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Stickney, Illinois

Stickney is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The village is named for Alpheus Beede Stickney, a railroad executive who played a central role in establishing the Clearing Industrial District. Per the 2020 census, the population was 7,110. It was well known in the 1920s and early 1930s as the home for several bordellos linked to mobster Al Capone's empire.

The largest wastewater treatment plant in the world, the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant (Stickney WRP), is located within the village. This facility is operated by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

Geography
Stickney is located at 41.81694°N, -87.78667°W (41.816982, -87.786755).

According to the 2010 census, Stickney has a total area of 1.966 sqmi, of which 1.93 sqmi (or 98.17%) is land and 0.036 sqmi (or 1.83%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 7,110 people, 2,314 households, and 1,617 families residing in the village. The population density was 3,627.55 PD/sqmi. There were 2,523 housing units at an average density of 1,287.24 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 39.68% White, 2.64% African American, 3.33% Native American, 1.42% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 32.42% from other races, and 20.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 64.25% of the population.

There were 2,314 households, out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.53% were married couples living together, 9.68% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.12% were non-families. 27.14% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.82% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.52 and the average family size was 2.83.

The village's age distribution consisted of 26.3% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 33% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $67,246, and the median income for a family was $87,997. Males had a median income of $47,361 versus $38,373 for females. The per capita income for the village was $27,977. About 2.3% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over. ''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

Government
Stickney is in Illinois's 3rd congressional district.

Education
Stickney has two public elementary schools, Home School and Edison School, part of Lyons Elementary School District 103, both serving grades K-5. Students then attend George Washington Middle School in Lyons for grades 6–8.

Residents are zoned Morton West High School in Berwyn for grades 9-12 as all residents are west of Ridgeland Avenue.

The village had previously hosted Haley School which was built in 1923 and demolished in 1987; its land later being converted into Haley Park in 1989, and MacArthur School (41st and Cuyler) which was closed and later demolished. St Pius X Church had an elementary school which was closed in the 90s.

Transportation
Bus service in the village is provided by CTA and Pace.

title: Stickney, Illinois


text:
Stone Park, Illinois

Stone Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,576 at the 2020 census. Incorporated in 1939, the town was named for insurance magnate Clement Stone, who bought most of the land when it was still corn fields.

Geography
Stone Park is located at 41.90444°N, -87.88056°W (41.904330, -87.880486).

According to the 2010 census, Stone Park has a total area of 0.34 sqmi, all land. This makes Stone Park the smallest incorporated community in all of Cook County by size.

Politics
Current Elected Officials

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 4,576 people, 1,350 households, and 1,238 families residing in the village. The population density was 13,302.33 PD/sqmi. There were 1,382 housing units at an average density of 4,017.44 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 15.47% White, 3.52% African American, 2.12% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 54.28% from other races, and 23.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 89.31% of the population.

There were 1,350 households, out of which 60.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.81% were married couples living together, 26.52% had a female householder with no husband present, and 8.30% were non-families. 5.85% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.63 and the average family size was 3.59.

The village's age distribution consisted of 30.9% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 22% from 45 to 64, and 4.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $63,710, and the median income for a family was $46,944. Males had a median income of $35,062 versus $23,848 for females. The per capita income for the village was $19,125. About 15.9% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.0% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Bellwood School District 88 operates elementary schools. Students attend Grant Primary and Grant Elementary Schools.

Proviso Township High Schools District 209 operates public high schools. The community is served by Proviso West High School in Hillside. Stone Park residents may apply to Proviso Math & Science Academy in Forest Park.

History
In 2014 the Village of Stone Park celebrated its 75th anniversary. On April 26, 1939, the Village of Stone Park was incorporated. Since then, it has grown from 50 homes to over 800 homes and from hundreds of residents to thousands, of which many still live in the Village from the day of incorporation.

In 2013 the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo Scalabrinians and community residents in Stone Park celebrated victory in preventing a strip club, called Get It, from opening next to the convent.

