Good morning.

Today is Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

I called 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 U 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.

Per County Board Rules and the Open Meetings Act, attendance via remote means is permitted for qualifying reasons as long as the majority of the board members are physically present.

We have been notified in advance by Member Clark that she requests to participate electronically to uh being out of the country for work-related purposes.

Um a physical present quorum is present.

If there is no discussion, I'll ask county staff to know to the minutes that Member Clark is present and eligible to vote on matters before the county board today.

And as a reminder to Member Clark attending remotely, please ensure your camera is on at all times.

I do want to uh take note that Member Altenberg has also taken time out of her vacation to attend our meeting, and I really appreciate Member Altenburg you being here today.

So thank you very much.

Um I do not have I do not see any uh objection, so we will note that member Clark is able to attend.

Thank you.

Um before we begin our meeting, is there anyone our board would like us to remember during our moment of silence today?

Thank you, Member Schlick.

Thank you, Chair.

I want to take a moment to remember Mike Jungles, uh member of the Vulcana community.

Uh Mike recently passed, and he was a very dedicated um community member who was involved in a number of initiatives in the community with uh the Moose Lodge and the Masonic Lodge, most notably Mike was very passionate about childhood cancer research, organizing organizing fundraisers and bringing awareness to this devastating disease.

Uh his loss will be very well noted in the community and uh pray for his family.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Thank you, Vice Chair Cunningham.

I just want to remember uh our clerk walking clerk, Janet Keokelly.

She lost her mother, and we pray for her.

Thank you.

Anyone else like us to remember anyone today?

Thank you.

I would just like for us to remember all the people across the country who are um living in fear.

And um just recently, uh a mother lost her life, Renee Good.

Um, I'd like to remember all of uh all of the people who are um fighting for our civil rights.

So thank you.

If you join me in a moment of silence, please member Kenisnik, if you would lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

And to the Republic for which we can underface with liberty and justice for all.

Member Roberts.

Here.

Member Schlick.

Member Velitzik.

Member Wasick.

17 members present.

Thank you.

And uh, we didn't call uh Member Altenburg, but she is attending but unable to vote today.

And again, I just want to say thanks to Mara for being here today.

Thank you.

Uh we have no addenda to the agenda.

We have one special recognition today, which is celebrating January 19, 2026 as Martin Luther King Junior Day in Lake County to be read by Vice Chair Cunningham.

Thank you, Chair.

More than happy to read this.

Special recognition celebrating January 19, 2026 as Martin Luther King Jr.

Day in Lake County.

Where else Reverend Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr.

devoted his life to advancing just equality and opportunity for all Americans and his leadership and sacrifice continue to shape our nation, ideals, and civil life and where else?

Born on January the 15, 1929, Dr.

King became a Baptist minister and merged as a national leader of the civil rights movement.

African fought nonviolent and peaceful action as a mean to bring about meanful and lasting changes.

And where else Dr.

King rose to national premises during the Montgomery bus boys count of 1955 by Africa America and went on to lead hysterical effort that expands civil rights and strengthen Democrats participate throughout the United States.

And where else on August 28, 1963, Dr.

King did national delivering his I have a stream speech during the March on Washington.

And whales, freedom and opportunity are extended to all.

And encouraged resident to honor Dr.

King's legacy through service.

Reflection and effort to strengthen our share community on this date at Walkek in Illinois on January the 13th, 2026.

And this is for Dr.

King.

Thank you.

Thank you, Vice Chair.

Any comments on this item?

Thank you.

I think it's always important that we recognize Dr.

Martin Luther King.

Oh, yes.

Do we have any public comment today?

For items not on the agenda.

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

Each person making public comment will have a maximum of three minutes to make their comments.

Each person making public comment will have a maximum of three minutes to make their comments.

The three-minute time limit is cumulative.

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

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

When you have uh 20 seconds left, the yellow light will come on on the podium, and when the red light comes on, your time is expired.

When appropriate matters raised for public comment, maybe you referred to the appropriate standing committee.

Those making public comments shall be uh shall refrain from making comments 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.

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.

And we have one public comment on a matter, not on the agenda, and Mr.

Rayon Edwards.

Good morning, County War.

First of all, let me wish you all a happy new year.

