2026 PCS Guide
BAH Verified · Lake County / Chicago North Shore
America's 250th
PCS to Naval Station Great Lakes, North Chicago IL
If your orders read Naval Station Great Lakes, you're heading to 'The Quarterdeck of the Navy' — the Navy's only enlisted boot camp and the largest training station in the Navy, sitting on 1,628 acres along Lake Michigan in North Chicago, Illinois. Every Sailor in the fleet today began here. Recruit Training Command graduates ~38,000-40,000 Sailors annually through 48 graduation ceremonies that draw 125,000+ visitors to Lake County each year. Training Support Center runs the Navy's premier technical training command with ~16,000 Sailors annually, hosting six Learning Sites including the Center for Surface Combat Systems, Surface Warfare School Command, the Center for EOD and Diving, and the Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School. Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center — the nation's only fully integrated DoD-VA federal health care center — co-located on base. Theodore Roosevelt signed off on the base in 1904; construction began that year and the first recruit class arrived July 1911.
NS Great Lakes is one of the most consequential training installations in the entire DoD. As America marks its 250th anniversary in 2026, the base is celebrating 115 years as the Navy's only basic training facility (consolidated here following the BRAC 1993 closures of NTC San Diego and NTC Orlando). Great Lakes was at the forefront of Navy racial integration — the first African-American Navy officers, the "Golden Thirteen," were commissioned here in February 1944, and Building 1405 (the Recruit In-processing Center) is dedicated in their honor. The lifestyle math is uniquely strong for a non-fleet shore duty: BAH rose 4.8% in 2026 (one of the stronger Midwest increases), permanent-party deployment tempo is significantly lower than at fleet installations, and Chicago and the North Shore offer one of the deepest civilian quality-of-life ecosystems any military family will ever encounter. The trade-off, named honestly: Illinois taxes military pay at 4.95% (unlike Texas, Florida, or Washington), and Lake County property tax is among the highest in the country.
Last updated April 28, 2026 · BAH verified via DTMO 2026 rate tables · Distances via Google Maps · Schools via Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125, Libertyville-Vernon Hills District 128, Lake Forest District 67/115, Township High School District 113, North Chicago D187, Waukegan PSD 60, Warren Township D121, Lake Bluff D65 · Rent via Apartments.com / Zumper
⚡ Quick Answer
NS Great Lakes sits in the GREAT LAKES NAVTRACEN, IL MHA. E-5 with dependents earns $2,427 in 2026, an O-3 with dependents pulls $3,018, and an O-5 reaches $3,645 — up 4.8% from 2025 (one of the stronger Midwest increases), ranked 26th of all Navy bases. Honest take: BAH covers most off-base options comfortably, but the Illinois tax math matters. Illinois taxes active-duty pay at a 4.95% flat rate (unlike no-tax states like Texas or Florida), though Illinois fully exempts military retirement income and combat pay. Lake County effective property tax runs ~2.4% — among the highest in the country. SCRA protects active-duty pay for non-Illinois residents. Hunt Military Communities operates on-base Forrestal Village PPV homes.
Lake Bluff and Libertyville (top-rated schools, ~10-15 min, the de facto military family destinations) are the anchor off-base options. Gurnee, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, and Grayslake (mid-range, family-friendly, varying schools) round out the popular suburban choices. Pleasant Prairie / Kenosha, WI (across the state line, ~10-20 min north) is the underrated option — Wisconsin tax residency for non-IL residents plus more affordable housing. Captain James A. Lovell FHCC on-base is the nation's only fully integrated DoD-VA health care center serving both TRICARE and VA beneficiaries under one roof. Specialty pediatric routes to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago (~50 mi south).
2026 BAH (E-5 w/ dep)
$2,427
+4.8% from 2025 · GREAT LAKES NAVTRACEN, IL MHA · #26 highest Navy base · with-dep premium 25.1%
Annual Recruits
~40,000
~7,000 on-board at any time · 48 graduations/year · ~125,000 family visitors annually
Established
1911
First class graduated July 1911 · Navy's only basic training facility since 1996 · 1,628 acres · 1,153 buildings
Great Lakes is one of the most desirable shore-duty Navy assignments in the fleet
NS Great Lakes is genuinely one of the most desirable shore-duty Navy assignments in the entire fleet — and the math behind that is worth naming explicitly. Permanent-party deployment tempo here is significantly lower than at fleet installations: most billets at Recruit Training Command, Training Support Center, Naval Service Training Command, and the Center for Surface Combat Systems are stable shore-duty positions with predictable schedules and minimal underway time. Many Sailors specifically request shore duty here for the schedule predictability and family stability it offers. The trade-off — and it is real — is the operational rhythm of the base itself: ~38,000-40,000 recruits annually cycle through 10-week training, up to 7,000 recruits on-board at any time, and 48 graduation ceremonies per year draw an estimated 125,000 family visitors to Lake County. Friday graduations are real events that affect base traffic, the Hostess House, hotel availability across Lake County, and the rhythm of the broader area. Plan around the graduation calendar (published well in advance) when scheduling family visits or PCS arrival timing. The MHA scope also matters: GREAT LAKES NAVTRACEN, IL covers parts of Kenosha County, Wisconsin as well as Lake County, IL — meaning Pleasant Prairie and Kenosha are valid in-MHA options with Wisconsin tax considerations.
