[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6025525,"mediaKeyId","5754975-07dd04a4666b2f5abc3f5dfbe2118d0d","parentId",5754975,"title","Cleanup near Waukegan’s south lakefront nears finish line; EPA review underway for former Fansteel site","audioSeconds",753,"startMs",6912000,"endMs",7665000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5754975-07dd04a4666b2f5abc3f5dfbe2118d0d&start=6912&end=7665","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5754975-07dd04a4666b2f5abc3f5dfbe2118d0d/thumbnail_6912000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6025525/Waukegan/DuPage-County/Illinois/Cleanup-near-Waukegans-south-lakefront-nears-finish-line-EPA-review-underway-for-former-Fansteel-site","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025525-6ef414090f4b5f49d4dbd164f1125589/orig.mp4?Expires=1775072840&Signature=Kosox-TjbVRu-nhyHqExBS6P5H2cpqwsK5tm4zCS7CNZFN7zQtAFBtnkc62lzNyjGyChydbJWLOuxVjMzvN4izpzVomQ3T3JXL-~nY3BQA0Hk9UJIwLMPC4W~lU3h8bD5pevs5oqFq9iFxqQAj8SC1wuGxLFuRy8DGbnGa8aWyN8sTN7mnuqTCGE2zZdZWwZiAGPl0TA2tvxLCQ9~IekVLCXFBGF9E8mNL88syonXpTjKRC1YiRCiUh80Kv3IVZajosIqhafOiccf1w8qgrMZnNjFCHLEXkMFSv4pbN6I8Syrhvlp2kYtJc7Jtfk~F5GayNX2gL1W~MAAJIRXiC~Kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Waukegan, IL","date","2025-09-03T08:22:42Z","article","Waukegan — Project managers updating the Environmental and Sustainability Committee on Sept. 2 said remediation work at the 11-acre former Fansteel site on the city’s south lakefront is substantially complete and under Illinois EPA review, and that the work could receive a draft “no further remediation” determination later this year if outstanding documents resolve quickly.

Overview and funding
Colin Brown, project manager with The Deagan Group, said the city received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) brownfield cleanup grant for $400,000, matched by roughly 20 percent of city funds for a total remediation budget of about $480,000. Brown recounted that the Illinois EPA performed a targeted brownfield assessment in 2024 — providing current soil and groundwater data — and that the city used grant funds for active remediation and engineered controls.

Work completed and protections
Contractors removed multiple impacted soil areas in fall 2024, installed an engineered barrier of clean fill (imported from a licensed facility), and capped the site with approximately three feet of clean material to protect future users. Brown said the cleanup work included excavation, off-site disposal and import of certified clean material; the consultants used a local contractor for grading work and a landfill source in Zion for clean fill.

Regulatory status and timetable
In mid-2025 the city submitted a combined site investigation, remedial objectives and remedial action plan — a large submission Brown called an “encyclopedia” of the work. In August Illinois EPA returned comments and a conservative list of follow-up items; Brown said the remaining tasks are mostly desktop documentation. If the city resolves the comments in September and the Illinois EPA completes its 60-day review window, the site could receive a draft “no further remediation” (NFR) letter in December; a final NFR would be recorded against the deed and would make the parcel more readily marketable to developers.

Community engagement
The project team held a public roundtable at Trinity AME Church in 2024 and said the Chicago Tribune covered the cleanup during the public engagement effort. Brown told the committee the site is a pivotal “connecting piece of the puzzle” for remediating the south lakefront and linking to neighboring Brownfield parcels.

What happens next
If Illinois EPA issues an NFR, the city expects the deed restrictions and engineered- controls (the clean cap) to be documented so developers can plan future uses. Brown urged continued community interest and said staff will continue coordination with Illinois EPA until the record is complete.

