Waukegan IL Digital Publication


Things to Do in Waukegan

Things to Do in Waukegan, Illinois

Programs and Events in Waukegan
The Waukegan Park District offers year-round family focused special events and programs to entertain and engage the entire community.

The year begins on New Year’s Day with the annual Polar Bear Plunge at the lakefront. The event attracts nearly 2,000 people with almost 400 plungers jumping into icy Lake Michigan. Sponsored by the City of Waukegan and the Chamber of Commerce, the event supports Special Recreation programs and athletes.

Eggstravaganza Trail, a free community event, held the Saturday before Easter, features the Easter Bunny and other bunny family members, all interacting with children and handing out goody filled eggs.

Two popular events are held on the first Saturday in June: the annual Fishing Derby at Bevier Park and the Ray Bradbury Dandelion Wine Fine Arts Festival in Bowen Park. The free Dandelion Wine Festival features art vendors and performances throughout the day.

The largest special event of the year, the American Independence Parade, occurs the Sunday before July 4. The popular parade travels Sheridan Road between Franklin Avenue and Bowen Park attracting nearly 100 entries and several thousand spectators.

On the first Friday in August, the Waukegan Park District and the City of Waukegan partner to present Touch A Truck and National Night Out. Children are encouraged to talk with the fire, police and other personnel, as well as experience the Fire and police vehicles, large trucks and heavy equipment on display.

Day of the Dead is a cultural celebration of families and ancestors complete with altars, face painting, traditional food and music.

Halloweenfest, attracts entire families who are in costume. They enjoy a series of haunted trails, free games, crafts, themed entertainment and rides.

The Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus present several concerts throughout the year concluding with the Do It Yourself Messiah and Carol Sing Along held the third Saturday in December at the First United Methodist Church in Waukegan.

Golf and More

Bonnie Brook Golf Course is an 18-hole impeccably manicured, championship golf course and popular location for corporate golf outings and parties. The clubhouse hosts Tuesday nights, Chillin’ and Grillin’, Wednesday Night Dinners featuring comfort food, and Thursday’s Tacos and Tunes. Friday night fish buffets and last Sunday of the Month Brunches are popular; reservations are suggested. Celebrate Valentine’s Day, Easter and Mother’s Day at Bonnie Brook.

Call to make plans for your next special occasion, corporate meeting or holiday party in the updated dining room.

Fitness

The Field House Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Center is a hub of activity for the community. The two-level fitness center overlooks beautiful Hinkston Park and boasts a large selection of strengthening, weight lifting and cardio equipment along with a suspended one-seventh mile walking/running track. The six-court gymnasium hosts volleyball and basketball play and leagues. The aquatics center features three pools, an eight-lane, 25-yard competition ready lap pool, a warm water hydrotherapy pool with resistance current and children’s pool and splash area. The competition pool is home to the Waukegan Dolphins Swim Team.

Several fitness events are held during the year. A spring tradition is the Go Waukegan walk that highlights how the simple act of walking 30 minutes each day can reduce the incidence of lifestyle-related diseases, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Others include a mini- triathlon in the spring and in the fall, the George Bridges 5K Run/Walk and Turkey Trot.

Parks

Waukegan parks are vibrant natural spaces perfect for relaxation, gathering with friends and families, recreation and family outings. The district’s commitment to excellence is highlighted by the evolution of its parks. Construction has begun at Rose Park (formerly Belvidere Park) and will continue through 2019. Plans include a three-story playground and Splashtacular water play area, outdoor restrooms and concessions stand. Watch for the grand opening, expected in summer 2020.

Bowen Park’s gazebo in the formal garden was replaced in 2019, making it an ideal location for wedding and quinceanera photos. Work on King Park will begin in fall 2019 and completion is expected for early spring of 2020. A new shelter and restrooms, renovated ball diamond, additional playground equipment, basketball court, seating and landscaping are planned.

The Washington Park historic bandshell is home to a June music series and Veterans Plaza hosts Memorial and Veterans Day ceremonies. The oldest park in Waukegan, Roosevelt Park is a conservation success with its walkway through restored wetlands, permeable paver parking lot, and natural vegetation. It is designed to help clean Waukegan River water headed to Lake Michigan.

