Today is Tuesday, July 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 ATT Uverse Channel 99, as well as on Zoom at the link on the agenda.

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

We do not have anybody who has requested to attend remotely.

Before we begin, is there anyone we would like to remember during a moment of silence?

And we will, of course, board members have seen our agenda.

We will have a special recognition, honoring vice chair Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham.

Is there anyone else board members would like to remember?

Thank you, Member Wasick.

Yes, thank you, Chair.

I'd like for us to remember Virginia Girmshein.

She was out for a bike ride when she was killed by a train at a railroad crossing that far from her home in Graves Lake.

Our deepest condolences to her family, husband Tim, friends, and the countless people she touched through her community service.

As Chief Financial Officer of the Nonprofit Stepping Stones Network, she supported independent living for victims of human trafficking, especially women with children.

Her faith and commitment to community service was a beacon in our community.

Her light still illuminates us.

Thank you.

Anyone else we'd like to remember?

If you join me in a moment of silence, please.

May I have a roll call, please, Deputy There.

Member Altamberg?

Here.

Copples.

Here.

Castin, here.

Clark here.

Dan Forth.

Present.

Frank.

Here.

Hart.

Here.

Hewitt.

Here.

Hunter.

Here.

Here.

Kyle.

May present.

Correct.

Peterson.

Present.

Roberts.

Here.

Schlick.

Here.

Valenci here.

And Wasik.

Here.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We have a quorum.

18th present.

Um, excuse me, 17 present.

Um, start.

We have no addend to the agenda.

We have some special recognition presentations.

The first one being a special recognition honoring Vice Chair Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham for her years of service to Lake County.

Um, and I'm going to read that.

Whereas Vice Chair Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham devoted her life to serving others through compassion, integrity, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the residents of Lake County, leaving an enduring legacy of leadership, advocacy, and public service.

And whereas after a distinguished career spanning 29 29 years caring for our nation's veterans at the Veterans Administration Hospital in North Chicago, Vice Chair Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham continued her life of service through elected office, bringing the same compassion, dedication, and steadfast commitment to every resident she represented.

And whereas first elected to the Lake County Board in 2002 to represent District 9, encompassing portions of Waukegan and North Chicago, she faithfully served the residents of Lake County for more than 23 years, becoming one of the longest serving members in the history of the Lake County Board.

And whereas in recognition of her exceptional leadership, wisdom, and the respect she earned from her colleagues, she was elected vice chair of the Lake County Board, becoming the first African American to serve in board leadership, and only the second African American woman elected to the county board, inspiring future generations of public servants by breaking barriers with grace and determination.

And whereas throughout her tenure, Vice Chair Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham provided thoughtful, thoughtful leadership on numerous committees and boards, serving as the longtime chair of the Law and Judicial Committee, Chair of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, member of the Health and Community Services Committee, Public Building Commission, Housing and Community Development Commission, Governing Council of the Lake County Health Department, Workforce Development Board, and is Lake County's representative to the National Association of Counties, where she championed issues supporting veterans, workforce development, and people experiencing homelessness across Lake County.

And whereas Vice Chair Dr.

Ross Cunningham was a tireless advocate for fairness, justice, and opportunity, successfully leading efforts to establish Martin Luther King Jr.

Day as a fixed holiday for Lake County employees, supporting initiatives to restore driver's licenses for eligible residents, and working tirelessly to expand access to affordable housing, quality health care, economic opportunity, and services for individuals experiencing homelessness.

And whereas Vice Chair Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham's service extended far beyond county government through her leadership and volunteerism with the Waquegan Housing Authority, Community Action Partnership, Pads Lake County, and countless civic and charitable organizations.

And whereas Vice Chair Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham's leadership was defined not only by her accomplishments, but by the compassion with which she led, the dignity she extended to every person she encountered, and her firm belief that government exists to serve all people with fairness, respect, and humanity.

And whereas Vice Chair Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mentor, colleague, and friend, whose warmth, wisdom, fearless persistence, and uncompromising efforts touched countless lives, leaving an indelible mark upon Lake County and the people she so faithfully served.

Now, therefore, be it recognized that the chair and members of the Lake County Board hereby honor and celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Vice Chair Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham, whose decades of distinguished public service transformed lives, strengthened communities, and advanced justice and opportunity throughout Lake County.

Be it further recognized that the Lake County Board expresses our deepest gratitude for Vice Chair Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham's remarkable contributions to Lake County and extends our heartfelt condolences to Mayor Sam Cunningham, Emerson, Jackie, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, the entire Cunningham family, and all who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside her.

Be it finally recognized by this county board of Lake County, Illinois, that Vice Chair Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham's example will continue to inspire generations of leaders to serve with courage, compassion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Lake County.

Her legacy will forever remain woven into the history of Lake County, and her memory shall continue to be a guiding light for all who follow in her footsteps.

David Waukeegan, Illinois, on July 14, 2026, and Mayor Sam Cunningham is here to accept a small token of our gratitude.

We would love it.

Oh, thank you for the same.

That's all right.

That's all right.

We're here all day.

Thank you for your patience.

Any and all of you are welcome.

Certainly good morning, everybody.

Good morning.

In true fashion, you know I cannot pass up an opportunity to speak.

I'll get that from Mama.

All right.

Uh you know, just looking at that picture, I'm often said you have a nice mouth, Sam, looking right there.

Mom, I see where I get it from.

Uh I think everything was been has already been said as relates to mom.

Uh as all of you know, her passion for county government goes unsaid.

Everything that she has put in over the last you know, 20-some years of her life, has been dedicated to this county.

She will defend every last one of her members on any issue as relates to county government.

She truly believed that her passion and her time being here was about serving the people of Lake County.

And you just couldn't.

Sometimes it was under misunderstood how she was doing it.

But she did.

I personally, on behalf of my brother, my sister, and certainly the rest of our family.

We say thank you for the outpouring love.

See this on a daily basis with our mom is one thing.

But the services and the genuine love that people shared for mom was it was just unbelievable.

Unbelievable.

So I like to just personally say thank you to all of you.

And I have to say this for two people here today.

As mom was transitioning, there was two people in her room with her.

And I just assumed it was Sandy.

Because I saw Sandy that day.

So I did not find out until today of the service, it was Patricia.

And I kept trying to find out, and I tell you the significance of that.

My younger brother Alvin passed, and Alvin was in Orlando, Florida, and he passed by himself.

And that weighed in on my mother really heavily.

And all of us.

And I made it, well, not I, but we made it a purpose that someone was going to be there.

So obviously you cannot time the death of anyone.

But I got the phone call, and Beverly Sugar Young was there, and Patricia was there.

That made that transition at that moment the best thing that my mom wanted at that time at that time.

So I say thank you to Patricia Sandy and to all of you for everything we're doing.

You guys take care and God bless.

Any board members who would like to comment today?

Thank you.

Member Member Roberts, followed by Member Kenisnik.

Thank you, Chair.

It is with a heavy heart to honor someone who has meant so much to this board, to the people of Lake County and to me personally.

Dr.

Mary Ross Conning devoted decades of her life serving her community with compassion, integrity, wisdom, and dedication.

Her legacy is woven into the fabric of Lake County and will continue to live on through the countless lives she touched.

Many people can speak to Mary's accomplishment accomplishments, but today I'd like to share something more personal, what it meant to know Mary, not only as a colleague, but as a mentor and a dear friend and someone I could think of as family.

When I first joined the Lake County Board, I knew, excuse me.

I was new, eager, and honestly a little overwhelmed.

Mary saw something in me before I saw it in myself.

She welcomed me with kindness and patience.

Excuse me, one of the greatest honors came when Mary chose me to serve as her vice chair of the law and judicial committee.

Mary saw something in me before I saw it in myself.

She welcoming me.

I I repeated this.

Excuse me.

As a newly elected board member, I remember wondering why someone as respectful and accomplished, accomplished as Mary would place that kind of confidence in me, but that's who Mary was.

She believed in people, she saw potential, nurtured it, and challenged you to become a leader.

She knew you could be.

She didn't want us to simply do the job.

She wanted us to become better at it.

Because of her encouragement, I attended my first NACO conference in 2021 along with Commissioner Caspin and Altonburg.

And it opened our eyes up to what county government could accomplish.

That experience has stayed with me, and it is another gift Mary gave me that continue to shape the way I serve today.

Mary had a way of teaching without making you feel like you were being taught.

She didn't tell you how to lead.

She showed you.

She led with dignity and compassion.

She reminded all of us that public service isn't about titles or recognition.

It's about serving others with humility and purpose.

And if you knew Mary, you also knew she wasn't afraid to hold you accountable.

She expected excellence because she expected it of herself.

In fact, there were an unspoken understandment amongst those of us who work closely with her.

If Mary scolded you, you probably knew that it meant that she loved you.

Boy, was I loved.

She invested her time and through love in the people she believed in.

Looking back, I wear those moments as a badge of honor because that came from someone who wanted me to grow.

Mary and I shared meetings, difficult decisions, laughter and conversations.

Excuse me.

That I will treasure forever.

Mary was always there when I needed advice.

Whether I questioned myself, she reminded me to stay true to my values and to always put others first.

Since her passing, I've heard so many stories about the quiet ways she helped people and families in need, constituents who had nowhere else to turn.

She didn't do those things for recognition, but she did them because she because helping people was simply who she was.

Mary inspired me to be a better public servant.

Her example reminded me that kindness and strength can exist together.

