Today is Tuesday, April 14, 2026, and I call 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 ATTU versus Channel 99, as well as on Zoom at the link on the agenda.

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

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 Vice Chair Cunningham and members Hewitt and Park that they request a participate electronically.

A physical quorum is present.

If there's no discussion, I will ask County staff to note in the minutes that Vice Chair Cunningham and members Hewitt and Parrack are present and eligible to vote on matters before the board today.

Seeing no issues, they can attend and vote.

And as a reminder to members attending remotely, please ensure your camera is on at all times, which they have on right now.

So next on the agenda is a moment of silence, please.

If you would anybody have anybody they would like to remember today, please.

Seeing none, if you would just join me in a moment of silence, please.

May I have a roll call, please?

Yes.

Good morning, everybody.

Altumber, here.

Cabos?

Here.

Here.

Clark.

Here.

Cutting him.

Remote.

She is absent right now.

Dan Corp.

Rosenberg.

Frank.

Here.

Hart.

Here.

Hewitt.

Here.

Hunter.

Here.

Kennisnik.

Here.

Kyle.

Maine.

Present.

Hurrah.

Here.

Peterson.

Prison.

Roberts.

Here.

Schlipp.

Here.

Bolitzig.

Here.

Watsick.

Absolutely.

Oh, and I'm sorry.

Yes, member member Wasick is absent on county business.

He is on his way to Springfield.

Thank you.

Great.

Thank you so much.

Um, we have no addenda to the agenda, but we do have some special recognitions today.

And our very first one is our special recognition of Maureen Reedy for her years of service as president of Visit Lake County to be read by Member Kasbin.

Whereas Maureen Reedy has served 22 years as president of Visit Lake County, and whereas since joining the organization in 2004, Maureen has been the driving force behind elevating Lake County as a premier destination to live, work, and visit.

And whereas, under her visionary leadership, Visit Lake County evolved into a nationally recognized and professionally certified destination marketing organization, setting a gold standard in the tourism industry.

And whereas Maureen's tenure has been marked by remarkable growth and innovation as she has guided the organization through a transformative rebrand branding in 2011, strengthened partnerships across 18 municipalities and more than 200 industry stakeholders, and championed early adoption of digital marketing strategies that positioned Lake County at the forefront of modern tourism promotion.

And whereas her impact is also reflected in the county's economic success, demonstrated in 2024 as visitor spending reached 1.96 billion, generating significant local and state tax revenues and reinforcing tourism as a vital driver of economic opportunity in the region.

And whereas Lake County currently stands as the third largest tourism economy in Illinois, which is a testament to Maureen's leadership and long-term vision.

And whereas, beyond these achievements, Maureen is widely respected for her professionalism, integrity, and collaborative spirit, and has built an organization that will continue to thrive, leaving a legacy for the community and the industry.

Now, therefore, be it recognized that the Lake County Board hereby honors Maureen Reedy for her 22 years of dedicated service to Lake County and its tourism initiatives.

Dated Joaquin, Illinois on April 14th, 2026.

Thank you.

And Maureen Reedy is here if you join me at the podium.

Yeah, and member Casp's question.

This is for you.

With our glue.

Yeah, perfectly matched.

No.

We call each other.

One more.

One, two, three.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I can't resist the opportunity to say a few words, right?

My parting words.

Thank you so much for this recognition.

It's really been a privilege to serve in this role for 22 years.

I appreciate the support from all of you as I look around this room, become friends with so many of you, and you've been so supportive through the years.

And the county was one of our founding partners when this organization started over 40 years ago.

And it's it's been wonderful to see the level of support continue all these years, and we appreciate the fact that you've really increased that support in the last couple of years.

You've made an investment in tourism.

I think you all understand the value of tourism in Lake County here.

And I feel so privileged to be able to tell the story of Lake County and help inspire visitors to come here and residents to discover new experiences across the county.

And I have to acknowledge our board chair, uh David Motley, who's with us today.

Thank you so much for your leadership, David.

It's been wonderful to work with you.

And of course, Carissa, our ambassador and such a supporter of tourism through the years, and thank you so much for your support and what you've done to help our organization.

And I think I feel like we're leaving the organization in good hands with John McGuire, who's with us today.

And you know, John is a lifetime resident of Lake County.

He's extremely knowledgeable about all the corners of the county and has been with our organization for about seven and a half years now.

So he's really gotten to know our role, and I think that he will continue to take the county and our organization in a new direction, and really will continue to thrive as a tourism destination.

And we've got some exciting things this summer, so as you know, um, this is the uh 250th anniversary of America.

Of course, we'll be celebrating that.

We've created this great landing page and housing all the events and that are happening throughout Lake County.

So we'll be marketing that.

And also, I hope you've heard that it's Six Flags, Great America's 50th anniversary.

Who can believe they've been open since 1976?

So we've got some special events planned with Six Flags this summer, one honoring National Travel and Tourism Week, which is coming up the first week in May.

And so there'll be a special event, and you all are welcome to attend it, and you get kind of a peek of what's happening at Six Flags this summer to really commemorate, commemorate this um incredibly destination driver for Lake County.

We are so lucky to have a six flags here that has been growing and thriving and evolving throughout the years.

So again, thank you to all of you.

Thank you for the trust that you put in our organization to tell the story of Lake County, and I wish you well, and I know tourism will continue to thrive, and you've I'll leave you with the number that I love because I think I've said it so many times you can all probably say it with me, but we're close to two billion in direct visitor spending, 1.96, and I think we will top it this year.

So, with your support and the support from so many stakeholders and partners throughout Lake County, this organization will continue to do the work that they need to do to sell the story of Lake County.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Yes, uh Maureen.

I just want to say it has just been such uh a delight to have you be in this position for over two decades.

You and I have been here about the same time, and um I think one of the great things that you bring is you bring such sincerity and enthusiasm that you really are speaking from the heart about all the things that you love about Lake County, and um we know you've let you've led the organization and that you're leaving it in great hands, and we look forward to continuing to work with Visit Lake County.

So I bet you're gonna go on a few of those libation trails and a few other things.

You set them up, Maureen, go use them.

Thank you.

Thank you, member uh Kasmin.

It's been an honor to serve on the Visit Lake County Board.

Um not uh partly because tourism is very important to my district, but part of it is because when I first moved here, Visit Lake County really gave me a sense that I belonged to one community and that it was all of Lake County.

Um, and I think it's true that in Lake County, the the municipalities are different dots and they're all home rule, but we all have different things that we offer, and I think Visit Lake County is the big social thing that knits all of us together, now with the arts included.

Um, I'm Maureen, you've inspired me.

Um, I've learned from you.

