If you’ve spent any time driving through Deer Park lately, you know Lake Cook Road is a beast. But Tuesday afternoon turned a routine breakdown into a tragedy that’s got the whole community talking. Around 3:15 p.m., a 95-year-old man from Palatine was just trying to check under his broken-down Honda Accord near Quentin Road. Then, a westbound SUV hit his car from behind. He didn’t make it.
Honestly, it’s one of those stories that makes you hug your family a little tighter. The Sheriff's Office is still piecing together the technical details, but the impact sent three others to the hospital. A school bus was even sideswiped, though luckily, no kids were on board. It’s a somber reminder of how quickly a "disabled vehicle" call can turn into something much worse.
Major Changes Coming to Lake County Roads
If you’re tired of the white-knuckle experience at some of our local intersections, there’s actually some good news in the latest lake county il news. The County Board just gave the green light to construction for a brand-new roundabout. This one is slated for the intersection of Deep Lake Road and Depot Street in Antioch.
It’ll be the 12th roundabout in the county. Some people hate 'em, some love 'em, but the data usually shows they're way safer than traditional four-way stops. Expect a 100-day closure of Depot Street this summer. Plan your detours now.
Beyond the roundabouts, Gurnee is getting a major facelift for people who actually like to walk or bike. New paths are coming to Washington Street. It’s part of a broader push to make the county less of a "cars-only" zone.
Money, Taxes, and Your Wallet
The 2026 fiscal year budget is officially set at $676.6 million. That sounds like a massive number because, well, it is. But here is the part most people get wrong: only about 7% of your total property tax bill actually goes to the Lake County government. Most of it is swallowed up by school districts and local municipalities.
If you own a home valued at roughly $330,000, you’re looking at an increase of less than $9 for the county’s portion. Not exactly bank-breaking, but in this economy, every dollar feels heavier.
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- Public Works: They're dropping $15.3 million into water and sewer projects.
- Sustainability: A new "Urban and Community Forestry Strategic Plan" just got approved.
- Infrastructure: Over $100 million is earmarked for things like the Russell Road roundabouts.
Crime and Safety Updates
It’s been a busy week for the Sheriff’s Department. In Libertyville, deputies had a rough Monday. They were responding to a mental health call when a man allegedly pulled out bear spray and let it fly. It’s a messy situation that highlights the unpredictability of these calls.
Up in Antioch, the "Electronic Detection K9s" (basically dogs that can sniff out thumb drives and hard drives) helped bust a child pornography case. It’s wild what these dogs can do now.
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And if you shop at Gurnee Mills, keep your eyes peeled. Police just caught two suspects accused of a $20,000 retail theft spree. They weren't just shoplifting a shirt or two; this was a multi-day operation.
The Weather Factor
Did you feel that wind last week? The National Weather Service confirmed we had "rare January flash flooding" on the 8th and 9th. We had wind gusts over 50 mph and record warmth followed by a narrow corridor of heavy rain.
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Basically, the ground was too frozen or saturated to take it, leading to flooded basements across the region. If you’re in a low-lying area near the Des Plaines River, keep those sump pumps tested.
Actionable Steps for Lake County Residents
Don’t just read the news—use it. Here’s how to stay ahead of what’s happening in our backyard:
- Check the Interactive Maps: The county just launched an updated mapping website. It’s faster and actually works on your phone now. Use it to check property boundaries or see if that new construction project is happening right next to your house.
- Appeal Your Taxes: 2026 is the end of the current quadrennial reassessment period. If you think your "Full Fair Cash Value" is higher than what you could actually sell your house for, you need to file an appeal.
- Sign Up for PASSAGE: If you commute, the Lake County PASSAGE app is better than Google Maps for local road closures and live camera feeds of intersections.
- Early Voting: The 2026 primary is coming up faster than you think. Check the County Clerk’s website to verify your polling place before the rush starts.
The Sheridan Crossing cleanup in North Chicago is also one to watch. It’s a 40-acre eyesore that’s finally being remediated for new development. If that goes well, it could be a massive economic engine for the eastern side of the county. Keep an eye on the board meetings—they’re streamed on lakecounty.tv if you’re bored on a Tuesday morning and want to see how the sausage is made.