And that the most meaningful legacy we'll leave, and that the most meaningful legacy we leave is found in the lives we touch.

Mary, thank you for believing in me.

Thank you for your wisdom, your friendship, your encouragement, and your faith in me.

Thank you for helping shape the leader I am today.

Lake County has lost remarkable leader.

I lost a cherished friend, and most importantly, the cunning family.

The Cunningham family has lost a loving mother and a nana.

I will miss your guidance, your wisdom, your laugh, and yes, even those moments when you remembered when you reminded me I can do better.

Rest peacefully, Mary.

Thank you for making all of us better simply because we had the privilege of knowing you.

My sincere condolences to the Cunningham family.

Thank you.

Member Keniznik, Bob and Member Wassuck.

I am proud to add my name to the very long list of people speaking up in honor of the late Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham.

Please allow me to direct my remarks directly to Mary herself because I know that she is with us here now.

Thank you, Mary.

Thank you for showing us what courageous leadership looks like.

Thank you for courageously standing up for your constituents and others who were in need.

Thank you for never turning anyone away who needed food, a place to stay, help paying their bills, help getting adequate medical care, access to educational and job opportunities, and so much more.

You are a constant source of support as well for many of your colleagues.

As one of your colleagues who benefited from your example, I want to thank you for courageously standing your ground when challenged on an issue that you believe deeply in.

Thank you for courageously refusing to let other people define you.

Thank you for courageously demanding a seat at the table.

Thank you for courageously insisting that we do better by the most vulnerable and at-risk members of our communities.

Thank you for courageously working to expand every Lake County resident's access to justice and accountability.

Thank you for courageously raising your children to become committed, compassionate community and faith leaders.

Thank you for courageously refusing to apologize for your passion for public service, but instead to display it loudly and often and without tempering your passion in order to soothe the sometimes fragile egos of others.

Thank you for courageously living a long, beautiful life on your own terms and for showing the rest of us how that is done.

Mary, you are my friend, you are my mentor, and you are my profile in courage.

And I will forever consider it an honor to have served on this Lake County board with you.

Rest in peace, Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham.

Thank you.

I have Member Wasick, Fob and Member Main.

Thank you, Chair.

We all grieve Mary's passing and offer condolences to her family, friends, and countless people she touched in her community.

Gotten to know Sam and Jackie a little bit over the years and always felt enlightened when I ran into them at various community events.

I will always remember that Mary embraced the slender thread of mortality that connected us all.

When I first started my tenure on the board, Mary had lost her youngest son.

I lost my baby brother to cancer.

I asked Mary if we could pray together.

We sat in silence.

Mary was a source of illumination for us all.

When I toured the jail with her, I was moved by our compassion.

She would always visit constituents who were incarcerated and did much to improve their lives.

Always saw her as a prime example of a public servant who lived her faith and service every day.

As we mourn Mary's passing, let us reflect upon the hope, caring, and love she radiated.

It compels us to continue the work she chairs and the common humanity we share that can make our communities stronger and more compassionate.

Let us honor her by celebrating the light she brought to our world.

Her energy and work is still glowing.

Thank you.

Member Main, followed by Member Clark.

Thank you.

Well, Mary and I met um 24 years ago when we were both elected in 2002, which was a large class at that time.

And we sat in the back row.

We used that back row back then.

So we're 23 members on the board.

And uh we had a good time back there, right?

Remember that, Sam?

Yeah, Jackie.

So we were back there, and uh it's actually fun.

We had a good time because you get to see everything else.

And uh she probably figured she'd be up in the front one day.

I I wasn't so sure about me.

So that I learned a lot.

I learned a lot being with Mary, um, spending time with her.

If you were, as people have mentioned, if you were ever at a community event, whether it was the county or especially the Forest Preserve to go to Profiles and Excellence.

There was not a person she did not know.

And when they walked away, you got the full story.

You know, she knew about their family, their children.

She she she really knew, she really knew everybody, and she did care.

And I think for for Mary, um, you didn't need to know her very long until you uh and you saw her very clear priorities.

And first was her faith in God and the importance of God in her life was was paramount.

And then it was her family and uh the kids, the grands, the great grands, the sisters, cousins, it was always a cousin or something like that.

Um, and then it was the people of the 9th district and her people, and she cared about the people, and I I do not doubt that she knew probably every single person in the 9th district.

And uh she worked very hard, and she really put uh her heart and soul into all of that.

And I learned a lot from her, and I appreciate everything that I learned from her.

Godspeed Mary.

Thank you.

I have Member Clark Father by Member Campos.

Thank you, Chair.

Yeah, I remember when I first got on this board, it was very overwhelming.

And I remember Vice Chair Cunningham said, she's like, you don't worry.

She's like, you just work your district.

You focus on the work.

We are here to do the work.

And truly, I don't think anyone worked as fiercely for her constituents, for her community, for her county, for her family than Vice Chair Mayor Rush Cunningham.

Truly.

I mean, it she was housing with whether it was, you know, representation, whatever.

She was there and she fought every day for people.

And I gotta say, also, as I mean said, walking around with vice chair.

At first, I'm like, she's like, Well, I oh, that's my cousin, that's my niece.

Oh, that's my guy.

I first thought, oh, no, it really was.

Like, she knows everyone walking around with the vice chair was like walking around with the celebrity of Lake County.

And you all know if you ran into her, as soon as you saw her, she'd get that big smile on her face, and she'd laugh and she you come here and give you a big hug.

And there was nothing like her hugs.

I mean, really, and the the love she had for her community and for for her family and for us, and I gotta say, as someone on the board with her, there was nothing like knowing Mary was on your side, because as the mayor said, she she was on your side, and she would represent you.

And so I I part of me can't believe she's gone.

I mean, I really just sitting here.

I I think it'll take a while because Lake County will not be the same with without her, without her passion, and this board won't be the same.

And it was it was true, it's truly an honor to serve with um the vice chair.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um, member Campos, followed by Member Altenburg.

Thank you, Chair.

Um Lake County lost not just a board member, not just mom, uh, not just a grandmother.

We lost a giant.

There was nobody bigger than Mary Ross Cunningham in Lake County.

When I first got onto the board, I learned that very quickly.

All of Lake County was in love with Mary Ross Cunningham.

Nobody, there was not nobody that didn't know Mary Ross Cunningham or connected it in.

She she was the gateway to many municipalities around this uh around the county.

Um she was a dedicated uh board member who faithfully served more than 20 years.

Um her years of service commitment with unwavering dedication, helped shape this board and the communities that we represent.

Uh Mary was tough, um, but she was always fair.

I gotta give her that.

Um, she expected excellence from those around her because she cared deeply about the work and the people that we represent.

As a new board member, I was fortunate to get her wisdom and her guidance sometimes, as well as her scolding and her finger pointing.

Uh, but all of that was made out of love.

It was made out of dedication for the work that we do.

I remember one time she pulled me aside when things were getting rough.

Um in my life and politically and whatnot.

She said, Don't worry about what's being said.

You know what you do.

Go go inside your district and tell them what you've done.

And that's exactly what I did.

She gave me points on how to talk to my constituents more effectively.

She gave me points on what she does in her district to uh get those people to services much better, and they were old school methods, and I still use them today.

Um, she spoke uh so fiercely about her constituents that it motivated the other uh uh I could just speak for me, but to to represent my districts better.

Um, if I didn't have Mary uh to keep me on track, I had her daughter, uh Jackie Cunningham.

She lives in my district.

Uh I remember a couple times Mary gives me a call out of the blue.

I didn't know if I was in trouble or she needed help with something, but she would always start off by saying, get with Jackie.

There's somebody in your district that needs X, Y, and Z.

And I got with Jackie because of the consideration I needed, X, Y, and Z.

Um I was came to the board uh meeting, and after we talked to her sometimes.

Um, and I always knew if she started her conversation with let me tell you something.

You had to listen because what she had to say was right, and and I took that to heart.

Um we honor her memory to serving uh Lake County with the same dedication and favorite commitment that she demonstrated when she was on this board, and we were will carry that her legacy forward, and she will continue to spire future board members, even uh when she's not here.

So my condolences to the family and to Lake County alike.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Member Altenburg, followed by Member Frank.

Thank you, Chair.

Well, I remember the first time I met Mary.

Dressed to the nines with her signature hat and that smile that absolutely lights up a room.

She was very friendly and reassuring of my future on the board.

When we learn about Mary, we learned that more than two decades ago she came on to the county board.

Mary was the voice for Waukegan and for many across the county who needed a compassionate soul to help them get the shelter, food, medical care, and job training they truly needed.

I sat on the Health and Community Services Committee with Mary for the past seven years, and I was on her law and judicial committee for four of the last seven years.

We were on the HD HCDC together for the past seven years too.

I watched Mary and her passion to make things better for her constituents.

People could call her any time of the day or night, and she was always determined to get them the services they needed.

She was the biggest supporter of our health department, our workforce development division, our housing department, and so much more.

We attended the homeless count in the county for the past six years, where I saw Mary each year show such pride in the mission.

Dozens showed up to accomplish each year.

We accomplished our first permanent homeless shelter in Waukegan recently, and that put a huge smile on Mary's face.

But she knew we needed to keep fighting for more shelters.

One was not enough.

When we talk about law and judicial matters, Mary could not have been more supportive and more engaged with our sheriff's department, our state's attorney's office, public defender's office, and all the pieces that make up law enforcement services for our county.

Mary attended court hearings regularly with crime victims.

