[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6131758,"mediaKeyId","5728299-e94be97de927e0d05a26eb79a8d8ceb8","parentId",5728299,"title","Lake County approves engineering contract to redesign Cedar Lake Road corridor, including resurfacing and a multiuse path study","audioSeconds",367,"startMs",769000,"endMs",1136000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5728299-e94be97de927e0d05a26eb79a8d8ceb8&start=769&end=1136","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5728299-e94be97de927e0d05a26eb79a8d8ceb8/thumbnail_769000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6131758/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-County-approves-engineering-contract-to-redesign-Cedar-Lake-Road-corridor-including-resurfacing-and-a-multiuse-path-study","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131758-e586eccfd8a1d926232c19f8995153c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773581078&Signature=nQiwaAtVjlVOMYjy-vU-uM4YhYjUsUZD8i~suzbn6webO2hYFaubg~ZLj80c6bvP6Nz2bZLNDDgsl1oPdM53BhBy1b~4qLmp0BU8~CXsRWHSwo3Q~bU-LYPONASOWw8oYU85OILrnkqNwcwUoqHsLMW7q3uJb6q79cWNU3C4Kurh8YHla7~m9K59FQ8CDFOInDiLqd1srBCGs5m~TGjfYp2BVQGC5dsY2aVzAcH64xyGxH~m2VAnpYCsnjNVpGi4VB22ptEyGgPVlZaPcyyXo9iGU9YVuitigCVkL3keNH1Itpp93gnophfvORLVYE62~A1-fTPqhe~rc4dk9mX0lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lake County, IL","date","2025-09-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Lake County Division of Transportation won committee approval on Sept. 3 to hire V3 Companies to provide engineering services for improvements on Cedar Lake Road between Illinois Route 60 and Illinois Route 120.

Shane Schneider, director of transportation and county engineer, described three primary components of the project: resurfacing the southern segment that needs near‑term work; a full intersection study at Town Line Road and Cedar Lake Road to determine whether a traffic signal, roundabout or other improvement is appropriate; and a new non‑motorized, multiuse path along the corridor to connect Nippersink Forest Preserve to downtown Round Lake and other north‑south connections.

Why it matters: The corridor work combines needed pavement rehabilitation with active‑transportation improvements and intersection safety analysis. County staff said resurfacing and the multiuse path could be packaged in a first construction contract, with a second contract covering intersection improvements and the northern corridor segment; construction is expected in phases over the next several years.

Key points from the presentation

- Contract and funding: The joint resolution authorized V3 Companies (Woodridge, Ill.) to provide professional engineering services at a maximum cost of $3,615,705 and appropriated $4,340,000 of county option motor fuel tax funds for the design work.

- Project elements and sequencing: Schneider said the plan is to expedite resurfacing of the south half (Town Line south to IL‑60) within 1–2 years and to analyze alignment and design choices for the multiuse path and the northern realignment near downtown Round Lake. The intersection study at Town Line and Cedar Lake Road will evaluate turning lanes, upgraded signals or possible roundabout solutions; underground utilities may constrain options.

- Multiuse path considerations: Committee members asked whether the path would be east or west of the roadway; Schneider said the side is not yet determined and will be part of the engineering analysis. A committee member noted most users live east of the road, but staff said both sides will be studied and alignment choices will consider connectivity to nearby neighborhoods and the forest preserve.

Committee action

The committee approved the agreement and appropriation; the motion carried.

