Good morning.

Today is Tuesday, December 9, 2025, and I called the Lake County Board meeting to order at 9 a.m.

The meeting is being recorded and live streamed on our website, Comcast Channels 18 or 30 and ATT Uverse 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.

Per County Board Rules Open Meetings Act, I think I have everybody who nobody has told me that they cannot attend.

So we are good.

Before we uh get into our agenda, is there anyone board members would like us to remember during our moment of silence today?

Thank you.

I'll uh start with Member Altenberg, followed by Member Kasbin.

Thank you, Chair.

Today we mourn the sudden and unexpected passing of recently retired Buffalo Grove village president Beverly Sussman.

Village President Sussman left an indelible mark on the village that will be felt for many years to come.

Her dedication and tenacity to make the village the best it can be was felt during her more than three decades of service to her hometown.

As we speak, she's being laid to rest in the village she loves so dearly.

Beverly and I worked side by side on many important issues over several years, and I was proud to call her my friend and colleague.

We always supported each other and rallied behind one another.

She was synonymous with Buffalo Grove.

Beverly and her husband Marty were loyal and steadfast to the village and were seen at events across the village several times a week.

Even as Beverly retired in 2023, she was not eager to leave a position she always held with love and compassion for those she served.

Sussman served as village president from 2015 to 2023, and for several years prior from 2009 to 2015, she served as village trustee.

Beverly's tenacity was unmistakable, getting a new downtown type development called the Cove, which brought hundreds of new housing units and new businesses to our community.

It is one of the largest retail developments in the village history.

Her legacy continues to shape our vision for the future, he said.

Her spirit will continue to be an endearing part of our community.

He added.

He founded the Nocturnal Adoration Society in Joaquin, volunteered as a Eucharistic minister, belonged to the Sembradores Comunidad Guadalupe, and was the Sacristan for most blessed Trinity Parish, Holy Family Catholic Church in Joaquegan.

Antioko was a beloved husband, father, brother, godfather, Catholic, volunteer, co-worker, and friend.

After becoming a naturalized citizen in 1999, Antioco was adamant about the importance of voting and getting others to vote.

He loved traveling with his family, rooting Fortaluca and all the Chicago sports teams, playing Pokemon Go and enjoying good tequila.

Most importantly, he loved his family and friends.

He was obviously a pillar of our community and of the Latino community in both Gurney and Waquegan, and he will be greatly missed.

Thank you.

Member Hewitt.

Thank you.

I would like us all to remember December 7th and Pearl Harbor and all the people that we lost and their families.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Can you join me in a moment of silence, please?

Member Peterson, if you would lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

And to the Republic for which she stands.

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

Thank you.

We have no addenda to the agenda.

We do have one special uh presentation today.

I want to thank Member Maine for uh pointing out that it'd be nice to have our employee recognitions on our agenda.

So we do have an employee service award for Dawn Patch.

Oh, pardon me.

Oh, you're right.

We didn't call the roll.

Thank you.

I was so excited that you know the employee recognition is kind of the most fun thing that we do during our meeting.

But thank you.

Um I have a roll call, please.

Yes, good morning, everybody.

Member Altenburg, here.

Member Campos, Member Casbin, here.

Member Clark?

Here.

Vice Chair Cunningham here.

Member Dan Forbes?

Present.

Member Frank?

Here.

Chair Hart?

Here.

Member Hewitt.

Here.

Member Hunter?

Here.

Member Kenisnik.

Here.

Member Kyle.

Member Maine.

Aye.

Present.

Member Correct?

Member Peterson.

Present.

Member Roberts.

Here.

Member Schlick?

Here.

Member Valitzik?

Here.

And Member Wasick.

Here.

Great.

Thank you.

We have 18 present.

And I do know Lember Park is on his way.

Okay.

So we have a presentation of employee recognition for Dawn Patch for her 35 years of service.

Whereas Dawn Patch began began her long career with the Lake County State's Attorney's Office in December 1995.

And whereas throughout her tenure, Don has worked with every division of the state's attorney's office, acting as a steadfast victim champion in thousands of criminal cases, allowing her to be the voice of those experiencing trauma and supporting victims and witnesses as their liaison with the justice system, providing information on their rights and court procedures and offering unwavering emotional assistance.

And whereas she has guided countless families and survivors through some of the most serious and high-profile cases, the Lake County State's Attorney's Office has encountered and has provided guidance to hundreds of victim witness staff throughout the state of Illinois by serving in leadership capacities for the Illinois prosecutor-based Victims Assistance Association.

And whereas Dawn has reached impressive milestones in her career, paving the way for other victim witness specialists and leaving a lasting impact on the family she has supported, her peers, the community relationships she has built, and the justice system she works in, and is viewed by those she encounters as dependable and compassionate with a deep knowledge of the criminal court system.

And whereas Dawn has spent the last two years of her career working as a victim advocate at the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center, utilizing her strengths and voice to serve the most vulnerable victims of crime through her continued commitment to justice.

And whereas she is single-handedly changed the lives of many survivors by guiding them through the criminal justice process, connecting them to community support, and empowering them to continue to move forward in their journey.

Now, therefore, be it recognized by this county board of Lake County, Illinois, that Dawn Patch is celebrating 35 years of dedication and unwavering commitment to providing justice and safety.

She's a passionate mentor and a role model to her fellow colleagues.

Her commitment, contributions, and impact are appreciated, and we extend our sincere gratitude for her continued service, dated at Waukegan, Illinois, on December 9, 2025.

And Dawn is here today.

Thank you.

All right, so we're all gonna come up here.

Yep.

Thank you.