She went to drug court where people would graduate from a program that helped them and supported all who needed all who needed her help.

This week, some of us are leaving for the National County Conference, NACO, where Mary was a well-known commodity, a celebrity of sorts.

Mary introduced us to many people at NACO, helped us to get on committees, and mentioned us and mentored us through the NACO process during our first couple conferences.

Mary was an incredible light at NACO.

Every room I went in, Mary was greeting a million different people.

That was her favorite place, I really think outside of Lake County.

She really enjoyed meeting people from all over the country and bonding with them over a lot of different issues that we touched at NACO.

It's a very special place for her.

The one thing I admire most about Mary is that she paved the way for the many women who would come after her.

She was a steadfast role model for each of us.

She taught us the lessons of tenacity and being mission-driven.

She showed us how to command respect by doing the work and doing it well.

Mary stood her ground and made sure that her goals for her constituents were met.

She did not let anyone stand in her way.

She knew the representation she brought to this area was crucial to changing lives for the better.

She also knew that she needed to deliver for her constituents.

Time after time.

She was a true force of nature.

And I will never forget the lessons she has taught us.

We are better for knowing her, and the county is forever changed for the better because of her grit, determination, and compassion.

Many condolences to the Cunningham family.

Mary's memory may be for a blessing.

Thank you.

Member Frank, followed by Member Kasbin.

Yeah, thank you, Chair.

Um if you believe in the uh old proverb that if you save a life, you save the world.

I think it's not a stretch to say that Mary saved the world hundreds of times, if not thousands.

Um that impact that she had on people in her district in her community is unparalleled.

And as I was talking about was with Sam just this morning.

You know that she touched every one of their lives.

I think is quite lasting.

But one thing I will always remember is that she thought it was important that we treat each other with respect and dignity.

She had an impact on policy.

And we would have conversations about well, what are we really doing here?

How does this help people?

And sometimes the follow-up question is well, how does it help the people in my district?

Which is appropriate and important and a great focus that I will always remember that she held with her.

But outside, outside this building, the lasting impact, as I said, you know, she saved the world hundreds of thousands of times, hundreds or thousands of times by spending time with people who needed help.

Help navigating the justice system, help with a housing crisis, help with food instability, people who needed help with all sorts of challenges.

She was there for them over and over and over again.

Last thing I'll just mention is you know, the last few weeks, I think we've all sort of been looking back on uh photos that we had with Mary, and I came across one that to me was really uh uh symbolic of her ever-present effort several years ago when my son was in high school, him and some friends volunteered for a few hours, just randomly, not for me or any other connection, just at the Midwest Veterans Closet, and there's this picture of my son and his friends with Mary, because of course she was there helping people, and that's who she was, and that's what she did, and we will always remember her that way.

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you.

Uh, member Casman.

Thank you, Chair.

I I still can't uh believe she's gone.

Um I I've never done this, but had I before she passed, had I envisioned the county board a hundred years from now, I would have envisioned her being on this board.

I would have envisioned her being here.

Um, so it's hard to square the reality with her passing with our experience of being on the county board.

Um, she leaves a gigantic hole.

Um, Jackie, all of your family, you were the lights of her life.

She had a special light on her face that came on whenever she mentioned any of you.

Um, she was so proud of you, and she loved you so fiercely.

Um, yes, Sam.

She could be challenging.

Um, sometimes her care did not come out in in all the best ways, but when I became the most frustrated with her, which happened from time to time, I would remember that A, I am also not a lazy river, neither are any one of us, if we're honest with ourselves.

Um she had a very challenging life with a lot of race-based trauma that she lived through.

Her brother was lynched, murdered in the Deep South when she was a kid.

Um she had to fight tooth and nail for every crumb of respect she got, and she went above and beyond in ways with her community that I don't know if anybody will ever be able to top.

Um she had more energy as someone who I later learned was very ill during the entire time I've served on this board.

She had more energy and was out there in her community volunteering than most of us.

She would buy groceries for her constituents with her own personal money if they were hungry.

Um, this is someone, so when I look at the totality of her, I see someone who rose up from the most miserable difficult circumstances, and once she got to a place, she reached around to her community and pulled them with her.

Um the amount of strength and um power and dedication and love that that takes is extraordinary.

At the end of it and at the bottom of it all was love all the time.

It took me a while to see it, a little bit.

But that was that is her legacy.

Her legacy is love.

Her legacy is champ being a champion for others.

Her legacy is her family.

And you all, I see her in all of you.

So thank you to Mary for your example.

I will try to follow it.

We both shared a deep commitment for our communities, and I will try to live up to her example as I keep moving forward.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

All right, I'm gonna say uh some words, some of which were heard at the um the funeral, so forgive me, and and I want to say thank you so much to all of you for being here.

I know you're very, very busy, and we're so grateful to have this opportunity to thank you for the gift of your mother.

So Mary truly lived a life of service through her church, her family, friends, colleagues, and in public service for 24 years.

Mary often said, I'm not here to make friends.

I'm here to fight for my people and do business.

And that is what she did every single day without stopping.

Mary was relentless.

She never let any disappointments keep her from her mission, and she made great friendships and earned great respect because of it.

And as everybody here knows, she serves on, served on many committees and commissions.

Uh, but as chair of our law and judicial committee, she worked closely with the 19th Judicial Circuit judges and had a great deal of respect for them as they had for her.

The court stated Mary approached public service with a rare combination of strength and compassion, always seeking to uplift those whose voices were too often unheard.

And Mary was also often in the courtrooms, accompanying people to court dates to let them know that she was there for them, but also holding some accountable to do right in the future.

Mary fought for criminal justice, supported efforts to help those who couldn't afford an attorney, and never missed an opportunity to thank law enforcement for their service, and always attended the police memorials every year.

As chair of our Lake County of our County Board's Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, Mary made sure that under her watch, Lake County would be a welcoming place to work for everyone.

On our social service boards and commissions, Mary brought a fierce passion for ensuring all residents of Lake County had access to high quality health services, regardless of where they lived and their ability to pay.

She pushed us to improve our outreach and our services and worked tirelessly to make sure people knew how to access them.

About a year ago, a young man came to one of our meetings and she saw that he was in mental health crisis.

She immediately got him the help he needed right here in the county building, and she stayed by his side for hours the entire time.

And he felt safe with her.

And there are countless, countless stories like this that I feel so fortunate to have gotten to hear uh while at the hospital and during the visitation, the funeral.

Mary quietly, really quietly helped people in need any time of day, uh late into the early morning hours, and it was at her front door at work and anywhere.

Um the point in time, and every year Mary would go out on a cold night in January for the point in time count.

And I just want to be clear, we didn't have to do the point in time count every year.

And it was done because Mary insisted that we do this every year to do this outreach on this coldest night to bring focus to the people who were sleeping outside.

So we would find people experiencing homelessness and connect them with services.

She would go into empty buildings, totally fearless.

Uh, she would walk into wooded areas, she would climb down bridge embankments in the snow and the ice.

Uh, one year I was driving and she spotted a young woman in the street.

Um, I don't think I had even stopped the car.

I'm sure that I had not, and she jumped out of the door, jumped out the door to approach her.

She approached people with uh without fear, only love.

She brought them to the hospital, she brought them to church, she waited with them for someone to come and pick them up.

She wrapped them in a blanket, gave them something warm, and told them that they would be okay and that she was there for them.

And she was, and that went on for years as her family shared over the time, finding notes and and you know, records of things that she had done for people that they did not know themselves.

Mary had enormous responsibility on this board, but she embraced it fully.

She saw it as her calling, and she never ever expressed that she was being asked to do too much, but instead, she always wanted to do more, and she did.

She brought resources to her district and was proud to deliver funding to agencies like Community Action Partnership, Waukegan Housing Authority, Pads Lake County, Coalition Legal, Black Chamber of Commerce, Elder Care, Nakasa, Nurco, and UMA.

Mary was a founding member of the Youth Conservation Corps and Family First Center.

She received many awards, including the College of Lake County's Harambi Award, Waukegan Township's Drum Major Award, Shaw Media Women of Distinction Award, and the Lake County Democratic Women President's Award, and there are many more awards and recognitions that line the walls of her home.

Mary accomplished so much, and all of what we've said today is just a very small portion of what she did.

Bless you.

It is impossible to express the positive and transformative difference that she made through her formidable and unyielding leadership and her unrelenting love for service and her people.

Mary was truly a force, and no matter who or who or what she was fighting for, she did it with her whole heart.

Her conviction and determination was unmatched.

And when she believed in something, including us, she never ever gave up.

She loved the city of Waukegan and the people of Joaquin loved her.

When we would walk down the street together, as Member Clark said, you'd think we were in this tiny town.

People stopping to chat with her, cars slowing down, people yelling out the window, hey Mama Cunningham, hey Miss Cunningham.

And she knew little details of their life.

She'd say, Well, you keep up the good work, and how are you doing on this?

And I'm really proud of you.

And tell so and so I say hello.

I mean, it was like you were in this small town.

She was a mother to many of us, encouraging us while also not holding back when she felt we could have done better.

Tough love.

But her heart was so big and she had an amazing capacity for forgiveness.

There is a void and a hollowness here in Lake County without Mary.

I've missed hearing her voice, hearing her phone erupt with gospel music whenever she got a phone call, hearing her laughter, and I've especially been missing her radiant smile, which could be rare here at work because she was serious about what we did.

So I went to her office and I sat in her chair and I looked around at what she kept close and what was dear to her.

