solar energy options, open to residents and businesses in unincorporated Lake County. Learn about the basics of solar, how it can lower energy costs, and how the program can make it more affordable.

Watch this video and visit the Solar Switch website to learn more 

The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County has upgraded its special materials collection and now will accept car seats in addition to other hard to recycle items such as latex paint, single-use propane, and fire extinguishers.  

The collection events are open only to Lake County residents and will begin in March. The special materials collection services are available by appointment only. Learn more

Please note this service is separate from the household chemical waste collection that SWALCO also operates. 

Transportation News

Has your time on the roads been a little bumpy lately? The break from snow is allowing the Lake County Division of Transportation crews to catch up on the recent crop of potholes following the freeze and thaw cycles.

If you encounter potholes or any road issue on a County highway, you can report your concern to the LCDOT through this online form.

If it’s a state highway or interstate, you can report it to the Illinois Department of Transportation by calling 800-452-IDOT (4368).

The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit is accepting applications from non-profit organizations, local governments and agencies that provide services to crime victims and their families and seek grant funding through the Crime Victims Services Fund. 

Last year, $100,000 in grants were awarded to the Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center and Prairie State Legal Services to further efforts to provide services to crime victims and their families. 

Access instructions to complete the Crime Victims’ Services Funding application. Completed applications are due by April 1, and grants will be awarded by May 1. Submit an application via email to CrimeVictimsServicesFund@lakecountyil.gov.

Job News

Pace is holding events in Lake County and across the Chicago area to showcase employment opportunities to job seekers. Meet with Pace staff and complete the screening process. Learn more about the pre-hire events and this job opportunity.

The Job Center of Lake County can help you to transition careers, identify job opportunities and connect with employers.

Watch this virtual information session about the Job Center of Lake County, apply for training or work experience, and access important documents.. And view the full 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.

Forest Preserves News

Two Illinois organizations recognized the outstanding contributions of the Lake County Forest Preserves with four esteemed awards for excellence in public communications and design. Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) and Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) announced the honors at the largest state park and recreation conference in the nation.

The Forest Preserves secured second place in the top Overall Agency Showcase category. This acknowledgment encompassed the entire spectrum of print, digital and social media materials submitted. The team also earned:

1st Place: Brochure–for Horizons magazine. LCFPD.org/horizons to subscribe. 
2nd Place: Marketing Campaign–for the 25th anniversary of Hike Lake County. 
3rd Place: Social Media Campaign–for promotion of the Beer Garden at Independence Grove. Read more »

Expect exciting changes in both events and culinary offerings at Independence Grove in Libertyville. Relish Events at Independence Grove is now the on-site caterer for special occasions and café operator.

Explore the picturesque venue and connect with event vendors at an introductory “Fall in Love” gathering specializing in weddings. It takes place Sunday, February 18 from 11 am. to 2 p.m. at Audubon Hall at Independence Grove. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cocktails will be served. Click to RSVP »

Our impact extends beyond the footprint of Lake County. Recently, Restoration Ecologist Dan Sandacz published a research article in the scientific journal Frontiers in Conservation Science. Pati Vitt, director of natural resources, is a co-author.

The article delves into the decline of Pitcher’s thistle (Cirsium pitcheri), a federally threatened plant species. Sandacz's research casts light on how the thistle's drop in population has negative implications for the plant-pollinator community in Door County, Wisconsin. The work emphasizes how the loss of a vital plant species impacts its ecosystem. Discover more »

Community Events & News

Love is in the air as Valentine's Day approaches, and Lake County is gearing up to celebrate romance in style. There is a plethora of Valentine's Day festivities to make your heart skip a beat. Check Visit Lake County’s guide to 50 plus Valentine’s Day date ideas to find ways to indulge in love, laughter and delight.

Watch All County Board and Committee Meetings 

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.