Facilities

Waukegan’s Greg Petry Sports Park, with its premier soccer and baseball fields, and the Field House Sports Fitness and Aquatics Center, with its indoor sports courts and eight-lane lap pool, attract regional and national tournaments and competitions contributing approximately $15million annually to the local economy.


City of Waukegan Mayor’s Welcome

Greetings!

On behalf of the City of Waukegan, I proudly welcome you to explore the unique opportunities that our community offers. Whether starting a business, relocating your family, or just visiting, Waukegan offers a supportive approach to help you succeed. Waukegan’s neighborhoods, schools, scenic lakefront, entertainment, award-winning parks and golf courses are sure to enrich the lives of you and your family.

Waukegan is perfectly located on the North Shore of Lake Michigan between Chicago and Milwaukee. The picturesque lakefront includes recreational activities such as kite surfing, sport fishing, natural dune trails and a beachfront concert bandshell. Our deep-water harbor serves the needs of both the commercial and boating communities.

Arts and culture are the heart of our downtown, anchored by the Waukegan Arts District, which includes the world-famous Genesee Theatre, the nationally awarded Waukegan Public Library, art galleries, unique shops, performing arts spaces, eateries and a monthly ArtWauk Festival that celebrates the creative wealth of our diverse community.

Waukegan is pro-development and open for business. Businesses looking to expand will find a competitive advantage with Waukegan’s welcoming approach to economic development, a skilled labor force and major transportation access to port, rail, interstates and the Waukegan National Airport with U.S. Customs.

As the Lake County Seat since the late 1800s, we offer the governmental services along with the commercial, industrial and retail opportunities that developers compete for and quality neighborhoods and family-friendly activities that homeowners wish for; making us one of the best values in Illinois.

The City of Waukegan proudly supports the Waukegan Chamber of Commerce as a Platinum Sponsor.

We welcome you to take a closer look at Waukegan and #ExploreWaukegan to discover what makes us special.

Sincerely yours,

Sam Cunningham
Mayor, City of Waukegan
Office: (847) 599-2510
Mayor@waukeganil.gov


Chamber Chairman Welcome

With so much going on in Waukegan, where do I begin? To start, please welcome our new executive director, Dawn Simerly, to our Chamber family and our newest board member, Tom LeBaron!

We moved! We are now located within Waukegan City Hall. Our goal is to offer great networking opportunities to help your businesses grow and succeed. Every month we have a Lunch and Learn, a Business After Hours and a quarterly Wake Up Breakfast with featured business leaders in our community. Our HUGE Annual Golf Outing and Business After Hours will be held on June 13, 2018, at Glen Flora Country Club. We have our annual beer tent at Scoop in July.

There’s big news in the health care scene! Oak Street Health opened a new clinic on Grand Avenue and US HealthVest acquired Vista West, which will be operating as the Lake Behavioral Health Hospital.

Enjoy daily restaurant specials and check Harbors Edge for special weekend events. Every third Saturday brings more fun with ArtWauk. Check out new shows at Three Brothers Theatre and the amazing schedule at The Genesee. Join our email list to stay up to date on all the events and fill every day with fun.

Jack Orlov
Chamber Board Chairman
City of Waukegan Chamber of Commerce


Chamber Leadership

OFFICERS

Chairman
Jack Orlov
President
Right Healthcare Ventures

Vice Chairman
Tiffany Dutton
Branch Manager
First Midwest Bank

Secretary
April Dean
Director of Sales & Marketing
SpringHill Suites by Marriott

Treasurer
Dane Morgan
SVP
Wintrust

Directors

Kim Needham
ACEO, COO
Vista Health System

Lucy Torres
Owner
Express Employment Professionals

Michael Purtell
Building Commissioner
City of Waukegan

Dr. Michael J. Reed
Founder, Physician
Family Chiropractic & Sports Rehab

Ray Vukovich
Owner
Ray Vukovich Consulting

Victor Gonzalez
Branch Manager
First Midwest Bank

Tom LeBaron
CBS Realtors/ 17 North/ The Taproom/ TR’s Front Row on Greenwood


City of Waukegan Chamber of Commerce

Join the Chamber
Become part of a dynamic community organization!

