BULLETIN – March 25, 2026
By Tim Dempsey
President Gore rang the bell and called on Ellen Young to give the Pledge. Yours truly led us in prayer, and there was no song.
BRAGS:
-Dave Potts visited his granddaughter in Charleston, SC last week and got some golf in.
-Ellen young bragged that she spent the last 2 weeks in Spain singing with her glee club from Smith College. They had a terrific time and had as many as 280 musicians on stage.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-Howard Jaffe announced that we will begin giving money away this month. The Charitable Giving Committee consists of 3 permanent members and 3 at large members. The group has openings for the at large members. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please let Howard know.
FUN & FROLICS:
-Charles Lesser conducted a March Madness quiz.
PROGRAM:
Today’s program featured Steve Debretto from Lake County Partners. Steve has spent 20 years in the economic development arena. This was his first presentation to a Rotary club. Lake County had a separate economic department until it was spun off 25 years ago. LCP was formed to replace that department. They are a private public partnership to bring and retain businesses in Lake County. The County provides 50% of their budget and the rest is provided through donations from businesses and individuals. In 2025 they helped bring 1862 new jobs, retain 1333 existing jobs and attracted $733 million in investment in Lake County. The biggest investors were AbbVie, Fortune Brands, and Takeda. 5 years ago, there was a net exodus of companies and jobs from Lake County. 3 years ago, LCP Joined the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership. We have done a better job of working together with the surrounding Illinois counties.
Chicago is the 3rd largest port in the U.S. O’Hare is the busiest airport in the country. When companies look to locate in Lake County, they look for talent, utilities, and housing. In our county, a third own their homes, half rent, and the rest are “house poor”. The 2022 Economic Strategy predicted an 18,000 housing unit shortage by 2027. There is a national housing problem. This can be solved in Lake County by 4 pillars: 1. Policy and regulations, 2. Funding, 3. Partnerships, and 4. Communities. There is resistance in communities to adding housing units especially to rental units. Other states are less resistant. We must find the source of resistance and convince people to change.
RAFFLE:
-Daily: $23 won by Steve Risley.
-Progressive: $1,033 (23 cards). Jeff Harger drew the 4 of hearts. ROLLOVER!
NEXT WEEK:
-Greeter & Prayer: Happi Datt.
-Fun & Frolics: Rob Likus.
-Program: Brian Floriani from Bernie’s Book Bank.
FOUR WAY TEST:
-Dave Potts led us in the Four Way Test.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“Happiness is a habit – cultivate it!” – Elbert Hubbard
