Lake County, IL Government

06/05/2026

In the early 1900s, American lotus beds covered all of Grass Lake. Today, they’re limited to just over 200 acres.

These abundant and strikingly beautiful lotus beds were once one of the biggest attractions in the Chain O’Lakes, drawing visitors with their large, pale-yellow blossoms that bloom from late July into early August. (Fun fact: white water lilies are often mistaken for lotus, but they have much smaller white flowers.)

Because lotus beds were especially plentiful on Grass Lake, they sparked a tourism boom from the 1880s through the 1940s. Unfortunately, the heavy influx of visitors took a toll on their fragile habitat, and over time, the lotus population declined. Ironically, the very thing people loved so much they nearly loved to extinction.

American lotus still grows not only in the Chain O’Lakes, but also in major rivers, lakes, ponds and shallow waters throughout Illinois and across the eastern United States.

Today, thanks to conservation efforts, the lotus is beginning to make a comeback.

Read the Dunn Museum History Blog post to learn more about the lotus flower and its history in Lake County.

https://lakecountyhistory.blogspot.com/2022/07/legend-of-lotus.html #:~:text=As%20a%20marketing%20gimmick%2C%20resorts,in%20Lake%20County%20and%20Egypt.

The image is courtesy of the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Dunn Museum.

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06/04/2026

Congratulations to our Lake County Independence Academy graduates! 🎉

Over the past six weeks, residents got a behind-the-scenes look at how County departments and services support daily life across Lake County, while learning more about how local government works and how the principles of the Declaration of Independence continue to shape the services provided to our communities today.

Thank you to everyone who participated, and congratulations again to the graduates!

06/04/2026

Safety first!

Members of Lake County’s Safety Champions team recently completed CPR, AED and first aid training as part of their ongoing commitment to keeping our workplaces safe and prepared. These employees lead by example every day, helping to strengthen a culture where safety comes first.

Lake County Risk and Safety Management works year-round to protect the County’s people and resources by promoting a healthy, supportive and safety-focused environment across all departments. Programs like Safety Champions empower employees to take ownership of workplace safety, improve emergency preparedness and help reduce incidents before they happen.

Thank you to our Safety Champions for helping make Lake County a safer place to work for everyone!

06/01/2026

Did you know there are more than 70 locations across Lake County where you can pay your property taxes?

The Lake County Treasurer's Office has partnered with local banks and credit unions to make paying your property tax bill more convenient, even if you’re not a customer at that location.

View all payment options, locations and ways to pay your bill online at www.lakecountyil.gov/528/Pay-My-Bill.

Our office has partnered with local banks to accept property tax payments. We created an interactive map for you to easily find a collector bank near you.

See comments for link.

06/01/2026

Need help with basic computer skills?

Our Digital Navigators offer free, one-on-one support to help you build confidence with technology. Swipe to see when and where you can connect with them.

For Round Lake residents, a basic computer skills course starts next week at the Round Lake Area Public Library.

Register:
Visit: lakecountyil.gov/broadband
Email: [email protected]
Call: (847) 377-3442

Job Center of Lake County IL, A Jones Center, Public Library

05/29/2026

When he first started his computer class, this resident felt overwhelmed. With support from the library’s Digital Navigator, he practiced step by step until he was able to log in on his own. What began as a personal learning journey soon inspired his wife to start practicing computer skills at home using typing.com.

Basic computer skills courses can build confidence not only for learners, but for entire families. Through the Lake County Digital Growth Initiative, residents gain access to support, training and resources that help them continue learning at any age.

If you are interested in taking a Learn to Earn basic computer skills course in Lake County, reach out to the Lake County Digital Growth Initiative to find a course that works for you. Residents who take a Basic Computer Skills Training and meet certain requirements may also earn a laptop to take home.

VISIT: lakecountyil.gov/broadband
EMAIL: [email protected]
CALL: (847) 377-3442

05/27/2026

Dust off your bike helmet and find those neon socks!

Discover more than 550 total miles of trails and bikeways in Lake County, connecting forest preserves and communities using this finder: https://tinyurl.com/BikeLakeCounty

05/26/2026

Technology questions? We’re here to help!

Meet with a Digital Navigator for free one-on-one support for basic computer assistance. View the graphics for upcoming times and locations.

Waukegan residents, two basic computer skills courses start next week at Public Library and the A. Jones Center.

Register:
Visit: lakecountyil.gov/broadband
Email: [email protected]
Call: (847) 377-3442

Job Center of Lake County IL , Round Lake Area Public Library, Zion Benton Public Library,

05/25/2026

All Lake County Offices are closed today in observance of Memorial Day. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable day as we honor and remember the heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

If you’d like to honor a fallen hero you know, you can virtually honor them at the Lake County Memorial Day website: https://memorial-day-lakecountyil.hub.arcgis.com/

This virtual tribute wall allows family, friends, and loved ones to recognize the sacrifices of military service members for our country. If you don’t personally know a service member, you can honor these fallen heroes by visiting the website to learn more about their lives and how they fought and died for our freedom.

05/22/2026

The story of Lake County’s oldest incorporated village began over 150 years ago, thanks to a young pioneer, Elijah M. Haines. In 1846, Haines officially surveyed and planned the community along the Waukegan to McHenry stagecoach trail, often referred to as the Old Plank Road, now Illinois Route 120. The following year, residents organized a village government, and Hainesville was incorporated on Feb. 26, 1847, marking a major milestone in the county’s history.

By the mid-1800s, Hainesville served as a prominent stop, becoming a key commercial center for local farmers and travelers. The village also shares a fascinating connection to American history. Legend has it that Abraham Lincoln spent the night in Hainesville while visiting his friend, Elijah Haines. The men first met in Chicago during the Great River and Harbor Convention of July1847 as delegates from their regions. This may be fact or it may be fiction!

The arrival of the railroad in nearby communities in 1899 shifted economic growth away from Hainesville, leading to a period of decline for almost a century. The village would see its revival in the late 20th century when new residential developments transformed former farmland into welcoming neighborhoods. Rapid growth in the 1990s and early 2000s reshaped the village into the suburban community it is known as today.

Learn more about their history by visiting the Village of Hainesville website at https://www.hainesville.org/hainesville-history/

This historic image of an early post office and general store in Hainesville is courtesy of the Lake County Forest Preserves Dunn Museum.

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