Ending

Schneider said the county will proceed with phased design and return with recommended contract sequencing for construction and funding as the engineering work concludes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Works & Transportation Committee - September 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lake County approved a $3.6 million engineering contract Sept. 3 to design resurfacing, intersection improvements and a potential multiuse path on Cedar Lake Road between Illinois 60 and Illinois 120, funded from county motor‑fuel tax revenues.","taxTitle","Lake County, Illinois","taxId",3918,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6131764,"RTA awards $1.75 million to Lake County; ADA paratransit action plan will impose ride caps on some shared services",221,113000,334000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5728299-e94be97de927e0d05a26eb79a8d8ceb8&start=113&end=334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5728299-e94be97de927e0d05a26eb79a8d8ceb8/thumbnail_113000.jpg","/articles/6131764/Lake-County/Illinois/RTA-awards-175-million-to-Lake-County-ADA-paratransit-action-plan-will-impose-ride-caps-on-some-shared-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131764-797134e34b6c8b903ac61e20bb264c28/orig.mp4?Expires=1773581078&Signature=AgXs5pc8sd791hriOuZryJV2~2QpvUdk4N8lXaSCttVGXUZM5fXWrxguO157GZVv9d4sOd0KEbb2fwD9tSvfdb2fG1pcWDnQn~7anaDXLZkV5haWivd8wokCupJZO1ySn~Y89idZ2gj3qKZIK7pzBzN2mp0o0NSV0cHKvyJMY-TbFgYpirtP9xdBKUiqMxTnsOjX5SudAqFIWq8CqKaee8BEsdCFZciSgUNtJ4TTb-DTsXLxOo-sw3nLF3IBrpM1eABSOcNX6lbP1H3BhUCNFYfqOxVpqMFxzSzbQtB4D2lMTvOsV-3Ih6Npb5DxoVhaWizYtPa1e-ckiuPXOVElWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","RTA officials briefed the Lake County Public Works and Transportation Committee on Sept. 3 about regional grants, program updates and forthcoming changes to paratransit services.

Kate Peterson, mobility outreach coordinator at the RTA, said the RTA Board on Aug. 21 approved a program of projects for the federal Section 5310 program (which funds enhanced mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities) and that the regional awards total roughly $16,000,000 to 16 projects. She said Lake County is recommended to receive $1,750,000 in federal funds with a matching local contribution, and that the RTA will forward the package for federal approval, which is typically successful.

Zach Braun, government affairs lead for the RTA, gave updates on the regional transit budget and on paratransit program changes. Braun said the RTA’s board approved funding marks for the 2026 operating budget, which the RTA estimated at about $2.6 billion systemwide, and that a one‑time shift of about $75,000,000 in discretionary funds was made to better align services regionally; he emphasized the RTA expected no service reductions in Lake County.

On paratransit, Braun said the ADA paratransit action plan takes effect Oct. 1 and will impose a cap on rides for the shared‑ride and taxi access programs offered by PACE; he stressed that traditional ADA paratransit service, for riders eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act, will remain uncapped. Braun said the cap responds to a budget shortfall driven by rapidly increased ridership in those programs.

Peterson also said the RTA’s regional dial‑a‑ride coordination study and new transit guides (nine guides now on the RTA website) will help customers find local on‑demand and subsidy services. Braun noted a Transportation Tuesday webinar series starting Sept. 9 covering regional transportation topics.

What county officials asked and noted

Committee members welcomed the funds and asked whether Lake County’s Ride Lake County system would benefit; Peterson confirmed the Section 5310 award and matching funds were for Ride Lake County. Members also asked for details about the proposed caps; Braun said the caps apply only to the shared‑ride/taxi access programs and that traditional paratransit rides remain available without the new caps.

Ending

RTA staff said they will follow up with details and links; county officials said they appreciated the update and asked for further information on the paratransit changes as the Oct. 1 effective date approaches.","RTA staff told the Lake County committee on Sept. 3 that the regional transit authority recommended $1,750,000 in federal Section 5310 funds to Lake County (with a local match) and that an ADA paratransit action plan effective Oct. 1 will cap rides for certain shared‑ride/taxi programs while leaving traditional ADA service uncapped.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6131774,"Lake County study finds PFAS levels below current drinking-water limits; officials urge source reduction and more monitoring",2180,2775000,4955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5728299-e94be97de927e0d05a26eb79a8d8ceb8&start=2775&end=4955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5728299-e94be97de927e0d05a26eb79a8d8ceb8/thumbnail_2775000.jpg","/articles/6131774/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-County-study-finds-PFAS-levels-below-current-drinking-water-limits-officials-urge-source-reduction-and-more-monitoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131774-f66225770272a490491178abc3c26e0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773581078&Signature=QdmZhVN23QwXWBCT7Xl06~sm6MQt6b0UfOPFUZ28Buzkoicj9-Sxb6Vf~pv~v0RpxGetIQ4JiMKix1j81CpvwPgN5Wi2JsLEi90neUBQpAI2fIg3mA0n6s2egjaIksaqxOtlrOyw4F4NknZHXLA3B2BSXC4Zs06-jMoGYHWx00-6e9A6BhGdiRua7T76hOxI~5XC~jnRjskCDhckrTwU7u7Meohq-2QTCcXtLd34y4mY-HDOhElT7CkOt2EzfM8VWlmh8-HDY1ACPR6oSwJf50KihFU1AsFs~HB829sy3B2AtScNSbMkd82Q0Y7e5t143wz0ULcpOP8vsgOXS2TIAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Sept. 3 meeting, Lake County Public Works presented results of a yearlong review of per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, describing current monitoring results, likely future regulatory timelines and options if treatment becomes necessary.