And on her desk and on the walls are other things that spoke about how she stayed focused on her mission.

The U.S.

Army Cup in honor of her late son.

The phone numbers of every Lake County and state elected official.

And there were thank you letters.

Thank you for mentoring me.

Thank you for your words of encouragement for my new business.

Thank you for helping me with my driver's license.

Thank you for attending the ribbon cutting, the groundbreaking, the open house, the food drive, the anniversary, the roundtable discussion, the facility tour, the veterans' event, the celebrations.

And tucked under her desk was a soft pair of black slip-on shoes.

And we all know somebody said it that Mary was always the best dressed from head to toe.

Gorgeous hats that perfectly matched her beautiful dress with just the right shoes.

Her jewelry and her nails done perfectly.

But seeing those soft shoes really reminded me of how many miles she has walked on behalf of others.

And sometimes even Mary, the caregiver, the provider, the mentor, the leader, and the mother and grandmother to so many of us needed to slip her feet into some soft shoes once in a while to rest.

It has been a precious gift to me to have had her friendship and love and partnership.

It is an enormous enormous loss to all of us, and it isn't the same without her.

We will do our best to carry on her work and her legacy and are grateful for her formidable spirit and uncompromising leadership.

I'm so proud to have had the privilege to work beside her and to have learned from her and to have been her friend.

So my condolences to the Cunningham family.

And I'd like to do another photo.

And Jackie, would you like to say and you don't have to want to wear Jane or anything?

Up to you.

No pressure.

We can take a photo and you can just think about it.

It's great to see you.

I don't think I have to do that.

Oh, that's don't worry.

That's all right.

Don't worry.

Oh, you got the plaques.

I'll then get it.

But is it packed up and ready to go?

Then don't worry.

We're good.

Yeah, that's just fine.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And any of you can say words.

And you guys want to go ahead.

Go ahead.

Hello, everybody.

I am Jackie Cunningham Bailey, daughter of the late Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham.

Um, on behalf of my family, we truly from our heart say thank you for allowing our mother to be herself, to be who she believed in.

Um, one of the main things that stick with me as I retained to be her daughter for 61 years was the saying she used it in her one of her campaigns.

Don't be a part of the problem, be a part of the solution.

And she raised us with that.

So everybody, let's just always remember doing good has always and will be a good outcome.

Again, thank you, Sandy.

Thank you all.

Thank you, Sarah, Gina, Carissa, you guys, Jean.

Just thank you.

Miss Patrice.

Thank you for being with my mom.

Okay, please, thank you.

Oh my god, you were there.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you for being Jalen, did you want to say anything you've got?

Okay, thank you.

And um that's right.

Thank you.

Okay.

Okay.

Item number two is a special recognition honoring Bob Blukert for his service to Lake County to be read by Member Peterson.

Thank you.

Um, this is an honor for me to have the opportunity to read this recognition.

So thank you.

Special recognition honoring Bob Glukert for his service to Lake County.

Whereas Robert Bob Klukert was appointed Chief County Assessor on May 14th, 2019, overseeing the property assessment process for Lake County.

And whereas through his career at Lake County, Bob was known not only for his expertise in property assessment, but also for his ability to build lasting relationships with the county board, county departments, township officials, and township assessors fostering collaboration that strengthened assessment services countywide.

And whereas Bob led the successful implementation of the Tyler Enterprise Assessment and Tax system that modernized the assessment process through greater transparency, streamlined exemption filing, and enhanced cybersecurity, ultimately improving service and access to tax information for residents.

And whereas recognizing the value of invocation and collaboration, Bob championed the integral integratation of the geographic information systems, GIS division into the chief county assessment office, improving data accuracy, accessibility, and coordination between mapping technology and property assessment.

And whereas Bob and the GIS division eliminated outstanding dual addressing issues in several unincorporated areas by partnering with fire, law enforcement, emergency dispatch agencies to establish a single official address standard, supporting Illinois next generation 911 initiative and helping first responders locate homes more quickly when every second counts.

And whereas during the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, Bob's calm and resourceful leadership enabled his team to quickly adapt to remote work, ensuring critical assessment deadlines were met and essential services continued.

And whereas, as clerk of the board of review, Bob Marner modernized the property appeals a process by implementing electronic evidence submission and virtual hearings, improvements that remain in place today, even after the pandemic, and continue to make the process more accessible, efficient, and convenient for taxpayers.

And whereas Bob believes leadership is not having every answer, but about asking right questions, encouraging new ideas, and empowering others to succeed, creating an environment where employees felt trusted, respected, and inspired to do their best work.

And whereas Bob's commitment to his team, Lake County, and the public was evident every day as he conducted staff workshops, personally assisted residents during times of high public demand, and served as a trusted advisor whose thoughtful guidance and willingness to listen earned the respect of colleagues throughout Lee County.

And whereas Bob's legacy will be measured not only by this systems he modernized or the invocation innovations he introduced, but by the people he mentored, the partnerships he strengthened, and the culture and collaboration, service and respect he leaves behind with Lake County government.

Now, therefore, be it recognized by the county board of Lake County, Illinois, that Bob Glukert is hereby honored for his seven years of service to Lake County, and be it further recognized that Bob's commitment and innovation, operational excellence, and leadership has strengthened county government, enhanced services for residents, and leaves a lasting legacy that will benefit Lake County for generations to come.

The Lake County Board congratulates Bob on his retirement and extends our sincerest gratitude and best wishes for the years ahead.

I have a request.

Could we ask Mike Danfirth and John to come up?

Yeah, they were on the team that did the end of the interviewing process.

Good memory.

That was a long time ago.

Very appreciative.

Thanks so much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The assessors know that when I stand up in front of a group and say that I don't have anything prepared, sit down back up into your seat, it could be a while.

I'm gonna try and keep this short this morning.

Thank you.

I think every one of you, as I look across the room, I've worked with you guys at one point or another with some issue that came up in in your district, hopefully resolving it.

Um to you.

You know, um Sandy um pursued me for quite some time to take this job at a time personally in my life when maybe she believed in my qualities more so than I do, and for that I'll be eternally grateful.

And to the team that interviewed me and ultimately chose me.

People that deserve the most credit here is not me, though, it's the team who the majority of the people are sitting up here in the in the back audience here.

Every one of those people.

Every one of those people make that office a success.

And under the leadership of a new leader, which you'll talk about a little later in this program, we'll turn around and continue to make that same progress and success moving forward.

Thank you all very much.

Appreciate it.

I have member Roberts, followed by Member Wasick.

Let me get it off.

And Hunter.

Sorry.

Thank you, Chair.

Bob, you are going to be missed so much.

You know, you just said something that made me feel what a great leader you are because you recognized your staff before yourself.

And it just proves how great you are and how much we're going to miss you.

Thank you for your service.

Thank you.

I have Member Wazick, Fob and Member Hunter.

Thank you.

And we really can't underestimate the contribution that Bob has made the Lake County government.

I remember when I was first starting my term that the township supervisors and the assessors in particular were really angry at the county.

To put it metaphorically, it was it was a bunch of bridges that were smoldering.

It was just a really bad environment.

And when we selected Bob, we were really hopeful that he could bring us his gentle personality and his collaborative nature to a repairing these relationships.

And he's and he's built a great team.

And I know you guys have worked really hard, and and it's just a tribute to Bob's leadership.

And just keep in mind that you know, like a lot of people think that we actually uh make the tax bills uh, you know, we actually pencil in the amounts for them personally, and we don't.

I know a lot of people have gone into Bob's office and and personally abused him.

It's like, how can you you do this to me?

And it's like, well, you know, and it's been a thankless job, but Bob is is really been an incredible leader in in bringing us forward in the 21st century with technology with rebuilding relationships with creating a very strong team.

And uh I wish you, Bob, a very long, happy and healthy retirement.

Thank you.

Member Hunter, Fodman Member Frank.

Thanks, Chair.

Um, I don't have a ton of different things, but you know, I represent the largest area of unincorporated in the county by about 28,000 people.

So Bob and I would have a lot of conversations on a lot of things.

Uh the address standards into what we did with the with Lake Calm proved to be huge.

Um, but I always call Bob my Columbo because when you would get to his office and he'd talk to you about what you went there for, he wouldn't let you leave before he's I got one other thing in your district I need to talk to you about.

And that one other thing was bigger than the thing that you went to the office.

And uh you're laughing because you know I'm right on this.

And he said to me today, he says, you know, you're not gonna be able to do that anymore.

Anyway, what you've done with the GIS department is wonderful.

Um, it's a resource I don't think each one of us in this room use as much as we possibly could.

Um have a happy retirement, my friend.

Thank you.

I have member Frank, Fodman Member Clark.

Thank you, Chair.

Uh, fully uh want to echo everything that member Hunter just said, and and like Member Wasick said, that is what I remember.

I remember a lot of stress in the system because of technical challenges and relationships.

And I remember the first time I met uh Chief Assessment Officer Glue Kurt.

Uh, and the first time he came to the finance committee.

I just had an overwhelming sense of confidence in his ability to navigate these challenges.

He brought an extreme level of excellence and professionalism to the position that is a really impressive legacy, and uh can't thank you enough for your service and accomplishments and the excellence that you brought to the office.

And members, if if you're looking for an example, I want to point to you the May 28th Finance Committee meeting from this year.

Take a look at the video when Assessor Glucker presented his annual update.

It is an impressive list of projects that he wanted us to be aware of.

