Overview

Located on Routes 83 and 173 in the northern section of Lake County, Antioch is a quaint, quiet village situated in the Chain of Lakes region of northeast Illinois. As the village and its surrounding area grew in size, Metra opened the North Central rail line in 1996, bringing easy access to Chicago and its near suburbs. This rail expansion promoted new growth in the area, with developers building hundreds of homes in new subdivisions. Nearby expressways also provide fast access to O'Hare International Airport.

With its proximity to the 75 regional lakes and award-winning forest preserves, Antioch was first known as a popular vacation sport for Chicagoans. Today it still provides year-round activities for all ages. In addition, with a location halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee, there is no end to the kind of cultural and recreational choices residents have.

In 1856 early settlers of the region built a sawmill and a gristmill along with small shops. Early cottages were built for tourism leading to the development of small industries such as ice harvesting. Later the Pickard China Company and the Thelen Sand and Gravel Company moved to Antioch. The village, which was incorporated in 1892, still retains much of its original charm. The downtown streets are lined with many unique specialty shops along with great restaurants. The village enjoys a Community Theater, a Heritage Museum, parks, and golf courses in addition to the many lakes in the area for fishing, boating, and swimming.

The six excellent public schools with a low teacher-pupil ratio continue to draw young families to Antioch. The Antioch Public Library boasts state-of-the-art services, which include an online catalog, outstanding youth and adult classes, computer classes, and book discussions. A short drive away is a choice of colleges including Lake Forest College, Trinity College, and Baret College.

As Antioch experiences continued new housing, transportation, and commercial growth, its residents will share in the expanded recreational and shopping conveniences it will offer. Country living with easy access to major cities is the ideal life.

History

The earliest settlers came to the Chain of Lakes region in 1837. The Gage brothers were among the earliest to file land claims and build houses. Hiram Buttrick built a sawmill in 1839, and the population reached 300 in 1852. The name "Antioch" referred to a city in early Christian history and was chosen by devout Protestants known as the Disciples of Christ.

In 1856 John Elliott built a steam gristmill, and small shops were built in the village. The settlers were mostly of German, Irish, and English descent. The Wisconsin Central rail line brought a station to Antioch in 1885, helping the local economy by bringing tourism to the area. Antioch became the gateway to the Chain of Lakes which provided ample fishing, hunting, and boating opportunities for the many vacationers from Chicago and points north.

Other industries developed after 1892, such as the Pickard China Company and Thelen Sand and Gravel. Ice harvesting was also a major industry in Antioch. For a century the village maintained its small-town character. In the 1990's rapid residential development began with hundreds of homes built in several new subdivisions. Passenger rail service returned to Antioch in 1996 when Metra opened a new rail line, the North Central, further enhancing the appeal of the area.

Government Services

Village Hall
874 Main Street
Antioch, IL 60002
847-395-1000

Police Department
433 Orchard Street
Antioch, IL 60002
Emergency - 911
Non-Emergency - 847-395-8585
TDD - 847-395-1526

Fire Department
835 Holbek Drive
Antioch, IL 60002
Emergency - 911
Non-Emergency - 847-395-5511

Parks and Recreation
806 Holbek Drive
Antioch, IL 60002
847-395-2160

Aqua Center - Pool
Williams Park
Antioch, IL 60002
847-395-7665

Scout House
770 Cunningham
Antioch, IL 60002
847-395-2191

Senior Center
817 Holbek Drive
Antioch, IL 60002
847-395-0139

Community Development
884 Main Street
Antioch, IL 60002
847-395-0157

Building Department
882 Main Street
Antioch, IL 60002
847-395-9462

Public Works
796 Holbek Drive
Antioch, IL 60002
847-395-1881

Engineering Department
884 Toft Street
Antioch, IL 60002
847-395-0142

Special Events
882 Main Street
Antioch, IL 60002
847-395-6342

Utilities

Electric
ComEd
P.O. Box 767
Chicago, IL 60690
800-334-7661

Gas
NICOR
888-642-6748
People's Energy
866-556-6004

Waste Disposal
Waste Management of Lake Co.
847-395-2020

Telephone
All major carriers available

Cable
AT&T Broadband
847-366-5580

Schools

Elementary Schools:

Antioch Elementary School
817 N. Main Street
Antioch, IL 60002
847-838-8900

Hillcrest Elementary School
433 Depot
Antioch, IL 60002
847-838-8000

Oakland Elementary School
22019 W. Grass Lake Rd.
Antioch, IL 60002
847-838-8601

W.C. Petty Elementary School
850 Highview Drive
Antioch, IL 60002
847-838-8101


Middle Schools:

Antioch Upper Grade School
800 Highview Drive
Antioch, IL 60002
847-838-8301


High Schools:

Antioch High School
1133 Main Street
Antioch, IL 60002
847-395-1421

Trivia

"The Amityville Horror." a 2005 remake of the original 1979 horror film was filmed in Antioch, Illinois. If you see the film, look for the mistake where the camera catches a sign in the background that says, "Antioch, Illinois." The film is supposed to take place in Long Island, New York.

The Antioch Movie Theater has been around since the 1940's. It used to be an old theater where plays were held. There have been many stories about this old theater, such as a girl who hung herself from the balcony, and the story that Al Capone had tunnels dug underneath the theater leading toward Fox Lake. Whether these stories are true or not, employees of the theater have reported that flood lights have come on out of nowhere and turned off by themselves. Also reported were after-hours noises and people on the stairs. Some employees reported having a sense that there was something else in the room, when they were really alone.