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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Lake County Legislative Committee Meeting - March 3, 2026

Committee Meetings — Tuesday, March 3, 2026

BodyLake County, Illinois

SessionCommittee Meetings

DateTuesday, March 3, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 34:25

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:12

Good afternoon.

0:13

Today is March 3rd, 2026, and I call the Lake County Legislative Committee meeting to order at 1 p.m.

0:21

In addition to being able to attend in person, remote attendance has been made available to the public via Zoom.

0:27

And the link in the agenda meeting is being recorded through Zoom for County Board Rules and the Open Meetings Act.

0:33

Attendance via remote means is permitted for qualifying reasons.

0:36

As long as the majority of committee members are physically partisan, and we've been notified in advance by members Schlick and Roberts that they request to participate electronically due to well illness for Member Roberts and work for Member Schlick.

1:01

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:09

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:16

Could we have a roll call, please?

1:19

Vice Chair Compass?

1:20

Here.

1:21

Member Frank?

1:22

Here.

1:22

Member Hunter?

1:24

Here.

1:24

Member Roberts.

1:26

Here.

1:27

Member Schlitt.

1:29

Here.

1:30

Member Bolitzik?

1:32

Here.

1:32

Chair Wasek.

1:33

Here.

1:34

Okay.

1:35

I believe we have a quorum.

1:37

Uh do we have any addenda to the agenda?

1:40

Uh we do not.

1:41

Do we have any public comment?

1:44

The public comment today.

1:45

Okay, thank you.

1:47

Remarks.

1:48

Um, I want to thank everyone who was able to accompany us to Washington for the annual NACO legislative conference last week.

1:56

Uh, special thanks to uh Matt, Ruth Ann and Chris Blanning from staff, and Mara Paul, Gina, and Jennifer.

2:05

And despite a massive shut uh shutdown that was that just kind of kind of came in the wake of this big snowstorm.

2:13

We were still able to meet with uh uh the staffs of Reps uh Chikowski and Quigley.

2:20

Um, as usual, Representative Bill Foster met with us in person.

2:24

Uh, and we're hoping to meet with Representative Brad Schneider and his staff at a later date.

2:30

Uh while we were able to lobby for many of our county's priorities, such as health care and infrastructure funding, uh, the future in many areas such as Medicaid remains uncertain.

2:40

But one bright spot was meeting with Senator Dick Durbin, who's been a great friend of Lake County over the year years, and he's retiring after 30 years, and we thank him for his great service.

2:52

And he still says he's working on attainable housing and data center regulation, so that's great.

2:58

Uh, once again, thanks for all who attended.

3:01

Uh, we know it always makes a difference when we can talk to our Lake County delegation and uh all are you all of you are invited next year.

3:10

So thanks again.

3:11

And hopefully you can join us for our Seiko trip to Springfield next month.

3:16

See uh Matt and Jolanda for details.

3:20

Okay, very good.

3:25

Moving on to new business.

3:28

Uh, could I have a motion and a second for the consent agenda to approve the minutes?

3:34

Uh motion by Jessica, second by Kevin.

3:37

All those in favor.

3:39

Aye.

3:40

Aye.

3:42

Motion carries.

3:43

Thank you.

3:47

On to the regular agenda featuring Mike and Derek from Springfield and what's happening there.

3:55

Gentlemen, hello again.

3:58

Hello, Chairman.

3:58

How are you?

4:00

Hey, Mike.

4:03

So I will be brief today for no other reason than as is tradition in the second year of a general assembly.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Budget Equity Analysis██████████████████████████26%

Veterans Assistance██████████████████████22%

Procedural█████████████████████21%

Public Engagement████████████12%

Affordable Housing█████████9%

Environmental Protection███████7%

Fiscal Sustainability███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Lake County Legislative Committee Meeting - March 3, 2026

The Lake County Legislative Committee met on March 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM via hybrid format. Chair Wasek called the meeting to order, with remote attendance available via Zoom. The committee approved the consent agenda and received updates from state and federal lobbyists on legislative priorities, budget impacts, and pending bills.

Consent Calendar

Motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting was made by Jessica, seconded by Kevin, and carried by voice vote.