In 2010, a strip club developer sued the village, alleging that officials had tried to extort cash and part ownership of the club in exchange for approval to build the facility. Although most of the village ordinances were unchallenged by the suit, the village agreed to repeal or amend some ordinances as part of a settlement. These included a local ordinance similar to the state statute that created a 1000 ft buffer zone between adult entertainment businesses and schools, parks, churches and residential areas. The Stone Park mayor said that the village chose not to defend against the lawsuit because it would cost $500,000.

Notable residents of Stone Park have included Screen Actors Guild actor and author Ted Zalewski, foremost U.S. interpreter of Teddy Roosevelt.

Transportation
Pace provides bus service on multiple routes connecting Stone Park to destinations across the region.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Stone Park, Illinois


text:
Streamwood, Illinois

Streamwood is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 39,577. It is a northwest suburb of Chicago, and is a part of the Chicago metropolitan area.

Streamwood is one of the three communities that make up the so-called "Tri Village" area, along with Bartlett and Hanover Park. Streamwood was first incorporated as a village on February 9, 1957.

Retail and commerce
A major retail sector has developed in recent years at the intersection of Illinois Route 59 and Illinois Route 19 called Sutton Park, which includes the Sutton Park Shopping Center.

Geography
Streamwood is located at 42.02056°N, -88.17333°W (42.020627, -88.173409).

According to the 2010 census, Streamwood has a total area of 7.854 sqmi, of which 7.82 sqmi (or 99.57%) is land and 0.034 sqmi (or 0.43%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 39,577 people, 13,170 households, and 9,839 families residing in the village. The population density was 5,053.24 PD/sqmi. There were 13,797 housing units at an average density of 1,761.62 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 46.61% White, 5.93% African American, 1.70% Native American, 16.03% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 16.31% from other races, and 13.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 33.77% of the population.

There were 13,170 households, out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.73% were married couples living together, 10.38% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.29% were non-families. 21.54% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.74% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.51 and the average family size was 3.01.

The village's age distribution consisted of 22.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $88,917, and the median income for a family was $97,537. Males had a median income of $43,367 versus $33,410 for females. The per capita income for the village was $31,692. About 4.3% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Schools
The village is primarily served by a unified school district, Elgin Area School District U46, the second largest school district in Illinois. U-46 provides educational services to nearly 40,000 students in area of approximately 90 sqmi in Cook, DuPage and Kane Counties. A small subdivision east of Barrington Road is served by School District 54 (Kindergarten through Junior High) and Township District 211 (High school.) The village is also served by and falls entirely within the boundaries of the Elgin Community College District.
 * District U-46
 * Township District 211
 * District 54
 * Elgin Community College District 509 (known commonly as ECC)

The village is also one of the locations of Northwest Academy, a private therapeutic day school serving special education students from school districts within a 50 mi radius.

Parks and libraries
The village is primarily served by the Poplar Creek Library District and the Streamwood Park District. Residents east of Barrington Road are served by the Schaumburg Township District Library and the Schaumburg Park District. Residents who live west of Rt. 59 are served by the Gail Borden Public Library District in Elgin.
 * Poplar Creek Public Library
 * Renner Academic Library at Elgin Community College
 * Schaumburg Township District Library
 * Streamwood Park District
 * Schaumburg Park District
 * Gail Borden Library

Places of worship
Streamwood is home to a diverse variety of places of worship across various religious denomination, including, but not limited to :
 * Faith Missionary Baptist Church
 * Immanuel United Church of Christ
 * Grace Bible Church
 * Grace Lutheran Church
 * Mercy Community Church
 * New Hope Community
 * St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
 * The Church in Streamwood
 * Truelight Lutheran Church
 * Christ Community Church
 * Baitul Ilm
 * Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Temple Midwest Chicago
 * Madhav Kendra (Temporarily Closed)
 * Awana - Headquarters of the international evangelical Christian nonprofit organization in child and youth discipleship.

Transportation
The Bartlett station provides Metra commuter rail service along the Milwaukee District West Line in nearby Bartlett. Trains travel east to Chicago Union Station, and west to Big Timber Road station.

Pace provides bus service on Route 554 directly connecting Streamwood to Schaumburg and other destinations.

