HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Waukegan - Public Financial Report
POPULAR
ANNUAL
FINANCIAL
REPORT
For the Fiscal Year
Ended April 30, 2021
Waukegan Municipal Beach Historic Genesee Theatre
Prepared by
Department of Finance
City of
Waukegan
Illinois
Incorporated February 23, 1859
Mayor
Ann B. Taylor
Aldermen
Dr Sylvia Sims Bolton, 1st Ward
Patrick D. Seger, 2nd Ward
Gregory D Moisio, 3rd Ward
Dr. Roudell Kirkwood, 4th Ward
Edith L. Newsome, 5th Ward
Keith E. Turner, 6th Ward
Felix L. Rivera, 7th Ward
Dr. Lynn M. Florian, 8th Ward
Thomas J. Hayes, 9th Ward
Janet E. Kilkelly, City Clerk
John R. Schwab, City Treasurer
1 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Table of Contents
Table of Contents 1
Letter from Mayor Ann B Taylor 2
Community Profile 3
Basic Demographics 4
Employment & Major Employers 5
Property Taxes 6
Tax Base over Time 7
2019 Tax Bill 8
City Organization 9
Property Taxes 10
Our Commitment 11
The City’s Finances 12
Waukegan Harbor & Marina
All Funds Summary 12
Where the Money Comes From 12
Where the Money Goes 14
Sources, Uses, Balances: All Funds 17
Change in Fund Balance: All Funds 18
Business-Type Activities 19
A Look at the General Fund 20
Debt Administration 22
Pension Benefits 24
Capital Improvements 25
Factors Affecting Financial Condition 27
Additional Information 29
2 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
From Mayor Ann B Taylor
To the Citizens of Waukegan,
Welcome to the 1st Edition of the City of
Waukegan’s “Citizen’s Guide to Local Financial
Activities” for the fiscal year ended April 30,
2021. On behalf of all officials and employees of
the City, I would like to thank you for taking a
moment to review this report, which is intended
to provide an overview of the City’s financial
performance and the progress the City has
made during the past fiscal year. This report
summarizes the financial activities of the City and is not intended to
replace the full disclosure financial statements that can be viewed in our
Annual Financial Report. Rather, by reading this report you will be able to
gain a general understanding and summary of the City’s major initiatives of
the prior year and of its financial activities carried out throughout the year.
Individuals who wish to review information on a more detailed basis should
refer to the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, which is readily
available for public review on the City’s website.
Members of the City Council and I appreciate your input regarding the
contents of this report. It has been prepared as a tool for its readers
regardless of financial background or training and we it hope demonstrates
our commitment to maintaining open communication with our residents.
Although a condensed report, the presentation of financial information in
this Citizen’s Report conforms to generally accepted accounting principles
(GAAP). However, it does not contain full note disclosures as found in the
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and excludes activities of the City’s
Component Unit – the Waukegan Public Library.
I hope you benefit from your review of this report and I encourage all
interested residents to take an active part in our local government and
community. Our community gains strength when persons who call
Waukegan home invest their resources of time and talents.
Please feel free to share any comments you may have regarding this report.
Sincerely,
Ann B Taylor
Mayor
City of
Waukegan
County of
Lake
State of
Illinois
Incorporated
Feb 23, 1859
Population
1870 4,507
1900 9,426
1930 33,499
1960 61,784
1970 65,134
1980 67,653
1990 69,621
2000 87,925
2010 89,078
2020 89,321
2021
Expenditures
$168.8 million
24.5 sq mi.
3 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Community Profile
First visited by Father Pere Marquette and the fur trader Louis Joliet in 1673, Waukegan is one of the
oldest communities in Illinois. Early settlers to the area were initially attracted to Waukegan as a port
city due to its location on Lake Michigan and shipped produce and grain from Lake and McHenry County
farms to Chicago. The creation of the Illinois Parallel Railroad (now the Chicago and North Western
Railway) in 1855 stimulated interest in Waukegan as a manufacturing center. The City continued to grow
and diversify, and Waukegan was incorporated as a City on February 23, 1859 with a population under
4,000 and a land area of 5.62 sq mi. Industrial growth along Lake Michigan in the 1890s required a large
workforce and Waukegan began to grow in population and diversity.
For over 10,000 years various native American tribes inhabited the land. As European migration to the
region exploded in the 1890s, the initial settlers from places such as England, Germany, Ireland, and
Canada were joined by new groups from Poland, Slovenia, Lithuania, Sweden, Finland, Croatia, and
Armenia. The African American community experienced a population increase in the 1940s as many
migrated North in search of available jobs. Today, over half the population is Hispanic, with immigrants
from Mexico constituting the largest group of Hispanics. Since the time of its founding, Waukegan has
been a true melting pot community, with ethnic enclaves blending together through the generations.
Race & Hispanic Origin City of
Waukegan
Lake
County
State of
Illinois
United
States
White (non-Hispanic) 19.2% 60.6% 60.8% 60.1%
Hispanic or Latino (of any Race) 55.6% 22.4% 17.5% 18.5%
Black (non-Hispanic) 17.2% 7.5% 14.8% 13.4%
Asian (non-Hispanic) 5.2% 8.4% 5.9% 5.9%
Other Multiple Races 2.8% 1.1% 1.0% 2.1%
Waukegan is today the seat of Lake County government with a population in excess of 89,000, a land
area of 24.5 square miles and ranks as the tenth largest municipality in the State of Illinois. Located
almost equidistant between Chicago to the south and Milwaukee to the north, Waukegan proudly boasts
of an ethnically diverse population and a labor force in excess of 40,000.
The City features recreational and commercial attractions on Lake Michigan highlighted by the Waukegan
Harbor and Marina, consisting of two recreational marina areas. In addition, the Waukegan National
Airport is categorized by the FAA as a “reliever airport” for Chicago’s O’Hare International airport and
handles private, corporate, business, executive, and governmental aircraft that operate in NE Illinois and
SE Wisconsin, offering US Customs Service for global travel.
The Waukegan Municipal Beach features one mile of sandy beach, along with some of the only
remaining natural dunes in the area. The Waukegan Park District, a separate unit of local government, is
a nationally acclaimed park district that owns and operates a fitness and aquatic center, golf courses, a
cultural arts center, many playgrounds, numerous playing fields including a large, multi-field sports
complex and won the National Gold Medal for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. Also in
2013, the Public Library received the National Medal for Museum and Library service.
