OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Health and Community Services Committee Meeting - June 2, 2026

Committee Meetings — Tuesday, June 2, 2026
BodyLake County, Illinois
SessionCommittee Meetings
DateTuesday, June 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:46:49

Transcript — Verbatim
0:12

Good morning.

0:14

Today is Tuesday June 2nd at 8 31.

0:22

And I call to order the Health and Community Services Committee meeting.

0:27

In addition to being able to attend in-person remote attendance has been made available to the public via Zoom at the link on the agenda.

0:34

This meeting is being recorded through Zoom.

0:37

I don't believe we have anyone attending electronically today, so I can dispense with that.

0:43

All right.

0:52

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States.

0:57

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:00

One nation under God and justice.

1:06

All right.

1:07

Can I have a roll call members, please?

1:10

Okay.

1:11

Altonbird?

1:12

Here.

1:15

Cunningham.

1:18

The end for snake.

1:21

Here.

1:22

Maine.

1:23

Present.

1:24

And part.

1:25

Here.

1:26

Do we have any addenda to the agenda today?

1:28

No.

1:29

Do we have any public comments?

1:31

No public comment.

1:32

I don't have any chairs' remarks.

1:34

Do we have any unfinished business?

1:38

No unfinished business.

1:39

All right.

1:40

8.1 is consent agenda.

1:43

Committee action approving the health and community services committee meetings from May 5th, 2026.

1:48

Can I have a motion?

1:48

Motion by Vice Chair Altenberg, second by Member Kasman.

1:54

Any questions?

1:55

All those in favor say aye.

1:57

Aye.

1:57

Any opposed?

1:58

The motion passes.

1:59

8.2 is a joint resolution approving the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Program Year 2026 annual action plan and authorizing emergency appropriation in the amount of 42,989 for community block community development block grants, also known as CDBG grants and home program home program income.

2:21

Can I have a motion?

2:22

Motion by Member Kasmin's second my member main.

2:25

Welcome, Dominic.

2:26

Morning, Chair, good morning, committee.

2:28

This action plan is the product of our program year 2026 annual application round.

2:33

It actually started back last September when applications were released.

2:37

They were due in December.

2:38

And then here in 2026, uh staff recommendations have been working their way through the HCDC process, which did include two public hearings at their meetings, and then was finalized at the last meeting with a vote to approve these recommendations that you have in front of you.

2:55

Included in the action plan is just under $5 million of allocations, the majority coming from the community development block grant or CDBG, which is about $3 million.

3:05

The home program about 1.6, and then the balance of funding is 250,000 of emergency solutions grant or ESG.

3:13

The funding strategy within the action plan remains consistent from years past.

3:18

We always max out the 15% cap that we're allowed to spend on public services, which equates out to about 440,000.

3:26

And we pass that through to about two dozen grants to about 20 different nonprofit entities providing a variety of services to Lake County residents.

3:35

And then with the balance of the funding, we certainly prioritize housing.

3:38

About two-thirds of the rest of the funding goes toward housing projects with a focus on new construction and adding units to the um of supply, which kind of works out to our tax the tax credit project.

3:50

We do have recommendations uh for funding for four projects contingent on tax credit allocations.

3:57

We find out later this month which one is selected.

4:00

Hopefully, at least one, maybe even two of those projects get selected, and then probably in a month or two, we'll propose an amendment to reallocate those fundings and make sure we're adhering to our spending um spending requirements with HUD.

4:12

Um that will come through an amendment probably back in front of this committee in the next two months.

