Lake Forest and Lake Bluff residents will help fund a $736 million Lake County budget for fiscal year 2027, approved by the Lake County Board on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
The spending plan puts more than $100 million toward infrastructure and increases operating funds by 5.8% over the prior year. The budget also adds resources for public safety, legal services and digital access, according to the county.
The county's operating funds total $412.8 million. The county said recurring expenses are covered by recurring revenue, not one-time funds.
Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart said the board weighed competing priorities. "I think we found a good balance between funding essential services, rewarding and retaining our staff, addressing critical infrastructure needs and providing additional support to departments across our justice system to meet growing demands for their services," Hart said.
Infrastructure spending
Named infrastructure projects include transportation work along Hainesville and Deerfield roads, sanitary sewer upgrades along Portwine Road and through Cahokia Flatwoods Forest Preserve, and funding for the Stormwater Management Commission to address flooding and drainage concerns countywide.
Workforce and technology
The budget invests in competitive compensation for county employees and technology upgrades to strengthen cybersecurity, according to the county.
The county will submit the FY 2027 budget for consideration for the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. Lake County earned that honor for its 2026 budget, the 14th time the county has received it. Residents can review the full budget at lakecountyil.gov/Budget.
