text:
Round Lake, Illinois

Round Lake is a northern suburb of Chicago in Lake County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 18,721.

Geography
Round Lake is located at 42.35417°N, -88.10056°W (42.354045, -88.100529), about 55 miles northwest of Chicago's Loop.

According to the 2010 census, Round Lake has a total area of 5.635 sqmi, of which 5.47 sqmi (or 97.07%) is land and 0.165 sqmi (or 2.93%) is water.

Highways

 * Illinois 60.svg
 * Illinois 120.svg Belvidere Road
 * Illinois 134.svg Big Hollow Road

2000 Census
As of 2010 United States Census, there were 18,289 people, 6,206 households, and 5,847 families residing in the village. The population increased 310% from the 2000 US Census total of 5,492. The population density was 3,225.6 PD/sqmi. There were 6,206 housing units at an average density of 1,094.5 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 68.9% White, 10.77% African American, 0.5% Native American, 12.7% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 9.69% from other races, and 3.24% from two or more races. 35.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There 6,206 total housing units, of which 94.2% or (5,847) were occupied households. Of these occupied households 48% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 49.5% of the population was male, 50.5% female. 80% of the occupied homes were owner-occupied with the remaining 19.5% in renter-occupied. The average household size was 3.13 per home.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 32.2% under the age of 18, 7% from 18 to 24, 43.5% from 25 to 49, 12.3% from 50 to 64, and 4.8% who were 65 years of age or older.

As of Census 2000, the median income for a household in the village was $58,051, and the median income for a family was $61,277. Males had a median income of $43,063 versus $31,336 for females. The per capita income for the village was $21,585. 6.8% of the population and 6.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.7% of those under the age of 18 and 7.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

History
While the retreating Wisconsin glacier left an attractive environment for farmers who entered western Lake County after the Black Hawk War of 1832, the numerous lakes and wet prairies there prevented easy movement to agricultural markets. Farmers traded at stagecoach trail communities such as Hainesville, often exchanging dairy products and eggs for what they could not craft on the farm.

In the 1890s, when officials of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad extended a branch line from their Milwaukee–Chicago main line at Libertyville Junction (later Rondout) to Janesville, Wisconsin, western Lake County farmers gained easy access to Chicago.

Landowners near Hainesville such as Amarias M. White knew that a railroad station would increase property values. In a classic ploy, White offered the railroad free land in exchange for a station. He also drew up a town plat to show railroad officials that profitable traffic would come through his station site. White succeeded, and Round Lake, named after the nearby lake, not Hainesville, whose inhabitants failed to offer the railroad anything, became the area station on the "Milwaukee Road".

White's promise came true in 1901 when the Armour Company decided to harvest ice from Round Lake for their refrigerator car operations. They erected a massive ice storage building holding over 100,000 tons for shipment in spring and summer months.

In 1908 White and his partners acted to incorporate the station area. The proposed village population was too small to meet incorporation requirements, so area farmers were included in the village with the understanding that, once incorporation was successful, their farms would be disconnected. On January 7, 1909, Round Lake incorporated with White as village president. Soon after, those farmers who wished to disconnect were allowed to do so—an act which prevented present-day residents of the village from having any public access to their namesake lake.

A fire in 1917 destroyed the Armour operation in the village, although a dormitory housing winter ice cutters survived. Noticing vacation resorts which had sprung up around the lake, the Armour Company remodeled its dormitory into a rural summer retreat for company employees. The praise showered on the Round Lake environment by them helped bring a slow trickle of nonagricultural residential growth to the village.

With post–World War II expansion into the suburbs, Round Lake's Armour-era reputation as a rural refuge acted as a magnet for development. People began moving into the unincorporated area around the lake and demanding municipal services. The village of Round Lake failed to make those annexations. As a result, new communities, using the words "Round Lake" in their corporate titles, arose. This resulted in a duplication of political hierarchies and village services which still exists.

Since the 1970s, Round Lake has embarked on an expansive annexation program. With ongoing development of those areas, Round Lake was expected to continue to grow.

Between 2000 and 2010, the village grew by 213.1%, from 5,842 to 18,289. The population growth stalled heavily in the 2010s, and Round Lake's population in 2020 was 18,721.

Transportation
The Round Lake station provides Metra commuter rail service along the Milwaukee District North Line. Trains connect Round Lake to Chicago Union Station, Fox Lake station and points in between.

Pace provides bus service on Route 570 connecting Round Lake to Fox Lake, Grayslake, and other destinations.

Notable people

 * Clay Guida, UFC fighter; born in Round Lake

Education
Round Lake students attend schools in one of five different elementary and high school districts.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago operates Catholic schools. St. Joseph School is in Round Lake. The student population from circa 2016 to 2020 declined by 92. The archdiocese asked if there were interested benefactors, but the archdiocese was unsuccessful. Therefore, the archdiocese decided to close the school after spring 2020.

title: Round Lake, Illinois


text:
Round Lake Beach, Illinois

Round Lake Beach is a northern suburb of Chicago in Lake County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 27,252.

The United States Census Bureau defines an urban area of northwest Chicago-area suburbs that are separated from Chicago's urban area, with Round Lake Beach as the principal city: the Round Lake Beach–McHenry–Grayslake, IL–WI urban area had a population of 261,835 as of the 2020 census, making it the 155th largest in the United States. The village, along with the rest of the Round Lake area, has a significant Mexican population with many Latino businesses, restaurants, and shops throughout the town. Round Lake Beach has the second highest Latino population in Lake County, after nearby Waukegan.

Geography
Round Lake Beach is a mid-sized town located at 42.37889°N, -88.08111°W (42.3790210, -88.0810720).

According to the 2010 census, Round Lake Beach has a total area of 5.214 sqmi, of which 5.06 sqmi (or 97.05%) is land and 0.154 sqmi (or 2.95%) is water.

Major streets

 * Illinois 83.svg
 * Monaville Road
 * Fairfield Road
 * Rollins Road
 * Cedar Lake Road
 * Hook Drive
 * Hainesville Road

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,859 people, 7,349 households, and 6,026 families residing in the village. The population density was 5,176.4 PD/sqmi. There were 7,608 housing units at an average density of 1,522.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 54.35% White, 13.06% African American, 0.62% Native American, 2.07% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 16.97% from other races, and 2.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 41.26% of the population.

There were 7,349 households, out of which 53.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.2% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.0% were non-families. 14.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.50 and the average family size was 3.83.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 35.0% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 36.4% from 25 to 44, 14.6% from 45 to 64, and 4.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $59,359, and the median income for a family was $61,637. Males had a median income of $39,439 versus $28,165 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,113. About 3.2% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Tim Unroe, first baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers, Anaheim Angels, and Atlanta Braves; born in Round Lake Beach

Transportation
Round Lake Beach has a station on Metra's North Central Service, which provides rail service between Antioch and Chicago Union Station Monday through Friday. The village of Round Lake Beach does approximately $3 to $4 million in infrastructure improvement per year using TIF and MFT funds.

Pace provides bus service on Route 570 connecting Round Lake Beach to Fox Lake, Grayslake, and other destinations.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Round Lake Beach, Illinois


text:
Round Lake Heights, Illinois

Round Lake Heights is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 2,622.

Geography
Round Lake Heights is located at 42.38472°N, -88.10056°W (42.384821, -88.100525).

According to the 2010 census, Round Lake Heights has a total area of 0.607 sqmi, of which 0.57 sqmi (or 93.9%) is land and 0.037 sqmi (or 6.1%) is water.

Major streets

 * Fairfield Road
 * Rollins Road
 * Lotus Drive
 * Blackcherry Lane/Chippewa Trail/Ojibwa Trail/Navajo Trail

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,347 people, 425 households, and 339 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,200.7 PD/sqmi. There were 453 housing units at an average density of 740.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 82.33% White, 2.08% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.11% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 10.54% from other races, and 3.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.38% of the population.

There were 425 households, out of which 46.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.2% were non-families. 14.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.17 and the average family size was 3.49.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 31.3% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 37.3% from 25 to 44, 15.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $54,706, and the median income for a family was $60,000. Males had a median income of $39,250 versus $28,529 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,868. About 4.3% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over.

