<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Waukegan, <em>Illinois</em></h1>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f4f4f;" color="#4f4f4f"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" face="Arial, sans-serif">The city of Waukegan, located in Lake County, sprawls over five square miles and is one of the oldest cities in Illinois. The land was bought in 1829 by the Federal Government from the Potawatomi Native Americans. It was originally called Little Fort and became Waukegan twenty years later in 1849. Fittingly, the word Waukegan is the Potawatomi word for &ldquo;fort&rdquo;, an homage to the original settlers of the region. The city&rsquo;s motto is &ldquo;An Arts-Friendly Community&rdquo; and goes by the nicknames &ldquo;Green Town&rdquo; and WaukTown&rdquo;.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f4f4f;" color="#4f4f4f"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" face="Arial, sans-serif">The city lives up to its motto, having undergone a large $25 million redevelopment initative in 2004 that by the lakefront that included reopening the historic Genesee Performing Arts Theatre. The theatre was a concert hall and movie theater that opened its doors in 1927 and closed in 1989. As a result of the development many popular restaurants have sprung since and the downtown area continues to thrive and grow. The town is known for &ldquo;Artwauk&rdquo;, a monthly event that features the works of local artists, musicians, comedy, and vendors. Waukegan also holds an annual holiday festival, &ldquo;Holiday Wauk&rdquo;.</span></span></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f4f4f;" color="#4f4f4f"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" face="Arial, sans-serif">Waukegan features many top employers, including but not limited to, Vista Health System, Medline Industries, Cardinal Health, and Uline. The average prices single family homes for sale in Waukegan is $64,805 while the average condominium goes for about $50,000. Waukegan has three high schools, five middle schools, fifteen elementary schools, and three early childhood development centers consisting of approximately 17,000 students in total.</span></span></p>