Good morning.

Today is Tuesday, September 9th, and I call the Lake County Board meeting to order at 9 a.m.

This meeting is being recorded and live streamed on our website, Comcast Channels 18 or 30 and ATTU versus Channel 99, as well as on Zoom at the link on the agenda.

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

No one has let me know that they could not be here this morning.

So I do not need to read that statement.

Before we get started, is there anyone our board members would like to remember or um think about uh during our moment of silence, please?

Thank you, Member Schlick.

Thank you, Chair.

I ask everyone to join me this morning to remember Ed Lockmire, a village of Wokanda resident.

Uh Ed passed away unexpectedly days before his 79th birthday.

Ed was a pillar of the Wilkana community both both in his official capacity as a trustee for the village of Wakanda and currently trustee for the township of Wakanda in his unofficial capacity, where he was a member of a number of community groups and and committees to look after our natural resources, uh the Wakanda Moose Lodge.

Ed was just a very stoic yet comforting personality to be around, and he'll be greatly missed in the village of Wakanda.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else the board would like us to remember?

Okay, if you join Oh, I'm sorry, Member Peterson.

Ann Maine will be here, but she is running a little late.

Okay, perfect.

Thank you very much.

If you thank you, Member Hewitt.

I just like everyone to keep uh the family of Mr.

Sears, who passed away this past week.

He was crushed by a vehicle.

And I just want everyone to please keep this family in their thoughts.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

All right.

Seeing nothing else, if you join me in a moment of silence, please.

And to the Republic for each and visible with liberty and justice for all.

She's on her way.

Member Parak.

Member Peterson.

Present.

Member Roberts.

Here.

Member Schlick.

Here.

Member Melitzig.

Here.

Member Watson.

Here.

17 members.

Thank you.

Um, we have no addenda to the agenda, and we have some special recognitions and presentations today.

The first one is a special recognition recognition honoring Dulce Ortiz for her hard work, dedication, and commitment to the Lake County community.

Um, it will be read by Isaiah Campos, as Isaiah said, Dulce is unable to attend this morning.

Um, but we have some people here from Manoamano who will accept this recognition.

So, Member Campos.

And whereas Dulce Ortiz's lifelong commitment to public service and social justice began as a young immigrant and has since flourished in her work as executive director of Mano Amano, where she works to create opportunities for immigrant families, empowering them to integrate into American life.

And whereas Dulce Ortiz has straight has strengthened communities through her service on numerous boards and advisory councils, including as board president of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, IC ICER, a member of the community trust committee of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice and on the Illinois Department of Human Services, Social Services Advisory Council.

And whereas Dulce Ortiz has through gubernatorial appointments contributed to the Illinois Commission of Environmental Justice, the Health and Human Service Task Force, the High the Hydrogen Economy Task Force.

And in April 2021, she became the first Mexican immigrant woman elected to serve as Joaquin Township trustee.

And whereas, as a leading advocate for underserved and vulnerable populations, Dulce Ortiz has been a driving force behind various impactful initiatives, including serving as co-chair of the Clean Power Lake County, where she has worked to promote environmental justice and clean energy and the protection of public health in Joaquin and Lake County since 2013.

And whereas Dulce Ortiz's impactful work has earned her recognition beyond the local level, including being featured in the Emmy Award winning documentary series, Years of Living Dangerously, highlighting her role in the Clean Power Lake County campaign and as champion of environmental justice and sustainable energy practices.

And whereas Dulce Ortiz's dedication to the health and well-being of her community has been exemplified by her leadership role and securing the passage of the coal ash bill in Springfield.

A landmark victory that will ensure strong environmental protections for the communities affected by coal ash pollution, and whereas Dulce Ortiz's uh contributions extend far beyond her professional roles, as she has served on the boards of numerous organizations in the areas of environmental protection, health, and government working to build a stronger, more equitable future for all.

And whereas Dulce Ortiz's work exemplifies the core values of service, compassion, and perseverance, and her passion for creating a brighter, healthier, and more job just future and an inspiration to us all.

Now, therefore, be it recognized by this county board of Lake County, Illinois, that Dulce Ortiz, highlighted by the by board member Asai Campos is recognized for her outstanding leadership, advocacy, and commitment to social justice, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment.

Dated Joaquin, Illinois, September 9th, 2025.

Thank you.

Hi, how are you?

So nice to see you.

Thank you so much for being here.

So this is I know you are here on behalf of Dulce.

I believe Isaiah, you said she is with the governor this morning.

She's actually online with us.

And she's online.

Thank you so much, Patrice.

Thank you.

May I give this thank you very much.

And then we're gonna um I'll ask um to turn the microphone over to Dulce after we do a quick photograph.

Yeah, yeah.

Thank you.

Okay, and more.

And one or two three.

Thank you.

Um, so Dulce, would you like to say a few words if you can?

Yes, of course.

Um again, sincerest apologies.

Um, I was planning on being there.

Um fortunately because of um the current environment.

Um, you know, I was summoned for a meeting with the governor this morning in the southwest side of Chicago.

So um I do want to say um I'm really grateful for the support um of the Lake County Board.

Um, this is really an honor.

I'm really humbled.

And I I want to say that um, you know, I want to thank God for giving me and our team the strength to do the work that we need to do, um, especially during difficult times.

Um, but I also want to highlight the board support um in our organization.

Uh, we've been able to provide housing, education, and nourishment for Lake County community members.

And that is something that we cannot do alone.

That I felt the only thing I could do is really give my life to service and ensure that our communities have everything that they need to thrive.

And so for me, I'm really really grateful for being in this country.

I'm really grateful for all the opportunities that I've had that my children have.

At the same time, I do want to name that we are living in precedent at times.

And so if you've ever wondered if you were on the right side of history, this is the moment.

But also for those that attended Senate when we hosted Senator Durbin and Senator Dougworth at our North Chicago office to hear directly from impacted community members, and some of those being our own team members at Manoamano.

And we are not living in normal times.

Again, um, this administration's cruel intermifing actions are ripping families apart.

Um, so to be honest with you, this award is very bittersweet for me.

Um, I can't fully enjoy it because it impacts the people that I love, it impacts many people in the community here.

And we have to also recognize that just like I feel like my life has been just to be of service to my community.

Immigrants that come to this country are so grateful that they give back, they give back not only with their labor, they give back by sharing their values, and we give back by sharing our culture.

And so again, we're really grateful for elected officials that are speaking out against um this administration and what is happening.

Um, at the same time, I'm really grateful and really honored, and I'm really sad that I can't be there, but I have an amazing team that are there on my behalf.

Um, so thank you so much.

I really appreciate it.

Thank you.

Thank you, Dilson.

Any comments from board members.

Okay, I just also want to thank Dulce.

Um I first heard her speak at uh Manoamano Gala when she told her story uh growing up, and I thought, wow, this woman is really amazing.

So um, and of course, you know, the things that she has continued to do since that time and probably did before, before I knew her.

Um, she is just always brave, always courageous, and I would say um has really been such a strong proponent for helping others um all across Lake County and really beyond, which I'm sure is why uh the governor reached out to her to head down to Chicago um to talk about the issue at hand.

Um so thank you so much.

I really appreciate the folks from Mano Amano for being here today uh to accept this award on uh on Dulce's or on Dulce's behalf, and thank you so much to Member Campos for putting her name forward to be recognized by our board today.

Thank you.

Uh moving on to the next item, which is the joint statement from Lake County government and the city of North Chicago.

Board members know that we had released a joint statement uh last week with the city of North Chicago, and I thought it fitting uh to read it here.

It did go out on social media, uh, but I thought it important to be read here at our meeting, and that will be read by member campus.

Thank you, Chair.

Um droit statement from Lake County government in the city of North Chicago, dated September 3rd, 2025.

Lake County government and the city of North Chicago are aware of recent reports regarding unprecedented federal operations that would be based out of Naval Station Great Lakes.

We understand that these developments have created anxiety and uncertainty for many in our community, and we want to speak directly to those concerned.

First and foremost, these activities are coordinated entirely at the federal level.

Under Illinois law, local and state law enforcement agencies do not and will not participate in federal immigration enforcement.

Immigration matters remains solely under federal jurisdiction, and our local resources remain focused on serving and protecting our residents.

We know that this situation may cause fear, especially from immigrant families.

For residents seeking assistance or reliable information, we encourage you to connect with trusted organizations such as North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, Prairie State Legal Services, and Monoamano Family Resource Centers.

These groups are available to provide guidance, resources, and support during this time.

Residents are also reminded that everyone has fundamental rights under the law, regardless of immigration status.

Resources on know your rights are available through these organizations and through the Illinois Attorney General's office, and we urge community members to review and share them.

North Chicago is a proud and diverse city, defined by faith, resilience, compassion, and courage.

In the face of these federal operations, those values values guide how we support one another and stand strong together.

In the same spirit, Lake County is and will continue to be a welcoming community for all people, embracing every race, religion, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, sexual orientation, age, or ability.

The county's commitment to inclusion and dignity for every resident will not waver no matter the challenges we face.

It is important to emphasize that the presence of these operations should not reflect negatively on Naval Station Great Lakes, its leadership, or the men and women who serve there.

The base has long been a cornerstone of our region, and our partnership will continue to remain strong.

While these developments may feel unsettling, people please know this.

You are not alone.

Your community stands with you, and together we will navigate this moment with care, steadfastness, and resolve.

Thank you.

Thank you for reading that.

Any comments on this item?

Thank you.

But you know, people are being targeted because of the language they choose to use, and because of really the color of their skin, and that was upheld by the Supreme Court yesterday as a daughter of immigrants.

Um it is a scary time for a lot of people, and know that citizens uh of the United States get swept up in this as well.

And if they don't have ID on them, uh it is a scary time.

So I'm really proud of our staff.

Thank you to Tammy Chapman and Matt Myers for working on uh that statement in collaboration with the City of North Chicago, Mayor Leon Rockingham and his chief of staff, Greg Jackson.

So thank you.

Um to item number three, which is a special recognition of September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month to be read by Member Altenberg.

Whereas September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, which was created to raise awareness, spread resources, and begin an open dialogue about mental health.

And whereas suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with over 49,000 deaths annually, equating to one death every 11 minutes.

And whereas 12.8 million American adults seriously contemplate suicide each year, with 3.7 million people planning a suicide attempt and 1.5 million attempting suicide.

And whereas one in 20 U.S.

adults experience serious thoughts of suicide each year, with 79% of all people who die by suicide in the U.S.

being male and men being four times more likely to die by suicide than women, and whereas firearms remain the most common method of suicide used in 50% of suicides, which underscores the need for safe gun storage practices and policies to prevent firearm-related suicide.

And whereas suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 10 to 14, highlighting the urgent need for focused youth mental health resources and intervention.

Whereas schools in Lake County have implemented gatekeeper training for teachers, staff, and administrators, equipping them with the knowledge to recognize warning signs and refer students to mental health professionals for support.

And whereas the Lake County Health Department offers mental health first aid training classes, which teach residents how to support individuals developing or experiencing a mental health crisis.

And whereas increased investment in suicide prevention, education and research will limit the untimely deaths of thousands of individuals across the nation and in Lake County, fostering a healthier, more resilient community.

Now, therefore, be it recognized by this county board of Lake County, Illinois.

Thank you.

And I just want to add my thoughts here.

It's been a really big goal of ours as the county board to emphasize we all agree unanimously on this that we want there to be safe storage measures across our county.

We want to remind every parent, every homeowner who owns a gun, who owns a weapon, that you know, we're not against you having that.

We think it's fine.

We just want you to store it safely.

So as I read here, the number one cause of suicide, the number one way people are killing themselves is with a gun.

And if we're able to store those safely and they're locked, and somebody can't get to it, it's gonna save a life.

And that's what we're about saving lives.

So I hope that this message gets out, and we're trying to get that message out in many different ways and let people know.

Safe storage, store your guns safely, tell your friends who are gun owners to always have that in mind to make sure all your weapons are locked up.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Thank you.

And I think it's important to uh mention as Mar did when we talk about gun violence, right?

Gun violence does include suicide by gun.

So and and that is more frequently men and in areas and older men too.

Uh so anyway, I really appreciate uh Steve Newton.

He is our chief deputy coroner, and he's here today.

Uh Jennifer Bannett could not be here today.

She's our coroner.

She is a um an army reservist, and so she is out this month, and so uh Steve Newton is here.

Thank you for making that.

Yeah, thanks.

See, move your white piece of paper.

You got it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks so much.

Thank you.

I get to switch hats often in my position.

Um of the roles I've taken on, and I'm very thankful to Coroner Bannock for bringing her public health approach to the coroner's office.