Like, hey, these are things I started in the office that as I'm retiring are are still in process, and it was just this amazing handoff of look at these great things we're trying to do still.

And I just want to point that out that uh it's a it's a really great legacy you live, leave, and thank you for all the work you did.

I have member Clark followed by Member Altenberg.

Thank you.

Yes.

Also, when I started on this board, I remember the one of the first things I heard about was people were very angry in the word world of assessment.

And um I and it was and you know, I think it was shocking, unshockingly, I guess.

People aren't that thrilled about paying property taxes.

And when they feel like it's not fair and they don't like the system, there was a lot of bad feelings.

And then we got Bob.

And I remember the first time I met you.

The thing is, you were so calm, so thoughtful, and so fair, and you would take the time to explain everything to people.

And I think that's the difference is I went from having people just very angry all the time to go talk to Bob.

And you would talk to them, and you would sit there, you and your staff.

Excellent.

I mean, and you would explain the whole thing, and then people who would sent me the all caps emails would say, Oh, I talked to Bob.

I understand now, I understand now.

And now after years, I because it is, you know, property taxes are here for a reason, and it's very important.

As an economist, we know it.

They provide for essential services we need.

But people just want to know that it's fair, and they know it's fair because of your work.

And I also just have to give a shout out to double addressing.

That was I remember sitting with you, and you were like, okay.

And that was where we had to change to one address because of safety reasons, truly for 911.

But I was like, I got people in my district that had chiseled the number of their address in stone, and you were now saying, you know, and you were just like, it'll be okay.

It'll be okay, we will work with them.

And you did.

You worked with the neighborhoods, you were so conscientious on what will work for you.

It wasn't what will work just for the county.

It's what can we do together.

You know, maybe we'll keep this address with three digits, or maybe your will keep five digits.

You worked with them, and it was okay, and now we have a safer system.

So I cannot um I know everyone's gonna continue your legacy and of doing this, but it is one of the most important jobs, one of the those thankless jobs.

And I said, I get way less the all caps people.

So thank you for taking the time and to really be there for each.

So thank you so much.

We will miss you.

I have member Altonberg, Fob and Member Belitzik.

Okay.

Bob, there is not much more to say.

I think they covered it all.

I mean, when we brought you in, things were not in the best of shape, and you really knew how to whip everything into shape over these years.

And um, you worked tirelessly with the assessors all around the county, and I think that was really important, trying to bring everybody together and trying to get people on the same page, and um, and updating our technology, and that was also really important.

And I know there's still some struggles in that area, but um, but you worked very hard to try to get you know uh some cohesive systems there that everybody can live with.

And um, you know, we thank you again for your amazing patience and professionalism, and we wish you an amazing retirement.

And you never know, maybe you're gonna get another phone quality year to come back.

But I hope I hope this time you're able to retire and enjoy yourself.

Thanks so much.

I've member of Litzik, Fab Member Kasbin.

Um, Bob, I think you are a shining example of leadership that is not only capable and professional, um, but calm and kind.

And I that combination of um qualities in a leadership position is really just a model for for people to follow.

And I've appreciated it so much as others have said here that when I received a call about issues that are you know, like our least favorite types of emails and calls to get, um, I just always felt so comfortable and almost like looking forward to calling your office and calling you to learn about the situation and get a knowing I would get a better understanding and be able to be able to help the the person who called.

So thank you so much and enjoy your retirement, Bob.

Um I will always appreciate you for your deep unfailing kindness and your patience.

Some um like people were not content.

People thought things were unfair.

They, you know, and quickly that dropped off to nothing.

I never hear people saying we are valued lower or higher than other people, and you know, I just I don't hear it anymore.

Um you have, and this is rare and something that should be pointed out the ability to take something very technical on the tax side and put it into regular words that normal people can understand, people who don't have the training and the depth of knowledge that you have.

That is that is very uncommon, really rare, and I will miss you for that as well.

Thank you for taking over a tough contentious situation, and really making people feel confident, like and and like they're being treated fairly.

I really appreciate it.

Thank you.

Sure.

Bob, I just want to say, you know, when I was selected as one of the members to interview and have you go through that process, it certainly wasn't an easy process for you, the county at that point in time with the previous county assessors.

Uh there was um a feeling by I think residents of a lack of accountability, lack of transparency.

And uh one of the highlights of your interviewing process was just the calmness, I think, in which you approached the whole process.

And coming into that position and serving in that position for the past seven years.

But I I mean, I tell you what, um, if I ever was skeptical of any candidate, you would have relieved any skepticism that I would have ever had about that.

I think that we made the wisest and best choice in selecting you into that position, what you have done, the wrangle of the cats of the other county assessors and the distrust that they had at that point in time, and for you to smooth over those rough feathers and to operate within two uh continuing two operating systems that some of the other assessors have just been, I think uh it's been miraculous.

And I think it's a um you should be proud of the work that you've done and uh how you have greatly helped Lake County uh in the past seven years and have moved us in the right direction for a really bright future, I think, in this area.

So thank you, thank you, and all the best of luck and blessings to you as you go into retirement.

All right, seeing nothing further, I'll just add my own congratulations to Bob.

We have been friends for over 14.

Well, I mean, we started acquaintances, right?

Became friends uh for over 14 years, and I uh was able to see as everybody has spoken about um his kindness and his patience, and I sort of found that when things were maybe a little hairy, he would talk even like softer and more slowly and bring a calming element.

And uh I just think you were uh have been a wonderful assessor to us, and a few people brought up that um, you know, the three-digit to the five-digit.

So for anybody who's listening doesn't know, some in the A Incorporated area had three digits, but in the emergency response systems, they were listed as five digits, and so if somebody called 911, well, they could see it come up as a five-digit, right?

But the house outside says, you know, 347 or whatever.

That was an issue for many years prior to Bob coming.

I'll just say this board did not, it struck me that did not really want to tackle that issue because it was going to be a pain.

Residents did not want to fool with it.

And I think Bob, that was really beyond the scope of just assessments.

And you said, look, we really need to fix this for first responders, uh, for people getting pizzas, right?

That was a whole thing like I can't get a pizza out of my house, you know.

But um, you know, that was really aside from these enormous tasks that you have.

Um, and and you fixed that, and really I think it went surprisingly well, and people understood.

And and somebody, I think Kevin, you talked about how that was really instrumental in making sure Lake County, uh, excuse me, Lake Calm was up and running and and able to help people and not have to worry about that.

So I just really appreciate it, and having an assessing system that people can trust is incredibly important, right?

We all hear about property taxes, and all of that is driven from those assessments.

And for someone to be able to call into our assessor's office after perhaps they've worked with their townships and call into the assessor's office and and that someone, you or your turn team, Bob, take the time to explain to them how it all works.

People just want the respect and the time to understand.

Um, and so I think that's what you and your team do.

So thank you.

We're super happy for you, and uh, we look forward to celebrating you after our meeting.

So thank you.

All right, item number three is a special recognition of employees who made Lake County, Lake County's America 250 celebration such a success to be read by member Hewitt.

As the United States is recognizing the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, honoring the ideals of liberty, self-government, and civic responsibility that continue to shape our county.

And whereas Lake County joined communities across the country and recognizing this historic milestone through its own Lake County America 250 initiative, bringing together residents of all ages to celebrate our shared history and inspire future generations, and whereas the success of Lake County America 250 commemoration requires months and months of planning, coordination, collaboration, and dedication from our employees across multitude county departments, over a hundred and thirty employees worked on this project, which is very, very important.

Um they work behind the scenes to organize events, coordinate logistics, develop educational programming, communicate with residents and partners, and create meaningful opportunities for public participation and whereas county staff worked tirelessly to plan and execute a series of events, activities, including public reading of the Declaration of Independence, the Lake County Independent Academy, student art and essay contest, and self-guided history tour.

And whereas many county employees contributed their time, knowledge, expertise to the success of Lake County America 250 commemoration while continuing to fulfill their regular responsibilities, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to public service by going above and beyond to create meaningful experiences for the residents throughout Lake County, and whereas the dedication and teamwork demonstrated by the county employees reflect very spirit being celebrated through America 250, a commitment to collaboration, civic engagement, and strengthening the connection between government and the communities we serve, and therefore now be it recognized that the Lake County Board honors the employees who contributed to a success of the Lake County America 250 commemoration and gratefully extend their sincere appreciation for their outstanding dedication, collaboration, and service to the residents of Lake County.

And they are hereby recognized by name, and that's special recognition dated in Waukegan, Illinois on July 14th, 2026.

Thank you very much.

And we have Matt Myers here who's going.

Are you going to give us a little overview, Matt?

Or do we have a video?

Am I right on that?

We not have a video.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Guess what?

We don't have a video.

So here comes Matt.

Okay.

So the only thing I wanted to make note is that there were over 100 staff across all the different departments that helped out with uh the planning and execution of the America 250 events that we held.

So their names are listed in the recognition as well for those that would like to see that.

But thank you.

Um thanks for the excellent idea and projects that we got to work on.

Uh, we certainly learned a lot, and it was great engaging with our residents and uh having the opportunity to talk to them.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Any comment?

Oh, thank you.

Uh member Roberts, Bob and Member Clark.

Thank you.

Um, I just wanted um say thank you to Member Carr, Member Hewitt, and the staff who did such an incredible job.

It was so well done and organized that the people from NACO reached out to me, who then I forwarded that information to Matt, and I believe we're going to be presenting at NACO about everything we done and we've done in Lake County regarding the anniversary of our country.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Member Clark.