Our mission
The City of Waukegan Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to promote business growth in Waukegan, to serve members with personal and professional development opportunities and to affect public policy decisions to the benefit of the Waukegan business community.

In addition to the opportunities and benefits available to member businesses, the City of Waukegan Chamber of Commerce also facilitates action on issues of larger concern to both businesses and citizens of the area.

Who we are
The City of Waukegan Chamber of Commerce is a group of dedicated business professionals that work together. As a member of the City of Waukegan Chamber of Commerce, you are a part of a growing number of businesses who recognize the power of many is greater than the power of one.

Our Chamber members are as diverse as the city itself, representing businesses of all sizes and industries. Together, we are shaping Waukegan’s dynamic business environment by making the city an exceptional place to live and work. Join us and make your own connection in Waukegan and the business world.

Invest in your success
Chamber membership is an outstanding value whether your company is big or small. When your company joins, every employee automatically become a Chamber member, eligible for all of the programs and services we offer.

Your investment increases your opportunities to make new contacts, attract customers, bolster your customer base and provides a voice for your business. The Chamber offers professional training programs to help you succeed and make our community stronger. Membership is the driving force behind a successful organization and we urge you to become involved.

Join today and take advantage of these valuable benefits of chamber membership…

● Connect
Our breakfasts, lunches and after-hours events offer a variety of ways to network and connect with other members as well as the public.

● Lunch and Learn
Lively topics, great networking and great food! The Chamber’s monthly luncheon is held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month at the Waukegan Public Library.

● Business After Hours
Hosted by a different Chamber member business each month, this casual after-hours event is always a fun time to catch up with colleagues, or serve as host and showcase your products and/or services. (5-7 p.m., third Thursdays)

● Wake up with Waukegan
Series of educational events to connect the community with local business leaders. Guest speakers cover a range of topics and food and beverage is catered to all in attendance.

Get noticed
Among our initiatives are publications that reach every household and beyond, cooperative advertising opportunities and, of course, terrific online promotional opportunities.

● The Chamber’s community website
Every Chamber business is listed in our online business directory free of charge.

● City of Waukegan Community Guide
This is THE annual guide for the City of Waukegan delivered in the spring to over 13,000 businesses and residents in our community. In addition to civic information and community contacts it also features an alphabetical and categorical listing of all chamber members, free of charge. For those desiring a greater presence, display advertising is available exclusively for Chamber members.

● Newsletters & social media
Our weekly e-newsletter offers the opportunity for members to share their news with our email networks. Simply forward your events with a hyperlink or PDF for more information and we’ll be happy to pass it on. Let us also share your news through our Facebook page and Linkedin accounts!

Tap resources
Learning opportunities, business services, bridge-building through partnerships, advocating for our businesses – our resources are yours.

● Education workshops
Whether a session on the latest trends in social media for business, or a discussion on a human resource issue, we bring the specialists in to share their expertise.

● Advocacy
We represent our constituents’ interests when a local, regional, state or federal issue impacts them and collaborate with other partners on issues where appropriate. We share information through our regular communications.

● Facilitating connections
Exploring an idea, looking for the right contact or just need a little guidance? Contact our staff – we will be happy to try to direct you to the right people or answer.

Join today!

For more information, visit
www.waukeganchamber.org or contact the Chamber office at (847) 623-6800 or
info@waukeganchamber.org.


Annual Events in Waukegan

Calendar of Events for Waukegan, Illinois

Calendar of Events
www.waukeganchamber.org

Wake Up With Waukegan
Feb. 5, Aug. 6, Nov. 5

13th Annual Golf Outing
June 19 – Glen Flora Country Club

Annual Multi Chamber Event
Sept. 19

Lunch and Learns
1st Wednesday of Every Month
Waukegan Public Library
(2nd Wednesday in August and November)

Business After Hours
Jan. 17 – Time For Fashion
Feb. 21 – Oak St. Health
March 21 – 3 Brothers Theatre
April 18 – Los Comales
May 16 – Green Town Tavern
June 20 – Glen Flora
July 18 – Springhill Suites
Aug. 1 – Waukegan Port District
Aug. 15 – North Chicago Memorials
Sept. 19 – Multi-Chamber
Oct. 17 – Family Piano
Nov. 21 – Changing Lives
Upscale Retail
Dec. 19 – Holiday Party

Business After Hours
Third Thursday of every month
Business networking
5 to 7 p.m.

