Lake County Board Meeting – August 11, 2026

The Lake County Board convened on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. with 14 members present. The meeting began with a moment of silence for Tyler Waldall, a 14-year-old killed in a scooter accident, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Major agenda items included special recognitions, public comments, the appointment of a new board member, election of a Vice Chair, approval of a consent agenda, and several resolutions and appointments.

Consent Calendar

• Items 8 through 29 were approved on a single roll‑call vote with 13 ayes. The consent agenda encompassed routine approvals and unanimous actions; no individual items were discussed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lincolnshire Officials (Brad Burke, Village Manager, and Chief Joseph Leonis): Expressed deep appreciation to the Lake County Board and Sheriff’s Department for interagency cooperation that ensured peaceful management of the Turning Point USA Education Summit held June 16‑19, 2026, at the Marriott Resort. They presented a Distinguished Community Partner Award to Sheriff John Eidelberg. The chief noted that pre‑planning with the sheriff’s SWAT team allowed lawful protest without incident.
• Rayon Edwards (public comment on District 9 appointment): Voiced displeasure with the community outreach process for the vacancy appointment, stating the board “botched this” and urged board members to engage more directly with residents, especially in North Chicago. He expressed support for the appointee, Brandon Ewing, but criticized the lack of transparency.

Recognitions and Presentations

• Special Recognition – U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin: The board honored Senator Durbin for over four decades of service, highlighting his role in securing more than $145 million in federal grants for Lake County transportation, $87 million for the Health Department, $11 million for the Upper Des Plaines River watershed restoration, and the establishment of the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve. Also noted: his instrumental support for the $18 million RAISE grant for the Cedar Lake Project and improvements to the Des Plaines River Water Reclamation Facility. Senator Durbin spoke briefly about his career and connection to Lake County.
• Special Recognition – Stevenson “Steve” Moncier (posthumous): Honored for 15 years of County Board service (1996‑2012), leadership roles in planning, finance, stormwater management, and his prior service as a U.S. Army supply officer during the Korean War and as president of Barrington Community Unit School District 220. Colleagues remembered him as a kind, collaborative leader.
• Special Recognition – SWALCO’s 35th Anniversary: The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) was celebrated for 35 years of innovative waste management, operating one of five household hazardous waste facilities in Illinois, collecting more electronics than any other Illinois county, and operating the largest textile‑and‑shoe collection program in the state. Walter (SWALCO’s leader) thanked the County Board for creating the agency in the late 1980s.
• Presentation – Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB): John McGuire, newly appointed president, reported that the CVB is the third‑largest in Illinois (after Chicago and DuPage). Key statistics: visitor spending nearly $2 billion annually, over 15,000 jobs supported, and every dollar spent on tourism returns over $11 to the local economy. The sales team secured more than 300 groups in the past year, generating over $10 million in economic impact. Six Flags Great America celebrated its 50th anniversary. Upcoming challenges include flat state funding for seven years, the rise of short‑term rentals, and adapting to AI‑based trip planning.
• Board of Health Report (read by Member Forth): Noted International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31) and reported that from January 1 to April 30, 2026, the Health Department distributed 4,256 boxes of naloxone, 3,776 fentanyl test strips, and 2,435 xylazine test strips. West Nile virus mosquito pool positivity reached 37% (compared to 18% a year earlier); no human cases had been reported yet. Residents were urged to follow the “Four D’s” of mosquito protection.
• Lake County Partners Update (read by Member Casbon): Over the past five years, Lake County Partners facilitated over $2.5 billion in capital investment, 4,000+ new jobs, and nearly 3,000 retained jobs. So far in 2026, 11 major wins were noted, including Learning Resources (Vernon Hills, $155 million capital expenditure, 2027 jobs retained/43 new) and two multifamily housing projects in Libertyville and Highwood. Illinois ranked #3 nationally for infrastructure by CNBC.