That has been something that has really changed our drive and our focus and our attention, not only on conducting death investigations and serving the families that we do, but then adding in these other facets where we can be useful, not only by providing statistics.

Um, fortunately, a couple years ago, I was named the chair of the Lake County Suicide Prevention Task Force, a nonprofit organization here in Lake County whose goal is to reduce suicides in Lake County.

I want to thank Chair Hart, uh Administrator Sutton, and each and every one of you.

Um in 2024, Lake County realized a decrease of almost 5% in our suicide numbers.

That still equates to 79 individuals, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters who died by suicide.

And we can do better.

You as the county board have supported initiatives that we work with daily, the Lake County Opioid Initiative, the GVPI, the gun violence prevention initiative through the state's attorney's office, as well as others that I can't even go on to name because there's so many, and we appreciate that.

Looking at this year, I'm gonna report in about an hour or so to the suicide prevention task force that as of July of 2025, our numbers are down 21.6 percent throughout Lake County.

We appreciate all of your support, both from the Suicide Prevention Task Force and from the coroner's office, because without your support, we couldn't do what we need to do, and that is to save lives.

This past weekend on Sunday, I took part in and helped organize the annual uh 95 WIIL Rock Jeep Rally, which all of the proceeds from that go back to the Lake County Suicide Prevention Task Force.

It's on everyone's minds.

Generally, there's about 40 to 50 Jeeps that show up for this rally, right around 100 people.

This year we were blown away.

Um we ran out of things to give based on the numbers we thought we were going to be getting.

We pulled out of uh our sponsor's location at nine o'clock to ride through Lake County to promote Suicide Prevention Awareness Month with over 85 Jeeps in tow and over 160 people.

During that time, I got to speak to a number of individuals who have been affected directly by suicide.

Survivors of attempts, people who have lost loved ones very near and dear to them.

And that was just the first step this year in breaking that shroud of silence that surrounds suicide, the stigma that surrounds it.

It's my belief we can keep the numbers going down with your help and your support of initiatives that focus on mental health awareness that focus on substance use disorders and that focus on gun violence prevention.

Thank you all.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Item number four is a special recognition honoring September 2025 as Workforce Development Month.

I'm hoping Member Maine will read that for our board this morning.

Sure, I love workforce.

I'm not on their board.

Well, we were on it for some time.

Okay, thank you.

Okay.

I I just found out about this, so yeah.

You did.

Thank you.

Special recognition honoring September 2025 is Workforce Development Month.

Whereas Workforce Development Month was created in 2005 by the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals to raise awareness about the importance of the industry to growing a national economy.

And whereas the complexity and fast pass changes in our economy and labor markets put new demands on individuals and employers at all levels to constantly evolve.

And whereas employers depend on professional employment services to help them recruit and retain a competitive workforce and continually upgrade the skill sets of their employees.

And whereas Lake County Workforce Development is recognized as a high performing and innovative leader implementing change and driving results through the workforce innovation and opportunity act by partnering with government agencies, businesses, training, and education providers and communities to develop comprehensive workforce solutions.

And whereas workforce development has been instrumental in creating a system that successfully delivers programs and services that expand access to career pathways and quality jobs for the underserved while providing industries and small businesses access to talent and employee retraining and forward-looking workforce strategies that keep Lake County competitive in a rapidly changing economy.

Now, therefore, be it recognized by this county board of Lake County, Illinois, that September 2025 is workforce development month in Lake County.

And be it further recognized that the county board is committed to supporting workforce development and expanding access to economic opportunities to strengthen the growth of Lake County and joined NAWDP in honoring and thanking all workforce development organizations for playing such a vital role in our economy in improving lives.

Dated at Waquegan, Illinois on September 9th, 2025.

Thank you.

So we have uh we've got several people here to accept this award.

We've got our executive director, Jennifer Sereno, assistant director Damar Harris, uh we have Jennifer Everett, whom we'll be talking about in a little bit, Patrick Nelson, and Ashanti Ross.

Um Vice Your Cunningham, if you would join me up front.

Thank you.

And that'll go for this.

I know they're gonna want to close this way.

I'll just be the outside edge.

Is that good?

Oh, hang on, one second.

There we go.

One, two, three.

So one, two, three.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Can I just say a few words?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Um, thank you for this recognition.

It's an honor to accept it on behalf of my entire team who are outstanding professionals in the field, and our workforce development board, who is a volunteer board of business and community leaderships for Lake County.

Um, it's a reminder to all of us that every worker, everything we do every day is because a worker is prepared, skilled, and showed up.

Um, it's a reminder that economic mobility is based on that job candidate that gets those skills, that understands the importance of education to advance in the workplace, and that again works with the employer to help with economic prosperity throughout the industries and the county.

Um team is dedicated.

Our team is dedicated to ensure that individuals have the access to education and skills.

Our team is dedicated to ensure those individuals that we work with in the county show up every day for the job that they have.

Um, it's also an honor, and I don't think she joined us here today.

Um, we talked about the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals.

Our accountant, Angel Martinez was recognized as one of the heroes in our country this year this month.

Um Angel is she has done exactly what we do with all of our customers.

She worked to get to where she's at.

She gained new skills to re-enter the workforce.

She took a paid internship, which then she finished at workforce development, and through her hard work and commitment, she was then hired as our accountant.

And we couldn't get our bills paid without her every day.

Um, so again, thank you for your recognition, your support, and your leadership.

Thank you.

Any comments from board members?

Okay.

Thank you.

Vice Chair Cunningham.

Yeah, thank you.

I'm a big pleasure to serve on Wick Wars Board.

I see what they do.

We do a lot for Lake County.

And I just want to thank Jennifer and her group, especially the Ma Harris.

Oh, gee, she has great staff there.

And I'm on the executive board and the board.

So Jennifer, just keep it up.

Getting young Kia's jobs, Ari Summ, getting partnership whole jobs.

So uh Lake County is uh really moving on further about having uh director like Jennifer Serena running workforce board.

I've been here 23 years and uh had ridden growth.

So thank you, Jennifer, and your staff.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Thank you.

Member Altenberg.

Oh, yes, I'm I'm the vice chair of health and community services, and we work very closely with workforce development, and we are so blessed and lucky to have such a strong department that works on these types of things.

I don't even feel like enough people in the county know how all the services they offer and how useful um this department can be when you need help and you're looking for a job and you're um or you're in between jobs.

We have so many different services available, and I hope people will look to them and take advantage of all of the many wonderful trainings and help and mentoring that they have to give.

We're very fortunate and keep up the good work.

Thank you.

All right, anyone else?

Okay, seeing nothing further, uh let's move to item number five, which is a special recognition honoring the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center on the 30th anniversary of becoming a federally qualified health center, it should be read by member Park.

Thank you, Chair Hart.

Whereas the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Centers began serving patients as a designated federally qualified health center, also known as an FQHC lookalike in September 1995 and in May 1998, became a Bureau of Primary Health Care Section 330E funded community health center.

And whereas the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center have spent 30 years expanding access to high quality care and providing services to all of those who live, work, and enjoy Lake County.

And whereas Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center, FQHC began with a single location and has since expanded to nine locations throughout Lake County, and whereas these FQHC locations now offer 13 programs, including medical, dental, prenatal, family planning, gyneological, women, infant, and children, Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Programs, Need to Know, which is an ST STI service, psychiatry behavioral health, advanced practice registered nerd services, behavioral health therapy services, laboratory services, insurance navigation services, and community health worker services.

And whereas this care is essential to the community's most vulnerable and underserved population serving 32,095 unique patients with 113,189 patient visits in 2024.

And whereas today, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center, FQHCs has over 450 dedicated and compassionate professionals who deliver critical health care and support services to their patients.

And whereas the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is proudly celebrating its 30th anniversary as a mission-driven, federally qualified health center and the largest health care service provider in Lake County.

Now, therefore, be it recognized by this county board of Lake County, Illinois, that the County Board formally commends and congratulates the Health Lake Health County Board Department for its outstanding dedication, selfless service, and invaluable contributions to the safety and well-being of the residents of Lake County, Illinois for the past 30 years.

Dated at Waukegan, Illinois on September 9th, 2025.

And we have Deputy Executive Director Sam Johnson is with us and FQHC governing counsel Charles Fernero, and I know I saw Kim Burke here too.

Great.

Vice Chair Cunningham was going to ask you to come up.

Member Main, Member Parrick.

Hi, I'm speaking.

Okay, maybe I give this to somebody, and I know she's going to be persuaded on us to go this way a little bit.

Okay.

And I'll hold this to you.

Or Sam, maybe if you whatever.

You decide.

Step on the most.

It's okay.

Okay.

All right.

And everyone with me.

And one, two, three.

Let me just do one more because my name is Charles Fanero, and as chair of the Lake County Community Health Center Governing Council, it's an honor to speak with you today as we celebrate 30 years of service to our community as a federally qualified health center.

The governing council plays a vital role in building and guiding the direction of our health center, ensuring that our care remains patient-centered and deeply rooted in the needs and voices of our community.

I joined the governing council as a consumer eight years ago to help shape the services that I believe in so deeply.

And County Board Member, Mary Ross Cunningham.

Thank you.

Our health centers serve a community as diverse and unique as the services we offer.

Some clients come to us for routine care checkups, vaccinations, or when they're feeling unwell.

Others first walk through our doors during one of life's most transformative moments, pregnancy, seeking care through programs like family planning, gynecology, and women, infants, and children.

WIC.

We're honored to be with our clients during life's milestones.

But we are also here during the challenging times, providing care that is compassionate, accessible, and essential.

The dedication and innovation of our staff make the Lake County Community Health Center so special.

They go beyond traditional health care to treat and prevent illness while looking at social drivers of health and connecting people to the services they need.

Our staff is committed to treating the whole person, ensuring that everyone walks through our doors, feels seen, heard, and supported.

I'm proud of all that we've accomplished together.

And as we celebrate, I look forward to the next 30 years of impact and care.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chuck.

Sam Johnson, Deputy Executive Director for the Lake County Health Department.

I just want to thank the board for the opportunity to recognize the value of the FQHC to our communities and also for the opportunity to say thank you to our staff, uh both present and past for the past 30 years for making it all possible.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any comments from board members?

Vice Chair Cunningham.

Yeah, I just want to say to Sam and then help the club and the board of help that I've been on this on the board of the Lake County Government Council for 22 years on this same board.

And Lake County, sometimes I wonder if that's a hospital.

They're so great over there with the people's uh when they come in with the clients when they come in, and they got every program over there.

You know, they got the Stigman program, uh, they got just they just they're just moving on really good.

And Sam runs a great heat fundamental health, but now he's with over with with the debut director or the health department now.

When when Chris gone, he's take over and Chris there, he still takes over.

He's somebody good to work with because I work with him all the time with different clients, and Charles Ferrari is our chair.

He's our chair for the government council, and we do a lot.

I mean, the health department, we should be very proud.

Our health department, because I'm always always telling when I tell the county, I'm always going to support them long as I'm the chair, not long as I'm the uh the commissioner for the county board.

I'm gonna you got my support because I see what you do for the community.

They reaches out to the community, you know, helping people with different things, uh, giving them different shots, you know, because we gotta have an aid uh program over there.

And so I'm a part of that.

And and uh they just move, they're just doing a great job.

We should be proud of our health department.

I am yes.

Thank you, Vice Chair.

Uh next I have Member Park, followed by Member Frank.

Thank you, Chair.

Um it's it's such a great uh opportunity, and I just really humbled to be able to present this today.

Cannot be under recognized how important our federally qualified health centers are to the health and strength of this community.

The impact extends beyond routine medical visits.

I've seen patients who have receiving dental care gain the confidence to excel in job interviews and new opportunities.

These centers improve health, restore dignity, and create pathways for stability and success.

I'd like to thank our executive director Chris Hoff and our deputy director Sam Johnson and our entire health department staff for their leadership and dedication to making this work possible.

So thank you.

Thank you, thank you.

Member Frank.

Sorry.

Yeah, thank you, Chair.

Um, I would consider it like a great honor if 30 years from now, people who sit in these chairs would look back at something that we did today and say, thank goodness they did that.

Uh and that's how I feel at this moment.

Um the the previous board uh who who took the steps uh to create the FQHC at the health department and the Board of Health.

Um was really uh great vision and foresight and the and important things that have been done uh at the department and at the FQHC over the years, including opening access to care at multiple sites across the county in Joaquin and Zion and Highland Park, providing access to care for people uh with language barriers with financial and insurance coverage barriers.

I think we all know how challenging it can be for any of us.

Number one, to acknowledge that we need to seek help, but number two, to get an appointment or to figure out how to navigate the health care system.

