Waukegan, IL

Waukegan’s political climate has shifted hard to the left over the past decade, and if you’ve lived here as long as I have, you’ve watched it happen in real time. The Cook Partisan Voting Index (PVI) for the area is D+12, meaning the city leans 12 points more Democratic than the national average—and that number has only gotten more lopsided since the 2020 redistricting. Local elections are rarely competitive anymore, and the city council and county board seats are almost entirely held by Democrats, many of whom are aligned with the progressive wing of the party. The trajectory is clear: Waukegan is becoming a one-party town, and that’s a red flag for anyone who values a balance of power or worries about government overreach into personal freedoms.

How it compares

Drive 15 minutes west to Gurnee or Libertyville, and you’ll find a noticeably different political landscape. Gurnee still has a mix of Republican and independent voices on its village board, and Libertyville’s township elections often see competitive races. Head south to Lake Forest, and you’re in a solidly Republican stronghold where property taxes are lower and zoning laws are more business-friendly. But Waukegan? It’s an island of deep-blue politics in a county that’s otherwise purple. Even neighboring North Chicago, which is also Democratic, doesn’t have the same intensity of progressive activism you see here. The contrast is stark: while surrounding towns debate fiscal responsibility and local control, Waukegan’s leadership has embraced policies that expand government’s role in daily life—from housing regulations to public health mandates.

What this means for residents

For folks who prefer to keep government out of their business, Waukegan’s political direction is concerning. The city council has passed ordinances that increase oversight on short-term rentals, impose stricter noise and nuisance codes, and expand the police department’s budget without much public debate—all under the banner of “public safety” or “quality of life.” Meanwhile, property taxes have climbed steadily, and there’s little appetite among elected officials to cut spending or reduce the tax burden. If you’re a small business owner or a homeowner who values your Second Amendment rights or wants to keep your property free from overbearing regulations, you’ll feel the squeeze. The school board has also moved left, adopting curriculum changes that emphasize social-emotional learning and diversity initiatives over traditional academics—a shift that has some parents looking at private or charter options.

On the cultural side, Waukegan has become a hub for activism around immigrant rights and environmental justice, which sounds noble on paper but often translates into policies that prioritize symbolic gestures over practical solutions. The city declared itself a “Welcoming City” for immigrants, which has created tension with federal immigration enforcement and made some residents uneasy about local law enforcement’s role. There’s also a growing push for “defund the police” rhetoric at community meetings, even though crime rates in parts of the city remain stubbornly high. The long-term outlook? Unless there’s a significant shift in voter turnout or a wave of new residents who lean conservative, Waukegan will keep moving left. If you’re thinking of moving here, just know that your vote—and your voice—will be in the minority, and the local government’s appetite for expanding its reach shows no signs of slowing down.