⚓ Why NS Great Lakes matters — major tenant commands
Recruit Training Command (RTC)
RTC · The Navy's only enlisted boot camp · 'The Quarterdeck of the Navy'
The Navy's only basic training facility — every active-duty Sailor in the fleet today began their service here. Approximately 38,000-40,000 recruits annually complete the 10-week training pipeline (P-Days plus 8 weeks of formal training), with up to 7,000 recruits on-board at any time. Recruits live in massive barracks called 'ships' — each one named after a famous U.S. Navy vessel (USS John F. Kennedy, USS Enterprise, etc.) — that house up to 1,300 recruits each. The capstone training event is Battle Stations 21 (BST-21), conducted aboard the USS Trayer (BST-21), a 210-foot Arleigh Burke-class destroyer simulator. Reports up to Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), the parent command for all Navy initial training.
Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes
TSC · Premier technical training command · 16,000 Sailors annually
The Navy's premier technical training command with an annual throughput of ~16,000 Sailors — about 40% of new boot camp graduates remain at Great Lakes for their initial A-school technical training. TSC supports six Learning Sites at Great Lakes including the Center for Surface Combat Systems, Surface Warfare School Command, the Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diving, the Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School, and various rating-specific A-school and C-school programs. TSC's mission spans the spectrum from accession-pipeline training to advanced fleet-readiness courses.
Naval Service Training Command (NSTC)
NSTC · Parent command for all Navy initial training
Headquartered at NS Great Lakes, NSTC is the Navy's training enterprise headquarters with global oversight of all Navy initial entry-level training. NSTC manages Recruit Training Command, Officer Training Command Newport (RI), the Naval ROTC program at 77 host universities and 81 cross-town affiliates nationwide, the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) program at 600+ high schools, and the Naval Sea Cadet Corps. NSTC's footprint reaches every entry point to the Navy — making Great Lakes the operational headquarters for Navy accession across the country.
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (Lovell FHCC)
Lovell FHCC · The nation's only fully integrated DoD-VA federal health care center
The single most distinctive medical facility in the entire DoD. Lovell FHCC is the nation's only fully integrated federal health care center — it jointly serves both active-duty military families via TRICARE and eligible veterans via VA under one facility, one staff, one operational system, and one budget. The arrangement — created by federal legislation and operational since 2010 — provides an integrated continuum of care that no other military installation in the country offers. Full-service inpatient and outpatient capability: primary care, specialty clinics, mental health, women's health, dental, surgical services, behavioral health, and active research programs. Named for Captain James A. Lovell, the Apollo 13 commander and Navy aviator.
Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School (NSWPS)
NSWPS · Pre-BUD/S preparatory school · SEAL + SWCC pipeline
The Navy's pre-BUD/S preparatory school — the gateway training pipeline preparing recruits selected for the SEAL (Sea-Air-Land) and SWCC (Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen) communities for the brutal physical and mental demands of BUD/S in Coronado. NSWPS provides advanced physical conditioning, swim and dive preparation, mental conditioning, and operational fundamentals before candidates ship to BUD/S Class 'A' at Naval Special Warfare Center, Coronado. The pipeline reflects the Navy's deliberate investment in increasing SEAL/SWCC graduation rates from the historically brutal BUD/S attrition norms.
Center for Surface Combat Systems + Surface Warfare School Command
CSCS + SWSC · Surface fleet combat systems training
Two of the Navy's most consequential surface fleet training commands. The Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) is the Navy's training agent for AEGIS combat systems, integrated air and missile defense, electronic warfare, and surface fleet weapons systems — the technical schoolhouse for the Sailors who operate every cruiser and destroyer combat system. Surface Warfare School Command (SWSC) at Great Lakes runs the foundational training pipelines for Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) qualification and senior enlisted leadership development. Both commands are critical nodes in the Navy's surface warfare readiness architecture.
💰 How much is BAH at NS Great Lakes in 2026?
NS Great Lakes sits in the GREAT LAKES NAVTRACEN, IL MHA — covering Lake County, IL plus parts of Kenosha County, Wisconsin (53xxx ZIPs). The 2026 rate rose 4.8% over 2025 — one of the stronger Midwest BAH increases reflecting tightening rental supply across the broader Chicago North Shore market. The MHA ranks 26th highest of all Navy bases. With-dependents premium runs ~25.1% over without-dependents. Honest take: BAH is genuinely solid here. The numbers cover most off-base options comfortably for most ranks — the friction point is not the BAH amount but the Illinois state tax on active-duty pay. Many Sailors maintain non-Illinois legal residence (Texas, Florida, Tennessee) under SCRA to preserve favorable state tax treatment. Cross-state options in Pleasant Prairie or Kenosha, Wisconsin are part of the same MHA but offer Wisconsin residency considerations.
Illinois taxes active-duty military pay at a 4.95% flat rate — meaningfully different from Texas, Florida, Washington, or Tennessee where service members pay no state income tax. Illinois fully exempts combat pay earned in designated combat zones and military retirement income (one of the most generous retirement-tax exemptions in the country). SCRA protects active-duty pay for non-Illinois residents — so if your legal residence is a no-tax state, Illinois cannot tax your military pay. Lake County effective property tax runs ~2.4% (among the highest in the country) — meaningfully impacts mortgage math for VA loan users buying in Lake County. Cook County (further south) is similar; Wisconsin's Kenosha County property tax runs ~1.7-2.0% with Wisconsin's 4-7.65% graduated income tax. Sales tax: 6.25% IL state plus local additions; Lake County total runs 7-9% depending on city.