4:18

Um then the rest of the funding, a little bit some capital improvements with our projects, some infrastructure projects with municipal partners, um, but again, the majority focused on housing related funding.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Workforce Development█████████████████████████████████████████████60%
Youth Programs███████████████████25%
Procedural██████8%
Technology and Innovation███4%
Facilities Management█1%
Public Health█1%
Public Safety█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Health and Community Services Committee Meeting - June 2, 2026

The Health and Community Services Committee of Lake County, Illinois, met on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 8:31 AM. The meeting was called to order by Chair Hart, with members present: Vice Chair Altenberg, Cunningham, Kasman, Main, and Hart. No public comments were received. The committee considered multiple resolutions and received annual updates from the Workforce Development Department and the Regional Office of Education.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of the Health and Community Services Committee meeting minutes from May 5, 2026. Motion by Vice Chair Altenberg, second by Member Kasman. Passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

  • 8.2: Joint resolution approving the HUD Program Year 2026 Annual Action Plan and authorizing an emergency appropriation of $42,989 for CDBG and HOME program income. Dominic presented the plan, which allocates nearly $5 million total: approximately $3 million in CDBG, $1.6 million in HOME, and $250,000 in ESG. The funding strategy maximizes the 15% cap on public services (about $440,000) distributed to ~20 nonprofits. The remainder prioritizes housing, with two-thirds dedicated to housing projects including four tax credit contingent projects. Member Kasman asked about funding changes, new partners (Pivotal Development, a for-profit affordable housing developer with two proposed projects), and application scoring. The plan passed unanimously.
  • 8.3: Joint resolution approving the Lake County Affordable Housing Program PY 2026 funding recommendations. These are local dollars with more flexibility than HUD funds, targeting up to 100% AMI and offering faster availability. Process identical to 8.2. Passed unanimously.
  • 8.4: Joint resolution authorizing four contracts for WIOA in-school youth career readiness and work-based learning, totaling $552,000. Director Sereno explained the program serves high school seniors. Contracts awarded to Regional Office of Education, Grayslake District 127, North Chicago Community High School District 187, and Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep. Nine applications were received; top four selected. North Chicago previously served 35 students, now expanding to more. Passed unanimously.
  • 8.5: Joint resolution accepting a DCEO Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Apprenticeship Expansion Grant modification of $35,000. Funds will host a regional convening for staff working with employers to increase registered apprenticeship programs. Lake County currently has eight registered apprenticeship programs. Passed unanimously.
  • 8.6: Joint resolution accepting a DCEO Statewide Rapid Response Grant of $440,000. Funds serve dislocated workers from companies like Smurfit WestRock, NSI Industries, Capital One, Walgreens, Discover Financial, and Consolidated Hospital Supplies (targeting 25 workers). Also expands digital literacy boot camps to serve 125 additional residents through a new digital navigator. Passed unanimously.
  • 8.7: Joint resolution approving an MOU with the one-stop operator consortium, with amended amount of $48,118.69. The consortium includes Workforce Development, College of Lake County, Illinois Departments of Human Services, Employment Security, and VOC Rehab. Motion to amend passed; then the resolution passed.
  • 8.8: Joint resolution approving WIOA regional and local plans modification and MOU. These plans cover the seven workforce boards in northeastern Illinois and the Lake County local plan, plus the MOU governing job center operations and cost-sharing among partners. Passed unanimously.

Workforce Development Annual Update

Presented by Damar, Jennifer Sereno, Mark, and Eric Nordstrom. Key points:

  • Lake County unemployment rate is 4.5%; labor force participation is 66% (state 64%, national 63%).
  • Workforce Development hosted its first Impact Event in April 2026, recognizing partners and success stories.
  • Over 6,000 visits to the Job Center in a quarter; Job Center on the Move served 200 individuals.
  • Tuition assistance: $1.6 million invested, with transportation (CDL) leading, followed by healthcare, IT, and professional services.
  • Skillbridge program: 72 applications, 16 interns, 6 hired in Lake County departments, 9 elsewhere.
  • Business engagement: 983 employers reached; 1,523 job seekers attended job fairs. Industry penetration: manufacturing 22%, professional services 19%, not-for-profit 27%, healthcare targeted for increase.
  • Incumbent worker training average wage: $61,000/year.
  • AI initiative with Deloitte: Research shows AI adoption is wide but shallow (88% of organizations use AI in at least one function, but only one-third have scaled it). Focus on AI literacy and ethical use, emphasizing that roles are shifting rather than disappearing. Committee discussed caution around AI-generated resumes.
  • Success stories: Israel (from hospitality to production technician, now at College of Lake County for mechanical engineering), Crystal (single mother, earned CNA, now patient access specialist at Northwestern Medicine earning ~$20/hour), Alex (high school to College of Lake County to CNC machinist at LMT).
  • Committee praised the department's expansion and relevance.

