Lake County Gazette

Lake County has announced the establishment of an intergovernmental support agreement with Naval Station Great Lakes to facilitate one of the Navy's largest housing demolition projects.

According to a Lake County press release, officials signed the latest intergovernmental support agreement (IGSA) between Lake County and Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL) during a ceremony at the National Museum of the American Sailor. Under this agreement, NSGL will gain access to Lake County’s job order contract services for demolition, construction, and related work. By utilizing existing county contracts with third-party providers, the Navy aims to reduce administrative steps, accelerate project timelines, and achieve cost savings through economies of scale.

One significant project supported by the IGSA is the demolition of Halsey Village. This 89-acre site previously housed 351 units for Navy families before being vacated. The property will be cleared entirely to allow for future redevelopment opportunities. IGSAs were first authorized by Congress in 2013 to enable military installations to form partnerships with local and state governments for shared services, thereby creating long-term cost savings and efficiency.

This agreement follows a 2024 IGSA in which Lake County provided NSGL with sand, gravel, soil removal, and assistance with material procurement. Established in 1911, NSGL remains the Navy’s only Basic Training Facility and spans 1,600 acres with over 1,150 buildings; 39 are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The installation contributes an estimated $4.6 billion annually to Illinois' economy. The new IGSA was approved by the Lake County Board during its August 2025 meeting.

The Lake County Board comprises 19 elected members representing various districts and is responsible for approving the county budget, financial matters, and ordinances affecting government departments. Meetings are held at the County Administrative Tower in Waukegan or remotely via Zoom. Schedules and agendas are available online. The board convenes monthly for regular sessions along with additional committee meetings that can be viewed live on LCTV.