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

Waukegan, IL vs Springfield, IL

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

Summary

Springfield spends 18.1% more per capita than Waukegan ($2,856/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
Springfield, IL
Pop. 114,214
B
68/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency87
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Waukegan
Springfield
Total Spending
$1.2B
$1.8B
Spending / Capita
$12,915
$15,771
Total Revenue
$4.3B
$12.9B
Revenue / Capita
$48,533
$112,589
Total Debt
$0
$278.8M
Debt / Capita
$0
$2,441
Population
89,435
114,214
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Highways & Roads
Waukegan$0
Springfield$1,079
Parks & Recreation
Waukegan$118
Springfield$325
Education
Waukegan$0
Springfield$106
Health
Waukegan$458
Springfield$388

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WaukeganSpringfield
Sales Tax
$32
$26
Intergovernmental
$4,312
$18,701
Charges & Fees
$1,728
$2,314
Other
$1,050
$1,274

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WaukeganSpringfield
Highways & Roads
$0
$1,079
Education
$0
$106
Public Welfare
$984
$1,275
Health
$458
$388
Hospitals
$377
$0
Parks & Recreation
$118
$325
Housing
$5,135
$0
Sewerage
$311
$0
Utilities
$1,645
$1,570
Other
$3,888
$11,028
A
Waukegan, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 90/100
Excellent fiscal health
B
Springfield, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 68/100
Good fiscal health

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