Streamwood Stride
The Streamwood Stride is an endurance race. It is held in Streamwood on the second weekend of June. The 2010 Streamwood Stride was its 12th race, and included the 5k run/walk, the 10k run, kiddie races of 50m and 100m, the double derby (which is Streamwood Stride teamed up with Bartlett Blossom Run), and the 1 mi fun run.

title: Streamwood, Illinois


text:
Summit, Illinois

Summit is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 11,161 at the 2020 census. The name Summit, in use since 1836, refers to the highest point on the Chicago Portage between the northeast-flowing Chicago River and the southwest-flowing Des Plaines River located just north of the city.

Argo is a subdivision annexed by Summit in 1911 when it was new. Named for the nearby cornstarch and baking powder manufacturing plant, it developed separately from the older part of the city. The name "Argo" is still widely used but is not part of the name of the city itself.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Summit has a total area of 2.257 sqmi, of which 2.12 sqmi (or 93.93%) is land and 0.137 sqmi (or 6.07%) is water. Most of Summit is in the floodplain of the Des Plaines River.

History
The area around Summit has been hunted and traveled through for 12,000 years but only continuously occupied since 900CE. When Europeans first arrived the area was inhabited or used by the Meskwaki, Illini, Miami, Sauk, and Chippewa-Ottawa-Potawatomi tribes.

In 1673 the Marquette-Joliet expedition arrived at the portage north of the city and went on to the location of Chicago. At that time the importance of a portage was noted. A local trading network developed from that time until the Native Americans were removed beginning in 1816.

Surveyed in 1821, in 1830 land was for sale by the Illinois and Michigan Canal Commission. There may have been a tavern at "Summit Ford" in 1832, by 1835 there was a sub-divided settlement with a tavern, blacksmith shop, and stagecoach stop. "Summit Corners" was where westbound Archer Ave. turned south and Lyons-Summit Rd. (now approximately Lawndale Ave.) went west. Chicago politician "Long John" Wentworth bought much of the surrounding area and used it for farming.

Between 1836 and 1848 the Illinois and Michigan Canal was built through the subdivision. Most of the canal workers were Irish laborers and many were able to buy property with their canal script pay.

In 1850 gravel and clay pits were opened in the area for local use. After 1865 limestone quarries north of the canal provided jobs into the 1920s, when they were closed, often used as garbage dumps, then covered over. Today's Hanover Park is a filled gravel and clay pit.

In 1856 the Joliet and Chicago Railroad (Chicago and Alton Railroad in 1862) built a line along the south bank of the canal. Today this is Metra's Heritage Corridor commuter line.

In 1890 Summit was incorporated as a city. When John Wentworth, and his political influence, died in 1888 his heirs and the settlement residents feared being annexed by Chicago. The settlement was re-platted much as it is today, with Center St. going north from Archer Ave. and Lincoln St./Lawndale Ave. going northwest from Center St. over the canal. This area was changed with the construction of Interstate 55, which effectively replaced Lawndale Ave. with the Illinois Route 171 ramp. A housing complex was at the site of the 1836 settlement.

Between 1892 and 1900 the Chicago Sanitary Canal was built. It was just north of the Illinois and Michigan Canal but was much larger. In 1899 a large center-pier swing steel bridge was built for Lawndale Ave., the only crossing for miles in either direction until the 1920s. In 1900 the Chicago Sanitary Canal opened and replaced the Illinois and Michigan Canal, which was abandoned. In Summit the old canal was filled in 1974.

In 1901 the Chicago and Joliet Electric Railway Interurban was operating a double-track line down Archer Ave. To the east it connected with Chicago streetcars at Cicero Ave. (then the city limits), to the southwest it went past Argo and on to Joliet. A branch went north on Lawndale Ave to Ogden Ave. in Lyons. In 1933 the rail-cars were replaced with buses.

In 1907 Corn Products Corp. (now Ingredion) began construction of the world's largest corn-processing plant south of Summit (Bedford Park today) in 1907. At the same time two properties, north and south of 63rd St., were sub-divided as a "company town" type neighborhood called "Argo" after the factory. In 1911 Summit annexed Argo but its separation by the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad tracks at 59th St., dependence on the factory, and separate business district along 63rd St. with Chicago streetcar (later bus) service made it develop as a separate community. The name "Argo" is still in widespread use in both the public and private sectors.

