Lake County Gazette

Lake County Legislative Committee met Oct. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order  

Chair Wasik called the meeting to order at 1:01 p.m.  

2. Pledge of Allegiance  

Vice Chair Roberts led the Pledge of Allegiance.  

3. Roll Call of Members    

Present 7 - Member Altenberg, Member Campos, Member Hunter, Member Knizhnik, Vice Chair Roberts, Member Schlick and Chair Wasik  

*Electronic Attendance: Members Hunter and Schlick Member Schlick joined the meeting at 1:03 p.m. Vice Chair Roberts left the meeting at 2:11 p.m. Other Attendees:  

In Person:  

Gary Gibson, County Administrator's Office  

Justine Gilbert, Communications  

Kevin Quinn, Communications  

Matt Meyers, County Administrator's Office  

Sandy Hart, County Board Chair  

Theresa Glatzhofer, County Board Office  

Electronically:  

Adam Schlick, Board Member  

Carissa Casbon, Board Member  

Derek Blaida, Strategic Advocacy Group  

Elizabeth Brandon, County Administrator's Office 

Eric Waggoner, Planning, Building and Development 

Gregory Bales, McGuire-Woods Consulting, LLC 

James Hawkins, County Administrator's Office 

Janna Philipp, County Administrator's Office  

Jessica Vealitzek, Board Member  

Kevin Hunter, Board Member  

Kristy Cechini, County Board Office  

Kurt Woolford, Stormwater Management  

Mike Grady, Strategic Advocacy Group  

Patrice Sutton, Finance  

Paul Frank, Board Member  

Robert Springer, Planning, Building and Development 

Robin Grooms, County Administrator's Office  

4. Addenda to the Agenda  

There were no additions or amendments to the agenda. 

5. Public Comment (Items not on the agenda) 

There were no comments from the public.  

6. Chair's Remarks  

Chair Wasik thanked everyone on the Committee for contributing to the County's Legislative Agenda, which will be reviewed at today's meeting.  

Chair Wasik noted that he spoke with Representative Laura Faver Dias, Senator Adriane Johnson, and Representative Rita Mayfield regarding the Route 53 greenway.  

Member Schlick joined the meeting at 1:03 p.m.  

7. Unfinished Business  

There was no unfinished business to discuss.  

8. New Business  

CONSENT AGENDA (Item 8.1)  

8.1 23-1406  

Committee action approving the Legislative Committee minutes from September 5, 2023. 

A motion was made by Member Campos, seconded by Member Altenberg, that these minutes be approved. The motion carried by the following voice vote:    

Aye: 7 - Member Altenberg, Member Campos, Member Hunter, Member Knizhnik, Vice Chair Roberts, Member Schlick and Chair Wasik  

REGULAR AGENDA 

8.2 23-1403 

Update and discussion regarding the State of Illinois 2023 Legislative Sessions. Derek Blaida, Strategic Advocacy Group, provided a recap of the State of Illinois 2023 legislative sessions and noted the upcoming fall veto session.  

Discussion ensued.  

8.3 23-1404  

Update and discussion regarding Federal Legislative items. 

Greg Bales, McGuire-Woods Consulting, LLC, provided an update regarding federal legislative items, noting that the federal government did not shut down, as the House and Senate passed a continued resolution.  

Discussion ensued.  

8.4 23-1405  

Presentation and discussion related to the draft 2024 Legislative Program for Lake County. 

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, gave a brief presentation regarding the County's draft Fiscal Year 2024 Legislative Agenda.  

Discussion ensued.  

The consensus of the Committee was to add "Ensure No Net Loss of Illinois' Wetlands" and "Ethan's Law" as Federal initiatives, in addition to being listed as State initiatives.  

Discussion ensued.  

9. County Administrator's Report  

There was no County Administrator's Report.  

10. Executive Session  

The Committee did not enter into Executive Session.  

11. Members' Remarks  

Member Knizhnik brought several potential additions/amendments of the draft Legislative Agenda to the Committee's attention, including: adding support for the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, adding support for the Community Violence Intervention Prevention Initiative (CVIPI), and adding support of SB 2260, which would expand the eligibility of the firearm restraining order to include any intimate partner who is at risk. 

Discussion ensued.  

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, noted that the Federal Assault Weapons Ban is already listed in the current draft of the County's Fiscal Year 2024 Legislative Program as an item that the Committee and Board can support. Assistant County Administrator Meyers also noted that he would add the CVIPI as a Federal Initiative on the 2024 Legislative Agenda. Chair Wasik requested that Assistant County Administrator Meyers coordinate a presentation regarding SB 2260 and the CVIPI to occur at the next Legislative Committee meeting.  

Member Campos added that he would like the Committee to look into the penalties regarding striking or robbing a delivery driver.  

Discussion ensued.  

Chair Wasik requested that Assistant County Administrator Meyers work with the State's Attorney's Office so that a presentation on this topic can be made at the next Legislative Committee meeting.  

Vice Chair Roberts left the meeting at 2:11 p.m.  

12. Adjournment  

Chair Wasik declared the meeting adjourned at 2:12 p.m.  

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