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 99 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 10 NORTH CHICAGO, IL
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