Um, you are a strong and visionary leader, and I'm so um happy for you, sad for us because you've become a friend to me.

Um, but I'm excited to see what John's going to do.

Um, so just have a beautiful retirement.

We will be in touch, but enjoy it.

You deserve it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Member Altenberg.

Yeah.

I'm just gonna echo, you know, Carissa and you worked so nicely together the last several years.

You've done such an amazing job.

You built a wonderful team of people, and I know we're in good hands, and I know John's gonna be easily taking the reins.

Um, but thank you for, I mean, you really left a great legacy.

You really built up the tourism, you know, we could see it year after year growing and growing, and and it was a passion for you, and we really appreciate you so much.

And I wish you a fabulous retirement and joy.

Thank you.

Member Frank.

Yeah, thank you, Chair.

Thank you, Maureen.

Thank you for your leadership, but also thank you for the impact that you've had on the community.

Um, I think all of us can, you know, at some point want to look back on our careers and think we had an impact on people.

And you know, tourism is not just about the fun things that we get to see and do, it's an impact on people's livelihoods, on careers, on career growth and opportunities.

And uh when we had the conversation a couple of years ago about the county's investment with Visit Lake County, remember Kasmin did a great job of engaging us in that conversation, and I had a lot of questions, and um, you know, she just said, hey, let's go sit down and talk to Maureen.

And uh the way that you led your organization and brought your team together to educate us and me personally, uh, was profound and it stuck with me.

And uh thank you for everything you've done for Visit Lake County.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, and we wish you all the best in your retirement.

And even as you're here at the podium accepting this uh recognition from us, you're still talking about all the great things to do.

So your passion is uh is always evident.

So thank you so much.

I know I just have a feeling we're still gonna see you around a great event.

So thank you so much.

Uh oh, and I want to thank Member Kasman for bringing this idea forward to to recognize Maureen Beatty.

So thank you.

Uh item number two is a special recognition of May 2026 as I'm gonna say amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which otherwise known as ALS Awareness Month.

And I'm sorry that Member Wasick could not be here.

Um, he had asked that this be uh presented today.

Um so I'm just gonna read this special recognition.

Whereas amitrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease where a person's brain progressively loses connection with their muscles, slowly reducing a person's ability to move, speak, eat, and eventually breathe.

And whereas thousands of new ALS cases are reported every year, and estimates show that every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed and someone passes away from ALS.

And whereas on average, patients with ALS only live two to five years from the time of diagnosis.

And whereas the exact causes of ALS are unknown, with 90% of the cases having no known family history or genetic cause, and there is no known cure.

And whereas securing access to new therapies, durable medical equipment, and communication technologies is a vital importance for the quality of life of people living with ALS who spend an estimated $250,000 annually in out-of-pocket costs.

And whereas one of the pivotal paths in the fight to find a cure is clinical trials, which evaluate new treatments and foster assistive technologies for those living with ALS.

And whereas ALS Month Awareness Month provides an opportunity to increase public awareness of the circumstances of people living with ALS, acknowledge the impact this disease has on those individuals and their families, and support research to eradicate this disease.

Now, therefore, be it recognized by this county board of Lake County, Illinois, that May 2026 is ALS Awareness Month and urges residents to join in supporting ALS research, advocating for increased funding and standing in solidarity with those affected by this relentless disease, dated at Waukegan, Illinois on April 14, 2026.

And we do have uh Jim Chammernick, the business manner for Lake County Sheriff's Office here just to accept this uh special recognition.

Thank you.

That's thank you.

With your care to see you so much.

Good morning.

Uh my name is Jim Chamernick, a lifelong resident of Lake County.

On behalf of my wife Amy, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2004, our children, and on behalf of the other ALS patients and their families, I would like to thank uh member Wazick, County Administration, and Lake County Board for recognizing the month of May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month.

For too many people, the mention of ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease brings anything to mind.

If, I'm sorry, if the mention of ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease brings anything to mind, it's a faded black and white image of a baseball player from the 1930s.

Sad but far removed from modern life.

For me, it conjures the painful juxta juxtaposition of watching my youngest child learn to walk by cruising the furniture while simultaneously watching my wife lose her ability to walk and resort to studying herself by clinging to furniture.

Teaching my oldest child how to drive a vehicle after my wife was forced to give up driving due to ALS.

Watching our children gain their independence in the world while watching my wife lose her independence.

Her world shrinking is experiences as she experiences the isolation of one of the cruelest diseases.

ALS is devastating to the patient, both physically and mentally.

It often begins innocently with some simple muscle weakness, muscle vesiculations or twitching, or bulbar onset which affects a patient's voice or swallowing.

The disease progresses usually quite rapidly with the degeneration of the motor neurons, the cells in the brains and the spinal cord that controls muscles.

Losing those monarchons leads to muscle atrophy, paralysis, and difficulty breathing, all while the patient is fully aware and mentally sharp.

One of the most difficult experiences is watching a vibrant, intelligent, energetic person be robbed of the ability to communicate clearly and then be treated poorly because of it.

By increasing ALS awareness through efforts like the action taken today, we can increase visibility, advocacy, and action for the thousands of patients currently struggling with ALS as well as future patients who just haven't received their cruel diagnosis yet.

I can remember my wife's chilling observation as we attended the school open house years ago with our kids that without increased funding for research, a few of these kids would one day grow up to begin to experience the ominous muscle weakness or vocal faltering.

And then some of their kids would, and then some of their kids down the line, just as it happened with ALS.

Just as it happened since ALS was first observed in 1869, just as it happened to baseball's iron horse Lou Gehrig in 1939.

We cannot let this insidious disease continue.

Supporting this ALS community with events like ALS Awareness Month have already led to changes that benefit families like mine.

One example of ALS awareness and advocacy leading to the action that made substantive differences in people's life is the ALS Disability Insurance Acts Access Act.

It was passed by Congress approximately 25 years ago, and it waives the 24th 24 month waiting period for Medicare coverage for a person diagnosed with ALS.

The faster access to coverage is critical because of how quickly ALS typically progresses, often leaving the patient unable to continue working and faced with losing health insurance coverage or unable to work to pay for an ACA plan.

Just at the moment, they need specialized care the most.

Advocacy also has led Congress later passing the ALS Registry Act in 2008, a voluntary program to collect, manage, and analyze data about individuals diagnosed with ALS.

This program is important for identifying commonalities and uh patterns in the ALS population, as well as sharing best practices for treating ALS patients and helping them live with dignity.

One of the leading ALS research doctors, Dr.

Tusid, excuse me, Dr.

T.

Pusadiq often says that ALS isn't incurable, it's underfunded.

