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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Waukegan, IL vs Chicago, IL

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Chicago spends 62.6% more per capita than Waukegan ($21,637/person difference). Waukegan, IL has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Waukegan, IL
Pop. 89,435
A
90/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency96
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Chicago, IL
Pop. 2,721,914
C
61/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden61
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency22
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Waukegan
Chicago
Total Spending
$1.2B
$94.0B
Spending / Capita
$12,915
$34,551
Total Revenue
$4.3B
$231.6B
Revenue / Capita
$48,533
$85,083
Total Debt
$0
$2.7B
Debt / Capita
$0
$977
Population
89,435
2,721,914
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Waukegan$0
Chicago$10,754
Highways & Roads
Waukegan$0
Chicago$930
Parks & Recreation
Waukegan$118
Chicago$122
Health
Waukegan$458
Chicago$426

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WaukeganChicago
Property Tax
$0
$26
Sales Tax
$32
$74
Income Tax
$0
$229
Intergovernmental
$4,312
$85,083
Charges & Fees
$1,728
$2,847
Other
$1,050
$3,463

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WaukeganChicago
Fire Protection
$0
$10,754
Highways & Roads
$0
$930
Public Welfare
$984
$1,858
Health
$458
$426
Hospitals
$377
$1,444
Parks & Recreation
$118
$122
Housing
$5,135
$6,520
Sewerage
$311
$129
Utilities
$1,645
$2,983
Other
$3,888
$9,385
A
Waukegan, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 90/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Chicago, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

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