Waukegan, IL.

Waukegan, IL, is one of those cities that have a bad reputation. If you've grown up in northern Illinois, then you know that most people would say that Waukegan is known for crime and for being a rundown city, the poor second cousin to Chicago. It is however, a photographic wonderland. The city has rebuilt its downtown area, and re-opened the famous Genesse Theater, but most of it still remains its historical self. Although the houses along the lake in Waukegan, on Sheridan road are spectacular, I wanted to capture the other side of the city. I finally got to do just that a few weeks ago. The architecture in certain parts of the city is true and original to the city’s historic beginnings. Graffiti, layers of paint over paint, shops and even hospitals that are closed, still hold the city’s history and memories. From an empty parking garage of what is now only an ER run out of St. Therese Hospital, to the architecture of a beautiful church, I truly only captured 1% of the story the city has to tell in images. I hope to shoot there again soon!