In July 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved a request by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) for a third Lake Water Quality Assessment (LWQA) grant under Section 314 of the federal Clean Water Act. The LWQA grant program is designed to provide each state with the opportunity to enhance the quantity and quality of lake data reported in their biennial water quality report. To assist IEPA in accomplishing the numerous goals of the grant, the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) was contracted to collect data on 15 non-routinely monitored, publicly-owned/public access lakes in the six-county northeastern Illinois region. Information collected included lake morphology, hydrology, ownership/access, designated uses and impairments, recreational facilities, water quality problems, causes and sources of impairment, and lake/watershed management practices. The purpose of this publication is to present this lake assessment information and water/sediment quality data in a concise and easy-to-reference manner for use by lake managers, planners, researchers, and scientists.