| Rank | With Dep | No Dep | Suggested Off-Base |
|---|
| E-1 to E-4 | $2,202 | $1,653 | On-base / North Chicago |
| E-5 | $2,427 | $1,854 | Gurnee / Mundelein / Pleasant Prairie WI |
| E-6 | $2,760 | $2,067 | Lake Bluff / Libertyville / Gurnee |
| E-7 | $2,853 | $2,211 | Lake Bluff / Libertyville |
| E-8 | $2,955 | $2,499 | Lake Bluff / Vernon Hills |
| E-9 | $3,120 | $2,592 | Lake Bluff / Lincolnshire |
| W-2 | $2,895 | $2,496 | Lake Bluff / Libertyville |
| O-3 | $3,018 | $2,637 | Lake Bluff / Libertyville / Lincolnshire |
| O-4 | $3,381 | $2,853 | Lake Forest / Lincolnshire |
| O-5 | $3,645 | $2,907 | Lake Forest / Highland Park |
| O-6 | $3,675 | $3,000 | Lake Forest / Highland Park |
| O-7+ | $3,702 | $3,051 | Lake Forest / Highland Park |
Source: DTMO 2026 BAH tables for the GREAT LAKES NAVTRACEN, IL MHA, effective January 1, 2026. With-dependents rate runs ~25.1% higher than without. Hunt Military Communities operates the on-base Forrestal Village PPV inventory; apply the day orders drop. Honest take: BAH stretches well in this market for most ranks, but the Illinois state tax on active-duty pay (4.95%) meaningfully affects take-home math compared to no-tax states. Many Sailors maintain non-Illinois legal residence under SCRA. Lake County property tax (~2.4% effective) is meaningful for buyers — pencil out the actual PITI before falling in love with a house.
🏘️ Which neighborhoods work for NS Great Lakes?
NS Great Lakes sits in Lake County, Illinois on Lake Michigan, ~40-50 mi north of downtown Chicago and ~50 mi south of Milwaukee. Traffic into Chicago is real but most Great Lakes families do not commute to the city. Off-base options span an unusually wide spectrum — from the affordable working-class North Chicago / Waukegan footprint immediately around the base, to the premium North Shore (Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Highland Park), to the family-friendly Lake County suburbs (Libertyville, Gurnee, Vernon Hills, Mundelein), to the cross-state Wisconsin options in Kenosha and Pleasant Prairie. Listed below in approximate price-tier order. The single most important variable is the school district — Lake County has both top-rated districts (Stevenson HSD 125, Libertyville-Vernon Hills HSD 128, Lake Forest D67/115, Township D113) and significantly lower-performing ones (North Chicago D187, Waukegan PSD 60).
On-Base · Hunt Military Communities (Forrestal Village)
~1,300 PPV homes · single-family + townhouse · BAH forfeit · zoned to North Chicago D187 (struggling) · most permanent-party families choice off-base for school options
BAH forfeit · school challenges
Pleasant Prairie / Kenosha, WI
15-25 min north · ~$1,500-$2,300 3BR · Kenosha USD-1 · Wisconsin tax math · most affordable established option in MHA
Lowest median price · 15-25 min · cross-state
Gurnee / Grayslake / Mundelein
15-25 min · ~$1,800-$2,800 3BR · Warren D121 / Grayslake D127 / Fremont D79 · family-friendly suburbs · Six Flags Great America in Gurnee
Mid-range · 15-25 min · suburban
Libertyville / Vernon Hills
15-20 min · ~$2,200-$3,400 3BR · Libertyville HSD 128 + Hawthorn D73 · top-rated schools · de facto Navy officer family destination · meaningful military student population
Mid-range · 15-20 min · top-rated district
Lincolnshire / Buffalo Grove
20-30 min · ~$2,500-$3,800 3BR · Stevenson HSD 125 (#1 in Illinois) + Adlai E. Stevenson HS · the premium school destination for officers · meaningful military student population
Mid-range · 20-30 min · top-rated district
Lake Bluff
~10 min · ~$2,400-$3,800 3BR · Lake Bluff D65 (top-rated) feeding Lake Forest HSD 115 · the closest top-rated school option · the de facto military family destination for those wanting closest commute + best schools
Highest median price · ~10 min · top-rated district
Lake Forest / Highland Park
15-25 min · ~$3,000-$5,500+ 3BR · Lake Forest D67/115 + Township D113 · premier North Shore neighborhoods · Lake Forest College + the iconic Ravinia Festival · for O-4+ and dual-income officer families
Highest median price · 15-25 min · premium North Shore
⚠ Illinois taxes active-duty pay — and Lake County property tax is among the highest in the country
Three honest tradeoffs worth naming. First, Illinois taxes active-duty military pay at a 4.95% flat rate — meaningfully different from no-tax states like Texas, Florida, or Washington. Practical impact: $1,000-$2,500+ per year depending on rank. Illinois exempts military pay earned in designated combat zones and fully exempts military retirement income. SCRA protects active-duty pay for non-Illinois residents — so if your legal residence is a no-tax state, Illinois cannot tax your military pay. Verify your residency status with base legal during in-processing; many Sailors maintain non-Illinois legal residence specifically for this reason. Second, Lake County effective property tax runs ~2.4% — among the highest in the country. Meaningfully impacts mortgage math for VA loan buyers in Lake County. A $400,000 home produces ~$9,600/year in property tax — pencil out actual PITI before falling in love with a house. Pleasant Prairie / Kenosha, Wisconsin is in the same MHA with Wisconsin property tax (~1.7-2.0% effective) and Wisconsin state tax considerations — worth comparing for non-IL legal residents. Third, Chicago winters are real: lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan, January average highs around 32°F, ~38" annual snowfall, occasional polar vortex events with subzero windchills. AWD/4WD is meaningfully helpful November-March; winter tires are not strictly required but are noticeably advantageous on Hwy 41 and I-94 during lake-effect events.
