Waukegan, Illinois is located on the western side of Lake Michigan, just under 40 miles north, of Chicago, Illinois and just under 60 miles south of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Waukegan is the county seat of Lake County, Illinois and one of the original and oldest communities in Illinois originally known as Little Fort. Between 1844 and 1849, this community rapidly grew from 150 people to a 2,500 person population. Because of their rapid growth in industry, business, and population, they quickly became incorporated. No longer known as little, that year they began talks of a new name and on March 31, 1849, using their Potawatomi roots, they settled on Waukegan, the Potawatomi word for fort.Today, Waukegan has grown to a very diverse population of nearly 90,000 and is a highly urbanized area with a median household income of $42,335. Waukegan is also home to a port district, which operates the city harbor and regional airport, neither of which are little by and means. The harbor is used by recreational and large shipping vessels alike. The Waukegan Regional Airport has a US Customs facility that has been accessed by several international celebrities to include The Dalai Lama and VIPs, such as Dick Cheney.
Waukegan also has several forms of public transportation. You can access one of three cab companies through the Waukegan, IL. Yellow Pages or take a train or bus almost anywhere from Chicago to Milwaukee and several places in between. Using the Waukegan, IL. business directory will help you find everything from an apartment to a restaurant. Waukegan is proud of its growth, but continues to keep its hometown feel with its many tucked away housing development neighborhoods, and neighborhood schools. There are 3 early childhood schools in Waukegan, including 15 elementary, 5 middle schools, and 3 high schools. Little Fort Elementary school is a neighborhood school named in representation of the history and original name of Waukegan, IL. Jack Benny Elementary is another primary school named after Waukegan's very own claim to fame and hometown hero Jack Benny.There is something for everyone in Waukegan, IL. If you are vacationing, you have luxury of a beautiful Lake Michigan beach to relax on, plenty of shopping centers, any kind of restaurant you can imagine, and of course, just minutes west is a large amusement and water park.
Written by Lyndsey Morgan
