LCU celebrated the first steps in developing quality housing in Waukegan.

The development and exercise of people’s power can be learned. The Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) has been training people in the skills needed for over 80 years. In the spring of 2021, in the midst of the continuing triple-headed crisis of health pandemic, economic inequality, and racial reckoning, affiliates of the Metro IAF in states bordering the Great Lakes offered four two-hour (with breaks, breakout rooms, and a 10-minute evaluation) Zoom training sessions.

Please join with your community and Lake County United to show your support for repurposing the former Winchester House public property and property in Waukegan into quality housing. A virtual assembly was held on Zoom on March 21, 2021 where research findings and visions of what is possible for these available lands were introduced.

These properties are significant and present a great opportunity for quality housing. Local elected officials were in attendance. We hope they recognize and support LCU as an important partner in this endeavor.

Your community and Lake County United joined to show support for repurposing two properties into quality housing.

Lake County United and affiliates kicked off an Illinois Community Purchasing Alliance(CPA).

Lake County United hosted a virtual tour of the new Lake Behavioral Hospital in Waukegan.

In the October 31, 2020 Boston Review, Michael Gecan, senior adviser at the Industrial Areas Foundation, has written a timely opinion piece regarding organizing and politics.

Metro IAF, parent organization of Lake County United, has issued two statements on the subject:

• Metro IAF Statement on Police Killing of George Floyd
• Anger, Faith, Hope

Lake County United was one of two non-profits invited by County Chairwoman Sandy Hart to be on the Strategic Advisory Committee. This Committee is advising the County Board on how best to use $122 million in federal funds to address impact from COVID-19.

Here are our recommendations.

Will America respond to the coronavirus the way it answered a horrific Catholic school fire?
An article in the New York Daily News by Mike Gecan, senior adviser at Metro Industrial Areas Foundation