Promising breakthroughs in recent years may one day lead to an effective treatment occur if only we dedicate the resources to pursuing these leads.

By proclaiming May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month, Lake County helps push ALS awareness advocacy and action forward.

On behalf of the ALS community, thank you.

So much for being here and uh for your willingness to tell your story.

Um, my husband's uncle died of ALS, and what's interesting is that it has not really been discussed uh that much in our family.

Um, but we were been talking about it ever since uh member Wasick had brought forward the idea of recognizing this month.

And um I just really want to thank you for speaking to us, and um I'm certain it will be on our agenda moving forward, and thanks for everything that that you're doing, and please send our regards to your wife.

So thank you.

Any other comments?

Seeing none, thank you so much for being here.

Item number three is a special recognition proclaiming April 2026 as Lake County Fair Housing Month would be read by Member Altenberg.

Thank you, Chair.

Whereas Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, guarantees the right to equal housing opportunities for all.

And whereas Lake County recognizes and values the strength of its diverse population, which can only be sustained and enhanced through equitable access to a broad range of housing in thriving communities, and whereas Lake County is committed to providing and ensuring that residents have access to safe, clean, affordable, and quality housing countywide while providing equal housing opportunity and non-discrimination in all activities.

And whereas Lake County has a fair housing policy statement and reaffirms its commitment to fair housing laws, and whereas community development block grant funding is provided to fair housing organizations by Lake County to support affordable housing, education, counseling, and legal services, these organizations provide to county residents.

And whereas Lake County and its partners play a vital role in promoting fair housing through education, outreach, and partnership to every resident of Lake County, while also providing an overview of fair housing rights and resources to those who may be victims of housing discrimination.

And whereas Lake County has produced its annual State of Fair Housing Report 2026, which illustrates the county's commitment to continuing its efforts to create equitable, inclusive communities where all residents have the opportunity to access safe, affordable housing.

Now, therefore, be it recognized that this county board of Lake County, Illinois designates April 2026 as Lake County Fair Housing Month and encourages all residents to support and promote fair housing practices throughout the county.

Dated at Waukegan, Illinois on April 14th, 2026.

Thank you so much.

And I'm going to return to you in a moment, but I do want to say uh we've got a few people here in attendance.

We've got our community development administrator Dominic Strezzo, an attorney with Prairie State Legal, Maya Ziv L.

Hopefully I'm saying that correctly, an attorney for Prairie State Legal Goth and Cavetti that are here to accept this.

So I'd like for to hear from them first.

And I'm gonna ask my members of HCDC to join me at the podium, and that's members uh uh Altenburg, Knisnik, uh Peterson, and Roberts, please.

Thanks for being here.

Hi.

Nice to see you again too.

Thank you so much.

Okay, hi certainly I didn't pronounce your being close enough.

Very kind of you.

So uh why don't we come up here?

Sarah.

Yeah, okay.

Yeah, absolutely.

Come in and hold this for me.

Awesome.

Thank you.

There you go.

Thanks.

You're good.

All right, sir.

Looking at me, and one, two, three.

And one, two, three.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And two years.

Perfect.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chair Hart and members of the Lake County Board.

We are honored to be here today as you recognize April as Fair Housing Month.

April marks the anniversary of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which was passed to address discrimination in housing, and affirm that where you live should not be limited by your race, your disability, your children, or other protected characteristics.

And we see that play out in our work every day.

My name is Maya Zavella.

I am a senior staff attorney at Prairie State Legal Services.

I'm here with Galtham Cavetti, a supervising attorney in our Lake County office.

In 2025, Prairie State, our Lake County office served 1,600 clients in Lake County, including over 470 older adults, more than 90 veterans, nearly 700 individuals with disabilities, and over 340 survivors of domestic violence.

Our clients' households included nearly 1,500 children.

We assessed hundreds of cases for fair housing issues and represented clients in state court, in federal court, and before the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Illinois Human Rights Commission.

This work is made possible largely because of Lake County's continued support through CDBG funding, and we are very grateful for that partnership.

I want to briefly share a few examples of from this past year of what your support makes possible.

We helped a disabled senior get extra time to move.

We helped a client with a disability stay in her home and live independently.

We secured a settlement for a client with a voucher who was denied an apartment.

We brought a case in federal court after a tenant with a disability was retaliated against.

We challenged discrimination against a voucher holder as well.

And these are just a few examples of clients that we see every day.

And access to legal help can make a difference between staying housed or facing eviction and homelessness.

We look forward to that continued partnership and making sure that fair housing protections make a real difference to residents across Lake County.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Nobody else.

All right, Member Altenburg, you wanted to say something.

I just wanted to say, you know, we launched Housing Lake this year, and housing is of the it's probably our one of our top top priorities right now.

And we want to make sure that Lake County will have enough housing and affordable housing for everyone who wants to come and live here.

And we are doing our level best to work with our communities and get them to understand and work partner with us how important having enough housing for everyone who wants to come to Lake County is and having housing at all different levels.

It's it's it's a huge priority.

And I want to thank our community development and our and Dominic with our housing area for working so diligently on this this year.

And there's gonna be more coming from Housing Lake, and we are very excited for the next steps.

I hope our communities will join us in making this their top priority as well.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Member Casmin.

Anyone who cares about equity has to care about fair housing.

The fair housing portion is the only part of the Civil Rights Act that has not been truly seriously enforced.

As a member of the State Housing Appeals Board of appointed by the governor in the fall, I am so excited to hear the governor speak so clearly and passionately about how we need to create reforms in the state of Illinois to ensure that fair housing for all.

I think it helped people recover.

I think it prevented homelessness.

I know it prevented homelessness, and I'm grateful to organizations like Prairie State Legal that seek to keep people in their homes because it is so much easier to help people recover if they're going through a crisis and they're able to stay housed.

Once they get into a position where they're unhoused, that are living on the street or they're living in shelter, it is much harder and takes a lot more resources to help get people on their street.

Thank you so much to Dominic, to Eric for your leadership.

Um, in sorry, Director Wagner, and Dominic Dominic Streso for your help and your leadership in executing the rental assistance program, um, working to help people keep people in their permanent supportive housing during this time of change.

Um, I'm very proud of our county board.

I'm so proud of our county staff.

Thank you for being part of this network that helps keep lives from being injured and helps keep injustices from happening.

Truly grateful.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Uh next item is a special recognition honoring April 2026 as National Child Abuse Prevention, otherwise known as Blue Kids Lake County month to be read by Member Roberts.

Thank you, Chair.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month is observed yearly in Lake County to emphasize the importance of communities working together to recognize, prevent, and educate others on child abuse.