Um late, but I wish you all the best in 2026 and whatever you got going on.

Good luck to you.

I want to ask today.

Um, I do a lot of uh events with my seniors, and I was asked a question last month, and my seniors asked me why don't they get anything in the mail as it relates to the county board?

And I couldn't answer that for them.

So something that I want to suggest to you guys.

I know a lot of things goes on the internet where we can pull board documents and things of that nature, but some of my seniors don't know how to navigate that system.

It takes them too much time and it is very frustrating to them.

And one of the things that they notice, just like I, we never know what's going on.

And I think that if we can start sending out some things, letting the people know about the business of the county, you wouldn't have a lot of people come up here to speak because we'll know what's going on then.

As it stands right now, we know nothing.

And so the only way you know is to buy come up here.

I know a lot of you guys be busy.

I don't know what a lot of you guys do in your bubble as far as your constituents.

But one of the things I want to say to all of y'all, y'all, we care.

We want to know what's going on in our community in our county.

And all of you guys goes to the polls, and this is why our turnout is so low, and this is why people are so disengaged.

We're not excited.

How can we be excited about something we know nothing about?

So I'm asking all of you guys for 2026 and going forward, please consider the people that you represent.

They want to know, even if they don't ask the question, they still want to know.

And you guys are too busy for us to really have you all to sit down and talk to you.

You have too many people to try to address in the every individual singly.

So I'm asking you guys to really consider that.

I know one time I was here at the board meeting, and I noticed that each board member gets X amount of dollars a month to mail things in.

Y'all use that.

It's still for a reason.

Please.

And again, thank you all for giving me the opportunity.

Ms.

Patrice, happy new year to you, and I hope you enjoyed your holiday.

I have to call out because she does so much.

But I wish you all the best in 2026.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh I have pretty brief chair's remarks today.

Um, starting off, uh, yesterday, county administration and I met with uh Wisconsin officials actually regarding a grant that the City of Racine received to investigate the potential of the UP North line extending up to Milwaukee, which it used to do many, many years ago.

Now it is just freight service really beyond uh Kenosha.

So that is an exciting uh opportunity.

So uh next steps is really to make sure our current Metro rep, that's Gary Gordon, former CFO uh here, um, is aware of this discussion and for him to participate in that, and then we'll fill the board in as we learn more.

Um last month I attended the signing of the new public transit law at Union Station in Chicago.

And uh I think I just wanted to reiterate I sent an email last month, but Lake County has kept our representation for public transportation, so we have an appointment for pace and Metra and RTA.

So in the future, we still keep our pace appointment, but the only difference is that our Metra appointee is also serving as the META board appointment, which um I advocated for and think it's important it essentially follows the design that we all have, right?

It essentially follows the design that we all have, right?

We meet in a committee and then we all come together on the full board.

So I think that was a really good change that the state legislatures had put forward.

So just want to make sure people know that we kept our representation.

Last month I was given a tour of the Lake Forest Hospital, and it is doubling in size with a much much larger emergency room, which is sorely needed.

There's a lot of uncertainty right now with this to hospital, and so this expanded hospital is very welcome here in Lake County.

In December, I attended the ribbon cutting of the PACE building, the electrification of that new building with member Frank.

This marks the completion of PACE's first phase to modernize its North Division garage into a facility capable of charging a full fleet of battery electric buses for service in and around Lake County.

And it is a major step in PACE's long-term goal of converting all 60 North Division buses to battery electric vehicles.

And I want to say thank our state legislators and Congressman Brad Schneider Schneider for their funding support to purchase more electric buses.

And I also want to give another call out to Member Frank, who really advocated for that when Linda Soto, our pace representative, came here, could have been three years ago and said, no, we really need to be moving forward on these electric buses.

So thank you, Paul, for pushing for that.

Member Wasick, uh County Administration and I had a meeting, I think that was on Friday, with McGuire Woods Consulting to meet the two individuals who will be taking over for Greg Bales, who has uh decided to move on to another position.

He's our former federal lobbyist, and so members who are traveling to NACO in February will certainly meet them in person.

And lastly, you know, if you're reading the news, there have been multiple deaths, injuries, and property damages related to the incursion of federal troops into our neighborhoods.

