Overnight Curfew Remains In Waukegan

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Waukegan is among several suburban communities to enact a curfew after looters took to the city's streets and broke into buildings, threw bricks at officers and damaged five squad cars. The curfew took effect at 8 p.m. on Monday and will continue until 6 a.m.

That 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. curfew will still be in place Wednesday night and will remain until further notice. Those who must go to work during that time, will be able to, according to a statement from Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham. Everyone else must be at home.

"For those of you who think you can take advantage of our community, you're wrong," Cunningham said in response to the looting and destruction Sunday night.

Residents can check the city of Waukegan website for updates and to see if the curfew has been lifted.

On Sunday, the Lake County Sheriff's Office sent deputies to assist Waukegan officers as looters hit several businesses and caused significant damage, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office. The looting came amidst peaceful protests in the city in response to the death of George Floyd.

No sheriff's office deputies were injured, but people did throw rocks, bricks and bottles at officers at the scene, Lake County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Christopher Covelli told Patch in an email response.

"Last night was like a scene out of a movie, but our sheriff's deputies, and all of the police officers on-scene conducted themselves with the utmost professionalism, while even being pelted with rocks, bricks, and bottles," Covelli said.

Several people were arrested and charged with felony burglary, looting and criminal damage to property, Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim said in a statement Monday.

"I want to make it well known that the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office will aggressively prosecute these offenders and anyone in the future who continues along this destructive path that threatens the safety of the people, law enforcement, or businesses of Lake County," Nerheim said. "Protests are designed to bring about change, but criminal conduct like this deflects attention from these important conversations and positive changes."

Businesses were hit by looters near N. Lewis and W. Glen Flora avenues between 9 and 10 p.m. Sunday. Among the businesses targeted was the Metro by T-Mobile, Rue 21, Ross Dress for Less, Sun Cleaners and Plaza Jewelers, according to the Daily Herald.

Covelli said there were also reports of businesses that were burglarized in Beach Park.

Meanwhile, reports regarding looting that occurred in Gurnee turned out to be unfounded. Gurnee Mayor Krysti Kovarik told Patch in an email response the city "had no issues" Sunday night.

"We were well prepared if there had been," she said.

Businesses in town closed early in the evening, and the city is not considering a curfew at this time, she said early Monday. In addition, officers were stationed in areas throughout Gurnee to keep a lookout for any issues, according to a Sunday evening Facebook post from the Gurnee Police Department.

She added that it is the public's right to "express their outrage and anger" over the killing of Floyd.

"(We) will protect and respect that right," she said. "We also will vigorously protect the public and property if there are individuals with intent to do harm to either."

The Lake County Sheriff's Office will have more deputies out patrolling Monday and will continue to work with local and regional law enforcement agencies with the goal of keeping area residents safe and businesses protected, according to police.

"I am beyond grateful for the men and women of the Lake County Sheriff's Office and all of our area law-enforcement personnel who are working diligently to keep the community safe," said Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg in a statement Monday. "We will remain steadfast in our efforts to protect the people and property of Lake County."