Source: presentation to Environmental and Sustainability Committee by Colin Brown, project manager (The Deagan Group) at the Sept. 2, 2025 committee meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-09-02 City of Waukegan Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","Waukegan — Project managers updating the Environmental and Sustainability Committee on Sept. 2 said remediation work at the 11-acre former Fansteel site on the city’s south lakefront is substantially complete and under Illinois EPA review.","taxTitle","Waukegan, DuPage County, Illinois","taxId",2647,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6025530,"American Place casino site plan approved for phase 1; developers present revised design and signage",1588,4766000,6354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5754975-07dd04a4666b2f5abc3f5dfbe2118d0d&start=4766&end=6354","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5754975-07dd04a4666b2f5abc3f5dfbe2118d0d/thumbnail_4766000.jpg","/articles/6025530/Waukegan/DuPage-County/Illinois/American-Place-casino-site-plan-approved-for-phase-1-developers-present-revised-design-and-signage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025530-01beed4dbdfc5ab8cadfe34e9b0a60c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775072840&Signature=N3iJRqF4OP0FSJgHsFT9mceuPXE3c2BrzFoxzEInfBtjTQVbVcsETbQsVHxAdJhHtCzw0PWiWLEpbcy8VF4tkXKwAJNC51UFRwP42ZS7esBuN2WgGijzAlUsrRpTh60a6iHFuJeQeK8WdCprsGwVr0wBgB7F0FvgfnpnWQaZeffWPp1ouY~PX89lVB2S4-f-vUl4iRRVd6M1pZOHTD982FY-iOufM~~A-44ginnx1PE~ZO3h~ISHTuco6UpJxkzvP1xZYcWBi8sM67n4pBeGiFjOpLjU719Z18td7nEQzBa1s4kJ9vVUs4oDAIR6yz2jgDGusiaEY38E1rOyZ2YW5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waukegan — Representatives of Full House Resorts presented design changes for the permanent American Place casino and the Community Development Committee voted Sept. 2 to approve amended site-plan approval for the phase-1 development at 600 Lakehurst Road.

What the developer presented: Alex Stollier, chief development officer for Full House Resorts, and project lead Brian Wasilowski (GHA) described a site plan that keeps the temporary casino building in place for some future event uses while the permanent casino is built on an adjacent parcel. The package shown to the committee included a main casino entrance with porte-cochere, restaurant spaces, employee and delivery access and a proposed boutique hotel (“the mansion”) of two stories and 20 villa-style rooms in phase 1. The applicant also presented monument signage designs, including a proposed 90-foot corner sign intended to help motorists locate the project from the interstate and the Fountain Square Place intersection.

Design and site features
- Parking and circulation: The site plan provides roughly 1,600 patron and staff parking spaces in phase 1 and a layout designed to separate valet, employee and patron traffic. The developer said future phases could add a hotel tower, additional parking and a concert venue; the committee considered only phase 1.
- Loading and service: The main loading dock was revised to be at grade (no basement level as in earlier designs); a separate, smaller loading area will serve restaurants and back-of-house needs. Brian Wasilowski said the design includes screening and landscape treatment to reduce visibility of loading operations from adjacent properties.
- Temporary casino building retained: The developer said it will initially keep the existing temporary casino building to provide meeting or event space that is not part of the permanent casino’s immediate program.
- Signage: The applicant requested a tall corner monument (90 feet) at the Spring Hill Suites corner to increase visibility for highway traffic. The project team said they had a letter of support from Spring Hill Suites and moved the south-side monument back from the property line to meet a 45-foot setback adjacent to nearby residential property.

Community questions and responses
Committee members asked about the hotel’s scale (phase-1 hotel will be two stories with 20 villa-style rooms; a larger hotel tower is planned for a later phase) and whether the project has sufficient parking for large events; the developer said they had not finalized event capacity but had designed the site with parking expansion in mind and had not experienced parking shortages while operating the temporary facility. Alderman Florian and others pressed about signage and visibility from the highway and about smoking areas; the developer said smoking locations remained under design because of Illinois Gaming Board rules and patron circulation considerations.

Decision and next steps
The Community Development Committee voted to approve the amended site plan for phase 1. The approval covers site layout, elevations and the signage concept; staff and the developer will continue to work on permit-level details, landscaping plans and any signage applications that require separate review.

