Groundbreaking Ceremony to Mark Intergovernmental Support Agreement for Demolition and Redevelopment of Halsey Village

The city of North Chicago, Naval Station Great Lakes, and Lake County Government invite community members to attend a groundbreaking ceremony on July 13 at 10 a.m. to celebrate an important Intergovernmental Support Agreements (IGSAs) for the demolition and redevelopment of Halsey Village. The ceremony will take place at Halsey Village, 1985 Enterprise Ave., Great Lakes, IL.

Halsey Village is a 90-acre former military housing complex located on Naval Station Great Lakes. The neighborhood’s 351 housing units have sat vacant in recent years following decades of severe deterioration.

Through the IGSAs, the U.S. Navy, in partnership in partnership with the City of North Chicago and Lake County Government, is launching one of the largest housing demolition and site remediation efforts in the Navy’s history.

The Halsey Village IGSA’s are the culmination of years of collaboration among federal, state, county, and local leaders, including U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, U.S. Representative Brad Schneider, North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. and Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart.

On October 26, 2023, Mayor Rockingham and Chair Hart sent a letter to Hunt Military Communities calling for improvements to conditions at Halsey Village, stating, “There is not a neighborhood in all of Lake County that is in worse condition than Halsey Village.”

In May 2024, during a hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, Senator Duckworth brought national attention to conditions at Halsey Village. Referencing the October 2023 letter, she highlighted the Navy’s efforts to acquire the property from Hunt Military Communities and explore redevelopment opportunities.

Between August 2024 and February 2025, all remaining residents of Halsey Village were relocated, clearing the way for demolition and redevelopment. A formal agreement was subsequently executed between the U.S. Navy and Lake County to begin extensive demolition, environmental remediation, and utility removal throughout the site.

“The Halsey Village Intergovernmental Support Agreements between the U.S. Navy, Lake County Government, and the City of North Chicago are a tangible example of government working at its best,” Mayor Rockingham said. “When government entities work together, everyone benefits, and there is no limit to what we can accomplish. What was once an abandoned and deteriorating 90-acre neighborhood can now potentially be redeveloped to help address the local shortage of affordable, single-family housing. Our vision for a mixed-use development on the site aligns with the City’s Comprehensive Plan.”

"This groundbreaking is a testament to the collaboration between Naval Station Great Lakes, the City of North Chicago, and Lake County," said Capt. Stephen Yargosz, commanding officer of Naval Station Great Lakes. "The Halsey Village demolition marks a significant and necessary step forward, allowing us to address long-standing challenges and ensure a brighter future for this site. We are committed to this partnership and to creating a positive outcome for our servicemembers, their families, and the entire community."

During one of her visits to Halsey Village, Senator Duckworth emphasized the importance of long-term collaboration to improve conditions and create new opportunities for residents and servicemembers.

“While we’re all clear-eyed that remediating the deplorable housing conditions at Halsey Village and redeveloping it into something that improves this community will take years, I was proud to convene leaders from Lake County, the North Chicago community, and the Navy to help chart a path forward and discuss real solutions that recognize the needs of area residents, prioritize the health and wellbeing of our servicemembers, and ensure they have a safe place to call home,” Duckworth said.

“I think we made real progress in our discussions, and I am optimistic that all parties will continue working together to achieve these important goals.

“Halsey Village’s unacceptable condition called for action, and I am deeply grateful to the many leaders and partners who stayed committed to correcting it,” Hart said. “This groundbreaking reflects years of advocacy, collaboration, and determination to ensure this property can once again serve the community. Together, we are creating new possibilities for North Chicago, our military families, and all of Lake County.”