And um the FQHC serves individuals who who have all of those challenges, including uh lack of coverage.

FQHEs serve everyone.

And their mission is so important and so vital, and we're really blessed to have the great people who are in charge of the FQHC.

It's a great celebration.

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

All right, thank you.

Our last special recognition is that uh is of September 2025 is safe gun storage month in Lake County to be read by Member Kinesnik.

Thank you, Chair.

Whereas safe gun storage goes beyond home security, but is a matter of public safety and responsible gun owners prioritize safe storage.

And whereas, according to the 2024 alcohol tobacco, and firearms report, more than 17,000 firearms were reported missing, lost, or stolen by federal firearms licensees in 2024.

And whereas, according to the National Institute of Justice, over 80% of K through 12 school mass shooters stole guns from family members.

And whereas in 2020, firearm-related injuries have been the leading cause of death for children and teens ages one through 19.

And whereas firearms are responsible for nearly 60% of all suicides in our country and are used in 46.8% of suicides among those under the age of 18, with 80% of firearms suicides by children involving a gun owned by a family member.

And whereas 76% of unintentional shootings involving children were committed with unsecured guns from the home.

And whereas a 2015 study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimated that roughly 4.6 million children live in a home with loaded and unlocked firearms.

And whereas on July 28th, 2025, the Safe Gun Storage Act was passed in Illinois, and it requires that all firearms be secured in a locked container and the firearm is inaccessible or unusable to any person other than the owner or other lawfully authorized user.

And whereas keeping firearms and ammunition locked, unloaded, and securely stored separately, along with other policies and practices that disrupt access to firearms in times of crisis has been associated with a lower risk of children and teens hurting themselves and others with firearms and firearms suicides in homes with guns.

And whereas simple and inexpensive solutions such as cable locks, trigger locks, lock boxes, and gun safes are ready available online and at sporting goods stores.

And whereas, now whereas safe storage saves lives when we talk about it and spread awareness.

Now, therefore, be it recognized by this county board of Lake County, Illinois, that September 2025 is safe gun storage month, and be it further recognized that residents, educators, physicians, elected officials, and parents are encouraged to learn about the need for safe gun storage and the many options available to protect our children, our schools, and our community.

Dated at Waukegan, Illinois on September 9th, 2025.

Thank you for reading that.

Any comments?

Yes, Member Kinesnik Fab and Member Wasick.

Yeah, thank you very much.

I would like to make a couple of comments.

Um I want to thank our esteemed leader from the coroner's office who joined us earlier for pointing out the impact of the Lake County State's Attorney Office's gun violence prevention initiative.

And I would like to make sure that everyone listening is aware that the gun violence prevention initiative arranges for the free distribution of gun locks all over the county.

If you were not aware of that, please look up the gun violence prevention initiative website, and you'll be able to find a tool where you can access free gun laws, free gun locks, excuse me, in your community.

And secondly, I would like to make a comment about the safe storage law that was passed by the Illinois General Assembly earlier this year.

I'm really so happy that we had that life-saving legislation signed into law earlier this summer.

I would like everyone to be aware, though, of a crucial point about that law.

Uh does not require that gun owners lock up their firearms in vehicles.

And that is very disappointing because too often when we pass gun safety legislation in this country, we fail to center and prioritize addressing the issue of gun violence in our most vulnerable and under-resourced communities.

Firearms stolen from vehicles is a major source of illegally trafficked firearms, the majority of which end up on the streets of our most vulnerable and under-resourced communities.

So I implore everyone listening, um, go a step further, please take that extra step.

Please take that extra step.

Go further than what the most recent Illinois safe storage law requires of you.

Lock up your gun wherever it is when you're not using it, not only in your home, but also in your vehicle.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Member Wasick.

Thank you, Chair.

And I want to uh recognize uh Member Knezik for her extraordinary advocacy on this issue a few years ago when the proposal for a safe gun storage law came through legislative committee.

The one thing we could agree on was that there was no reason not to lock up your guns in the house.

I mean, the statistics don't tell the whole story, but a lot of these uh dusts are preventable.

Um a lot of the dusts of despair are preventable.

We have a national suicide prevention hotline, uh 988 that's available to everybody 247.

Uh we have agencies such as the Sheriff's Department, our Great Gun Violence Prevention Initiative that are giving away gun locks, so it's it's not like you don't have your have access to these um tools to prevent tragedies.

So uh once again, yes, there's there's one step we need to take to have people uh educated about locking up guns everywhere, including their cars and other vehicles.

But you know, the awareness is important that you know these are uh lethal instruments and we need to protect our families and our our loved ones in every way we can.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Uh I do see Sheriff Eidelberg, if you'd be so kind to come up just to accept this uh special recognition, please.

And I'd ask Vice Chair Cunningham to join me up front as chair of law and judicial and uh member Kenisnik, would you join us as well, please?

Thank you.

Okay, you know what?

She likes us to stand up.

Please and thank you.

Okay, and two chairs do you have time to say a few words?

No, you're busy.

I want to thank the board for the recognition.

And protecting lives in our community is very important for me as Sheriff Oak County and educating the public about locking up their guns and keeping the guns out of harmway from their children to not loved one.

Again, I want to thank you everyone for recognizing what law enforcement doing every day and what my staff do each and every day to keep our community safe.

Thank you, everyone.

Thank you, Sheriff.

Thank you for being here.

Uh, any further comments on that?

Okay, seeing none.

Uh moving on to public comment.

I do believe we've got public comment today.

Yes, we do.

Um, before we begin, a reminder public comment must be related to agenda items or otherwise germane to the business of the county board and not redundant.

Each person making public comment will have a maximum of three minutes to make their comments unless otherwise determined by the chair.

Uh, that three-minute time limit is cumulative.

So if a person makes comment on more than one item, they will have a total maximum of three minutes for all of their comments.

Uh, for those attending in person, there will be a three-minute timer at the podium.

When you have 20 seconds left, the yellow light on the podium will come on.

When the red light comes on, your time is expired.

Uh, when appropriate, matters raised by public comment may be referred to a standing committee.

Uh, those making public comment shall refrain from commenting about private activities, lifestyles, or beliefs of others, including county employees and elected officials.

If those comments are unrelated to the business of the county board or county government.

Comments that are uncivil, rude, vulgar, profane, or otherwise disruptive will not be allowed.

And any candidates running for public office must refrain from including comments that promote or support any candidate, including refraining from identifying oneself as a candidate for public office.

All right, and our first uh comment today is uh from Rabbi Ari Margolis.

Do you want to allow extra time?

Time is fine.

Hello, thank you for having me here.

Um, I'm here at the uh invitation of uh board member Altenberg, who encouraged me to speak about an incident that happened at our synagogue, Congregation or Shalom in Vernon Hills.

I'm the rabbi of the community.

And uh a week ago today, we discovered graffiti that was put uh upon the wall of our congregation uh that was anti-Semitic, that was about hating Jews and encouraging our community to feel unsafe.

Uh it's this is a time where such kind of incidents they trigger generational trauma.

People who have heard stories of being expelled from places and the stories of the Holocaust that happened during World War II in Germany.

And I can tell you that many of our members of our congregation, their minds immediately went to those moments.

They asked themselves, is this the time when we need to get out of this country or this area or this city?

But I'm here not to talk about the anti-Semitism that happened, even though these cases of anti-Semitism are on the rise everywhere.

I'm here to talk more about the response that we received and to thank those who have stood with us and by us in this time.

Uh on Friday night, our normal uh traditional worship service, we had over 500 people come in attendance to stand shoulder to shoulder with our community and declare that we won't stand for hate.

We had over a hundred uh letters submitted to us by leaders, um politicians, clergy, um, declaring that we are supported and loved for who we are, and that we should have the right to be able to worship as we please, as we see fit without being threatened.

Uh, these letters of support meant the world to our community and helped us to see that this is not the same.

We never saw these kinds of outputs of support in the time of the Holocaust.

And so, to the members of this board who wrote us letters of support, and to board member Altenberg who showed up on that Friday night together with over uh about 20 um interfaith clergy, priests, ministers, imam, um, and other elected officials, we thank you for standing with our community and helping our community to feel safe and to know that they are loved and accepted here.

Um, we are so grateful to live here in Lake County and in Vernon Hills and the surrounding areas where such a response is possible and came forward.

And I just want to encourage all of you here as leaders to know that wherever hate stands uh pops up, um, your voice matters and makes a huge difference, whether it's anti-Semitism, racism, anti-immigration, whatever the case may be, whoever is being hated just because of who they are, how they speak, what they look like.

Uh, we have to stand up at the first signs of it in order to help people know that we won't tolerate anything beyond.

And so I thank you for all of your service and please continue standing with those who are uh in need.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um next commenter is Rayon Edwards.

Good morning, county board, chair, and all the elected officials.

Let me begin by unofficially thanking county board member and vice chair of the Forest Preserve, Ms.

Gina Roberts.

Sunday, August the 31st, the South Side of Waukegan wants to give you some flowers.

My community pays attention to a lot that I do.

And for the last six years, I have been doing events for seniors and my babies in the community, and you haven't missed a beat.

I don't call you to ask you.

You pay attention, you follow through the community, and you show up.

You don't just donate, but you also roll up your sleeves.

So I want this unofficially thank you.

The next meeting, I will have some flowers to give to you.

I just started school, so I've been going crazy, right?

The other thing I want to address, um, and I'm gonna ask a question because a lot of you guys know about events.

Would it be okay for me to show up at your event, Miss Maine, and set up a table and just start doing things without your consent?

It's not.

County board Cunningham, you came to the South South Reunion Sunday, August the 31st.

Number one, you didn't donate anything to this event.

Nothing.

You showed up with petitions and you asked them for signatures.

And can I finish?

Because these are my public comments.

I I understand, but point of what I'm not having to lead in church.

I just I just want to ask our parliamentarians if I just want to ask our parliamentarian if Mr.

Edwards may continue if there's anything out of line for as far as public comments.

The comment is German to county officials and county business.

Thank you.

Okay.

And so at my event, I had a community member standing behind this county board member with an audio.

And I prayed about that.

I pray really, really hard.

Because the one thing that I don't never want to do is fight with my people.

And my people is everybody in this room.

It doesn't matter what your color is.

It doesn't matter what your religion is.

None of that matters to me at all.

It was your petition, Dick, that was had.

I reached out to everybody.

And I always extend a hand.

Because whether you Democrat or Republican, I want my community to know that they have options to choose from.

Despite who I am and what I do.

Okay.

I've been trying to talk to you, Chihar for almost two years about the abuse, the disrespect from dismember that I received in spaces and in this community.

And today I spoke about it because my aunties, my mama's sisters, and my grandfather had 19 kids, 13 girls, and six sons.

My auntie finally said to me, you don't have to be quiet in your mom.

You don't have to respect who don't respect you.

And we, the Southside of Waokegan, is tired of being disrespected and bullied by this lady because of her title.

Thank you all.

Y'all have an amazing day.

Okay, thank you.

Um other public comment?

No.

Thank you.

All right, moving on to my chair's remarks.

Um, all of the activity that I would say the Chicagoland area has really been preparing for, and um I would say uh it's become a frightening situation for many people.

Um I wanted to take a moment to do a know your rights overview, and I think Teresa might be able to bring that up for us.

Um, I wanted to do this because I think it is important for everyone to know their rights, whether you are a citizen or a non-citizen, regardless of the color of your skin or the language that you speak.

It is so critical that people understand their rights uh when they are approached by law enforcement.

So we've heard earlier American citizens are being swept up in raids at workplaces and on the street.

There are visitors who are here on business trips and to the United States are being swept up also at workplaces, as we saw as happened in Georgia at the Hyundai plant.

Um, and then residents and citizens who are in the vicinity of people who are targeted by ICE are also being caught up.

So thank you so much for bringing this up.

This is a civil rights hotline.

The attorney general protects the civil rights of all Illinois residents and does not request information about immigration or citizen status.

So you know, if you're not worried about yourself, lucky for you, but maybe you can still jot down this number to help those who may be concerned, and I'll have it come up again.

If uh if you could switch to the next slide, oh actually, I can switch to the next slide.

Thank you.

Um, just some things to be aware of if you're confronted by a police officer or immigration agent, and I don't know about you, but I've seen numerous clips on the news.

Uh read some numerous clips that are provided on the New York Times online about people getting um uh arrested or taken away, and they are citizens.

So you do have the right to remain silent, you do not have to answer any questions, and you may tell them that you have that right to remain silent.

If you do have valid immigration documents, um permanent resident card, which is what my parents had.