I want to think I just want to thank Member Hewitt, you chair Hart, this whole board, and really Deputy County Administrator, Matt Myers, and we got Betsy Brandon, Deanna Phillips, Alex community agents, and 130 people.

So I hope everyone takes the time to read the names of all the people on the thing.

And because it truly, I think it was a labor of love for our country.

It was right here in Lake County.

I mean, from everything from the art and essay contest, which wasn't that a day, getting to see and you know, and those those are things people will remember forever to the the academy.

I mean, everywhere I went in Lake County took from the health department to I mean at the Transparency Department to have they were so excited to have people that were so excited about learning about our county.

I hope it's something we do again.

And I just want to have a shout out for last week for when we read the Declaration of Independence.

I mean, that's what this was all about.

And I for me, it was so meaningful to hear the words.

They are the actual words of our, you know, of the founders of our country, and to think about what they did that day and how they stood up for our country and for people and for people's rights with the people.

And that was such, I don't know, an emotional moment, and I think really brings it all home.

So I am so glad we did this.

It's such an important year, and these are just memories, and we'll just have forever.

So I just want to thank everyone from involved in it.

Yeah, thank you.

Nobody else.

Yeah, and my apologies on the video because I think we watched the video last month.

So uh I apologize, but uh, it was a really great event.

Everything that you guys that staff did.

Thank you to staff for taking an idea, a great idea by member Hewitt and Clark.

And uh really just making it enormous with the creativity of uh of the whole team, you know, from everything from your self-guided history tour through Lake County to the reading of that declaration, and then uh Jessica Bolitzik's good idea for the Civic Academy was was so terrific.

And um, yeah, it's just very very impressive.

And every event uh was done perfectly, and I know that there were contingency plans put in place just in case something popped up.

So um, and I would just say that's how they approach everything.

Our staff approaches everything.

This is our plan.

Here's our contingency plan.

So uh we're very fortunate.

So thank you to the staff for all of your hard work.

Uh, do we have any public comment today?

We do.

Okay.

Um to those making public comment here in person or remotely via Zoom.

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.

This three-minute limit is cumulative, so that if a person makes comment on more than one item, then they will have a total maximum of three minutes for all their comments.

For those attending in person, there is a three-minute timer up here at the podium.

Uh, when you have 20 seconds left, the yellow light will come on.

When the red light comes on, your time is expired.

For those attending via Zoom, if you are participating by video on the Zoom screen, you'll be able to see the timer that is located here in the podium.

And if you're participating by audio, we will notify you when you have 20 seconds left.

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

Those making public comment shall refrain from commenting about the private activities, lifestyles or beliefs of others, including county employees, elected officials, if those comments are unrelated to the business of the county board or county government.

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

And then finally, candidates running for public office must refrain from including comments that promote a candidate, uh, including refraining from identifying oneself as a candidate for public office.

First public comment we have, we'll do the in-person ones first, is from Pat Kubir.

Morning.

Well, I'm here for help.

I really need some help.

I'm Pat Kipker from Gurney, Illinois.

I don't know if you guys ever seen one of these.

This is from the United States Post Office.

Uh, when there's construction of the house, and they take your mailbox away, you get one of these, and they usually don't.

So long story short is uh I appreciate after last month's meeting, June 9th.

I got a call from uh Lake County OT the very next day at 7:30 in the morning.

It came across my phone as a spam call, so I didn't answer.

I saw the message when I got home that night.

It took me almost a whole week to call them, and they finally called me back.

All right.

So it was Shane and Julian from the DOT.

Uh their plan was they were gonna get me an easement.

The exit out the back of my property on to through the church on Hunk Club Road.

And my thought was how are they gonna clarify making an easement?

And then how are we gonna take care of that?

But anyways, I got an update every Thursday, Friday that the church wouldn't respond to them.

Uh the way it was left as of last Thursday, Julian had left a message that uh we can't get a hold of the church, we're not gonna be able to help you.

But initially they said we're gonna do anything we can in the world.

Thanks to you people, uh, they're gonna do something for me.

Now their comment was they're gonna give me a sign, they're gonna put a sign up for me for a tractor sign.

All right.

Here's my problem.

Right now, there's an open area in front of my house.

We could put gravel there, I'll put the gravel down, I'll cut the curb down a little bit and go across the road.

I gotta get across the road, period.

I got bigger equipment, nobody in here probably even realize what I have.

I cannot get across the road, I can't get in.

So right now I have to drive past my house.

I come up, I haven't called Carissa lately because what I do is I get in the middle of the road and drive up the middle of the road, block both lanes of traffic, and then I move to the left and make a right turn in my driveway.

That's what I gotta do all the time.

What the county wants to do, and I didn't agree to it before this.

We had three years ago, I had a rolling curb.

That's what started this.

I had a rolling curb, they took it away from me.

Okay, now they want to make my driveway wider, so they want to take down a hundred-year-old tree in my yard that I didn't agree to, and well, they're gonna they're gonna plant trees in the median of the road, and I can't get across the road.

I don't understand this.

I need to get across the road.

Um and I hate looking at this thing, I only have 20 seconds left to talk.

I mean, uh, something's gotta be done.

I need help.

I really need help.

I'm I'm farming and I need help.

I don't know what to do.

I can't get across the road.

My people are complaining that uh they they don't even want to come get hay now because of the road situation.

Uh you guys ought to get these, they're awesome.

You don't get mail for a week.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Margaret Carrasco.

Uh yes, good morning.

Um, Lake County um board members.

Um, I assure you that no one can replace Mary.

Okay.

She was just one of these vibrant, unique individuals, and just totally dedicated to her constituents as she referred them to.

Okay, the residents in the community.

Um, but so I challenge you, each one of you, to step up the plate and serve the poor, serve the homeless just like Mary did.

Okay, instead of them being invincible to you, ignoring them.

Um, my family, uh Padilla.

Um, my dad, Rudy Padilla, was an immigrant, Mexican immigrant uh teacher.

He was Sam's teacher.

So that was the relationship from when he was 15 years old.

We got in touch with them, we got to know them.

Mary, the Cunningham family embraced my Mexican immigrant Padello family, their entire life.

Um, and saw how she struggled for her family, did everything for them, and have succeeded in their success um uh the entire family.

So, madam chair, let me remind you today that Mary's district came about after redistricting for from Maldiv, who's involved for a Latino majority district on July 10th.

You sent issued an email titled apply to serve as District 9 County Board Member, inviting residents, the entire uh county to um um to um buy for this position, apply for the interviewing process, madam chair with all due respect.

Who are you trying to fall?

If you already have towed your inner circle, who is the person that's going to replace her?

That's not fair.

See, what you don't know is that when you were at her wake, talking with your inner circle, someone overheard you.

And had I verified it with several other persons in the community.

So I'm here today.

So that all the individuals that buy for this position and apply, make sure and realize what's going on behind the scenes.

This is the Lake County Board.

We need justice.

We need to give every single applicant a fair shake.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Rihanna Edwards.

Good evening, County.

First of all, I want to say something on behalf of the South Side.

I want to say thank you to all of y'all for working with Mary.

Okay.

I heard somebody say sometimes she can be challenging, right?

Um, that's what they call us when we fighting hard for what we believe in.

So going forward when I come to this meeting, now that's what I want to hear from y'all about me that I'm challenging, right?

Because that's what I believe in.

And I learned a lot of what I learned from people like Mayor, Thomas Craig, Robert Evans, Eddie Washington.

I watched them come up.

Okay.

I gave Mary flowers here at this board, and I said something to her in front of all of y'all, that her title meant nothing to us on the South Side.

Because with that title, without that title, we still love them.

And I know a lot of you guys sometimes can be mystified.

How relationships go, but just because you disagree with somebody politically doesn't mean you don't respect them.

That happens more often than not.

Patrice, I want to say thank you to me and to the South Side of Walkegan.

You're semi-hero for being there for somebody that we care for.

We appreciate you.

And I'm sorry for my lateness, but I was running late this morning, but I had to go back to go get you some flowers because I said something to you before coming to this meeting.

You have always made anybody that walked through that door feel welcome.

So I wasn't surprised to know that you were there.

And so, on behalf of her family, because I know they would have done this, but as you know, losing a mom ain't easy.

You have all types of things going on, trying to find life and see what life is gonna be like without, right?

So I want to give you these flowers on behalf of the South Side of Waukegan because Mary may have been many things to y'all, but to us down there, she was a master class, a master class.

I ain't never seen no black woman work the political field and the method that she did.

She had her own way.

You ain't had to like her, but you was gonna respect her, and that's how I feel.

You don't have to like me, just want you to respect me.

So, Miss Patrice, thank you.

I appreciate you.

Um it ain't too many words that one can say about a woman of your character, but I wanted to give you these flowers to let you know that we don't do things for sure where I'm from, we do it from the heart.

And so I want you to have these as a token of appreciation and love from us to you for what you do.

Thank you.

Okay, uh, moving to online public comment.

Um, our first online comment is Angelica Claxton.

Good morning.

My condolences to the board in the family on the loss of Mary Russ Conningham.

My name is Angelica Clarkson, and I'm speaking today as an engineer and long-time resident of Wildwood for the past 22 years.

First, I'd like to thank the county board for this transparency regarding the proposed T5 data center and for its work towards a temporary data center moratorium.

Although Lake County did not have authority over the initial zoning decision, the impacts of a hyperscale industrial facility of that specific type will not stop at municipal boundaries.

