Title
Ordinance proposing the dissolution of the South Lake Mosquito Abatement District.
Staff Summary
• The South Lake Mosquito Abatement District (SLMAD) is the remaining mosquito abatement district for Lake County providing services to Bannockburn, Riverwoods, Deerfield, Highland Park and Highwood.
• At the July 31, 2025, Financial and Administrative Committee, staff provided background regarding the item and discussed the general process for dissolution.
• This “Proposing Ordinance,” uses the authority granted from State Statute 55 ILCS 5/5-44025 to initiate the dissolution process and require that the County complete an audit detailing claims, receipts, inventory of property, and debts.
• The audit will be reported to the County Board, and at a subsequent meeting staff will return with a separate “Authorizing Ordinance” under 55 ILCS 5/5-44025, which will initiate the next steps in the District’s dissolution.
• The dissolution process, following Board action on the Authorizing Ordinance, is approximately six months.
Body
ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, the South Lake Mosquito Abatement District (“District”) is a Mosquito Abatement District covering parts of the Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood, Northbrook, Riverwoods, and unincorporated Lake County; and
WHEREAS, this is the sole remaining mosquito abatement district in Lake County. Mosquito abatement in other areas of the County, to the extent any such abatement is performed, are carried out by municipalities or, under certain circumstances, by the Lake County Health Department; and
WHEREAS, under the Counties Code of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, specifically 55 ILCS 5/5-44025, the Lake County Board may, by ordinance, propose the dissolution of a unit of local government, such as the District; and
WHEREAS, the ordinance shall detail the purpose and cost savings to be achieved by such dissolution and be published in a newspaper of general circulation served by the unit of local government, and on the county’s website; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that the Board of the County of Lake proposes the dissolution of the South Lake Mosquito Abatement District for the purpose of reducing the number of governmental entities in Lake County.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the County Board proposes that, under the provisions of 55 ILCS 5/5 44025, the South Lake Mosquito be dissolved and its functions devolved to the municipal and non-municipal entities that occupy its territory.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that costs inherent in operating the District, in addition to the administrative costs and attorney’s fees listed above, are those associated with the work performed by County staff, including the staff of the County Clerk and Treasurer, to levy for taxes each year. Dissolving the District will eliminate these costs. Additional cost savings may be achieved by bulk purchasing the services the District previously maintained with other municipal or governmental entities. The residents of the District will no longer have a levy for the District on their property tax bills.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that upon passage of this ordinance, the County will work with the District to have an audit performed detailing all claims against the District, its receipts, an inventory of the real and personal property it owns or controls, and any debts owed by it. After the audit is reported to the County Board, the Board may adopt a separate “authorizing ordinance,” as set forth in 55 ILCS 5/5-44025, and thereafter petition the Circuit Court for an order designating a trustee-in-dissolution for the District.
DATED on this 12th day of August, 2025, by the County Board of the County of Lake, Illinois.