Between 1910 and 1920 the population of Summit more than tripled, from 949 to 4,019, and increased again to 6,548 in 1930. The nature of the city changed from rural to industrial, largely because of the Corn Products plant. Farms in the old section were sub-divided and the new Argo area was annexed into the city. In addition to Corn Products other industries went up west of Archer Rd. and the large rail yard south of the city created a large number of jobs.

The city was overwhelmed with the increase and public services were not able to keep up. Water supply was a major problem, and schools were severely over-crowded. Between 1910 and 1930 three elementary, one high, and two Catholic schools were opened.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 11,161 people, 3,269 households, and 2,536 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,945.06 PD/sqmi. There were 3,789 housing units at an average density of 1,678.78 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 26.83% White, 7.88% African American, 2.48% Native American, 2.02% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 37.32% from other races, and 23.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 72.75% of the population.

There were 3,269 households, out of which 48.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.03% were married couples living together, 22.15% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.42% were non-families. 20.71% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.37% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.92 and the average family size was 3.41.

The city's age distribution consisted of 30.3% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28% from 25 to 44, 20% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,972, and the median income for a family was $53,000. Males had a median income of $33,532 versus $26,804 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,911. About 15.9% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.2% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

Public education
Elementary and middle school students attend Cook County School District 104 schools, and then move on to Argo Community High School District 217.

Business and industry
Ingredion operates a corn milling and processing plant at 65th Street and Archer Avenue, in an area known as Argo. This facility is one of the largest of its kind in the world.

ACH Food Companies operates a manufacturing and processing plant here for Mazola corn oil, Karo corn syrup and Argo Baking Powder and Corn Starch.

The Institute for Food Safety and Health (formerly the National Center for Food Safety and Technology) is in Bedford Park, adjacent to the Ingredion facility. It is affiliated with the Illinois Institute of Technology and the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

Frito-Lay has a zone office in Summit. Summit has also been the home of the Desplaines Valley News newspaper since 1913.

Transportation
Summit's multimodal transportation network encompasses the following:
 * The Stevenson Expressway (Interstate 55) runs through the northwest side of the city.
 * The Tri-State Tollway (Interstate 294) is 3 mi to the southwest.
 * Chicago Midway International Airport is approximately three miles to the east.
 * Argo Crossing Rail Junction - Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad/CSX and Canadian National Railway/Union Pacific Railroad – is located along the southwest boundary of the city.
 * Summit (Amtrak station) and Metra Heritage Corridor
 * Chicago Transit Authority and Pace buses
 * Illinois and Michigan Canal

Notable people

 * John Garklāvs, archbishop of the Orthodox Church in America, keeper of the Tchvin Icon of the Mother of Our God.
 * Fred Hampton, Black Panther Party
 * Ted Kluszewski, first baseman, member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame
 * Clayton Lambert, pitcher for the Reds
 * Sheldon Mallory, outfielder for the Oakland Athletics
 * Emmett Till, lived in Argo with his mother until he was nine, when they moved to Detroit.
 * "Long John" Wentworth, former mayor of Chicago, retired to a farm on land part of which later became part of Summit

title: Summit, Illinois


text:
Thornton, Illinois

Thornton is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States and a south suburb of Chicago. The population was 2,386 at the 2020 census. Thornton is home to the Thornton Quarry, one of the largest quarries in the world.

Geography
Thornton is located at 41.57139°N, -87.61167°W (41.571484, -87.611743).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Thornton has a total area of 2.40 sqmi, of which 2.38 sqmi (or 98.92%) is land and 0.03 sqmi (or 1.08%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 2,386 people, 960 households, and 591 families residing in the village. The population density was 993.75 PD/sqmi. There were 1,061 housing units at an average density of 441.90 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 58.63% White, 22.76% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 9.68% from other races, and 8.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.52% of the population.

