Waukegan OKs paperwork to keep state funds flowing into city; ‘Investing in our community means … laying the foundation for long-term growth'
Nearly $6 million flowed to the city of Waukegan for various needs, which included engineering for eventual infrastructure projects that will eventually help to jump-start Mayor Sam Cunningham's Rebuild Waukegan program.
'As part of our Rebuild Waukegan mission, investing in our community means creating lasting opportunities for our residents while laying the foundation for long-term growth,' Cunningham said in an email Wednesday.
Some of the other funds went to the College of Lake County (CLC) for its new five-story student center, the Waukegan Port District to expand its capacity and the Waukegan Park District for the restoration of the Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie.
The Waukegan City Council unanimously approved the necessary paperwork on 15 Rebuild Illinois grants during a specially scheduled meeting Monday at City Hall, satisfying IDOT that everything is in the proper order.
'IDOT is very specific with the way it wants things done,' City Engineer Jesus Alquicira said after the meeting.
Alquicira said some of the projects were completed within the last few years, like repaving Sheridan Road in different parts of town. Other grants were for the initial engineering for the rebuilding of the Genesee Street Bridge between Water and Lake streets.
While more detailed engineering must be done before plans can be drawn for the Genesee Street Bridge, more comprehensive engineering on the Belvidere Bridge spanning the Amstutz Expressway is part of the package. It allows for drawing plans and soliciting bids.
From the start of his current term on May 5, Cunningham stressed the need to resurface Washington Street and improve other infrastructure along the roadway. Rebuild Illinois funds will help pay a $951,000 engineering bill for the project, as well as nearly $2.2 million for the 2025 road program.
While CLC, the Port Authority, the Park District and private businesses are all part of ongoing and future projects, Cunningham said it is important the city show everyone involved a commitment to the future.
'It's the city's responsibility to lead by example, by investing in critical infrastructure projects, modernizing services, and advancing beautification efforts that uplift our neighborhoods and business corridors,' he said.
Others have invested in projects within Waukegan since the announcement of the governor's Rebuild Illinois program in 2019, including the new Student Center at CLC. Of the $48 million needed for the midrise, Rebuild Illinois funds accounted for $35.3 million of the tab.
After the city sold the former Carnegie Library to the Park District for $1 five years ago, an assortment of funds helped turn the former book repository into a history museum, restoring the building to what it looked like more than a century ago. Of those funds, $3.75 million came from Rebuild Illinois.
As the city embarks on its Rebuild Waukegan effort, Cunningham said he is proud of partners like CLC, the Port District. the Park District and others whose projects are adding to the quality of life in the community. Some like the Port District add an economic component.
'Investments at Waukegan Harbor and Waukegan National Airport are boosting economic activity and connecting our city to broader regional and global opportunities,' Cunningham said. 'The College of Lake County is fueling workforce development and expanding access to education.'
While some governmental and educational entities are boosting the economy, Cunningham said the Park District enhances the quality of life 'through revitalized parks and recreation programs.'
