Important COVID-19 Community Updates
We appreciate the chance to bring you up to speed on what we are learning from local and regional sources now every Monday, Wednesday and Friday or as necessary.

Please dial 9-1-1 in case of emergencies only and call 847.234.2601 for non-emergencies.

Check the City's website for additional information and continue to send any inquiries to cityhall@cityoflakeforest.com . During this time, residents should continue to practice 6-foot physical distancing, and wear face coverings when maintaining physical distancing is not possible.

Many staff members are working remotely and will respond to you at the earliest opportunity.
A New Message from the Mayor
COVID-19 Community Forum on Tuesday, June 2
"Moving Forward. Together. An Update on COVID-19 and Next Steps with Leaders of the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff Communities."

Join Lake Forest Mayor George Pandaleon and Village President Kathy O'Hara with local municipal, medical and education leaders for a live, online community update on Tuesday, June 2 from 7-8 p.m. The Zoom webinar link will be available on Friday, May 29, and posted in E-News, the City's website and on social media.

The Forum has been created to provide municipal, medical, business and educational updates and a shared vision for the path forward as we emerge from the Stay at Home Order and begin restoring everyday life in our communities.

Residents will have an opportunity to hear the latest from:

  • Thomas McAfee, President, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital and Senior Vice President, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
  • Jeffrey Kopin, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital
  • Jason Wicha, Lake Forest City Manager
  • Drew Irvin, Lake Bluff Village Administrator
  • Stephen Schutt, Lake Forest College President
  • Michael Simeck, Superintendent of Lake Forest Schools, Districts 67 and 115
  • Jean Sophie, Superintendent of Lake Bluff School District 65

In anticipation of the Forum, community members may submit questions that will be addressed by local leaders during the event by sending them to: LFLBCommunityForum@gmail.com by noon on Monday, June 1.

Due to time constraints, not all questions will be able to be answered, but you will receive an answer via email as soon as possible. The Forum will be recorded and will be available for viewing online and on social media.

Please join us for an super local event with the professionals!
Compost/Recycling Center Re-Opens this Saturday
 The Compost/Recycling Center (located on the south side of Rte. 60, west of Waukegan Road) will re-open for business on Saturday, May 30.

Regular summer hours will be in effect, which are Saturdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sundays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Please note that the last day for free curbside service for items intended for the Compost Center is Thursday, May 28.

Regular pickup dates for sanitation and yard waste with stickers on bags are back in effect. Call the Sanitation automated phone system at 847.615.4264 for further information or check the City's website .
Welcome, New Aldermen!
First Ward Alderman Jennifer W. Karras  has lived in Lake Forest for 18 years with her husband Michael and three children who have all attended Lake Forest public schools. Jennifer brings with her the expertise of a 25-year career in brand marketing and strategy, media relations and corporate communications, having last served as a senior managing director and head of brand marketing and communications at Guggenheim Partners. Since then, Jennifer has been actively involved in the community, serving as chairman of the CROYA Board and Vice Chairman of Communications for the Lake Forest High School Foundation. Jennifer's prior public service includes past President of Deer Path Middle School's APT and board positions on Lake Forest High Schools Boosters Club and The Spirit of 67. Jennifer continues to consult for businesses and non-profits and is a photographer. Jennifer was a student athlete at Ithaca College, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in political science and studied national government at American University. 

Fourth Ward Alderman Eileen Looby Weber  was born and raised in Lake Forest and is a local business Vice President of Lake Forest Flowers. She served on the Cemetery Commission, Route 60 Corridor Working Group, is an active volunteer for the Church and School of St. Mary, and is a member of the Junior Garden Club of Lake Forest. She also served on the Waukegan Road/Settlers' Square Business District Working Group and the LF-LB Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She is a past President of the Lake Forest Caucus and the Amberley Woods Condominium Association. An avid floral enthusiast, Eileen has taught workshops at Elawa Farm, Dickinson Hall and for other organizations. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Horticultural Production and Marketing from Purdue University and an MBA from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Eileen and her husband Brian have two young sons.
Lake Forest Coming Back Together
  • We are hopeful that beginning this Friday, May 29, gatherings of 10 people or fewer may resume. 
  • Specific businesses may re-open with certain restrictions. 
  • Restaurants will have the option to open for outdoor seating only. The City is working with interested restaurant owners to explore creating expanded outdoor dining on private properties, public sidewalks, and potentially using street parking spaces or portions of streets for outdoor dining space. 
  • Additional guidelines were established for outdoor activities, including tennis, golf, boating, camping, health clubs, personal care services and retail stores. 

Details may be found at:  https://www.coronavirus.illinois.gov . 

Additionally, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity released business tool kits providing the guidelines, posters, signage, training checklists and promotional materials to assist business owners in successfully reopening operations, which may be downloaded at https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/Pages/default.aspx . You may also send an email to ceo.support@illinois.gov or call 1.800.252.2923.
Enjoy and Stay Safe!


Click here for all beach information.
Metra News
Metra is launching a new $10 All-Day Pass on June 1 and strongly encouraging customers to buy it in the Ventra app, giving them a “Touch Less, Pay Less” option to ride its trains safely and affordably.

“If you are ready to come back to Metra, we are ready for you,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “We know our riders will have concerns returning to public transportation and we want them to know that we are addressing those concerns. We are heavily cleaning and disinfecting trains every day. We also have onboard plans to create social distance and keep people safe. As an example, using the Ventra app to take advantage of this $10 offer will create distance and help save them money.”

The All-Day Pass will be good for unlimited rides on any and all Metra lines all day until 3 a.m. the next morning. For anyone travelling downtown from Metra’s C zone or farther, the pass costs less than two one-way fares. The All-Day Pass will be sold for at least the next two months. Unused All-Day Passes purchased in the Ventra app will expire seven days after purchase.

Metra will also continue to support doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics and other medical personnel on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic by allowing them to ride free on Metra trains for the duration of the state’s stay-at-home order. To ride free, medical personnel only need to present a work ID showing that they are employed at a hospital, doctor’s office, medical facility or local fire department to a Metra conductor.

Metra has spent recent weeks deep cleaning all cars and developing a new cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting regimen to keep customers as safe as possible on a daily basis. More details about that regimen are forthcoming.

All 11 Metra lines remain in service. However, all lines are using alternative schedules, and customers should check those schedules on metrarail.com before they travel. Metra is prepared to add cars to trains and add trains to the schedules as ridership grows in order to allow for responsible social distancing on trains as much as possible and as long as possible.

Metra also asks all customers to be mindful of the following:

  • Please remember to wear a mask or face covering on board trains.
  • Please do your best to maintain your distance from other customers and Metra employees on the platforms and trains.
  • Please remain in your seat and do not crowd the aisles or vestibules. Metra will give you plenty of time to safely exit the train when it reaches your destination.
Don't Forget...
It's Easy

Lake Forest's current response rate is over 70% - thank you!


The Census paper questionnaire was mailed on April 8 to anyone who has not yet responded. Please complete the questionnaire and return it or respond online at my2020census.gov or by phone at 844.330.2020.

In the coming months, when it is safe to do so, Census takers will follow up with in-person visits to addresses for which responses have not been received.

Completing the Census questionnaire is easy, secure and important. Thank you for helping Lake Forest and Illinois achieve a Complete Count!
Lake County Interactive Map
The Lake County Health Department's interactive map shares the number of residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 in each municipality. According to the LCHD website, it is best viewed on a computer. You can view the map   here .
Local Resources
State/Federal Resources
The City of Lake Forest, Illinois | Website