Latest news with #LakeCountyBoard
Chicago Tribune
08-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Lake County channels millions toward expanding housing options; ‘It's a major way for us to continue our goals'
The Lake County Board approved nearly $5 million in funding recommendations for 2025, channeling millions in federal grant dollars into housing-related programs and organizations. The applicant list included organizations such as PADS Lake County, Community Partners for Affordable Housing and the Lake County Housing Authority. While not new, the funding highlights an ongoing challenge for the county — housing. 'This is the largest grant that we get for funding,' board member Paras Parekh said. 'It's a major way for us to continue our goals around affordable housing, the at-risk homeless population, lower- to middle-income individuals, and those organizations that support those types of folks.' The board also approved nearly $500,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care Housing Program grant, which will go to rental assistance for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. While this year is set, the recent passing of the federal spending and tax bill, known colloquially as the 'big beautiful bill,' has thrown some uncertainty into future housing-related funding, Parekh said, although he didn't say there will be definite cuts. 'There's a lot more open-endedness to this than we've had in the past,' he said. As part of affordable housing efforts, he said the county will hold the first meeting of the new Attainable Housing Task Force, which will take a bigger picture look at the challenges facing the county, and how to collectively address them. It's a perspective that is sorely needed, Parekh said, with the rules varying from municipality to municipality. 'Affordable housing, in theory, everyone desires,' he said. 'But then, in practice, you need to have the right mechanisms to attract it and the zoning to allow it.' It's also a move that reflects comments made by Amanda Orenchuk, director of community development for Mundelein. Previously, she had talked about wanting the county to take a 'broader, regional look' at a housing plan to help address housing concerns. 'I'll be trying to fight for the same resources and the same developers and those things,' Orenchuk said. 'There are other places … where there's an organization that has multiple jurisdictions that are all together as an economic development force.' Lake County's housing challenges are laid out in a 2023 report by Lake County Partners, which found the county is facing a shortage and lack of diversity in housing stock. These shortages, along with a declining working-age population, present economic challenges for Lake County's future. The report said barriers to affordable housing include overly restrictive zoning too focused on large-lot single-family housing, as well as high land and construction costs. Lake County is also seeing housing prices rise beyond the pace of income, the report said, with almost a quarter of households earning less than $50,000 a year.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lake County GOP chair alleges Dems set up for caucus during work hours
Lake County Republican Party Chairman and county councilman Randy Niemeyer raised concerns Tuesday about Democratic employees setting up for the party's caucus during work hours and paying student election workers for training they didn't attend. Lake County Board of Elections and Registration Director Michelle Fajman said the set-up for the caucus took place over the weekend, and that student election workers have a different training sign-in and payment process compared to other election workers. Niemeyer, R-Cedar Lake, said during the council's Tuesday meeting five or six Democratic employees spent three hours setting up for the county Democratic Party caucus, which was held Saturday, March 1, at the Lake County Government Center auditorium, during work hours Friday, February 28. The county's employee handbook says 'that activity is deemed improper,' Niemeyer said, so he'd like to look into why the employees set up the caucus during work hours, what has been done to correct the action, and who paid for the workers' time. 'That is not allowed to happen on government time even if there is someone else paying for it,' Niemeyer said. 'I don't think it's ever good practice for government workers to be participating in political work during their work hours.' Lake County has a history of employees doing political work in the office, Niemeyer said, like former Lake County Surveyor George Van Til who was convicted in federal court for using county resources to run his campaign. 'We've had situations here in the past where people have faced legal consequences for those sorts of things, and I sure as heck don't want to see another black eye on Lake County.' Employees did not spend three hours setting up for the caucus during business hours. The voting machines and tables were delivered that Friday, Fajman said, but all set up was done Saturday morning. Fajman said some employees could've walked into the auditorium to see if the equipment was in the room ready to be set up the next day. Employees like to walk the government campus during their breaks, so it's possible some employees could've walked by the auditorium, she said, but no set-up was done. During the May special Crown Point and Hobart school referendum elections, Niemeyer said he was concerned about inspectors and students being paid for training, which they have to attend by law, but records indicate that some didn't receive training. 'We've got some discrepancies there in processes and systems that need to be looked into,' Niemeyer said. Fajman said that special elections are paid for by the entity holding the election, so all payments of election workers would be paid for by the school districts. Initially, the money comes out of the county's general fund, and then the schools reimburse the county for the elections. Under Indiana law, clerks and judges can complete election training online or in person, Fajman said. Inspectors have to do training in person, she said. Further, Indiana law dictates that students have to attend training, Fajman said, so they can pick in person or online. Fajman said when election workers go to training, they show their driver's license and check in on a poll pad against voter registration data. Because some students aren't old enough to vote yet, Fajman said they are checked in manually. To get paid, students on Election Day sign a pay claim and mark on the claim that they attend training. Inspectors could have a discrepancy in training attendance because there could be situations where an inspector had to back out of working the election – but remains on the record – and another inspector fills in, Fajman said. The election office has been working toward coming up with a system to better track attendance and payments, Fajman said, and hopes to launch it by the next general election. 'Right now, there's no foolproof method that we have, but we're looking into it right now,' Fajman said. Ted Bilski, D-Hobart, said he supports Niemeyer raising questions about what occurred in the election office and during the special election. But there's 'agencies out there to police that,' Bilski said. Bilski said the situations should be looked into and see what the investigations find. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, said since Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, was in the audience of the meeting, maybe the legislature could look into election training criteria to make it more clear who can and can't do which type of training. akukulka@
