Lake County Board Meeting Summary - January 13, 2026
Lake County Board Meeting Summary - January 13, 2026
The Lake County Board convened on January 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., with 17 members present, including Member Clark joining remotely due to travel abroad. Member Altenberg attended from vacation with voting rights restored, though the record initially noted she was unable to vote. The meeting proceeded with a moment of silence remembering local community members and civil rights advocates. The agenda included public remarks on communication transparency, the Chair's report on transit and infrastructure updates, a resolution for a major manufacturing project, health reports, and multiple committee approvals.
Consent Calendar
- Items 2 through 25 were approved unanimously via a motion by Vice Chair Cunningham and second by Member Hewitt.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Rayon Edwards: Expressed that seniors are frustrated and disengaged because they lack access to county board information via the internet. He urged the Board to utilize the existing mail budget to send printed notifications to constituents, arguing that better communication would increase civic participation and voter turnout. He stated that residents "care" but cannot be "excited about something we know nothing about."
Discussion Items
- Chair's Remarks: Chair Hart reported on a potential extension of the UP North rail line to Milwaukee, the renewal of Lake County's public transit representation (Metra/Pace/RTA), and the expansion of Lake Forest Hospital. She highlighted the completion of PACE's electric bus electrification and noted the appointment of new lobbyists to replace Greg Bales. Additionally, the Chair mentioned the incursion of federal troops into neighborhoods and distributed whistles to board members for public safety.
- Route 173 Corridor Agreement (Item 26): Deputy County Administrator Matt Myers explained that the 20-year-old agreement between Lake County, Old Mill Creek, and Wadsworth was blocking a proposed Fortune 500 pharmaceutical manufacturing project. He stated the agreement was not meeting its development goals and that all parties agreed in favor of terminating the agreement to allow the new investment. Member Wasick asked for clarification on the manufacturer's nature, to which the speaker confirmed it was a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical company, though specific names were withheld due to nondisclosure agreements.
- Board of Health Report (Item 27): Member Pak presented a report noting flu activity at "very high levels" with a new H3N2 subclade K strain, while stating the current vaccine remains effective at preventing hospitalizations, particularly for young children.
- Gun Violence Prevention Grant (Item 29): A joint resolution was discussed to appropriate $1,500,000 in emergency grant funds to the State's Attorney's Office for a gun violence prevention initiative.
- Sewer Service Agreements (Items 29-30): Joint resolutions authorizing amendments for wastewater services between Lake County and the villages of Hawthorne Woods and Lake Villa were discussed. Member Hunter expressed appreciation that the Lake Villa amendment, years in the making, would finally equalize gray water processing costs for neighbors.
- Washington Street Non-Motorized Improvements (Item 31): A resolution for a $4.4 million contract was presented to add bike trails and sidewalks. Member Cask thanked staff for thoughtfully incorporating neighborhood input, and Member Wasick emphasized the project's safety benefits and environmental impact regarding reduced driving.
- Deep Lake Road Safety (Item 32): A resolution for $2.8 million in intersection improvements at Deep Lake Road, including a roundabout, was discussed. Chair Hart praised the collaboration with local schools to improve traffic flow and safety in a congested area.
- Zoning Resolution (Item 33): A motion authorized rezoning 0.34 acres from limited commercial to residential (R3) zoning.
- Lake County Partners Update (Item 34): Member Hunter reported that 2025 was the county's strongest year on record, attracting 1,862 new jobs and $633 million in investment. Notable wins cited included expansions by Fortune Brand Innovations, Flex, and Plano Pharmaceuticals.
- Public Wi-Fi Project (Item 35): A resolution approved an intergovernmental agreement to install public Wi-Fi in the City of Waukegan through December 2026. Member Clark expressed excitement, calling the project a vital step for digital equity and hoping it serves as a pilot for future expansion.
- America 250 Commemoration (Item 36): A resolution supporting the Illinois America 250 Commission was read by Member Hewitt. Member Volitzick shared specific grievances from the Declaration of Independence, including concerns over standing armies and obstructed justice. Member Clark echoed support, emphasizing the need to reflect on the founding principles of equality and unalienable rights.
- Appointments (Items 37-38): The Board agreed to remove Sarah Kanisnik from the workforce development board (reducing representation back to one) and appointed Sean Matthews as a trustee for the Lakeside Cemetery Association.
Key Outcomes
- Route 173 Agreement: Resolution authorizing termination of the intergovernmental agreement with Old Mill Creek and Wadsworth passed; motion to facilitate a major pharmaceutical manufacturing project.
- Public Transit Safety: Resolutions passed for $1.5M gun violence prevention grant, sewer service amendments with Hawthorne Woods and Lake Villa, and non-motorized improvements on Washington Street ($4.4M) and Deep Lake Road intersection ($2.8M).
- Economic Development: Lake County Partners reported 1,862 new jobs and $633M in investment for 2025.
- Digital Equity: Joint resolution approved to install public Wi-Fi in Waukegan through Dec 2026.
- Statewide Observances: Resolution formally adopted to support and participate in the US 250th Anniversary (America 250) commemoration in 2026.
- Personnel: Sarah Kanisnik removed from workforce development board; Sean Matthews appointed to Lakeside Cemetery Association.
- Next Steps: The meeting was adjourned until February 10, 2026, with a reminder that the final housing discussion is scheduled for the following Wednesday.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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