Waukegan aldermen approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Lake County to install and pilot a free public Wi‑Fi network in downtown Waukegan using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Matt Myers, deputy county administrator for Lake County, said the county’s Broadband and Digital Equity Action Plan calls for increased free public Internet access in downtown areas and listed downtown Waukegan as a priority pilot area. The pilot area described in the presentation runs roughly from Grand Avenue to Belvedere and west to Sheridan; a beach‑notch area was excluded from the first phase for budget reasons.

Myers said the county will install antennae and use existing city and county assets — light poles, traffic signals and county buildings — for mounts and a single interior switch per building. A contractor (CDW) will maintain the network virtually; Myers identified recurring costs the city would inherit after the county’s ARPA funding ends, estimating roughly $16,000–$17,000 per year for ongoing maintenance and the provider monthly fees (CDW’s contract portion cited at about $9,000 annually).

Aldermen asked about installation scope and long‑term costs. Myers said the county will provide handouts with firm cost breakdowns and that the city could negotiate future provider contracts (Comcast or AT&T were cited as possible internet service partners). Council members expressed interest in future expansions to other districts and potential public‑safety uses such as cameras.

The council voted to approve the IGA; the county will complete installation (county‑led) and Waukegan is slated to maintain and manage the network beginning in 2027.