Uh, you have an employment authorization card or a certificate of naturalization, show that documentation to the agent, and they may pat you down and so allow that to happen if they believe you are carrying a weapon.

If they come to your home and if they do not have a warrant, you do not have to open the door.

If they say they have a warrant, you can ask to see it before letting them inside.

That warrant can be held up to a window, it can be slipped underneath the door.

If you do, when if if there is a warrant that is presented to you, be sure that that warrant has the proper date and the proper address.

Um, and if that warrant is issued by a court, excuse me, I said a court or and signed by a judge, the officers can at that time enter your home.

Um but if it isn't, you are not required to let them inside.

Um, for your own safety, if they force their way into your home, it is best not to resist.

Um, you can say you're not allowed to enter.

I do not consent to a search of my home, and I wish to remain silent and I want to speak to my attorney.

Or, and if you don't have an attorney, an attorney can be provided.

If you're not sure, you can ask them.

Are you an immigration agent?

Are you ICE?

Are you local police?

You may ask that question.

And you may ask them why they're there.

And you can also ask for an interpreter if they don't speak your language.

Some important reminders.

I am guilty of this.

I do not always carry my ID with me at all times, but I have taken to taking a photograph of my ID, my driver's license front and back.

And so if you I would just suggest to everyone to always carry your ID.

And if you've got your valid immigration papers, make sure you carry those and your work permit, which can be frightening, I'll just say, as a as coming from an immigrant family, those immigration papers are your life, right?

That's everything.

And so you do worry if you're supposed to carry it with you at all times.

Are you supposed to just stick it in your glove box?

Like you, where are you going to put it?

Those papers are so critical.

So that's a very frightening thing for people to have to do at this time.

There's something called an immigration A number that should really be memorized by people.

Obviously, never provide false or fraudulent documents to anyone.

And I think this is important.

And if anybody encounters immigration agents to write down as much as you can about that encounter, it is perfectly valid and legal to video if you are watching something, you may video that.

So thank you on that.

And if you choose to file a complaint, there was a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, or maybe we saw it in Capital Facts about the millions of dollars that have been spent as far as lawsuits, valid lawsuits against law enforcement.

So it is correct to want to video or provide documentation if you see something that is not right.

Something that really spoke to me was making this child care plan.

I was at a monoamano roundtable event with on Friday with Member Kyle, Member Campos, Senator Duckworth, Senator Durbin, and we had several members of Mono Amano or their guests talk about how frightening it is for them.

Their children are legal residents, and they also may be legal residents, but people are getting picked up.

So children need to know about what your emergency plan is.

Let your children know that you have someone in mind for them to take care of them if you're unable, if you're unable to be there.

Potential caregivers should have the emergency contacts and memorize those emergency contacts and help your children to do so too.

If they're not old enough to memorize that, have that on a piece of paper in their pocket or in their backpack.

Let them know who can and importantly who cannot pick up your children from school.

Schools may only release your child to designated adults, but sometimes there can be mistakes.

So to be really clear with that and make sure your children know that as well.

And then updating the emergency contact and release forms for the school, for after school, for daycare.

Sorry, and I'm putting that in there again.

People who cannot pick up your child.

Making sure your child has a valid passport.

If they were born in a different company, a different country, check with that embassy or consulate about getting a passport.

And you can also register your US born child to birth with your home country's government.

So you know, I wanted to include this because here's people who are, you know, really, really frightened, and they've got to make sure that they're thinking about their children's records, the medical needs of their children, the allergies, because if they are caught up, if they are detained, and this has happened to US citizens, if they are detained, who is going to pick up their child from school?

How are you able to contact that person?

Does the school know who to call?

What if your child requires medication?

So I mean, it's really quite terrifying, right?

Um, I think those of us who are parents or caregivers for others, oftentimes we care more about those people than we do for ourselves because we know what you know, we know what a scary time it can be.

And then these are some documents for an emergency binder.

I'm not going to read it out loud to everybody here.

There's a lot there.

Um, but I thought that was uh was really important to include.

And then documents to carry with you daily, the green card.

My dad and mom and dad always had to have their green card with them, uh, state ID, your know your rights card if you know what that is, and it would have the name of an attorney and so and also sort of a hotline phone number, um, telephone numbers of immigration lawyer, advocate, or nonprofits that um member Campos read earlier, and those telephone numbers of emergency contacts.

And then I just want to close with the Illinois Office of the Attorney General Kwame Raul, the civil rights hotline that they have.

So, you know, I'll tell you if I've seen a lot of notes of support for our public statement.

And I know, because of course I see on social media that there are people who are upset.

And I would just say, I don't know what is upsetting that saying that we are a welcoming county.

We welcome people from all backgrounds, and we want to keep people safe.

So I'm really proud of the statement that our county put forward.

I'm proud of the statement that we did earlier this year, it was in January or February, that passed unanimously for the second time, stating that Lake County is a welcoming and diverse community, uh, regardless of where you come from and who you love.

So I just hope that people uh remember that how important it is for us to be empathetic and that uh the poem, I think I might call it a poem or at least a statement, you know, when they, oh, I didn't bother getting involved because it didn't have anything to do with me.

Well, until it did, right?

Until it did be something to do with you, and then no one was there for you.

So thank you for indulging me with this.

Uh I just felt that it was important giving everything that's happening.

Uh, I just want to call out a few things that happened over the last few weeks.

I had a signing at the naval base with member Frank regarding our intergovernmental agreement that will help with the demolition of Halsey Village and many other services that we can provide to the military at a lower cost and at faster service.

I really want to thank Deputy County Administrator Matt Myers for his help in bringing that about.

As I mentioned earlier, I attended that press conference, that Mono Amano.

Uh oh, excuse me, no, I did not mention this.

Press uh Mono Amano put together a press conference, and I attended that with member Campos, Vice Chair Cunningham, Member Kyle, and Member Roberts.

It was very well attended from our federal and state and local folks as well as many uh advocates from the community, and I really want to thank uh Mano Amano for putting that together.

Um I went to a Sheridan Crossing groundbreaking with Vice Chair Cunningham, uh County Administrator Sutton did a very good job speaking.

I could not get there in time.

Um, but that is something that has been long awaited.

It is a 40-acre parcel right across from the naval base.

It has been a contaminated site for decades, and they were given a grant by Congressman Brad Schneider for four million dollars to finally clean up that site.

I again want to thank uh Deputy County Administrator Matt Myers, who has been very engaged in that in that project.

So thank you for that.

And my favorite part of our meetings is uh I'm always happy to recognize and celebrate our employees who've been with us for 30 years or more, and today we're recognizing Sandra Lucio, Lucio, clerk of the circuit court, thank you.

Um so let me read this, whereas Sandra Lucio joined the Lake County Circuit Clerk's office in September 1995, and whereas she started at the Grays Lake Branch Court as a senior clerk and quickly moved through the ranks as a court clerk into her current position as a supervisor of the civil division, where she supports the legal community, public judges, and her co-workers.

And whereas Sandra is known around the office for always being happy to fill in wherever needed, along with a bright smile for those she serves, and whereas through her 30 years of experience, Sandra has built extensive knowledge of the circuit clerk's office and is known as the go-to person in the civil department.

And whereas through her 30 years of experience, Sandra has built extensive knowledge of the circuit clerk's office and is known as the go-to person in the civil department.

And whereas Sandra's generosity shines through not only in the workplace but also in her personal life, such as when she donated a kidney to her sister in 2003.

And whereas her kindness and positive demeanor are appreciated around the office and have an incredible impact on the workplace every day.

Now, therefore, be it recognized by this county board of Lake County, Illinois, that Sandra Lucio is celebrating 30 years of dedicated service to the Lake County Circuit Clerk's Office and Community.

She is a treasured asset, and we are thankful for her continued service dated at Waukegan, Illinois on September 9, 2025, and Clerk of the Circuit Court, Aaron Cartwright Weinstein is also here for this award.

Oh, one of the start.

Thank you.

Me?

So I just feel so lucky to have Sandra in my office.

I you know had a history of being an assistant states attorney and also working in private practice, and Sandra was my clerk for in most of my courtrooms.

And so I knew her from you know, from her being in an entry-level position to now moving up into a supervisor position, and we are so lucky to have her knowledge, her kindness, her work ethic.

Um she's very, very dedicated, and I thank her every day and appreciate her every day.

So thank you so much, Sandra.

And I'll have to work with you.

Oh, thank you.

Thank you.

And we do have a retirement to celebrate.

Uh Jennifer Everett has worked at the Lake County Workforce Development Department for over 30 years.

She's dedicated a career to transforming the lives of young people throughout Lake County.

As a leader in the department, community and workforce development system, Jennifer Everett has created environments where people feel valued, heard, and empowered.

She has led initiatives that made a real difference, helped build systems, shaped policy, leveraged grant funding, and collaborated with community agencies and schools across the county.

And one she has many key accomplishments.

One that I definitely want to highlight is that she developed and delivered the Lake County Summer Youth Program for the past 25 years, which was instrumental in over 3,500 high school students getting their first job and having a meaningful start to their career pathway.

Jennifer is with us today, and there she is.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, thanks.

Thank you.

Great so much.

I'll not to get too emotional.

Um 30 years in a blink of an eye.

I uh just want to appreciate I did not do this work alone with the wonderful team at Workforce Development and our director Jennifer Sereno and our assistant director, Damar Harris.

Um, it has been my complete honor and pleasure to serve Lake County community.

Um start I started out working entry level, um, helping our adult job seekers and then somehow um found that passion with young people and youth, and and so um again, I just can't thank everybody enough for um in the team that we have in workforce development and helping those young people particularly find their way and really just strengthen our community and make it um just successful and strong and I just want to thank you all and I appreciate it.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Good luck on your retirement, Jennifer.

Okay, moving on.

We have no unfinished business.

Our new business is consent agenda for items seven through 35.

We have a oh motion, please, thank you by Vice Chair Cunningham.

Second by member Kyle.

Um, we do have a comment.

Yes, member Hunter.

Thanks, Chair.

Uh, can we remove item 13, please?

Yes, we can.

Oh, I should have known.

Yeah, thank you.

Uh, may I have a roll call, please?

Member Altenberg.

Aye.

Member Campos.

Aye.

Member Casmin.

Aye.

Clark.

Aye.

Member Cunningham.

Aye.

Member Danforth.

Aye.

Member Frank.

Aye.

Member Hart.

Aye.

Member Hewitt.

Aye.

Member Hunter.

Aye.

Member Kenishnik.

Aye.

Member Kyle.

Aye.

Member Maine.

Aye.

Member.

Aye.

Member Peterson.

Aye.

Member Roberts.

Aye.

Member Schlick.

Aye.

Member Vilitzik.

Aye.

Member Wasick.

All right.

19 aye.

Thank you.

Motion passes.

And I am going to ask for a five-minute recess.

Do I need a vote on that?

Can we can we do the yes?

Can we do the um board report before we take the recess?

Sure.

I think we need to jump off for a quick call.

Okay, sure.

So board of health report, and then we'll do a quick recess.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um I'll keep this brief.

So September is recognized as prostate cancer awareness month, a time to shed light on the second most common cancer affecting men in the United States after skin cancer.

In Illinois this year, more than 11,000 men will be diagnosed, and about 1100 will die from the disease.

Well, sometimes perceived as benign, prostate cancer can have serious consequences if not detected early and treated.

One in eight men will face a diagnosis in their lifetime.

The risk is higher for African American men and for those with a family history, not only for prostate cancer, but also breast or ovarian cancer tied to the BRACA gene mutation.

Early detection through screening and conversation with healthcare providers can significantly improve outcomes as prostate cancer is often highly treatable when identified early.

As the Lake County Board, we stand together in solidarity with patients, survivors, families, and healthcare professionals by raising awareness, encouraging preventative care, and supporting access to vital services.

We are affirm our commitment to protecting the health and well-being of our community.

World Rabbi Rabies Day is observed annually on September 28th.

Before 1960, several hundred people died of rabies each year in the United States.

Thanks to coordinated efforts of human and animal health experts.

Rabies is now well controlled in the United States.

If you are bitten by an animal you suspect may have rabies, contact the health department annual care and control team at 847 377 470 as soon as possible after obtaining the necessary medical attention.

And that concludes my report.

Thank you.

All right.

Thank you very much.

Okay, we are back on the regular agenda.

I'll let Vice Chair grab her seat, and we're gonna start with item number 37.

Under law and judicial committee chair Cunningham.

Yes, thank you, Chair.

And this is a joint revolution, not the rather than agreement with crowded dispatch corps of Salt Lake City, Utah, for pushing off a back and database as a share service about it.

Lake County Emergency Telephone System Board.

