The Lake County Board of Commissioners on May 8 proclaimed May 2025 as Older Americans Month and approved advertising a request for competitive proposals to conduct a comprehensive strategic planning and needs assessment for senior services in Lake County.

The action came as county staff and representatives of senior-service providers described a new federal AmeriCorps Seniors grant, expanded transit options for older residents and local programs aimed at helping seniors live independently.

Commissioner Reggovich said the proclamation reflects a broader county commitment to seniors, noting the county’s senior levy and recent expansion of a 30% senior discount for Lake County water and sewer customers. Aaliyah (senior services staff) told the board the county had been awarded “a federal AmeriCorps senior grant of more than $126,000 annually for the next 3 years” to bolster volunteer outreach and engagement for residents age 55 and older.

Ben Capell of Lake Tran described changes to the county’s transit partnership with Lake Tran and the commissioners’ office that will expand no-fare rides for seniors beyond senior centers to include destinations such as metro parks, libraries, groceries and pharmacies. He said the change began this month and is intended to reduce transportation barriers to medical care and basic needs.

Joe Tomcic of the Lake County Council on Aging said the council connects with roughly 1,000 seniors every day through services including meal delivery and social work checks, and promoted upcoming community events tied to Older Americans Month.

Carrie Dodson of Lifeline described three programs funded by the senior services levy: a volunteer guardian program that serves more than 80 court-appointed wards (many with dementia), a new Helping Hands for Seniors program that matches volunteers to assist with chores and minor home tasks, and the county’s 211 information line. Dodson told the board that in February 2024 volunteers donated more than 830 hours and completed 772 projects through Helping Hands; she also said 211 handled 36,630 incoming inquiries in 2024, and that 38% of those callers were age 60 or older.

The board unanimously approved a resolution to advertise the competitive-sealed-proposal process for a comprehensive senior services strategic plan; the proposal opening date was listed in the resolution as 06/11/2025. Commissioners said the study is intended to evaluate how levy dollars are spent, identify unmet needs (including isolated seniors and gaps in transportation), and guide future allocations.

No fiscal or contract awards were made at the meeting; the board authorized only the advertisement of the RFP. Commissioners and program representatives said further steps will follow the competitive selection process.