Speakers and sources: presentation and answers by Alex Stollier (Chief Development Officer, Full House Resorts), Brian Wasilowski (GHA engineer) and Jeff Babinski (vice president/general manager), and committee questions recorded at the Community Development Committee meeting, Sept. 2, 2025.","Full House Resorts representatives presented amended plans for the permanent American Place casino at Fountain Square and the Community Development Committee approved the phase-1 site plan, which keeps the temporary casino building in place for some uses and includes a boutique two-story 'mansion' hotel in phase 1.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6025535,"Waukegan committee approves broad Unified Development Ordinance amendments, caps tree-replacement fees",1025,2933000,3958000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5754975-07dd04a4666b2f5abc3f5dfbe2118d0d&start=2933&end=3958","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5754975-07dd04a4666b2f5abc3f5dfbe2118d0d/thumbnail_2933000.jpg","/articles/6025535/Waukegan/DuPage-County/Illinois/Waukegan-committee-approves-broad-Unified-Development-Ordinance-amendments-caps-tree-replacement-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025535-3dd147161a42eb1913d234296cbb954a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775072840&Signature=WNBthUTMZV6fWGVbDA-QA5vUfBd9K9dI-nrdfwbWDPsnoF8z9Eb8M8RDHRPognJRlrycp6pAB8za72i2haUUTwVZ1qJv0h8XIIcMSMxyZabF6nJto8TNhKHmPbzyE0CVqCim4Wd-GSVZ060rDTsdoVF091rLPQgL6MorwXQHai1LMyASz7E5ad1PTViG6LmEieS9yRa5LhIY3oPvm7EvtMrbCPPquYEKBJhLk~v~bmCouoBFgo3h6I2z-ZPhPtMSjbsoCVOYwBxSABp1ytqq2myVXwQyD4CAH-~UYA9hbx19sMAOQyjIp0LUzEOSxnVY8LhJ-hkM3quGTQEig9YMaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waukegan — The Community Development Committee on Sept. 2 approved a package of amendments to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), moving a variety of regulatory clarifications and new rules meant to simplify permitting and reflect a year of implementation experience. The committee voted to send the amendments on to the full city council for review in two weeks.

The changes include reclassifying some uses (for example, separating animal hospitals from shelters), creating a new “fleet management facility” use limited to passenger-transport businesses, shifting many accessory-structure setback variance reviews from council to the Development Review Board (DRB), and adding an explicit appeal path from the DRB to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Sam Green, planner with the planning and zoning department, told the committee the amendments grew from a year of user feedback and aimed to make the ordinance “easier to use” and to speed approval processes.

Why it matters: the UDO consolidates zoning, sign, subdivision, tree preservation and design rules; changes now will affect how property owners, developers and businesses obtain permits, how small variances are handled, and how the city enforces landscaping and tree-replacement obligations.

Key regulatory changes
- Use categories and definitions: several use descriptions were clarified (for example, animal hospitals treated more like professional offices), 16 definitions were added or revised, and R-1/R-2 district names were changed to “limited residential” to reduce confusion about duplexes and single-unit allowances.
- New use: a fleet management facility is permitted for passenger-transport services (medical transport, ride services) but expressly excludes freight-transport or trucking operations. Alderman Florian asked for confirmation that the new fleet category would not allow truck-parking; Sam Green confirmed it is restricted to passenger services.
- Variances and appeals: accessory structure setback variances (such as small shed setbacks) will be decided by the DRB rather than council to shorten review time; sign variances will follow the standard variance process; unspecified minor adjustments may be approved by the DRB; appeals of DRB decisions will go to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
- Parking and landscape triggers: the ordinance limits the tree- and landscape-trigger for existing, legally approved parking lots that are merely being replaced “as is,” a change the planning staff said responds to business concerns about strict landscaping requirements adopted in 2005.
- Transit-oriented rule: the UDO implements state legislation removing parking minimums within a half-mile of the Metro station by creating a public-transportation-hub designation.
- Conditional uses and enforcement: the amendment adds a spelled-out process to revoke conditional use permits (CUPs) if necessary, and it clarifies the code-compliance tools staff can use to address overcrowded auto sales and repair lots.