And what a lake county share off and the amount of 100,200 8195.

Last we'll move.

Thank you.

Motion by Vice Chair Cunningham, second by member Hewitt.

Any discussion on this item?

Member Peterson.

Thank you.

Um do we have anybody from the sheriff's office here that could answer a couple questions?

Uh uh, yes.

Uh uh the sheriff is here.

Uh yeah, sheriff is here, and uh Jim Tamarick is here as well.

Okay, and we discussed this real good in the committee.

Yeah, so you have a you have a question?

Member Peterson, yes, picking on the yes, commissioner.

Well, my for my first question is this is not going to eliminate transfer calls.

Am I correct?

You're still we're still gonna have in the unincorporated area.

We're gonna have transfer calls.

Am I correct?

I think the best person to answer this would be Sharice Nichols, our 911 director, because she knows 911 better than anybody, and Bernard Melcall for IT director.

They're trying to bring them over as panelists.

Okay.

So they're online.

So we can wait, they're just bringing them over right now.

Well, you know, I've been personally with my husband through the through the transfer cost situation.

It's I wouldn't wish it on anybody.

And you know, we've spent all this money to build this state-of-the-art building, the ROC.

Number one to eliminate transfer calls.

There's many other reasons, don't get me wrong, but I know that was the number one reason because we had problem with transfer calls.

So I I guess my question is are is this money that that we're you're spending here?

Is it the same type of program that we have at the ROC?

Or we're going to have at the ROC.

I'm sorry that's what happened to you and your family.

But what I'm saying is that uh Bernard can go in more detail.

This is the training that my staff need to do their job right now for Lake County Sheriff Department 911 center.

And even though there were money put into the ROC, there was some conversation with me and the ROC people about our concerns at the Sheriff Department, and that our concerns were not met.

And even though there may have been some misunderstanding, misinformation by the representative of the county board uh after we came obvious that the county board was not briefed on the sheriff department concerned issue with the ROC.

I put out an eight-page letter to everyone here on this board about what our concerns were and why I had some concern about moving forward with the ROC.

We had further conversation, and one of the things under the consolidation, it says on site location, which means the sheriff department could be at the ROC on site and we could participate working together.

The consolidation of the ROC said no, we do not want the sheriff on site.

The county board was made aware of that, and no one fought for the sheriff present at that site.

So there are a lot of questions of concern.

There's misinformation, and we're here today to explain that misinformation, and as soon as my people are able to come on board, they can follow up on some of your concerns, ma'am.

Okay.

Uh I don't see them.

Are they on there as panelists?

Oh, great.

I didn't see them on my screen.

Thank you.

Okay, so who do we have?

I can't see them.

Oh, great.

Thank you.

Go ahead, Sharice.

Good morning.

Member Peterson.

This will allow us to provide emergency medical dispatch protocols.

These are the same ones that are used by the ROC and agencies that are consolidating with the ROC, as well as other agencies that are dispatched by Glenview, even though they're situated in Lake County.

But this allows our staff to be able to perform the same functions in the event of not being able to transfer a call to Glenview.

If the ROC were to go down, it creates additional redundancy for those agencies and allows our staff to be able to complete those emergency medical instructions as well as bringing us up to date with the mandate that is required by the state for all 911 dispatchers to have EMD certification.

But is this not a duplication?

I mean, we have the same service at the ROC, and then we're gonna spend this money for this it.

Am I correct?

It's is it not a duplication?

It is the same program, but the state of Illinois is requiring that mandate for all dispatchers to have that certification.

We're currently on a waiver, and we don't know how long that waiver will continue.

Thank you.

I have member main.

Thank you, and thank you, Member Peterson, for your question and for the answers by staff.

So, yes, the state requires it, but it is a duplication because of how things played out.

And I respect the sheriff, but we talked about this, and I just I can't support this.

I understand it's important, but this is what we're gonna see more and more things like this.

A duplication when it didn't have to be this way, and this is a hundred thousand dollars.

That's a lot of money, and we're going into our budget, and people are gonna want to have new program requests and things like this, and this eats this eats into those sorts of things.

Is we're gonna see more duplications about these sorts of things in the future because we have these parallel systems.

So I understand it's important, but I can't continue to support duplication of services.

This board has worked hard to eliminate duplicative efforts, and now we're not.

Thank you.

Any other comments?

Um, thank you, Member Clark.

When we discussed as the committee, so I believe that this will give the dispatchers like I guess training if it's a police call so that they can help answer basic medical calls, I believe, and then they will transfer them.

So it allows is that true?

So that way, um, like basic, like I don't know, someone had a heart attack and CPR could be given, and then they're transferred.

That's what this is correct, and then they'll I just want to make sure that's what this training is.

Is that correct?

Is like medical training so that people can answer questions right away, but and then if they need then they could call transfer them after.

Is that correct?

Is this a question for Sharif?

That might be a question for Sharif.

Yeah, yeah.

Okay.

That's correct.

I'm sorry, technical difficulties.

That is correct.

It's to provide emergency medical dispatch instructions while responders are on the way.

So I mean it is I believe it is really important.

I'm surprised we I mean don't have that now, so I'm really glad we have it.

But I do think it is a concern of if this was all in one place, we wouldn't need to do this separately.

Um, and there wouldn't necessarily need to be that call transfer.

But I understand that you have said that this is not gonna you are not coming together.

So I think you know the reality is we have got to make sure people are safe.

I'm disappointed this isn't all in one place, but um, because it is duplication of services, but this is saving gonna save lives, what I understand.

So I I see the duplication issue.

I wished it wasn't that way.

Um, but this will help then people get trained, correct?

And then they'll be able to help people and then call transfer them afterwards.

So I guess I'll be supporting it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Member Hunter.

Thanks, Chair.

Maybe I can help um see through this a little bit.

I mean as the chair of the Jets PvS, I look at things a little different on how this is.

One of the things that the sheriff's department dispatchers don't have is they don't have EMD dispatching.

Okay.

That was part that's partly a problem.

They if they would have come to the ROC on its initial when we opened it to everybody, we would have to provide this to them anyway to get their dispatchers up to speed to make them EMD.

So it's really not duplicate.

I think there's a lot of those conversations coming.

There's a ton of those conversations coming.

But these dispatchers, the state is going to make them, as Sharice said, the state is gonna make them say you can't be, you can't not be EMD.

So whether we pay now to train our employees, they they are our employees right now, um, and utilize some of the money from the soon to be gone ETSB.

Um I I think this is this this is okay.

This is not a duplication of services.

They have to be trained, and if the state drops the hammer on them tomorrow, they're in a real trouble because they don't have they they're not gonna they can't have that.

This is gonna provide that training.

If they were to get hired by the ROC, they have to have these.

So look at this as a precursor.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other comments?

Thank you, Member Maine.

That was very that was very helpful.

But if they were hired by the ROC, the ROC, I'm just asking for clarification, not com the ROC already has this system, right?

Is that is that right?

So if they were hired by ROC, that already exists because we have paid for this.

I understand that the state requires it.

I I feel in a real conundrum here of something that's required, but are we not?

If they had been in the ROC, would we have this particular item in front of us, or would it have been taken care of through the ROC consortium?

Is does that make sense if I could have clarification on that?

Is that okay?

And thank you for asking that.

And I don't know the answer to that.

I it's so I'm gonna turn it back to Member Hunter to respond, please.

Thanks, Chair.

Um, we one of the prerequisites for the dispatchers at the ROC is they'd be EMD certified.

They're coming to us certified.

The sheriff's dispatchers aren't EMD certified.

They would have to do this anyway if they came to the ROC.

So I don't know, I can't say, did we pay the 100,000 281 dollars and five cents?

I don't know that.

Okay, but it is a prerequisite of employment.

It's and the follow up on that.

Sheriff, go ahead.

We've tried everything we could do to partnership with the ROC.

We have.

We've had conversations when this came about in 2021, 2022 and 2023, when I realized that no matter what we said, this discussion did not move forward.

So it left me no other alternative but to decide to walk away from the rock.

One of the things that was a deciding factor, they wanted me to sign an agreement for five years, and then with the option of walking away from the ROC after two years.

That's not how anybody do business.

And I didn't think that was in the best interest of Lake County and the best sense of the Sheriff Department.

And even though we're not part of the ROC, our 911 sitters still have to do their job.

So we do not get this resource in this training.

I cannot help the over 300,000 people and unaccorporate Lake County that I'm responsible for, no matter what happened with the ROC.

So what I'm saying is that for me to be the supervisor of safety, I need this resource to protect the county and protect the people I'm responsible for.

And that's why I need this training and why my people need this to do their job each and every day, as uh Mr.

Hunter said it is mandated by the state.

We can talk about what if, why am we doing there's a lot of reason why we're not at the ROC, but we're not there now.

So what do we do now to protect and serve the county that everyone here took an oath to represent and take care of?

Go ahead, sir.

Jim, go ahead.

Um member Main, just to answer your question about the $100,000 expense.

So ETSB is kicking in 75, we're kicking in approximately $25,000.

So ETSB is paying for three quarters of it, we're paying for 25% of it.

If this does not pass, then the ETSB will move forward with their portion and we'll be back next year asking for $75,000 or more uh based on what the current subscription rate is.

So again, this is a shared service that we uh partnered with ETSB.

ETSB has already committed $75,000 plus for it, and we were gonna pay the balance.

Thank you.

Member Falitzuk.

Um I appreciate the point, which is um which is really only the main the only point is that the safety and health of citizens of Lake or the residents of Lake County is the most important thing.

Um and so it's my understanding that the sheriff's office and and any entity in Lake County that there is an open door at the ROC for anyone to join at any time.

Um so I I would say that to Member Hunter's point, sounds like there's gonna be more of these decisions down the road.

And as the guardians of the budget of Lake County, um, I think it's very important that the sheriff's office um remain open to um conversations with the rock, with the county, um, with the ultimate goal of joining that that organization.

I'm on board with that.

I have always said I'm willing to continue conversation and have a dialogue that have never changed because the safety of this county is my almost concern when I took the oath on December 1, 2018 and December 1, 2022.

I member uh excuse me, Member Schlick.

I think followed by Member Campos.

Thank you, Chair.

This is a struggle because I do I believe in EMT, but my biggest problem is the the sheriff's office will not be dispatching ambulances.

They're gonna have to transfer this call back to Lakecom to get it.

I think in my district, if a call comes in an unincorporated Lake County, and Lake Comm takes the call, gives it to the sheriff's office, who then realizes it's an ambulance call, they have to give it back to Lake Gum.

This is a bounce that just this is what's gonna happen, folks.

I live and breathe in this space every day.

This is the type of thing that I think we have to eliminate.

And I appreciate the sheriff saying he wants to be in Lake Comm, I believe him.

And I think that's the best thing going forward.

But if we keep doing things like these, I think it's gonna just further delay the problem.

And while while EMD is great, we got a waiver, I understand.

At the end of the day, if a sheriff's office gets a call that it requires emergency medicine, they cannot dispatch an ambulance.

They don't dispatch an ambulance.

They have to send it to Latecom to get an ambulance.

So I don't know how much EMD they'll perform when really in reality they have to get it to a latecom dispatcher to perform EMP and get an ambulance in route.

I just don't, I can't agree with this.

I understand what Member Hunter says, and I would have to think this is kind of a duplication of service and something that we're not gonna provide.

So I will have to to oppose this and continue looking forward to a path where we can get the sheriff's office in the lake.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And I just have a question.

Um I just want to throw this in here.

It says the waiver will most likely end.

And I think I asked this at the technology committee, and then I asked it in law and judicial.

So I of course the sheriff's office cares about health and safety.

Um, how long has the waiver been in place?

And how do you know that the waiver will most likely end?

And I guess that's a Shharice question.

Or Bernard.

Or Bernard, whomever.

So how long has the waiver been in place?

And how do you know that it is most likely to end?

It has been in place since I'm sorry, Bernard.

Go ahead.

Oh, go ahead, Charice.

It has been in place since at least 2022, and and it is a mandate.

So we don't have a date on when it will end, but they want every 911 dispatcher in the state of Illinois to have to hold this certification.

And as a follow-ups, do we do you have any idea how many waivers and you've had so you've been requesting this waiver, you haven't wanted to have this or haven't chosen to make this request for the training.

So do you have a sense of again when it will end and what is giving you that sense?

I do not.

I'm just trying to bring us up to compliance to make sure that we are following along with the state requirements.

Okay, okay, thank you.

Um I have Member Campos followed by Member Peterson.

Um thank you, Chair, and thank you, Sheriff, for all you do for Lake County.

