The Public Investigator

NEWS ALERT: Lake County is seeking increased economic development bonding authority from federal stimulus funding.

Why this news is important to you: The more federal funding can pay for local public infrastructure projects, the less burden it exerts on local property taxpayers.

Subscribers can read The Public Investigator’s news report to find out how the county is applying to be designated as a recovery zone to receive federal stimulus funding.

NEWS ALERT: In a massive project to enhance identity theft security, the Lake County recorder is redacting Social Security numbers from millions of public documents.

Why this news is important to you: Redacting sensitive information from publicly-viewable documents protects citizens against identity theft.

Subscribers can read The Public Investigator’s news report to find out how many documents will be reviewed and how much it costs to prevent disclosure of your Social Security number.

NEWS ALERT: A Lake County Board member is charging that a county government agency that allocates federal grant funds failed to legally report its actions.

Why this news is important to you: Laws requiring government to conduct business in public meetings and provide public information is the only way government in a republic is held accountable and monitored by the people.

Subscribers can read The Public Investigator’s news report to find out what county agency is charged with failing to legally publish its operations and the response by county officials to mitigate the violation.

NEWS ALERT: A private road for the Williams Park subdivision in Wauconda Township will be maintained with public funding.

Why this news is important to you: As a general principle, most citizens would oppose spending local and federal taxpayers dollars on a private road, but…

…subscribers can read The Public Investigator’s news report that reveals another side that justifies spending taxpayer dollars for non-public infrastructure like private roads.

NEWS ALERT: In a short-term investment for long-term savings, the Lake County Board approved the purchase of a brain for its green building under construction in Libertyville.

Why this news is important to you: While they cost more to build up front, public buildings that are green are smart buildings with automation control that save taxpayers big bucks down the line.

Subscribers can read The Public Investigator’s news report for a description of automation control and how much the system for the county’s central permit facility will cost.

NEWS ALERT: Barring a last-quarter surge in the economy, some county government staff members will be laid off when the new fiscal year begins Dec. 1. Subscribers can read on to find out how many positions will be cut and which departments will likely take most of the hits.

Why this news is important to you: While staff reductions will keep the county’s government in the black for the 2010 fiscal year, they will also reduce crucial services that benefit the people of Lake County.

NEWS ALERT: Lake County has hired an architect to draft a remodeling plan for the fifth and sixth floors of the County Building

Why this news is important to you: Remodeling a 40-year-old, 10-story public building will require a substantial outlay of taxpayer funds. The payoff for taxpayers is improved public services and more efficient government operation. The award of this first remodeling project puts this architect in a strong position to get the rest of the floor remodeling contracts in the future.

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