Fee schedule change
The package also included a related change to the fee-and-fine schedule: staff proposed and the committee approved caps on the “tree-in-lieu” fee used when on-site replacement is not possible. The approved caps are $7,500 for residential projects and $15,000 for nonresidential projects; staff said all other permit fees remain unchanged.

Discussion and next steps
Committee members pressed staff on enforcement, especially for existing businesses that create nuisance conditions (piled cars, parking beyond marked spaces). Green emphasized that clearer standards and stronger code compliance are intended to reduce recurring problems. The Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously recommended the changes with a minor edit; staff told the committee they will return the full package to the city council for final consideration in two weeks and will follow up with an annual zoning map update in January.

What was decided: the Community Development Committee voted to approve the amendment package for transmittal to council. The changes are regulatory and will take effect only if council adopts the ordinance; the committee vote does not itself change city code.

Sources: presentation and comments by Sam Green, Planner, Planning & Zoning Department; questions and votes taken from the Community Development Committee meeting, Sept. 2, 2025.","The Community Development Committee approved its first major revisions to the Unified Development Ordinance since adoption, changing use categories, variance routes, parking and landscaping rules and capping tree-replacement in-lieu fees at $7,500 for residential and $15,000 for nonresidential projects.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6025516,"Waukegan approves $10.1 million settlement in Herman Williams wrongful-conviction case; financing options discussed",213,12917000,13130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5754975-07dd04a4666b2f5abc3f5dfbe2118d0d&start=12917&end=13130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5754975-07dd04a4666b2f5abc3f5dfbe2118d0d/thumbnail_12917000.jpg","/articles/6025516/Waukegan/DuPage-County/Illinois/Waukegan-approves-101-million-settlement-in-Herman-Williams-wrongful-conviction-case-financing-options-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025516-e0b8a5ca8acc85d47fe78ae63ab3488d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775072840&Signature=dlOz3MikZ4EVi97WoA0yUCVYbzyVxhBDz46-zFFOlfeqD2OliOcJLi47RSUc-y99wx8Qmrd~Ht-RW7XShxQYYLXxUS30ZSEVAKyv5iD8DVd~xh7vdj7h1tI1DLkEKD07YCB~shAi-GnkO3cebHS7MYZ2FIWHfYR51dunZmY9Tj47ytI9Bb24mT8UUMFjwtFLds-yd-NBPxlBh~ir1Kb~w70mcgPTMAD4-kw6By6PVPgGxwvuc8vNIQJ113ewKD0SRde5oyjlcDz9VH~o-eDWn9tFqxgjncVrJUBYf08FsQ5vPJI2y2N1baWVJ1ns-swEQnPU-kVSD2rKC8FGuHVBSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waukegan — The City Council on Sept. 2 approved a settlement and release of claims in the matter of Herman Williams v. City of Waukegan for an amount not to exceed $10,100,000.

Case description and action
Council members identified the claimant as Herman Williams. During discussion a council member described Williams as a man who was wrongfully incarcerated for 29 years; the council voted to approve the settlement resolution that authorizes execution of a release and settlement agreement resolving the claim.

Financing discussion
Council members asked how the settlement would be financed. City leaders said the settlement amount would be sourced from the city, and the administration indicated multiple financing options remain under consideration. Options discussed included paying from the general fund, using multi-year borrowing (municipal bonds), or a combination of sources. City officials said finance staff are evaluating terms and will return with recommended financing arrangements.

Other parties
During the committee discussion staff noted other jurisdictions and parties are involved in related litigation discussions; Lake County and nearby municipal entities were identified as connected parties in the broader claim resolution process.

Decision and next steps
Council approved the settlement by roll call. Staff will finalize the release and implement the agreed financial approach after completing any required administrative steps.