And whereas each year the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center conducts close to 1,000 forensic interviews and serves over 2,000 families and children seeking support and healing from the abuse they've suffered.

And whereas their multidisciplinary team is composed of police departments from across the county.

The Department of Children and Family Services, Lake County State's Attorney's Office personnel, mental health therapists, medical personnel, LCC AC victim advocates, and forensic interviews who work together to coordinate the safety and well-being of children.

And whereas prevent preventing child abuse and neglect is work that really excuse me that relies on community partnership and the coordination between state and local government agencies is necessary for efforts to be effective in limiting children, child abuse.

And whereas the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center Blue Kids program was designed to create awareness, educate youth, and encourage community partnerships through the creation of displaying a blue and display and display, excuse me, a blue kids' signs, pinwheels, educational materials, and partnership exhibits across Lake County throughout the month of April.

And whereas many social service organizations in Lake County, including park districts, schools, exchange and rotary clubs, municipal and civil organizations, local businesses, police departments, and private residents have partnered with the Blue Kids program to give children a voice.

And whereas several community partners across the county are also joining forces with the LCC AC to make communities aware of this revalient issue by encouraging youth to come forward and educate one another.

Now, therefore, it be it recognized by the Lake County, by the County Board of Lake County, Illinois, excuse me.

The National Child Abuse Prevention Month is remember reminded of the ongoing efforts by those who work to support children and strengthen families and be get further recognized that the Lake County Board does hereby thank the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center and the Blue Kids Program for their work to prevent child abuse and urges all residents to take an active role in supporting children and parents to create safer and healthier communities.

Stated Waukegan, Illinois, April 14th, 2026.

Thank you very much.

And I I do, oh, and there's a pinwheel right there.

And I want to apologize to Vice Chair Cunningham.

I had missed your hand raised, so I will call on you after we hear from uh a few people that we have in attendance.

We've got the executive director of the Child Advocacy Center, Carrie Flanagan, uh Director of Outreach and Engagement, Carrie Wings and First Assistant.

Uh all day are with the State's Attorney's Office, Lauren Cowan and Peter Jenny up at the podium, please.

And member Roberts, if you would come up too, please.

And normally have vice chair.

I'm here as well, but she is not here.

Hi, how are you?

Thanks so much for being here.

Thank you.

Do you quick photo?

We might have to move down this way.

Sorry, where's the Gina?

Okay.

And one, two, three.

And one, two, three.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Sure.

Thank you.

Good morning.

A couple thank yous.

Thank you for the opportunity to have some of our county board.

Um, sorry, some of our county employees recognize things that are passionate to them.

Um, this being one of them for the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center.

As was mentioned in the resolution, uh, last year we served about a thousand children in forensic interviews, and we reached about 7,000 children and adults in community awareness.

Things like this are drastically important.

If we look alone this year, we've lost lives to this.

Um, it's it's as you all know, been all over the news.

Um, those types of tragic incidents make it even more meaningful for us to be explaining to the community the importance of this work and early intervention and the importance of the collaboration of all the entities that work together to save the lives of children and to allow children to tell their stories.

And for that, we are extremely grateful.

Thank you for the blue that you're wearing.

Thank you for creating awareness for us, and thank you for giving um our team and our staff who work very hard on a regular basis to make sure that we are hearing these children and their voices.

Again, thank you.

Thank you.

Vice Chair Cunningham, did um did you want to speak on this?

Uh or the fair housing one.

Uh, you're muted.

If someone could unmute Vice Chair.

And if you don't have that ability, Mary, I don't know if you have the ability to unmute.

It's at the bottom of your screen.

All right.

Doesn't look like our staff can unmute you, Mary, but um at the bottom of the screen, maybe oh, there she goes.

I'm sorry I can't be there.

Due to my voice, uh, my sickness.

But anyway, I just wanted to speak on the fair housing.

I like what I heard, and I know they're doing the job.

Because I know many that they have done.

So now agree with the two commissioners, Casper and Altonburg, what they said about fair housing.

The housing means a lot to Lake County, and we are doing a great job about helping funding them to do these things for the people that got housing.

That's what I wanted to say, and I want to thank our county board for always supporting the funds that help them say these people when they go on into court.

They do a lot because uh their houses in my district, and I go I'm there a lot, and uh, I just like what they do for helping the people, and they do help very well.

I know many cases that they have killed people in their home with their children.

That's what I just wanted to say, and I thank the commissioner for speaking up on this bear houses because we do need we need more houses.

We're doing that, and Dominique done a great job uh running it.

Um development department, so and his staff.

We have good staff and they're working very well together.

So I just want to thank them for doing that.

Because everybody needs a house to live in.

And they keep people in the house if a wrong doing wrongly makes you their houses step up to the plate and take care of people.

That's what I thank you so much.

I'm sorry you didn't see my hand.

That's okay.

That was totally on me.

Thank you, Vice Chair.

Any comments on our blue kids, the National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Thank you.

I have Member Roberts followed by Member Volitsik.

Oh, thank you.

I I just want to just say thank you to Carrie and the staff and state's attorney's office for making just creating our county blue.

And I just really love driving around the county and seeing all of the blue awareness that goes on throughout the county.

And if everybody can support by getting your pinwheel, I'm sure you were gonna mention that, but um, but thank you because it just really makes a huge difference to these children that all the work you are doing.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Member Volitsuk.

Thank you, Chair.

Uh I also uh would just like to you know state my thanks for the incredible and important work that Director Flanagan and the State's Attorney's Office and the Children's Advocacy Center do for children in crisis.

Um I say it every year, but it's of course worth repeating that the services they provide to the whole child who is suffering, um, and the care and thought and work that they put into it into such important and also such difficult work is just a vital service to this entire community.

And um, you know, I'll just add that with the proliferation of AI generated pornographic images of children increasing, their work is only going to also increase and get um more complicated.

So I want us to all keep that in mind.

Um, and again, thank you so much.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Thank you.

Member Kasbin.

Um, Carrie, thank you so much for your extraordinary leadership.

Um, and thank you to the state's attorney's office, all the lawyers who work to prosecute these uh cases.

They're very difficult.

Thank you to the police officers who have the job, the difficult, terrible job of um investigating them.

Um, thank you to your caseworkers um who really do, I mean, it's heavy work.

There's a tremendous uh can be a tremendous emotional burden associated with it.

Um, it takes an amazing group of dedicated adults to protect our kids.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, thank you so much for being here.

We really appreciate the the tremendous work that you do.

It is um a sad state of affairs that we need to have a month uh to recognize the prevention or work against uh child abuse.

Um a little boy was killed just I think six weeks ago or eight weeks ago here in Lake County, and unfortunately there are many more like him across our country.