Elected officials

 * Mayor
 * Terry Lumpkins

 * Trustees
 * Anthony Pekar
 * Jeff Katzel
 * Andrew Walker
 * Jack Germann
 * Dominick Mahoney
 * Marva Meeks

 * Clerk
 * Marla McIntyre

Transportation
Pace provides bus service on Route 570 connecting Round Lake Heights to Fox Lake, Grayslake, and other destinations.

title: Round Lake Heights, Illinois


text:
Round Lake Park, Illinois

Round Lake Park is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 7,680. It is located along the south side of the lake, Round Lake. Access to the lake from this town is private and only for residents of Round Lake Park.

Geography
Round Lake Park is located at 42.34361°N, -88.07917°W (42.343688, -88.079175).

According to the 2010 census, Round Lake Park has a total area of 2.28 sqmi, of which 2.08 sqmi (or 91.23%) is land and 0.2 sqmi (or 8.77%) is water.

Major streets

 * [[Image:Illinois 60.svg|20px]]
 * [[Image:Illinois 120.svg|20px]] Belvidere Road
 * [[Image:Illinois 134.svg|20px]] Main Street
 * Washington Street
 * Hainesville Road
 * Peterson Road
 * Alleghany Road

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,038 people, 2,131 households, and 1,562 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,019.4 PD/sqmi. There were 2,229 housing units at an average density of 745.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 81.24% White, 1.72% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 13.53% from other races, and 2.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 26.23% of the population.

There were 2,131 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.8% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $44,896, and the median income for a family was $48,369. Males had a median income of $39,299 versus $25,743 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,279. About 8.0% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 0.9% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
Pace provides bus service on Route 570 connecting Round Lake Park to Fox Lake, Grayslake, and other destinations.

title: Round Lake Park, Illinois


text:
Third Lake, Illinois

Third Lake is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 1,111.

History
The Alexander Druce Family were the earliest residents of the settlement in 1861. This family owned the land as well as both Druce Lake and Chittendon Lake. The second of which was named after a farming family from further north, the name would be changed to Third Lake in 1954. The Druce Family cemetery was in place by 1907.

In 1959 Third Lake was incorporated as a village in order to avoid pollution and halt development.

Third Lake became the North American headquarters for the Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of New Gračanica and Midwestern America in 1977. The New Gračanica Monastery was built in 1984.

Despite the actions taken, major development of the area began in the mid-1980's in the hands of a development syndicate.

Geography
Third Lake is located at 42.36806°N, -88.00889°W (42.368117, -88.008903).

According to the 2010 census, Third Lake has a total area of 0.853 sqmi, of which 0.59 sqmi (or 69.17%) is land and 0.263 sqmi (or 30.83%) is water.

Major streets

 * US 45.svg
 * Rollins Road
 * Washington Street

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,355 people, 428 households, and 369 families living in the village. The population density was 2,474.7 PD/sqmi. There were 436 housing units at an average density of 796.3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 95.50% White, 0.52% African American, 1.92% Asian, 0.59% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.32% of the population.

There were 428 households, out of which 50.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 81.5% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.6% were non-families. 9.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.14 and the average family size was 3.39.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 31.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 4.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $96,719, and the median income for a family was $101,850. Males had a median income of $68,068 versus $47,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $34,921. About 1.4% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2010 US Census, there were 1,182 people living in the village. The racial makeup of the village was 95.01% White, 0.34% African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.35% Asian, 1.27% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.84% of the population.

Orthodox church and New Gračanica Monastery
Third Lake has the headquarters of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of New Gracanica – Midwestern America. Third Lake is home to the New Gračanica church and monastery complex, which houses a detailed replica of the Gračanica monastery in Kosovo. Built on land that the Most Holy Mother of God Serbian Association purchased in 1977, New Gračanica Church and the main building on its grounds dedicated to the feast of the "Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God" were completed and consecrated in 1984. It is an impressive architectural replica of the original Gračanica of Kosovo, but built in a scale eighteen percent larger than the original. New Gračanica is richly attired with detail such as hand-carved wooden entrance doors depicting 23 monasteries and churches from various regions of Serbia.

Transportation
Pace provides bus service on Routes 565, 572, and 574 connecting Third Lake to Grayslake, Waukegan, and other destinations.

title: Third Lake, Illinois


text:
Venetian Village, Illinois

Venetian Village is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lake County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 2,761.

Geography
Venetian Village is located in northwestern Lake County at 42.39889°N, -88.04778°W (42.398871, -88.047845), in the southeast part of Lake Villa Township. It consists of several neighborhoods adjacent to four lakes: Sand Lake, Slough Lake, Miltmore Lake, and Fourth Lake. The neighborhood of Venetian Village is in the eastern part of the CDP, while West Miltmore is in the west.

Illinois Route 83 runs along the western edge of the CDP, leading north 1 mi to the center of Lake Villa and south 4 mi to Grayslake. Illinois Route 132 passes the northern edge of Venetian Village, leading west into Lake Villa and southeast 8 mi to Gurnee.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.1 km2, of which 4.5 km2 are land and 1.6 km2, or 25.84%, are water.

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,082 people, 1,119 households, and 835 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,274.6 PD/sqmi. There were 1,162 housing units at an average density of 480.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.78% White, 1.14% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 1.20% from other races, and 1.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.02% of the population.

There were 1,119 households, out of which 39.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.2% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 28.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $57,829, and the median income for a family was $61,923. Males had a median income of $41,926 versus $30,354 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $23,504. About 1.3% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Venetian Village, Illinois


text:
Vernon Hills, Illinois

Vernon Hills is a suburb north of Chicago, Illinois in Lake County, Illinois, United States. The population was 26,850 at the 2020 census. Vernon Hills serves as a retail hub for its surrounding area (Libertyville, Lake Forest, Mundelein, Long Grove, Lincolnshire and Buffalo Grove).

History
The land that was to become Vernon Hills, founded by Richard Theodore Freese, Ron Freese, Nathan Kowitt, and Jim Carswell, began with the establishment of a 200 acre farm in 1857. Use of the land remained relatively static until the 1960s, when part of it was purchased for a residential community and golf course; the development was the first use of the name "Vernon Hills." On June 16, 1958, the village officially incorporated with 123 residents and 125 houses in a single subdivision built by Quinn Hogan and Barney Loeb. During these times, the village and police department were run from a local motel until 1971 when village trustees bought two portable buildings. It saw steady but slow growth until the annexing of a plot of land near the corner of IL-60 and IL-21 in 1971, which led to the building of 1200000 sqft Hawthorn Center. By 1980, the village's population had grown to almost 10,000 residents, and by 2000, it had surpassed 20,000.

Through the 1980s and 1990s, the village grew geographically through the annexation of surrounding areas. This included land that would become the Corporate Woods business park and Centennial Crossing residential development (1986), a 1200 acre section of Hawthorne-Mellody Farms (1988), and part of the village of Half Day (1994).

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Vernon Hills has a total area of 7.917 sqmi, of which 7.71 sqmi (or 97.39%) is land and 0.207 sqmi (or 2.61%) is water.

2010 Census
As of the census of 2010, there were 20,120 people, 7,568 households, and 5,312 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,708.3 PD/sqmi. There were 7,813 housing units at an average density of 1,051.7 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 81.86% White, 1.69% African American, 11.67% Asian, 0.10% Native American, 0.03 Pacific Islander, 2.92% from other races, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.19% of the population.

There were 7,569 households, out of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 36.8% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 6.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $101,297, and the median income for a family was $123,806. Males had a median income of $94,807 versus $78,136 for females. The per capita income for the village was $72,219. About 0.9% of families and 1.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under the age of 18 and 6.8% of those ages 65 and older.

In 2011 Vernon Hills had 4,858 persons of Asian ancestry, 19.3% of the village's population, the sixth highest percentage of Asians of any Chicago suburb. The Asian population figure was more than twice that of 2001. John Kalmar, the village manager, said that despite the increase from 2001 to 2011, "We haven't seen a specific increase in Asian-oriented types of businesses, and I haven't noticed in any significant way changes in what businesses are carrying."