Chicago Tribune
30-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Law & Order column: Zion man charged in restaurant robbery
Authorities say that they have charged a Zion man for an armed robbery of a fast-food restaurant in Beach Park. Shane L. Lones, 41, of the 1800 block of Jethro Avenue, was arrested by Lake County Sheriff's Office detectives on May 23, the day after the robbery in the 38900 block of North Lewis. Police said that a man entered the restaurant at about 7:35 p.m. on May 22 and produced a knife before taking money from the cash register and fleeing. Neither employee at the business was hurt. Detectives traced several leads that indicated Lones was the perpetrator, including security camera footage that shows Lones entering a nearby vehicle after the hold-up, police said. The following day, detectives found Lones in his car near his residence and took him into custody. A subsequent search turned up clothing police say Lones wore during the robbery. He has been charged with one count of armed robbery, and was ordered detained until trial, according to court records. Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek recently earned her master's degree in health administration, which she said she hopes will help her perform her duties. Banek, who is an advanced practice nurse, completed her degree through George Washington University. 'As both an advanced practice nurse and a public official, I pursued this degree to better advocate for systemic improvements, enhance interagency coordination, and bring forward-thinking leadership to my office and to Lake County as a whole,' she said. Lake County Board Chairman Sandy Hart lauded the coroner. 'Jennifer's pursuit of an MHA is a testament to her commitment to strengthening public health infrastructure in Lake County,' Hart said. 'Her clinical background, combined with advanced administrative training, gives her a unique and powerful perspective as our coroner.' State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said Banek's investment in advanced education, 'shows the kind of proactive leadership that builds stronger, healthier communities. We applaud her initiative and look forward to even deeper collaboration between our departments.' Grayslake Police Chief Jeff Myrha is the guest on the latest episode of the 'Discovering Grayslake' podcast. Myhra, according to the podcast, discusses his life in law enforcement, and 'his passion for fostering a safe, connected community.' Myhra was appointed chief in August 2024 after serving as deputy chief for 10 years. He started as a community service officer in 1997, and worked his way up through the ranks before replacing Phil Perlini, who retired. A link to the podcast is available on the Grayslake police Facebook page. The city of Highland Park held a reception to recognize the law enforcement, first responders and medical professionals who provided emergency care to a man suffering a heart attack this spring. The city presented commendations to Office Ginger Stokes and dentist Dr. Michael Czarkowski, and recognized the professionalism and lifesaving contributions of Highland Park firefighter/EMTs Kevin Best, Andrew Beverly, Trevor Mount, and Nick Traske, and Dr. Benjamin Feinzimer of Endeavor Health's Physician Response Vehicle Program. August Swanenberg, who suffered the medical emergency and is recovering, was on hand at the City Council chambers. He was leaving the Chicago Botanical Garden on March 11 when he suffered a cardiac event while driving. Stokes used her department-issued defibrillator and, along with bystanders, including Czarkowski and paramedics, was able to re-establish Swanenberg's heartbeat. 'I am one lucky bird,' Swanenberg told the City Council and members of the audience at the May 27 event.
Chicago Tribune
15-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Lake County's homeless numbers down, but still high; ‘An individual … experiencing homelessness looks just like you or me'
Lake County has released the results of the 2025 Homeless Point-in-Time Count, and while numbers have improved since last year's record-setting high, additional data paints a far less-positive picture. According to a news release from the county, this year's assessment of unhoused people, conducted by more than a hundred volunteers on the night of Jan. 29, recorded a total of 561 individuals experiencing homelessness across the county. Of those, 439 were staying in emergency shelters, 64 in transitional housing programs and 58 were unsheltered, the release said. It's a notable drop from last year's 705, which represented a steep 50% increase from the prior year's count, but it's still far higher than the norm of the past decade for Lake County. Annualized data on homelessness in Lake County actually indicates an increase in overall homelessness, the release said, with 1,452 accessing emergency shelter compared to 1,158 in the previous year. The number of people experiencing homelessness for the first time was up as well, with nearly 1,100 in 2025, and the average stay time in shelters had increased to 132 nights, up from 110 the year before. However, there was a 12% decrease in the number of families in shelters, dropping to 105 from 119 in 2024. Lake County's rise in homelessness was far from an outlier. A 2023 Associated Press report showed the U.S. experienced a 12% increase in homelessness, the most since the country began using the point-in-time survey in 2007. Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart said homelessness is not just a housing issue, 'it's a human one.' It was the job of the board and its partners to not only manage homelessness, but also provide housing opportunities through, 'creative problem-solving and innovative approaches' for the community's 'most vulnerable neighbors.' 'Behind every tent or shelter bed is a person or family with a story, a struggle and many of the same hopes we all share,' Hart said. 'It is important to remember that an individual or family experiencing homelessness looks just like you or me.' Lake County Community Development Administrator Dominic Strezo said the 'solution to homelessness is housing. Housing supply has not kept up with demand, driving up cost beyond the reach of many.' Addressing homelessness requires a network of readily available resources to support individuals and families facing a housing crisis 'due to no fault of their own,' the release said, allowing them to 'get back on their feet and into a home to call their own.' This year's count, which saw its volunteer sign-up period close early due to an overflow of applications, had volunteers working into the next morning, driving around the county in search of people experiencing homelessness. Beyond taking a count, volunteers spoke with people, providing them care packages and offering a ride to a shelter for the night. Eric Foote, president of the Lake County Coalition for the Homeless, praised the efforts of volunteers who participated in the count, and called for continued efforts to support the vulnerable. 'While many institutions are contributing to the work of ending homelessness, the efforts of individual community members must also be credited,' he said. 'The 2025 Point-in-Time Count was a show of force for the good from Lake County citizens interested in making a difference.'