EFMP Families — NS Great Lakes Specifics
Honest take on Great Lakes EFMP: it's a meaningfully strong destination for many EFMP categories — particularly because the on-base medical model is genuinely unique. Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center is the nation's only fully integrated DoD-VA federal health care center, providing inpatient and outpatient care to both active-duty TRICARE beneficiaries and eligible veterans VA beneficiaries under one facility, one staff, and one operational system. The integrated model means continuity of care for transitioning service members and a deeper specialty footprint than most non-academic military hospitals. For specialty inpatient and complex care beyond Lovell's footprint: Advocate Condell Medical Center (Libertyville, Level II Trauma, full surgical and OB capability), Lake Forest Hospital (Northwestern Medicine), and the broader NorthShore University HealthSystem. For complex pediatric subspecialty — pediatric oncology, complex cardiac surgery, transplant, rare disease — Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (~50 mi south, the top-ranked pediatric hospital in the Midwest) is a genuinely meaningful resource. Advocate Children's Hospital (Park Ridge and Oak Lawn campuses) is the strong alternative pediatric specialty network. School-side, Stevenson HSD 125 (Lincolnshire), Libertyville HSD 128, Township D113, and Lake Forest D67/115 all have strong, well-resourced Special Education programming. Honest planning note: the on-base North Chicago Community Unit School District 187 catchment is meaningfully lower-performing — most EFMP families with school-age children plan around higher-rated district lines via off-base residence. EFMP coordination starts at the Fleet & Family Support Center.
🏫 Which schools are best for military families?
School district at Great Lakes is determined by your physical address, and the spread is meaningful — Lake County is genuinely a tale of two school landscapes. The top-rated districts (Stevenson HSD 125, Libertyville HSD 128, Lake Forest D67/115, Township D113) are among the best public schools in the country. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire is consistently ranked among the top 10-25 public high schools in the U.S. The on-base zoning (North Chicago Community Unit School District 187) and the surrounding Waukegan Public Schools are meaningfully lower-performing — most permanent-party families with school-age children plan around top-rated district lines or use the on-base School Liaison Office. Illinois operates as a residency-based public school system (no formal Choice Enrollment statewide), but most Lake County districts allow tuition-paid out-of-district enrollment when capacity permits. Plan around the catchment line at the time you sign a lease.
Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125 — Lincolnshire + Buffalo Grove + Long Grove
Adlai E. Stevenson High School (consistently ranked among the top 10-25 public high schools in the United States) · feeder K-8 districts include Aptakisic-Tripp D102, Lincolnshire-Prairie View D103, and Kildeer Countryside D96 · among the top-rated public schools in the entire country · destination of choice for officer families with school-age children
Top-rated
Township High School District 113 — Highland Park + Highwood + Deerfield
Highland Park HS (top-rated), Deerfield HS (top-rated) · feeder K-8 districts include North Shore D112, Bannockburn D106, and Deerfield D109 · among the top public school districts in Illinois · strong AP and IB programs · the premium North Shore option
Top-rated
Libertyville-Vernon Hills HSD 128 + Hawthorn D73 — Libertyville + Vernon Hills
Libertyville HS (top-rated), Vernon Hills HS · feeder K-8 districts include Libertyville D70 and Hawthorn D73 · consistently top-rated in Illinois · meaningful military student population given proximity to base · 15-20 min commute · the de facto Navy officer family destination
Top-rated
Lake Forest School District 67/115 + Lake Bluff D65 — Lake Forest + Lake Bluff
Lake Forest High School (top-rated), Lake Bluff Middle School · feeder K-8 districts Lake Forest D67 and Lake Bluff D65 · among the highest-performing districts in the state · the closest top-rated district to base · Lake Bluff is ~10 min from base · strong fit for families wanting closest commute + best schools
Top-rated
Warren Township High School District 121 + Woodland D50 — Gurnee + Grayslake
Warren Township HS (Gurnee, large comprehensive HS) · Woodland Elementary, Middle, and Intermediate schools across Gurnee + Grayslake · solid mid-range district serving the family-friendly Lake County suburbs · meaningful military student population given Gurnee's family-friendly profile
High-rated
North Chicago Community Unit School District 187 — on-base + immediate area
North Chicago Community HS, Holman School, Forrestal Elementary (on-base), Yeager Elementary, Hart Magnet School · the on-base zoned district · historically lower-performing on standardized metrics · most permanent-party families with school-age children choice out of D187 to other districts via tuition-paid out-of-district enrollment or by living off-base in higher-rated catchments
Mid-range
Ratings reflect GreatSchools test-score percentiles and do not capture school culture, military family support programs, special education depth, or extracurriculars. Verify per address with the district before enrollment decisions. Higher ed: Northwestern University (Evanston, R1 research, top-tier private); University of Chicago (private R1, top-tier); Loyola University Chicago (private, military-friendly); University of Illinois Chicago (UIC, R1 public); Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT, technical R1 private); DePaul University (private, large adult-learner footprint); Lake Forest College (private liberal arts); Carthage College (Kenosha WI, private); University of Wisconsin-Parkside (Kenosha WI, public); College of Lake County (community college with strong military partnerships). Notable private K-12: Lake Forest Academy (top-rated college preparatory), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, Carmel Catholic High School (Mundelein), Faith Lutheran (Beach Park), Christian Liberty Academy (Arlington Heights), the Marian Catholic High School, plus the Catholic Diocese of Joliet network and the Archdiocese of Chicago school network reaching into Lake County. School Liaison through the NS Great Lakes Fleet & Family Support Center (FFSC) Great Lakes via Naval Station Great Lakes.