Discussion Items

Remarks on NACo Conference: Chair Wasek thanked attendees of the annual NACo legislative conference in Washington, D.C., noting meetings with staff of Reps. Chikowski and Quigley, Rep. Bill Foster, and Senator Dick Durbin. Topics included health care, infrastructure funding, attainable housing, and data center regulation.
State Legislative Update (Mike and Derek): Derek reported that the Illinois General Assembly is in a slow period, with most activity expected after the March 17 primary. Governor Pritzker proposed a FY2027 budget solving a $2.2 billion deficit through revenue adjustments ($1 billion increase) and expenditure cuts ($1 billion). Proposed revenue measures include a social media platform fee, casino tax adjustments, corporate tax changes, and a $60 million Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) adjustment that reduces the percentage distribution by 0.2% (from ~6.48% to ~6.28%), affecting both municipalities and counties. Derek highlighted Senate Bill 3646, filed by Senator Mike Perferrio, which would expand veterans assistance commission (VAC) authority, allow multi-county VACs, provide new taxation authority, establish arbitration, and create civil causes of action against counties for unmet funding requests. Derek described this as a potential massive expansion of county liability.
Member Questions on State Legislation: Member Kevin questioned the LGDF exposure; Derek confirmed county exposure is limited to unincorporated areas. Member Paul asked about Iseico's engagement on SB 3646; Derek noted conversations with Senator Perferrio are planned. Member Sandy noted the existing VAC bill cost Lake County over $20 million annually and expressed concern that SB 3646 would allow veterans to sue the county if VAC assistance is insufficient. Derek indicated SB 3646 is potentially the number one financial liability bill this session.
Member Adam Schlick requested updates on housing and impact fee legislation; Mike noted leadership is limiting bills with fee increases, but amendments could appear near the end of session. Chair Wasek asked about co-sponsors for priority items (FOIA, PTAB relocation, SWALCO bills). Mike reported progress on FOIA bills with Rep. Biddic, SWALCO bills filed (plastic bags, household hazardous waste, food waste), and an EPR bill for auto fluids that appears to have consensus. Chair Wasek also inquired about the volunteer lakes management program, toxic coal ash bill, decriminalizing homelessness, healthcare funding, and PTAB remote hearing provisions; Derek noted most are stalled or awaiting committee assignments post-primary.
Federal Legislative Update (Scott and Clayton): Scott reported that community project funding deadlines are being coordinated with members of Congress. Clayton noted an impasse over DHS funding continues, worsened by recent presidential actions. The House and Senate are in session but focused on other issues.
Matt Update on SB 2941: Matt noted SB 2941 (Senator Adrian Johnson) would mandate a 50-50 split of RTA core percent sales tax between public safety and transportation, impacting current funding. No movement yet; discussions ongoing.
County Administrator's Report: None.
Member Remarks: Member Paul thanked Chair Wasek and Deputy Administrator Myers for leadership during the NACo conference.

Key Outcomes

The consent agenda (minutes) was approved unanimously.
The committee received updates and will continue monitoring SB 3646, SB 2941, and other priority legislation as the General Assembly resumes activity after the March 17 primary.
Next meeting scheduled for April 7, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. Today is March 3rd, 2026, and I call the Lake County Legislative Committee meeting to order at 1 p.m. In addition to being able to attend in person, remote attendance has been made available to the public via Zoom. And the link in the agenda meeting is being recorded through Zoom for County Board Rules and the Open Meetings Act. Attendance via remote means is permitted for qualifying reasons. As long as the majority of committee members are physically partisan, and we've been notified in advance by members Schlick and Roberts that they request to participate electronically due to well illness for Member Roberts and work for Member Schlick. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Could we have a roll call, please? Vice Chair Compass? Here. Member Frank? Here. Member Hunter? Here. Member Roberts. Here. Member Schlitt. Here. Member Bolitzik? Here. Chair Wasek. Here. Okay. I believe we have a quorum. Uh do we have any addenda to the agenda? Uh we do not. Do we have any public comment? The public comment today. Okay, thank you. Remarks. Um, I want to thank everyone who was able to accompany us to Washington for the annual NACO legislative conference last week. Uh, special thanks to uh Matt, Ruth Ann and Chris Blanning from staff, and Mara Paul, Gina, and Jennifer. And despite a massive shut uh shutdown that was that just kind of kind of came in the wake of this big snowstorm. We were still able to meet with uh uh the staffs of Reps uh Chikowski and Quigley. Um, as usual, Representative Bill Foster met with us in person. Uh, and we're hoping to meet with Representative Brad Schneider and his staff at a later date. Uh while we were able to lobby for many of our county's priorities, such as health care and infrastructure funding, uh, the future in many areas such as Medicaid remains uncertain. But one bright spot was meeting with Senator Dick Durbin, who's been a great friend of Lake County over the year years, and he's retiring after 30 years, and we thank him for his great service. And he still says he's working on attainable housing and data center regulation, so that's great. Uh, once again, thanks for all who attended. Uh, we know it always makes a difference when we can talk to our Lake County delegation and uh all are you all of you are invited next year. So thanks again. And hopefully you can join us for our Seiko trip to Springfield next month. See uh Matt and Jolanda for details. Okay, very good. Moving on to new business. Uh, could I have a motion and a second for the consent agenda to approve the minutes? Uh motion by Jessica, second by Kevin. All those in favor.

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