Economy

 * American Optical Company, a luxury eyewear designer and manufacturer
 * CDW, a provider of technology products and services for business, government and education, is based out of Vernon Hills.
 * Zebra Technologies, a manufacturer of thermal bar code label and receipt printers used by over 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies, is based out of Vernon Hills.
 * American Hotel Register Company, a well-known manufacturer and supplier of hospitality products and services, is based out of Vernon Hills.
 * Rust-Oleum Corporation, a worldwide leader in protective paints and coatings for both home and industry, is based out of Vernon Hills.
 * Elorac, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on advancing treatments in dermatology, is based in Vernon Hills.
 * Cole-Parmer, a scientific and industrial instrument distributor

Recently, Vernon Hills developed a former 52 acre soybean field into a $200 million shopping center known as Mellody Farm, whose tenants are a host of restaurant and retail businesses.

When Tiger Electronics was an independent company, its headquarters were in Vernon Hills.

Top employers
According to the Village's 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Arts and culture
Vernon Hills is one of six communities which, in part, comprise the Cook Memorial Public Library District. The Evergreen Interim library, which was one of the District's two library facilities, closed on July 3, 2010. On July 10, 2010, the new Aspen Drive Library opened to the public. This 20000 sqft building is located across the street from the Vernon Hills Elementary and Grade School Campus at 701 N Aspen Drive.

The Aspen Drive Library in Vernon Hills is the village's first full-service library. The new library is 20,000 sq. ft. and offers 120,000 volumes of books, movies and music. The library also has an interactive children's department, a high-tech teen area, a state-of-the-art computer lab, small group study spaces and community meeting rooms.

The remainder of Vernon Hills is in the Vernon Area Public Library District.

Parks and recreation
In 2000, the village acquired land that had belonged at different times to the U.S. Army as a Nike missile base, the U.S. Navy as a naval training center, and the Curtiss Candy Company; it was converted to what is now the 184 acre Vernon Hills Athletic Complex (VHAC).

Government
Vernon Hills lies in the Illinois 10th Congressional District.

Education
There are six grade schools in the village served by the Hawthorn School District. In 2006, Hawthorn Junior High School was formally divided into Hawthorn Middle School North and Hawthorn Middle School South. High school students, who formerly went to Libertyville High School, now attend (as of 2000–2001) either Vernon Hills High School or Libertyville High School.

Students living in the southwest corner of Vernon Hills attend Long Grove grade schools (Country Meadows & Woodlawn). Some subdivisions in southern Vernon Hills send students to Lincolnshire schools, including Adlai E. Stevenson High School. A small area in the southwest corner of the village is zoned to attend the high school in Mundelein, IL.

Elementary Schoolers may be enrolled in 4 different Hawthorn Schools. Hawthorn Elementary South, Hawthorn Elementary North, Aspen Elementary, or Townline Elementary. Currently, a Kindergarten Building is being constructed, expected to be finished by the school year of 2021. This may be delayed due to COVID-19.

Transportation
Vernon Hills has a station on Metra's North Central Service, which provides daily rail service between Antioch, Illinois and Chicago, Illinois (at Union Station). It is also serviced by Pace buses.

Notable people

 * Sam Acho, football player
 * Alex Brown, football player
 * Desmond Clark, football player
 * Tarik Cohen, football player
 * DaVaris Daniels, football player
 * Phillip Daniels, football player and coach
 * David Dobrik, YouTuber
 * Steve Dubinsky, hockey player
 * Leonard Floyd, football player
 * Robert P. Hanrahan, politician
 * Devin Hester, football player
 * Christopher Howarth, figure skater
 * Kathleen A. Ryg, politician
 * Cairo Santos, football player
 * Carol Sente, politician
 * Nicole Sladkov, rhythmic gymnast
 * Evan Spencer, football player
 * Tim Spencer, football player and coach
 * Nathan Vasher, football player
 * Kevin Walter, football player
 * Cody Whitehair, football player

title: Vernon Hills, Illinois


text:
Volo, Illinois

Volo is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States. It was incorporated as a village on April 26, 1993. Per the 2020 census, the population was 6,122.

Geography
Volo is located at 42.33111°N, -88.16111°W (42.331047, -88.160975).

According to the 2010 census, Volo has a total area of 3.998 sqmi, of which 3.92 sqmi (or 98.05%) is land and 0.078 sqmi (or 1.95%) is water.

Major streets

 * [[Image:US 12.svg|20px]] US Route 12
 * [[Image:Illinois 59.svg|20px]] Illinois Route 59
 * [[Image:Illinois 60.svg|20px]] Illinois Route 60
 * [[Image:Illinois 120.svg|20px]] Illinois Route 120 (Belvidere Road)
 * Nippersink Road
 * Molidor Road
 * Fish Lake Road
 * Gilmer Road
 * Sullivan Lake Road
 * Fox Lake Road
 * Volo Village Road

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 180 people, 52 households, and 39 families residing in the village. The population density was 64.5 PD/sqmi. There were 61 housing units at an average density of 21.9 per square mile (8.4/km$2$). The racial makeup of the village was 92.78% White, 1.11% Asian, 0.56% from other races, and 5.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.33% of the population.

There were 52 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.1% were non-families. 13.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.08 and the average family size was 3.33.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 127.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $45,833, and the median income for a family was $45,625. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $36,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $22,791. About 13.5% of families and 33.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 55.1% of those under the age of eighteen and 33.3% of those 65 or over.

Institutions and parks
Volo contains the Volo Auto Museum and is located near the Volo Bog State Natural Area (which is just outside the village boundary), which was the first purchase of the Illinois Nature Conservancy. Cyrus Mark, the first president of the Illinois Nature Conservancy, spearheaded the effort to purchase Volo Bog for preservation. Cyrus was the son of steel magnate Clayton Mark, the builder of the planned worker community named Marktown.

The current mayor is Stephen Henley. Bonnie Rydberg is the clerk.

title: Volo, Illinois


text:
Wadsworth, Illinois

Wadsworth is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 3,517. It is named after E. S. Wadsworth, who was a major stockholder for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, which passes through the village.

Geography
Wadsworth is located at 42.43605°N, -87.92109°W.

According to the 2010 census, Wadsworth has a total area of 9.671 sqmi, of which 9.58 sqmi (or 99.06%) is land and 0.091 sqmi (or 0.94%) is water.

Major streets

 * [[Image:I-94.svg|20px]] Tri-State Tollway
 * Old US-41
 * Russell Road
 * Kilbourne Road
 * Delany Road
 * [[Image:US 41.svg|20px]] Skokie Highway
 * [[Image:Illinois 173.svg|20px]] Rosecrans Road
 * 21st Street
 * Wadsworth Road
 * Cashmore Road
 * [[Image:Illinois 131.svg|20px]] Green Bay Road
 * Dilleys Road

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,083 people, 1,036 households, and 886 families residing in the village. The population density was 351.4 PD/sqmi. There were 1,051 housing units at an average density of 119.8 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 94.13% White, 1.72% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.04% Asian, 1.04% from other races, and 1.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.54% of the population.

There were 1,036 households, out of which 39.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.9% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.4% were non-families. 11.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.8% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $86,867, and the median income for a family was $92,060. Males had a median income of $60,893 versus $36,399 for females. The per capita income for the village was $45,171. About 1.2% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.

Wadsworth is home to the Tempel Farms Lipizzan Horses.

Wadsworth also contains the pyramid house. "The largest 24-karat gold-plated object ever created" is the private home of Jim Onan, a wealthy Armenian garage builder, and his family. The Onans occasionally open the house for tours of the 17000 sqft 6-story structure containing a replica of King Tut's tomb. The walled property also features a triple-pyramid garage, a 64 ft statue of Ramesses II, and a recreation of King Tutankhamun's tomb. In 2018, the pyramid house was severely damaged by fire.

title: Wadsworth, Illinois


text:
Wauconda, Illinois

Wauconda ( or ) is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States, a northwest suburb of Chicago. Per the 2020 census, the population was 14,084. It is the site of the Wauconda Bog Nature Preserve, a National Natural Landmark. Wauconda Community Unit School District 118 serves students from Pre-K through 12th grade who live in Wauconda and surrounding communities (Island Lake, Lakemoor, Volo, and unincorporated sections of McHenry County). Fremont School District 79 also serves students from communities from northern part of Wauconda.

Government
Wauconda's local government consists of a Mayor, Clerk, and six member Board of Trustees who are elected to four-year overlapping terms of office. Village Board meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Committee of the Whole meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

The Village Administrator oversees all village departments and serves as a liaison between the village residents and the Board. The Administrator supervises the daily operations of the village with the assistance of staff, including the Chief of Police and the directors of Public Works, Finance, Human Resources/Risk Management, Information Technology, Environmental Quality, Building and Zoning, and Economic Development.