🏥 What medical care is available?
Honest take on Great Lakes medical: it's genuinely unique in the entire DoD. Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (Lovell FHCC) on-base is the nation's only fully integrated DoD-VA federal health care center — it provides primary care, specialty care, mental health, women's health, dental, surgery, and behavioral health to both active-duty TRICARE beneficiaries AND veterans VA beneficiaries under one roof, one staff, and one operational system. The arrangement, operational since 2010, was created by federal legislation and provides an integrated continuum of care that no other military installation offers. For specialty inpatient and complex care, the broader civilian network includes NorthShore University HealthSystem (Highland Park Hospital, Glenbrook Hospital), Advocate Condell Medical Center (Libertyville, the largest Lake County non-Lovell hospital), Lake Forest Hospital (Northwestern Medicine), and Vista Medical Center East (Waukegan). Pediatric specialty: Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (~50 mi south, top-tier pediatric specialty) and Advocate Children's Hospital (Park Ridge campus).
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (Lovell FHCC)
On-base · fully integrated DoD-VA · inpatient + outpatient · 24/7 ED · TRICARE + VA enrollment
The most distinctive military medical facility in the country. Lovell FHCC jointly serves active-duty military families via TRICARE and eligible veterans via VA — under one facility, one staff, one operational system, and one integrated budget (created by federal legislation, operational since 2010). Full-service inpatient and outpatient capability: primary care, family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, mental health, behavioral health, dental, surgical services, women's health, specialty clinics, and active research programs. 24/7 emergency department. The integrated DoD-VA model means active-duty families and veterans share continuity of care — uniquely valuable for transitioning service members.
TRICARE PrimeInpatient + EDIntegrated DoD-VA
Advocate Condell Medical Center
Libertyville · Level II Trauma · ~15 min · 24/7 ED · ~280 beds
Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville is the largest non-Lovell hospital in Lake County — Level II Trauma Center, ~280 beds, full inpatient capability, advanced cardiac care, OB/maternity with NICU, and the regional anchor for serious medical events outside Lovell's footprint. The default destination for major trauma in Lake County. Switchboard: (847) 990-5000.
Level II TraumaOB/MaternityTRICARE Select
Lake Forest Hospital + NorthShore Highland Park
Lake Forest: 15 min · Highland Park: 25 min · 24/7 EDs · OB + surgical
Lake Forest Hospital (now part of Northwestern Medicine) is the North Shore community hospital — full inpatient capability, OB, surgical services, 24/7 emergency department. NorthShore University HealthSystem Highland Park Hospital is the major hospital serving the southern North Shore — strong cardiac and orthopedic services. Both are within easy driving distance and serve as meaningful alternatives to Lovell or Condell. Lake Forest Hospital switchboard: (847) 234-5600.
Community hospitalOB/MaternityTRICARE Select
Lurie Children's + Edward Hines Jr. VA + Advocate Children's
Lurie Children's: Chicago ~50 mi south · Hines VA: Maywood ~55 mi · Advocate Children's: Park Ridge / Oak Lawn
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (~50 mi south on Lake Shore Drive) is the top-ranked pediatric hospital in the Midwest — pediatric oncology, complex cardiac surgery, transplant, neurology, and rare disease subspecialties. Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Maywood is the major Chicago-area VA inpatient facility. Advocate Children's Hospital (Park Ridge and Oak Lawn campuses) is the strong alternative pediatric specialty network. Northwestern Medicine flagship hospital downtown Chicago for the most complex adult specialty care.
Pediatric specialtyVA HCSTRICARE Select
🏃 What MWR and athletic programs are available?
The honest case for a Great Lakes tour is genuinely strong: the base is one of the most desirable shore-duty Navy assignments and Lake County is one of the most underrated military assignments in the country. Chicago sits 40-50 mi south (50-90 min by car or ~60 min via Metra UP-N from North Chicago station) — one of the great American cities, with five professional sports leagues, world-class museums, the Chicago Symphony, deep-dish pizza, and the broader cultural depth of one of the largest U.S. metros. Lake Michigan is your back yard — Illinois Beach State Park (adjacent to base) has 6 miles of Lake Michigan beachfront. Wisconsin Dells, Milwaukee, and Lake Geneva are easy day-trip drives north. Six Flags Great America is 15 min away in Gurnee. On-base MWR is comprehensive: ITT, Liberty Theater, the Hostess House, full fitness facilities, and golf at the historic Willow Glen course.
🏙️ Chicago + North Shore
Field Museum + Shedd + Art Institute + Navy Pier + Pro Sports
Chicago is one of the great American cities and Great Lakes families have unusually deep access. The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium rank among the best in the country. Five professional sports: Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks, Fire (and now the Chicago Sky). Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago Riverwalk, the Magnificent Mile. Deep-dish pizza, Italian beef, Chicago hot dogs, the Lou Malnati's / Giordano's / Pequod's debate. The Metra UP-N from North Chicago station provides a ~60 min train commute to Chicago Union Station — many families use the Metra to avoid I-94 traffic.
