Lake Forest 101: A Four Session Series in Local Government
Lake Forest 101 is an exciting opportunity to increase your knowledge of local government and become involved with shaping and developing the community. Featuring an in-depth dive into the City’s budget process and a bus tour of development activity, Lake Forest 101 provides a behind-the-scenes look into City operations over a four-session series!
The program is available at no cost to those who live or work in Lake Forest and surrounding areas.
2024 Dates: May 2, May 9, May 21 & May 30
Location: Various - See Syllabus Below
Registration is now open!
Please fill out the registration form and indicate what session(s) you would like to attend. You can always edit your response if plans change or reach out and let us know if any scheduling conflicts occur.
If you have any questions, please contact Management Analyst Melissa Laird at 847-810-3677 or lairdm@cityoflakeforest.com.
** 2024 SYLLABUS **
SESSION I: LAKE FOREST GOVERNMENT 101
Date: Thursday, May 2, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Location: Dickinson Hall, 100 E. Old Mill Road
A. LAKE FOREST GOVERNMENT 101 – JASON WICHA, CITY MANAGER
• Overview of the Council/Manager Form of Government
• The Role of City Staff with Elected/Appointed Officials
• The Role of Elected and Appointed Officials
B. BOARDS & COMMISSIONS OVERVIEW – CATHERINE CZERNIAK, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
• Role, Responsibility, and Purview of Appointed Board & Commission Members
• Overview of the Lake Forest Caucus and Volunteer Process
SESSION II: LEGAL ISSUES / FINANCE
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Location: Dickinson Hall, 100 E. Old Mill Road
A. LEGAL ISSUES – JULIE TAPPENDORF, ANCEL GLINK
• Distinction of Home Rule/Non-Home Rule Powers
• Conflict of Interest/Ethics/Gift Ban Act
• Open Meetings Act
• Freedom of Information Act
B. FINANCE – ELIZABETH HOLLEB, FINANCE DIRECTOR
• Explanation of City Funds (operation, capital, enterprise, etc.)
• Budget Process (revenues and expenditures)
• Debt/Bond Issues (including bond rating)
• Tax Levy Process
SESSION III: COMMUNICATIONS/COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Location: Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois Road
A. COMMUNICATIONS – DANA OLSON, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
• Communication Methods and Best Practices
• Community Engagement
B. INTRODUCTION TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS – DANA OLSON, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
• Round Robin Discussion – An Opportunity to Speak with Community Partners
SESSION IV: BUS TOUR – DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITY
Date: Thursday, May 30, 2024, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Lake Forest Municipal Services, 800 N. Field Drive
A. DEVELOPMENT PROCESS & BUS TOUR – CATHERINE CZERNIAK, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
• Development Related to Board & Commissions – Responsibilities and Purview
• Public Review Process – From Start to Finish
• Developments – Past, Present, and Future
**A boxed dinner will be served on the bus. This tour has limited capacity, and registration via this form does NOT guarantee participation. If you select to attend this session, you will receive a follow-up email from City Hall with additional information.**