Vice Chair Cunningham, would you join us, please?

Chair Flaw.

Thank you.

That's from you.

Okay, can if somebody could sign this.

Your husband.

Thank you so much.

And then she might want us to move over here.

And Vice Chair.

Wherever you want to want it.

We can be the red.

Okay.

Yeah.

Gene is coming.

Oh, great job.

Okay.

She's okay.

Okay, good.

Just a little more.

Thank you.

Thank you.

There you go.

Okay.

One, two, three.

And one more.

One, two, three.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And either of all.

I'll say a couple words and then three over here.

Great.

Thank you.

Good morning, everyone.

Sad day for the state's attorney's office, but also a wonderful day to celebrate an amazing leader in our community.

You know, this board is incredibly dedicated to public safety.

I know how uh versed you all are on thinking about trauma and caring about every single community.

To understand Dawn's impact, you have to think a little bit about how trauma works and how it can emanate from one event and affect families for generations, can affect neighbors for generations, can affect loved ones for so long.

And when you think about how Dawn has stood at the center of this office's dedication to victims for decades, by the way.

But more importantly, you have to have the right people.

And Dawn has been a leader for 35 years, literally serving thousands of Lake County residents.

Thousands, whether it is directly through the referrals she makes, whether it's just sitting with them in a hallway or in a courtroom, because something terrible has happened to them.

And those small moments of helping those thousands of individuals, that love, that compassion, that skill has also emanated out and impacted thousands of other people.

So we are sad to be losing Dawn, but we are so happy to be honoring her commitment, dedication, and compassion to the people of Lake County.

Thank you very much, uh Dawn, for your amazing work for everything you have done to help thousands of people to teach me, to teach others, to teach uh new people coming into the office about the importance of the work and the importance of public service.

So thank you, Dawn.

Thank you, board, for your recognition, and I'll turn it over to Kara.

Thank you.

Good morning.

35 years, crazy.

Um, what an accomplishment, right?

I think um it's important to recognize that only a few people, um, it takes a very few people to be able to do this type of work for that long period of time.

Dawn has devoted the 35 years to victim advocacy and the children's advocacy center was super fortunate to be able to have Dawn in our world for the last two years of her career.

Dawn's personality, it clearly takes a deep commitment, most importantly, most importantly, a significant amount of empathy.

I've said it before in front of this board, and I'll say it again.

We see the worst of humanity, but we also see the best of humanity, and that's what often keeps us thriving.

And Dawn is definitely left her imprint on this county.

She's definitely paved the way for other people in this role.

She's been an example, and most importantly, as well, Dawn is always wanted to continue learning.

Um, and it takes someone with a great amount of self-care and the desire to continue learning to get her to 35 years.

So while it might be a very sad day for the state's attorney's office, I can assure you it's a very happy day for her and her family that she will now be home with her family and taking all of her wonderful skills and doing something different with them.

So thank you to the board for recognizing her, and thank you to the board always for your support in the victim advocacy environment.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Um as I said, it is one of my favorite parts of our county board meetings because we don't always get to see the wonderful work that so many people are doing uh behind the scenes, and they're not looking for this kind of recognition.

But uh I'm really grateful that this board takes the time to do that.

So thank you so much and congratulations to Dawn on her um on her retirement.

Uh okay, moving on.

Uh, public comment.

Do we have any public comment for items on the agenda?

We do have some in-person public comment this morning.

Uh to those making public comment, uh, public comments must be related to agenda items or otherwise germane to the business of the county board and must not be redundant.

Each person that's making public comment this morning will have a maximum of three minutes.

Uh the three-minute time limit is cumulative.

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

Uh 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.

And when the red light comes on, your time has expired.

When appropriate, uh matters raised by public comment may be referred to the appropriate standing committee.

Those making public comments shall refrain from commenting about public 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 then finally, candidates running for public office must refrain from including comments that promote or support a candidate, including refraining from identifying oneself as a candidate for public office.

First public comment is from Rolf Wagner.

My name is Rolf Wagner, and I reside at 42530 North Sheridan Oaks Drive in Antioch, Illinois.

Chairperson Hart and County Board members, thank you for giving me this opportunity to address you.

An underground 24-inch natural gas pipeline is projected to be constructed on our properties connecting Illinois natural gas pipeline south of Route 173 to Wii Energy in Paris, Wisconsin.

My purpose in speaking with you this morning is to first inform you of these activities and most importantly, attempt to gain friends on the board in our request to oppose the rooting of this project.

We've been organizing a neighborhood resistance to the current pipeline company's plans, which they have uh communicated to us with a written fact sheet, among which is the application for a FERC permit to be applied for in the first quarter of 2026.

The map that I handed out in front of you shows the location of the proposed pipeline.

Our neighborhood consisting of red residents on North Crawford Road, Edwards Road, and North Sheridan Oaks Drive have been traumatized by a letter we received from this company.

In their continual efforts, we have received veil threats of property condemnation and seizure if we don't cooperate.

We have received continual phone calls and uninvited knocks on our doors from land agents working for the Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America.

Many of my neighbors are elderly residents who have lived on the land for decades, some of them who have been here for more than 40 years.

In addition to standing up for myself, I am standing up for these senior citizens who can often fall prey to powerful and manipulative tactics to persuade them to sign legal paperwork.

These seniors are often lonely, physically feeble, and responsive to friendly manipulative attention.

We have encountered a corporate bully wearing velvet gloves.

One particular instance is worth mentioning.

Since Judge Kenneth Clark perished in a barn fire two years ago.

Among these are diminished property values, environmental disruption, and profound secondary effects.

Um that affect our uh drain title network.