🏖️ Lake Michigan + State Parks
Illinois Beach SP + Wisconsin Dells + Lake Geneva
Illinois Beach State Park (immediately adjacent to NS Great Lakes) has 6 miles of Lake Michigan beachfront — beach swimming, hiking, bird watching, and dune ecology. The largest natural Lake Michigan beach in Illinois. Wisconsin Dells (~3 hr northwest) is the Midwest waterpark capital — Kalahari, Mt. Olympus, Wilderness, Noah's Ark. Lake Geneva, WI (~45 min northwest) is the iconic Wisconsin vacation lake with Geneva Lake Shore Path, the Riviera, and the Lake Geneva Ski Show. Six Flags Great America in Gurnee (15 min from base) — military discounts available through MWR ITT.
🏛️ Naval Heritage
National Museum of the American Sailor + Golden Thirteen + Sousa
Great Lakes is a uniquely deep Navy heritage installation. The National Museum of the American Sailor (one of the official Department of the Navy museums) collects, preserves, and interprets the history of the U.S. Navy enlisted Sailor. The Golden Thirteen exhibit honors the Navy's first African-American officers, commissioned at Great Lakes in February 1944 — Building 1405 (the Recruit In-processing Center) is dedicated in their honor. The Navy Band Great Lakes continues a tradition that includes John Philip Sousa, who led the Naval Reserve Band at Great Lakes during World War I. 39 buildings on base are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
⛳ On-Base Recreation
Willow Glen Golf + Hostess House + Liberty Theater + Fitness
On-base MWR at Great Lakes is meaningfully comprehensive: Willow Glen Golf Course (the historic 18-hole on-base course), the Hostess House (the visitor center where recruit families gather for graduation weekends), the Liberty Theater, the Recreation Lanes bowling alley, the Camp Barry Conference Center, multiple fitness facilities, the Forrestal Indoor Pool, and a robust ITT (Information, Tickets & Travel) office offering discounted Six Flags, Chicago museum, and pro sports tickets. Navy Gateway Inns & Suites Great Lakes won the 2023 Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt Award for Excellence in Housing and Lodging Management.
🍕 North Shore Food + Arts
Lake Forest + Highland Park + Ravinia + Geneva Lake
The Ravinia Festival (Highland Park, the iconic outdoor classical music festival, the longest-running outdoor music festival in the country) is one of the most beloved Chicago summer traditions. Lake Forest's downtown Market Square is the iconic post-Edwardian shopping district. Highland Park's Port Clinton Square and the Highland Park Players community theater. Lake County's brewery scene has emerged meaningfully: Buffalo Creek (Long Grove), Banging Gavel (Libertyville), Skeleton Key (Woodstock area). The North Shore's distinctive food culture leans into Italian beef, deep-dish (Lou Malnati's was founded in Lincolnwood), and an evolving farm-to-table scene.
🚂 Day Trip Drives
Milwaukee + Madison + Door County + Indianapolis
Milwaukee, WI (~50 mi north on I-94, 60 min) — Brewers, Bucks, Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Lakefront Brewery, the Italian-Polish-German cultural footprint. Madison, WI (~2:30 northwest) — University of Wisconsin, State Capitol, the Dane County Farmers' Market. Door County, WI (~4:30 north) — the Wisconsin coastal peninsula with cherry orchards, lighthouses, and small-town charm. Indianapolis, IN (~3:30 south) — Indy 500, NCAA HQ. Travel via O'Hare International (~50 mi south) for major hubs or Milwaukee Mitchell (MKE, ~50 mi north) for budget carriers.
🚗 What are the commute realities?
Honest take on Great Lakes commute: I-94 (the Tri-State Tollway) is the regional north-south spine and the primary commuting corridor — Lake Bluff is the closest top-rated school zone (~10 min via Hwy 41), Libertyville and Vernon Hills are 15-20 min via I-94 or Hwy 41, and Gurnee/Mundelein are 15-25 min. Hwy 41 (Skokie Highway) runs along the base's western edge — the surface-street alternative to I-94. The Metra UP-North line stops at North Chicago (the train station serving the base) — ~60 min direct ride to Chicago Union Station. O'Hare International (ORD) sits ~50 mi south (~75-90 min in traffic, ~50 min off-peak) and is one of the world's largest aviation hubs. Milwaukee Mitchell (MKE) is ~50 mi north (~60-75 min) for budget-carrier alternatives.
| Destination | Distance | Off-Peak Drive |
|---|
| On-base Hunt Forrestal Village | <2 mi | 5 min |
| Lake Bluff | ~5 mi | ~10 min |
| Libertyville / Vernon Hills | ~12 mi via Hwy 41/I-94 | 15-20 min |
| Gurnee / Grayslake / Mundelein | 12-18 mi | 15-25 min |
| Lake Forest / Highland Park | 8-15 mi south | 15-25 min |
| Lincolnshire / Stevenson HSD 125 | ~20 mi SW | 20-30 min |
| Pleasant Prairie / Kenosha, WI | ~12 mi north | 15-25 min |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center (Libertyville) | ~12 mi | 15-20 min |
| Lurie Children's Hospital (Chicago) | ~50 mi | 60-90 min |
| O'Hare International Airport (ORD) | ~50 mi | 50-90 min |
| Downtown Chicago (Loop) | ~40 mi | 50-90 min · ~60 min Metra |
| Milwaukee, WI / Mitchell (MKE) | ~50 mi | 60-75 min |
Primary corridors: I-94 / Tri-State Tollway (regional spine, tolls apply, peak congestion 6:30-9:00 AM and 4:00-6:30 PM), Hwy 41 / Skokie Highway (surface alternative running along base's western edge), Hwy 137 / Buckley Road (east-west connector to Libertyville), Hwy 173 (northern east-west). The Metra UP-North line stops at North Chicago station providing ~60 min direct service to Chicago Union Station — many Sailors use the Metra for Chicago day trips to avoid traffic. Pace bus service provides limited local connectivity. Honest note: winter driving is real. Lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan can drop visibility quickly; AWD/4WD is meaningfully helpful November-March, and tolls on I-94 add up quickly without an I-Pass.