Fire/Rescue is provided by the Wauconda Fire Protection District, an independent taxing body covering all of the Village of Wauconda, all or parts of 10 other communities, 6 townships, and unincorporated parts of Lake and McHenry Counties.

There is a library on Main Street, called Wauconda Area Library, which serves the village.

1800s
According to local legend, Wauconda was named after an indigenous chief whose name translated as "spirit water".

Many early settlers of Wauconda came from New England and New York by covered wagon or through the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes.

Elihu Hubbard built the first log cabin on the bank of Bangs Lake in 1836. Justus Bangs, the first settler in Wauconda, built a house next to the lake in 1848 and the lake was later named after him. In 1840, members of the Winnebago tribe who did not leave the shores of the Fox River often went to the area to trade. In 1849, Wauconda was organized into a town by a vote of the people of Lake County to divide Lake County into towns. There were 1,695 votes cast and all except three were in favor of the division. The first town meeting was held on the 1st Tuesday in April 1850 where the first officers were elected and appointed. I.

Wauconda's first school was built in 1839 and the area's post office was moved to Wauconda on June 27, 1849, with Hazard Green becoming its first postmaster.

Elder Joel Wheeler of McHenry built the first Baptist church in Wauconda in the autumn of 1838. A Methodist church was organized on September 3, 1852, by Reverend C. French, and built in 1856 on the Commons. Both Methodists and Baptists attended prayer at the church until February 1870, when the Baptists reorganized and built a new church on October 30, 1870. A Roman Catholic church was built in 1877 and its first trustees were James S. Murray, Charles Davlin, Felix Givens, John Givens, Hugh Davlin, and Owen McMahon. Its first priest was Father O'Neil.

In 1850, Wauconda had a population of around 200 residents, and the town had three goods stores, two public houses and various mechanics.

The Village of Wauconda was incorporated on August 18, 1877.

1900s
By the early 1900s, Wauconda was a popular resort village for Chicago residents and Bangs Lake was made suitable for beaches. The Palatine, Lake Zurich and Wauconda Railroad was completed and hauled agricultural products, delivered mail, transported local passengers, and brought vacationers and day-trippers out from Chicago. Although the railroad did not help develop Wauconda, which remained a small town, it flourished as a resort, and residents depended on it for supplies and for mail.

The railroad closed in 1920 due to lack of business. Later in the decade, Phil's Beach was opened by Phil Froehlke and the right-of way was purchased for Route 176 (Liberty Street) through the center of town.

By the end of the 1930s, Wauconda's population exceeded 500 residents. At the end of the 1960s, Wauconda had three elementary schools, a junior high, and a high school. By the end of the 1970s there were about 5,600 residents living in Wauconda.

Throughout the 1980s, most of the beaches on Bangs Lake gradually closed down. They were replaced by houses, townhomes, and other development. Development continued into the 1990s and 2000s as individuals from the outlying Chicago suburbs sought cheaper land. Large new subdivisions were developed north of the town center and small suburbs were established in the surrounding areas.

2000s
In 2000, Wauconda's population was 9,386. By 2020, it had grown to 14,084 residents.

The village completed a switch to Lake Michigan water in October 2019. This was the largest infrastructure project in village history, costing $48 million.

On April 4, 2023, a referendum was held in the village to determine Home rule status. The result of the referendum was to reject home rule status.

Geography
Wauconda is located at 42.26694°N, -88.14278°W (42.266910, -88.142657).

According to the 2010 census, Wauconda has a total area of 5.732 sqmi, of which 5.05 sqmi (or 88.1%) is land and 0.682 sqmi (or 11.9%) is water.

Transportation
Route 12 (north to south), IL 176 (west to east), and IL 59 serve as important roads for the village connecting its surrounding area.

The closest international airport is O'Hare International Airport and is located approximately 30 miles or around 40 minutes away. Midway International Airport is located approximately 49 miles away or around 70 minutes away.

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,448 people, 3,611 households, and 2,404 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,445.0 PD/sqmi. There were 3,822 housing units at an average density of 989.1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 90.2% White, 0.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 6.4% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. 11.9% of the population reported being Latino of any race.

There were 3,611 households, out of which 100% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 35.8% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $65,805, and the median income for a family was $56,576. Males had a median income of $64,027 versus $43,125 for females. The per capita income for the village was $40,355. About 2.1% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Events
On January 28, 2005, over 2,900 people participated in a snowball fight for ten minutes, setting a new world record for the most participants in such an event.

A weekly farmers market is held on Main Street on Thursdays from July to September.

A three day long carnival takes place yearly in June named Wauconda Fest, which takes place by the skate park, near the Park District building and Wauconda High School.

Many other events are held throughout the year, such as an annual expo in February, inside of the Wauconda High School, 4th of July fireworks held yearly on July 3, a Memorial Day parade, and outdoor movies.

In popular culture

 * The Blues Brothers was partially filmed in the village. A segment of the chase scene during the final third of the film featured the US-12 highway overpass over IL-176 (Liberty St.), as was a scene with the Blues Brothers driving onto Phil's Beach on North Main Street.
 * In 2018, the village began to receive prank phone calls with the release of the superhero film Black Panther. This was because, in the film, the homophonous fictional country Wakanda serves as the primary setting.

title: Wauconda, Illinois


text:
Waukegan, Illinois

Waukegan is the most populous city in and the county seat of Lake County, Illinois, United States. It is an industrial suburb about 36 mi north of Chicago. As of the 2020 census, its population was 89,321, making it the seventh-most populous city within the Chicago metropolitan area and the 10th-most populous city in Illinois.

Unlike many of the surrounding North Shore suburbs, Waukegan is socioeconomically diverse. A significant working-class population and moderately sized middle-class community exist in the community, as well as a number of poorer neighborhoods.

Founding and 19th century
The site of present-day Waukegan was recorded as Rivière du Vieux Fort ("Old Fort River") and Wakaygagh on a 1778 map by Thomas Hutchins. By the 1820s, the French name had become "Small Fort River" in English, and the settlement was known as "Little Fort". The name "Waukegance" and then "Waukegan" (meaning "little fort"; cf. Potawatomi wakaigin "fort" or "fortress") was created by John H. Kinzie and Solomon Juneau, and the new name was adopted on March 31, 1849.

Waukegan had an abolitionist community dating to these early days. In 1853, residents commemorated the anniversary of emancipation of slaves in the British Empire with a meeting. Waukegan arguably has the distinction of being the only place where Abraham Lincoln failed to finish a speech. When he was campaigning in the town in 1860, he was interrupted by a ringing fire alarm.

During the middle of the 19th century, Waukegan was becoming an important industrial hub. Industries included ship and wagon building, flour milling, sheep raising, pork packing, and dairying. William Besley's Waukegan Brewing Company was one of the most successful of these businesses, being able to sell beyond America. The construction of the Chicago and Milwaukee Railway through Waukegan by 1855 stimulated the growth and rapid transformation and development of the city's industry, so much that nearly 1000 ships were visiting Waukegan harbor every year. During the 1860s, a substantial German population began to grow inside the city.

Waukegan's development began in many ways with the arrival of industries such as United States Sugar Refinery, which opened in 1890, Washburn & Moen, a barbed-wire manufacturer that prompted both labor migration and land speculation beginning in 1891, U.S. Starch Works, and Thomas Brass and Iron Works. Immigrants followed, mostly from southeastern Europe and Scandinavia, with especially large groups from Sweden, Finland, and Lithuania. The town also became home to a considerable Armenian population. One member of this community, Monoog Curezhin, even became embroiled in an aborted plot to assassinate Sultan Abdul Hamid II, reviled for his involvement in massacres of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. Curezhin lost two fingers on his right hand while testing explosives for this purpose in Waukegan in 1904.

20th century
By the 1920s and 1930s, African Americans began to migrate to the city, mostly from the South. The town was afflicted with racial strife. In June 1920, an African-American boy allegedly hit the car of an off-duty sailor from nearby Great Lakes Naval Base with a rock, and hundreds of white sailors gathered at Sherman House, a hotel reserved for African Americans. Although newspaper reports and rumors suggested that the officer's wife was hit with glass from the broken windshield, subsequent reports revealed that the officer was not married. The sailors called for lynchings, but were kept back by the intervention of the police.