4 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Basic Demographics
20 Years at a Glance
2001 2011 2021
Population 87,925 89,078 89,321
Full time Employees 531 514 483
Number of Sworn Police Officers 170 147 150
Number of Sworn Fire Personnel 108 112 116
Taxable Assessed Value $948,099,450 $1,286,902,229 $1,300,583,819
Town Tax Rate per $100 EAV $1.497 $2.1910 $2.8726
Outstanding General Oblg Bonds $29,808,853 $104,297,566 $107,735,000
Retail Sales Tax $10,588,088 $13,207,602 $20,579,325
Home Rules Sales Tax Rate 1.00% 1.00% 1.50%
Governmental Fund Revenue $51,084,870 $78,684,425 $115,190,350
Governmental Fund Expenditures $54,000,369 $76,388,715 $118,744,171
Governmental Funds - Fund Balance $27,419,299 $36,054,203 $53,934,336
City of
Waukegan
Lake
County
State of
Illinois
United
States
Population 89,321 714,342 12,812,508 331,440,281
Households 29,441 246,122 4,846,134066 120,756,048
Median Household Income $49,803 $89,427 $65,886 $62,843
Persons per household 2.89 2.78 2.57 2.62
Per Capita Income $22,767 $45,766 $36,038 $34,103
High School Graduate or Higher 75.2% 90.6% 89.2% 88.0%
Persons in Poverty-Percent 17.6% 7.2% 11.5% 11.4%
Median Home Value $132,200 $265,100 $194,500 $217,500
Source: 2020 Census Quick Facts
5 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Employment & Major Employers
Using five-year data for the period 2014-2018, the American Community Survey of the U.S. Bureau of
the Census, Waukegan has a labor force of 41,466. Primary industries include, manufacturing, retail and
wholesale trade, health care and social assistance, and administrative support and waste management
services.
Employment by Occupation
The City The County The State
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Management, Business, Science and Arts 9,094 21.9% 150,074 42.8% 2,370,095 38.1%
Service 9,894 23.9% 53,519 15.3% 1,072,423 17.2%
Sales and Office 7,957 19.2% 81,871 23.3% 1,393,893 22.4%
Natural Resources, Construction, Maint. 3,643 8.8% 21,104 6.0% 448,917 7.2%
Production, Transportation, Material
Moving
10,878 26.2% 44,163 12.6% 940,636 15.1%
Total 41,466 100.0% 350,731 100.0% 6,225,964 100.0%
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey, 5-year estimates 2014 to 2018
The effects of the pandemic can be seen by
the rise in unemployment in the City, the
County, and the State.
Source: IL Dept of Employment Security
(1) Preliminary rates for March 2021
(2) Increase due to the COVID-19
Pandemic
Annual Average Unemployment Rates
Waukegan Lake County Illinois
2016 6.7% 5.2% 5.8%
2017 5.7% 4.4% 5.0%
2018 6.8% 4.4% 5.0%
2019 5.7% 4.1% 4.0%
2020 (1) 9.7% 8.1% 9.5%
2021 (1) (2) 10.2% 6.4% 7.1%
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
City, County & State Unemployment
City County State
6 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Tax Base & Major Taxpayers
As of the most recent tax year (2019), the City of Waukegan shows 22,608 taxable properties within its
borders. Of these properties, 90% are residential and make up 58% of property taxes within the City. 8%
are classified as commercial properties and pay 27% of property taxes extended on the annual tax bill.
2% are classified as industrial properties and pay 14% of levied taxes, while the remaining properties
consist of farm land and railroad properties with 0.4% of the tax bill.
Property Class Assessed Value Pct of Total # of
Properties
Pct of
Total
Residential $ 757,879,704 58.3% 20,336 90.0%
Commercial 349,971,485 26.9% 1,823 8.1%
Industrial 186,839,206 14.4% 396 1.7%
Farm 2,905,546 0.2% 49 0.2%
Railroad 2,987,908 0.2% 4 0.0%
$ 1,300,583,849 100.0% 22,608 100.0%
Major Taxpayers (2019 Tax Year)
Taxpayer Class Taxable
Assessed Value
Pct of Total
City Assessed
Value
MEPT I-94 Logistics Center LLC Commercial $ 22,426,089 1.72%
Colliers International Commercial 21,985,729 1.69%
Community Health Systems Commercial 20,423,407 1.57%
Bridge Point North LLC Industrial 14,728,090 1.13%
Northern Crossing IV LLC Commercial 11,044,605 0.85%
Marquette Enterprises Industrial 9,071,486 0.70%
Pensam Capital LLC Commercial 8,441,711 0.65%
Voyrs, Sater, Seymour & Pease LLP Industrial 7,925,479 0.61%
Individual Commercial 7,220,465 0.56%
MIMG XVI Reserve at Eagle Ridge
LLC
Commercial 7,051,064 0.54%
$ 130,318,125 10.02%
7 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Tax Base Shows Fifth Year of Growth
Change in Tax Base Over Time
From a high of $1.4 billion in the 2010 tax year (FY2012), the City’s tax base fell each of the next four
years to a total decline of 36% by 2014 (FY2016). At this point, the city experienced a steady five-year
increase of 33% by fiscal year 2021 to $1.3 billion. Although still 7% short of the mark obtained in
FY2012, steady growth over the past five years is encouraging. Over the past five years the city has seen
increased valuations in each property classifications totaling 38%. During this period, the valuation of
residential property has risen 52%; farm and agricultural parcels by 42%; commercial properties by 30%;
industrial properties by 11%; and railroad properties by 34%.
Change in Tax Base by Tax Year
Tax
Year
Tax Base (EAV) Pct.
Change
2010 $1,447,086,224
2011 1,286,902,229 (11.1%)
2012 1,102,871,031 (14.3%)
2013 975,833,222 (11.5%)
2014 941,401,930 (3.5%)
2015 941,513,258 0.0%
2016 1,016,214,796 7.9%
2017 1,110,498,352 9.3%
2018 1,198,892,817 8.0%
2019 1,300,583,819 8.5%
Change in Property Valuation by Classification:
FY16 – FY21
(In
thousands) FY16 FY21 Change
Pct.
