Community

CLC for you

Experiences, enrichment and engagement

You belong at CLC. As a member of the Lake County community, you have many services and resources available to you. Walk or bike our trails in Grayslake. Take in a show at the James Lumber Center. Come to the dental clinic in downtown Waukegan. Find a personal trainer in Vernon Hills. Travel with us further afield—or, you know, take a class!

Move yourself forward personally or professionally—or step back and relax with us. CLC and Lake County are part of each other, in all seasons.

Making an impact together

593 community members serve on CLC advisory committees, including career advisory committees
332 businesses and institutions were represented across 37 academic advisory committees

Source: CLC Community Impact Report 2024

CLC Connects: Transforming our community

Get connected with the College of Lake County. Find out about how faculty and staff, students and community members collaborate to move Lake County forward.

Read our bi-annual magazine, subscribe to our monthly eNewsletter, listen to our podcast and more. Learn about the many ways CLC improves the economic well-being of the Lake County community.

Stay connected with us

CLC Board of Trustees

Meet the Board of Trustees and find board meeting information

Experience CLC.

James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts: Find big names and rising stars on the stage of this comfortable theatre in Grayslake.
Robert T. Wright Art Gallery: Always something new going up, from local artists to juried exhibitions—always something to stir your imagination and raise new ideas.
Prairie Restaurant: Relocating to Brae Loch, this facility is run and managed by students in the CLC Hospitality and Culinary Program, under close professional supervision.
Community Travel: CLC regularly organizes trips for community enrichment and global engagement. Summer of 2022 saw us in England. Where to next?
Living Lab Trail: The trail winds through the Grayslake campus, connecting with trails in the Lake Forest Preserves next door. Stops along the trail teach about sustainability and wellness.

Learn and grow at CLC.

Fun learning experiences for all ages

Personal enrichment classes for adults
Noncredit classes and interactive experiences.
Programs for kids (grades 1-8)
STEAM-based classes and summer camp experiences.
Programs for teens (grades 9-12)
STEM-based career explorations and innovative experiences.

Explore personal enrichment programs

Programs for the community

Travel with CLC: Travel with CLC and expand your horizons.
English as a Second Language (ESL) classes: Learn to listen, speak, read and write the English language for free.
Earn your High School Diploma: Adult Secondary Education (ASE) classes prepare adults who haven’t completed high school to take the GED® or HiSET® exam.
Court-related programs: Learn invaluable life skills by participating in, or volunteering for, programs offered through CLC’s Judicial Services department and the 19^th Judicial Circuit Court.
Community art engagement workshops: Join free art workshops for all ages. Workshops emphasize creativity, process and expression over perfection.

Share your gifts. Benefit our community.

Support students through the CLC Foundation: Your financial gift gives CLC Foundation scholarship recipients a means to achieve their dreams. You are helping to develop credentialed, career-ready talent for our community.
Get involved: Volunteer opportunities: Find the current volunteer opportunities at CLC. Explore new ways to engage with the community and help support students.
Become inspired: Support local arts. Attend engaging music, theater and dance performances at CLC. Subscribe or contribute to our award-winning journal, the Willow Review. Take a stroll through emotion-filled art exhibits. Explore performing arts opportunities such as instrumental, choral and dance groups.
Donate resources to the SHARE Market: Volunteer at or donate to the SHARE Market. Help provide students basic living essentials like food or toilet paper so they can focus on studying. Reach out to ShareMarket@clcillinois.edu for more information.

Give to the SHARE Market

Be fit with CLC.

Athletic and Fitness Center: Has everything you need to complete a total body workout. Located at the Grayslake campus, we offer a wide range of fitness classes for the community every term.
Center for Health and Wellness Promotion: Open to community members. Receive professional guidance on your lifelong fitness journey at the Southlake campus.
Dental Hygiene Clinic: Find affordable dental care in downtown Waukegan, on CLC’s Lakeshore Campus.
Grayslake Bike Share: Low-cost, convenient way for community members to explore more than 20 miles of trails in Lake County.
Student Therapeutic Massage Clinic: Located at the Southlake campus, advanced students gain hands-on experience under the direct supervision of licensed massage therapists.

Access learning and technology resources.

Baxter Innovation Lab: Dream it, build it at this Grayslake design and fabrication workshop, using everything from shop tools to 3D printers.
CLC Library: Borrow books, use the computer lab or do some research. We offer 110,000 books and 900 periodicals, and many are available to the community.
Children’s Learning Center: Year-round services at the Grayslake and Lakeshore campuses are available for children ages 2-5 years. School-aged care is provided for children up to 12 years old during the summer months.
Illinois Small Development Business Center (SBDC): The SBDC provides no-cost expert advice, training and tools for Lake County small businesses.
Testing Center: Community members have access to high-quality and convenient exam services.
Urban Farm Center – Coming Soon: The Urban Farm Center will be a sprawling, high-tech food hub prioritizing community health, wellness and prosperity.
Facility rentals: Rent facilities at any of our campuses. From workshops and trade shows to recitals and catered dinners—we have versatile spaces and services for you.