Lake County Gazette

The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) has announced ongoing projects aimed at mitigating flooding for over 4,000 properties and 125 roads, utilizing $122 million in state funds.

According to the SMC, it received $122 million from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to address regional flooding through capital improvement projects. Thirteen projects funded by the first $30 million grant have been completed, reducing flood risks for more than 2,300 properties and 25 roads. A second $30 million installment will fund 16 additional projects, scheduled for completion by fall 2026. These are expected to benefit another 2,000 properties and 100 roads through infrastructure upgrades, stream restoration, and enhanced water storage.

While half of the planned DCEO stormwater projects are funded, 32 additional projects require $62 million to proceed. These initiatives target communities with critical infrastructure issues. Although not yet funded, planning continues through collaboration with local partners, and 15 of the next proposed projects have already been approved by the SMC. As rainfall intensifies and infrastructure ages, there is an anticipated need for expanded investment in stormwater systems.

"Our work is vital to modernizing Lake County’s stormwater system," said Stormwater Management Commission Executive Director Kurt Woolford. He emphasized the importance of continuing funding to bring stormwater infrastructure into the 21st century across Lake County and Illinois. Woolford said that SMC has identified critically needed projects to benefit communities and residents and expressed a desire to maintain momentum with continued support from the DCEO.

The Lake County SMC was established in 1990 by state law to coordinate stormwater efforts across more than 80 local jurisdictions. Its mission focuses on improving water quality, reducing flood damage, and restoring natural drainage systems throughout the county. The commission manages floodplains and watersheds by enforcing countywide floodplain and stormwater standards, supporting flood hazard mitigation projects, implementing watershed plans, and using best management practices. It also works to protect and restore natural resources through partnerships and various funding sources.