Change
Residential $498,925 $ 757,879 $258,954 51.9%
Farm 2,051 2,905 854 41.7%
Commercial 269,352 349,971 80,619 29.9%
Industrial 168,843 186,839 17,995 10.7%
Railroad 2,229 2,987 758 34.0%
Total $941,401 $1,300,583 $359,181 38.2%
8 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Waukegan taxpayers are assessed property taxes based on the computed tax rate and the taxable value
of their property across nine taxing districts. The City’s share of the tax bill is 23.4%, while the
overlapping districts garner 76.6% of the bill.
City of Waukegan: 2019 Tax Bill – Paid in FY 2021
2019 Tax Rate % Total
CITY DIRECT RATE
City of Waukegan 2.8726 23.9%
OVERLAPPING RATES
Lake County 0.5968 4.9%
Lake County Forest Preserve 0.1798 1.5%
Waukegan Township 0.3505 2.9%
Waukegan Township Road & Bridge 0.0297 0.2%
North Shore Sanitary District 0.1530 1.2%
Waukegan Park District 0.8975 7.3%
Unit School District 60 6.9239 56.4%
College of Lake County 0.2815 2.3%
TOTAL OVERLAPPING RATES 9.4127 76.6%
Total Direct & Overlapping 12.2853 100.0%
Waukegan Apartment Complex Waukegan Industrial Park Astronics Corporation
9 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
City Organization
Citizens of
Waukegan
City Council Mayor
Building, Planning &
Development
Central
Administrative
Services
Fire & Medical
Rescue
Police & Emergency
Dispatch
Public Works,
Engineering &
Waterworks
City Clerk &
Treasurer
Principal City Provided Services
Public Safety
Police
Fire
Emergency Medical
Public Works
Streets
Alleys
Public Right-of-Ways
Water & Sewerage
Building
Permitting
Code Enforcement
Planning & Development
Community Development
Redevelopment Planning
Land Use & TIF Management
General Administrative Services
Management & Administration
Legal & Finance
Human Resources & Risk Mgmt.
Public Relations/Marketing
Information Technology
Community & Economic Development
Water & Sewer Operations
Business Licensing
Building Permits & Code Enforcement
Property Assessment Assistance
Parks & Recreation
10 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Our Commitment
Mission Statement
The Mission of the City of Waukegan is to provide superior, responsive, and coordinated
governmental services that best meet the needs of the residents and businesses of Waukegan that
(a) address immediate concerns for safe and affordable housing; (b) ensure safe neighborhoods;
and (c) advance economic opportunities and a diversified business climate with the highest
standards of service excellence and personal and professional integrity.
The Challenging Landscape in FY 2021
The world-wide COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll across world economies with a
health crisis accounting for the loss of millions of lives, deep recessionary pressures through
much of the world, business closures, increased poverty and joblessness, all of which were
further worsened by social and political upheaval in many of our nation’s cities. The fourteen
months since the outbreak of the unprecedented virus in February and March of 2020 made for
difficult times for local governments to tend to the needs of their community, for local businesses
to stay open, and for families to maintain a sense of order in a troubled world.
Waukegan was not immune from this health crisis that shuttered many local businesses, reduced
the operating hours and occupancy levels at area restaurants, taverns, and video gaming facilities.
Workers compensation claims in the ranks of police and fire personnel reached historic highs as
large numbers of the City’s First responders became infected, leading to extreme overtime costs
as those able to work shouldered the required hours to provide public safety services around the
clock. The City purchased laptops and necessary supplies to allow many employees to work
remotely, and made certain all work areas followed CDC guidelines regarding sanitation and
social distancing to protect the health and safety of employees and members of the public
needing the assistance of on-site personnel.
With unanticipated and unbudgeted overtime costs far in excess of budgeted estimates, operating
costs for supplies and equipment to maintain services, and fearing a sharp decline in revenue
from local fees and taxes, the City mandated a 10% reduction to each department’s budget
midway through the fiscal year. Although well intentioned, most departments addressed costs
that could not be stripped from the budget. Although many departments exceeded the amended
and reduced budgetary mandate, they nonetheless adhered to the initial budget while the City
benefitted from COVID-19 related cost reimbursements of $4 million through the federal
government’s CARES ACT (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability Act), which
prevented the City from reporting a year-end deficit. Instead, the City’s share of State sales tax
and income tax revenues offset declines in hotel/motel tax and video gaming tax and when
coupled with control over those costs that could be controlled unrelated to COVID-19, the
principal operating fund of the City, the General Fund, completed the year with a $2.8 million
increase to fund balance.
11 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
The City’s Finances: Accounting for Financial Activities
Fund Accounting and Structure
The accounts of the City are organized on the basis of funds and account groups, each of which is
considered a separate accounting entity. The operations of each fund are accounted for with a separate
self-balancing set of accounts that comprise its assets, liabilities, fund equity, revenues and expenditures,
or expenses, as appropriate. Government resources are allocated to and accounted for in individual
funds based upon the purposes for which they are to be spent and the means by which spending
activities are controlled.
Funds are classified into the following categories: Governmental, Proprietary and Fiduciary.
Governmental funds are used to account for all or most of the City’s general activities, including the
collection and disbursement of restricted or committed monies (Special Revenue Funds), the funds
committed, restricted or assigned for the acquisition or construction of capital assets (Capital Project
Funds), the funds committed, restricted or assigned for the servicing of long-term debt (Debt Service
Funds) and the management of funds held in trust where the interest earnings can be used for
governmental services (Permanent Funds). The General Fund is used to account for all activities of the
City not accounted for in some other fund.
Proprietary funds are used to account for activities similar to those found in the private sector, where
the determination of net income is necessary or useful for sound financial administration. Goods or
services from such activities can be provided either to outside parties (Enterprise Funds) or to other
departments or agencies primarily within the government (Internal Service Funds).
Fiduciary funds are used to account for assets held on behalf of outside parties, including other
governments. The City utilizes pension trust funds to account for the fiduciary component units.
