Known as the birthplace of comedian Jack Benny, Waukegan is located along the western shoreline of Lake Michigan, 39 miles north of Chicago and 60 miles south of Milwaukee. The Lake County community is bordered by Beach Park to the north, North Chicago to the south, the village of Gurnee to the west, and Lake Michigan to the east. The...
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Known as the birthplace of comedian Jack Benny, Waukegan is located along the western shoreline of Lake Michigan, 39 miles north of Chicago and 60 miles south of Milwaukee. The Lake County community is bordered by Beach Park to the north, North Chicago to the south, the village of Gurnee to the west, and Lake Michigan to the east. The population of Waukegan is 90,000, which makes it the ninth largest city in Illinois. It boasts outstanding public services, a thriving arts community, good schools, and plentiful leisure-time opportunities. The Jack Benny Center for the Arts is located in Bowen Park, and is part of the Cultural Arts Division of the Waukegan Park District. The Center hosts the Bowen Park Theatre and Opera Company, the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus, as well as many classes and private music lessons. The recently renovated Genesee Theatre stages Broadway show, national music acts and comedians in a dramatic historic setting. In their leisure time, villagers can also take advantage of the 38-facility park system, which includes three golf courses, two outdoor pools, a half-mile stretch of public beach, and a harbor where fishing enthusiasts can catch some salmon. Other area attractions include Six Flags Great America Amusement Park in Gurnee, the Arlington Off-Track Betting Facility in Waukegan, Waukegan Skate Park, and a number of golf courses in the area. Waukegan's real estate market is diverse: Home seekers can find moderately-priced residential properties as well as upscale residences. Though condominiums and townhomes are available, the area is dominated by single-family detached home. Lots and land are also available for custom home construction.Rail commuters can ride Metra's Chicago \& Northwestern line, which runs from Kenosha, Wisconsin to Chicago; the trip takes approximately 65 to 75 minutes. To reach downtown Chicago, drivers can take either the Edens Expressway or the Tri-State Tollway. Driving time is about an hour.
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