Free, high-speed, public Wi-Fi is coming to the core of downtown Waukegan this spring courtesy of a cooperative effort between the city and Lake County.
The Waukegan City Council voted 6-2 to approve an intergovernmental agreement with the county on Tuesday at City Hall, creating a partnership providing internet service available to anyone with an appropriate electronic device throughout the downtown area.
Roughly bounded by Grand Avenue to the north, Sheridan Road to the east — with a carveout for the train station — Belvidere Road to the south and Park Avenue to the west, the county will install the network and cover the expense through the end of the year, according to the agreement.
Starting in 2027, the city will become responsible for the cost of the network and its maintenance. Matt Meyers, the county’s deputy administrator, said the expense this year will be covered by remaining COVID-relief funds.
Noelle Kischer-Lepper, the city’s director of community development, said she anticipates the cost of maintaining and providing the network starting in 2027 will be between $20,000 and $25,000 per year. It could be less under a multiyear contract.
Meyers said during a meeting on Jan. 5 that the network is part of the county’s digital growth initiative and fits the city’s plans to develop its downtown and lakefront area.
“In 2023, Lake County went forth with a vision where internet is accessible and affordable for all, and residents are equipped with the resources they need in a growing digital society,” Meyers said. “Everybody needs access for healthcare (and) jobs.”
Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham said in a news release that the network will enable people working or visiting downtown to remain connected. That includes city and county employees, as well as College of Lake County students and staff.
“Access to the internet is no longer a luxury, but an essential,” Cunningham said. “This investment will allow visitors to stay connected, whether they are studying, working remotely, accessing services or enjoying everything that Downtown Waukegan has to offer.”
Waukegan Ald. Jose A. Guzman, 2nd Ward, tried to postpone the vote for two weeks so he could have more time for discussion of the issues. He said taxpayer money should not be used to benefit a small group of people, particularly the rich.
“There you go, catering to the rich, to everybody who has jobs and stuff,” Guzman said at a meeting on Monday. “The way I see it, everybody has a cell phone with unlimited internet access, so I don’t see how it benefits the regular person.”
Tom Maillard, who handles special projects and legislative affairs for the city, said at Monday’s meeting there is a strong need in the city, particularly downtown, for universal internet service.
“What we have found out is there are a lot of needs in this city,” Maillard said. “The easiest, first example is school kids. During COVID, it showed there is a desperate need. The school district was supplying thousands and thousands of hot spots to support our families.”
Maillard said the network also expands the city’s ability to have security cameras in the downtown area.
Ald. Victor Felix, 4th Ward, disputed Guzman’s contention that everyone has a cellular phone with unlimited internet service. He said there is a need. He mentioned the possibility of expanding to extended portions of downtown.
“Not everybody can afford, even now, a phone,” Felix said. “We’re not there yet. I don’t know we’ll ever be there yet for this technology to be free.”
Ald. Lynn Florian, 8th Ward, asked the council to override Guzman’s request to postpone the vote. The council members voted 6-2 to hold the vote on Tuesday and approved it.
Joining Florian and Felix voting for the intergovernmental agreement were Ald. Juan Martinez, 3rd Ward, Ald. Edith Newsome, 5th Ward, Ald. Michael Donnenwirth, 7th Ward and Ald. Thomas Hauyes, 9th Ward.
Ald. Keith Turner, 6th Ward, voted no with Guzman. Ald. Sylvia Sims Bolton, 1st Ward, was not at the meeting.