And uh just remember Kasbin, you said you know it can it can have an emotional toll.

I'm certain that it has an emotional toll on uh caseworkers and all of you who hear these stories and are working to protect children.

Um it just must be very difficult.

And I just want to say thank you on behalf of the county board for what you're doing.

So thank you very much.

Um, and next we have a presentation of Lake County's America 250 um celebration to be presented by uh County Minister Dur Sutton.

Good morning.

I'm very honored this morning to be the one to give you the updates.

Hopefully, you noticed that at each one of your spots.

We did leave you some items.

Um we'd be very grateful if you could take those and help us to celebrate and let other people know about all the awesome things that um we are doing here at Lake County to celebrate America 250.

Uh, just to highlight a couple of those.

Um, the previously announced Lake County Independence Academy will begin next week uh with the final day for residents to apply being tomorrow, April 15th.

This program offers a unique opportunity for participants to engage directly with county government while exploring its connection to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Participants will tour county facilities, hear from a Dunn Museum historian on Lake County's history, connect with department leaders, and take part in a guided walk at Independence Grove within the Lake County Forest Preserves.

We're excited to provide residents with an inside look at how local government works with and for our residents.

Also, as a reminder, submissions for the K through 12 art and essay contest are also due tomorrow, April 15th.

Winners will be announced by June 1st and recognized at the June 9th county board meeting.

Printed materials for this contest are available at the back of the room.

And you can also find additional details at our lake county, Illinois.gov slash 250 content website.

And as we've been doing each month, we're trying to roll out something new at each county board meeting.

Today I'm pleased to share a new initiative launching today.

Following this meeting, we'll introduce the Lake County Self-Gided History Tour, an interactive map that highlights historic sites throughout the county and encourages residents to explore local history firsthand.

As part of this effort, residents will also be invited to submit photos from their visits to featured sites, helping them to further showcase Lake County's rich history.

As part of the Lake County America 250 celebration, um, Tammy and the communications team are going to give you a brief preview of that interactive map.

Good morning.

Tammy Chapman, Chief Communications Officer.

So what will happen is a resident will get the link, they'll click on it, and they'll land on this page, which is a larger map.

What Chris is doing is zooming in to the Lake County portion, and you see a lot of little icons.

In those icons, if you click on one and Chris is going to click on the courthouse, you will see the name, the address, the city, and then as he scrolls down, a description of the history for that particular site or location.

And the resident can then decide which sites they want to go to, take a photo when they go there, submit them on the web page via submission form, and then we'll curate those into use for digital communications throughout America 250 initiative.

And that concludes our presentation today.

Great.

That's terrific.

I knew we'd have some comments on this.

Member Clark.

Thank you.

Thank you, County Minister Sutton and the communications team and the entire team.

I know Matt Myers or Deputy County and this whole board.

I'm really excited about this America 250.

I mean, I think we're all very proud of the history of this country or a lot of it.

And to celebrate this, the Declaration of Independence is so important.

And I have to say, I have so enjoyed the history things that have been coming up on Facebook and everything.

I've learned so much I myself about Lake County.

I've had such great feedback to celebrate all that history that's here.

And this tour looks wonderful.

And I'm hoping we can maybe link it on Visit Lake County because it would be a great resource for them to, I think also have.

So I know for our residents, people ask me all the time what we're doing and the essay contest and the whole thing with people learning about government.

I kind of hope we continue this after this year with this history with this tour as working with everyone.

So I'm just really proud of all the work we're doing here.

So thank you.

So thank you very much.

Anyone else?

Thank you, Member Kasmin.

We're really talking a lot today.

I want to thank Member Clark for your leadership in this initiative.

I'm proud for you about it.

Thank you so much to the staff who's executing this vision, and thank you to uh member Hewitt for your dedication to this as well.

Really appreciate it.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Thank you, Member Maine.

This is this is all great.

And for people, such as Member Clark and others who are interested, there is the history blog that the Lake County Forest Preserve District has, and it's all sorts of interesting stuff there.

So you can also get your history fix from the forest preserves.

Thank you.

Um, I also want to just say uh, so of course, thank members Clark and Hewitt for bringing this idea forward, uh, Matt Myers for his work on it, as well as Patrice and Tammy or Communications team.

I want to thank uh Member Volitzik for uh putting forward an idea.

How about like a sort of a civic engagement so that people can really understand how government works at a time when trust and government over the last several years have been uh unfortunately at a low.

I think people do trust local government.

Our uh surveys from the forest reserves actually shows that.

And uh I'm I'm really looking forward to the kickoff of this program and uh and think that this was just a terrific thing to get started on.

So thanks to all of you for your hard work on this.

Okay, moving on uh to public comment.

I understand we do have public comment for items not on the agenda today.

Uh that's correct, we do.

Um, before beginning, just a couple of reminders for those making public comment today.

The comments must be related to agenda items or otherwise germane to the business of the county board and not redundant.

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

Uh, the three-minute limit is cumulative.

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

Uh, for those attending in person, there is 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 on the podium comes on, your time is expired.

Uh, where appropriate matters raised by public comment may be referred to an appropriate standing committee.

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

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

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

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

Um, and our first comment today is from uh Margaret Carrasso.

Good morning.

My words today are directed to Madam Chair, Sandy Hart, and agenda items special recognition.

Madam Chair, the Wakegan Latino community is applaud for your blatant disrespect to our outstanding United States citizen, Mr.

Mario Pena, who helped over 5,000 immigrants become US citizens.

You today, you promised you were supposed to give public recognition to him.

Was he too brown?

Would he have to write zip code?

The soul of a nation is the soul of its people.

It's not just those who have big titles.

This is not just about Mario Pena.

This is about all those hundreds of to honor and respect the hundreds of people who are out there in the front lines in the food pantries, feeding the hungry.

You are my hero.

I see you.

So today I want to ask each one of your board members if you could, unlike me, Adam Chair, set personally send out a letter of recognition to Mario Pena for his great achievements.

He registered every one of them to vote also.

And along the line of lack of respect for Wakegan residents, a prominent Waking Latin, I, together with the prominent Waking and Latino business owners have been calling, texting, emailing, personally visiting the office in a relentless attempt to speak to Lake County State's attorney, Eric Reinhard.

A middle-aged Waking and Latino woman was viciously attacked by a violent narco gang member, who together with his brothers wanted for murder in Honduras.

But the victim was charged.

Today, we want to ask Eric could the reason for this be your amigo wants her job.

Get it?

And saw it as a way to get her out of the way.

Let me share with you the idiom.

You picked the wrong heel to die on, which means you don't have a case, dude.

Stop being stubborn and petty.

Covering up for anarcho gang member with an extensive criminal record.