There were 960 households, out of which 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.98% were married couples living together, 14.48% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.44% were non-families. 31.35% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.25% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 2.39.

The village's age distribution consisted of 15.9% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $66,447, and the median income for a family was $85,375. Males had a median income of $41,890 versus $39,329 for females. The per capita income for the village was $32,251. About 2.7% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Thornton is in Illinois's 2nd congressional district.

Transportation
Pace provides bus service on Route 353 connecting Thornton to destinations across the Southland.

title: Thornton, Illinois


text:
Tinley Park, Illinois

Tinley Park (formerly Bremen) is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States (with a small portion in Will County), and is a suburb of Chicago. Per the 2020 census, the population was 55,971, and it is among the fastest-growing suburbs southwest of Chicago. In 2009, BusinessWeek named Tinley Park the "best place in America" to raise a family.

19th century
Modern habitation of the area which, today, comprises Tinley Park began in the 1820s with emigrants from Europe and the eastern United States. By the 1840s, Germans and German-Americans had become such a prominent group in the area that, when the Village was formed in 1853, it was given the name of Bremen. Additionally, Irish, English, Scottish, Canadian and other groups of settlers also moved to the region.

In the late 19th century, railroads had expanded across America at a rapid pace, and the Village happened to be located on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad line. The influence of this new form of transport was so great on Bremen that, in 1890, its name was changed to Tinley Park, in honor of the village's first railroad station agent, Samuel Tinley, Sr. Even the village's official incorporation took place at the train depot, on June 27, 1892, when local citizens voted 34-24 to continue as the Village of Tinley Park; Henry Vogt would be the Village's first mayor.

20th century
With the railways came industry and commerce; 1905 saw the Diamond Spiral Washing Machine Company open a Tinley Park factory, the company's first. Local businessmen established an electric utility in 1909. A bottling facility for soda operated in Tinley Park until the 1950s. Inventor John Rauhoff developed and manufactured a waterproofing additive for cement called ironite, later used in the construction of the Hoover Dam. In 1956, a building was erected for the new Tinley Park Public Library. In the latter half of the 20th century, Tinley Park was, and remains to be, an area of rapid suburban expansion to the west and south of the original site, with over 11,000 housing units constructed between 1970 and 1994.

Today
After its centennial (in 1992), Tinley Park has focused on the renovation of its historic downtown district, which encompasses the Village's original 1892 boundaries. In this district, landowners are encouraged to maintain the sites' historic edifices, or to create new, but "historically-friendly", facades for otherwise modern buildings built in the last 30 years.

Downtown renovation projects have included the opening of a park near the Oak Park Avenue Metra train station, as well as the recent South Street Project, a multimillion-dollar project that will create more than 220 apartments and 40000 sqft of commercial retail space.

Since its opening in 1990, the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre (formerly World Music Theater, Tweeter Center Chicago and First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre) has been a major outdoor music venue, accommodating around 28,000 people. The amphitheater, which has hosted numerous musicians and festivals over its 30+ years in operation, features an overhead-covered seated section with open sides, and a large, sloping grass lawn area at the back.

On February 2, 2008, a mass shooting occurred at Lane Bryant in Brookside Marketplace on the Will County side of the village. The store closed after the shooting.

The North American Reptile Breeders Conference (NARBC) is among the largest reptile and amphibian shows in the country, with locations in four cities, including Tinley Park. The twice-annual convention features dozens of kiosks, with breeders and vendors showing and selling their animals, as well as interesting gifts, pet supplies and more. The popular event is held in the spring and fall at Tinley Park Convention Center.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Tinley Park has a total area of 16.13 sqmi, of which 16.12 sqmi (or 99.93%) is land and 0.01 sqmi (or 0.07%) is water.

It is bordered by Oak Forest to the northeast, Orland Park to the northwest, Orland Hills and Mokena to the west, Country Club Hills to the east. Matteson to the southeast, Frankfort to the southwest and Frankfort Square to the south.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 55,971 people, 21,871 households, and 14,760 families residing in the village. The population density was 3,469.56 PD/sqmi. There were 22,751 housing units at an average density of 1,410.30 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 80.56% White, 6.41% African American, 0.14% Native American, 4.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.31% from other races, and 6.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.39% of the population.