Um I put a whistle in everybody's mailbox on the off chance that you don't have one already in your vehicle.

And if you don't want it, please just leave it on the table in the green room and I'll collect it.

Uh but I think this is a frightening time for our country, and if we can protect or help to protect some people with this simple tool, I hope you'll consider using it.

So that concludes my chair's remarks.

Uh we have no unfinished business.

New business is our consent agenda for items two through 25.

May I have thank you.

Uh motion by uh Vice Chair Cunningham, second by member Hewitt.

May have a roll call, please.

Campos.

Clark.

Hi.

Cunningham.

I Danforth, aye.

Frank, aye.

Hart.

Aye.

Hewitt.

Aye.

Hunter.

Hi.

Commissioner.

Aye.

Kaya.

Correct aye.

Peterson.

Aye.

Roberts.

Aye.

Schlick.

Aye.

Belitzik.

Aye.

Wassick.

1700.

Thank you.

Motion passes.

Moving on to regular agenda.

Item 26 is a resolution authorizing an amendment to the Route 173 corridor intergovernmental agreement between Old Mill Creek, Wadsworth, and Lake County, establishing a termination date of January 31, 2026.

This was briefly discussed under county administration remarks during FNA.

This is an economic development opportunity that we'll hear more about from Matt Myers.

But it came up too recent in order for us to put it on the FNA agenda.

Everybody should have received the email from Matt.

I think it was sent out on Friday giving more of a description on that.

So, and then member Frank gave permission for it to bypass FNA and come directly to the full board in compliance with County Board rules.

So may I have a motion, please.

Motion by Member Peterson, second by member Frank and Matt Myers is up at the podium, and he's going to tell us a little bit more about it.

Good morning.

Thank you, Chair Matt Myers, Deputy County Administrator.

And thanks for the great introduction, Chair Hart.

This is a resolution which amends the Route 173 gateway agreement between Lake County and the villages of Old Mill Creek and Wadsworth.

And all it's going to do is effectually effectively terminated as of January 31st, 2026.

This agreement was created between the parties 20 years ago to manage land use, set development standards, and to ensure that new development in the area around 173 and 94 includes necessary sewer and water infrastructure.

Its current term is already set to expire at the end of this year.

It's almost 20 years old and it has not been utilized to date between the parties to yield any significant development in that uh gateway area.

About a week or so ago, as Chair Harded stated, uh administration was approached by Lake County Partners about a significant manufacturing proposed development in the gateway area.

Um Lake County Partners has identified this as project B.

Um as you all are aware, due to the nature of this arrangement, I'm not able to share any details related to the project.

Kevin is here.

I'm unsure what details he's going to be able to provide as well, uh, based on some of the questions you may have, but that has yielded some of the statements I've made and the email provided and some of the vagueness uh of that information.

So um I just want to make sure I stated that.

Uh but the the main challenge is this proposed development's gonna be in conflict with this 20-year-old agreement, and um all parties have agreed that the agreement's terms should yield to this important development, and everybody is moving forward collectively, similar to us in in getting this terminated.

So, as such, um today's action ensures that this agreement is not going to hinder this uh potential development or any future potential development opportunities in that gateway area, which is that 1739 area.

Thank you.

And if I might add, when was it due to expire?

Maybe I missed it if you so it was going to expire at the end of this year uh with the that opening for announcing that was going to start in February, and what um Wadsworth had already said they were not really interested in.

Yep, I understand for the parties that there is interest not to renew it, correct?

It's so even if this hadn't even come up, it's highly likely that it wouldn't have been renewed.

Anyway, do we have any comments on this item?

Thank you, member Peterson followed by member Wasick.

Well, I I want to first of all, I want to thank the county, the village of Wadsworth, and the village of Old Mill Creek.

I really think that this is a positive step for all of us, and um, I just want everybody to know how much I would appreciate their vote on this, and uh it's a good thing for us and everybody else.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Member Wasick.

Thank you.

And I know you can't get into much detail on this matter, Kevin.

But what's the nature of the manufacturing?

What kind of manufacturer is it?

Can you say that um that that's a good and and fair question?

I can't go too deep, but I could say it's yeah, it's in the pharmaceutical industry.

Fortune 500.

