Lake County Working for You

Your Pocketbook

The Lake County Board is committed to fiscal responsibility and to enhancing economic opportunities across the region. The board strives to be exceptional stewards of your tax dollars, and to put systems and policies in place to drive balanced growth, revitalization and job opportunities throughout Lake County.

December 2021: County Board Approves to Not Increase Their Salaries

The Lake County Board approved an ordinance establishing compensation for County Board Members. The 2023 salary for County Board Members will remain the same as the 2022 salary.

November 2021: Lake County Board Adopts Balanced Fiscal Year 2022 Budget

The Lake County Board approved a balanced Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Budget. The Board chose to increase the levy to account for new property growth - that is growth for properties that have been developed in the last year - in Lake County in this year’s budget, but did not increase the levy up to the amount of the allowable federal Consumer Price Index. Individual tax bills may vary depending on how a property’s assessed value has changed and depending on the actions of other local government taxing bodies, but the Lake County portion of the tax bill for the average homeowner is expected to be flat or go down slightly. Read more

September 2021: Lake County Dissolves Lake Bluff Mosquito Abatement District

The Lake County Board authorized an ordinance at its Sept. 14, 2021 meeting to dissolve the Lake Bluff Mosquito Abatement District. The dissolution of the district, which covered parts of Lake Bluff, North Chicago, Green Oaks, and unincorporated Lake County, eliminates a tax levy imposed on properties within the district's boundaries that totals around $100,000 annually. Residents living in the former area will see this levy removed from future tax bills.

January 2021: Lake County, Waukegan, and Beach Park Work Together to Dissolve Drainage District

Lake County Government worked jointly with the village of Beach Park and the City of Waukegan to dissolve the Beach Park Drainage District, which had been a separate taxing body. This means that residents who own property within the former drainage district will no longer have that item on their tax bill. Lake County is committed to working with more municipalities to create future opportunities to consolidate outdated districts while providing more efficient and effective services to our communities. Read more

December 2020: More Than $16 Million In Grants Distributed to Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

More than $16 million was distributed over the past few months to 1,195 Lake County small businesses that applied for and were awarded grants to help offset revenue losses due to COVID-19. The grants were funded by the Lake County Small Business Assistance COVID-19 grant program, which the Lake County Board established using federal funds received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Read more

July 2020: County Saves $98,000 in Taxpayer Funds by Moving Regional Office of Education

The move is part of the board’s overall focus on looking for ways to consolidate facilities to save money. Read more

May 2020:  “Lake County Forward” Initiative Announced to Focus on County Economic Recovery

Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart announced the launch of "Lake County Forward," a collaborative, whole-of-government initiative for community health and economic recovery as Lake County accelerates through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the distribution of more than $120 million in federal CARES Act funds. Learn more at www.lakecountyil.gov/forward.

May 2020:  Board Approves Property Tax Deferral to Ease Hardship; Establishes Committee to Distribute Federal Funds to Lake County

In recognition of the financial hardship that many Lake County taxpayers are experiencing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the County Board enacted an ordinance that allows taxpayers to spread their property tax payments over four installments, instead of the usual two installments. Additionally, the board established a special committee focused on COVID-19 recovery and relief. Read more