There were 21,871 households, out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.68% were married couples living together, 10.01% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.51% were non-families. 29.01% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.67% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.21 and the average family size was 2.56.

The village's age distribution consisted of 21.4% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $82,163, and the median income for a family was $103,902. Males had a median income of $61,179 versus $41,084 for females. The per capita income for the village was $40,955. About 4.2% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

Tinley Park has the 7th-highest Palestinian-American population in the United States, with neighboring Orland Park having the 5th-highest.

Government
Tinley Park is divided between two congressional districts. Most of the village, including all the area in Bremen Township and Rich Township, as well as the area in Will County, is in Illinois's 1st congressional district; the area in Orland Township south of 167th Street, as well as most of the area southwest of 163rd Street and Ozark Avenue, is in the 3rd district.

Education
Tinley Park includes four public school districts – Kirby School District 140 (contains 5 grade schools, and 2 middle schools: Prairie View Middle School, and Virgil I. Grissom Middle School), Community Consolidated School District 146 (contains 4 grade schools, and Central Middle School), Summit Hill School District 161, (contains 5 grade schools, and Summit Hill Junior High School) and School District 159 (contains 4 grade schools, and Colin Powell Middle School).

The town also includes three parochial Pre-K through 8 elementary schools: St. George, which is Catholic; Trinity Lutheran, affiliated with the LCMS; and Southwest Chicago Christian School of Tinley Park.

Victor J. Andrew High School (Consolidated High School District 230) and Tinley Park High School (Bremen Community High School District 228) are both secondary schools located in Tinley Park. A small portion of Tinley Park students go to Lincoln-Way East High School. A small portion in the southwest part of the village also attends Rich Central High School.

Most residents of Tinley Park are located within the residency boundaries for Moraine Valley Community College; the rest reside in the community college district for South Suburban College. A very small portion of Tinley Park goes to Joliet Junior College.

Transportation
Metra trains access Tinley Park via the Rock Island District. The Oak Park Avenue and 80th Avenue Stations, which are located in Tinley Park, are part of the Rock Island District.

Pace provides bus service on Routes 356, 364 and 386 connecting Tinley Park to destinations throughout the Southland.

 * the village's east–west thoroughfare.
 * , the village's major north–south throughfare.
 * on the western corner of the village.
 * on the northern corner of the village.
 * the village's major north–south thoroughfare in Cook County.
 * the village's second major east-west thoroughfare.
 * located entirely in Tinley Park.

Notable people

 * Emil Andres, Indy and Sprint car driver
 * Gary Bettenhausen, Indy and Sprint car driver
 * Merle Bettenhausen, Sprint car driver
 * Tony Bettenhausen, Indy car driver
 * Tony Bettenhausen Jr., Indy car driver
 * Miles Boykin, wide receiver for NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers
 * Tevin Coleman, running back for NFL's San Francisco 49ers
 * John Ericks, pitcher with Pittsburgh Pirates 1995–97
 * Armando Estrada, former wrestler with WWE
 * Nathan Everhart, wrestler with WWE
 * Gina Glocksen, season six finalist on American Idol
 * Michael Hastings, Illinois State Senator, 98th General Assembly
 * Garrett Jones, outfielder, first baseman with Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees
 * Stacie Juris, Miss Illinois Teen USA 2009 and Miss Illinois USA 2013
 * Christine Magnuson, Olympic swimmer (two-time silver medalist)
 * Real Friends, pop punk band
 * Kevin Sefcik, utility player with Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies
 * John J. Szaton, Polish-American sculptor and creator of Coal Miner
 * Kanye West, musician, rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer.
 * Jeremiah Wright, former minister to Barack Obama

Sister cities

 * 🇩🇪 Büdingen, Germany
 * 🇮🇪 Mallow, Ireland
 * 🇵🇱 Nowy Sącz, Poland

title: Tinley Park, Illinois


text:
University Park, Illinois

University Park is a village in Will County with a small portion in Cook County in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is a south suburb of Chicago. The village is one of the region's few planned communities; it was developed in the 1960s as Wood Hill, then Park Forest South, and finally University Park. Governors State University was established in the village in 1969. The village population was 7,145 at the 2020 census.