Marines and sailors renewed their attack on the hotel several days later. The Sherman House residents fled for their lives as the military members carried torches, gasoline, and the American flag. The Waukegan police once again turned them away, but not before firing and wounding two members of the crowd. The police were not always so willing to protect Waukegan's citizens. The chief of police and the state's attorney in the 1920s, for example, were avowed members of the Ku Klux Klan, facts that came to light when a wrongfully convicted African-American war veteran was released from prison on appeal after 25 years. Labor unrest also occurred regularly. In 1919, a strike at the US Steel and Wire Company – which had acquired Washburn & Moen – led to a call for intervention from the state militia.

Noted organized crime boss Johnny Torrio served time in Waukegan's Lake County jail in 1925. He installed bulletproof covers on the windows of his cell at his own expense for fear of assassination attempts.

The Waukegan urban area developed independently of Chicago, before being officially incorporated into the Chicago metropolitan area during the 2000 census. This inclusion took place as a result of suburban sprawl, effectively dissolving the region's identity as self-standing. Despite this, Waukegan has retained a distinct industrial character in contrast to many of the residential suburbs along Chicago's North Shore. The financial disparity created by the disappearance of manufacturing from the city in part contributed to the Waukegan riot of 1966. Central to this event and the remainder of Waukegan's 20th-century history was Robert Sabonjian, who served as mayor for 24 years, and earned the nickname the "Mayor Daley of Waukegan" for his personal and sometimes controversial style of politics.

Geography
Waukegan is located at 42.37028°N, -87.87111°W (42.3703140, −87.8711404). Waukegan is on the shore of Lake Michigan, about 11 mi south of the border with Wisconsin and 37 mi north of downtown Chicago at an elevation around 650 ft above sea level. Chicago has two major streets that venture north to Waukegan, one being Sheridan Road, which extends north from Diversey Parkway in Lincoln Park. The second street is Milwaukee Avenue, which starts at the intersection of Desplaines Street and Kinzie Street in downtown Chicago.

According to the 2010 census, Waukegan has a total area of 24.50 sqmi, of which 0.24 sqmi, or 0.99%, is covered by water.

Major streets

 * [[Image:US 41.svg|20px]] Skokie Highway
 * [[Image:Illinois 43.svg|20px]] Waukegan Road
 * [[Image:Illinois 120.svg|20px]] Belvidere Road
 * [[Image:Illinois 131.svg|20px]] Green Bay Road
 * [[Image:Illinois 132.svg|20px]] Grand Avenue
 * [[Image:Illinois 137.svg|20px]] Sheridan Road/Amstutz Expressway
 * Lewis Avenue
 * Washington Street
 * Genesee Street

Climate
Waukegan is located within the humid continental climate zone (Köppen: Dfa) with warm to hot (and often humid) summers, and cold and snowy winters. The record high temperature is 108 F, which was set in July 1934, while the record low is −27 F, set in January 1985. Waukegan's proximity to Lake Michigan helps cool the city throughout the year.

Superfund sites
Waukegan contains three Superfund sites of hazardous substances that are on the National Priorities List.

In 1975, PCBs were discovered in Waukegan Harbor sediments. Investigation revealed that during manufacturing activities at Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), hydraulic fluids containing PCBs had been discharged through floor drains at the OMC plant, directly to Waukegan Harbor and into ditches discharging into Lake Michigan. The OMC plants were subsequently added to the National Priorities List, and was designated as one of 43 Great Lakes Areas of Concern. Cleanup of the site began in 1990, with OMC providing $20–25 million in funding. During the OMC cleanup, additional soil contaminants were found at the location of the former Waukegan Manufactured Gas and Coke Company. Soil removal was completed at the coke site in 2005, and cleanup of that soil will continue for several years.

The Johns Manville site is located 1 mi north of the OMC site. In 1988, asbestos contamination found in groundwater and air prompted listing on the National Priorities List and subsequent cleanup. In 1991, the soil cover of the asbestos was completed. However, additional asbestos contamination was found outside the Johns-Manville property, which will require further cleanup.

The Yeoman Creek Landfill is a Superfund site located 1.5 mi west of the Johns Manville site. The site operated as a landfill from 1959 to 1969. In 1970, it was discovered that the lack of a bottom liner in the landfill had allowed leachate to enter groundwater, contaminating the water with volatile organic compounds and PCBs, and releasing gases that presented an explosion hazard. All major cleanup construction activities were completed in 2005, and monitoring of local water and air continues. The book Lake Effect by Nancy Nichols gives an account of the effects of PCBs on Waukegan residents. The Johns Manville site was cited due to its high concentration of PCBs and asbestos.

2022 American Community Survey estimates
As of the 2010 United States Census, 89,078 people were living in the city. The racial makeup of the town was 46.6% White (21.7% non-Hispanic White), 19.2% African-American, 4.3% Asian, 1.2% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 24.6% some other race, and 4.1% of two or more races. 53.4% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). Majority of residents of Latin American descent in Waukegan are of Mexican descent, Waukegan also has one of the highest Honduran population in Illinois, as well as many Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Central American descendants. 5.3% of Waukegan's non-Hispanic white population were of German ancestry.

As of the census of 2000, 87,901 people, 27,787 households, and 19,450 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,475.0 /km2. The 29,243 housing units had an average density of 490.7 /km2. The racial makeup of the city was 30.92% White, 19.21% African American, 0.54% Native American, 3.58% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 22.96% from other races, and 3.50% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 44.82% of the population.

Of the 27,787 households, 40.4% had children under 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were not families. About 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.09, and the average family size was 3.68.

In the city, the age distribution was 30.2% under 18, 12.1% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 16.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.1 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 103.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,335, and for a family was $47,341. Males had a median income of $30,556 versus $25,632 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,368. About 24% of families and 24.7% of the population were below the poverty line.

Religion
Over half (54.4%) of the population identified as members of a religious group. The largest group were Roman Catholics, who comprised 31.0% of city residents. Other Christian groups included Lutherans (3.2%), Baptists (1.9%), Presbyterians (1.6%), and Methodists (1.5%); about 11% adhered to other Christian denominations. Other faiths practiced include Judaism (2.7%) and Islam (1.4%).

Christ Episcopal Church on the corner of Grand Avenue and West Street is a historic church, one of the first ones in Waukegan.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago operates Catholic churches. On July 1, 2020, St. Anastasia Parish and St. Dismas Parish merged, with the former having the parish school and the latter having the parish church.

Top employers
According to Waukegan's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city were:

Revitalization
The city has plans for redevelopment of the lakefront. The lakefront and harbor plan calls for most industrial activity to be removed, except for the Midwest Generation power plant and North Shore wastewater treatment facilities. The existing industry would be replaced by residential and recreational space. The city also set up several tax increment financing zones, which have been successful in attracting new developers. The first step in the revitalization effort, the opening of the Genesee Theatre, has been completed, many new restaurants have opened, buildings have been renovated, and the City of Waukegan has made substantial investments in the pedestrian areas and other infrastructure.

The city has had an annual "Scoop the Loop" summer festival of cruising since 1998, which since 2010 has become a monthly event during the summer. The current incarnation is known as "Scoop Unplugged".

Popular events

 * ArtWauk is an art event that happens every third Saturday of the month in downtown Waukegan. It features paintings, sculptures, films, dance, theater, comedy, music, performance art, food, and pedicabs all in the Waukegan Arts District.
 * Chicago Latino Film Festival
 * The Fiestas Patrias Parade and Festival in downtown Waukegan highlights and celebrates the independence of the many Hispanic countries that are represented in Waukegan, including Mexico, Belize, and Honduras.
 * HolidayWAUK (HolidayWalk) is downtown Waukegan's holiday festival.

