Annie Turek is a professional working for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Coastal Management Program. She is based in Chicago, Illinois, and is involved with the Illinois International Port District, also known as the Port of Chicago. Turek's work focuses on revitalizing the port and reconnecting it with the community. She is interested in creating outdoor recreation opportunities and enhancing the port's appeal to both the local community and tourists.

Catherine Buchalski-Smith is also a professional from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Coastal Management Program, working alongside Annie Turek. Like Turek, Buchalski-Smith is based in Chicago, Illinois. She is excited about the community of practice they have access to and is keen on developing an interpretive harbor walk at Waukegan. Buchalski-Smith is interested in telling the history and story of the Waukegan harbor and the port district, and in connecting the harbor and the beach to make it a place for everyone.

Joe Seidelmann is the General Manager of the Waukegan Port District, managing on behalf of F3 Marina Management Company. Seidelmann's work involves maintaining the balance between industrial and recreational use of the port. He is currently focused on revitalizing the waterfront to help rejuvenate the city of Waukegan, which has suffered due to the departure of industry. Seidelmann is also interested in learning from other communities in similar situations and exploring funding opportunities for development.

Scope and Content Note
The interview conducted by Ela Keegan with Annie Turek, Catherine Buchalski-Smith, and Joe Seidelmann on May 15th, 2018, provides insights into the importance of working waterfronts in their respective communities. Turek discusses her work with the Illinois International Port District, emphasizing the port's ongoing revitalization and reconnection with the community. She highlights the importance of creating outdoor recreation opportunities and enhancing the port's appeal to both the local community and tourists. Buchalski-Smith shares her excitement about the community of practice they have access to and her interest in developing an interpretive harbor walk at Waukegan. She talks about the importance of telling the history and story of the Waukegan harbor and the port district, and in connecting the harbor and the beach, and how to make the place feel like home for those who may not have a long history in the community. Seidelmann discusses his role as the General Manager of the Waukegan Port District and the challenges of maintaining a balance between industrial and recreational use of the port. He talks about the city's efforts to rejuvenate the waterfront and the city itself, which has suffered due to the departure of industry. Seidelmann also expresses his interest in learning from other communities in similar situations and exploring funding opportunities for development. The interviewees also discuss their excitement about the community of practice they have access to and the potential for developing an interpretive harbor walk at Waukegan. They talk about the importance of telling the history and story of the Waukegan harbor and the port district, and in connecting the harbor and the beach to make it a place for everyone. The interview provides a comprehensive overview of the work being done by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Coastal Management Program and the Waukegan Port District to revitalize their respective waterfronts. It highlights the importance of community involvement, historical preservation, and strategic planning in these efforts.