Um so if I remember correctly, um, and I do remember you saying that uh you felt that nobody was there for you on the board and that nothing you said meant uh meant anything or moved the needle.

Um I do want to at least for the to remember correctly, um I believe I was very vocal in on your position.

I believe Krista Casbin, I believe Mara Altenberg was very um forthright on your uh uh uh trying to fight for you, right?

And that's not to say that nobody else on this board was or was against you, right?

We always are trying to find uh the best thing for Lake County.

Um, and I do want to remind you, sir, that because I gave you that commitment that I was the only dissenting vote when the rock came to uh Lake County Board.

I did tell you it is going to pass, but I gave you my word that I would stand by you.

So I voted against it, and I was the only, so I just want to remember that.

Um I would you spoke about five years uh about a deal that was uh possibly in arrangement for five years, and then the ability to leave after two, uh, and that you you you were not satisfied with that with with that term with the with those terms.

I would like to see that.

Um, you know, I'm not sure if that needs to come in members or mark.

I don't know if it's it was not presented to us or if it was presented to us and we just missed it, but um I would like to see that as it seems like we're gonna uh start the conversation again to bring because we all want to see Lake County Sheriff in inside of the rock now that it's up and running.

I think it's the best thing for Lake County and our Lake County residents, and as well as for uh the sheriff's department as well.

Um but it particularly to this um agenda item.

I believe this is the band-aid, this is the band-aid, and the uh actual wound that needs to be healed is getting the sheriff's department inside the rock.

So I understand this may be duplication of service, but we're here now, and we have to solve this problem.

I don't want us to be uh flat footed.

Um this is out of my wheel of expertise.

This is obviously in yours.

This is obviously in member Schlicks and in Member Hunter's.

Um, so uh, you know, the only thing I see here is that's the main problem, and the crux of the issue is that Sheriff's Department is not inside of the rock.

And so I'm happy that I start you know hearing sentiment that maybe we're gonna have those conversations, but uh I'm gonna vote in favor of this because this is uh what is needed right now, um, regardless of whether we provide those services or not.

I don't want our sheriff's department to be caught flat footed if the state comes in.

I appreciate that.

Thank you, thank you, Sheriff.

Um member Peterson Five and Member Dan Forth.

Sheriff, I'm the only one here that sat on the policy committee for the 911.

So I heard a lot more than the board members have heard.

Chris and I mean that that committee meant for two, three years.

Quite a while.

If you would have sent the letter in, I don't know if the county board members got received the letter or if it was just the policy committee.

But I received a two short, and I mean very short paragraph, paragraphs letter.

And it was so short, I know it by heart.

And the first sentence was the Lake County Sheriff's Department will not be participating in the 911 consolidation period.

No explanation why, nothing.

We're not participating at the end.

The second sentence was the lake county sheriff's office needs 12 seats in the new building.

That was the letter that I received.

And you did not get an eight-page letter.

I did not get an eight-page letter.

I don't know if the rest of the county board members got an eight-page letter.

I don't know if they got the first letter.

But I'm gonna tell you something that set me on fire.

I'm not gonna understand that.

That would have set me on fire.

And the reason why I said that I sent the letter out, Mr.

Slick over there, he came by the office, had a conversation.

Ms.

uh Commissioner Cassenbahn had a conversation with me.

Commissioner Laura Altenbird had a conversation with me about the letter.

So I'm not sure why you didn't receive it.

And then that eight-page letter, I break down why we had some concern about moving into the rock.

And a lot of our interaction was with Mr.

Hawkins.

I personally interact with Mr.

Hawkins, had a conversation with him about our concerns, and for over a year he kept telling me that we're looking to this, sir.

We will rectify your concerns and problems, and we want to continue moving forward.

I said, okay, sir, the day of the rock when we broke ground, I had a concern about going to the groundbreaking because my my concerns was never answered.

And I was told by my staff, keep the door open, a line of communication, and we will get a resolution without concern.

So I went to the ROC.

I went to the groundbreaking against my better decision, but I follow suit with my staff because I believe in my staff.

They're there to help educate me and move forward.

Then, even after that, there was continued conversation with Mr.

Hawkins about my concern.

And it was always pushed down the road.

We're gonna look into it, sir.

We're gonna get back with you.

And then I went overseas with my son to celebrate his birthday.

And when I got back, I asked Mr.

Hawkins, what of my concerns have they been addressed?

He says, sir, we're still working on it.

I say, you know what, sir?

Here's this letter to say what my concerns I have not been addressed.

Gullabow me, Mr.

Hawkins said this letter is dated a couple of months ago because I gave it to him before I went out of the country.

He asked me, could I address the letter change to date?

Sorry, Sheriff, we have a point of order.

I mean, this is not the time to for a back and forth about what was said about the ROC and bringing up people that aren't even here to defend themselves or give a counterpoint.

And with all due respect to the sheriff, I mean we have the sheriff up here doing what we normally would do in the committee, and I don't know why we're doing it here now.

And um, so that's my point of order.

I also have a point of information that would greatly help me.

Um we keep talking about this EMD and the training and everything else, but when I'm reading this, um, this resolution that we're going to vote on, it talks about the EMD training, and I understand the importance of the training, but I'm I don't understand.

I've been I've been listening to this now for 15 minutes.

I thought we're voting on some type of back-end database system, and I don't understand how the two are tied together.

If training is nice, it's necessary, then training needs to be done.

But why are we buying?

Why are we needing this back in communication system?

I don't see what that has to do with anything about being a qualified EMD person in order to make a dispatch.

We're talking about spending 110 or 100,000 on a database system.

Which one is it?

I'm I'm confused.

I really am.

Thank you.

So if I may, this is for the back end database.

We talked about it at technology.

I think some of it is sort of to tell maybe the dispatcher what they're supposed to say before they have to transfer that call if an ambulance is required.

So you are correct.

It is a back end database, and and I appreciate your point of order.

You are correct.

This is not the time nor the place to go back and forth on the rock.

So I I do know Member Kasman has something to say.

Um and then Member Main, you said something super super tiny, and then I have some thoughts.

So thank you, Member Dan Forth.

Member Kasman.

Um I just hopefully we can focus the discussion.

Um this is something that is mandated.

I'm that mandate is probably based on statute of some sort.

So they are required to have this.

It's important to public safety, therefore, one can assume that they have it.

I I don't think even if we were to vote this down today, I don't know that we can possibly refuse to purchase this equipment, or that it's in the county's best interest to do so, because we need to purchase the things that they need to operate by law with the state of Illinois.

So I just I want to I want us to keep like keep our eyes on the road here and keep us focused on on the the actual decision points, which are not a relitigation of of the consolidation and all that went wrong, but what's before us right now and what are our level levers of control here?

Do we want to exert levers of control right now for this item right now that is critical to public safety?

I don't think so.

I don't think we want to, I don't think we want to send that message to our community.

So it in the spirit of getting the business going, uh, I think we should just uh vote on it.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Member Main, you said just something small vice circle.

I I would just say if we look at the last bullet point that this is the tip of the iceberg.

The last bullet point says the sheriff's office did not budget for this in FY2 2025, but it's freed up funds and we'll budget for this additional expense in future budgets.

I'm frankly shocked that if you've been on a waiver since 2022 that you did not budget for this expense, and I I just wonder what additional expenses are going to be out there.

Everyone's had good points, but it appears to me there's gonna be a lot more dollars involved, and I'm glad that they're gonna be budgeted for it.

Thank you.

Vice Chair Cunningham.

We discussed this very late in the committee, and it passed in Law and Judicial Committee.

So I don't know.

Did I have uh a no?

I think you voted no, right?

And we had one opposed, and that was Commissioner Peterson, and um then it went through technology.

I don't know that it passed there because I didn't want it.

Now we hear the one back and forth, back and forth.

If a person needs something to, this is Lake County, this is our share department.

If they need something to work with, you know, me, I'm speaking of this commissioner, we should give it to them.

They can't work if you ain't got nothing to work with, you can't do anything.

So uh we got to realize this.

Uh and uh we have a other people that it's never say no, but I just want to say I think this is very important to the chef for the safety of the resident of Lake County that they have to work with.

So uh I just want to say that.

Thank you, Vice Chair.

Thank you.

So I have some notes here.

This is not personal, so I anybody who feels like this is something personal supporting supporting the sheriff or quote unquote not supporting the sheriff, this is not personal.

We manage the budget, we put forward the monies to support the departments, and we ask really tough questions.

And I am reminded that in Cook County, I think I saw a photo of Sheriff Tom Dart.

Uh he was in front of the county board for two and a half hours asking questions.

I don't think it's personal, it's just people have questions about how things are spent.

So I that was the most important thing for me to say, at least, um, as because we all work together.

Couple things, I mentioned this at a committee earlier.

The sheriff's office is not a backup for the ROC.

There is there are built-in redundancies into the ROC.

So I just want to be very clear.

I I think it was uh Sharice who said it.

Uh so if the ROC goes down, uh that they would be able to do this work.

So there's the built-in redundancy, and then what is the uh what is the backup?

Is it Lake Zurich or Lake Zurich?

So Lake Zurich is the backup.

So I just want to be clear on that one.

Backup for backup for the rock.

If something, and it would have to be something pretty crazy to we've all taken a tour of the rock.

We're all super proud of it.

It is gotta be one of the best emergency operations centers in the United States, and we're super proud of it.

And of course we want the sheriff to be to be part of LACOM, right?

Um, I just want to speak to one thing.

Uh the sheriff said uh about misinformation.

I do not believe there's been any misinformation that has emanated from the county administrator's office either today or in the past.

This board is um, we have looked at contracts.

So, member campos, you were saying, hey, I'd like to see that.

We voted on that contract.

So you can find those contracts.

Um people are welcome.

Uh sheriff, you are welcome to come, I'm sure.

We have to I have to clear it with county administration.

If you want to go through play by play on why you don't want to join the rock, but to member Dan Ford's point, this is not really um the point, you know, perhaps the point will be the budget, right?

And I think um, I can't remember who brought it up, but it might have been the sheriff.

You know, what does it look like uh to have two?

So the county is paying for this building, so we essentially are operating, you know, an additional 911.

What is that costing the taxpayers of Lake County?

I think when we talk about the health and safety of our taxpayers, right?

We should know what it costs, just like we're thinking about how much time it takes when there is a call transfer.

So that is really important.

So I'm just gonna ask that.

I don't know how we do it, but I would like to know what is the cost for operating a separate 911 center for the sheriff's office.

Um I know there's been several conversations that have occurred and and people have gone over to the sheriff's office.

Uh my name was not listed, and I'll just, you know, people are gonna do what they're gonna do as committee members or as board members, but we have our conversations in committee.

We have them in committee so that the public can hear them, so the public they can either come and ask their own questions or they can ask them online.

When we are meeting, whether it is a separate department elected or not elected, um, I think it circumvents the open meetings act.

And I that is why and I appreciate the kind offer from the sheriff for for for me and for others to come.

I was not comfortable in in taking the sheriff up on his offer because I think those conversations need to occur in committee.

I also, sheriff would just ask um, and I apologize to my board and staff that I did not say this before, but as elected officials, I don't think it's ever appropriate for this for us to disparage Lake County employees.

So uh the gentleman that you were referring to no longer works here, and um I think if there's concerns about an employee uh who works for either the county administrator, um, that would be the appropriate person to speak to.

And then my last thought is um, you know, if this has been if this is critical to public safety, I think I heard that this waiver has been in place since 2022 or 2021.

Okay, 22.

We do not know if the waiver is going to be uh it most likely will end.

We don't know why we know this, and we don't know when it will end.

I'm gonna guess that we're gonna get a heads up on that.

So it is my thought, and I have not discussed this with anybody here, um, is to consider uh tabling this for a future board meeting, date uncertain, until we know that that waiver has not been approved by um by the state of Illinois.

Because if it's been okay for the health and safety for 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Well, maybe they'll continue to do the waiver.

And then we're getting into our budget session.

We'll maybe have some information about 911.

Hopefully, we will have a really good understanding from the sheriff about his continued concerns with joining LACOM.

And you know, maybe we will need to have this item move forward as it stands or not.

So those are my comments.

Um I'm throwing that out there as a suggestion.

If anybody wants to make that motion, I welcome it, but uh, you know, I'll leave it alone from there.

Uh member uh okay, I have a motion by member Peterson to return this item, excuse me, to what will be the correct thing?

Um there are two motions that might be applicable to lay on the table is an inevitable postponement, a motion to postpone to a certain time would identify a future meeting date at which it might be uh which it would be taken up again.

Okay, and I think I want it to be an open date on certain, and the reason for that is because um the sheriff's office obviously for years has been requesting this waiver and it's been granted.