History
In the late 1950s, Woodhill Enterprises purchased land south of Park Forest for a large subdivision. Building began in 1961, but by 1967 Wood Hill had only 240 homes. Residents created a homeowners association, which fostered a community identity.

In 1966, Nathan Manilow, one of the developers of Park Forest, started to purchase land around Wood Hill. Park Forest had been a model for planning in the 1940s, and Lewis Manilow, son of Nathan, formed New Community Enterprises (NCE) to build "a whole new town". Major partners included Illinois Central Industries and United States Gypsum Company.

NCE supported the incorporation of Park Forest South in 1967 with projections for 100,000 residents. Under the federal New Communities Act of 1968, Park Forest South was designated as one of 15 such "new communities". Planning included space for residential, commercial, and industrial development and addressed the needs of education, recreation, and faith communities. Racial integration was a goal from the beginning, and Park Forest South became a leader in support of open housing.

Governors State University opened its doors in 1969. The Illinois Central Railroad made its first commuter extension in 40 years there. As a result, it is the last stop on the Metra Electric District line. The city's initial plan included wooded preserves and recreation areas, building on recreation area set-asides and major land donations by the Manilow organization.

The creativity and energy of the developers and village leadership led to great hopes for their "whole new town". In 1970, the state of Illinois allocated $24 million for the GSU campus. In 1971, HUD guaranteed $30 million in loans to bring the vision to reality.

The developers modernized the water and sewage treatment facilities and in 1970 initiated the first elementary school, the first apartment complex, and Governors Gateway Industrial Park.

However, difficulties arose in the economy, in the requirements and lack of resources from HUD, in the projections for growth, and in other areas, leading to suspended development in late 1974. For over two years, intense activity at public and private levels untangled many of the problems. The new town, intended for 100,000, adapted to a slow-growth plan anticipating an eventual 20,000 to 25,000 residents. The 2000 population, however, was 6,662, up slightly from the previous decade.

New town planning remains evident. The industrial park next to Interstate 57 is integral to the village, and residential areas continue to offer open space, bikeways, and additional development. The new town heritage includes the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, a monumental internationally recognized outdoor sculpture park at GSU developed by Lewis Manilow to honor his father.

Notable people

 * Amara Enyia (born 1982), political strategist. She was raised in University Park.
 * Shonda Rhimes, television producer, screenwriter, and creator, head writer and executive producer of hit television series Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder, resided in University Park (formerly Park Forest South) as a child.
 * Chris Slayton (born 1996), football player. He was a childhood resident of University Park.

Education
The village of University Park falls within the Crete-Monee Community Unit School District 201-U. Coretta Scott King Magnet Elementary and Crete-Monee Middle school is located in the village.

Geography
University Park is located at 41.43944°N, -87.69722°W (41.439460, -87.697299).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, University Park has a total area of 10.73 sqmi, of which 10.73 sqmi (or 99.98%) is land and 0.00 sqmi (or 0.02%) is water. The village lies on the Valparaiso Moraine, which is also the Eastern Continental Divide.

Surrounding areas

 * Richton Park
 * Richton Park [[Image:Up arrow left.svg|20px]] [[Image:Up-1.svg|20px]] [[Image:Up arrow right.svg|20px]] Park Forest
 * Frankfort / Unincorporated Will County [[Image:Left.svg|20px]] [[Image:Right.svg|20px]] Steger / Crete
 * Unincorporated Will County [[Image:Down arrow left.svg|20px]] [[Image:Down arrow.svg|20px]] [[Image:Down arrow right.svg|20px]] Unincorporated Will County
 * Monee / Unincorporated Will County

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 7,145 people, 2,508 households, and 1,831 families residing in the village. The population density was 665.95 PD/sqmi. There were 2,756 housing units at an average density of 256.87 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 87.64% African American, 5.16% White, 0.29% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 2.23% from other races, and 4.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.04% of the population.

