The village was incorporated on December 15, 1906, and certified by the state on April 13, 1907. The area was first explored during the 17th century by the French. In the late 19th century, it was known as Nippersink Point. Early in the 20th century, there were but a few hundred residents. During the summer season, however, the population would reach an estimated 20,000 people, and at its peak, the area had 50 hotels and 2,000 cottages. Infamous ChicagogangsterAl Capone is reported to have utilized an establishment now known as the Mineola Hotel and Restaurant as a hideout, although this has never been documented. In 1979, the Mineola was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and may be the largest wooden frame structure in the state. Many Chicagoans have established summer homes in Fox Lake. The village is situated among the Chain O'Lakes, where swimming, boating, jet skiing, tubing and boarding are popular activities. In 2006, there were an estimated 28,000 boats registered on the lake system. Boating accidents are prevalent in today's society, however, number of accidents on Fox Lake have decreased in part to stricter regulations on boating under the influence and other factors. Fiscal year 2010 had only one accident and death by boat. That number rose in 2015 to 3 accidents, 1 injury and 1 death. The two fatalities in 2015 were caused by drowning due to alcohol use. In September 2015, Police Lt. Joe Gliniewicz was found shot to death, and the subsequent manhunt for the shooters impacted the entire community. Thousands of civilians gathered for a memorial procession of hundreds of supporting officers, to show their support for police fatalities. After a two-month investigation, authorities released information to the effect that Gliniewicz committed "a carefully staged suicide", and that he had been involved in financial malfeasance related to his job.
Village government
"Fox Lake incorporated under a Village form of government, with an elected village president, six trustees, and a village clerk. The village president is also recognized as the mayor." The table below is a list of mayors from the village's inception in 1907 to present.
Mayor's name
Date
Mayor's name
Date
John Brown
1907–1913
C.H. Ostrander
1913–1914
Harry A. Maypole
1915–1917
William C. Nagle
1917–1921
Ernest Hummel
1921–1923
Louis Deproft
1923–1929
George Hollister
1929–1931
Arthur J. Amundsen
1935–1949
Carl E. Erickson
1949–1953
Albert E. Hoffmeyer
1953–1957
Joseph Armondo
1957–1961
Marius "Bossie” Olsen
1961–1965
Joseph Armondo
1965–1975
John Hodge
1976–1978
Richard "Butch" Hamm
1978–1985
William Dam
1985–1989
Frank Meier
1989–1993
Ken Hamsher
1993–1997
Jim Pappas
1997–2001
Nancy Koske
2001–2005
Cindy Irwin
2005-2009
Ed Bender
2009–2013
Donny Schmit
2013–present
-
-
Geography
Fox Lake is located at , northwest of downtown Chicago and west of Waukegan, Illinois. The village center is located on the south shore of Pistakee Lake, Nippersink Lake, and Fox Lake, three connected water bodies that form part of the Chain O'Lakes system, flowing southwest via the Fox River to the Illinois River. The village limits extend north in a sinuous manner all the way to the Wisconsin border. According to the 2010 census, Fox Lake has a total area of, of which is land and is water.
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,178 people, 4,046 households, and 2,330 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,249.1 people per square mile. There were 4,652 housing units at an average density of 633.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the village was 95.49% White, 0.76% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.54% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.80% of the population. There were 4,046 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.98. In the village, the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.5 males. The median income for a household in the village was $46,548, and the median income for a family was $58,843. Males had a median income of $42,009 versus $29,063 for females. The per capita income for the village was $24,350. 6.4% of the population and 4.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.2% of those under the age of 18 and 9.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Billy Klaus, shortstop and third basemen for six Major League Baseball teams; born in Fox Lake. His brother, Bobby Klaus, was also a Major League Ball Player.
Ann-Margret, Ann-Margret Olsson, actor, singer, dancer Once lived in Fox Lake. She is related to Marius "Bossie” Olsen, former mayor.