🎓 Who else is nearby in the the Navy's only enlisted boot camp, the largest training station in the Navy, and the home of Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center — the nation's only fully integrated DoD-VA federal health care center ecosystem?
Great Lakes anchors a remarkable ecosystem. The Chicago metro is the third-largest in the U.S. with deep civilian healthcare, defense contractor, and federal employment. Lake County itself is the third-largest county in Illinois and home to corporate HQs (Walgreens, Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie, Astellas Pharma US, CDW, Discover Financial Services Riverwoods campus, Allstate Northbrook). The combined Lake County + Chicago metro spouse employment market is one of the strongest non-coastal military assignments in the country. Federal employment depth includes Fermilab (~80 mi southwest), Argonne National Laboratory (Lemont), and the Veterans Affairs Edward Hines Jr. VA Medical Center (Maywood). Other DoD presence in the region: NAS Glenview historically (now closed/redeveloped), Rock Island Arsenal (~225 mi west), and Scott AFB (~330 mi south near St. Louis).
🪖 Defense & Military (Midwest)
- Rock Island Arsenal (Army manufacturing)~225 mi W
- Scott AFB (Air Mobility Command, USTRANSCOM)~330 mi S
- Truax Field ANG (Madison WI, F-35)~150 mi NW
- Volk Field ANG (Camp Douglas WI)~210 mi NW
- Fort McCoy (Army Reserve / Guard)~290 mi NW
- Fort Sheridan (now BRAC/redeveloped)~10 mi S
🏛️ Federal & Civilian Anchors
- Northwestern University + Lake Forest College~30 mi · ~5 mi
- Lurie Children's Hospital (top-ranked Midwest peds)~50 mi S
- Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital (Maywood)~55 mi
- Abbott + AbbVie + Walgreens + Astellas (corporate HQs)~10-25 mi
- Argonne National Laboratory~70 mi SW
- Fermilab (national accelerator laboratory)~65 mi SW
💡 What 2026 changes for your PCS to NS Great Lakes
Three 2026 things to know about Great Lakes. BAH for the GREAT LAKES NAVTRACEN, IL MHA rose 4.8% over 2025 — one of the stronger Midwest BAH increases reflecting tightening rental supply across the broader Lake County and southeastern Wisconsin market. Illinois state tax remains a real factor: 4.95% flat tax on active-duty pay (military retirement is fully exempt; combat pay exempt). SCRA protects active-duty pay for non-Illinois residents — verify your residency status with base legal during in-processing. Lake County effective property tax remains among the highest in the country at ~2.4% — meaningful for buyers using a VA loan; pencil out actual PITI before falling in love with a house.
Beyond BAH and tax: Recruit Training Command's recapitalization continues — the recap program has constructed 14 new barracks 'ships' as part of a multi-year ~$763M reinvestment, with the most recent USS Enterprise Recruit Barracks Building marking the eighth of 14 buildings completed. The Pentagon's stated goal is to reduce overall PCS moves by 50% by 2030, with first reductions starting FY2027 — practical effect for Great Lakes families is potentially longer permanent-party tours. Permanent-party deployment tempo at Great Lakes remains significantly lower than at fleet installations — many Sailors specifically request shore duty here for the schedule predictability and family stability it offers. Confirm with your gaining command before assuming any schedule.
🔗 Support Resources
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much is BAH at NS Great Lakes in 2026?
2026 BAH at NS Great Lakes (GREAT LAKES NAVTRACEN, IL MHA) ranges from $2,202 for E-1 through E-4 with dependents to $3,702 for O-7 with dependents. The headline E-5 with dependents rate is $2,427, an O-3 with dependents earns $3,018, and an O-5 reaches $3,645 — up 4.8% from 2025 (one of the stronger Midwest increases), ranked 26th of all Navy bases. Honest take: BAH is genuinely solid here and stretches well — but the Illinois state tax math matters. Illinois taxes active-duty pay at 4.95% (unlike Texas, Florida, or Washington), though Illinois fully exempts military retirement. Lake County property tax (~2.4% effective) is among the highest in the country.
Why does NS Great Lakes matter — what's stationed here?
Naval Station Great Lakes is the U.S. Navy's only enlisted boot camp and the largest training installation in the Navy — 'The Quarterdeck of the Navy' since July 1911, where every Sailor in the fleet today began their service. Major tenants include Recruit Training Command (RTC, the only Navy basic training facility, ~38,000-40,000 recruits annually), Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes (Navy's premier technical training command, ~16,000 Sailors annually), Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (the nation's only fully integrated DoD-VA federal health care center), Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School (pre-BUD/S SEAL/SWCC pipeline), Center for Surface Combat Systems, Surface Warfare School Command, Center for EOD and Diving, Navy Recruiting District Chicago, and the National Museum of the American Sailor.
Which neighborhoods work best for Great Lakes families?
