Lake County Health and Community Service Committee Meeting - September 1, 2026

The Lake County Health and Community Service Committee met on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 8:32 AM. The meeting was called to order by Chair Park, with a physical quorum present. All consent agenda items were discussed and approved individually. No public comments were made. Key actions included approving opioid settlement fund allocations, workforce development grants, and apprenticeship expansion funding.

Consent Calendar

• 8.1: Approval of the Health and Humanity Service Committee minutes from August 4, 2026. Motion by Member Kasmin, second by Member Dan Forth. Passed unanimously.
• 8.2: Joint resolution approving an allocation of $10,000 from Lake County Opioid Settlement Funds to Lake County Adult Probation for sober living home placements. Director Ashley Watson explained that the funding replaces a cut source for move-in fees and first week's rent for individuals to Oxford Homes and Columba Homes, expanding eligibility to first-time offenders. Motion by Member Kasman, second by Member Dan Foath. Passed unanimously.
• 8.3: Joint resolution approving a reallocation of $247,732.74 from Lake County Opioid Settlement Funds within the Health Department to stabilize the "A Way Out" program. Director Watson noted the program has helped over 1,100 individuals transition from active addiction into treatment via law enforcement. Member Main asked about reimbursement and future funding; Director Watson confirmed that if future federal grant funding is received, the reallocated funds would be returned to the opioid settlement fund. Motion by Member Kasbin, second by Vice Chair Altenberg. Passed unanimously.
• 8.4: Joint resolution accepting a $550,000 Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Apprenticeship Expansion Grant and authorizing an emergency appropriation for the Workforce Development Department. Chair Park noted an administrative correction: the supporting attachments originally posted were incorrect, but corrected copies were provided to the committee. Patrice Sutton, County Administrator, clarified that the minutes will reflect the correction and the correct documents will be attached to the county board agenda. Director Jennifer Sereno reported that the grant funds two apprenticeship specialists, supports partnerships with McHenry County, and has enrolled 29 paraprofessionals in a registered teacher apprenticeship program with Beach Park, Lake Zurich, and Waukegan school districts, expected to complete by 2028. Other programs include manufacturing and cybersecurity technician apprenticeships. Motion by Member Kasmin, second by Member Altenburg. Passed unanimously.
• 8.5: Joint resolution accepting a $149,955 DCEO Program Year 2026 supplemental grant and authorizing an emergency appropriation. Director Sereno explained the funds will expand the "Job Center on the Move" by purchasing a kiosk for the Fox Lake Library, support SNAP recipients transitioning to employment, expand digital literacy with additional laptops, and hire a consultant for data-driven storytelling. Motion by Member Kasbin, second by Member Ewing. Passed unanimously.
• 8.6: Joint resolution accepting a $6,864,406 DCEO Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Program Year 2026 formula grant and authorizing an emergency appropriation. Director Sereno noted this is a $1.6 million reduction from last year due to lower unemployment rates. The grant funds workforce development personnel, operations, youth provider contracts, and training. Allocation requirements include 50% of adult/dislocated worker funding for training and 25% to 50% of youth funding for disconnected youth. The committee discussed the reduction and reallocation of staff to other grants. Member Main commented that the reduction reflects success in lowering unemployment. Motion by Member Kasman, second by Member Dan Ford. Passed unanimously.
• 8.7: Joint resolution approving a $32,100 sub-award amendment agreement with the College of Lake County for workforce development under the Climate Equity Jobs Act (CEGA) workforce hub project. This is the third year of a three-year grant cycle totaling $3,052,100. Director Sereno reported that 246 participants have been served, with 58% justice-impacted, 82% completing the first four weeks, 50% going on to additional training (e.g., HVAC, EV repair, home inspection, energy audit), and 61 employed (26% in clean energy). The program has graduated its 20th and 21st cohorts. The state is shifting to a "jobs first" model for the next funding cycle. Motion by Member Ewing, second by Member Kasman. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All nine consent agenda items (8.1 through 8.7) were approved unanimously by the committee.
• Administrative corrections were noted for items 8.4 and 8.5 regarding incorrect supporting attachments; corrected documents were provided to the committee and will be reflected in the minutes and future agendas.
• The committee acknowledged the success of the August 2026 Opioid Initiative 5K fundraiser, which raised approximately $7,000 with over 200 participants, led by Ashley Watson.
• The next committee meeting is scheduled for September 29, 2026.