Discussion Items

• Appointment of Brandon Ewing as District 9 Board Member: The board appointed Brandon Ewing to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Vice Chair Dr. Mary Ross Cunningham. Ewing, former president of the Waukegan Public School Board, was sworn in by Judge Reginald Matthews. He stated he would follow the path laid by Dr. Cunningham and serve the 9th District with humility. Public comment from David Patterson (Deputy City Clerk of Waukegan) supported the appointment; Rayon Edwards criticized the process but praised Ewing personally.
• Election of Vice Chair: Jennifer Clark was nominated by Member Frank and seconded; no other nominations were made. The board voted unanimously to elect her as Vice Chair. Clark expressed gratitude and acknowledged Dr. Cunningham’s legacy.
• Resolution 30 – Local Siting for Meadow View Material Transfer Facility (Waste Management): After a committee‑of‑the‑whole meeting on August 8, the board approved the site location application under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act. Member Wasick requested extending the recycling facility’s operating hours to better serve constituents; staff noted that opportunity would be pursued separately. The motion passed without opposition.
• Consent Agenda (Items 8‑29): Approved on a roll‑call vote (13 ayes). No individual items were discussed.
• Item 32 – CDBG/HOME Emergency Appropriation: A resolution approving $390,818.48 in community development block grant and HOME program income was approved by roll‑call vote.
• Item 33 – Juvenile Justice Council Grant: Authorized acceptance of an $80,000 state grant for the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office. Approved by roll‑call vote.
• Item 34 – Haynesville Road Improvements: Authorized agreement with Baxter & Woodman Inc. for construction engineering services (max $1,756,530) and appropriated $2,108,000 from the quarter‑percent sales tax for transportation. Approved by roll‑call vote.
• Item 35 – Vacation of County Highway Right‑of‑Way: A small parcel at Washington Street and Illinois Route 21 in Gurnee was vacated for village use. Approved by roll‑call vote.
• Item 37 – Voting Tabulation System Contract: Authorized a five‑year agreement with Election Systems & Software (first year $2,405,943; subsequent years $212,660 annually). Member Frank praised Clerk Vega’s proactive communication. Approved by voice vote.
• Item 38 – Revised Committee Assignments: Chair Roberts announced updated standing committee assignments: Brandon Ewing succeeded Dr. Cunningham on several committees (e.g., Law & Judicial, DEI, Health & Community Services, Rules, Public Building Commission, Housing & Community Development, Workforce Development). Leadership changes: Gina Roberts became Law & Judicial Chair, Sarah Kenisnik Vice Chair; Isaiah Campos became DEI Chair, Diane Hewitt Vice Chair; Hewitt also appointed Vice Chair of Public Building Commission. Approved by voice vote.
• Items 39‑42 – Appointments:
  • Lauren Fish – Lake County Board of Review (unanimous).
  • Karen Abbott – Grayslake Fire Protection District Trustee (filled vacancy due to death of prior trustee).
  • Ernesto Gonzalez – Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District Trustee (filled vacancy).
  • Three Board of Health Appointments: Dr. Benjamin Feinzimmer (ER physician), Dr. Mary Roberson (founder of Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization, NERCO), and Dr. Mary Faith Turkleton (OB/GYN specializing in maternal health). Chair Hart noted 78 applications were received. All three were appointed by voice vote.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments: Brandon Ewing seated as District 9 Board Member; Lauren Fish, Karen Abbott, Ernesto Gonzalez, and three health professionals appointed to various boards.
• Vice Chair Election: Jennifer Clark elected Vice Chair of the Lake County Board (unanimous).
• Local Siting Approval: The Meadow View Material Transfer Facility site location application approved (voice vote, no opposition).
• Consent Agenda: Items 8‑29 approved on a 13‑0 roll‑call.
• Resolutions Passed: All resolutions on the regular agenda (Items 30, 32‑35, 37‑42) passed either by roll‑call or voice vote as indicated.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for September 8, 2026.