Lake Bluff (~10 min, Lake Forest D67/115 schools) is the closest top-rated school district. Libertyville and Vernon Hills (15-20 min, Libertyville HSD 128, the de facto Navy officer family destination). Lincolnshire and Buffalo Grove (20-30 min, Stevenson HSD 125, top-rated nationally). Lake Forest and Highland Park (15-25 min, premium North Shore for O-4+). Gurnee, Grayslake, Mundelein (15-25 min, family-friendly suburbs, mid-range price). Pleasant Prairie and Kenosha, WI (15-25 min north across the state line, Wisconsin tax math, affordable). Honest take: most permanent-party families with school-age children plan around top-rated district lines.
What schools are best for military families at NS Great Lakes?
Stevenson HSD 125 (Lincolnshire) is consistently ranked among the top 10-25 public high schools in the United States. Libertyville-Vernon Hills HSD 128, Township D113 (Highland Park, Deerfield), and Lake Forest D67/115 are also among the top public school districts in the country. The on-base zoning (North Chicago Community Unit School District 187) is meaningfully lower-performing — most permanent-party families with school-age children choice out of D187 to higher-rated catchments by living off-base or via tuition-paid out-of-district enrollment. Plan around the catchment line at the time you sign a lease.
What's the medical reality for Great Lakes families?
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center on-base is the nation's only fully integrated DoD-VA federal health care center — it serves both active-duty TRICARE beneficiaries and eligible veterans VA beneficiaries under one roof, one staff, and one operational system. Full-service inpatient and outpatient capability with a 24/7 ED. Specialty inpatient and complex care: Advocate Condell Medical Center (Libertyville, Level II Trauma), Lake Forest Hospital (Northwestern Medicine), NorthShore University HealthSystem Highland Park, and Vista Medical Center East. Pediatric specialty: Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (~50 mi south, top-tier in Midwest) and Advocate Children's Hospital.
What MWR and athletic programs does NS Great Lakes have?
Great Lakes is one of the most desirable Navy shore-duty assignments. Chicago is 40-50 mi south (~60 min via Metra UP-North) — Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute, Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks, Navy Pier, deep-dish pizza. Illinois Beach State Park (adjacent to base) has 6 mi of Lake Michigan beachfront. Six Flags Great America 15 min away in Gurnee. Wisconsin Dells (~3 hr northwest, waterpark capital), Lake Geneva (~45 min northwest, vacation lake), Milwaukee (~50 mi north). On-base: Willow Glen Golf, the Hostess House, Liberty Theater, ITT discounts, the National Museum of the American Sailor.
What's the commute from NS Great Lakes like?
I-94 / Tri-State Tollway is the regional spine — toll road, peak congestion 6:30-9:00 AM and 4:00-6:30 PM. Hwy 41 / Skokie Highway runs along the base's western edge as the surface alternative. Lake Bluff is ~10 min via Hwy 41 (the closest top-rated school zone). Libertyville and Vernon Hills 15-20 min. Gurnee/Mundelein 15-25 min. The Metra UP-North line stops at North Chicago station with ~60 min direct service to Chicago Union Station. O'Hare International is ~50 mi south (~75-90 min in traffic). Milwaukee Mitchell (MKE) ~50 mi north. Winter driving on Hwy 41 and I-94 is real — AWD/4WD meaningfully helpful November-March.
What 2026 changes affect a NS Great Lakes PCS?
Three things. BAH for the GREAT LAKES NAVTRACEN, IL MHA rose 4.8% over 2025 — one of the stronger Midwest increases. Recruit Training Command's recapitalization continues with new barracks 'ships' coming online (USS Enterprise the most recent of 14 planned). Illinois state tax (4.95% flat on active-duty pay) and Lake County property tax (~2.4% effective) remain meaningful financial planning factors — SCRA protects active-duty pay for non-Illinois residents. Permanent-party deployment tempo remains significantly lower than at fleet installations. Pentagon 50% PCS reduction goal by 2030 starts FY2027. Federal 2026 reforms apply on top of base-specific changes. The Personal Property Activity (PPA) stood up permanently May 1, 2026 at Scott AFB, IL reporting directly to the Secretary of War. PPA.mil is the new sole-source-of-truth hub for HHG, POV, claims, and PCS guidance — replacing fragmented legacy platforms. 24/7 PCS Call Center 1-833-MIL-MOVE (May 15 - Sept 15). Concrete 2026 policy changes: claims window 9 mo → 12 mo; PPM reimbursement back to 100% of government-constructed cost (down from 130% in 2025); dependent per diem for mover-caused delays now 75% of SM M&IE paid by carrier; DLA rates +3.8% for 2026. Pentagon discretionary PCS reduction 50% by FY2030: 10% FY27, 30% FY28, 40% FY29, 50% FY30 — fewer moves per career, longer tours, plan housing accordingly.
Ready to run your NS Great Lakes numbers?
HomeScoop helps you compare your 2026 BAH against actual rents and mortgage scenarios across Lake Bluff, Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Gurnee, Mundelein, Pleasant Prairie WI, Lake Forest, and the broader Lake County and southeastern Wisconsin markets — and weigh that against the school catchment lines (Stevenson HSD 125 vs Libertyville HSD 128 vs Lake Forest vs North Chicago D187), I-94 commute reality, the Illinois 4.95% active-duty pay tax, and the ~2.4% Lake County effective property tax that meaningfully affects VA loan PITI math. Run the numbers before the boots-on-ground house hunt.
Compare NS Great Lakes Neighborhoods →