Title
Resolution extending the declaration of emergency due to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Lake County, Illinois, until the Governor of Illinois lifts the State’s declaration of emergency, but no longer than February 8, 2022.
Staff Summary
• On March 9, 2020, Illinois’ State Governor announced a state of emergency decree in response to COVID-19.
• Lake County took immediate action to mitigate the local impact and ensure continuity of governmental operations through the issuance of a declaration of emergency proclamation on March 13, 2020. It activated community mitigation plans and expedited response time without circumventing constitutional protections of its citizens.
• Subsequent extensions were approved by the Lake County Board. On December 14, 2021 the Lake County Board further extended the declaration until the Governor of Illinois lifted the State’s declaration of emergency but no later than January 11, 2022. The resolution also called for the continued operation of the Lake County Emergency Operations Plan and Lake County Health Department Emergency Operations Plan, pursuant to Illinois law, for at least 14 days after the termination of the declaration of emergency proclamation.
• This resolution further extends the proclamation until the Governor of Illinois lifts the State’s declaration of emergency, but no later than February 8, 2022, so that Lake County, by and through its Emergency Management Agency and Health Department, may continue to coordinate county and municipal resources and response activities. It suspends certain provisions and procedures for the conduct of county business in an effort to protect the health and safety of persons and provides emergency assistance pursuant to Illinois law.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, under authority of Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20 ILCS 3305/11, and upon a joint recommendation by the Lake County Department of Health and Lake County Emergency Management Agency, a proclamation was enacted declaring that an emergency exists in Lake County due to the following reasons: more than one Lake County resident has tested positive for COVID-19, and given the potential impact on high-risk populations, it is imperative that all appropriate steps be taken to reduce the rate of transmission; and
WHEREAS, Lake County continues to respond to this situation, and it has activated the Lake County Emergency Operations Plan and Lake County Health Department Emergency Operations Plan by proclaiming that a disaster exists within Lake County, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, additional emergency procedures and protocols may need to be implemented to facilitate decision making across the County and allow expedited procurement should it be necessary; and
WHEREAS, the County may require resources from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and this emergency may exceed the County's available personnel and financial resources, and therefore funding and resources from the State and/or Federal Government may be necessary to mitigate the disaster; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Lake County Code of Ordinances Title III § 32.07, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20 ILCS 3305/11, a local disaster exists within Lake County, Illinois and it is expected that the conditions will be present for an extended period of time such that it is necessary to continue this proclamation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this County Board of Lake County, Illinois hereby approves this resolution to be effective January 11, 2022, extending the Disaster Proclamation until the state’s declaration of emergency is lifted or terminated but no longer than February 8, 2022, unless further extended by the Lake County Board; and
BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED, that the Lake County Emergency Operations Plan and Lake County Health Department Emergency Operations Plan will continue to operate pursuant to Illinois law for at least 14 days after the termination of Lake County’s Declaration of Emergency in order to continue to address the disaster situation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the County Administrator will report to the County Board at the next Regular or Special Call meeting of the County Board on the status of the Emergency Operations Center to include a timeline for a transition to normal operations within the 14 days after the termination of the Lake County’s Declaration of Emergency.
DATED, at Waukegan, Illinois, January 11, 2022.