🌱 See which Waukegan cannabis grower just landed a $750,000 state loan

Hi there, Waukegan! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• See which Waukegan cannabis grower just landed a $750,000 state loan
• Want to learn CPR from Waukegan Park District’s hands-on local classes?
• What makes this Lake Forest musical worth the drive from Waukegan?

Also on today's calendar: The HUGE, FREE Lake County Home Show Returns! and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What is something you always have, but also leave behind? 🤔 (Answer below!)

---

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Cloudy, a thundershower; warm, with a high of 72 and low of 42 degrees.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny and cooler, temps: high: 56, low: 45.
• Sunday: Partial sunshine, with a high of 57 and low of 51 degrees.

---

📰 News we're reading

1. Illinois Awards $31.8M In Cannabis Loans To 95 Businesses Across State (patch.com) — A Waukegan-based craft grower, Bridge City Collective, has been awarded a $750,000 state cannabis loan, part of Illinois’ $31.8 million support package for 95 social equity businesses. The funding aims to help cover steep startup and operating costs in the legal marijuana industry, potentially boosting local jobs and investment tied to cannabis production.
   

2. Waukegan Park District offers CPR, first aid classes: ‘You're buying time … until the paramedics arrive' (chicagotribune.com) — Hands-on CPR and first aid classes from the Waukegan Park District are teaching residents lifesaving skills at Belvidere Recreation Center in Waukegan. Instructor Tanya Brady blends online lessons with in-person practice on manikins, covering CPR, AED use, choking response, Narcan, and more. Participants range from school nurses needing recertification to residents simply wanting to be ready in an emergency.
   

3. Citadel Theatre's "Ruthless!' Lovingly Eviscerates Classic Musicals (newcitystage.com) — If you’re up for a quick trip down Waukegan Road, Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest is staging the darkly funny musical satire “Ruthless!” through May 17. The show skewers classic Broadway tropes, overbearing stage parents, and child stardom, offering sharp performances and raunchy, meta humor just a short drive from Waukegan.
   

4. Lake County Democrats, Republicans select new leaders: ‘Residents … want their elected officials to govern and are tired of the party politics' (chicagotribune.com) — Waukegan just hosted the Lake County Democrats’ biennial convention, where State Rep. Daniel Didech of Buffalo Grove was chosen as the party’s new county chair. At the same time, Republicans picked Dawn Abernathy of Mundelein to lead their central committee, with both parties outlining strategies to grow influence on county, school, and library boards.
   

5. Frisbee is thriving: Flat Earth and Pursesnatchers to nationals (themacweekly.com) — Waukegan will host the USA Ultimate Division III College Championships in May, bringing Macalester College’s Flat Earth and Pursesnatchers club frisbee teams to town. Both squads earned nationals bids after strong regional tournaments and intensive, competition-style practices. Their trip to Waukegan even conflicts with commencement, underscoring how important this championship appearance is to the players.
   

---

📸 Around Waukegan

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

---

🗓 Upcoming Events in Waukegan

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday April 25

• The HUGE, FREE Lake County Home Show Returns!
  Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E Peterson Rd, Grayslake
  10:00 am

Sunday April 26

• The HUGE, FREE Lake County Home Show Returns!
  Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E Peterson Rd, Grayslake
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

---

Other local events

Friday April 24

• The Fall of the House of Usher
  Waukegan, IL Calendar , 2325 Brookside Ave. , Waukegan
  7:00 pm
• Ivy Ford & Rogers Randle Jr. Live
  Waukegan, IL Calendar , 3500 Sunset Ave. , Waukegan
  7:00 pm
• Independence
  Waukegan, IL Calendar , 221 N Genesee St. , Waukegan
  7:30 pm

Saturday April 25

• Puppy Painting Party
  Dogwood Garden & Pet Center , 14245 W Rockland Road , Libertyville
  5:00 am
• Earth Day Clean Up
  Waukegan, IL Calendar , 175 N. Harbor Pl. , Waukegan
  8:00 am
• Clean Up on the 'Stutz
  Waukegan, IL Calendar , 535 S. Sheridan Rd. , Waukegan
  9:00 am
• Earth Day Beach Clean Up
  Waukegan, IL Calendar , 201 E. Sea Horse Dr. , Waukegan
  10:00 am
• ART by Yvonne Pitts
  Waukegan, IL Calendar , 651 Lakehurst Rd. , Waukegan
  4:00 pm

---

📣 Waukegan Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

---

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday April 24

• LARRY HERNANDEZ @ PARIS NORTH CHICAGO
  Paris Banquet Hall , 1492 Lewis Ave , North Chicago
  8:00 pm

Saturday April 25

• Library After Hours Fundraiser: Where Characters Come to Life
  Waukegan Public Library , 128 N. County St , Waukegan
  7:00 pm

Monday April 27

• ZCMS Boys Volleyball @ Zion Central Middle School
  Zion Central Middle School Zion, IL 60099
  4:00 pm
• SPMS Girls Soccer @ Edith Smith Middle School
  Edith Smith Middle School Zion, IL 60099
  4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

---

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

---

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• anyone have a stick shift sedan/coupe/truck they’re selling for under $2000?
  I’m trying to learn stick shift and need one that has no issues at all i’m not trying to have to fix anything right now. preferably any single cab… (Nextdoor Jackson)
• I need someone with truck or van to help me move some stuff from extra space storage to another storage 3 min away from extra space I will pay 30 an hour I will be helping and I'm fast and it's just boxes and bins but there's carts to put that in
  just to toss in other unit which is empty so it'll be easy located in Waukegan IL plz I need the help today asap thank you 7085671720 (Nextdoor Brookside)

• Tricehealthcare posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Waukegan. Apply here.
• Denny's Corporation posted a job opening for Server - Franchise in Waukegan. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Waukegan here.

---

Ok Waukegan! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Footprints. (Thank you LAURIE T. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

---

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

---

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook