Lake County Board Meeting - July 14, 2026

The Lake County Board met on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 9 a.m. The meeting was recorded and live-streamed on the county website, Comcast Channels 18/30, AT&T U-verse Channel 99, and Zoom. Chair Sandy Hart presided with 17 members present, establishing a quorum. The meeting featured special recognitions, public comments, consent agenda approvals, and regular business items.

Special Recognitions

• Vice Chair Dr. Mary Ross Cunningham: The board honored her legacy following her passing. She served over 23 years on the board, was the first African American to serve as vice chair, and was a tireless advocate for veterans, affordable housing, health care, and criminal justice reform. Her son, Mayor Sam Cunningham, accepted a token of gratitude. Multiple board members shared personal tributes, highlighting her mentorship, compassion, and fierce dedication to her constituents. Her daughter, Jackie Cunningham Bailey, thanked the board for allowing their mother to be herself.
• Bob Klukert: The board recognized his seven years as Chief County Assessor (appointed May 14, 2019). He modernized the assessment process, implemented the Tyler Enterprise Assessment and Tax system, integrated GIS, eliminated dual addressing issues, and led his team through the COVID-19 pandemic. He retired effective July 14, 2026.
• Lake County America 250 Employees: Over 130 county employees were recognized for planning and executing events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, including a public reading of the Declaration, the Lake County Independent Civic Academy, a student art and essay contest, and a self-guided history tour.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Pat Kubir (Gurnee): Requested help accessing his property for farming after construction removed his driveway access. He stated that county DOT staff initially offered an easement but later said they could not assist because the adjacent church did not respond. He expressed frustration and asked for a way to cross the road.
• Margaret Carrasco: Challenged board members to serve the poor and homeless as Vice Chair Cunningham did. She criticized the process for filling the District 9 vacancy, alleging that the chair’s inner circle may already have a preferred candidate. She urged a fair process for all applicants.
• Rihanna Edwards (Waukegan): Thanked the board for working with Vice Chair Cunningham and praised her as a "master class" in political advocacy. She gave flowers to Patrice (staff member) for being present at Cunningham’s passing.
• Angelica Claxton (Wildwood): Expressed condolences and raised concerns about the proposed T5 data center’s impact on emergency preparedness, citing risks for unincorporated areas. She requested a taxpayer equity review and that the county’s data center moratorium include regional emergency response capacity evaluations.
• Leslie Calvis (Libertyville): Supported Claxton’s remarks and called for fully informed consent on data center decisions, with all environmental and emergency preparedness considerations addressed before approval.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4 through 43 were approved unanimously (16 ayes).

Discussion Items

• Item 44 – Ad Hoc Committee for District 9 Vacancy: The board amended the committee membership to comply with board rules limiting it to five members. Member Paul Frank was removed from the committee. The committee will present a nominee to fill the remainder of Dr. Cunningham’s term (through November 2026) to the full board.
• Board of Health Report (Item 45): Member Park reported that universal childhood blood lead testing is now in effect for all Illinois children at 12 and 24 months. Also, a mosquito pool in Buffalo Grove tested positive for West Nile virus on June 16, 2026, the first confirmed case in Lake County in 2026. Member Maine noted that applications for Board of Health vacancies are due July 31, 2026, and requested that the openings be shared in board members’ newsletters.
• Item 46 – Emergency Appropriation for Substance Use Disorder Grant: The board approved an emergency appropriation of $745,850 for fiscal year 2026 from the Illinois Department of Human Services fixed rate substance use disorder and gambling disorder grant. Member Park clarified the funds will be used for substance use disorder, not gambling. Passed by roll call.
• Item 47 – Child Support Enforcement Program: The board authorized an emergency appropriation of $830,900 for the second year of an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Services for the State’s Attorney’s child support enforcement program. Passed by roll call.
• Item 48 – Butterfield Road Non-Motorized Improvements: The board authorized a $3,123,819.80 contract with Alliance Contractors Inc. for non-motorized travel improvements along Butterfield Road from Gregg’s Parkway to Gulf Road, appropriating $3,750,000 from the quarter percent sales tax for transportation funds. Chair Clark highlighted the project’s role in connecting Vernon Hills to Libertyville via regional bike paths. Passed by roll call.
• Item 49 – Washington Street/IL Route 21 Intersection Improvements: The board authorized a $3,649,971.75 contract with Alliance Contractors Inc. for intersection improvements at Washington Street and Illinois Route 21, appropriating $4,380,000 from the quarter percent sales tax for transportation funds. Chair Clark noted the project will add safety features to a precarious intersection. Passed by roll call.
• Item 50 – MOU with Delta Institute: The board approved a memorandum of understanding between Delta Institute and Lake County to advance the goals of the county’s urban and community forestry strategic plan. Member Wasick cited research linking tree canopy to reduced healthcare costs and fewer deaths from heart and lung disease. Unanimously approved.
• Item 51 – Support for Community Solar Clearinghouse: The board passed a resolution to support and endorse the community solar clearinghouse solution program organized by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and the Illinois Power Bureau. Unanimously approved.
• Item 52 – Illinois Emergency Management Mutual Aid System: The board authorized participation in the Illinois Emergency Management Mutual Aid System Response via an intergovernmental agreement. Unanimously approved.
• Item 53 – Additional Alternate Members to Board of Review: The board approved a resolution supporting additional qualified alternate members to the Board of Review. Unanimously approved.
• Item 54 – Appointment of Chief County Assessor: The board ratified the appointment of Nathan Herbst as Chief County Assessor, succeeding Bob Klukert. Herbst was selected after interviews with several candidates. Unanimously approved.
• Item 55 – Appointment to Pace Suburban Bus Board: The board appointed Matthew Hickey to the Pace Suburban Bus Board of Directors, replacing Linda Soto, who served for over 10 years. Hickey’s experience in municipal boards, transit advocacy, and infrastructure financing stood out. Unanimously approved.

Chair’s Remarks

Chair Hart announced a groundbreaking for the demolition of Halsey Village, a 90-acre parcel in North Chicago where 63% of homes were condemned. The project is a partnership with the city of North Chicago and the U.S. Navy.

Closing

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned until August 11, 2026.