Income
Taxes
State Sales
Tax
Total Video Gaming Hotel/Motel Total
2020 $ 9,654,858 $ 9,930,747 $ 19,585,605 $
1,131,665
$ 1,308,906 $ 2,440,571
2021 10,211,662 10,463,048 20,674,713 791,222 598,817 1,390,039
Inc
(Dec)
$ 1,089,105 $ (1,050,532)
Pr
o
p
r
i
e
t
a
r
y
Enterprise Funds
Internal Service
Go
v
e
r
n
m
e
n
t
a
l
F
u
n
d
s
General
Special Revenue
Debt Service
Capital Projects
Fi
d
u
c
i
a
r
y
Police Pension
Fire Pension
12 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
All Funds Summary
Where the Money Comes From
In the Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2021, revenue across all funds totaled $214.5 million, compared to
$154.3 million collected in the prior fiscal year, reflecting an increase of $60.2 million, or 39.0%. Most
notable is an increase of $45.6 million in investment income created by earnings of $48 million in the
Pension Trust funds and $7 million in intergovernmental revenue due to $4 million in federal funding via
the CARES Act, and $2.9 million in partial receipt of the City’s allotment of $5.9 million from the
proceeds of State issued general obligation bonds in support of a $45 billion Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan.
Included in total fiscal year 2021 funding is revenue from the City’s Governmental Funds totaling $115.2
million, compared to $105.2 million collected in the prior year, and consists of activity within the General
Fund, Special Revenue Funds, Debt Service Funds, and Capital Project Funds. Revenue reported within
the City’s Proprietary Funds total $16.6 million, compared to $17.0 million collected in 2020, and
consists of activities within the two business-type Enterprise Funds, the Water and Sewer Utility and the
Motor Vehicle Parking System. Internal Service Funds, consisting of the Employee Benefit Plan for
employee and retiree health insurance and the Risk Management Fund for workers’ compensation and
various liability insurance activities show revenue of $16.7 million, and show an increase of $2.5 million
over the prior year. The Police and Firefighters’ Pension Trust Funds received revenue of $66.0 million,
consisting of $18.1 million in employee and city pension contributions and $48.0 million in investment
income. The increase over the prior fiscal year is due in full to investment earnings.
ALL FUND REVENUES - FY20 & FY21
(in millions)
FY20
FY21
Variance
Pct.
Change
Property Taxes $ 34.4 $ 37.7 $ 3.4 9.88%
Sales Taxes 10.0 11.0 1.1 10.6%
Home Rule Sales Tax 9.4 10.1 0.6 9.6%
Income Tax 9.7 10.2 0.6 5.8%
Utility Tax 5.0 4.9 (0.1) (1.1%)
Other Taxes 14.0 13.3 (0.7) (4.8%)
Intergovernmental 5.5 12.5 7.0 127.3%
Licenses, Permits, Fees & Fines 10.2 10.1 (0.1) (0.9%)
Charges for Services & Miscellaneous 35.5 38.4 3.0 8.4%
Pension Contributions 18.2 18.1 (0.1) (0.6%)
Investment Income 2.6 48.1 45.6 1782.8%
Total $ 154.3 $ 214.5 $ 60.2 39.0%
13 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
TOTAL FY21 REVENUE BY SOURCE
(in millions)
FY21
Pct. of
Total
Property Taxes $ 37.7 17.6%
Sales Taxes 11.0 5.1%
Home Rule Sales Tax 10.1 4.7%
Income Tax 10.2 4.8%
Utility Tax 4.9 2.3%
Other Taxes 13.3 6.2%
Intergovernmental 12.5 5.8%
Licenses, Permits, Fees & Fines 10.1 4.7%
Charges for Services & Miscellaneous 38.4 8.4%
Pension Contributions 18.1 17.9%
Investment Income 48.1 22.4%
Total $ 214.5 100.0%
Due to the strong return on investment shown in both pension trust funds (Police and Firefighters’
pension funds) which account for $48.0 of the $48.1 million total investment income in FY21, investment
earnings account for 22.4% of total revenue for the year. Contributions to the two pension trust plans by
employees and the City total $18.1 million and represent 17.9% of total funding. Property taxes totaled
$37.7 million and 17.6% of city-wide revenue. Sales taxes totaled $21.1 million, or 9.8% of total revenue,
while state income taxes, allotted to the City on a per capita formulaic basis, totaled $10.2 million and
4.8% of total revenue. All other tax sources, including utility tax, personal property replacement taxes,
local use tax, telecommunications tax, hotel/motel tax, video gaming tax, totaled $18.2 million, or 9.5%
of total revenue.
Intergovernmental revenue, consisting of $4.0 million in federal grants through the CARES Act, $2.9
million provided through the Illinois Department of Transportation via the State’s recently enacted $45
billion Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan, $3.2 million in Motor Fuel Taxes, $1.1 million in block grant funding
through the U.S. Housing of Urban Development (CDBG) and $1.0 million in assorted state and federal
grants. Revenue from licenses, permits, fees and fines contributed $10.1 million, while charges for
services totaled $38.4 million and 8.4% of funding as follows:
Charges for Service In millions Pct. Of Total
Ambulance Service $ 1.7 4.4%
911 charges 2.0 5.2%
Water Sewer fees 15.3 39.8%
Insurance premiums 16.7 43.6%
All Others 2.7 7.0%
14 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Where the Money Goes
Expenditures in FY21 totaled $168.8 million across all funds, compared to $160.2 million in the prior
fiscal year. Consistent with the City’s stated goals, programs in support of public safety totaled $62.9
million or 29.3% of total expenditures. The second leading cost center is the payment of principal and
interest on the City’s outstanding general obligation and revenue bonded debt totaling $22.4 million and
10.4% of total expenditures. The cost of health, life and disability insurance combined with workers’
compensation and risk management premiums and claims totaled $20.2 million and 9.4% of operations.
The cost of maintaining the City’s roadways, facilities, water & sewer systems and infrastructure and
general public works operations totaled $18.3 million and 8.6% of city-wide expenditures.
Outlays for fixed assets such as vehicles and equipment and roadway improvements totaled $12 million,
or 5.6% of the year’s expenditures, funded principally with bond proceeds remaining from prior years’
issuance. The cost of city-wide refuse collection for 20,000 residential units and the environmental
clean-up of the Yeoman Creek landfill totaled $5.3 million. The balance of $10.4 million supported
programs that addressed community and economic development, parking facilities, and the overall
administrative costs of government: administration, legal, finance, information technology, building and
code enforcement, public relations and management of the municipal beach, representing 4.6% of total
costs.
TOTAL FY21 USES BY TYPE
(in millions)
FY21
Pct. of
Total
Central Services, Building, Parking $ 7.7 3.3%
Public Safety 62.9 29.3%
Streets, Public Works, Water/Sewer 18.3 8.6%
Sanitation & Environment 5.3 2.5%
Pensions & Related 17.3 8.1%
Health Ins & Risk Management 20.2 9.4%
Community & Economic Development 2.7 1.3%
Capital Outlay 12.0 5.6%
Debt Service (Principal & Interest) 22.4 10.4%
Total $ 168.8 100.0%
When compared to the prior year, the total cost of government services rose $8.6 million, or 5.4%.