Um time is up.

Uh thank you for your attention.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh next is Margaret Carrasco.

Um, yes, good morning.

Uh, just wanted to give uh update.

If you recall the last time I was here, um I had made the invitation to Lake County Sheriff and also to Michael Jackson, our Lake County, our homeland security director for Lake County.

Okay, uh, to a community meeting in the uh Latino community.

Um, and uh they refused.

However, they later um it was communicated to me they wanted to meet with me personally.

I accepted.

I think communication is a good thing.

Um at the meeting, I went for the most part pretty good, um, except towards the end when um Sheriff Iidelberg ordered me to remove information that I have on my Facebook page, social media about ICE agents.

Well, I'm here to respond to that because I walked out on him.

I do not allow people to disrespect me.

I do not allow someone to violate my civil rights, freedom of speech, I don't allow people to stalk me or to tell others to stalk me.

So I'm here to ask the board, because if he would have met with us, this is what we were gonna ask him about.

Give him the opportunity to respond, but he refused.

Okay, so here I am.

Are you aware that all the programs for the jail inmates?

I'm talking like GED, all that to help our citizens, have been cut since he came into office.

That's four years almost, right?

That's about a million dollars each year.

Where has he spent the money?

Because it's not going to what it was allocated legally financially for.

However, if you go to his website, there talks about how great it is.

Okay.

Um, I ask that you board members review his credit cards.

And when he goes on trips, has his wife ever signed or forged a signature or used this county credit card.

Taxpayers want to know.

Um, in addition to that, um, the food.

Um, there is a federal lawsuit that was just filed because the vendor and the jails are leaving empty stomachs and empty pockets of the family, denying adequate meals.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

I'll be filing ethics for complaint against him in investigation.

Thank you.

Um, I did send a board uh an email to the board uh that in lieu of my chair's remarks, I really want to spend the bulk of that time in reviewing um 2025.

Um we are really fortunate to have committed county board members, elected officials, and employees who are incredibly dedicated to the mission that we as a county board have established, um, which is of course to provide exceptional services and support for Lake County's people, community, and environments.

Our vision that we developed is to uh to be a national leader driven to achieve excellence, innovation, and sustainability, so that everyone is valued and everyone can thrive.

And in the strategic plan that we approved in 2023, we identified dedication, equity, excellence, innovation, leadership, responsibility, and sustainability as our values.

And these core values are really the foundation for the strategic priorities that we put forth as the action plan for our staff to execute.

And as we reach the end of this year, I really um think back with enormous pride on everything Lake County government and our employees have accomplished.

2025 has been a busy and highly productive year in Lake County, and our board and staff continues to focused on our priorities that we outlined in the strategic plan.

County administration has worked diligently to compile a 2025 annual report detailing the progress that has been made on the county priorities, and everybody I see is looking at their copies at their desk, and it's also for our residents and if we want to share it as county board members, available on our website under our strategic plan page, and I will ask Patrice to present this annual report and highlight the county's accomplishments during 2025.

Thank you, Patrice.

Thanks, Chair Hart.

It is my pleasure to present the 2025 annual report.

The report before you took the contributions of all the departments and partners highlighted, as well as the dedicated efforts of communications, including Tammy Chapman, Alex Carr, Chris Anderson Sell, Abby Krakow, and Justine Gilbert, and the print shop of our support services division.

Progress tracking on our strategic plan, as well as oversight of this annual report is under the direction and leadership of Matt Myers, Deputy County Administrator.

I've asked Matt to show the report on the screen while I highlight some of the noteworthy accomplishments from this year.

However, it's important to note that we haven't been able to include everything in this annual recap, nor even in the annual report.

The first accomplishment was truly a monumental effort that was years in the making.

In July 2025, the regional operations and communications facility opened.

And later in 2025, during October and November, we saw the successful consolidation of 911 in public safety communications for 30 law enforcement and fire EMS agencies into a new emergency communications center called Lake Comm.

The consolidation, the largest of its kind in Illinois, is the result of more than a decade of collaboration and hard work by local public safety leaders, the Lake County Board, and local state and federal officials.

By bringing highly trained experts and state of the art technology together under one roof, both the coordination of resources and emergency communications will be improved.

Ultimately reducing call transfers, improving response times, and potentially saving lives.

Additionally, we are thrilled to say that the ROC is our first net zero building, meaning it consumes no more energy than it produces from renewable sources.

The facility is powered by more than 1,900 solar panels and is heated and cooled through a geothermal energy system made up of 56 wells located 400 feet underground.

The building was also designed and constructed with bird-friendly materials such as fritted glass to reduce bird strikes by migratory and native birds.

This accomplishment would not have been possible without the support of many individuals and partners, including local public safety professionals and agencies, local and state officials, the Lake County Board, and particularly U.S.

Congressman Brad Schneider, who secured a $1 million in federal funding for the project.

In addition to several grants, the county used ARPA funds and bonding to pay for the building.

However, it's important to note that the county issues alternate revenues for all of its bonds, not property taxes.

So the building has been built without impacting tax bills.

Moving on to adaptive infrastructure.

In 2025, Lake County was undergoing construction on over 150 million dollars in infrastructure improvements, made up of many projects of various types.

Highlighted are the completion of several major projects, such as the White Deer Run Reservoir, reconstruction of Sylvan Lake Dam, and the award-winning Daryl Road roundabouts.

These projects increase water storage capacity, protect local waterways and neighboring properties, and make our transportation system safer.

All these projects meet the ever-changing and evolving needs of and demands on Lake County and enhance the capability and resiliency of our infrastructure, exactly as our strategic plan outlines.