The county’s consultant, Donahue & Associates, told the committee that drinking-water samples collected so far from county systems have been below the federal maximum contaminant levels finalized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and adopted in August 2025 for six PFAS compounds, and that wastewater effluent and biosolids samples were low compared with guidance used in Wisconsin.

Why it matters: PFAS are widely used, persistent chemicals linked to health concerns; new federal drinking-water limits and monitoring requirements mean utilities must sample, report results and be prepared to act. County staff and the consultant said source reduction — stopping PFAS from entering systems — is the most practical first line of defense. They also outlined treatment options, likely costs, and next steps in monitoring and outreach.

Consultant Nathan Cassidy, project manager at Donahue & Associates, summarized analytical findings and regulatory context, saying, \"PFAS are...very, very tiny particles\" that \"don't break down in nature,\" and that treatment technologies exist but can be costly. Han Ting Wang, a Donahue water and wastewater process engineer, described treatment options the county evaluated, including adsorption (activated carbon), ion exchange and membrane processes, and said the study focused on technologies already in common use.

County Public Works Director Austin McFarland told the committee the department has already been proactive in sampling and will expand monitoring. McFarland said the department is preparing for updated permit language that will likely add monitoring and reporting requirements for wastewater and biosolids.

Key details from the presentation and discussion

- Regulations and schedule: Donahue said the U.S. EPA finalized a drinking-water rule in April 2024 and, as of August 2025, the agency set MCLs (maximum contaminant levels) for six PFAS compounds. Monitoring by public-water systems will be required (quarterly or two samples within a 12‑month period depending on system size and water source) by April 2027, and utilities must comply with the MCLs by April 2029, the consultant said.

- Current county results: Donahue reported that county drinking-water samples collected to date are below the EPA MCLs cited in the presentation; many results were \"below the reporting limit\" (the lab’s minimum reporting concentration), and thus at least half or lower than the stated MCLs. For wastewater effluent, Donahue compared Lake County results with Wisconsin’s enforceable standards and found Lake County effluent levels were below those Wisconsin thresholds. For biosolids, some summed PFAS/PFOA concentrations would trigger additional sampling and source‑investigation under Wisconsin’s tiered approach, the consultant said; Wisconsin, unlike Illinois, already has enforceable limits the consultants used as a comparison point.

- Treatment and costs: Donahue said membrane systems (nanofiltration/reverse osmosis) are effective but expensive and energy‑intensive and therefore were not carried forward for county cost analyses. The study focused on activated carbon and ion exchange. The presentation included 20‑year present‑worth cost estimates for small, medium and large water-supply sites; the consultant reported approximate 20‑year totals of $5,000,000 for small systems, $7,000,000 for medium systems and an estimated figure reported in the study for large systems. (The consultant emphasized these are planning‑level estimates.)

- Wastewater and biosolids: There are no federal effluent or biosolids PFAS limits at present, the consultants said, but permit language is changing to require monitoring, reporting and consideration of reduction initiatives. Donahue noted technologies for destroying PFAS in biosolids (for example, incineration or pyrolysis) are emerging; pyrolysis systems are new and large, and the consultant provided a planning estimate for a county‑scale pyrolysis treatment option across all plants.

What officials recommended and will do next

- Continue and expand monitoring: County staff have been collecting samples and will add monitoring spots in the collection system and in the wastewater plants to identify potential source areas.

