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Special recognition honoring United States Navy Captain Stephen Yargosz.
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, Captain Steve Yargosz has dedicated more than two decades to serving the United States Navy, and for three years has served as Commanding Officer of Naval Station Great Lakes, the largest military installation in Illinois and the Navy’s largest training station; and
WHEREAS, Captain Yargosz has built a distinguished military career that includes flying combat missions in Iraq as a helicopter pilot and serving in key leadership positions, including Commanding Officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 9 and International Policy Analyst with the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the Executive Office of the President; and
WHEREAS, as Commanding Officer of Naval Station Great Lakes, Captain Yargosz oversees an installation known as the “Quarterdeck of the Navy,” home to more than 50 tenant commands, including Recruit Training Command, supporting the training of thousands of Sailors each year, and more than 20,000 military and civilian personnel who live and work on the installation; and
WHEREAS, Captain Yargosz understands that the success of Naval Station Great Lakes is closely connected to the communities that surround it, and has built tremendous relationships among the Navy, Lake County, the City of North Chicago, and other regional partners; and
WHEREAS, he worked closely with North Chicago School District 187 to help bring the new Forrestal Elementary School to life, creating a welcoming place where children of military personnel at Naval Station Great Lakes and families in North Chicago can learn and grow together; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the challenges facing the former Halsey Village military housing area, Captain Yargosz worked closely with Lake County and the City of North Chicago to advance plans for the demolition of 351 vacant housing units across 90 acres, marking one of the largest housing demolition and site remediation efforts in U.S. Navy history and the Navy’s first-ever use of an Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA) for environmental remediation, paving the way for a revitalized area with future opportunities for the installation and surrounding community; and
WHEREAS, Captain Yargosz will be retiring from the Navy following more than two decades of service to our nation, leaving behind strong relationships with the communities surrounding Naval Station Great Lakes.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RECOGNIZED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that Captain Steve Yargosz is hereby honored for his service to the Navy, his leadership as Commanding Officer of Naval Station Great Lakes, and his dedication to strengthening partnerships throughout Lake County; and
BE IT FURTHER RECOGNIZED, that this County Board congratulates Captain Yargosz on his upcoming retirement and extends its sincere appreciation for his service and commitment to Lake County communities.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on October 13, 2026.