Title
Ordinance establishing the Lake County Temporary Emergency Public Nuisance Ordinance.
Staff Summary
* During the COVID-19 pandemic, based upon available information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people of all ages with underlying respiratory medical conditions, including chronic lung disease and asthma, are at higher risk for developing more serious complications if they contract COVID-19. Smoke from open burning can exacerbate these residents' respiratory conditions and further compromise their ability to fend off potentially severe effects of COVID-19. Additionally, people who do not have underlying conditions can experience more severe COVID-19 symptoms when exposed to smoke from open burning.
* Open burning during the pandemic also increases the potential risk of uncontrolled spread of fire, which could impact fire departments and County, municipal and other local governmental first responders at a time when their resources may be otherwise needed to assist in public health and safety.
* In light of these potential risks, numerous state and local governments throughout the United States have enacted temporary bans on open burning. Several fire protection districts across Lake County encompassing unincorporated areas have likewise enacted temporary bans on open burning within their boundaries.
* Attached as Exhibit A is an Ordinance enacting a temporary prohibition of the open burning in the unincorporated area. This Ordinance would reinforce and support bans already in effect in various fire protection districts throughout Lake County and provide additional means of enforcement over prohibited open burning activity in the unincorporated area.
* This temporary emergency ordinance will go into effect immediately upon County Board adoption of Exhibit A and expire on June 10, 2020.
Body
ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, the President of the United States and the Governor of the State of Illinois have declared a state of pandemic emergency due to the...
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