So I I think it's I don't know when that will happen.

So I would like to wait until if the sheriff or when the sheriff requests that waiver, and then um if the waiver is not granted, that we can then um come back and and provide that.

So I have a motion to that effect by member Peterson.

I think a second by member Danforth, is there a discussion on the waiver?

I will I will turn to the sheriff, I promise.

Member Clark.

I think if we do a date certain, I'm only I am a little concerned, and then I believe this training is really important to save lives, from what I understand.

I'm kind of concerned they didn't have this training originally, from what I understand is that this allows people to give basic medical from if I want to make sure this is correct.

That this training allows um people who are the operators to give basic life-saving training instructions to people on the phone when they're on the phone, and they're currently not doing that, which I so like just because there's a waiver, I don't know it's from a public safety standpoint if we want to can continue that.

So I just had two questions.

One is you know, is that what this is?

And then also with the funding, um, I know part of it's gonna be matched, and if we wait too long, I'm letting you know we might lose that funding from the ETSB, but I am concerned that we might be getting calls where people aren't trained and the sheriff's from the sheriff's office.

And so if if if maybe it could if this waited a month, could we like find out more in a month?

Could it be like a date certain?

Is that what we do?

I just am concerned just because there's a waiver doesn't mean we should you know we should.

So if I may, perhaps I can ask the sheriff or his staff.

Um, what how how has it worked in the years prior with this waiver in place?

If somebody calls with a health emergency, how what have you been doing since you've had this waiver?

Bernard or uh the 911 director, can you respond to that?

Yes, they're currently transferred to the appropriate fire agency since we've launched the new CAD system that is shared.

We also have the ability to send the call to the fire dispatcher prior to the call transfer even being received.

So from what it sounds like, people are not then getting life saving instructions, they're getting transferred.

And so this and then and then they receive their instructions, correct?

Yeah.

Okay.

I'm concerned about that.

Okay, and with this, they will have instructions through this database.

It's it's the it's the same one that is currently used by the agencies that are part of LACOM.

It is all integrated with the computer system that we use, the CAD system, and it guides the call taker through various scenarios based on the input from the caller.

It gets input into the CAD system and it gives the questions and instructions through that to the call taker to relate to the caller.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

Is there another question?

Thank you.

Member Schlick, Bob and Marber Campos.

I just want to clear up so everyone knows EMD is performed in the process of the true solution of ambulance being dispatched.

Okay.

So the sheriff's office, if they receive a medical call, still has to get an ambulance in route, which recalls, which requires a transfer.

So I I do like EMD.

I do like when dispatchers use it.

It is helpful.

But at the end of the day, the sheriff's office today, tomorrow, whenever they join Lakecomp, does not have the ability to dispatch an ambulance.

They have to get that call to a dispatcher that can get an ambulance in route.

So to me, personally, while I think EMD is valuable, I don't think it's valuable for a sheriff's office employee to be doing EMD while call is transferred to the medical dispatcher to the LACOM to get the fire.

I think it's in a better use of resources to get that call to the to the ambulance, get the ambulance in route, and let that dispatcher use their EMD training to do this.

I I understand, I get it, but I think overall this has to be what is one of those things that drives us to be a consolidated dispatch center.

And I know we're gonna get there, and I look forward to those conversations, but I think it's prudent on us to table this for now to a future date to look at it to have these discussions and see if we can't solve this down the line.

But just remember that while the sheriff's office can be doing EMD, they can't do the ultimate EMD, which is getting an ambulance to the person in need.

So that's just I asked that you consider that.

I I'll be voting in support of the motion to table to discuss this further.

Thank you.

Uh member Campos.

Uh thank you, Chair.

I just have two very direct questions.

If we approve this, is this going to shorten emergency call time from when the call comes in to when they get help?

Um is that gonna shorten the time, Sharice?

It can potentially it can potentially.

Yes, and as I had said, because we are on a shared CAD system, when a call for an ambulance is created, even if we didn't transfer the caller to the ambulance dispatcher, they receive the call and can dispatch the ambulance without receiving that phone call.

So any time in that transfer, they've already got the call and can start help based on the call itself without speaking to the caller on the phone call.

Okay because it's in the shared computer system.

Okay.

And obviously, you're in support of this.

This you would it wouldn't be before us and it wouldn't have passed law and judicial if it wasn't uh in need, correct?

Who is that question for?

I'm just saying that to myself.

My apologies.

That's okay.

All right, uh, thank you.

Thank you.

Um, any other comment.

I I do have a question.

Um, the last bullet point is the sheriff's office did not, but it's fine.

Freed up the fund to a budget for this additional expense in future budgets.

So, how long is this agreement for?

Um, two things.

First of all, I want to answer a question about the postponement.

If this gets postponed, ETSB dissolves, then we're if we order if we're able to buy this, then it would cost the sheriff and the taxpayers 100,000.

Once the ETSB dissolves the 75,000 and whatever.

I mean, I don't have the number in front of me, it's gone.

Um, everything it's a five-year agreement.

Um, and member Maine mentioned about she was concerned about what dollar amounts were um for future years.

It should be in attachments, it's maintenance agreements.

Um, I think it's around 20,000 a year.

Uh, but again, I didn't print out the agenda.

So thank you.

So if I understand it's 20,000 a year for future years, it's a five-year agreement.

And the first year is this 100,000, 25,000.

We're doing approximately 25,000 from the county, 75,000 from ETSB, and the dissolution of ETSB is projected to be 2026.

Or sooner.

Um I'm just concerned that if the ETSB goes away, the funding goes away, and then we're gonna be stuck with the whole thing.

That's why we're trying to do this.

Um, so I see, but the funding for the ETSB doesn't really go away, doesn't it go into go ahead, goes to Lake, yeah.

Go ahead, goes to J ETSB, but go ahead.

When the ETSB uh goes away, as as Jim had said, it then reverts to the J ETSB, and that committee then has the ability to be able to allocate for the same thing, the same time of day and everything else.

But right now, the ETSB is it could be tomorrow, it could be 30 days from now.

The applications are in and have been in to the Illinois State Police, which is who grants that.

Um, and they um uh they're working through their last things right now.

That's what we know about that.

But the new JETSB has the same ability to be able to help fund this for the Sheriff's Department.

Okay, thank you.

Okay, any other questions on this?

Um, so I'm gonna call a um a roll call vote.

This is the motion to table indefinitely.

Did you want to say something about the motion to table it to it would go back?

Did you want to speak on that item, Sheriff?

No, I wanted to respond or make a public comment about some things that were said, even though people are talking about going back and forth.

Okay, so Sheriff.

And would you say it also?

Pardon me, Sheriff, pardon me.

So right now we're only talking about the motion to table to go back to committee indefinitely.

So that's what's on the floor right now.

Would you like to speak about that delay?

Perhaps about the delay that you might be concerned about.

I'm concerned with the delay about the safety of the community that we serve.

That's what I'm concerned about.

Because this is a needed resource training for my staff to do their job.

And if we do not have the capability to do our job, I believe this delay will infringe on us doing our job for public safety, and we're not rendering the aid or an assistant that I'm then charged to do.

So I don't think that delay is a thing that we can should do.

And also we have no knowledge for when the state may pull this waiver.

They can pull it today, they can pull it tomorrow.

And we'll be in a bad situation.

So postponing this is not a good interest of the sheriff department or the county.

Thank you, Sheriff.

Um and uh, you know, I know you are very dedicated to the health and safety of our residents.

I know you were there, in fact, in the uh terrible situation in Highland Park, and when people were running away, you were running towards to help others.

So I know that is uh very critical to you as a person and to your entire department.

This waiver has been in place since 2022.

So 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.

I I um as far as a motion to postpone, I'm okay with that because I know that this board or I believe that this board would say, hey, we need to get this done, and the JETSB uh would listen just as the ETSB listens.

So that's my final comment.

I would like a roll call so to be clear, this is a motion to postpone indefinitely, and I want to be clear that I'm not asking for a motion to go back to committee because I think we've really discussed it.

So I think once we know from the sheriff's office that hey, that waiver was denied, we need to have this on the county board agenda that we will get it on the county board agenda.

So that is why I'm not saying it needs to go back to committee.

I don't think that's necessary.

I think we have a good understanding of where we are.

Um, and so I'm saying postponed indefinitely.

Well, let's see what happens with the waiver.

The sheriff, I'm sure, will be asking for that waiver again, and um we'll see what happens.

So that's where I am.

Yes, member can member Castan.

I would just urge my fellow members to pull back from this, look at what we're voting on, and see if tabling this indefinitely, this thing is the message we want to send to our community to the men and women in the sheriff's office toward the what hopefully will be the future consolidation effort.

I don't think it will be helpful toward that end if we make us a big statement about this necessary software.

That's please please bear that in mind.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Member Campos.

Thank you, Chair.

Uh, I'd like to just vote on this right away.

I saw can I call the question?

I actually had just said that I was gonna ask for a roll call, and and uh member Casman just had one last comment.

Okay, yeah, so we shall go.

May I have a roll call, please, clear data?

Member Altenberg?

No.

Member Campos, no.

Member Kasbin.

No, Member Clark.

No.

Member Cunningham.

No.

Member Danforth.

Aye.

Member Frank, aye.

Member Hart.

Aye.

Member Hewitt.

Aye.

Member Hunter.

Aye.

Member Kanishnik.

No.

Member Kyle.

Aye.

Member Main.

Aye.

Member Perak.

Aye.

Member Peterson.

Aye.

Member Roberts.

No.

Member Schlick.

Aye.

Member Bolitzik.

Aye.

Member Wasick?

No.

11.

Aye.

Thank you.

Motion motion passes to postpone indefinitely.

And sheriff, you have my word.

And I know Vice Chair Cunningham will hold me to it that if that waiver is not granted, we will put that back on the agenda immediately.

It will not be required to go through committee.

Thank you very much, everyone.

Thank you, Sheriff.

Okay, moving on to uh public works and transportation committee, Chair Clark.

I have a committee resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement with the Illinois State All Authority stating the terms and conditions for the rehabilitation of the Deerfield Road Bridge over the tri-state tollway and appropriating 1,854,000 of the county option motor fuel tax funds.

This is a really important project with such an important bridge in our community.

And I want to point out we're doing it with IDOT.

So thanks to IDOT and our staff, and it's paid for by our county option motor fuel tax funds getting this done.

And I so move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Clark, second by member main.

Is there discussion on this item?

Seeing none, all those in favor.

Oh, this does require a roll call vote.

May I have a leave for the previous roll call with the with uh excluding member Knisznick and Member Roberts?

No, yes.

Oh gosh, you are right.

No, no, no.

Sorry.

Thank you.

Yeah, good call, you guys.

Uh may I have a new roll call, please?

Thank you.

Yes, Chair.

Member Altenberg.

Aye.

Member Cambo.

Member Kasbin.

Aye.

Member Clark.

Aye.

Member Cunningham.

Member Danforth.

Aye.

Member Frank.

Aye.

Member Hart.

Aye.

Member Hewitt.

Aye.

Member Hunter.

Aye.

Member Kenishnik.

Member Kyle.

Member Maine.

Aye.

Member Correct?

Aye.

Member Peterson.

Aye.

Member Roberts.

Aye.

Member Flick.

Aye.

Member Valipsick.

Aye.

And Member Wasser.

Aye.

18 aye.

Thank you.

Motion passes.

Moving on to item 39, please, Chair Clerk.

Authorizing an agreement with Christopher B.

Burke Engineering Limited, Rosemont, Illinois, to provide professional engineering services for improvements at the intersection of Center Street and Edkinson Road at a maximum cost of 1,526,891.

And appropriating $1,835,000 of the quarter percent sales tax for transportation funds.

A highlight of this project is there's going to be a multi-use path proposed connecting 45 with Atkinson Road in Grays Lake.

And I so move.

Motion by Member Clark, second by Member Wasick.

Any discussion on this item?

May I have a leave for the previous roll call?

Yes.

Thank you.

Motion passes.

Moving to planning building, zoning, and environment committee, Chair Altenberg.

Thank you, Chair.

Resolution to vacate an unimproved portion of a right-of-way located east of Lawson Road and the Fox River Springs subdivision in Antiac Township.

And ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Altenberg.

Second by Member Schlick.

Any discussion on this item?

Seeing none, this does require a roll call vote.

May I have a leave for the previous roll call?

Yes.

Yes.

Thank you.

Motion passes.

Item 41, please.

Finance and administrative committee chair Frank.

Thank you.

Chair item 41 is resolution accepting and placing on file an estimate of the annual aggregate tax levy in the estimate in the amount of 188,647,298 dollars.