Chicago Tribune
05-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Trump's tariff war spurs Lake County trade crusade
Lake County is becoming proactive when it comes to economic development in the area. The timing couldn't be better. Business leaders, along with elected officials, recently became globalists, traveling to Mexico and Japan to tout the laurels of doing business here and in Illinois. According to last week's Steve Sadin News-Sun story, Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart, D-Lake Bluff, and Kevin Considine, president and CEO of Lake County Partners, were out and about lobbying foreign businesses to expand or locate in the county. The separate trips came during the economic roiling hitting the U.S., caused by the trade war President Donald Trump has ignited by slapping high tariffs on many of our long-time trading partners. The jury is still out on what Trump's actions will accomplish, but in the short term, it doesn't look good for Americans' pocketbooks. Worries over the international trade war Trump has unleashed were but one reason Hart journeyed to Mexico and Considine to Japan. They understand Lake County is a center of global enterprise, with many companies impacted by the president's tariff skirmishes. Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie and Baxter don't just market their pharmaceuticals and diagnostics in the U.S. Their reach spans the globe. Indeed, Lake County Partners, the Lincolnshire-based collaboration between private business and government, estimates nearly half of Illinois' biopharma output comes from Lake County. The Partners have been cultivating long-term economic growth and job creation in the county for more than 25 years. Frequent readers know I have long railed over our neighboring states' cherry-picking Lake County firms and enticing them to the promised land of Kenosha County just over the Illinois state line. Companies like the shipping supply firm Uline, which began in a North Shore basement, have found continued success after moving much of its operation north to the friendly confines of America's Dairyland. Trump's tariff crusade surely was another impetus for the trade trips. Considine reported in Sadin's account that 24 Japanese businesses are operating in the county. Another 15 firms headquartered in Germany are located here. Supply-chain issues, too, weigh heavily on international firms, officials note. Hart said 83% of the continental U.S. population is a two-day trucking distance from Illinois. 'With the third-largest interstate highway network in the U.S., the most-connected intermodal rail system and the nation's largest airports and inland waterways for barges, manufacturers can transport their goods and people across the globe with greater speed and reliability,' she said. Hart traveled to Mexico last month along with Gov. J.B. Pritzker on a trade mission organized by Intersect Illinois, the state's economic development organization. Considine was in Japan in March as part of a delegation with the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership. Some 500 Japanese firms do business in the Chicago region, employing more than 60,000 workers. Trump's tariff binge also may have spurred Abbott to announce an investment of $500 million in research and development at its sprawling headquarters campus off routes 43 and 137, along with a location in Dallas. The firm also has offices at Willis Tower in Chicago's Loop. The pharmaceutical giant expects to hire an additional 200 people, the company said in a news release. Abbott has 89 manufacturing sites around the world, 35 in the U.S. Company officials said Abbott has invested nearly $5 billion in domestic manufacturing, with another $10.7 billion in R&D. Another recent economic development win for the county was the announcement last month that Vantive, the Baxter International spinoff involved with kidney care products, will make a $23 million investment and site its new headquarters at 510 Lake-Cook Road in Deerfield, the former home of Caterpillar Inc., which bolted for Texas. In a statement, Hart said that the action is, 'further solidifying Lake County's position as the number one life sciences hub in the Midwest.' The new company, with 200 employees, is receiving a state incentive package and expects to create another 50 full-time jobs. With economists forecasting dire financial projections due to the imposition of trade tariffs, the recent actions by local and state officials put Lake County in a position to weather any forthcoming hardships. Even those issued by the Trump administration, which seems to enjoy targeting the Land of Lincoln. With their planned investments, it doesn't look like business leaders at Abbott and Vantive are perturbed about what the president has to say about Illinois or about the economic bloodshed his trade battles may evoke.