2025 was truly a special year for economic opportunities as Lake County was ranked top 10 nationally for economic development by site selection magazine.

Lake County Partners, which is Lake County's economic development partner, had its best year on record, helping generate 633 million in direct investment, creating 1,862 new jobs, and retaining 1,333 jobs in Lake County.

Also bolstering our economy, visitor spending was up 1.7%, reinforcing our position as the third largest tourism economy in the state.

Led by efforts from another Lake County partner, Visit Lake County, tourism remains a huge economic driver, supporting 15,514 jobs.

To put the impact of tourism into perspective, without it, each household would have to pay an additional 1,361 to replace sales tax generated by tourism to maintain the many services that state and local governments provide.

Lake County's workforce development continues to lead the way when it comes to strengthening the county's talent pipeline and supporting long-term economic mobility for residents.

In fact, in May 2025, the workforce team was honored with the Excellence in Collaboration Award at the Illinois Workforce Summit for their parent mentorship and paraprofessional program.

Programs like these can be impactful and even life-changing for our residents, and we are very grateful for the talented staff that brings this all together.

According to a report by Lake County Partners, the county will face a deficit of 1,200 senior and 6700 family affordable housing units by 2027.

To address housing affordability and availability, the Lake County Housing Coalition Coalition was launched in 2025, uniting key stakeholders for a six-month strategic initiative focused on expanding housing options for all income levels.

Named Housing Lake for short, this coalition is made up of the county's most influential leaders from business, government, development, and community advocacy to tackle housing from every angle.

The initiative will lead to a housing summit in February 2026, giving leaders and the community clear, workable strategies to improve housing, which, when done in a unified manner, will transform Lake County's housing landscape.

Next, we'll move on to our strategic priority of healthy and inclusive communities.

Earlier this year, our board further strengthened our partnership with Naval Station Great Lakes when we approved an intergovernmental support agreement that enabled them to partner with Lake County through joint purchasing for demolition and other services.

This partnership will help facilitate the removal of the 89-acre Halsey Village in North Chicago, once home to 351 housing units for Navy personnel and their families that had become unlivable.

This is an exciting opportunity that paves the way for future redevelopment of the property, leading to economic growth, environmental benefits, increased housing options, and a revived sense of community pride and cohesion.

This year also saw the launch of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Lake County, providing free high-quality books each month to children from birth to age five, promoting literacy and setting them up for future success.

In May, Lake County had the fastest growing program in the U.S., with more than 2,000 children enrolled.

Many thanks to Dr.

Carner and the Regional Office of Education Foundation for bringing this terrific program to the county.

In December of last year, the Frontline Care Center opened its doors in Round Lake, the first wellness center dedicated to veterans, first responders, active duty and reserved military personnel, and their families in the county.

In its first year, the center provided over 1,100 counseling and wellness sessions, offering critical support and improving the well-being of those who have served and continue to serve our country and community.

A huge thank you to the Lake County Board and all the organizations and individuals who were involved in bringing this vital resource to the county through ARPA.

The gun violence prevention initiative continued its work to address long-term root causes of gun violence, notably firearm homicides in Lake County have decreased by 71% since 2022.

Community engagement with this initiative has remained strong, with town halls occurring throughout the county to educate and connect with residents.

This initiative implements trauma-informed programs and maximizes collaboration across Lake County to reduce and prevent all types of gun violence.

The Crisis Outreach and Support Team, COST, continues to transform how mental health crises are handled.

Led by the Sheriff's Office, along with participating police departments and the Independent Center Living Room Wellness Center, the program has connected more than 5,400 individuals to mental health or social services, ensuring those suffering a mental health crisis receive the assistance they need while allowing first responders to return to service.

Lake County continues to lead by example in protecting our natural environment.

This year we adopted one of the nation's first bird-friendly development ordinances for residential construction.

In true cutting-edge fashion, without many similar examples across the country, county staff conducted extensive research to determine the best way to implement a residential ordinance effectively.

As part of that process, Lake County worked closely with the Lake County Audubon Society, the Bird Conservation Network, and the American Bird Conservancy.

Through this collaboration, we learned that bird-friendly design elements are both affordable and easy to incorporate into building plans.

We hope other local local governments will use our example to consider their own bird-friendly ordinances, expanding the impact across the region.

Our tree initiative continues toward its goal of planting more than 4,000 native trees, an effort supported by 2.5 million dollars across 1,200 acres.

To date, more than 1,500 trees have been planted, reducing stormwater runoff and supporting ecological health.

Moving on to Superior County operations and services, Illinois has 9,000 units of local government, more than any other state, with more than 200 right here in Lake County.

Since 2017, our board has focused on reducing duplication among local governments, primarily sanitary, drainage, and mosquito abatement districts.

To date, Lake County has eliminated or consolidated six special districts, with two more dissolutions underway, reducing redundant services and removing unnecessary tax levies from residents' property tax bills.

Before we move on from the Sierra Superior County Operations and Services section, it's important to note that Lake County is fortunate to have passionate employees who are not only dedicated to their work, but are also recognized either formally or informally for their exceptional technical expertise.

Their commitment and hard work are the driving forces behind our success, and we are deeply grateful for their contributions.

Their expertise and dedication ensure that we continue to provide outstanding services to our community, making Lake County a better place for everyone.

And now moving on to ARPA.

Lake County received 135.2 million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funding, all of which is now fully committed.

These funds support long-term investments in community resilience, public health, housing infrastructure, and economic recovery.

We remain on track to spend all funds by the end of 2026, putting every dollar allocated to the county to work to make real progress for our community.