One item of concern I have not seen addressed by anyone is emergency preparedness.

If a major incident were to occur, whether caused by severe weather, such as tornadoes, snowstorm, ice storm, or an electrical failure or hazardous material event, the Grace Lake Fire Protection District could be stretched beyond its capacity in responding to the facility.

Since the same fire protection district also serves our unincorporated communities, residents could face a late emergency response while relying on mutual aid from neighboring departments.

For me, it's not hypothetical.

Several years ago, after microbes storms, my community of Wildwood was without power for five days during extreme summer heat.

At that time, I was also caring for my paraplegic mother who depended on electrical powered medical equipment.

Prolonged outages weren't simply an inconvenience.

They directly affected her health, safety, and quality of life.

In that case, nearby communities, so power restored much sooner.

I can't say every factor was the same, but that experience reinforced how residents in unincorporated areas can be disproportionately affected when critical structure is under strain.

That's why I would like to respectfully ask the county to help ensure that regional public safety is fully addressed before this project moves forward, fully accounting for regional impacts, not just impacts within municipal municipal boundaries by first initiating coordination with Lake County Emergency Management and the Grace Lake Fire Protection District to review emergency response planning.

Second, a taxpayer equity review to determine whether T5 will fully fund the specialized emergency resources its operations may require, rather than shifting those costs to county taxpayers.

And third, ensuring that the county's data center moratorium includes comprehensive evaluations of regional emergency response capacity and infrastructure impacts for projects affecting Lake County.

Thank you for your time and for your commitment to protecting the safety and resources of all Lake County residents.

I would welcome the opportunity to continue this conversation with you in the future.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next is Leslie Calvis.

Hello.

Hello.

Please go ahead.

I apologize.

I was having technical difficulties here.

My name is Leslie Kelvis, and I am a pharmacist from Libertyville.

And I also send my condolences for the passing of the of Dr.

Cunningham.

I am taking backing off of Anne Helika's very um well spoken words, necessary words of concerns about emergency preparedness with the T5 data center and any other subsequent data center that's um considered in Lake County.

Like there was a lot of um prematurity, premature decisions made here before there was fully informed consent.

Um there's in the clinical community, informed consent is informing a patient of what would be happening, such as a clinical trial or if they're going to be initiating a medication.

There are so many of us, not just in Grays Lake, but the surrounding communities in Lake County that believe we believe that a lot of the data center decisions were made prematurely.

We understand everybody's human and appreciate the moratoriums that have been put in place, and I just ask much more in a plain spoken way that every consideration from emergency preparedness to due diligence, the environmental impacts are placed before the decision, even if it financially benefits a few individuals who are put in a position of power.

With great power comes great responsibility, as Spider-Man says, and that is why it's so very important to take the constituents into consideration.

Um this is all I really want to say.

Thank you so much.

Lynn Witkowski.

Lynn Wood Whitkowski.

Okay.

Sounds like maybe she is not online.

Are you able to see Patrice on there?

Well, we've made a couple of calls there, so are you are you able to speak now?

Are you are you able to speak now?

She did unmute.

Now she's muted.

Try one more time.

Are you able to speak?

Okay.

Well, uh, people can join next month.

Same way.

Okay.

Thank you.

Uh, my chair's remarks.

I promise I will be brief.

Just gonna say, uh, yet was it just yesterday?

Just yesterday we had I had an uh meeting at IG, not a meeting, excuse me, a groundbreaking uh for the demolition that will occur at Halsey Village, and it was also the signing with an IGSA uh with the city of North Chicago.

We're joined by member Frank.

And I'm just really excited to see the demolition of uh Halsey Village moving forward.

Um, it's about a 90-acre parcel.

Um, I've said a been talking about Halsey Village for some time, but just a reminder 63% of the homes in Halsey Village while other people were living there were condemned.

They were unfit for people to live in, and that is where our military families were living.

And we were talking yesterday.

Uh, some of it actually looks better now, completely boarded up than it did before when people were living in there because the um lawns weren't getting mowed, but you know, kids would play in the playground that was surrounded by homes that have had roofs caving in.

So very excited about this demolition starting on this parcel.

Excited to see what will become of it, and really want to say thank you to Carl Carrar and Matt Myers for their work on this.

So thank you.

Uh moving on, we have no unfinished business.

New business, our consent agendas items four through 43.

May I have a motion, please?

Motion by Member Hewitt, second by member Schlick.

Uh, may I have a roll call, please?

Member Altenberg.

Aye.

Compos?

Caspan.

Aye.

Clark.

Aye.

Dan Ford.

Frank.

Aye.

Chair Hart.

Aye.

Hewitt.

Aye.

Hunter.

Aye.

Ms.

Nick.

May.

Aye.

Correct.

Peterson.

Aye.

Roberts.

Aye.

Schlick.

Aye.

Lindsay.

Aye.

Wasick.

All right.

Thank you.

So is that 16?

16 ayes.

Motion passes.

Moving to regular agenda.

Item 44 is a resolution creating an ad hoc advisory committee for the district nine county board vacancy.

This is in keeping with our county board rules.

Um I have selected uh, and this is in keeping with the board rules again.

Uh, Chair Sandy Hart, members Diane Hewitt, Angelo Kyle, Gina Roberts, Paul Frank, and then the chair of the Lake County Democratic Party again, in keeping with our rules is Dan Diddic.

However, I was advised by a parliamentarian that our board rules clearly state that you can only have five members, and I have six.

So I'm going to ask for a motion to remove board member Paul Frank from this district.

Thank you.

Pardon me from this ad hoc uh committee.

Uh motion by member.

Oh, thank you.

You are right.

Let's put it on the floor first.

Motion by member hunter, second by member Clark.

So that puts it on the floor.

A motion to amend member Frank to remove his own name, a second by member campos.

Um just any discussion.

Um I'm just gonna say um there is no name that's been decided upon because the committee has not met.

So board members know that it is the committee that makes the decision on who will fill um that vacancy.

So and so people know because there has been some confusion.

This uh what this ad hoc committee will present to the board is for someone to fill the rest of uh Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham's uh position for the balance of August, September, October, November, and then that district nine will be on the ballot for the remaining two years.

So just to make sure people are aware of that.

Uh any questions on that?

Uh may I have a motion on the amendment, please.

Uh pardon me, not a motion.

May all those in favor of the amendment, please.

Aye.

Uh any nays motion uh to amend passes.

Sorry, I should have said all that at this point.

Anyway, so uh may I have uh all those in favor on this item as amended?

Aye.

Thank you.

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Uh Board of Health report to be read by member Park, please.

Thank you, Chair.

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that as of July 1st, universal childhood blood lead testing is now in effect.

Expanding to all children in Illinois rather than those only in high-risk zip codes.

All Illinois children are to be tested automatically at 12 and 24 months.

All children six years of age and younger are required to be assessed for lead exposure through a questionnaire administered by a health care provider.

Lead is a toxic metal that is harmful if breathed in or swallowed.

Children ages six and under are at the greatest risk to lead exposure, most often by ingesting lead or lead dust, lead poisoning is 100% preventable.

Residents seeking more information on childhood lead poisoning prevention and removing lead paint from the home can call the health department's childhood led program at 847-377010.

A mosquito pool, which is known as a batch of mosquitoes, was sampled on June 16th, 2026 in Buffalo Grove by the village of Buffalo Groves trap by the village of Buffalo Groves TRAP has tested positive for West Nile virus.

This mosquito poll is the first pool, sorry, is the first confirmed indicator of West Nile virus presence in Lake County in 2026.

Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms or of illness.

However, some may become ill, usually three to five, usually three to fifteen days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache, and muscle ache.

In some individuals, severe illness, including meningitis or encamphlitis, or even death can occur.

While West Nile virus now appearing in Lake County, it is important that you ever that you take necessary prevention steps to keep you and your family safe.

Please visit fight the bite.com to learn more about West Nile virus and prevention steps to take.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Member Maine.

Thank you.

Um, I was wondering uh since the Board of Health report was uh written and given to Member Park before the county had the opportunity to release the the press release about seeking uh candidates for the Board of Health, and it's uh ambitious request of replacing possibly up to one third of the board in just two weeks.

Um I think the the applications are due uh July 31.

So it was just released, so um two weeks and it requires uh you know it's holiday, a lot of people are gone.

I was hoping that we could have that put in all of our newsletters.

I think it's really imperative that as many people as possible understand that there is um definitely one replacement who must be a licensed physician in Illinois living in Lake County, and uh possibly up to three members of the current board uh maybe replace um members who have a lot of experience who helped guide us through COVID.

So, and again, some of those have statutory requirements.

So I think as I said, that's it's a lot at one time, and uh it's kind of the lull here in July when people may not be paying attention.

So is if we could get that in everybody's newsletter, that these positions are open.

I think that would really um be a service to the county and to the residents who are served by the health department.

Yeah, thank you so much for bringing that up.

Um I really appreciate it, and I think you're speaking really to the importance of the work that the Board of Health does and how important it is also to uh open it up to having other people serve.

Historically, we've received uh or I've received a recommendation uh from Mark Pfister or Chris Hoff or Tim Sashko about somebody to serve, and I think having our application process for the Board of Health work the same as we do it with our other boards and commissions and districts, I think is uh is a good idea.

So thank you.

I think that would be great.

Um, moving on to item 46, please.

Member Park.

Yes, thank you.