And providing for the apportionment of estimated taxes across the various items for the fiscal year 2026 appropriation ordinance as will be adopted by the county board.

I move to approve.

Chair, as I said, in the item, this is our annual estimated tax levy.

Thank you.

Any discussion on this item?

Thank you, Member.

Oh, thank you.

Um it sounds like there's a motion by member Frank and a second by member Clark.

Uh seeing no discussion on this item.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Item 42, please.

Thank you, Chair.

Item 42 is a resolution authorizing a line item transfer in the amount of two million dollars for the purpose of using a portion of the Monsanto settlement funds for incorporated or unincorporated super fund site environmental cleanup and or site preparation activities related to proposed economic development opportunities in Lake County.

And I move to approve.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Frank.

Second by member Hunter.

Any discussion on this item?

Thank you, Member Frank.

Yeah, Chair.

Uh we had really uh robust discussions about um purposes of these funds in FA.

And I really just want to uh thank you, Chair.

I want to thank uh Kevin Consendine from Lee County Partners, uh Deputy Administrator Meyer and Administrator Sutton for really good work and discussion on this.

This is essentially um earmarking some funds internally.

We're not spending this yet, but we're setting this aside to say, hey, there's a really good investment opportunity in terms of economic development on a uh super fund site, and uh we're earmarking this for that purpose with an internal and excuse me, internal budget.

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you.

Member Wasick.

Uh quick question.

This I didn't see an attachment, but are there specific sites that this is being earmarked for?

Um, so there is one particular site that was discussed at the FNA meeting, and there was a really great presentation, a lot of discussion that I might suggest would be really helpful.

But this is the may say the John's Manville site in Waukegan.

Right, thank you.

Yeah, thank you.

Any other questions or comments on this?

I just really want to thank the board.

I want to thank especially the FNA committee, who you know, there's a lot of really good conversation.

Our board does not usually uh take funds and get involved in economic development in that direct of a manner.

We do have a policy.

That policy was discussed, I want to say last month about um what we can do in terms of economic incentives.

I think the last time we had done one was for somebody in Gurney, it did not, uh it did not pan out and it didn't cost us anything.

Um, but that was gosh, I I mean it could have been 12 years ago or something like that.

So I think this is a great opportunity.

This site has sat vacant for a long, long time as a super fund site.

Um of the things that I had mentioned in committee, I'll just uh say again is we do a lot of economic development activity when we are building new roads and expanding sewer systems.

Um, but this is an opportunity for us to provide uh hopefully uh to put Waukegan on a level playing field with these other communities that um are ready to go with their green fields, right?

Waukegan was hammered hard.

I think we were talking about they have four or five super fund sites.

Um it is very difficult, right, for Waukegan to be able to come back and be the vibrant strong community uh that it was with a lot of jobs.

It is still a vibrant community, but if we can be part of um bringing jobs, good paying jobs to the Waukegan area, our county seat, um, I would be super proud of that.

It reminds you of something Paul Frank had said much earlier in the day.

If we look back on something years later and say, wow, we were part of making that happen.

So um appreciate all the comments.

Uh this does not require a roll call vote.

Oh, I'm sorry, pardon me.

Member me.

Yes, uh, I just want to say that um I think this is great.

I actually voted whatever it was 12 years ago against that other um economic package that had to do with tax rebates.

I see this as something very different because there's an underlying structural environmental problem in this situation that needs to be taken care of at some time, and we now have that ability, and that's that's why I see it different.

A lot of times I'm very hesitant about some of the economic models or things that come through of rebates and things like this.

But this is an underlying problem that must be fixed, no matter who is there, and that's why I think this is great and I support it.

Great, thank you.

Thank you very much.

Um, all those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Uh moving on to uh before I go to new appointments, I'm gonna go back to our reappointment, which is item number 13, a resolution providing for the reappointment of Jennifer Mashad as a trustee of the Long Grove Fire Protection District.

Um I have a motion, please.

Motion by Murphy Danforth, second by member Altenberg.

Uh, thank you, Member Hunter.

Thanks, Chair.

Um transparency of my primary employment long group fire protection district is an active client of mine, and I will abstain from the vote.

Okay, thank you.

Um all those in favor?

Any opposed, and we have one abstention from member Hunter.

Motion passes, thank you.

And then uh we have two other appointments.

Uh, other item 43 is a resolution providing for the appointment of Walter Torres as a member of the Lake County Public Water District due to the um sad passing of a of a member on that board.

Uh motion by member Roberts.

Do I have a second?

Second by member Frank.

Uh any discussion on this item seeing none.

All those in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Item 44 is a resolution providing for the appointment of James O'Malley as a member of the Manitou Creek Drainage District.

Motion by Member Schlicks, second by member Wasick.

Any discussion?

Thank you, Member Hunter.

Thanks, Chair.

Um the fact that it was a redacted um app or resume.

Does this gentleman live in the district?

Yes, he does.

Because it a lot all of his other qualifications were all in other towns, the other parts of the county.

And I I just I I'm unfamiliar with him.

I just want to know that he's gonna live where he represents the thank you.

He does live in the district, however, uh it's a good time to bring up that you don't by state statute have to have somebody who lives in the district, and we are very fortunate to have Mike Warner, our former uh executive director of stormwater management commission serving on the Avon Fremont drainage district right now because of his um fast knowledge and expertise.

I understand I I understand that that I just I prefer somebody to live in the district that we're they're at.

Totally, and we just redact those uh for their privacy.

Absolutely.

Okay, thank you.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Item 45 is a resolution providing for the appointment of Mara Altenburg as a member of the technology committee replacing Isaiah Campos.

Motion by member Clark, second by member Wasick.

Uh, any discussion on this item, Member Clark.

I really want to thank Member Altenburg for agreeing to serve on this committee.

We're talking welcome.

We're gonna be talking everything from AI to all these important policies.

It was disappointing.

I know that Member Campos couldn't make the meetings, but I'm really excited.

Mom, thank you, Member Altenburg for being on, and I know uh we're gonna be you're gonna be a great addition to the committee.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other comments on this item?

Okay, seeing none, all those in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Uh, we have no petitions, correspondence, and miscellaneous business.

Do we have any members' remarks or requests?

Thank you.

Vice Chair Cunningham fought by Member Altenburg.

Okay, I just want to um reiterate what uh speak of say today, Mr.

Rere.

First of all, I was there after I got out of church because I was risked because I was headed to another one, and um, I didn't have a petition.

I'm not running for nothing.

But I signed someone petition there at the prize.

Ray Ray don't even live in Waqegan.

So he go by what somebody done told him.

And he is a family member of mine, so uh we know him.

I know when he was born.

And um, people need to stop paying him to come to these meetings and try to put down on folks.

Uh uh, no one, you know, I don't care about other commissioners coming to my district, but don't come in and making trouble because I get it, they tell me.

They tell me if I go to Diane district and and tell her because you're gonna tell her.

So don't be a trouble.

And everybody on this county board, I've been nice to since I've been here.

All the new one I trained now when I went to NATO.

So I'm not Audrey Nixon.

I'm the only Afro-American woman only.

And I'm very hurt over the lies that he came here by somebody told him, and I know who they were, so they should stop, you know, paying him to come and say bad things when he don't even live in Waukegan.

Uh and uh uh I'm I was so wound up, but I shouldn't let myself get like that.

I just believed, you know, when somebody lie on you for no reason, the mayor walking.

He didn't, he won paid.

I mean, he donated the jumping jacks and all that stuff to the and the people's my nieces, my nephew, and and uh my family member cooked when that was donated stuff.

So these commissioners should quit call him up telling him because he's gonna tell us.

So I just want to, I just want to I have a right to defend myself.

Defend myself when someone come in and lie on you like that.

I ain't I ain't running for nothing.

Thank you.

Thank you, Vice Chair.

I have Member Altenburg followed by Member Campos.

Oh, and Member Franklin.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you, Chair.

I just wanted to um make a couple comments about the anti-Semitic incident that happened in Vernon Hills.

Um this is this incident happened last week where graffiti was left on the wall of the synagogue complex saying hate Jews.

Ironically, this graffiti was meant to divide and stir hatred toward the Jewish community in our county, but it did exactly the opposite.

I attended the service last Friday um at Or Shalom in Vernon Hills, and it was a beautiful outpouring of support for the Jewish community.

Or shalom welcomed more than 400 people, including 130 congregants from a neighboring synagogue, which is my synagogue, and I was very proud that our synagogue really was so caring and thoughtful and really wanted to support another synagogue in the next town.

And we also had several pastors and imams from churches and mosques in Lake County, along with several elected and community leaders.

In times like this, we all need to come together.

We need to support the idea that everyone should be able to practice their religion how they see fit, and in the end, we all have the same goals to be good people and good community members, and we need to show love and respect for everybody.

The Jewish people have a strong community in the Chicago area and Lake County, and they're going through a tough time since October 7th when the attack happened in Israel in 2023.

And they're going through a tough time since October 7th when the attack happened in Israel in 2023.

Our local Jews are feeling ostracized at times in schools and public settings when they're out shopping.

What I want to emphasize is being Jewish is our religion, and it does not dictate how a person supports the state of Israel.

Many Jews care deeply about Israel and its future, but they cannot influence the decisions and happenings in the Middle East.

Our Jewish community wants to live peacefully in America and in Lake County.

We thank everybody for their ongoing support.

Thank you.

I have Member Campos followed by Member Frank.

Yeah.

Thank you, Chair.

Um, I want to say thank you to Lake County Board and everybody uh that sits on it, uh, as well as administrative uh staff for putting out the statement and taking a stand against the federal government's decision to using Great Lakes uh Naval Station Great Lakes uh as the as the uh ground zero for for ice operations.

I know, just like um in the synagogue, which has happened in the synagogue had its opposite effect.

We all came together, and in these times we need to stay together.

So I written some statements uh that I'd like to read now.

Um as a Navy veteran, the grandson of an immigrant, and the first Latino to serve on the Lake County board.

I am deeply pained by the federal government's decision to use Naval Station Great Lakes is ground zero for ICE operations in Chicago.

The decision this decision attacks so many parts of who I am.

My service to this country, my family's immigration story, and my community's progress.

I know firsthand the pain and suffering that families will endure because of this action.

And I stand firmly against it.

Illinois is a state built on diversity, dignity, and opportunity, and we must not allow fear and oppression to replace those values.

The Supreme Court's decision to lift the hold on ISIS practice of using ethnicity or speaking Spanish or English with an accent as probable cause to detain and harass people is nothing short of legalized racism.

It is a direct attack on the Fourth Amendment and on the very principles of justice and equality that our nation claims to uphold.

Just because the Supreme Court overturned the federal court's decision does not make it right.

It only exposes the deep cracks in our system that continue to target communities of color and immigrant families.

I want to remind everybody.

To demand the right to be free and equal.

We cannot watch a government that turns its back on those hard-fought freedoms.

Silence in the face of this injustice is complicity.

Our communities remain resilient.

Families that have endured generations of hardship will not be broken up by this decision.

We know the pain and the fear this ruling will bring and is meant to stir fear among us.

But we also know the strength of solidarity that have carried us this far.

As a Navy veteran and the grandson of an immigrant and an elected official, I refuse to accept a country where racism is written into law and families are torn apart for speaking the language of their heritage.

We in elected office are not afraid.

We in the Latino community are not afraid.

We will use every tool at our disposal to fight this oppression.

We will stand together, we will speak out and organize to ensure that justice and dignity prevail.

Perhaps serving in the country, our country in uniform, or stepping into elected office for the first time.

History teaches us that change takes time, and healing the wounds of injustice is never easy, but it is always possible.

With perseverance, courage, and faith in one another, the future we dream will come true, and our nation will be stronger for it.

The federal government's decision may weaken our constitution, but it will not weaken our resolve.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Member Frank.

Thank you, Chair.

I really want to acknowledge and thank Member Campos and Member Altenburg for their comments just now.

I just wanted to take the moment just to say there's a through line between what we've talked about throughout this meeting from the very beginning through the recognition of Ms.

I just wanted to take the moment just to say there's a through line between what we've talked about throughout this meeting from the very beginning, through the recognition of, you know, uh Miss Ortiz to the resolutions we talked about and the comments we heard from from our colleagues and from the public.

And that through line is that the importance of standing up for our fellow human beings.

And I know that we need to stand up for our uh neighbors and friends in the Latino community as well.

And I just urge you all to continue to draw on your own personal humanity and stand up for your neighbors, because they need you now more than ever.

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you.

It's a nice close.

Um, seeing nothing further, I so adjourned this regular September 2025 session of the County Board of Lake County until October 14, 2025.

Thank you, everybody.