Please note that our booklet shows just a snapshot of the ARPA project's impact, and that we have a page dedicated solely to ARPA on our Lake County website that goes into much more detail on each and every one of our 89 projects.

And now looking ahead, using ARPA funding, the Lake County Digital Growth Initiative will continue its momentum of working with residents to provide access to digital tools and training that will help them connect, learn, and thrive.

Throughout 2025, digital navigators have helped over 3,000 residents.

In addition, the DGI is actively working to install public Wi-Fi networks in the cities of Waukegan and North Chicago with the goal of increasing free public internet access in high need areas.

The Lake County Clerk's Office is preparing for two major elections in 2026, both of which require months of work preparation and planning.

The clerk's office is always looking for ways to make voting more secure, accessible, and convenient for our residents.

One of the latest process enhancements they have adopted is the vote center model, which allows voters to vote at any Lake County voting site on election day, making voting as convenient as ever.

Lake County encourages all residents to make their voices heard by voting in 2026.

In closing, I want to sincerely thank the Lake County Board and our dedicated staff for everything that we've accomplished in 2025.

Your commitment and dedication to serving the residents of Lake County is outstanding, and the progress we're making is improving the quality of life across all of our communities.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any comments from board members?

All right, well, I'll just say that I am really grateful for all of the hard work.

And you know, we're really busy, right?

We meet every single month.

We go over so many things.

Some of them are things that we're doing every year, right?

But a lot of it are things that say our Lake County DOT or public works department.

They have been working on for many years in terms of the engineering and the planning and the collaboration with all the different entities.

And you know, it's easy to forget all of the things that have been done.

And so I think it's so important to have these annual reports to think back about everything we did, and again, to really reflect on uh the outstanding employees that we have, many of whom we may we probably don't even know, right?

We know the directors who come to our meetings, but we don't know so many of the other planners and people who are working behind the scenes.

So thank you so much for this overview.

It's so important to take time to think about everything that's been done.

Um we're always planning and planning and planning, but um I'm really glad that that we had this moment.

So thank you.

Any other comments?

Thank you, Member Roberts.

Thank you, Chair.

I I think that staff deserves an applaud for all the work they do.

Thank you so much.

And um, I know like you uh we are out in the community and people say, Oh, hey, thanks for this, or you know, there was some construction.

I think Gina, you were talking about it a few months ago, uh, some construction in your district, and now, and it was it can be a headache when it's happening, and then when it's done, people are so pleased.

So again, thank you.

We're we're I think our terrific staff uh makes us look good.

So thank you very much.

Uh moving on, unfinished business.

Board members will recall that we have two items, uh, excuse me, three items that were under executive session that we did not uh we move to this agenda, so we'll do that under executive session at the end of the agenda.

We do have a consent agenda that's quite robust, items two through 33.

As a reminder, any board member can choose an item or multiple items to move to the regular and uh agenda.

Thank you.

Umber Clark, followed by Member Kasman.

Um, I'd like to remove uh item 29, please.

Item 29, Member Kasman.

Item 16, please.

16.

Okay, thank you.

So those two items will be removed from the consent agenda.

May I have a little pardon me, Member Volitzik?

Yeah.

Please.

30?

Yeah.

Okay, thank you.

Anyone else?

Okay, thank you so much.

May I have a motion, please to um approve the consent agenda for items 1629.

Oh, excuse me, consent agenda for items two through 33 with the exception of items 16, 29, and 30.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Kenisnik, second by member Frank.

Uh may I have a roll call, please?

Member Altenburg?

Aye.

Member Campos?

Member Castan, aye.

Member Clark, aye.

Vice Chair Cunningham, aye.

Member Dan Ford.

Aye.

Member Frank?

Aye.

Chair Hart?

Aye.

Member Hewitt?

Aye.

Member Hunter.

Aye.

Member Kennisnik?

Aye.

Member Kyle.

Aye.

Member Maine.

Aye.

Member Pratt.

My apologies.

Member Peterson?

Aye.

Member Roberts.

Aye.

Member Schlick?

Member Holidse.

Aye.

Member Wasse.

All right.

Thank you.

Motion passes.

18 approved.

Moving to the regular agenda.

Item 34 is an ordinance amending chapter 111.043, which is related to the number of licenses in the Lake County Liquor Control Ordinance, increasing the number of liquor licenses from 114 to 115.

We do have a liquor commission hearing today for Warren Township, who has applied for a liquor license that they would like to use for the month of December.

May I have a motion, please?

Thank you.

Motion by Member Hunter, second by Member Campos.

Any discussion on this item?

Seeing none, all those in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Moving to Health and Community Services Committee, we'll have a Board of Health report to be read by Member Maine.

Thank you.

The amazing progress that has happened, especially for those of us who are live and remembering these things in the early 1980s when this unknown disease was killing people.

Lake County Board of Health has a theme each year, and this one was this year's was without borders, without stigma, giving flowers in life.

And it focuses on the right of all people to dignity and respect in health care and specifically HI-free, HIV treatment free of judgment barriers.

And Lake County client staff and community members were present.

For more information, call 847 377 8450.

Or visit Lake CountyIL.gov backslash need to know.

It's important to know that there is a lot of treatment available.

And it is still important for people who have higher risk behaviors to get tested for it.

Because many people in high-risk groups do not realize that they are still at risk because there's so much treatment available.

So my second item, second and final item, is about vaccinations with the holidays here, people and the cold weather.

People are gathering in larger groups, they're gr gathering inside, which is great, but it also brings opportunities for spreading flu as well as other respiratory illnesses.

The diseases, the viruses are more active at this time of year, and being inside in close quarters, it's easier to spread.