Can't tell you who you all know.

It's a familiar name to all of you.

Okay, thank you.

All right, any other questions?

All right, thank you.

Uh, all those in favor?

Any opposed?

Okay, thank you.

Motion passes.

Uh moving on to item 27.

We have a board of health report to be read by member park.

Thank you, Chair.

Um the Illinois Department of Public Health announced that as of January 2, flu activity has reached very high levels while COVID is at moderate and RSV is low and increasing.

A new flu strain, H3N2 subclade K is causing concern, is causing to surge in many parts of the world, including the U.S.

While the seasons flu vaccine did not specifically target this new strain.

The vaccine is still showing to be effective at preventing hospitalizations, especially among young children.

It is even more important to follow prevention measures closely when cases are at a higher level as they currently are.

Remember to get vaccinated, cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands often and stay home when sick.

You may want to consider masking if you or someone close to you is at risk of severe illness, such as young children, adults 65 years and older, and individuals with certain chronic uh conditions.

If if you may be exposed to someone who is ill or if want to take additional precaution, visit IDPH vaccine locator to find a vaccine near you, or speak to your health care provider to learn more.

And that concludes my report.

Great.

Thank you.

That was quite short.

Yes.

Thank you.

Okay, moving on to item 28, lawn judicial committee.

Chair Cunningham.

Thank you, Chair.

And this is a joint resolution authorized an exception and execution of an Illinois Department of Human Service.

Name appropriation program grant.

Assist and the Lake County State's Attorney's Office, gun violence preventure initiative to help reduce violent by increasing community response.

Respond of shooting and approving an emergency appropriation of 1,500,000 and grant funds.

So ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by Vice Chair Cunningham, second by Member Roberts.

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.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Motion passes.

Moving on to public works and transportation committee.

Member Clark is remote, and she told me she has computer glitches.

But Member Clark, would you like to read these or do you want me to go for it?

Yeah.

I got my laptop to work, so I'll read it.

Go ahead.

All right.

Okay, thank you.

Item 29.

Item 29 is a joint resolution authorizing the first amendment to the amended and restated agreement for retail sanitary sewer service between Lake County and the village of Hawthorne Woods.

I want to thank Director McFarland, the village of Hawthorne Woods, and everyone working on this important uh amendment or agreement.

It's gonna allow for greenway for the future, and I really appreciate everybody coming together.

It's a great example of collaboration.

And I so move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Clark, second by member Hunter.

Any discussion on this item?

Seeing none, all those in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Item 30, please.

Thank you.

Item 30 is a joint resolution authorizing the execution of the first amendment to the restated amended agreement for sewage disposal between Lake County and the village of Lake Villa.

I also want to thank Member Hunter for his work in the law and also our public work staff.

This is something that will really benefit all of our residents.

And I so move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Clark.

Second by Member Hunter.

Any discussion on this item?

Member Hunter.

Thanks, Chair.

Um, I want to just thank this body.

This has been something that's been worked on for almost seven years.

Um this was part of the dissolution of the Lakes Region Sanitary District.

Not only is it gonna really benefit the people of Lake Villa, the small portions that that this does serve, but you can only imagine you live on the street, and the person across the street from you literally has a different cost uh to process your your gray water out of your house.

And this was happening.

Um, and it was by no res no um actions that this body took.

This body took the actions to fix that.

So the neighbors are getting charged the same things now, and uh I really appreciate for what everybody has gone through in the last five, six years to uh put this on the table.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Any other comments?

Uh seeing none, uh all those in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Item 31, please.

Item 31 is a joint resolution authorizing a contract with Copenhaver Construction Inc.

Union, Illinois, in the amount of 4,421,079 and 17 cents for non-motorized improvements along Washington Street from Sexton's Drive to Almond Road and appropriating $5,305,000 of the county option motor fuel tax funds.

I'd like to highlight that our county option motor fuel tax funds are allowing us to do this extremely important non-motorized um improvement in this area on Washington Street.

It's going to have you know a new bike trail, sidewalks, and it's going to make that entire region a lot more safe for our bicyclers and walkers and um and everyone.

So an ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Clark, second by member Kasman.

Any discussion on this item?

Member Cask.

