City of Waukegan

Historically a commercial port city and more recently an industrial center, the City of Waukegan is now the seat of Lake County government and home to flourishing business, educational and cultural organizations. In addition, the city features Lake Michigan recreational attractions highlighted by Waukegan Marina. Located 40 miles north of Chicago and 60 miles south of Milwaukee, Waukegan has a socially diverse population of 88,000, with a strong base of Hispanic residents and businesses, and a labor force of more than 40,000. Corporations such as health care leader Abbott Laboratories, manufacturer Cherry Electrical Corp., shipping specialists ULINE and gaming-machine maker WMS Industries have a major presence in Waukegan. Academic and civic organizations including College of Lake County, Shimer College, Robert Morris College and the 2,400-seat Genesee Theatre, now undergoing a major renovation, enrich the cultural life of the city. In August 2003, Waukegan City Council unanimously approved a 1,800-acre redevelopment plan designed to make Waukegan a regional retail, recreation, residential and business hub by capitalizing on the city’s most important assets — its lakefront, location and labor force. More information is available at www.waukeganvision.com or www.waukeganweb.net.