News Releases

Sign up here to receive general news and information about Lake County. 

Visit our department pages to find news from specific departments.

  1. 2023
  2. 2022
  3. 2021
  4. 2020
  5. 2019

SEPTEMBER

September 13: Lake County Takes Steps to Address Opioid Epidemic With Settlement Funds

At the September Lake County Board meeting, the Board authorized spending over $1.5 million the county has received thus far through national settlements to address the effects of the opioid epidemic.

September 12: Lake County to Hold Community Meeting on Broadband Access and Digital Equity

The public is invited to attend a community meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 13 to learn about Lake County’s initiative to improve equitable and affordable high-speed internet access and provide their thoughts and experiences with broadband in the county.

September 5: $135.2 Million in ARPA Funds has been Officially Allocated by Lake County

Lake County has officially allocated all of $135.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds it received from the federal government. The projects funded demonstrate the Lake County Board's commitment to address immediate pandemic response needs and pursuing long-term equity-informed initiatives to support our residents and local businesses.


AUGUST

August 22: Lake County to Hold Community Meeting on Broadband Access and Digital Equity

The public is invited to attend a community meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 13 to learn about Lake County’s initiative to improve equitable and affordable high-speed internet access and provide their thoughts and experiences with broadband in the county.

August 14: Lake Board Members Spearhead Advocacy Efforts Nationally for Vital Policy Resolutions

Lake County Board Members took center stage at the National Association of Counties (NACo) annual meeting, advocating passionately for a set of policy resolutions aimed at securing support for counties nationwide. The resolutions spanned critical areas including disaster relief, broadband affordability, railway safety enhancement, and law enforcement deflection initiatives.


JULY

July 7: Regional Consolidation Partners & Lake County Break Ground on ROC Facility

After years of planning and research, Regional 9-1-1 Consolidation Partners and the Lake County Board joined together to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Regional Operations and Communications (ROC) Facility on July 7.


JUNE

June 21: Major Capital Improvement Project Begins in Park City

Today, the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) and the City of Park City celebrated the beginning of construction on the Park City Stormwater Capital Improvement project. This project is a long-awaited infrastructure improvement that will alleviate flooding to more than 800 properties in Park City.

June 14: Lake County Receives Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

Lake County is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The award recognizes Lake County's annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) for the fiscal year that ended on Nov. 30, 2021.

June 12: Lake County Sets New Standard for Sustainability with Green-Forward Leadership Initiatives

Lake County is excited to announce that it has received a 2023 Achievement Award from the National Associations of Counties (NACo). The award is for the County's new program that prohibits the purchase, sale and distribution of single-use plastics of food service items within County government operations and all County government sites. This prestigious award recognizes counties for innovative programs that strengthen services and modernize government.


MAY

May 25: Honor Fallen Heroes on Lake County Memorial Day Website

In 2020, when in-person Memorial Day ceremonies weren’t possible, Lake County developed the Lake County Memorial Day website to allow our fallen military service members to still be honored. This virtual tribute wall allows family, friends and loved ones to recognize their loved ones sacrifices for our country. We encourage members of the public to continue to add to this tribute wall to virtually honor those who have fought and died for our freedom.

May 15: Reminder - Lake County To Host Virtual, In-Person Community Visioning Sessions For Strategic Plan Input

Lake County will hold two community visioning sessions to provide residents an opportunity to participate and share ideas as County government prepares to update its Strategic Plan.


MARCH

March 27: State To Provide $175 Million in Grants to Businesses Through B2B Program

Small businesses including restaurants, hotels and creative arts businesses will be eligible to apply for $175 million in grant funding through the state Back to Business (B2B) program. The program aims to help hard-hit industries recover after the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 20: Lake County Board Supports Route 53 Land Expansion Alternative Use Task Force Proposal

On Tuesday, March 14, the Lake County Board passed a resolution supporting the recommendation from the Illinois Route 53 Land Expansion Alternative Use Task Force to transfer the land from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and form a working group to determine how the land will be used and with potential funding options.

March 13: County Continues to Study Community Needs at ARPA Two-Year Anniversary

As the nation observes the two-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Lake County continues its work to allocate nearly $136 million in federal funds to support residents, communities, businesses and governmental services following the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 13: Now Accepting Applications for the Lake County Rental Assistance Program 

Beginning today, Lake County renters who faced financial hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for the Lake County Rental Assistance (LCRA) Program, which provides financial assistance to individuals to help pay rent. The application period will run from March 13 - April 14, 2023.

March 8: We Are Open for Business! Working With Lake County is as Easy as 1, 2, 3

Lake County is celebrating National Procurement Month in March to increase awareness of contracting and subcontracting opportunities with Lake County. Vendors and businesses, including those owned by minorities, veterans and women, are invited to a webinar at 9 a.m. on March 20, titled "Contracting and Subcontracting with Lake County is as Easy as 1, 2, 3."

March 1: Lake County To Eliminate One Million Single-Use Plastics from Its Operations

Approximately one million single-use plastics will be eliminated from Lake County government operations this year as part of a new policy promoting sustainability and supporting the environment.


JANUARY

January 17: New County Board Committee Assembles to Identify Unserved and Underserved High-Speed Internet Needs in Lake County

On Friday, January 13, the newly formed Lake County Special Committee on Broadband held its first meeting. The meetings are planned to be held monthly on the Friday of the last week of the month at 8:30 a.m. The Committee will focus on determining the current state of broadband in Lake County and come up with recommendations for improvement. The Committee will consider our resident’s access, affordability, and use in their work.

January 10: UPDATED: Statement on Illinois Assault-Style Weapons Ban

After years of work and many hours of negotiations with stakeholders, leaders, and advocates in both the House and Senate, Illinois has passed HB5471, a ban on assault-style weapons. Next it will go to Governor Pritzker to sign into law.

January 10: Statement on Illinois Assault-Style Weapons Ban

After years of work and many hours of negotiations with stakeholders, leaders, and advocates in both the House and Senate, Illinois has passed HB5471, a ban on assault-style weapons. Next, it will go to Governor Pritzker to sign into law.

January 9: President Biden Signs Legislation Appropriating Nearly $5 Million to Lake County Infrastructure Projects

Lake County is slated to receive nearly $5 million in infrastructure funding as part of a new federal bill. In December, President Biden signed into law the omnibus bill that included federal funding for infrastructure projects in Lake County.