Happy weekend, Waukegan! In today’s happening-today edition: Toll road hikes, Juneteenth parade and festival, and environmental film festival + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
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01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Toll road costs under review: Illinois Tollway proposed first toll hike in a decade under a $26.5 billion plan. If approved, increases start January 1. Public hearings begin July 13 in North Chicago -- see what’s being proposed.
Family fun under the stars: Planning a close-to-home summer escape? These 13 Illinois campgrounds, including Fish Lake Beach in Volo, pack swimming, kayaking, mini golf, and more for families within easy reach of Waukegan -- see the full campground list.
Student creativity on display: Lake County honored student winners of America’s 250th art and essay contest at the County Board meeting, and their work is displayed at Waukegan’s County Administrative Complex through July 14 -- see the winning entries.
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Beachy reset, right here: Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park is your easy local fix this week for lake-breeze therapy, sandy strolls, and low-key wildlife spotting. Pack a picnic, pick a trail, maybe cast a line or book a campsite, then call it a very Waukegan weekend.
Your local fairway fix: Whether your swing is dialed or mostly vibes, Glen Flora Country Club is a legit local upgrade. Classic Waukegan greens, a friendly member scene, and just enough challenge to make pars feel heroic... pencil in an after work nine or a weekend round and thank yourself later.
Weekend seafood upgrade: If you're daydreaming about the Pacific without leaving Waukegan, Riviera Nayarit Seafood comes through with bright ceviche, fiery aguachile, and crowd-pleasing seafood molcajetes, plus cocktails and live music... basically a mini beach trip for your taste buds with zero TSA drama.
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04 — Our recommendations
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎬 Little Fort Environmental Film Festival @ Multiple Locations | Saturday (6/20) at 5:00 AM – An international slate of environmental films is gathering on the Lake Michigan shore, turning our backyard into a conversation about climate, nature, people, and our shared planet. Expect powerful stories from 30-plus countries, reflective conversations, and that breezy lakeside vibe locals swear is invigorating, eventually.
🎉 Juneteenth Lake County Parade & Festival 2026 @ Genesee Theatre | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – If you grew up watching the Juneteenth parade, or keep promising you will next year, go. Black Outside, from the African American Museum at England Manor, rolls from Waukegan High on Washington into a festival with history, community pride, live vibes, and good eats.
🏊 Family Splash Bash: Picnic in the Park @ SplashZone | Saturday (6/20) at 1:00 PM – SplashZone is throwing a family pool party with a picnic twist, courtesy of the Park District. Think snacks, games, and prizes while the kids cannonball, you supervise with dignity, and everyone avoids mowing the lawn. Price is per family, $10 for residents, $14 for nonresidents.
⛳ 2026 Waukegan KSKJ Golf @ Bonnie Brook Golf Course | Saturday (6/20) at 1:00 PM – Whether you still keep score with a pencil or just by laughs, the annual KSKJ outing brings Waukegan’s St. Mary #79 and St. Joseph #53 together for a shotgun start, friendly ribbing, and matching funds for a worthy cause. Mulligans, memories, and cart confessions await.
🧵 Threads of Liberation: The Fabric of Our Truth @ Dandelion Gallery & Studio | Saturday (6/20) at 5:00 PM – ArtWauk at Dandelion means one thing, our stories get stitched together in public. An open showcase honoring Pride and Juneteenth with visual art, fashion, poems, and performance, plus a no-pressure artist meet and greet and communal weaving, because your thread counts. Free, welcoming, genuinely local.
🌳 Celestial Nature and Forest Therapy: Summer Solstice @ Brushwood Center | Sunday (6/21) at 9:00 AM – Leaning into the Summer Solstice, this guided forest bathing walk is pressing pause on the calendar and letting your nervous system catch up. No soap, no laps, just slow breaths, bird noise, and your watch taking a nap while you remember how to be here.
🚗 Fathers Day | Cars & Elotes @ Belvidere Mall | Sunday (6/21) at 11:00 AM – Father’s Day at Belvidere Mall means polished chrome, seasoned corn, and a temporary ceasefire on honey-do lists. It’s a relaxed pull up and park scene with classics, modded builds, and off-road rigs, plus elotes from Ortiz Grocery and El Pollo Rico, and easy, quality time. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Waukegan report Weather forecastToday — High: 76°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 11%
Sunny, with a high near 76. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. North wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 67°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 67%
Rain showers likely between 7am and 4pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. East wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 70%. This house is wildThis well-kept ranch offers 3 bedrooms with hardwood floors, 1 full bath, and a bright living room with laminate flooring. The kitchen features tile underfoot, while the full finished basement adds extra room to spread out. A one-car garage, nice-sized yard, and updated washer, dryer, furnace, and central air round out this solid home.
Take a peek inside → |
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