Item 46 is a joint resolution approving an emergency appropriation of 745,850 dollars for fiscal year 2026, accepting additional funding for the Illinois Department of Human Services fixed rate substance use disorder and gambling disorder grant and ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Park, second by member Wasick.

Any discussion on this item?

Thank you.

Member Park, followed by Member Maine.

Yes, just uh um we we had a a bit of discussion on this because as we know, the board does provide uh funding in the method of collecting gaming revenue to support um gambling disorders uh and addiction and abuse, and so the this law doesn't while it does include gaming disorder, uh that is not the purpose of the funding that we'll be using this for.

Um it will be for substance use border.

So um just to clarify that it's that's not that we're we're now increasing the amount of dollars used for gaming uh disorder and uh addiction.

Great, thank you.

Member main yeah, that's that's what I was gonna say is that the name of this grant is determined by the state.

So that's why it has both of those components on it, but we're only using it as the HCS chair said for that substance use okay, thank you.

Uh seeing nothing further, this item does require a roll call vote.

May have a leave for the previous roll call with the inclusion of member Kinesnik.

Yes, great, thank you.

Motion passes.

Um, moving to law and judicial committee vice chair Roberts for item 47, please.

Thank you.

This is a joint resolution authorizing an emergency appropriation for the second year and a two-year intergovernmental agreement between the Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Services and the Lake County State's Attorney's Office for the continuation of the state's attorney's child support enforcement program for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, in the amount of 830,900 for staff wages and benefits in ISO.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Roberts, second by member Volitzik.

Any discussion on this item?

This item does require a roll call vote.

May I have a leave for the previous roll call with the inclusion of member Kinesnik?

Yes.

Thank you.

Motion passes.

Uh moving to public works and transportation committee chair Clark for item 48, please.

Thank you, Chair.

Item 48 is a joint resolution authorizing a contract with Alliance Contractors Inc.

Woodstock, Illinois, in the amount of $3,123,819.80 for non-motorized travel improvements along Butterfield Road from Greg's Parkway to Gulf Road in appropriating $3,750,000 of the quarter percent sales tax for transportation funds.

I really want to thank LC DOT director Shane Schneider and his staff for working so hard and working so collaborative with collaboratively with the people who live there to get this extremely important and um and strategic uh bike connector, path connector that will connect a large part of Vernon Hills up through Libertyville into regional paths.

So I'm extremely pleased to see this today.

And ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Clark.

Second.

Bye.

Member Roberts.

Any discussion on this item?

Seeing none, may have a leaf for the previous roll call with the inclusion of member Kenisnik, please.

Yes.

Thank you.

Uh item 49, please.

Thank you.

Item 49 is a joint resolution authorizing a contract with Alliance Contractors Inc.

Winstock, Illinois, in the amount of $3,649,971.75 for the intersection improvements at Washington Street and Illinois Route 21 and appropriating $4,380,000 of the quarter percent sales tax or transportation fund.

This is exciting day two.

We're gonna be move uh moving forward with this really important project that's gonna add a lot of safety features to an intersection that I would say is a bit precarious.

So this will be an important regional um safety improvement and ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by member Clark, second by member Kasmin.

Any discussion on this item?

Seeing none, may I have a leave for the previous roll call with the inclusion of member canisnik, please?

Yes, thank you.

Item passes.

Moving on to planning building, zoning and environment committee, Chair Altenberg for item 50, please.

Thank you, Chair.

Resolution approving a memorandum of understanding between Delta Institute and Lake County to advance the goals of Lake County's urban and community forestry strategic plan.

ISO move.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Altenberg, second by member Kenisnik.

Any discussion on this item?

Thank you, Member Wasick.

Thank you, sir.

I want to thank uh our sustainability manager, Robin Holmgren, for building these partnerships.

They're they're not only strategic, but they're so important to our health and well-being.

Uh I saw some recent research that said that uh when hundreds of millions of ash trees uh were lost uh in this area and across the country.

The die-off was linked to about 21,000 excess deaths from heart and lung disease.

So trees are are so important for healthy communities.

And um, we can even quantify this and some other research found that the greenest neighborhood spent $374 less per person per year on health care, uh which was driven by fewer ER visiting hospitalizations.

And once again, uh thanks to my colleagues for endorsing the idea of creating more canopy, uh absorbs carbon dioxide and pollutants and is important to our health.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anything further?

Okay, seeing nothing further, all those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Item 51, please, Member Altaber.

Thank you.

Resolution to support and endorse the community solar clearing house solution program organized by the Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus and the Illinois Power Bureau.

And ISO moved.

Thank you.

Motion by member uh Altenburg, second by member Hewitt.

Any discussion on this item?

Seeing none, all those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Um Finance Administrative Committee Chair Frank for item 52, please.

Thank you, Chair.

Item 52 is a resolution authorizing participation as a member of the Illinois Emergency Management Mutual Aid System Response pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement for the establishment of a mutual aid intergovernmental service agreement.

And I move to approve.

Thank you.

Motion by Member Frank, second by member Hunter.

Any discussion on this item?

Seeing none, all those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Moving to new appointments item 53 is a resolution supporting additional qualified alternate members to the board of review.

May I have a motion, please?

Motion by Member Frank, second by member uh Parrick.

Any discussion on this item?

Seeing none, all those in favor?

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Item 54 is a resolution ratifying the appointment of Nathan Herbst as Chief County Assessor.

And um staff uh had interviews with several people who were interested in that position.

I understand it was a very difficult uh decision, but Nathan Herbst is here today.

Uh he rose to the top, and member Frank and I had the opportunity to meet Nathan as part of that process and um know that he will make an excellent chief county assessment officer.

He's got the experience.

He knows our staff, he understands the processes, he's familiar uh and and knows them on first name business or uh excuse me, first name basis, our Lake County Township assessors.

And we know that he will uh make a great part of our team here, and it'll be a strong transition.

So with that, uh I'll make that motion.

May I have a second, please, my member Frank.

Any discussion on this item.

Um we have a motion and a second.

Oh, you do have a discussion.

Thank you, Member Frank.

Yeah, thank you, Chair.

I just want to say congratulations to uh Nathan.

I'm really uh pleased that I had the chance to talk with you and uh wish you luck.

Uh thank you, Chair.

Thank you.

All right, seeing nothing else.

Uh all those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Welcome, Nathan.

All right, thank you.

Item 55 is a resolution providing for the appointment of Matthew Hickey as director of the Suburban Bus Board of Directors.

Uh Jennifer Clark and I interviewed 10 candidates.

Uh, that was also a very difficult decision.

We had a lot of really excellent candidates from all parts of the county, uh multivaried uh experience really, and all I think had a passion for public transportation.

Uh, Matt Hickey really stood out to us due to his history serving on a municipal board, his advocacy for public transportation, including housing and that interrelationship, his knowledge and his experience and know uh and experience with infrastructure financing and capital planning.

He spent a considerable amount of time reviewing PACE's budget, speaking with Jennifer and I uh about some of the things that he was picking up on there, reading those reports regarding the consolidation of the transit system, what the plans were for that moving forward, and also watching the pace, not just the PACE board meetings, but the other transportation agencies board meetings.

And he is excited to serve.

I know he will be a tremendous asset to the Pace Suburban Bus Board.

Matt Hickey is uh is in the audience.

Um and I also want to take a moment to thank and recognize Linda Soto.

She was a former um mayor of Haynesville for her years of service on as our pace representative, which she did for over 10 years starting in September of 2015.

Linda provided excellent leadership and advocacy for all of Lake County, and we will still see the positive benefits of her work with the electrification of the PACE bus facility and the electric buses that will be coming to Waukegan as soon as they uh as soon as they are able.

So I'll make a motion on this item, a second by member Clark.

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

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Uh, if no petitions correspondence or miscellaneous business.

Do we have any member remarks or requests?

Thank you, Member Frank.

Yeah, thanks, Chair.

Just real briefly, I just want to share with the board what I said yesterday at the uh groundbreaking for the demolition in Halsey Village.

Uh honored to be there with Captain Yargos and folks from Great Lakes Anvil Station, as well as the mayor uh Rockingham and some of his council members and our team as well.

Um I'm convinced that Lake County would not have been a partner in this project, and that project may not have happened at all in this time frame.

As it weren't for your effort and your leadership.

I think um as as you've described it to me, this was not only an important opportunity for redevelopment, but an injustice to the community that it was able to sit there in such a terrible state for so long.

So just want to acknowledge and thank you for your leadership on Halsey Village Chair.

Oh, thank you.

That's very nice.

Thank you.

Any other comments?

Um, I was remiss.

I left something out in my board remarks.

I really want to thank staff for honoring Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham's um memory with the display that you did in the lobby, the 19th Judicial Circuit had a lovely display in uh in the court tower.

Um, you know, we have her chair covered, beautiful portrait of her or one of her hats.

I think Member Hewitt, did you bring that flower?

Somebody brought a flower.

Okay, it was member Hewitt with flowers for Mary.

Um, but staff, you guys really did such a wonderful job memory.

Uh, you know, just the press release that went out, the special recognition that was done.

So many members of staff came to her visitation and her funeral.

Um, you know, you knew her probably longer and better than many of us.

And I just want to say thank you for honoring her and her legacy and working so closely with her to get the things done that she felt so passionate about.

I know you share that passion.

So thank you to staff.

Um, really am so grateful.

So uh that is all that I have.

I so adjourned this regular June 2026 session of the County Board of Lake County until August 11, 2026.

Thank you.

And I'll hopefully you'll see you in there to see.