I just like to thank uh Shane and his staff, particularly Kevin and Julian for uh really thoughtfully taking in uh neighborhood comments and input.

They worked for that with them um thoughtfully and sensitively, and I think as a result, the neighborhood um the neighborhoods felt like they were heard.

Um this is a game-changing uh project in my district.

It will improve non-motorized connectivity across the district and make it much more safe for for non-motorized travelers.

So I'm I'm truly grateful to them.

Thank you.

Thank you, Member Wasick.

Thank you.

I want to thank uh Chair Clark and the committee, and of course, our great transportation project for pushing this forward.

Uh, it's important to note that in addition to connectivity, we're improving safety.

I've heard from some constituents already.

They're very excited about it.

And any chance we have to improve uh safety and get people from one place to another without driving, is is always a win for everybody.

So this is also great environmental thing, gets more people in their bikes and jogging and walking, and it's it's all great.

So thank you.

Thank you so much.

Okay, seeing nothing further.

I just um want to reiterate uh member Clark's uh statement regarding the uh county option motor fuel tax.

Um that was a very difficult vote for this board to take.

Um, we were the only county in the Chicagoland area that did not have this option for a motor motor fuel tax.

Uh we took it with uh, you know, it was a big concern.

But in the end, uh I can't even count the number of projects that we have already completed, are in process or going to be completed because of this addition.

We would have had had to have waited many, many more years on important things like bike paths and uh making areas safer and um road expansions and sidewalk expansion expansions.

Uh potentially there was even a roundabout in there, and we're actually going to talk about it even in your next item in item 32.

Um, but I just really don't want us to forget that you know sometimes we make tough votes, and what comes out of those difficult votes is something that is so good for the people of Lake County.

So I really want to thank uh this board and previous board members who um who took a leap and uh and voted for this because I think it was absolutely the right thing to do.

So uh this does require a roll call vote.

Oh, does it?

Why, yes, it does.

May I have a leave for the previous roll call?

Thank you.

Motion passes.

Item 32, please.

Thank you.

Um, item 32 is a joint resolution authorizing a contract with Burger Contractors Inc.

Wakanda, Illinois, and the amount of 2,867,174 and 87 cents for the intersection improvements of Deep Lake Road at Debo Street and appropriating $3,555,000 of county option motor fuel tax funds.

Chair Hart pointed out this is also another example of our county option on motor fuel tax funds providing for really important safety improvements.

I'd like to thank Director Schneider for working with the schools that is the school that is right there, and this is going to this roundabout is going to improve safety, traffic flow at a really um congested area.

And I so move.

Thank you.

Motion by member Clark, second by member Peterson.

Any comment on this item?

Seeing none, this does require a roll call vote.

May I have a leave for the previous roll call.

Thank you.

Motion passes.

Uh moving on to item 33 planning, building, zoning, and environment committee vice chair Peterson for item 33, please.

Okay, we're in 33.

That's correct.

Okay.

Uh, this is this is planning building and zoning and environment committee.

Uh, resolution or excuse me, number 3326-0034 resolution on ZBA case number 001126-2025 to rezone approximately 0.34 acres from the limited commercial zoning district to the residential uh R3 zoning district.

And I so move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Peterson.

I have a second on this item.

Second by member Schlick.

Any discussion?

Thank you.

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.

Uh, item 34 is a lake county partners update to be read by member Hunter.

Thanks, Chair.

Um, Lake County celebrates biggest year on record.

With the close of 2025, Lake County celebrated its strongest economic performance on record.

Fueled by robust capital investment, new and retained jobs, and steady growth across key sectors.

Lake County Partners attracted 1,862 new jobs, helped to retain 1,333 existing jobs, and fueled 633 million in direct capital investment.

Remarkably, over the last five years alone, Lake County Partners has driven 1.83 billion in direct investment.

The majority of this year's business wins have been expansions of the existing Lake County-based companies.

A testament to the recognized benefits derived by being located and growing within Lake County.

Some of 2025's biggest wins include Fortune brand innovations.

They opened its new headquarters in Deerfield with great news.

It is two years ahead of its hiring goals, having it added 400 plus new hires with the capacity to support 1,000 more.

Flex.

