City of Lake Forest, IL

The Engineering Department is located in the Municipal Services Building, at 800 N. Field Dr., Lake Forest, IL 60045. Business Hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm.   

The mission of the Engineering Department is to ensure new development, redevelopment, as well as public facilities, are designed and constructed to the highest standards.  The mission is also to provide direction and planning assistance in the maintenance of public facilities.  This work is undertaken to ensure residents are provided with the most highly desirable and dependable public facilities and resources.

Construction UpdatesCity Projects

View more information about Lake Forest Construction Projects.

Illinois Department of Transportation
View more information about State Construction Projects. 

Lake County Division of Transportation
View more information about Lake County Construction Projects. 

Flood Zone InformationThe City of Lake Forest is a participating member of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Anyone can purchase flood insurance through their local insurance agent via the NFIP. There is a 30 day waiting period for flood insurance coverage to begin. A property located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) has a 26% chance of being damaged by a flood over the life of a 30-year mortgage. Your homeowner’s insurance WILL NOT cover flood damages. This is why flood insurance is mandatory for all federally backed mortgages, when the property is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). For information about flood zones, contact the Engineering Section at (847) 810-3554.

• Flood Plain Information Handout
• Flood Plain Information Request Form
• Mandatory Purchase of Flood Insurance

FEMA LinksVisit the FEMA Map Service Center to view and print the flood map for your property.

For additional information regarding flooding, please visit the FloodSmart website.

Drainage InformationDid you know that about 20% of the land in the U.S. is affected by excess water that can damage homes and property? The good news is that there are signs a homeowner can look for, situations to avoid and solutions that reduce drainage problem. The City has developed a brochure to assist residents in understanding their drainage problems and to provide possible solutions to reduce those problems. Click the link for a copy of the Addressing Drainage Problems Around Your Home brochure. If you need assistance, please call Bernard Pondexter in Engineering at (847) 810-3556.

In most cases, the private property owner is responsible for maintaining the portion of the drainage system located on their property and solving localized problems. There are many ways to improve drainage. Some are simple and inexpensive, while others are more complex and costly. If you plan to contract out the work, be sure to get more than one estimate and carefully evaluate different alternatives.

Best Management Practices (BMP)Stormwater Best Practices is a term for Best Management Practices (BMPs) which are used to help ensure longevity and improve the health of Lake County's watersheds. BMPs can be implemented by homeowners, businesses, organizations and municipalities. BMPs can be integrated before, during, and after development. BMPs will not only help the environment, but in many cases they also can save you time and money. For more information on BMP's you can visit the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission website.

Sidewalk Replacement
Each summer, the Engineering Section undertakes sidewalk repairs.  To report damaged areas, please contact Jim Koblas in Engineering at (847) 810-3552.

Complete Streets Policy
Complete Streets are facilities designed, operated and maintained to further the goal of providing the opportunity for safe and welcoming passage for users of all ages and abilities, including pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders and motorists. Click on the link to view The City of Lake Forest Complete Streets Policy.

Engineering & Construction Standards
Please see the City of Lake Forest Engineering and Construction Standards. The following standards listed within the document are mandated general requirements for construction related work within The City of Lake Forest.