The City of North Chicago-Committed to Building a Community that Reflects the Aspirations of Its Citizens

North Chicago, a diverse community of more than 30,000 residents, is situated on the shores of Lake Michigan in beautiful Lake County, Illinois, a region known for its blend of urban and suburban settings, as well as its scenic lakes and recreational opportunities.

The city’s seven wards are strategically mapped to encompass both residential and commercial sectors. This helps ensure balanced representation, with alderpersons being attentive to the needs of both homeowners and businesses. Historically, as well as recently, North Chicago’s wards have seen shifts in boundaries due to population changes, urban development, and other demographic changes. View the Ward Map

Periodic redistricting ensures that each ward remains roughly equal in population, adhering to the principle of “one person, one vote.” The ward system in North Chicago fosters a sense of local community and ensures that residents have a direct line of communication to their city government through their elected alderperson.

Council members are tasked not only with policymaking but also with addressing day-to-day issues, from road repairs to safety concerns, specific to their ward. Aldermen from each ward come together in the North Chicago City Council, collaborating to ensure the holistic development of the city while also advocating for the specific needs of their wards. This dynamic creates a balance between city-wide initiatives and localized projects, ensuring that North Chicago remains vibrant, responsive, and inclusive in its governance.

COMMUNITY VALUES

Community values are the core principles that drive the collective aspirations of a city. Such values function as the foundational pillars, shaping the direction and ensuring that the blueprint for North Chicago’s future resonates with the heart and soul of its residents. These values go beyond transient trends or immediate issues of the day.

This focus on community values ensures that every decision made aligns with the larger vision for North Chicago. 

To this end, here are North Chicago’s core community values:

INTERGENERATIONAL ENGAGEMENT: Beyond a close-knit community, North Chicago emphasizes connections across generations. This manifests in shared public spaces and programs that serve both young and old, fostering lifelong relationships.

COMMUNITY-DRIVEN GOVERNANCE: Expanding upon pragmatic governance, the community champions a participatory model where governmental decisions arise from conversations at local venues—be it a coffee shop or a town hall— ensuring that policy is rooted in collective wisdom.

HOLISTIC URBAN PLANNING: An extension of interconnected development, this principle includes a focus on walkable streets, parks, and public spaces. It acknowledges that thriving communities are designed to be inclusive and accessible, serving a wide array of needs and lifestyles.

UNIVERSAL ACCESSIBILITY: Amplifying the concept of quality of life, North Chicago values facilities and services designed for all, emphasizing not just quality but also widespread accessibility, whether it’s public transit that serves seniors or parks that are accessible to families.

COMMUNITY POLICING AND SAFETY: Building on shared responsibility, there is an expectation that safety is co-created through law enforcement-community partnerships. Active neighborhood watches and community policing initiatives make safety a collective endeavor.

SUSTAINABLE STEWARDSHIP: This principle underscores a broader view of environmentalism, where respect for nature is woven into the fabric of urban planning, public spaces, and even local governance. Sustainability isn’t a separate policy but an intrinsic community value.

CIVIC EDUCATION AND CULTURAL VITALITY: Elevating the concept of enrichment, educational and cultural opportunities are seen as conduits for active civic participation. They serve as meeting grounds for diverse groups and generations to engage in constructive dialogues.

EQUITY IN PUBLIC POLICY: In North Chicago, fairness takes the form of equitable access to opportunities and resources. Whether through targeted social programs or balanced zoning laws, the goal is to level the playing field for all residents.

COLLECTIVE FAMILY WELFARE: This extends the idea of ‘family as the cornerstone’ to policy considerations. Social welfare programs, public schools, and healthcare services are crafted with the understanding that they serve a large, interconnected community family.

HARMONIOUS PAST-FUTURE BALANCE: In harmonizing its rich local heritage with a forward-looking vision, North Chicago values its unique history as the foundation upon which to frame future growth and community development.

SOCIAL HUBS AS ACTIVE SPACES: North Chicago cherishes its public spaces as more than aesthetic landmarks. These are seen as dynamic platforms for community engagement, cultural expression, and spontaneous social interaction

ECONOMIC COMMUNITY BUILDING: Economic self-sufficiency takes a communal approach. Local businesses are supported through community programs, and residents are encouraged to shop locally, thus ensuring that economic sustainability is a shared pursuit.