Steve Sadin

Highland Park

Freelance Journalist at Chicago Tribune

Covering politics, sports the arts and other topics in Chicago's northern suburbs.

Articles

Waukegan’s temporary casino hits revenue milestone; permanent facility plans moving ‘full steam ahead’

2 days ago | chicagotribune.com | Steve Sadin

The American Place casino in Waukegan is playing an important role in the growing revenue of its parent company, Las Vegas-based Full House Resorts, as executives tweak plans for the permanent hotel and casino, which they hope to open in the summer of 2027. Reaching a revenue milestone in March of nearly $10.9 million, American Place continues to draw customers from northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, and elsewhere in Chicagoland, leading Full House President and CEO Daniel R.
Family First Center of Lake County licensed as behavioral clinic

2 days ago | chicagotribune.com | Steve Sadin

The Family First Center of Lake County is taking a significant step in its mission of empowering families by becoming licensed as an Illinois Certified Behavioral Clinic after nearly 25 years of helping people with mental and emotional needs.
North Chicago residents join D187 Independent Authority

5 days ago | chicagotribune.com | Steve Sadin

For the first time in 13 years, three elected North Chicago residents are part of the legislative body — the Independent Authority — overseeing North Chicago School District 187. Dora King, the chair of the Independent Authority since its inception in 2012, when the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) took control of the struggling district, said the three new members joining the authority is the first step toward returning the district to local control. “This is very exciting,” King said.
Waukegan, New Trier students learn about segregation fight

6 days ago | chicagotribune.com | Steve Sadin

Learning about segregated schools in the U.S. is part of the curriculum in the advanced placement African American studies course taught at Waukegan and New Trier high schools. When students from both schools got together for a joint class, they learned how local the issue was.
Lake County schools getting $90K for student books

6 days ago | chicagotribune.com | Steve Sadin

School libraries throughout Lake County and Illinois are in the process of receiving money from the state to purchase books and, in many cases, it will be used to buy titles popular with students. Coming from a grant through Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, John Price, the superintendent of North Chicago School District 187, said the librarians will select books of great interest to the student body, like graphic novels.
Waukegan High seniors share dreams at Celebration Day event

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Steve Sadin

Most of Waukegan High School’s senior class took part in a celebration courtesy of District 60 that featured dancing, a picnic and games. Many of the teens embarking on adulthood have one thing in common — they plan to return to their hometown after their post-secondary schooling. They plan careers in law, education, healthcare and more, like Yami Montejano, who will attend National Louis University in the fall.
Sam Cunningham sworn in again as Waukegan mayor

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Steve Sadin

Decisions for newly inaugurated Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham will be based on the city code, laws and ordinances, but as he steps into the job for the second time — he was elected in 2017, lost in 2021 and regained the position in the April 1 election — there is another consideration. “There is a human side of the job that I will apply to every given situation,” Cunningham said Tuesday on his first full day on the job. Seeking the office for the first time, Cunningham said he ran as a politician.
Hundreds protest Social Security cuts at Waukegan office

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Steve Sadin

A crowd of more than 500 people lining Lewis Avenue for several blocks in front of the Social Security Administration office in Waukegan Saturday made one thing very clear with their signs and voices — Social Security is an “earned benefit” no different than a privately purchased annuity. Demonstrators were unhappy about potential changes by the federal government, which could reduce the quality of services at the Social Security office and on the phone.
Ground broken for College of Lake County’s Urban Farm Center; ‘It will nourish the spirit of our community’

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Steve Sadin

Harvesting 4,000 heads of lettuce every two weeks, and 2,000 pounds of tomatoes every few months, is not a common occurrence in downtown Waukegan, but by the end of next year it could be a reality. Eliza Fournier, the Urban Farm Center Director at the College of Lake County, said when the farm is built, two-thirds of the 24,000-square-foot building will be devoted to hydroponic farming, with fresh produce grown 12 months a year.
Waukegan History Museum opens in restored library building

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Steve Sadin

Childhood memories came flooding back as area residents walked into the Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie for the first time since the former library was closed in 1965 and was ultimately turned into a museum. “I used to run up and down the stairs when I was a child,” Mary Whitlock Navulis, a Waukegan resident and native, said. “The first thing I did when I walked in today was run down the stairs.