Waukegan Park District reopens facilities
The Waukegan Park District has reopened the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, Waukegan History Museum, and John L. Raymond Research Library with safety protocols to host in-person programs, self-guided tours, and research time.
In accordance with guidelines of Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, staff, participants and visitors will be required to wear a face covering inside the facilities at all times. The capacity at the facilities will be limited to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the facilities.
The Jack Benny Center for the Arts has reopened for select in-person programs, including private music lessons. Music instructors and students will have to be buzzed in to enter the facility.
More details about group lessons will be posted on the Jack Benny Center for the Arts Facebook page. Returning and new in-person and virtual music students can be registered at waukeganparks.org/musiclessons or by calling (847) 360-4740. Questions can be emailed to jbcfrontdesk@waukeganparks.org.
The Waukegan History Museum has reopened by appointment only. To ensure that safe social distancing is practiced, the Waukegan History Museum will require visitors to reserve a time slot online via Eventbrite at waukeganhistorymuseum.eventbrite.com.
Time slots are listed on Eventbrite and will be limited to one hour, with a limit of five individuals per time slot and a maximum of four groups per day. It is recommended that reservations be made at least 24 hours in advance.
Tickets and admission to the Waukegan History Museum are free.
All visits to the Waukegan History Museum will be self-guided. Information binders in each room have been removed. However, visitors are encouraged to download the Waukegan Park District app to access the Waukegan History Museum Companion, which features information about each room and artifact details.
The self-guided tour on the app is available in English and Spanish and, as an alternative, there are handouts available for visitors to take with them. Note that the second floor of the Waukegan History Museum is not wheelchair accessible.
The John L. Raymond Research Library has reopened for research time, which can be reserved by emailing info@waukeganhistorical.org or by filling out a "Contact Us" request at waukeganhistorical.org.