National Influenza Vaccination Week was December 1 through 5.

And it serves as a reminder that everyone six months and older that there's still time to get a flu vaccine this season.

The flu virus itself changes each year, which is the reason why a vaccine is offered each year, unlike other things.

It's just the nature of the virus.

It mutates and it changes.

These are all respiratory illnesses, but they're all caused by separate viruses.

So vaccination against one does not provide protection against another.

There's been a lot about vaccination in the in the news, uh, ASIP and their changes.

As always, as I always have, it's really important for you to talk with your health care provider and understand the risk for you and your family and to have that conversation.

Because vaccines have been so successful, and they really are a victim of their own success.

So that people don't realize the consequences of what can happen when someone isn't vaccinated.

So again, um talk to your health care provider, call the health department, and get information from those who know you best.

And that ends my report.

Thank you very much.

Appreciate it.

Moving on to item 36.

Oh, pardon me.

Um, thank you to be read by Member Altenburg, Vice Chair of HCS.

Thank you.

Joint resolution authorizing a contract with Symbol Training Institute, Skokie, Illinois, and an amount not to be.

I think there's a different one.

I apologize.

No worries.

Oh, I'm we're going back.

I apologize.

Okay.

Joint resolution approving the second amendment to the program year 2025, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Annual Action Plan.

I so move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Altenberg.

Second by Member Frank.

Any discussion on this item?

Thank you, Member Casman.

I have to read myself from this vote because I'm on the um board of Tads Lake County and they are a named recipient of funds in the action plan.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Any other comment?

Uh she so we went back.

Somebody had re I think Member Kasman requested that item 16 be pulled from the consent.

So we just did item 16.

Um, thank you.

So we have a motion and a second.

All those in favor.

Aye.

Any opposed, and we have one um sorry, what yeah, thank you.

Thank you.

Um okay, motion passes.

Thank you.

Moving on to item 36.

Uh member Altenberg.

Give me a second.

Okay, item 36.

A joint resolution authorizing a contract with Symbol Training Institute, Skokie, Illinois, and an amount not to exceed $340,000 to be funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for Manufacturing Sector Training, Employment Services, and Job Placement Assistance.

And ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Altenberg, second by member Hewitt.

Any comment on this item?

Um thank you, Vice Chair Cunningham.

Um, if you if you would like, since you are appointed to workforce development by this board, you are able to vote on that item.

As being on executive board.

Yes, ma'am.

Oh, okay.

Yeah, since you're appointed by by our board.

Okay.

Yeah, thank you very much.

Uh, any other comment on this item.

Um, I just want to say there was really great conversation about the terrific work that workforce development uh is doing in terms of uh reaching out with other entities, and this is an important training program that is going to be started.

I think it's what we're one of the first ones to do it.

And um, so I wanted to make sure we put this one on the regular agenda uh to make sure that we are providing some attention to this great work.

So thank you very much.

Um all those in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Uh moving on to item 37, law and judicial committee chair Cunningham.

Thank you, Chair.

And this is a joint resolution on the brand, an emergency appropriation of $98,000 from the state's attorney office as said for Fortune Fund to reimburse the general fund for salary and Franken Coles for saying employee through November 30th, 26.

And uh this is for uh approved for uh for three, I think it's three employee, and ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by Vice Chair Cunningham, second by member Roberts.

Any discussion on this item?

Thank you, member Main.

Yeah, I mean, uh, this is all above forward.

What what I um and uh happy about is that just last month we were voting on the budget, and this is this is for employees through November 30th, 2026.

And this situation existed last month, so I don't understand why this wasn't addressed in our budget.

Um we we don't really have an answer, or maybe I didn't understand the answer when I brought it up before.

I don't know if anybody from the state's attorney's office is gonna vote no because I just feel process-wise, they should have brought everything at the same time.

That's fine.

That's all.

Thank you.

Uh this does require a roll call vote.

Um, why don't I take a new roll call, please?

Member Altonberg, aye, member Campos, Member Casbin, aye, member Clark, Vice Chair Cunningham, aye, member Dan Forth, Member Frank, Chair Hart, aye, member Hewitt, no, Member Hunter, no, member Kanisnik.

Aye.

Member Kyle.

Member Peter, I'm sorry, member Maine.

No, member Peterson.

No, member Roberts.

Member Schlick?

No.

Member Valitzick.

Aye.

Member Wasick.

We have one five no's.

Okay, and so 13 aye.

Okay, 13 aye, five nays.

Uh motion passes.

Moving on to public works and transportation committee.

Uh, Chair Clark will start with item number 29, please.

Thank you, Chair.

Item 29 is a joint resolution authorizing an agreement with HDR Engineering Inc.

Rosemont, Illinois, to provide phase one professional engineering services for improvements along Fairfield Road from Gilmer Road to Illinois Route 60 at a maximum cost of 2,689,513 and appropriating $3 million 228,000 of the county option motor fuel tax funds.

Um and also there's an intersection here at Chardon Road that is not the that needs some safety improvements, and this is really gonna focus on that.

So I thought it was important for me to know that an ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Clark, second by member Schlick.

Any discussion on this item?

Seeing none, all those in favor.

Oh, excuse me, this requires a roll call vote.

We'll need a new roll call, please.

Absolutely.

Member Altenberg.

Aye.

Member Campos.

Member Kasman.

Aye.

Member Clark.

Vice Chair Cunningham.

Aye.

Member Danforth.

Member Frank.

Aye.

Chair Hart.

Aye.

Member Hewitt?

Member Hunter.

Aye.

Member Kanisnik.

Aye.

Member Kyle.

Member Main.