Popular tourist destinations

 * Downtown Waukegan
 * Downtown Waukegan is the urban center of Lake County. Many restaurants, bars, shops, the Waukegan Public Library, the College of Lake County, the Lake County Courthouse (including the William D. Block Memorial Law Library), and many more call downtown Waukegan their home.
 * The Temporary American Place Casino
 * Genesee Theatre
 * Waukegan Municipal Beach
 * Waukegan Harbor Light
 * Green Town on the Rocks outdoor music venue
 * Ray Bradbury sites
 * Waukegan History Museum
 * Bowen Park
 * Jack Benny Center for the Arts
 * Lake County Sports Center
 * The Temporary—American Place Casino

Government
The City of Waukegan is run on a mayor–council government. The city government consists of a single elected mayor and city clerk, with a city council composed of nine alderpersons, who are elected to represent the nine wards of the city. Any new membera are sworn on the first Monday in May of their respective election year, as it coincides with the first city council meeting of the month.

City council
The members of the city council as of 2021 are:

Members of the city council serve for four years, and are all elected on the same election year. The last election was in April 2023.

Mayor
The mayor of Waukegan as of 2021 is Ann B. Taylor, the city's first female mayor. She was elected in April 2021, defeating incumbent Sam Cunningham, the city's first African American mayor.

Since at least 1996, no mayor has been elected for more than a single term.

Jack Benny
Waukegan is the hometown of comedian Jack Benny (1894–1974), one of the 20th century's most notable and enduring entertainers, but although he claimed for decades on his radio and television shows to have been born there, he was actually born at Mercy Hospital in Chicago. Benny's affection for the town where he grew up can clearly be felt by this exchange with his co-star (and wife) Mary Livingstone during a conversation they had on The Jack Benny Program on Mother's Day of 1950 while they were discussing the itinerary for his summer tour that year:

 * Mary Livingstone: Aren't you going to bring your show to Waukegan?
 * Jack Benny: Mary, I was born in Waukegan — how can you follow that?!.

On a 1959 episode of the television game show What's My Line?, Benny quipped to host John Charles Daly "They say that I put Waukegan on the map. But it's not true. Waukegan really put me on the map. That's a fact."

Nevertheless, Benny did put Waukegan on the map for millions of his listeners (and later viewers) over the years, and the community was proud of his success. A Waukegan middle school is named in his honor (which he said was the greatest thrill he had ever experienced ), and a statue of him, dedicated in 2002, stands in the downtown facing the Genesee Theater, which hosted the world premiere of his film Man about Town in 1939, with Jack, Mary, Dorothy Lamour, Phil Harris, Andy Devine, Don Wilson and Rochester (Eddie Anderson) appearing onstage.

Jack Benny's family lived in several buildings in Waukegan during the time he was growing up there, but the house at 518 Clayton Street is the only one of them still standing. It was designated a landmark by the city on April 17, 2006.

Ray Bradbury
Science-fiction author and novelist Ray Bradbury (1920–2012) was born in Waukegan, and though he moved with his family to the West Coast while still a child, many of his stories explicitly build on Waukegan (often called Green Town in his stories, such as Dandelion Wine) and his formative years there. Ray Bradbury Park, located at 99 N. Park Ave. in Waukegan, is named after him.

Otto Graham
Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham (1921–2003) was born and raised in Waukegan and attended nearby Northwestern University on a basketball scholarship, though football soon became his main sport. Graham played quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and National Football League (NFL), taking his team to league championships every year between 1946 and 1955, winning seven of them. While most of Graham's statistical records have been surpassed in the modern era, he still holds the NFL record for career average yards gained per pass attempt, with 8.98. He also holds the record for the highest career winning percentage for an NFL starting quarterback, at 0.814. Graham is one of only two people (the other being Gene Conley) to win championships in two of the four major North American sports—1946 NBL (became NBA) and AAFC championship, plus three more AAFC and three NFL championships.

Education
Waukegan is served by the Waukegan Public School District 60. It serves about 17,000 students in preschool through grade 12. Waukegan has three early childhood schools, 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, and three high schools. The multicampus Waukegan High School serves local high school students in two different campuses: Brookside and Washington. Brookside Campus serves as a 9th–10th grade learning center, while Washington Campus serves as an 11th–12th grade learning center.

A network of private schools exist within the city. Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep, is private Catholic high school, located within a former Kmart in Waukegan. Immanuel Lutheran School is a prekindergarten - grade 8 school of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Waukegan.

Government services
Waukegan has a port district that operates the city harbor and regional airport.
 * Waukegan Harbor:
 * The marina provides services and facilities for recreational boaters.
 * The industrial port provides access for 90–100 large shipping vessels yearly. Companies with cargo facilities at the port currently include Gold Bond Building Products (capacity for 100,000 tons of gypsum), LaFarge Corp (12 cement silos), and St Mary's Cement Co (two cement silos).
 * Waukegan National Airport:
 * FAA certified for general aviation traffic
 * Has a U.S. Customs facility, allowing for direct international flights
 * The Lake County McClory recreational trail passes through Waukegan. It provides a non-motor route spanning from Kenosha, Wisconsin, to the North Shore, along the right of way of the former Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad.
 * Metra provides service between Waukegan and downtown Chicago via the Union Pacific North Line. Service runs daily from early morning to late evening. Pace provides public bus service throughout Waukegan and surrounding areas. Most buses run Monday thru Saturday with limited Sunday/Holiday service on two routes.
 * Waukegan has three licensed taxi companies - 303 Taxi, Metro Yellow and Checker Cabs, and Speedy Taxi, which operate under city ordinances.

Fire department
The Waukegan Fire Department provides fire protection and paramedic services for city, with five fire stations. Firefighters, lieutenants, and captains are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Transportation
Pace provides bus service on numerous routes throughout the city with a hub in downtown Waukegan. Separated from downtown by the Amstutz Expressway, the Waukegan station provides Metra commuter rail service along the Union Pacific North Line. Trains travel south to Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago, and north to Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Historical sites

 * Bowen Park
 * Naval Station Great Lakes
 * Waukegan Building
 * Waukegan Public Library

Artistic references

 * Ray Bradbury spent his childhood in Waukegan and used it as the basis for Green Town, the setting of three of his books: Dandelion Wine (1957), Something Wicked This Way Comes (1962), and Farewell Summer (2006). In his essay "Just This Side of Byzantium" and poem "Byzantium, I come not from," Bradbury explains the relationship between Green Town and his memories of Waukegan.
 * In her poem 'Twee visschers', written in Dutch by the Surinam writer Rudie van Lier two men, a white and a black are fishing together near Waukegan. They are described as the new future.
 * Eleanor Taylor Bland is an author of crime fiction taking place in "Lincoln Prairie" an amalgam of Waukegan, North Chicago, and Zion.
 * The character Johnny Blaze from the Marvel comic book Ghost Rider is described as having been born in Waukegan.
 * Waukegan's Amstutz Expressway, locally known as the "Expressway to Nowhere", has been used as a shooting location for such films as Groundhog Day, The Ice Harvest, The Blues Brothers, Contagion and Batman Begins.
 * The music video "In Love with a Thug" sung by Sharissa featuring R. Kelly was filmed in Waukegan predominantly on the corner of Water Street and Genesee Street.
 * In 2005 Ringo Starr and the Round heads recorded a concert for an episode of Soundstage at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan.
 * In their 1979 novel Stardance, Spider & Jeanne Robinson refer to Waukegan as if it were a prototypical Earth location, as identified by gravity vs. free fall.
 * The hip-hop group Atmosphere namechecks the city in live performances of the song "You."
 * Tom Waits mentions Waukegan in the song "Gun Street Girl" from his album Rain Dogs (1985): "He left Waukegan at the slamming' of the door".
 * The band The Ike Reilly Assassination mentions Waukegan in the song "The Ex-Americans" from the 2004 album Sparkle in the Finish.
 * The band Eddie From Ohio has a song titled "HoJo's in Waukegan" on the album Actually Not.

Sister cities
Waukegan has one sister city:

🇯🇵 Miyazaki, Japan

Although the city has no official sister city relationship, Waukegan is home to about 6,000 people from Tonatico, Mexico, according to a February 2017 article in The Washington Post. This has created ongoing ties between the two cities.

title: Waukegan, Illinois


text:
Winthrop Harbor, Illinois

Winthrop Harbor is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States. Winthrop Harbor is considered the corner stone of Illinois. Per the 2020 census, the population was 6,705. It is located along the northern border of Illinois and is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. Winthrop Harbor is known for its North Point Marina, and is a warning demarcation point for the National Weather Service's marine warnings for Lake Michigan. With moorage over 1,500 boats, it is the largest marina on the Great Lakes. Nearly one million visitors take advantage of the marina, its associated beaches and other recreational facilities every summer.

