Lake County Health and Community Services Committee Meeting - October 7, 2025

The Lake County Health and Community Services Committee met on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 8:32 AM. The meeting covered approvals of minutes, amendments to the HUD Annual Action Plan, a presentation on the successful closure of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, acceptance of multiple health department grants, a workforce development subaward, an update on opioid settlement funds, and destruction of executive session recordings. Members also discussed the impacts of the federal government shutdown on county services.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (September 22, 2025): Motion by Member Cunningham, second by Member Kasman. Passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• 8.2 – Joint Resolution Approving First Amendment to PY2025 HUD Annual Action Plan: Dominic Strazo, Community Development Administrator, presented a proposal to reallocate approximately $200,000 in CDBG funds from an unsuccessful Low-Income Housing Tax Credit project (Full Circle Communities in Waukegan) to two acquisition projects (Community Partners for Affordable Housing/SEPA and Clearbrook) and a sidewalk replacement project in Zion. The reallocation is driven by a March 1, 2025, timeliness test. Home dollars remain with the original project for a 2026 tax credit reappraisal. Member Kasman abstained due to board membership with PADS. Motion passed.
• 8.3 – Presentation on Completion of Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA): Director Eric Wagner and Dominic Strazo presented a detailed overview of the program, which ran from December 2020 through September 2025. Key statistics: Initial $20 million from ERA1, plus additional reallocated funds; total program costs ~$35 million; 11,000+ applications received, 56% funding rate; nearly 5,000 households assisted (over 12,000 residents); 38,000 months of rental assistance paid; and 40 units of permanent affordable housing created in Lake Villa. The program uniquely built its own infrastructure rather than deferring to the state, partnering with 8 townships and multiple nonprofits. Members expressed strong praise and appreciation for staff's work. Questions raised about geographic breakdown and potential for permanent eviction prevention funding. No formal action required.
• 8.4–8.11 – Joint Resolutions for Health Department Emergency Appropriations: The committee voted together on eight resolutions accepting additional funding from the Illinois Department of Public Health and other sources. Total amounts ranged from $6,250 to $413,800. Programs include communicable disease, immunizations, environmental health, WIC outreach, youth substance use prevention (SUPS), child and family connections (early intervention), better birth outcomes, IGRO coordinated intake, opioid overdose prevention (naloxone distribution), and TB direct observation therapy. No new staff hired. Motion to approve all together passed.
• 8.12 – Joint Resolution for Workforce Development Subaward with College of Lake County (CEJA): Director Jennifer Sereno presented a state-funded Climate Equitable Jobs Act initiative. Since January 2025, over 600 inquirants, 275 applications, 96 individuals enrolled, 86 completed a four-week bridge program, and 33 transitioned into technical training (energy audit, home inspector, EV repair, HVAC). 25 individuals have found employment. The resolution authorizes an emergency appropriation of $697,862 and adds three full-time positions. Motion passed.
• 8.13 – Presentation on Lake County Opioid Settlement Funds: Opioid Coordinator Ashley Watson provided an update. Total expected settlements: $9.25 million (excluding pending Purdue Pharma). Received $4.5 million to date. Expenditures through August 2025 included personnel, contracts for strategic planning and school curriculum, and $533,000 allocated to a grant program with seven grantees. First quarter (August) data: 16 individuals received case management, 81 harm reduction services, 48 started medication-assisted recovery, 30 received recovery support services. Plans include renewing grants for a second year, opening a new grant cycle, and holding focus groups with persons with lived experience. Discussion included metrics, causal vs. correlative evidence, and spending timeline. No formal action.
• 8.14 – Destruction of Executive Session Recordings: Assistant County Administrator Dan Hall recommended destruction of executive session recordings from October 2, 2012, through February 26, 2019, per Illinois Open Meetings Act. Motion passed.
• Federal Funding Impacts (County Administrator's Report): Members discussed concerns about the federal government shutdown. Health Department Director Chris Hoff noted WIC funding is secure through October but uncertain beyond; daily CDC reports and infectious disease calls have been suspended. Community Development's Dominic Strazo stated current funds continue to flow but communication with HUD field staff is disrupted. Workforce Development's Jennifer Sereno reported active grants remain accessible but one grant on a dual federal fiscal cycle is frozen; training tuition and wages may be paused if shutdown continues.
• Executive Session: The committee voted to enter executive session to discuss a personal matter (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)) and to review closed session minutes (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21)). Motion passed by roll call. After returning, they approved executive session minutes from September 24, 2024, and August 5, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Minutes: September 22, 2025, consent agenda approved.
• Approval of HUD Annual Action Plan Amendment (8.2): Passed (Member Kasman abstained).
• Approval of ERA Presentation (8.3): Informational; no vote.
• Approval of Health Department Grant Resolutions (8.4–8.11): All eight approved together.
• Approval of Workforce Development Subaward (8.12): Passed.
• Approval of Destruction of Executive Session Recordings (8.14): Passed.
• Executive Session Minutes Approval: September 24, 2024, and August 5, 2025, approved.
• No Other Formal Decisions: Opioid settlement update (8.13) was informational.
• Next Steps: Federal funding impacts will be monitored; budget planning for potential cuts will continue.