Lunch & Learns
Business development workshops
Located at the Waukegan Public Library
First Wednesday of every month
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Scholarship Awards Dinner
May

Wake Up with Waukegan
Breakfast and speaker series
7 to 8:30 a.m., 2019 dates:
Feb. 5, 2019
May 7, 2019
Aug. 6, 2019
Nov. 5, 2019

13th Annual Golf Outing – Glen Flora Country Club
June 2020. Noon shotgun start.

Business After Hours
5 to 7:30 p.m.

Scoop the Loop Waukegan Classic Car Show
Downtown Waukegan
July 2020

Multi-Chamber Mega Event
Sept. 19, 2019

13th Annual Golf Outing

The Waukegan Chamber of Commerce hosted its 13th annual Golf Outing on June 19th, 2019. This fund-raising event was held at Glen Flora Country Club, immediately followed by a Waukegan Chamber Business after Hours. Members enjoyed a round of golf, followed by food, drink and networking in the clubhouse. Our golf outing is the perfect environment for building relationships and creating memories.

Established in 1911, Glen Flora is known as The Hidden Gem, offering a unique blend of timeless tradition and contemporary amenities. A classic course design provides an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Each year, the Waukegan Chamber strives to move our community forward by supporting local businesses and residents. Our annual scholarship program is one of the many ways we give back to our local community by annually awarding two Waukegan High School seniors each with a $1,000 scholarships.

The annual golf outing draws over 100 supporters, volunteers and participating businesses. Check the Chamber website for the date and details of next year’s event.


Welcome to Waukegan

Welcome to Waukegan, Illinois, where big-city amenities and small-town charm blend to form a community that is culturally rich, economically secure and family friendly.

With an area of nearly 25 miles, Waukegan is home to over 88,000 residents. Centered between the thriving metropolises of Chicago and Milwaukee, at the northeast corner of Illinois near the Wisconsin border, Waukegan is literally “At the Top of Illinois.” The city is special in that it offers a diverse blend of cultures, backgrounds and ethnic heritages.

Residents are provided excellent educational opportunities with award-winning schools and parks. Waukegan provides easy access to major transportation systems along with a vital downtown and thriving business climate. We also are home to some of the most picturesque residential areas in Northern Illinois. It’s ideal location, nestled along the western shores of Lake Michigan, attributes to its reputation as an ideal place to live, work and play.

Whether starting a business, relocating your family or just visiting, Waukegan’s cooperative approach will help you succeed. We invite you to take a closer look at Waukegan and experience its beauty, diversity and growth first-hand. We guarantee that once you come for a visit, you’ll want to stay for a lifetime.

City of Waukegan At a Glance

Population: 89,078
Housing units: 30,746
Area: 24.41 square miles
County: Lake
Township: Waukegan
Government: Mayor-Aldermanic
Incorporated: Feb. 2, 1859
Distance from Chicago: 37 miles

Elementary Schools: Carman-Buckner Elementary School, Andrew Cooke Magnet School, Greenwood Elementary School, Lyon Magnet School, Oakdale Elementary School, John S. Clark Elementary School, Glen Flora Elementary School, Hyde Park Elementary School, H. R. McCall Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, Clearview Elementary School, Glenwood Elementary School, Little Fort Elementary School, North Elementary School, Whittier Elementary School

Middle Schools: Robert Abbot Middle School, Jack Benny Middle School, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Miguel Juarez Middle School, Daniel Webster Middle School

High schools: WHS-Washington Campus, WHS-Brookside Campus, Alternative/Optional Education Center

Area churches: Over 44 in the Waukegan area

Health care: Vista Health System, Oak Street Health, Lake Behavioral Health, PromptMed Urgent Care, Waukegan Immediate Care Center