Sir, with all due respect.

Your reputation is on the line.

Do the right thing and dismiss the case.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Next is Rayon Edwards.

Good afternoon, County.

I mean, morning, county boy.

Um I want to come in and talk about a couple of things, but I always get sidetracted, right?

I want to say a couple of things, and I want to be bold when I say this.

I am extremely proud of the work that our lake county states of attorney office is doing, have done, and will continue to do.

Okay, let's start there.

Because I think it's a lot of stuff that they do in that office that we all don't pay attention to.

And I have to say this because I sits on social media sometimes and I watch Mr.

Rainhart get crash course.

And he's not perfect.

He's not gonna get everything right.

He's one man, he can't be in 50 spaces to see everything.

But I'll be out there and I want to commend him today on the work that he does for Lake County.

That's number one.

I want to bring up something else that I think we keep putting a sheet over or running from, and that's this hospital.

We're not talking about it enough.

You got a lot of residents that depend on that hospital.

It's getting worser.

The stories is coming out on social media.

It's actually heartbreaking, and it's embarrassing to us as a county and as a state.

Because this hospital happens to be in the biggest city of the county.

I just need some more people to talk about it a little bit more.

And my last thing, I don't know what county board role is as it relates to Hood.

But is losing the war.

They're not doing a good job.

When you go look at some of these gated communities, apartment complexes that hood give money to, if you go look at the stending of them, if you go look at the condition of them.

We are asking our people, our residents, the people that we supposed to be proud of that's a part of Lake County to live in squana.

It's horrible.

And sometimes I want to ask Hood, do you guys come through and check these spaces out?

Because had they did not even a blind man will sign a check to give them to some of them.

And we're watching the system just play out a Ponzi game.

Well, you got the owner, he sells it, the process starts all over again, you mandate them to do something.

They go in and do one thing up the list that you told them to do, and then the process starts all over again.

So although I like the slogan fair housing, I don't just want fair housing.

I want fair, affordable and livable housing here in Lake County.

We deserve that.

I thank you all.

Have an amazing day.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Um to chair's remarks.

Um just kind of an overview of my month, which was busy, although I was on spring break for one month, or excuse me, one week.

Um I had several meetings regarding some potential economic development opportunities for Lake County, which are really exciting if uh if they come through.

We attended several meetings to review agendas and attachments and presentations for committee meetings.

I attended two meetings this month for Access Lake Board.

That is a group that's been brought together to help meet the special medical needs for people who lack medical coverage.

For example, breast cancer treatment, etc.

If somebody comes in for a mammogram at the Lake County Health Department and cancer is detected, we do work with local hospitals, uh, nonprofit hospitals to see if they can assist in providing care and oncology for uh for those people.

And uh as part of my role as chair of the board, uh, we serve on that board as well.

I attended an Illinois Economic Development Council meeting regarding our life sciences sector, um, uh, which primarily exists for the Chicagoland area here in Lake County, and then as chair, I'm on the Lake County Partners Governors Board.

So every month uh I attend that meeting with my colleagues uh to review the budget and other pertinent items.

I toured the urban farm with member Wasick that's being built on the CLC campus.

If you haven't checked that out, I encourage you to reach out to them for a tour.

It is going to be amazing with a store, uh, certainly lots of educational opportunities.

Um, but to see all the hydroponic spaces and what goes into this was really tremendous.

So there was a lot of funding that came out from our community to support that project, and I'm just really grateful to everybody who uh had this tremendous vision for putting that together.

So I'm excited when that will open.

I attended and spoke at a meeting downtown for the Illinois Economic Development Council on Advanced Computing and the Future of Health Innovation, mostly talked about um the health sector here in Lake County and our work with GSEP.

I attended an event at Public Works with Congressman Brad Schneider, and there was some confusion.

I appreciate members uh Hunter and Peterson for reaching out to me, uh, letting me know that that invitation had not gone out more broadly, and so everybody should have received an invitation for a future event with Congressman Brad Schneider, and it was really uh sort of presenting those large checks for some work that's being done in member Peterson's district.

Um and I do also again want to thank members Hunter and Peterson who have really advocated for that project for many years.

Uh I attended a tour of the um rock with village trustees.

I attended a mayor's luncheon, the also attended the Route 120 public hearing at the College of Lake County in Grays Lake with Member Wasick.

I would say there was probably about 150 people there.

So there was really a tremendous turnout.

That's a very important project.

Um I had a liquor control commission with member Roberts.

Uh, member Hunter is also a member on that, but as president of uh the joint uh emergency telephone system board, he was unable to attend, but uh member Frank stopped in.

Uh attended a council of county board chairs meetings uh on in the city on Thursday.

We received an update on GSEP by President Kevin Considine.

We had uh more information about the Nita transition and just that moving forward uh just for our board's understanding.

Any um we have appointees to PC, uh PACE, METRA, and RTA.

Uh when that legislation passed last year, um they extended the board term to end on September 1.

So we will have uh an interview for PACE and for fulfilling that role so that someone can be in place by September 1.

Uh we also heard from the former executive director and the CEO of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Uh they really talked about the struggles that they had in the state of New York in terms of people not feeling safe in public transit, um lack of funding for public transit, and how they've really transformed that agency, and it was really uh terrific to hear from him.

We heard from Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, and they talked about uh how officers are riding certain segments of CTA and PACE, excuse me, CTA and Metra, finding people who are trying to uh pay enter the system without paying.

They're issuing warnings and tickets.

Uh, so it was really terrific.

That is a very data-driven approach that they are taking.

And they have also reached out to all of the sheriff offices in the Chicago land area asking for uh just requesting feedback on what issues and concerns and ideas they have around public safety on public transit, and they've also reached out to every municipality and asking for feedback.

If there is a train station in your district in your town, they would love to hear back from your municipal leaders and from you as well on what you think that they could do better.

And so um, I can get you that communication and who you should be reaching out to.

And then I also attended the Kowanis Pancake Breakfast in Zion with Member Roberts, who serves as president.

I also want to give a shout out to the City of North Chicago, uh Wallet Hub.

I don't know if you're familiar with Wallet Hub, but they released a report on 2026's best small cities to start a business.

And North Chicago is ranked number one in the state of Illinois and 56th in the in the United States.

And the way they uh do it, Wallet Hub determines the most business-friendly small markets by comparing more than 1,300 cities that have fewer than 100,000 residents, and they look across 18 key metrics and data set ranges from small business growth rates and the accessibility of financing to investor access and labor costs.

And I really want to congratulate North Chicago.

They've had some tremendous wins over the last, I would say last year.

