December 07, 2024

Duckworth Tours Halsey Village, Brings Together Community & Navy Leadership to Chart Path Forward for Improving Servicemember Housing Conditions

 

[NORTH CHICAGO, IL] – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Armed Services Committee (SASC)—toured the Halsey Village housing community, visited Naval Station Great Lakes and brought together Navy and community leaders to discuss their shared efforts to remediate and redevelop Halsey Village as well as help chart a part forward to improve the deplorable housing conditions our servicemembers at the Naval Station have faced for almost 20 years. Duckworth also received a briefing from Navy leadership about the current state of recruitment while visiting the Naval Station. Photos from today’s events are available on the Senator’s website.

“While we’re all clear-eyed that remediating the deplorable housing conditions at Halsey Village and redeveloping it into something that improves this community will take years, I was proud to convene so many leaders from Lake County, the North Chicago community and the Navy to help chart a path forward and discuss real solutions that not only recognizes the needs of the residents in the area, but that also prioritizes the wellbeing and health of our servicemembers while ensuring they have a safe place to call home,” Duckworth said. “I think we made some real progress in our discussions and I am optimistic that all parties will continue working together to ensure we achieve these important goals together.”

During a SASC hearing in May, Duckworth secured a commitment from Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro to work with her to ensure that remediating and redeveloping the deplorable housing conditions in Halsey Village at North Chicago’s Naval Station Great Lakes remains a priority for the Navy and that these efforts are resourced appropriately, as well a commitment from the Secretary to personally visit to Halsey Village. Duckworth also highlighted her oversight efforts on Halsey Village and urged the Navy to do more to remedy the neighborhood for military families and the Lake County community. Video from the hearing is available on the Senator’s website.

There are 353 housing units within Halsey Village. Currently, 249 housing units are uninhabitable, with another 44 so badly deteriorated they are cordoned off behind a chain link fence.

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