Flex expanded with a 115 million dollar investment and 200 jobs at a new 335,000 square foot auto injector device production facility in Libertyville.

Plano Pharmaceuticals.

Plano Pharmaceuticals selected Zion for its new U.S.

headquarters and manufacturing distribution operations.

headquarters and manufacturing distribution operations, a move that is expected to create 300 jobs and reinforce Lake County's prominence as a hub for advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing manufacturing.

The quarry.

The quarry housing development began in Fox Lake to accommodate 154 unit market unit apartments expected to hit the market later this year.

Major 2025 accomplishments are highlighted in Lake County Partners New Year in Review found it.com.

Lake County Partners anticipates an equally busy 2026 with 30 plus projects in the pipeline in key industries like advanced advanced manufacturing, life science, housing, and more.

And that concludes my report.

Thank you.

They have certainly had a stellar year, and hopefully there's more to come in early 2026.

Moving on to item 35, Financial Administrative Committee Chair Frank.

Thank you, Chair.

Item 35 is a resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement to install public Wi-Fi project and provide service through December 2026 by and between Lake County and the City of Joaquin.

And I move to approve.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Frank, second by member Kasman.

Any discussion on this item.

Thank you, Member Casman.

I just want to thank the staff.

Lay um cable fiber throughout Lake County and have public internet all across Lake County.

Unfortunately, that is very expensive.

But I'm glad we came up with this in the technology committee.

Thank you, Jennifer, for your leadership.

I'm so glad that we we came up with this idea to put these projects in targeted cities.

So I want to, and I also want to thank the city of Waukegan for being great partners.

Um this is truly a great project for the county.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh member Clark.

Thank you.

Yeah, this is, as Member Kazman said, a very exciting day.

You know, when we started working on this a number of years ago, you know, our goal was really to improve access and affordable, you know, have affordable high-speed internet for our residents.

And that's what this is going to exactly provide.

I do want to thank our staff, deputy um county ministry Matt Myers, Kay Crandall, Betsy Brandon, and everyone on the uh Barbie on Digital Equity team.

I want to thank this board for years ago of being so strategic on putting uh silver ARPA money toward this and having this um come to fruition.

Um, I want to thank the city of Waukegan for being a great partner.

And I really hope this is a pilot project, and I'm really excited to see where this is going to go in the future.

Um, so thank you.

Thank you, and kudos to uh to the two of you for for your work on this.

It's really it's really terrific.

And uh also want to thank the city of Waukegan, uh, Mayor Cunningham uh for being open to this.

I think it had been brought up a few two or three years ago because I had met with somebody in my community who served on the board of that local group and uh just was unable to really get it off the ground, and Mayor Cunningham has really embraced it.

So thank you to the city of Waukegan.

Uh seeing nothing further, all those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Item 36, please.

Item 36 is a resolution supporting the Illinois America 250 commemoration.

And do you so move on that item?

I was under the understanding that a different member was going to make the motion.

Okay, so I'll uh motion by member Hewitt, second by member Clark, and Member Hewitt, I think you wanted to read that resolution aloud.

Is that right?

Yes, please.

Um, I would request uh reading a resolution supporting such an important anniversary for our country.

Great.

Whereas the United States of America will commemorate its 250th anniversary on July 4th, 2026, marking an historic milestone in the nation's history, and whereas on July 4th, 1776, the second Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, asserting the American county's freedom from British rule and laying the foundation for the principles of democracy and self-governance.

And whereas the U.S.

semiquinnial commission, known as America 250 Commission, America 250.org was established by Congress in 2016 to plan and orchestrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, aiming to engage all Americans in commemorating this historic event through educational initiatives.

And whereas the Illinois American 250 Commission, IL America 250.org was established to develop, encourage, and execute an inclusive commemoration and observation of the founding of the United States of America and Illinois' imperative role in the nation's history.

And whereas the Illinois America 250 Commission encourages communities, libraries, schools, local governments, historical society, cultural institutions, and individuals of all ages to develop inclusive commemoration that reflect on Illinois' role in the nation's history and development.

And whereas recognizing and supporting the Illinois America 250 Commission will help ensure a meaningful and educational commemoration for all residents and future generations.