- Pursue source reduction: Consultants and staff emphasized that preventing PFAS from entering the sanitary system and drinking-water supply (through industrial pretreatment, product substitution and public outreach) is a cost‑effective strategy compared with large‑scale treatment or disposal technologies.

- Strengthen pretreatment and outreach: Director McFarland said the county is drafting a pretreatment ordinance and will begin sampling industrial dischargers as part of that program. Committee members urged a robust public education campaign to help residents and businesses identify PFAS‑containing products and safe disposal options.

- Stay current with regulation and funding: Donahue said Illinois permit language and federal guidance may change in the coming year; county staff said they will watch legislative and federal funding opportunities that could help pay for monitoring or mitigation.

Committee reaction and next steps

Committee members emphasized public outreach, urged the county to accelerate pretreatment enforcement capacity, and asked that staff pursue state and federal funding and legislative options. Director McFarland said the county will continue its proactive monitoring program, finalize the pretreatment ordinance and return with updates.

Ending

The consultants closed by saying the county’s existing sampling shows the systems are meeting current drinking‑water limits but that PFAS will remain an active policy and technical issue; county staff said they would bring follow‑up reports as monitoring continues and regulatory guidance evolves.","At a Sept. 3 meeting, county staff and consultants presented a yearlong PFAS study showing drinking‑water samples collected so far were below the federal MCLs set in 2025, while wastewater and biosolids results were low compared with Wisconsin guidance; the county will expand monitoring and emphasize source reduction.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6131754,"Lake County renews Oxcart permit software agreement; fee to permittees rises from about $5 to $6",69,1539000,1608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5728299-e94be97de927e0d05a26eb79a8d8ceb8&start=1539&end=1608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5728299-e94be97de927e0d05a26eb79a8d8ceb8/thumbnail_1539000.jpg","/articles/6131754/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-County-renews-Oxcart-permit-software-agreement-fee-to-permittees-rises-from-about-5-to-6","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131754-aea445ab5adc32d228ab7d8c4d3e3509/orig.mp4?Expires=1773581078&Signature=Ybz5XGe3llzvQJvkqctheeQbOl0bQAPNA~GdDcDE1Tzgv59~BoZOfWVkjdVuve6sLQveDdVEu2CXEQQI4V~ZFRb~LRRmw1DZ8vI2xx3QWpPynHla3W1ZxdEqs9lPIEFnzI732LHlxCq6E6fiBN928f7TypUIo-sGar296se3LpsTV5bHyPZ81T9XXxNdiFNUzkhOXVBrcJGRdLUrDOEcMhaq~RPCow3qwuipAT241Jz15QN99Ko2SieMFxk56ZwsdoatLjlIC9yVkcl-CvC7OVSUwExt42dPGO6VeUIDnhQ0PLvf~kYlgxodpZRm~O4tj4LBEXu3H7smaVYQIspuxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake County approved renewal of an agreement Sept. 3 with Oxcart Permit Systems, the software vendor the county uses for processing oversized, overweight and over‑dimension truck permits.

A Lake County Division of Transportation staff member told the committee the county has used the Oxcart software since 2018. The system allows trucking companies to apply in one place for permits across multiple jurisdictions (counties and municipalities), simplifying route planning and fee collection. The vendor charges a flat online convenience fee that is paid by the permit applicant; staff said the fee has averaged about $5 and will increase to about $6 under the renewed terms.

Why it matters: The agreement keeps a widely used, interoperable permitting platform in place for carriers and municipal partners and preserves revenue and compliance benefits for the county while shifting the convenience fee to applicants.

Details

- Participation: Staff noted that about 23 counties and 165 municipalities in Illinois use the same software, which eases multi‑jurisdictional permit processing for trucking firms.

- Cybersecurity: Staff told the committee the vendor operates on its own network and that the county’s cybersecurity team was satisfied that the system is not on the county network.

Committee action

The committee approved the renewal; the motion carried.