Aye.

Member Peterson.

Aye.

Member Roberts.

Member Schlick.

Aye.

Member Velitzick.

Member Wasick.

Thank you.

Motion passes.

Moving on to item 38, please.

Thank you.

Item 38 is a joint resolution authorizing a contract with Hometown of Electric Inc.

Lake Villa, Illinois, in the amount of $2,560,475.20 cents for the traffic signal installation at the intersections of Sunset Avenue at Northern Avenue and Deerfield Parkway at Barclay Boulevard.

And appropriating $3 million,000 of matching tax funds.

This is a project that's really a great example of how receiving input from our local community about how they can we can make these intersections safer.

Um ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Clark, second by member Hunter.

Any discussion on this item?

Seeing none, all those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Moving on to planning, building zoning and environment.

We'll start with item 30, please.

That was on the consent agenda.

Um member uh Altenberg.

This is a resolution adapting the urban and community forestry strategic plan.

An ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Altenberg, second by member Volitzik, and any comment on this item.

Member Volitzik, followed by Member Kenisnik.

Thank you.

I am sorry that I couldn't make the committee meeting last week, but I did watch the video, and I just wanted to thank the committee and staff for continuing that work and seeing it through fruition, particularly Robin Groom's.

I'm sorry that I'm not, I've not memorized yet your new married name, but Hallgrim.

Robin Hallgram.

I think it was member Frank and I in 2020.

I remember being on Zoom starting these discussions with staff when we were brainstorming ways to use ARPA dollars.

So I'm just this is near to my heart.

I'm very excited to see this.

Um very um happy for the focus on education and training and the removal of invasive species, particularly buckthorn, um, so that so that native species can find a space to grow and to replenish our urban canopy.

Um happy to see this and um thank you.

That's it.

Thank you.

Member Knessik, did you have your hand up for a comment?

Thank you.

Member Wasick.

Okay.

Thank you.

I want to give a big shout out to Robin Grooms Holgorn.

Is that right?

Thank you.

And um, she did a lot of work on this.

We work with Chicago Regional Trees Initiative, and I discovered just in some side reading, because I I love the idea of planting more trees, that trees provide so many benefits.

There's more than a million dollars in ecosystem services benefits, they raise property values, they increase our overall health and well-being.

I mean, this is all research that's been done fairly recently, and they also enhance the value of neighborhoods as well.

So it's like a quadruple win plus for us to keep doing this.

And um, I want to thank staff and especially Robin for keeping this going and and and expanding it.

And we need to cut back a lot of buckthorn and and do things like that.

But uh trees are something that we need to uh do on a much bigger scale.

We lost a million uh ash trees uh to the ash borer.

So this is this is a very significant and meaningful effort uh that will address climate change as well.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Um seeing no other comments, I'm just gonna check and see it does not require a roll call vote.

All those in favor?

Okay, any opposed?

Motion passes.

Thank you.

And now moving back to the regular agenda item 39 uh to be read by member Altenberg.

Resolution to vacate an unimproved portion of Cherry Lane located in the Arthur T Macintosh and Companies Briggs Lake Subdivision and ELA Township.

And ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Altenberg.

Second.

Second by Member Kemisnik.

Any discussion on this item?

Okay, seeing none.

This does require a roll call vote.

May I have a leave for the previous roll call?

Yes.

Thank you.

Motion passes.

Moving on to finance and administrative committee.

Chair Frank for item 40, please.

Thank you, Chair.

Item 40 is a resolution authorizing execution of a contract with Verade Solutions of Chicago in the amount of 758,000 101 for the purchase of a photovoltaic array for the Waukegan campus 18 North County Street building.

And I move to approve.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Frank.

I'm gonna second that motion myself, if I may.

Any discussion on this item, please.

Thank you.

Member Frank.

Thank you, Chair.

Um, I'm really excited to see this item on our agenda today moving forward.

I really want to thank you, Chair Hart, for uh bringing this up and discussing it with us uh several times over the past couple of years about the opportunity, the footprint that we have here that is uh really ripe for generating solar energy on our campus and being mindful of our contributions that our energy footprint has on the air quality in the community that we operate in here in Waukegan.

So I think this is um a great example of our leadership, and I'm really excited to see this moving forward.

Thank you, Chair Hart.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Thank you, Member Clerk.

I'm really glad to see this, and yeah, thank you on your leadership and the committee on the leadership on this.

I know you know it's a great thing to do for reducing carbon emissions, but it's also a great thing to do financially.

I mean, if you look at what's going on with utility rates with electric rates, they're increasing very rapidly between AI data centers using it, increasing the demand, and the Trump administration has cut back on a lot of renewable energy projects that were coming to market.

So between that decrease in supply, the increase in the demand rates are gonna go up or are going up so much.

So this will save us a lot of money and be good for the environment.

So it's very uh fiscally prudent to do this.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh member Altenberg.

Thank you.

Um I want to agree with everything Member Clark just said, and I want to say I'm just so proud we have all these things coming up, environmental initiatives, and it really aligns with our strategic plan.

We really wanted to have so many more environmentally environmental things happening and have that play into all of our initiatives, you know, in all the different parts of the county.

Um, how we're thinking about executing things and including environmental strategies in those things.

I think it's really important.

I think we're a leader in this in Illinois, and very proud that we're able to accomplish these things.

Well, thank you.

Thank you.

Anybody else?

Um Yeah, just thank you so much to staff for for this work.

Thank you to Carl Carrar, who I'm sure he and his team spent a uh considerable amount of time as well as our purchasing department.

So thank you.

It's super exciting.

Um, all those in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Item 41, please.