Costs of central services, building and code enforcement, and the city’s parking system rose $1.1 million
in FY21 to $7.7 million. This increase was led by personnel benefit costs within central services that rose
$0.5 million due to increased workers’ compensation and liability insurance costs, coupled with the city’s
mandated increase in non-public safety pension costs. The cost of contractual services increased $0.3
million due to demands for outside services due to the pandemic.
The cost of police and fire services increased $1.2 million, or just under 2% to $62.9 million, with the full
increase due to compensation and benefit costs. Costs associated with roadway repairs, water and
sewer facilities and infrastructure maintenance and improvements declined $1.4 million, or 6.9%, due to
a larger street and utility infrastructure program with available general obligation and water and sewer
revenue bond proceeds in the prior year. The cost of pensions and insurance increased by $6.0 million,
or 15.0% over the prior year, with claims increasing $3.5 million, or 78% to $8.0 million due to a large
number of COVID-19 related workers’ compensation claims and insurance premiums rising 7.8% to $8.2
million. Pension benefit costs rose by $0.9 million, or 5.5%, to $17.3 million.
Capital expenditures declined by $2.1 million, or 15.1%, while annual debt service obligations increased
$3.9 million from $18.5 million in FY20 to $22.4 million in FY21.
16 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
TOTAL USES BY TYPE
FY20 & FY21
(in millions)
FY20
FY21
Variance
Percent
Change
Central Services, Building, Parking $ 6.6 $ 7.7 $ 1.1 16.0%
Public Safety 61.7 62.9 1.2 1.94%
Streets, Public Works, Water/Sewer 19.7 18.3 (1.4) (6.87%)
Sanitation & Environment 5.6 5.3 (0.3) (5.4%)
Pensions & Insurance 31.5 37.5 6.0 15.1%
Community & Economic Dev 2.1 2.7 0.7 31.9%
Capital Outlay 14.1 12.0 (2.1) (15.1%)
Debt Service (Principal & Interest) 18.5 22.4 3.9 21.0%
Loss from disposal of fixed assets 0.4 - (0.4) -
Total $ 160.2 $ 168.8 $ 8.6 5.4%
17 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Sources, Uses, & Balances of All Funds
(in millions)
Governmental Proprietary Internal
Service
Pension
Trust
Total Pct. of
Total
REVENUES
Property Taxes $ 37.7 $37.7 17.6%
Sales Taxes 11.0 11.0 5.1%
Home Rule Sales Tax 9.6 0.5 10.1 4.7%
Income Taxes 10.2 10.2 4.8%
Utility Taxes 4.9 4.9 2.3%
Other Taxes 13.3 13.3 6.2%
Intergovernmental 12.5 12.5 5.8%
Licenses, Permits, Fees, Fines 9.7 0.5 10.1 4.7%
Pension Contributions 16.7 $18.1 38.4 17.9%
Charges for Services & Misc. 6.2 15.6 18.1 8.4%
Investment Income 0.1 0.1 48.0 48.1 22.4%
Total $ 115.2 $ 16.6 $ 16.7 $ 66.0 $ 214.5 100.0%
EXPENDITURES
Central Serv, Bldg, Parking $ 7.1 $ 0.6 $ 7.7 3.3%
Public Safety 62.9 62.9 29.3%
Streets, Public Wrks, WtrSwr 8.2 10.2 18.3 8.6%
Sanitation & Environment 5.3 5.3 2.5%
Pensions & Related $ 17.3 17.3 8.1%
Health Ins & Risk Mgmt $ 20.2 20.2 9.4%
Community & Eco Dev 2.7 2.7 1.3%
Capital Outlay 12.0 12.0 5.6%
Debt Service 20.6 1.8 22.4 10.4%
Total $ 118.7 $ 12.5 $ 20.2 $ 17.3 $ 168.8 100.0%
Excess (Deficiency) Revenues
Over Expenditures
$ (3.6) $ 4.1 $ (3.5) $ 48.8 $45.7
Other Sources (Uses)
Transfers In $ 9.0 0.7 $9.7
Transfers Out (9.7) (9.7)
Bonds Issued, at par 44.0 44.0
Premium on bonds issued 1.9 1.9
Payment to escrow agent (45.3) (45.3)
$ (0.1) $ 0.7 $ 0.6
Net Change in Fund Balance $ (3.7) $ 4.7 $ (3.5) $ 48.8 $ 46.3
Fund Balance, May 1 $ 57.6 $ 81.4 $ 1.1 $ 183.7 $ 323.8
Fund Balance, April 30 $ 53.9 $ 86.1 $ (2.4) $ 232.4 $ 370.1
Change in Fund Balance (6.4%) 5.8% (318.2%) 26.5% 14.3%
18 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Changes in Fund Balance: All Funds
Fund balance across all funds grew by $46 million, or 14%, from $324 million in 2020 to $370 million in
2021. The fund balance within Governmental Funds declined almost 4 million (17%) to $54 million as
gains of $2.7 million in the General Fund and $5.3 million in Special Revenue Funds were offset by a
reduction of $11.7 million within the city’s two capital project funds as the City scheduled improvements
to its roadways and facilities and replaced aged public works and fire department vehicles and
equipment.
The fund balance within the water and sewer and motor vehicle parking system funds increased by $3.9
million and $0.8 million, respectively, as revenues exceeded expenditures.
Fund balance within the health insurance and risk management Internal Service Funds fell $3.5 million to
a negative $(2.4) million as claim and premium expenses exceeded projected premium contributions.
Contributing to the positive gain of $46.3 million to fund balance across all funds was the gain of $48.7
million in the pension trust funds attributed to investment earnings of $48 million on the strength of
market gains during the fiscal year.
