North Chicago, IL

North of Somewhere Special

This area of the windy city has resilience at heart and an economic footprint in the future

North Chicago is a vibrant city in Lake County, Illinois, part of the Chicago metropolitan area, and home to 31,000 people. Rooted in agriculture and industry, this resilient city has adapted and reinvented itself as factories and foundries closed. Today, North Chicago is embracing a future that includes the presence of major institutions such as Naval Station Great Lakes and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, its diverse population, and ideal location on Lake Michigan.

Mayor Leon Rockingham, who is serving his sixth term and has lived in the community all of his life, shares, “Naturally, I’ve seen a lot of changes, some good, some bad. What best reflects what is happening in the city of North Chicago is the diversity that is taking place and the economic development that we’re targeting to put in place for our community.”

A Crucial Anchor

Mayor Rockingham notes that Naval Station Great Lakes is a major driver of North Chicago’s economy, graduating between 800 and 1,200 recruits weekly. “Their parents come in to watch their son or daughter graduate, and that gives us an excellent opportunity to capture those dollars into North Chicago,” he expands. “That, to me, is a vital part of bringing economic development into our community.”

The city’s relationship with the base goes far beyond economics. Collaboration on public works, law enforcement, and community outreach has created a strong partnership. Gregory Jackson, Chief of Staff and a former Marine, highlights, “Our relationship with the Navy and the Navy command staff at Naval Station Great Lakes is exceptional. I think that adds to our ability to get things accomplished.”

This partnership also gives North Chicago a strong voice at state and federal levels. “We’re working on intergovernmental agreements with that base to allow them to tap our resources at a better expense to the public,” Jackson continues. “When people are looking to do business in North Chicago, we have an opportunity to deliver goods and services as a city to that naval base using private contractors.”

Revitalizing Downtown

When it comes to development, much of the city’s focus centers on Sheridan Road, a bustling  corridor that runs through the community. Taylor Wegrzyn, Director of Economic Development, describes, “That is where our historic downtown is. There’s a three block segment there with nearly limitless potential.”

Sheridan Crossing, located at the intersection of Sheridan Road and another of the city’s primary commercial corridors, is under environmental remediation. The 41-acre site, once home to a foundry, is now being reimagined for mixed-use projects that may include retail, housing, hotels, and a sports and entertainment complex.

“This Sheridan Crossing site is positioned to utilize property which meets the space needs of modern developments, while also having the proximity to the traditional downtown,” Wegrzyn details. “We have an opportunity then to connect them through alternative transportation to create this vibrant hub of activity on the doorstep of Naval Station Great Lakes.”

Preliminary concepts for the site have also envisioned a multi-purpose sports and entertainment complex capable of hosting a variety of events from professional soccer to regional youth tournaments and concerts. “High school championship games could be held there one weekend before getting transformed into a music venue the next,” conveys Wegrzyn. “Those cadets, when a weekend comes, they’re looking to do something fun. We think that this site could really fill that demand as a sports/entertainment type of venue. Add in the hotels, retail, and restaurants and this site becomes a destination all its own.”

The inclusion of a public art program is also under discussion, along with streetscaping elements like planter boxes, benches, and new light fixtures. “The city, throughout the years, has assembled a large number of parcels, both in this area and throughout other corridors in town, and we hope that this project is a linchpin to carry that momentum into smaller sites throughout the community,” Wegrzyn adds.

Jackson emphasizes, “We’ve already got developers kicking the door. The proximity to Naval Station Great Lakes will be a boon for whatever business goes over there. So we’re very excited about that. Now is the time to invest in North Chicago.”

Infrastructure for Growth

North Chicago is investing in infrastructure to support its residents into the future. Jackson recounts, “We’ve dedicated ourselves to reducing the number of lead service lines to the point where when we have a road project, we make sure we can replace them at the same time. We have an exceptional engineering firm that we contract out to manage our engineering, Trotter & Associates, and they have been amazingly successful at securing funding or principal forgiveness loans from IEPA and EPA to get this project moving.”

North Chicago operates its own water plant, serving local residents and neighboring municipalities. The city has invested millions to upgrade the facility and is now planning a new water tower to secure supply in case of emergencies. “We did a road project some years ago on one of our major corridors,” elaborates Mayor Rockingham. “When we did that reconstruction, we upsized our water line so that we would have capacity to service other communities, and also possibly Naval Station Great Lakes, as they have a water plant that is aging also.”

North Chicago is also prioritizing connectivity. Working with Lake County and private partners, the city is rolling out broadband and Wi-Fi to ensure access for all residents and to make the community more attractive to businesses. “We want to see what it will do for our community, but in attracting businesses, we know we need a strong technology infrastructure,” explains Jackson.

Building Homes

Historically, North Chicago’s housing inventory has consisted of starter homes, built for the city’s blue-collar families. As the needs of the community change, the goal is to broaden the options. “We want people to stay in the community. We want people to age in the community,” underscores Jackson.

The city recently appraised 17 acres for new residential development, with plans for homes that appeal to various demographics, including larger single family and senior housing units. Halsey Village, a former military housing site offers another potential opportunity to expand residential offerings in North Chicago. Currently the 91 acre property is slated for redevelopment, and the city hopes to collaborate with the Navy to achieve common goals.

“One potential is to provide housing or amenities for veterans because of our proximity to the commissary, the local veterans hospital, and the veterans golf course here in North Chicago,” relays Jackson. “We’re also looking at affordable housing. We have a relatively significant amount of affordable housing in North Chicago right now, but we still want to make sure that we have housing that meets the needs of our community and ultimately attracts people from other neighboring communities.”

Fortunately, North Chicago has zoning that allows for flexible housing options. “We already permit duplexes and apartments in certain single-family zoning districts. Many communities are trying to find out ways to remove barriers to higher density housing, but we have a lot of that in place already,” remarks Wegrzyn.

Partnerships and Opportunities

One of North Chicago’s signature initiatives is the Summer Up program, which places high school students in various departments across city government, working alongside police, fire, public works, and other staff. Many have gone on to full-time employment with the city, exemplifying the impact. “This is a program that we’ve had here for many years, and we continue to grow in that respect. I think it’s vital to have these types of programs within our community,” stresses Mayor Rockingham.

North Chicago partners closely with Lake County Workforce Development, hosting events to connect residents with employment opportunities. In addition, the North Chicago School District is a valued collaborator, and Rosalind Franklin University partners with the school district by bringing local students onto campus and sending university students into the district as mentors.

Another significant partner, AbbVie Inc., whose headquarters are in North Chicago, has also invested heavily in local education. Notably, the fortune 500 company recently funded a $40 million junior high focused on math and science to make sure North Chicago students have access to quality resources and learning environments.

Looking Ahead

Moving forward, Mayor Rockingham says the completion of remediation at Sheridan Crossing, construction of the new water tower, expansion of housing, and business growth along Route 41 are his top priorities. He concludes, “You have to have good people around you in order to make things like this happen. Right now, we have an excellent staff and City Council that are really working for it. Notably, our City Council has really been aligned in a common vision for the city. North Chicago is on the cusp of a great opportunity.”

At a Glance

Name: North Chicago, Illinois

What: A community of 31,000 people, embracing growth and transformation.

Where: Lake County, Illinois

Website: www.northchicago.org