Alderman asks city to press chamber to stop using 'City of Waukegan' in its name; counsel weighing legal risks

Alderman Turner asked the council on May 4 to direct the mayor’s office and corporate counsel to send a letter demanding that the local chamber of commerce stop using a name that implies municipal affiliation. Turner read a draft letter citing several Illinois statutes and argued the chamber’s current name and use of city hall’s address could mislead the public.

In his prepared remarks Turner referenced the Assumed Business Name Act (as cited in his draft), the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, the General Not-for-Profit Corporation Act, and the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act as potential legal bases for action. He said he would seek a resolution directing the mayor and corporate counsel to send the letter and, if necessary, would pursue enforcement steps including notifying the Illinois attorney general and the secretary of state.

Corporate counsel told the council he had prepared a draft in coordination with Alderman Turner but did not agree with all allegations in Turner’s version. Counsel said a letter could be appropriate but warned that termination of the chamber’s use of the name or filing suit would trigger litigation strategy conversations and possibly require closed-session discussion.

Aldermen asked whether any members of the public had been demonstrably deceived by the chamber’s name; one alderman reported receiving calls from constituents confused about whether the chamber was a city department. Corporate counsel said the address and name could create an inference of municipal affiliation and that the legal path would require additional review.

What happens next: Corporate counsel and Alderman Turner will continue to refine recommended language and discuss whether a formal resolution, administrative letter or legal action is appropriate; council members suggested further committee discussion before any formal action.