CHANGES IN FUND BALANCE
FY20 & FY21
(in millions)
FY20
FY21
Variance
Percent
Change
Governmental Funds
General Fund $ 25.4 $ 28.1 $ 2.7 10.6%
Special Revenue Funds 14.5 19.8 5.3 36.6%
Debt Service Funds 3.1 3.1 0.0 0.0%
Capital Project Funds 14.6 2.9 (11.7) (80.1%)
Total Governmental Funds $ 57.6 $ 53.9 $ (3.7) 17.4%
Business-Type Funds
Water & Sewer $ 74.7 $ 78.6 $ 3.9 5.2%
Motor Vehicle Parking 6.7 7.5 0.8 11.9%
Total Business-Type Funds $ 81.4 $ 86.1 $ 4.7 5.8%
Internal Service Funds $ 1.1 $ (2.4) $ (3.5) (318.2%)
Pension Trust Funds 183.7 232.4 48.7 26.5%
Total All Funds $ 323.8 $ 370.1 $ 46.3 14.3%
19 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Business-Type Activities
Water & Sewerage
The city owned Water and Sewer utility provides
Lake Michigan water to its residents, businesses,
and several neighboring municipalities. Water is
treated at the City’s water treatment plant which
has a raw and finished capacity of 18 million gallons
per day (MGD). There are 360 miles of water
distribution mains ranging in size from 4” to 30” and
three booster stations. Storage capacity consists of
9.8 million gallons of storage, three ground storage
water tanks of 4 million, 3 million and 2.8 million
gallons, respectively. The City sells water to the Villages of Beach Park (2003), Park City (1969), and
Green Oaks (1998). Sewage treatment is handled by the North Shore Water Reclamation District
(NSWRD). The City’s Sanitary Sewer System delivers sewage to the NSWRD and consists of 13 Sanitary
Lift Stations, 242 miles of gravity sanitary sewer mains, and 245 miles of storm sewers and 5.5 miles of
sanitary force mains. The average and peak daily demand for both water and sewer are 9 MGD and 16
MGD, respectively.
There are approximately 21,000 service connections, which are metered and billed monthly. Water
Division personnel are responsible for monthly billing of residential and commercial accounts,
maintenance of three booster stations, chemical feeding, building and ground maintenance, water
sampling, water meter installation and repair, handling customer complaint calls, water meter reading
and service disconnections.
One of the determining factors of financial health is the
unrestricted net position of a fund. The net position is
comprised of three categories 1) assets invested in
capital assets; 2) restricted net assets; and 3)
unrestricted assets used for water and sewer
operations. The Unrestricted net position of the water
utility shows a balance of $35.8 million at April 30,
2021, representing a gain of 35% over the prior year.
Customer Data – Water and Sewer: Fiscal year Ended April 30,
2020 2021
Connections 20,849 20,486
Gallons Billed Dollars Billed Gallons Billed Dollars Billed
Residential 1,403,397 $ 7,695,545 1,417,862 $ 8,378,154
Commercial 582,098 3,188,033 588,098 3,470,817
Industrial 40,758 224,520 41,177 244,435
Other 582,735 2,875,505 588,741 3,130,568
Total 2,608,986 $ 13,983,603 2,635,878 $ 15,223,974
Water-Sewer Enterprise Fund
Unrestricted Net Position as
Percent of Operating Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Unrestricted
Net Position
UNP as
Pct of
Expenses
2017 9,507,128 11,478,834 121.1%
2018 9,147,602 15,536,918 168.5%
2019 9,441,563 21,632,321 229.8%
2020 11,587,641 26,510,586 228.4%
2021 10,177,485 35,821,489 351.0%
20 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
A Look at the General Fund
The General Fund is used to record all inflows and outflows that are not associated with special purpose
funds. The activities paid for through the General Fund constitute the core administrative and
operational tasks of the government. As the major administrative and operational fund of the City, the
General Fund includes such major operational departments as Police and Fire, Public Works, Building &
Code Enforcement, Sanitation and Environmental Remediation, and Planning and Economic
Development. As the primary fund that reports on the administrative tasks of the City, the General Fund
is used to account for the resources and activities of the general administrative office of the City, which
includes the Office of the Mayor and City Council; City Clerk and City Treasurer; the Legal Department;
Finance and Human Resources; Information Technology; and Public Relations and Marketing.
(in millions)
Final
Budget
Actual Percent of
Total
Compared to Final
Budget
REVENUE
Property Taxes - Pensions $ 15.6 $ 15.5 19.1% $ 0.1) (0.7%)
Sales Tax 10.5 11.0 14.0% 0.6 5.3%
Home Rule Sales Tax 6.4 6.4 8.1% 0 0.1%
Income Taxes 9.1 10.2 13.0% 1.1 12.1%
Utility Taxes 5.3 4.9 6.2% (0.3) (6.4%)
Local Use Tax 3.1 4.0 5.1% 0.8 27.1%
Personal Property Repl Tax 3.4 4.0 5.1% 0.6 19.4%
Other Taxes 8.8 5.0 6.4% (3.8) (43.2%)
Intergovernmental 0.1 4.2 5.3% 4.1 5054.6%
Licenses, Permits, Fees, Fines 9.7 9.5 12.1% (0.2) (2.3%)
Charges for Services 3.0 3.1 3.9% 0.1 1.8%
Miscellaneous 0.7 0.8 1.0% 0.1 14.6%
Investment Income 0.6 0.0 0.0% (0.5) (94.3%)
TOTAL $ 76.3 $ 78.7 100.0% $ 2.4 3.1%
21 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
(in millions)
Final
Budget
Actual Percent of
Total
Compared to Final
Budget
EXPENDITURES
Central Services $ 4.2 $ 4.7 6.2% $ 0.4 10.6%
Public Safety – Police 36.4 37.4 49.3% 1.0 2.6
Public Safety – Fire 23.7 23.4 30.8% (.3) (1.3%)
Streets, Bridges, Public Works 6.6 6.7 8.8% 0 0.3%
Building & Zoning 2.4 2.4 3.2% 0 1.1%
Sanitation & Environment 0.5 0.3 0.4% (0.2) (42.5%)
Economic Development 0.8 1.0 1.3% 0.2 30.6%
Debt Service 0.0 0.0 0.0% 0.0
TOTAL $ 74.7 $ 75.8 100.0% $ 1.2 1.6%
Excess (Deficiency) Revenues Over
Expenditures
$ 1.6 $ 2.9
Other Financing Sources (Uses)
Transfers Out $ (0.1)
Net Change in Fund Balance $ 1.6 $ 2.8
Fund Balance, May 1 $ 25.4 $ 25.4
Fund Balance, April 30 $ 27.0 $ 28.2
General Fund revenues exceeded the final budget by $2.4 million, or 3.1%, due in large part to strong
sales tax and income tax collections and $4 million in support from the CARES Act as reimbursement of
eligible costs in addressing the effects of COVID-19 in public safety salaries and benefits for employees
affected by the virus, in addition to costs necessary to provide a safe and sanitized work environment.