And whereas the commemoration provides an opportunity to reflect on the states and the country's historical significance, honor the achievements of its people, and inspire civic engagements.

And whereas Lake County hereby formally supports the Illinois America 250 Commission and its mission to commemorate our nation's 250th anniversary.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by this Lake County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that Lake County expresses its support for the Illinois America 250 Commission and encourages all Lake County communities to organize and participate in local events leading up to and culminating on July 4th, 2026 to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, dating Waukegan, Illinois on January 13th, 2026.

Thank you, Member Hewitt.

I have a comment by Member Bolitzik.

Thank you, Chair.

I'm I'm very happy that the county is joining the celebratory efforts this coming year.

Thank you to members Hewitt and Clark for bringing this to finance.

You know, it had been a few years since I had read the Declaration of Independence.

And you know, it's instructive to look back sometimes.

There are so I did that last night.

I read I read back through it.

There are something like 27 grievances the colonies were bringing against the king.

And I I want to read just just a few.

Number one, he has refused his assent to laws.

Number two, he has forbidden his governors to pass laws till his assent should be obtained.

Number three, he has obstructed the laws for naturalization of foreigners.

Number four, he has obstructed the administration of justice.

Number five, he has made judges dependent on his will for the tenure of their offices.

Number six, he has erected a multitude of new offices and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people.

Number seven, he has kept among us in times of peace, standing army armies without the consent of our legislatures.

Number eight, he has affected to render the military independent of and superior to the civil power.

Number nine, he has subjected us to armed troops among us, and he has protected them from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states.

Thank you.

That's interesting.

Thank you, Member Volitzick.

Member Clark.

Yeah, thank you.

I'm very excited that Lake County is going to be participating in this celebration of 250th anniversary.

And I was also looking over the Declaration of Independence.

And you know, I think it's so timely to think that, you know, as the beginning says, we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they're endowed by the Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among those are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

And I think this during the next couple months, we're going to even hear more about it and really look into it.

And I'm just really excited that we can honor our country and the founders of our country and the tradition of our country in many ways.

And so everyone will should stay tuned.

I know we might hear more about the different things we're going to be doing from essay contests to tours to just really really reflecting on our history.

So I want to thank the board for and everyone on the board, and especially Member Hewitt, for really um agreeing to participate in this and really um supporting this.

And I look forward to hearing what comes next.

So thanks.

Great.

Thank you.

All right, seeing nothing further, also want to thank Member Hewitt and Member Clark for thinking of this, and um Deputy County Administrator Matt Myers has been doing work on this.

So thank you, Matt, for your work.

Um, all those in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Moving on to new appointments.

Item 37 is a resolution removing Sarah Kanisnik as a member of the workforce development board.

To give people some background on this, um, the workforce development board has historically always only had one county board representative.

Uh, we increased it to two people when Vice Chair Cunningham really needed to serve on workforce development as she is on the National NACO Board for Workforce Development.

So we increased that to two.

Um, and so in order to bring it back down to one, Member Kennisnik has offered to step off of that board, returning us back to one representative, which is what we've always had.

So uh may I have a motion, please.

Motion by Member Kennisnik, any a second by Vice Chair Cunningham.

Any discussion on this item?

Seeing none, all those in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Item 38 is a resolution providing for the appointment of Sean Matthews as a trustee of the Lakeside Cemetery Association.

Um, these appointments just go through the county.

Uh we receive them from the Lakeside Cemetery Association and we pass through them.

It is not uh a name that I put forward to you.

This is something that they do, and that is by state law.

Uh, may I have a motion, please?

I'm gonna say motion by member Clark, I believe it's in her district.

Uh, a second, please, second by member Kanisnik.

Any discussion on this item?

Seeing none, all those in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Uh, we have no petitions, correspondence, or miscellaneous business.

Any member remarks or requests, please?

Thank you, Member Hunter.

Thanks, Chair.

Since we won't meet before the Super Bowl, go bears.

So good.

Uh, anybody else?

I just wanted to uh make a reminder for board members that our final housing lake discussion is coming up this Wednesday.

You should have that email um invitation in your mailbox.

Okay, thank you.

Uh I so adjourned this regular September 2025 session of the County Board of Lake County until February 10, 2026.

Thanks, everybody.

Have a great day.