In fact, um Charles Sell wrote an opinion piece on it recently about what's been happening in North Chicago, and we'll see what happens with the Halsey Village area, uh Green Bay Road and 137.

But there's just a lot of great things happening for North Chicago.

So that concludes my report.

Uh we have no unfinished business.

Moving on to new business, our consent agenda for item six through 31.

We have a um motion, please motion by member Altenburg, second by member Kenisnik.

May I have a roll call, please?

Member Altenburg.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Member Hunter.

11 and 12.

Yes.

Yes.

Perfect.

Oh, maybe 12 and 13 to fire protection districts, member Hunter.

Yes, it was 12 and 13.

Yeah.

Thank you very much.

Member Casper.

Um can I pull uh items 14 and 15 for independent consideration?

Can I pull items 14 and 15 for independent consideration?

Sure.

Okay.

Thank you.

And we will hear those 14 and 15 will be heard with Health and Community Services Committee, and the reappointments will be heard with uh at the very end of each.

So may I have a uh excuse me, a roll call, please for consent agenda for items.

Sorry, let me get back to it.

Items six through 31, excluding 12, 13, 14, and 15.

Point of order, Chair.

Oh, thank you.

Yes.

Sorry.

I'm just wondering if if those members are recusing themselves from particular items, would it be possible to leave them on the consent agenda with just noting the individual recusals?

Right.

Thank you very much.

That and thank you for that because we did learn from our parliamentarian, I think it was last month or the month before, that they can approve they can stay on the consent agenda and stay on them, but with those recusals.

So thank you very much, Member Frank.

Does that satisfy your needs, Members Hunter and Clansman?

Yes.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Okay.

So we're gonna do a quick redo.

So this is actually for every item for items six through 31.

Any confusion on that?

Okay.

We have a recusal on items 12 and 13 by member Hunter.

And we have the recusal on items 14 and 15 by Member Kasman.

Okay.

Uh a roll call, please.

Yes.

Member Altamberg.

Aye.

Member Campos.

All right.

Member Casbin.

Aye.

Member Clark.

Aye.

Vice Chair Cunningham.

Aye.

Member Dan Ford.

Hi.

Member Frank.

Aye.

Chair Hart.

Aye.

Member Hewitt.

Aye.

Member Hunter.

Hi.

Member Knisznick.

Aye.

Member Kyle.

Member Maine.

Aye.

Member Pratt.

I please also know the volume has been diminished.

So it's a little hard to hear now online from what it was a few minutes ago.

Great.

Thank you very much.

Member Peterson.

Aye.

Member Roberts.

Aye.

Member Schlick.

Aye.

Member Melitzer.

Aye.

189.

All right.

Thank you.

And um, Member Park, if you do have trouble hearing, please just shout out a point of order because we do want to make sure everybody online can hear.

Thank you very much.

We do have a board of health report to be read by Member Maine.

Thank you, Member Maine.

Thank you.

So uh April is a busy month in the world of public health.

Uh April, we just concluded April 6th to the 12th as National Public Health Week.

And the theme, this year's theme is ready set action.

And it explores the actions we can take to achieve good health.

National Public Health Week is celebrated annually annually in the first full week of April, and it recognizes the contributions of public health and it draws attention to issues that are important for improving our nation's health.

We encourage you to visit the health department social media page to learn more about National Public Health Week.

And it's important to note that we as individuals can take actions that improve our health as well as the health of our community.

So I encourage all of you to take part.

At the end of the month, excuse me, April 20th to 27th is National Infant Immunization Week.

This is an important annual observation, and it highlights the importance of infant immunization and encourages following the recommended childhood immunization schedule.

The number of measles cases in the United States has risen dramatically over the past two years.

There were 285 in 2024, and we have almost 10 times that number in 2025.

2,285.

And we're on the pace for over 6,000 cases this year.

Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death.

And in the year 2000, when they recognize 10 important, the most 10 important changes for public health in the past century, immunization was one of the top 10.

We're about to lose our status for saying that measles is no longer present in the United States.

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides a recommended childhood immunization schedule from birth to six years.

This is available on their website.

You can call the health department's patient access center at 847 377 880.

If the infant is a client of the health department.

So we've got a lot of good resources out there from our own health department, the Illinois Department of Public Health also has excellent information.

I personally spend a lot of time writing exams and doing research in this area, and I think you can find excellent information on both of those resources.

And I encourage you to visit them and educate yourself.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Really appreciate it.

Moving on to item 33, Health and Community Services Vice Chair Altenburg.

Thank you, Chair.

Item 33 is a joint resolution approving the program year 2026 Lake County Opioid Settlement Funds, funding recommendations of 405,000, and ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Altenberg.

Second by Member Kyle.

Any discussion on this item?

Thank you.

Member Kasman.

No, sorry.

Okay, that's all right.

All right.

Seeing nothing further.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion can motion passes, excuse me.

Item 34, please.

Member Alton.

Okay, item 34 is a joint resolution approving the program year 2026 video gaming grant funding recommendations and the amount of 841,000 100 and an emergency appropriation of $16,100 from the video gaming revenue fund balance and ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Altenberg, second by Member Kasmin.

Any discussion on this item?

Member Kasmin.

I'm sorry, I didn't just second, but I think it's still okay.

I have to recuse myself from this vote because of potential conflict of interest.

Okay.

Thank you.

I'm just gonna ask if uh second.

Okay.

But do you prefer not to be one of the I'll just okay?

Uh second, so we'll just take that seconded by member main.

Uh discussion on this member campos?

No, I'm sorry.

Oh, okay.

Okay.

Uh no discussion.

Uh, this does require a roll call vote.

May I have a new roll call vote, please?

Member Altenburg.

Aye.

Member Campos.

All right.

Member Kasman.

Abstain.

Member Clark.

Aye.

Vice Chair Cunningham.

Aye.

Member Danforth.

Aye.

Member Frank.

Aye.

Chair Hart.

Aye.

Member Hewitt?

Member Hunter.

Aye.

Member Kennissick.

Aye.

Member Kaya.

All right.

Member Main.

Aye.

Member Corack.

Aye.

Member Peterson.

Aye.

Member Roberts.

Aye.

Member Schlink?

Aye.

Member for Libson.

Aye.

Thank you.

Motion passes.

Moving on to public works and transportation committee.

Uh Committee Chair Clark.

Item 35, please.

Thank you.

Um, item 35 is an ordinance proposing the creation of Lake County Special Service Area 18 and providing for a public hearing and other procedures in connection therewith.

The Del More Delmar Woods Subdivision, an unincorporated area within Lake County.

I really want to see four.

We just did 34.

I thought there was 33.

My apologies.

