Despite bounty of new taxes, Lake County debt looms large

CROWN POINT | Lake County could be on the receiving end of an $18 million tax windfall next year.

Nonpartisan group to rally April 29 against Lake County income tax

CROWN POINT | A group of political activists plans to hold a taxpayer rally later this month to protest the adoption of a local income tax.

Pooling E-911 services likely to soak taxpayers

CROWN POINT | A consolidated E-911 system won't be a toll free call for Lake County taxpayers.

Council prepares to cancel attorneys insurance

CROWN POINT | The Lake County Council is prepared to cancel the taxpayer-subsidized health insurance benefits for 32 attorneys now working for county government.

Lake County officials retiring government complex escalators

CROWN POINT | The public will have to work its way around a construction zone limiting access to the Lake County Government Complex's administration building for several months.

EDITORIAL: Lake cuts spending, but needs revenue

Lake County's new study showing it is one of the most frugal county governments in the state looks good on paper, but remember, this is looking at what the study identifies as core services and doesn't discuss other important issues, like public transportation, that are not universal across …

Study concludes Lake County government is a bargain

CROWN POINT | Lake residents now enjoy one of the most frugal county governments in the state, according to a new study released Monday by the Board of Lake County Commissioners.

Lake County releasing government spending analysis Monday

CROWN POINT | Lake County officials are slated to release a study early Monday analyzing county government's spending patterns during the last five years.

Inexorable pressure for a Lake County income tax?

CROWN POINT | The Lake County Council is borrowing, rather than taxing, its way to a balanced 2013 budget.

Lake income tax is a big 'if'

CROWN POINT | Lake County has avoided passing a local income tax over questions about its fairness.

Niemeyer will leave County Council on Tuesday

CROWN POINT | Lake County Councilman Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, said he will resign as a member of the county government's fiscal body on Tuesday.

Two GOP figures may seek Lake council seat

LOWELL | Two south Lake County Republicans may be candidates to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Lake County Council.

Lake County Council strikes a bargain on health insurance

CROWN POINT | Lake County Council members announced they will vote Tuesday for an overhaul of county government's troubled health insurance plan.

Lake County officials say they are credit worthy

CROWN POINT | Lake County officials want to assure the public that county government can handle its debt — even though it already owes creditors more than $100 million and is about to borrow more.

Lake budget time is reminder of tax reforms

CROWN POINT | Local government's financial affairs aren't on the rocks yet, but Lake County's elected officials can hear the roar of the breakers -- the circuit breakers.

Latest E-911 interlocal revision shifts costs

CROWN POINT | The latest revision to a proposed E-911 interlocal agreement consolidating emergency services is more palatable to cities and towns, one member of the E-911 advisory committee said Thursday.

Lake officials make E-911 budget maneuvers

CROWN POINT | The Lake County Council is setting aside a $10.6 million budget for E-911 consolidations next year, Larry Blanchard, a county consultant, said this week.

Lake County removes majority of E-911 money from budget

CROWN POINT | The Lake County Council cut the budget for E-911 communications Tuesday in an admission that a merger of 18 police and fire department dispatch centers is unlikely to take place in 2013.

Lake is preparing redial on E-911 consolidation push

CROWN POINT | Lake County officials are preparing to relaunch their emergency 911 consolidation drive this month with a less expensive vision of what a merged communications system would look like.

Lake County officials being lined up for Philpot trial

CROWN POINT | Lake County Coroner Thomas Philpot may have to confront fellow county government officials and former employees in his upcoming fraud trial.