Chair item 41 resolution authorizing the dissolution of the Avon Fremont Trainage District.

And I move to approve.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Frank, second by member campos.

Any discussion on this item, Member Wasick Flaw by Member Maine.

Thank you, Chair.

Um, it's very difficult in Illinois, as Patrice kind of alluded to earlier, uh, to dissolve a unit of government.

We have more than 200 in Lake County and more than 9,000 in the state, and that's something we have been addressing over time.

But this is this is a very great example of collaboration and and getting consensus.

Uh, there's several communities involved here.

There's one more vote left uh in the Grace Lake Village, and I think we're almost there.

But uh, so many people to thank, and um most of all uh Matt, first for team this up years ago, Matt Myers, and then Ruth Ann for shepherding this through.

She came to us from uh another role in government, and this is the first thing in her portfolio, and she's done a wonderful job getting everybody together on this, but also there are so many people who have served on these boards, and they're all volunteers.

So I want to call out some of the folks who are on the board are Roy Anderson, Jessica Albert, Patrick Auburn, and recently Mike Warner, and of course, uh all of my colleagues for green lining this.

I think it's going to help us in terms of environmental protection of the Milk Creek um watershed, and it will also um save some money for taxpayers.

So thanks for everybody for pushing this forward and especially the Chair Hart for taking the reins of this uh and really make this happen.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Member Maine.

Thank you.

And the reason I'm going to be voting no is I had asked earlier.

I just feel like we have the SMC Commission.

And that these should go to SMC for a comment.

Clearly, the final decision resides here, but I'd asked that before because they could have input that I think the committee should hear.

Might not change the outcome at all.

But again, this is a process issue for me, so I'll be voting no.

Thank you.

That's the villages of Grays Lake, which is represents about 75% of the Avon Fremont Drainage District, Haynesville, Libertyville, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Park, as well as our own area and unincorporated area.

You know, there's a lot of overlay, and and please know that each one of these drainage districts, as we look to dissolve them, uh we look at them on a case-by-case basis.

So there are some that might not make sense to dissolve.

One of those is the Skokie, uh, that we had an East Skokie drainage district and a West Skokie drainage district.

So we just consolidated it into one and were able to save money uh in terms of overhead.

Um and I just want to make a point.

There is a process.

SMC is always welcome as the executive director to comment on any of these.

Uh as our board members, we have very many, uh we have many board members who serve on stormwater management commission.

So um Grays Lake, the village of Grays Lake has requested to be the very last ones uh to go, and so they are having their meeting.

Gosh, I don't know if it's this week or next.

On the 16th, thank you.

It's on the 16th.

So we are excited to do that.

You know, we said we had dissolved um six special districts.

There's over 200 special districts in Lake County, but there's not that many that we by state statute have the authority to really eliminate.

So I'm really proud of the of our staff for the work that they've done in um really analyzing what needs to be done and again working with partners uh to understand the best way forward.

So thank you.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Thank you.

One no motion passes.

Thank you.

Moving on to new appointments.

Item 42 is a resolution providing for the appointment of Paul Frank as a member of the legislative committee replacing Angelo Kyle.

May I have a motion, please?

Motion by Member Wasick, second by member Roberts.

Uh, any discussion on this item seeing none, all those in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Um, we will now be uh would like for a uh a motion, a second to go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to five ILCS 120 slash 2C1, uh, as well as to review closed session minutes pursuant to five ILCS 120 slash 2C21.

Thank you.

Motion by Vice Chair Cunningham, second by member Hewitt.

May I have a roll call, please?

Member Altonbart, Member Campos, Member Casmin, Member Clark, Vice Chair Cunningham, Member Dan Forth, Member Frank, Chair Hart, aye.

Member Hewitt?

Aye.

Member Hunter.

Aye.

Member Knisnik.

Aye.

Member Kyle.

Member Main.

Aye.

Member Peterson.

Aye.

Member Roberts.

Member Schlick.

Aye.

Member Volitzik.

Aye.

Member Wasick.

Thank you.

Motion passes.

We'll go into executive session.

I'd like to do that.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you.

We are now out of executive session.

Uh for item 40.

Uh, excuse me, item 45 is board action re regarding periodic review of closed session minutes, and that is to keep the items closed.

Uh, may I have a motion?

Motion by Vice Chair Cunningham, second by member Clark.

Any discussion on this item?

Seeing none, all those in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Moving to petitions, correspondence, and miscellaneous business.

Does anyone have anything?

Uh member remarks and requests.

Anyone have anything?

I'll just say, oh, thank you, Member Roberts.

Well, you're talking to the I just thought I'm like right here.

Everyone, I know we won't see you till next year.

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas and thanks for the question.

That's exactly that is like exactly what I was gonna start to say.

And I was gonna start with Linda, who's made like this amazing uh I don't know, talking.

Thank you.

Um, and happy Hanukkah, happy holidays.

License, yeah.

Thank you.

Uh, member Frank.

Uh I kind of had a virtual town hall meeting for residents of my district.

It was very easy to do, and I put together a deck with some materials that had already been presented to us by finance department administration, fourth reserve district, like county partners, pulled a bunch of ties together.

It was um, like I said, easy to do.

Happy to talk to you about it, Frank, and doing that for your districts.

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you.

Okay.

Well, happy holidays, everybody.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday season with friends and family, and we'll maybe see you in 2026, if not before.

Oh, actually, we're gonna see each other tomorrow.

How about that?

Yeah, that was easy.

All right.

Uh we are so adjourned.

We now adjourn this regular September 2025 session of the County Board of Lake County until January thirteenth, 2026.

Thank you.