Ending

Staff said the county will continue to monitor compliance and coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions that use Oxcart.","The committee on Sept. 3 renewed a permit‑processing agreement for oversized/overweight truck permits with Oxcart Permit Systems; staff said the software has been in use since 2018 and that the vendor will increase the flat convenience fee paid by permit applicants from about $5 to about $6, with no cost to Lake County.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6131769,"Lake County ratifies $219,847 emergency payment after southeast interceptor sanitary sewer failure",219,2281000,2500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5728299-e94be97de927e0d05a26eb79a8d8ceb8&start=2281&end=2500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5728299-e94be97de927e0d05a26eb79a8d8ceb8/thumbnail_2281000.jpg","/articles/6131769/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-County-ratifies-219847-emergency-payment-after-southeast-interceptor-sanitary-sewer-failure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131769-9c0aed79dd6003771a533e1e76fd6b86/orig.mp4?Expires=1773581078&Signature=RUWCSlcRDqHYu5y1OmfE0TVljqXOwhwdDGjBBDIAY0n4KywuDioYDTKE7ucZmEaeHACoBVGB4c6S2~cXfbqsQVWXBRa-7VD4Z5Q1qdbfMIWW9hizlUBl1Leb45fPHmf0lZH2O75sgESa0IX44qhET7c0WMuaxuU6z3ebpH7hkWcKcFNMlLUDfgevx9ggbg8axezg2lJb0TU1EFm6wV8L614oxKMeaLP7yWsBFVINA8yaD6tU8Sgp9DD5t0kW7~0gjRZa0OWFcsA6EeIq5SVThMrfb~n3huhZ8Wj~4UnY-3T2aVjFPzSAU3VCkcmlqdcd87JaGJ3ziqHjt7rqRM3r9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake County Public Works reported on Sept. 3 that an emergency repair to a southeast interceptor sanitary sewer near Sailing Lake has been completed and the county authorized payment to the contractor that performed the work.

Director Austin McFarland told the Lake County Public Works and Transportation Committee that Berger Contractors Inc. completed the emergency repair and recommended approval of payment of $219,847.59 from public‑works reserves for the work. He said the failure affected an 8‑inch sanitary line and an adjacent manhole structure; staff repaired about 40 feet of pipe and installed a new manhole structure.

Why it matters: A break in a sanitary interceptor can threaten service and require immediate action to protect public health and the environment. County staff said the repair limited disruption to customers by bypassing flow around the failed section while crews worked.

Details reported to the committee

- Cause and scope: McFarland said the sewer structure and pipe were likely more than 60 years old and that sewer‑gas‑related deterioration contributed to the failure. The repair covered approximately 40 feet of pipe and a replacement manhole structure; staff are investigating the integrity of the adjacent pipe and the remainder of the line.

- Response and continuity: Public‑works crews and the contractor set up bypass pumping so sanitary service to customers continued while crews made the repair. McFarland said the site was stabilized and the emergency work is complete.

- Broader condition assessment and budgeting: McFarland and committee members noted aging water and sewer infrastructure across the county. McFarland said staff plan to bring a consultant to conduct a multi‑year review of water and sewer lines to identify critical segments for repair or replacement and to inform future capital budgeting. He said the maintenance team performs routine inspections, TV camera work and cleaning, but the county has over 480 miles of pipe to manage and periodic unexpected failures occur (three similar incidents this year, he said).

Committee action

The committee ratified the emergency procurement and the appropriation of $219,847.59 to Berger Contractors; the motion carried.

Ending

Committee members urged the department to accelerate planning for replacement of aging pipes and to ensure adequate capital budgeting; staff said they will return with a prioritized program after the consultant’s review.","County public works authorized payment to Berger Contractors for an emergency repair after a pipe and manhole failure on a southeast interceptor; staff said roughly 40 feet were repaired, the system was bypassed to maintain service, and further investigation and prioritization of aging pipes will follow.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lake County approves engineering contract to redesign Cedar Lake Road corridor, including resurfacing and a multiuse path study

RTA awards $1.75 million to Lake County; ADA paratransit action plan will impose ride caps on some shared services

Lake County study finds PFAS levels below current drinking-water limits; officials urge source reduction and more monitoring

Lake County renews Oxcart permit software agreement; fee to permittees rises from about $5 to $6

Lake County ratifies $219,847 emergency payment after southeast interceptor sanitary sewer failure