Regional Office of Education Annual Update

Presented by Dr. Michael Carner. Highlights:

  • ROE operates from two buildings: Vernon Hills and a new leased space in Lake Forest (opened January 1, 2026) heavily used by districts for professional development and student events.
  • Under Dr. Carner's leadership, over $18 million in grants secured beyond mandated services.
  • Truancy: 386 cases this past year, up about 32 cases; emphasis on early intervention.
  • Professional development: Countywide Institute Day had 3,000+ attendees at three sites; Safety Conference had ~500 attendees.
  • Regional Safe School Program: 138 students in short-term suspension program, 95% success rate; 19 returned to home districts.
  • Illinois Virtual School and Academy: started in 2022, served 6,700 students this year with 21,000 courses taken; dual credit courses with University of Illinois system starting next year.
  • Referral GPS Initiative: 25,000+ users, paid for 2,900 treatment sessions for students; will continue with existing funds.
  • Navigate 8 Lake: 6,000 students participated with 150+ industry partners; expecting 7,500-8,000 next year.
  • Educator of the Year Ceremony: 960 attendees, fifth annual event.
  • ROE Foundation raised over $4.1 million, including securing scholarship funding for Schuler students and 6,500 students in Dolly Parton Imagination Library initiative.
  • New initiatives for 2026-27: countywide alternative learning opportunity program (push-in and pull-out model), expanded work-based learning, countywide career and college center, and grow-your-own teacher programs.
  • Committee members expressed strong appreciation for the office's transformation and relevance to school districts.

Key Outcomes

  • All resolutions (8.1 through 8.8) were approved unanimously or as amended.
  • The committee received and acknowledged the Workforce Development and Regional Office of Education annual updates.
  • No executive session was needed. The meeting adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for July 7, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning. Today is Tuesday June 2nd at 8 31. And I call to order the Health and Community Services Committee meeting. In addition to being able to attend in-person remote attendance has been made available to the public via Zoom at the link on the agenda. This meeting is being recorded through Zoom. I don't believe we have anyone attending electronically today, so I can dispense with that. All right. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God and justice. All right. Can I have a roll call members, please? Okay. Altonbird? Here. Cunningham. The end for snake. Here. Maine. Present. And part. Here. Do we have any addenda to the agenda today? No. Do we have any public comments? No public comment. I don't have any chairs' remarks. Do we have any unfinished business? No unfinished business. All right. 8.1 is consent agenda. Committee action approving the health and community services committee meetings from May 5th, 2026. Can I have a motion? Motion by Vice Chair Altenberg, second by Member Kasman. Any questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The motion passes. 8.2 is a joint resolution approving the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Program Year 2026 annual action plan and authorizing emergency appropriation in the amount of 42,989 for community block community development block grants, also known as CDBG grants and home program home program income. Can I have a motion? Motion by Member Kasmin's second my member main. Welcome, Dominic. Morning, Chair, good morning, committee. This action plan is the product of our program year 2026 annual application round. It actually started back last September when applications were released. They were due in December. And then here in 2026, uh staff recommendations have been working their way through the HCDC process, which did include two public hearings at their meetings, and then was finalized at the last meeting with a vote to approve these recommendations that you have in front of you. Included in the action plan is just under $5 million of allocations, the majority coming from the community development block grant or CDBG, which is about $3 million. The home program about 1.6, and then the balance of funding is 250,000 of emergency solutions grant or ESG.

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