Lake County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting - July 8, 2026

The Lake County Public Works and Transportation Committee met on July 8, 2026, at 8:30 AM. The meeting began with a moment of silence in memory of Lake County Board Vice Chair Dr. Mary Ross Cunningham, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. The committee approved a consent agenda (items 9.1-9.2) and then considered 19 regular agenda items, all of which were approved unanimously. The meeting covered a range of transportation and public works projects, including a five-year transportation improvement program, multiple road and intersection safety improvements, bike path enhancements, bridge rehabilitation, and several operational contracts. Director Shane Schneider (DOT) and Director Austin McFarland (Public Works) presented most items.

Consent Calendar

• Items 9.1 and 9.2 were approved by unanimous consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• 9.3 – 2026-2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): Director Schneider presented the adoption of the five-year TIP, which includes about 330 projects valued at $948 million, representing a $2 billion investment. A map modification requested by Member Main (identifying standalone shared-use paths) was made. No additional public or board comments were received. Unanimously approved.
• 9.4 – Butterfield Road Non-Motorized Improvements: Contract with Alliance Contractors ($3,123,819.80) to fill a strategic trail gap between Vernon Hills and Libertyville, connecting to the North Shore Path. Construction to start within a month and finish by fall. Unanimously approved.
• 9.5 – Washington Street & IL Route 21 Intersection Improvements: Contract with Alliance Contractors ($3,649,971.75) for safety improvements at a crash-prone intersection. 110 accidents, 42 crashes, and 1 fatal in the study period. Dual left-turn lanes and protected signal operations will be installed. Construction to start this year, with signal equipment early next year. Unanimously approved.
• 9.6 – Agreement with Village of Gurney: Intergovernmental agreement for the same intersection, covering Gurney’s infrastructure (lighting, bike path, signage). Unanimously approved.
• 9.7 – Robert McClory Bike Path Crossing Improvements: Contract with Copenhaver Construction ($1,804,280.73) for refuge islands and flashing beacons at three multi-lane crossings (Sunset Ave, Grand Ave, IL 120). Discussion on the criteria for installing such beacons (FHWA/IDOT warrants) and that the county owns the path, so it is responsible for crossings even on non-county roads. Unanimously approved.
• 9.8 – Cedar Lake Road Resurfacing (Monaville to Hart): Contract with Peter Baker & Sun ($3,662,300.35) for resurfacing, shoulder widening, guardrail replacement, and ADA upgrades. Construction to start in September. Unanimously approved.
• 9.9 – Engineering Services for Cedar Lake Road Resurfacing: Agreement with STV ($399,388) for construction engineering on the same project. Unanimously approved.
• 9.10 – Cedar Lake Road Resurfacing (IL 60 to Town Line): Contract with Peter Baker & Sun ($1,141,427.94) for a separate segment of Cedar Lake Road. Future bike path and intersection improvements are in design. Unanimously approved.
• 9.11 – Pulaski Drive Bridge Rehabilitation: Agreement with V3 Companies ($504,165.78) for construction engineering to replace the bridge deck over US 41 and UP Railroad, including bike path and sidewalk. Construction expected in 2027, pending railroad approval. Unanimously approved.
• 9.12 – IL 131 & Washington Street Intersection Improvements: Agreement with IDOT ($40,000 cost share) for dual left-turn lanes and non-motorized improvements. IDOT is leading the project. Unanimously approved.
• 9.13 – Pavement Testing and Management Services: Contract with International Cybernetics ($162,930) for the 40th year of annual pavement condition data collection via lasers and falling weight deflectometer. Discussion on how data informs maintenance decisions. Unanimously approved.
• 9.14 – Collision Repair Services: Contract with Caliber Collision ($52/hour, estimated $190,000 annually) for county vehicle repairs. Only one bidder; committee expressed surprise but noted the rate was unchanged from previous contract. Unanimously approved.
• 9.15 – Tree Removal and Trimming Services: Contract with Crowley Tree Experts ($61,445 annual) for on-call tree work, primarily for storm events and near power lines. Unanimously approved.
• 9.16 – Herbicide Application Services: Contract with TGF Enterprises ($74,358.12 annually) for herbicide application along roadways and bike paths. Committee raised concerns about chemical safety, drifting, and signage for public notification. Director Schneider agreed to provide a list of products, a map of locations, and explore signage requirements. Unanimously approved with follow-up.
• 9.17 – Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network: Reauthorization of intergovernmental agreement for mutual aid among Lake County agencies (Public Works, DOT, EMA). The network has about 400 members statewide. Unanimously approved.
• 9.18 – Biosolids Conveyor Replacement: Contract with Bowler Construction ($966,900) to replace a problematic conveyor at the Des Plaines River Water Reclamation Facility. Discussion on biosolids program costs (approximately $95,000-$100,000/month for land application), radium levels from Lake Zurich, and the need for additional pre-treatment coordinators. Unanimously approved.
• 9.19 – Biosolids Dryer Operation Services: Contract with Griffin Residuals ($85,480 annual) to operate the biosolids drying system, which has been dormant due to staffing issues. Unanimously approved.
• 9.20 – Rollins Road Force Main Replacement: Contract with Burger Contractors ($2,333,426.30) to replace a force main after an unexpected break last year. Project will replace the entire pipe from the facility to Benjamin Avenue. Unanimously approved.
• 9.21 – IL 22 Improvements (Quentin to IL 83): Agreement with IDOT for the long-awaited expansion of IL 22. County will provide a temporary easement, pay for sewer line relocation, and cost-share traffic signal improvements. County design is complete; IDOT will perform construction over approximately four years. Unanimously approved.

Key Outcomes

• All regular agenda items (9.3 through 9.21) were approved by unanimous votes.
• The committee directed staff to provide additional information on herbicide products and locations (item 9.16) and to consider public notification signage.
• The meeting concluded with a reminder of the Reading of the Declaration of Independence event at noon and adjournment. The next meeting is scheduled for July 29, 2026.