Expenditures exceeded the final budget by $1.2 million, or 1.6% due to increased salary and benefit
costs in addressing personnel shortages related to the spread of the virus among public safety personnel
and in the purchase of equipment and supplies necessary to address alternative ways to provide services
to the public.
Actual revenues exceeded actual expenditures by $2.8 million, increasing the fund balance by 11.0%.
FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 Change
FY20-FY21
FUND BALANCE
Nonspendable $ 124,865 $ 36,973 $ 261,940 $ 224,967
Committed 6,018,457 6,000,880 6,101,480 100,600
Assigned 3,230,020 3,230,000
Unassigned 20,020,341 19,312,919 18,515,311 (797,608)
Total $ 26,163,663 $ 25,350,772 $ 28,108,751 $ 2,757,979
22 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Debt Administration
As of April 30, 2021, the City shows three Home Rule Sales Tax General Obligation Bonds outstanding
totaling $23,160,00; one General Obligation (G.O.) Tax Increment Financing Bond for McGaw Park
totaling $43,995,000, and six General Obligation Bonds outstanding totaling $40,580,000. Combined,
Governmental General Obligation Debt totals $107,735,000. In addition to general obligation debt, the
City shows business-type activity outstanding debt issued for facility and infrastructure improvements
for the Water and Sewage Enterprise Fund totaling $34,255,000, and outstanding debt issued on behalf
of the Motor Vehicle Parking Fund totaling $1,085,000. As shown below, 62.3% of outstanding G.O.
Bonded Debt is scheduled to be paid with funds other than property taxes.
City of Waukegan – FY 21 Water-Sewer Indebtedness
Revenue Bond Debt Amount Outstanding at 4/30/21
2018C – Water-Sewer Utility Revenue Bonds $ 14,580,000
2020 – Water-Sewer Utility Revenue Bonds 19,675,000
Total Outstanding $ 34,255,000
23 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Other Long-Term Obligations
The City reported an IMRF net pension asset of $2.8 million in governmental activities and of
$672,834 in business-type activities at April 30, 2021.
Asset Retirement Obligation. The City has recognized an Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO) and
related deferred outflow of resources in connection with its obligation to seal and abandon
various water intake pipes at the end of their estimated useful lives in accordance with the
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
Pollution Remediation. At year-end April 30, 2017, the City was obligated to address future
pollution cleanup activities due to obligations under judicial consent decrees, or to federal and
state laws and regulations. As of April 30, 2021, the principal obligation and net liability was
$1.7 million for the City’s share of the remaining costs of post-closure operation and
maintenance required under a CERCLA Consent Decree addressing the closed Yeoman Creek
Landfill.
24 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Pension Benefits
The City contributes to three defined benefit pension plans: The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund
(IMRF), an agent multiple-employer public employee retirement system; the Police Pension Plan, a
single-employer pension plan; and the Firefighters’ Pension, also a single-employer pension plan. The
benefits, benefit levels, employee contributions and employer contributions for all three plans are
governed by Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) and can only be amended by the Illinois General Assembly.
All employees (other than those covered by the Police Pension and Firefighters’ Pension Plan) hired in
positions that meet or exceed the prescribed annual hourly standard must be enrolled in IMRF as
participating members. Participating members are required to contribute 4.50% of their annual gross
salary to IMRF. The City is required to contribute the remaining amounts necessary to fund IMRF as
specified by statute. The City’s and the Library’s actuarially determined contribution rate for the fiscal
year ended April 30, 2021 was 11.66% of covered payroll.
The City’s sworn police personnel are enrolled in the Police Pension Plan as participating members and
contribute 9.91% of their base salary to the Police Pension Plan. The City’s sworn fire personnel are
enrolled in the Firefighters’ Pension Plan as participating members and contribute 9.455% of their base
salary to the Firefighters’ Pension Plan
The City is required to contribute the remaining amounts necessary to finance the Plans and the
administrative costs as actuarially determined by an enrolled actuary. Effective January 1, 2011, the City
has until the year 2040 to fund 90% of the past service cost for the Police and Firefighters’ Pension Plans.
In addition to the Statutory Minimum Contribution as annually determined by the enrolled independent
actuary, the City by Ordinance contributes 50% of collected video gaming tax revenues to the two public
safety pension plans.
For the year ended April 30, 2021, the City’s contribution to the Police Pension Fund was 56.33% of
covered payroll. The unfunded net pension liability at April 30, 2021 measures $160.5 million and the
fund is 45.6% funded.
For the year ended April 30, 2021, the City’s contribution to the Firefighters’ Pension Fund was 52.87%
of covered payroll. The unfunded net pension liability at April 30, 2021 measures $111.2 million and the
fund is 46.8% funded.
Executed Summary
As Reported Under GASB 67 at April 30, 2021
Item Police Pension Firefighters’ Pension
Total Pension Liability $ 294,878,237 $ 209,404,856
Plan Fiduciary Net Position $ 134,396,030 $ 98,022,427
Net Pension Liability $ 160,482,207 $ 111,382,429
Plan Fiduciary Net Position as a
Percentage of the Total Pension Liability
45.58% 46.81%
25 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Capital Improvements
Along with city services, reinvestment in the City’s infrastructure and capital is a high priority. With the
use of available funding provided by previously issued general obligation and water/sewer revenue
bonds in 2018 and 2020, the City completed roughly $18 million in capital improvements, facility
upgrades, and asset replacements in 2021.
Included in 2021 projects were significant improvements to the water and sewer infrastructure with
plant upgrades, water main replacements, storm and sanitary sewer maintenance and upgrades totaling
$7.7 million. An additional sum of $12.0 million was recorded within this City’s Governmental Funds
and included street, sidewalk, and alley improvements; a new state of the art fueling station at the
public works facility; facility improvements to the public works building, City Hall, and various fire
stations; street lighting and traffic signal upgrades; culvert inspections and repairs; demolitions with TIF
District #8; and purchase of a fully equipped police vehicle, three skid steer loaders, a Public Works
Bucket Truck, a fire apparatus, and a sewer vacuum truck.