History
Winthrop Harbor was named after Winthrop, Massachusetts.

In 1918, the Saturday Evening Post had an article about the truck manufacturing plant in Winthrop Harbor. At the time, the Winther plant had been in operation for one year.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Winthrop Harbor has a total area of 4.761 sqmi, of which 4.67 sqmi (or 98.09%) is land and 0.091 sqmi (or 1.91%) is water.

2010 Census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 6,742 people living in the village. The racial makeup of the village was 90.94% White, 1.44% Black or African American, 2.31% Asian, 0.39% Native American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.03% of some other race and 2.88% of two or more races. 7.64% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,670 people, 2,370 households, and 1,884 families living in the village. The population density was 1,548.0 PD/sqmi. There were 2,435 housing units at an average density of 565.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 93.79% White, 0.57% African American, 0.49% Native American, 1.90% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.51% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.54% of the population.

There were 2,370 households, out of which 40.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.8% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.5% were non-families. 17.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $72,795, and the median income for a family was $79,442. Males had a median income of $44,795 versus $32,392 for females. The per capita income for the village was $24,256. About 1.9% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

Major streets

 * [[Image:Illinois 137.svg|20px]] Sheridan Road
 * 9th Street
 * Lewis Avenue
 * Russell Road
 * Kenosha Road
 * 7th Street

Rail
Winthrop Harbor is served by Metra's Union Pacific North Line, at Winthrop Harbor station.

Public services
The village of Winthrop Harbor has a full-time police department and a part-time fire department.

Police department
The Winthrop Harbor Police Department's full-time officers are supplemented by part-time officers in both Patrol and Specialist positions. The department offers the following bureaus: Patrol, Detectives, Sex Crimes, Communications, CyberCrime, Records, and Evidence/Property. The current Chief is Anthony Velardi.

Fire department
The Winthrop Harbor Fire Department, founded in 1949, has grown from a small volunteer force to a 24-hour-a-day operation. Currently, part-time employees work overlapping shifts providing a crew 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. These 'on-duty' crews are supplemented with off-duty personnel who respond from home. They work with two engines, a 75-foot ladder truck, two advanced life support ambulances, one brush unit, a rescue boat and a staff and command car. Through automatic aid agreements with the surrounding area, the Village receives optimal emergency service. The current Fire Chief is Rocco Campanella.

Pollution concerns

 * In a study released on July 30, 2009, by Forbes.com, Winthrop Harbor's North Point Marina was reported as the seventh most polluted beach in the United States based on samples taken in 2008. North Point Marina has been on this list since 2005, exceeding acceptable contamination levels in 61 percent of tests.
 * In 2006, a test taken at the local beach stated that this is one of the most polluted beaches on the Great Lakes. It has 89% unhealthy water. (89/100 tests)

title: Winthrop Harbor, Illinois


text:
Birds, Illinois

Birds is an unincorporated community in Lawrence County, Illinois, United States. The population was 51 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a village. Birds disincorporated on April 7, 2009.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village had a total area of 0.2 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 51 people, 22 households, and 13 families residing in the village. The population density was 235.6 PD/sqmi. There were 30 housing units at an average density of 101.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 100.00% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.96% of the population.

There were 22 households, out of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.3% were married couples living together, 22.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the village the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 17.6% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $23,438, and the median income for a family was $25,417. Males had a median income of $20,833 versus $10,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $9,216. There were 33.3% of families and 20.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 29.4% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

title: Birds, Illinois


text:
Bridgeport, Illinois

Bridgeport is a city in Lawrence County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,886 at the 2010 census.

History
Bridgeport was established in the mid-1850s as a stop along the Ohio and Mississippi Railway. It was named by a railroad official for the bridge that spanned Indian Creek, in the southern part of the city. Bridgeport incorporated in 1896.

Geography
Bridgeport lies southwest of Lawrenceville along Illinois State Route 250.

According to the 2010 census, Bridgeport has a total area of 1.075 sqmi, of which 1.05 sqmi (or 97.67%) is land and 0.025 sqmi (or 2.33%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,168 people, 871 households, and 585 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,024.0 PD/sqmi. There were 964 housing units at an average density of 900.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.52% White, 0.46% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.05% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.37% of the population.

There were 871 households, out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,635, and the median income for a family was $33,333. Males had a median income of $27,235 versus $16,660 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,960. About 13.0% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.6% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The Red Hill Junior/Senior High School is located in Bridgeport. The school mascot is the Saluki (Red Hill Salukis). Prior to the 1970s, the local high school was named Bridgeport High School. Its mascot was the Bulldogs. Bridgeport High School then consolidated with the neighboring town of Sumner, and the mascot for the new consolidated school became the Salukis. There is also an elementary school in Bridgeport called BGS, or Bridgeport Grade School.

Sports
The Red Hill Junior High School Lady Salukis 2008 softball team went to the Illinois state championship and placed second.

In 1960, Bridgeport High School had a total school enrollment of only 385. That year the boys basketball team advanced to the State of Illinois IHSA basketball tournament finals to face a much larger Chicago team, John Marshall. At the time, Illinois, like Indiana in the movie Hoosiers, held a single-class tournament where all schools competed for the same championship. Chicago Marshall's enrollment was listed at 2,333, more than six times that of Bridgeport. Unlike the Indiana team in Hoosiers, Bridgeport lost the championship game, finishing its season with a 33–2 record.

Notable people

 * John Lankston, tenor with the New York City Opera and actor in Broadway musicals
 * Gary Wagner, a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox, was born in Bridgeport.

title: Bridgeport, Illinois


text:
Lawrenceville, Illinois

Lawrenceville is a city in and the county seat of Lawrence County, Illinois, United States, located along the Embarras River. The population was 4,348 at the 2010 census. Lawrenceville is located in southeast Illinois, northwest of Vincennes, Indiana.

The city is home of the Lawrenceville "Indians", Illinois Class A high school state basketball champions in 1972, 1974, 1982 and 1983. The team had a combined two season win–loss record of 68-0 from 1982–83. The team was coached by Ron Felling, who, after the 1983 season at Lawrenceville, went on to coach at Indiana University as an assistant under Bobby Knight.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Lawrenceville has a total area of 2.2 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,745 people, 2,024 households, and 1,190 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,346.8 PD/sqmi. There were 2,262 housing units at an average density of 1,118.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.85% White, 0.91% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.40% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.43% of the population.

There were 2,024 households, out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.2% were non-families. 37.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the city the population was spread out, with 20.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 28.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,951, and the median income for a family was $32,042. Males had a median income of $27,128 versus $20,451 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,717. About 13.9% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.7% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * George C. Armstrong, Illinois state senator, mayor of Lawrenceville, and newspaper editor
 * Philip B. Benefiel, Illinois state senator, lawyer, and judge
 * Mordecai Brown, Hall of Fame pitcher for Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals; previously lived in Lawrenceville and played corporate ball for the Texaco Havolines
 * Garrel Burgoon, Illinois state representative and businessman
 * Frances Crane, mystery author; born in Lawrenceville
 * Lyman W. Emmons (1885–1955), American businessman and politician
 * Herschella Horton, Arizona state representative
 * Lyle Judy, second baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals; born in Lawrenceville
 * William McAndrew, football and basketball coach
 * Jason Pargin, known by his pen name David Wong is an American comedy and horror writer.
 * Jack Ryan, MLB pitcher for the Cleveland Naps, Boston Red Sox and Brooklyn Dodgers
 * Marty Simmons, current head men’s basketball coach at Eastern Illinois University; born and raised in Lawrenceville
 * Maurice Cole Tanquary A professor of entomology and member of the Crocker Land Expedition.

title: Lawrenceville, Illinois


text:
Russellville, Illinois

Russellville is a village in Lawrence County, Illinois, United States. The population was 94 at the 2010 census.

History
Russellville is rooted in a fort built by Samuel and Jonathan Allison near the site of an abandoned Indian village known as "Little Village" in the early 1800s. A town site was platted in 1835, and named for the Russell brothers, August, Andrew, and Clement, who provided lumber for the settlement's first buildings. Russellville incorporated in 1875.

Geography
Russellville is located in northeastern Lawrence County on the west bank of the Wabash River, which forms the Illinois–Indiana border. Illinois Route 33 passes through the village center, leading north 14 mi to Palestine and south 10 mi to Westport, across the river from Vincennes, Indiana.