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Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Planned band shell in Elmhurst creates debate over fear it will detract from Wilder Mansion
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Included in the referendum are district plans to replace the Wagner Community Center, construct year-round heated restrooms at multiple parks, convert a grass field into an artificial turf field at Barnes Park and construct a community band shell in Wilder Park. The work all is included in the $89,950,000 residents OK'd via referendum with 58% of the vote, according to Board President Kevin Graf. It's one of largest Illinois issued park district bonds, according to park Commissioner Vince Spaeth. Public comments at Elmhurst Park District meetings have spiked in the months since, but not about the Wagner Center replacement, which will use the bulk of the bond funding at $85 million. Rather, there has been vocal opposition about the placement of the planned permanent band shell. Many opponents of the current Park District plan, including Wilder, believe the placement as stated on informational material and presented at most meetings as 'future band shell location' would interfere with or potentially block views of the historic mansion. Although the mansion would not be physically altered as part of the plan, opponents believe the $2.5 million band shell's location would harm its iconic look. Dewberry Architects and Upland Design, firms hired to lead the district's master plan, analyzed nine potential locations for the band shell, presenting their findings to the board May 27. Both companies worked with the district on projects including Centennial and Gloss parks, as well as the Canine Corner. Officials from the firms said a placement of the band shell on the mansion's east lawn scored the highest on their metrics in 12 categories including topography, lawn area, existing trees and obstructed views. Andrea Hutchinson, who lives in an Elmhurst house that once belonged to her great aunt, has been a fan of the band shell concept since early discussions, but she wanted more input in the process. 'I was hoping to be a participant of where that would go,' she told the board at the July 17 meeting. Hutchinson and Jim Schultz, a 44-year Elmhurst resident who frequented the city's parks while raising his three kids, created a petition to gauge community reaction to the placement of the band shell. The results were presented at a board meeting July 28 by Sisie Puntel-Wilcek, who spoke on behalf of Hutchinson. 'As of today, (the petition)has 748 signatures — 547 online and 201 on paper. That's 748 residents asking the Park Board to seek public input specifically on the band shell location,' Puntel-Wilcek said. In a separate survey, Hutchinson and Schutz polled community location preference. With 251 responses, 47% said the former ice rink location was the most favorable. The Park District's planned location, which previously housed the park's moving showmobile, got 7%, according to Schutz. Both Hutchinson and Schutz called on commissioners to 'pause this process' and acknowledge community feedback. 'If this is truly the best location, why fear public input?' Hutchinson asked. Residents weren't the only people with concerns. Spaeth, a Park Board commissioner for 18 years, decried the board's lack of clear communication regarding location planning and said other potential sites for the band shell were 'never vetted.' Fellow commissioner Carolyn Ubraico, who has been on the board 22 years, indicated the May meeting was her first time seeing any additional possible locations. 'This (process) felt very different,' she said. Other Park District officials said the process is just getting underway, and both the design of the band shell as well as its location within the park have yet to be decided. 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Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Waukegan company, Glen Rock Beverages, working to revitalize soft drinks familiar to many in Lake County
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Yahoo
6 days ago
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$226 million invested: What to know about 13 major road projects in the Rockford area
The Illinois Department of Transportation is in the midst of one of its busiest construction seasons, with 13 major projects planned or underway in the Rockford area, according to a community announcement. The projects are part of Gov. JB Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois capital program, which aims to improve safety and mobility while creating jobs throughout the region. The combined investment for these projects is over $226 million. "Through Rebuild Illinois, we are making good on our promise to restore and transform our state's infrastructure while promoting economic growth," Pritzker said in the announcement. "This summer, IDOT will continue to build on years of progress by undertaking construction projects that will create safer roads and bridges and provide jobs across the state." Ten of the 13 projects are expected to be completed this year, with the remaining three anticipated to be finished between 2026 and 2027. The projects include the reconstruction of the Interstate 39 and U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue interchange in Cherry Valley, the replacement of the Illinois 2 bridge over the Rock River in Rockton, and the resurfacing of U.S. 20 from west of Pecatonica Road to Falconer Road in western Winnebago County. 'These projects are significant investments that uplift our community by supporting local jobs and preparing our region to meet the economic demands of today and tomorrow,' state Rep. Maurice West said in the announcement. The Rebuild Illinois program, passed in 2019, is investing a total of $33.2 billion over six years into the state's aging transportation system. It is the largest capital program in state history and the first to touch all modes of transportation, including roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. 'Rebuild Illinois continues to reshape transportation, creating economic opportunity, improving mobility and enhancing quality of life in every corner of the state,' Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi said in the announcement. Visit the Rebuild Illinois website for information and highlights of other Rebuild Illinois projects happening throughout the state. This story was created by reporter Abreanna Blose, ablose@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: IDOT plans 13 major Rockford area projects this summer Solve the daily Crossword