26 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Capital improvements within the Water & Sewer Utility include $5.5 million in upgrades to the Water
Filtration and Distribution Plant consisting of rehabilitation of the East Reservoir; installation of new 24”
ductile iron suction and discharge piping; $1.0 million in storm and sanitary sewer maintenance and
replacement; and $0.5 million in water main replacements. With an aging water and sewer
infrastructure and the City’s intent to provide water service to neighboring communities, the City is
preparing for a multi-year improvement and expansion program with initial funding through the
American Rescue Plan in fiscal year 2023.
Tax Increment Financing Districts
Change in EAV and Current Fund Balance
TIF #7
North Lakefront
TIF #8
Downtown
TIF #9
South Lakefront
TIF #10
McGaw Park
Initial EAV 3,381,865 15,765,669 3,483,463 13,115,257
Current EAV 4,513,906 21,016,358 5,103,872 44,355,863
Change in EAV $ 1,132,041 5,250,689 1,620,409 31,240,606
Change in EAV % 33.5% 33.3% 46.5% 238.2%
Fund Balance 319,627 676,762 221,881 572,693
Revenue Expenditures/Uses
Taxes Interest Bonds Total Expend Other Total Change
TIF 7 93,955 93,955 93,955
TIF 8 486,825 486,825 322,905 322,905 163,920
TIF 9 99,537 99,537 99,537
TIF 10 4,314,670 4,763 45,860,119 50,179,552 4,466,377 45,284,308 49,750,685 428,867
TIF Investment. The City currently administers four tax increment financing (TIF) districts, created for
the express purpose of providing a mechanism to encourage economic development through grant
programs, tax incentives, and public support through use of incremental property taxes. In 2021 TIF
expenditures and other uses totaled $50,083,590. Incremental taxes and other sources totaled
$50,859,869. The combined fund balance of the four districts pledged at year-end for future
initiatives is $1,790,963.
27 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Factors Affecting Financial Condition
Today, American cities are threatened by a structural imbalance between increasing operating costs and
a revenue stream that has not kept pace with growing costs. The City of Waukegan must continue to
work to address several key issues:
1. The City’s financial health is dependent upon the continued expansion of its tax base. This is
possible not only by attracting new developments but by working with residents and businesses
in maintaining safe and attractive neighborhoods, ridding neighborhoods of unsightly conditions,
and in assisting existing merchants to expand and improve their businesses. Like so many
communities, Waukegan’s tax base suffered the effects of the 2007 to 2009 recession with a six-
year decline in its equalized assessed valuation from a high of $1.6 billion in 2008 to a low of
$942 million in 2015, (or 44%). Since this multi-year decline, the property tax base has
stabilized, values have increased, and new developments have contributed to annual increases in
the tax base each of the past six years to $1.4 billion in the 2020 tax year. With new
developments currently under way and projections for further growth in the near-term, the City
anticipates annual growth to its tax base of 5.0% to 7.5%. To achieve this goal, the City will
continue to target specific areas within its active Tax Increment Financing Districts.
2. Although the City is on target to reach its statutorily required 90% funding level in its Police and
Firefighter’s Pension Funds, doing so requires ever-increasing city contributions through its
annual tax levy. As of April 30, 2021 the unfunded pension liability totaled $271.9 million. The
City’s most recent year’s contribution through the annual tax levy was $15.9 million, equal to
57% of the total aggregate levy. In addressing this long-term unfunded liability, the City annually
contributes the statutory minimum amount determined by an independent actuarial valuation
and by dedicating Video Gaming Tax (VGT) revenues to pension obligations.
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
EAV in Millions
Eav in Millions
28 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
3. Along with Waukegan’s municipal peers, the City continues to face the lingering operational and
fiscal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, responsible in part to the closure of many local
businesses whose impacts continue to evolve today. The City is working to mitigate such
pressures by maintaining a Stabilization Fund of no less than eight percent (8%) of the General
Fund’s annual appropriated expenditures intended to further supplement the balance held in
the General Fund to stabilize cash flow, address projected cash shortfalls due to unanticipated
expenditures or revenues below projections, and to mitigate damages due to natural disasters
affecting public safety and the health of the community. In addition, the City is committed to
working with county, state, and federal agencies to secure CARES and FEMA reimbursements
when available for unforeseen expenses related to the pandemic.
4. Over the past several years, the City has linked its budgets to forwarding its mission of enhancing
the quality of life for its citizens and in facilitating economic opportunities for the business
community, while adhering to the core values of transparency, professionalism, and
collaboration. Millions of dollars have been invested in the City’s roadways, water and sewer
transmission systems, and public facilities to make the City a more attractive investment for
businesses and homebuyers. To this end, the City continues to work with the business
community, state and federal officials, and private developers in an effort to expand the City’s
property tax base. The City is clearly assisted in such efforts by its close proximity to the much
larger cities of Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
5. Signed into law on March 11, 2021, The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) will provide
$19.8 million in additional funding to the City to combat the effects of the Coronavirus on the
local economy. Funds are scheduled to be received in two equal installments of $9.9 million in
FY22 and FY 23 and must be spent by the end of calendar year 2024. Eligible uses include:
o Revenue replacement for the provision of government services to the extent of the
reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, relative to revenues
collected in the most recent fiscal year prior to the emergency;
o Assistance to small businesses, households, and industries hard hit by the economic
consequences of COVID-19;
o Premium pay for essential workers;
o Investments in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.
These are especially trying times for local government. While the local economy may be
strengthening, COVID-19 has created record high vacancies, property foreclosures and severe business
interruptions. While the local economy slowly rebounds, the City will bolster its efforts to address an
aged and deteriorating infrastructure and rely on its professionals to address the substantial
competition among communities for development opportunities. These tasks will continue to find
support in sound financial management practices and general oversight of all municipal operations.
29 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report
Additional Information
Persons interested in further information regarding the City’s finances and policies governing financial
transactions are encouraged to review in greater detail the City of Waukegan’s Annual Comprehensive
Financial Report, available on the City’s website.
The City’s various departments battled through a most challenging year in 2021 and succeeded in
maintaining the full complement of city services in the midst of a global pandemic that affected the
local, state, and national economies. In delivering city services many employees, especially the first
responders in the police and fire departments, became victims of the Coronavirus which, in turn affected
the scheduling of services across a reduced workforce. We should all take pride in the City’s response.
Questions concerning this report or request for additional financial information should be directed to the
City’s Director of Finance via email finance@waukeganil.gov or via US Mail to City of Waukegan, Director
of Finance, 100 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Waukegan, IL 60085.