According to the 2010 census, Russellville has a total area of 0.47 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 119 people, 52 households, and 27 families residing in the village. The population density was 259.5 PD/sqmi. There were 68 housing units at an average density of 148.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 94.96% White, 0.84% from other races, and 4.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.08% of the population.

There were 52 households, out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.2% were non-families. 44.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 29.4% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $23,750, and the median income for a family was $31,667. Males had a median income of $30,417 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $11,843. There were 19.2% of families and 42.5% of the population living below the poverty line, including 53.1% of under eighteens and 55.0% of those over 64.

title: Russellville, Illinois


text:
St. Francisville, Illinois

St. Francisville or Saint Francisville is a city in Lawrence County, Illinois, United States. The population was 697 at the 2010 census.

History
St. Francisville is rooted in a stockade built by Joseph Tougas in the early 1810s. The city was platted by Tougas's widow in the mid-1830s. It was named for St. Francis Xavier, reflecting the growing influence of Jesuit missionaries in the area. The city incorporated in 1873.

Geography
St. Francisville is located in southeastern Lawrence County in the southeast corner of Denison Township. It is on the west bank of the Wabash River, which forms the state border with Indiana.

The city is 12 mi south of Lawrenceville, the county seat. The Wabash Cannon Ball Bridge, 1.5 mi northeast of St. Francisville, is a former railroad bridge that is now a one-lane toll bridge over the Wabash River which provides the most direct route to Vincennes, Indiana, 9 mi to the northeast.

According to the 2010 census, St. Francisville has a total area of 0.784 sqmi, of which 0.75 sqmi (or 95.66%) is land and 0.034 sqmi (or 4.34%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 759 people, 317 households, and 221 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,017.3 PD/sqmi. There were 348 housing units at an average density of 466.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.21% White, 0.13% African American, and 0.66% from two or more races.

There were 317 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,543, and the median income for a family was $29,688. Males had a median income of $30,417 versus $15,938 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,955. About 19.7% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.4% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

As of the census of 2010 the population of St. Francisville was 697.

Economy
St. Francisville is noted for a locally grown variety of popcorn, trademarked as "Black Jewell" for the color of the corn kernels. The popcorn packer attributes the varietal snack food to development work in the "mid 1960s."

Notable person

 * Julian Morgenstern (1881–1976), rabbi, professor, and president of Hebrew Union College, born in St. Francisville
 * William Phipps, retired actor and film producer, moved to St. Francisville when he was six, and grew up there.

title: St. Francisville, Illinois


text:
Sumner, Illinois

Sumner is a city in Lawrence County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,174 at the 2010 census, with approximately 2,000 of that population being inmates at the Lawrence Correctional Center.

History
Sumner was established as a stop along the Ohio and Mississippi Railway in the early 1850s. Initially known as "Black Jack" when a post office was opened in 1852, the city was renamed for Benjamin Sumner, an early settler, in 1855. Sumner incorporated in 1887.

Geography
Sumner lies along Illinois State Route 250, just south of its junction with U.S. Route 50 to the north. Red Hills State Park is located just to the northeast.

According to the 2010 census, Sumner has a total area of 1.37 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,022 people, 369 households, and 238 families residing in the city. The population density was 991.0 PD/sqmi. There were 425 housing units at an average density of 412.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.16% White, 1.96% African American, 0.49% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.68% of the population.

There were 369 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,489, and the median income for a family was $36,667. Males had a median income of $23,068 versus $21,999 for females —although Lawrence County ranks as one of the worst in the country for men of prime working age, 25-54, who are willing to work, according to a New York Times study, which shows 84 percent of that gender and age group not in the workforce. The per capita income for the city was $14,808. About 13.5% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.2% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.

Sumner is sometimes reported as the American town with the highest male-to-female ratio. Males represent about 90 percent of the population when the figures include the Lawrence Correctional Center.

In the arts
In 2011–2013, the "found footage" horror film Unlisted Owner was filmed in and around Sumner by Jed Brian's production company Lawford County Productions. The film received a distribution agreement from Tom Cat Films in October 2016.

Notable people

 * Lee Martin, author of several books, most notably The Bright Forever.
 * Lester and Walter Melrose, music producers, born in Sumner

title: Sumner, Illinois


text:
Amboy, Illinois

Amboy is a city in Lee County, Illinois, United States, along the Green River. The population was 2,500 at the 2010 census. The chain of Carson Pirie Scott & Co. began in Amboy when Samuel Carson opened his first dry goods store there in 1854. The Christian denomination Community of Christ, formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, had a general conference in Amboy on April 6, 1860, at which time Joseph Smith III reorganized the church founded by his father Joseph Smith, Jr.

History
Amboy had its start in the 1850s when the Illinois Central Railroad was extended to that point. The community's name is a transfer from Amboy, New Jersey.

The Illinois Central facility in Amboy served as the railroad's division headquarters for the railroad's region. The building was saved from demolition and is a museum. The actual railroad and trainyard were abandoned and removed in the early 90's.

Amboy was the site of an ammunition factory for World War II - The Green River Ordinance Plant. It was roughly bordered by Sterling Rd to the south, Bataan Rd to the East, and Bataan Rd. to the North and West of the facility. The facility employed 4500 people at one time. The facility was completed on Dec. 15, 1942 and used until VJ day in August 1945.

The plant is also known as the place where Vesta Stoudt first invented modern duct tape.

Geography
Amboy is located at 41.71444°N, -89.33278°W (41.714411, -89.332671).

According to the 2010 census, Amboy has a total area of 6.29 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 2,561 people, known as Amboian, 963 households, and 651 families in the city. The population density was 2,035.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,048 housing units at an average density of 832.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.97% White, 0.78% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.23% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.15%.

Of the 963 households 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 28.8% of households were one person and 15.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.12.

The age distribution was 27.6% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median household income was $36,250 and the median family income was $42,027. Males had a median income of $35,250 versus $26,105 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,183. About 4.4% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Betty Degner, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
 * Augustus Newnham Dickens, brother of Charles Dickens
 * Henry F. McElroy, Missouri businessman and politician
 * Michael M. Mihm (born 1943), Senior United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois.
 * David C. Shapiro, dentist and Illinois state legislator
 * Frank Shaughnessy, Notre Dame football player, pro baseball player and executive
 * Vesta Stoudt, invented modern duct tape at the Green River Ordinance Plant.

title: Amboy, Illinois


text:
Ashton, Illinois

Ashton is a village in Lee County, Illinois, United States. The population was 972 at the 2010 census, down from 1,142 in 2000.

History
Ashton was originally called Ogle Station, but it was afterwards changed in order to avoid confusion with Ogle County, Illinois. A tornado hit the town on April 9, 2015 at 6:40 pm CDT.

Geography
Ashton is located at 41.86655°N, -89.22192°W.

According to the 2010 census, Ashton has a total area of 0.66 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,142 people, 437 households, and 312 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,727.6 people per square mile (668.1/km$2$). There were 468 housing units at an average density of 708.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.99% White, 1.05% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.35% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.36% of the population.

There were 423 households, out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $39,896, and the median income for a family was $43,750. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $22,381 for females. The per capita income for the village was $21,200. About 5.4% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Ashton, Illinois


text:
Compton, Illinois

Compton is a village in Brooklyn Township, Lee County, Illinois, United States. The population was 303 at the 2010 census, down from 347 in 2000.

History
A post office at the site of Compton opened on May 18, 1841; it was named Melugin Grove after the village's first settler, Zachariah Melugin. The village's name was changed to Compton on July 16, 1873, after Joel Compton.

Geography
Compton is located on the plains of north central Illinois. The town is served by US Route 30 & US Route 51 and is about ten miles north of Mendota.

According to the 2010 census, Compton has a total area of 0.16 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 347 people, 127 households, and 96 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,092.1 person per square mile (788.1/km$2$). There were 136 housing units at an average density of 820.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.85% White, 0.29% Asian, 0.58% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.31% of the population.

There were 127 households, out of which 43.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 30.8% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $34,167, and the median income for a family was $39,375. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $22,188 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,205. About 3.7% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Notable person

 * Joe Zdeb, outfielder for the Kansas City Royals

title: Compton, Illinois