Yeah, I'd like to thank uh really thank Deputy County Administrator Matt Myers, Assistant State's Attorney Steve Rice for literally years and years of work on this project.

You know, this is and I'd also like to thank the um residents of Delmar Woods.

This is something that um really shows the importance of county government and working together with our community.

Um, you know, this area has um this is a a project that will allow them to fund storm uh uh sewer improvements and um our county um will take over the really the the cut the design and everything of of going forward of this system.

Um I really I know the residents are pleased, and um this is this'll be a really good thing for this area and ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by member Clark, uh, second by member Parak, is that correct?

Oh, yeah.

Okay, thank you.

Member Maine.

Yeah, I just want to go um PWT chair comments, um Chair Clark's comments.

Um, this has been talked about for a really long time.

And if you don't know the area, it's a small, a very small pocket of unincorporated area down in the southern part of the county, surrounded by municipalities, and it's just too small.

Stormwater management uh was involved in working with the Forest Preserve on trying to create um uh in Prairie Wolf Slow probably 15-20 years ago and working on um trying to find solutions.

So I hope the community does support this because it's really the only way it's gonna happen.

So congratulations to everyone for working so hard on what's been an attractable problem for literally decades.

Thank you.

Member Park.

Yeah, I also'd like to.

I'm sorry, it's just really hard to hear, so I apologize.

I just want to thank um everyone involved on this.

Uh it's been years in the making, as member Maine had mentioned.

Um I'd like to thank Steve from the attorney's office, Matt Myers.

Um for all their work on this.

Um, it's it's been um a lot of fits and starts.

And I also want to thank Chair Hart for her involvement um for also trying to help this community out with different solutions, and I think we finally have one.

Um, and so excited for our you know, the county's role in in supporting this, but also working with the township uh as well in in helping to solve this uh issue we've had for the community for quite some time.

So thanks to everyone for their support.

Thank you.

And I'll uh I'll just say uh another thanks to Paris.

He said it in committee, like he um, you know, he has sworn in, and I was like, hey, I can't wait to tell you about something special in your district.

Um, and really Mike Rommel before him had been working on this, and it really intractable felt like the right word.

I I thought it was something that could be resolved, and then I thought, oh my gosh, I don't know what's gonna happen with this.

And then um, I think it was maybe state's attorney's office and staff came up, and maybe Pars too, said, Well, what about a special service area?

And um, what a great idea.

The residents have uh been in favor of that, and we actually do have a resident here, uh Bob Atkinson, who served as a treasurer right when I became chair, maybe within the first few days or something, he came to the office to say you've got to do something with this Delmar Woods.

So I really want to thank Bob for your persistence and diligence on this uh particular project, looking out really for all of your neighbors, uh, and really kind of uh keeping a pulse of what's happening with that project.

We're very, very grateful and really grateful to the residents of Del Mar for having an open mind and recognizing you know what, if something breaks in this district in this neighborhood, um, a pipe or something, there's no money to fix it.

No money at all.

So um really kudos to them, and it is one of those I put on the headline of small but important uh things that have happened.

So thanks for that.

We do have a motion and a second.

All those in favor?

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Member Park, you had another.

Yeah, I just I just wanted to also thank um, I'm sorry, but just the the folks from public works who were also involved in and we had multiple meetings to go through potential options, and it was not easy.

And and they've been great, and uh Austin and and his staff, so I want to thank them and also Patrice um and and her role in getting the county administration behind to help us and do this.

It's uh you know, we had several meetings, uh lots of back and forth between different groups.

So just it's it was really you know one of those where everyone it only worked because everyone was willing to do a little more than than was required.

So thank you.

All right, thank you so much for mentioning that and appreciate your help, Patrice.

Um, okay, seeing nothing further, all those in favor?

Uh any opposed motion passes.

Okay, item 36, please.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Yeah.

All right, item 36 is a joint resolution authorizing a contract with Roush Infrastructure LLC, Des Plains, Illinois, the amount of 2,152,618 dollars and eighty-two cents for the Dillies Road Bridge Rehabilitation at Mill Creek and appropriating 2,584,000 dollars of the matching tax funds.

So glad to see this important bridge project moving ahead.

And I so move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Clark, second by member Kasmin.

Any discussion on this item?

All right, seeing none, this does require a roll call vote.

May I have a leave for the previous roll call?

Yeah, please.

Thank you.

Motion oh, that was a recusal.

You can change her vote.

Her vote can be changed to this unit.

Okay, so if I might have a leave for the previous roll call with a vote in the affirmative from Member Kasman.

Is that what you're saying?

Is that okay with member?

Thank you.

She approves.

Uh so I do have a leave for the previous roll call, please, with her the addition of member Kasmin.

Yes.

Thank you.

Okay, motion passes.

Okay.

Thank you.

Moving on to planning, building, zoning, and environment committee chair Altenberg.

Item 37.

Thank you.

Item 37.

Ordinance amending chapter 151, Unified Development Ordinance of the Lake County, Illinois Code of Ordinances relating to logistics facilities and unincorporated Lake County.

And ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Altenburg, second by Member Schlick.

Any discussion on this item.

So thank you, Member Frank, for uh for your work on this.

Um second.

Seeing no further discussion.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Well, moving on to finance administrative committee chair Frank for item 38, please.

Thank you, Chair.

Item 38 is a resolution authorizing an emergency appropriation for fund 206 liability insurance and risk fund to fund settlement expenses in excess of the fiscal year 2026 budget in the amount of two million dollars from the fund 206 fund balance.

And I move to approve.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Frank.

Second by Member Clark.

Uh, any discussion on this item?

It does require a roll call vote.

May I have a leave for the previous roll call with the inclusion with the inclusion of member Kasmin if she sees fit.

Yes.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh I have heard yeses.

Uh any, okay, I don't hear any no's.

Um motion passes.

Moving on to new appointments.

Item 39 is a resolution providing the appointment of Nancy Chowzah Schaefer as an alternate member of the Lake County Public Aid Committee.

The Lake County Public Aid Committee rarely meets.

And so we do need an alternate member.

May I have a motion, please?

Motion by Member Frank.

Second by member Kyle.

Any discussion on this item?

Seeing none.

All those in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Any petit we do not have any petitions, correspondence, and miscellaneous business.

Do we have any members' remarks and requests, please?

Thank you, Member Altenberg.

Thank you, Chair.

I just wanted to mention that yesterday was Yom Hashoa, Holocaust remembrance day.

And we want to make sure to remember the six million Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust and also the millions of other people from various groups who were all who also had their lives taken.

And I hope everybody can think about that today.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Anything further?

Okay, I so adjourn this regular September 2025 session of the County Board of Lake County until May 12, 2026.

Thanks so much, everybody.