Sources: Council motion and roll call recorded on Sept. 2, 2025; council discussion of funding options at the same meeting.","The City Council approved a $10,100,000 settlement resolving claims by Herman Williams relating to a wrongful conviction; council and staff discussed financing options including general-fund payment and longer-term bonding.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6025520,"Council approves $3.24 million Washington–Keller repaving; officials say corridor study will aim for larger redesign",10850,1942000,12792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5754975-07dd04a4666b2f5abc3f5dfbe2118d0d&start=1942&end=12792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5754975-07dd04a4666b2f5abc3f5dfbe2118d0d/thumbnail_1942000.jpg","/articles/6025520/Waukegan/DuPage-County/Illinois/Council-approves-324-million-WashingtonKeller-repaving-officials-say-corridor-study-will-aim-for-larger-redesign","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025520-179d6a822650dfd647ab903e69a6fe11/orig.mp4?Expires=1775072840&Signature=jp9ISxUC5tD6tQ9x4QnZugoUfTZegbfXB23d~P5YGDs5ESk7XscMjSw9OrvJBx8EUI8jNemyxLbrjZ9gA7dNqQOiIwl70mrQGIg0dGr~9Hhp9exIR21lLsYISeUiJmgqiEOwnU4SjD~Cd59TKCuPl1PUI0n-72-AF9XouqC68OfiaOkycIAT~Tp7kS10eBoVGWCvgKHyqxz-b-T5BKDURB3CH0hamNBHHyGFhRjrv97nW6iVa1wXC3tIziFWRA~wB~avony2tiaEDujbVOa6Wl2wb~zrvYIg1rWMRAR6kTl4mj4IL0UlvZPycpTVdNz5ZzoYPJqDdk3AKlEj-WP6sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waukegan — The City Council approved on Sept. 2 an award of $3,239,481.67 to Peter Baker & Son to repave the Washington and Keller repaving project after councilors emphasized the need to fix a badly deteriorated roadway even as staff pursue a larger corridor redesign.

What the council approved
The vote authorizes the city to contract with Peter Baker & Son to repave the identified Washington Street segment for a not-to-exceed amount of $3,239,481.67. The item was carried on the consent agenda and approved by roll call.

Why the work is happening now
Alderman Florian asked whether the repaving would be torn up if a larger corridor project advanced; city staff and Director of Public Works Chris Garland said the city had already funded engineering work for a comprehensive corridor study and is pursuing a roughly $25 million corridor project through the Lake County Council of Mayors. Garland told the council the Washington Street pavement is in “unrepairable condition” and that waiting three to five years for higher-level funding would leave a key corridor in poor condition in the meantime; staff said the immediate repave is intended to restore safe travel while the larger corridor planning and grant-seeking continues.

Scope and location
When asked for extents, staff said the repave covers the stretch from the Frolic area (near Frolic Lounge) east to Park Avenue; the work will include new asphalt and associated patching and surface repairs. Council members said they expect further details from staff about how the repave will be coordinated with future corridor-level work and whether portions can be preserved or modified to reduce rework when the larger project proceeds.

Decision and next steps
Council approved the contract and staff indicated they will return with coordination details as engineering and grant applications for the larger corridor effort progress. The project will be funded from municipal capital funds; staff said they are reviewing financing options for other city obligations and long-term commitments in parallel.

Sources: Council roll call and questions during the Sept. 2 council meeting; comments by Director Chris Garland during council Q&A.","City council approved a $3,239,481.67 contract to repave the worst stretch of Washington Street between Frolic and Park Avenue, while staff said a larger $25 million corridor redesign is being pursued separately through the Lake County Council of Mayors.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cleanup near Waukegan’s south lakefront nears finish line; EPA review underway for former Fansteel site

American Place casino site plan approved for phase 1; developers present revised design and signage

Waukegan committee approves broad Unified Development Ordinance amendments, caps tree-replacement fees

Waukegan approves $10.1 million settlement in Herman Williams wrongful-conviction case; financing options discussed

Council approves $3.24 million Washington–Keller repaving; officials say corridor study will aim for larger redesign