Land Sale Approved to Expand Fort Sheridan National Cemetery
August 13, 2025 04:13 PM
On Wednesday, August 13, the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Board of Commissioners approved a $610,000 sale of 4.7 acres to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand Fort Sheridan National Cemetery.
The land, part of Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake Forest, will be used to install columbaria for cremated remains. It includes two parcels, one east and one west of the existing cemetery.
The Forest Preserves and the VA have spent years negotiating terms for the proposed expansion. Established in 1889, the cemetery borders the 321-acre Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, former Army land later transferred to the district.
The VA estimates the cemetery will reach capacity within 15 years. This land transfer is estimated to add more than 50 years of burial space for veterans and their spouses.
“I’m so happy we reached an agreement,” said board member Jessica Clark, during a planning committee meeting. “We’ve heard about the national shortage of burial space for veterans. This expansion gives Lake County families a meaningful, nearby place to honor their loved ones.”
The Forest Preserves will maintain the cemetery until it closes. Once the VA takes over, the district will save $35,000 annually in upkeep expenses.
Proceeds from the $610,000 sale will go to the Preservation Foundation, the Forest Preserves’ charitable partner, to support long-term land management at Fort Sheridan. The funds will be added to the Every Acre Strong endowment campain, which provides a permanent source of funding to care for the preserves.
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