There were 2,508 households, out of which 49.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.69% were married couples living together, 32.18% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.99% were non-families. 22.77% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.49% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.37 and the average family size was 2.87.

The village's age distribution consisted of 32.0% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 66.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 56.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $62,258, and the median income for a family was $63,551. Males had a median income of $43,093 versus $31,448 for females. The per capita income for the village was $23,354. About 9.4% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
University Park is served by a station on the Metra Electric District line, operated by Metra. The Metra Electric line ends at this station; Amtrak services (City of New Orleans, Illini and Saluki) continue south without stoppage. The station also facilitates bus services: Pace route 367 and the River Valley Metro's University Park route.

Pace provides bus service on Route 367 connecting University Park to Park Forest and other destinations.

Stuenkel Road serves as a connector from Interstate 57 to University Park. Illinois Route 50 is another numbered highway running through University Park. Between 1942 and 1971, U.S. Route 54 ran through the area prior to and during the existence of Park Forest South (now University Park).

Government
University Park is in the Second Congressional District.

title: University Park, Illinois


text:
Westchester, Illinois

Westchester is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is a western suburb of Chicago. The population was 16,892 at the 2020 census.

History
The area now known as Westchester was occupied by German farmers beginning in the mid-19th century. Samuel Insull purchased the land in 1924 with plans to develop it for residential use and create an English-style town. As a result, the town's name and the majority of its street names are of English origin.

The Great Depression slowed development during the 1930s, although the population continued to grow. The town's suburban development was stimulated by its being the western terminal of Chicago's rapid transit line. The extension of the line was removed in 1951. In 1956, the federal government began postwar construction of the Interstate Highway System, resulting in the construction of nearby expressways I-290 and I-294. These have provided residents with car-based travel in the region, however they also serve as barriers against access to neighboring communities.

Residential and retail development has consumed nearly all open land within the village, save for the protected 85 acre of Wolf Road Prairie. It is the largest black-soil prairie remnant east of the Mississippi River.

Geography
Westchester is located at 41.85389°N, -87.88361°W (41.853890, -87.883712).

According to the 2010 census, Westchester has a total area of 3.69 sqmi, all land. It shares its western border with Du Page County.

Transportation
Residents of Westchester have a small variety of transportation options available to them. Cermak Road and Roosevelt Road are two major stroads that cut through the village. Residents also have bus service through Pace Bus Service, with routes 301, 317, and 330 serving the community. Route 317 follows the former extension to the CTA Blue Line before it was removed. Pace is planning for a Pulse rapid transit route to be constructed along the Cermak corridor, currently served by the 322 route. Service is planned to begin in 2029. There have been calls to restore Blue Line service to the community and plans have existed, however, CTA currently has no plans to extend the Blue Line from Forest Park. Westchester has a Walk Score of 43, meaning most errands require driving a car. The village also has several zoning provisions that foster car dependency, such as minimum parking requirements.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 16,892 people, 6,811 households, and 4,385 families residing in the village. The population density was 4,582.75 PD/sqmi. There were 7,230 housing units at an average density of 1,961.48 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 55.95% White, 19.87% African American, 0.62% Native American, 4.13% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 8.30% from other races, and 11.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.02% of the population.

There were 6,811 households, out of which 21.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.92% were married couples living together, 9.41% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.62% were non-families. 31.73% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.81% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 2.36.

The village's age distribution consisted of 15.6% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 28.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $88,861, and the median income for a family was $108,067. Males had a median income of $57,055 versus $48,533 for females. The per capita income for the village was $43,868. About 2.3% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over. ''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

Government
Westchester is divided among three congressional districts. The areas south of Cermak Road or west of Haase and Burns avenues are in Illinois's 3rd congressional district; nearly all of the areas east of Mannheim Road and east of Mayfair Avenue, between Canterbury Street and Dorchester Avenue, are in the 7th district; and the area in between (primarily Oak Ridge and Glen Oak cemeteries) is in the state's 4th district.

The current Village President is Greg Hribal, serving a two-year term following the temporary appointment of Nick Steker as acting president after the death of the previous elected president Frank Perry from cancer.

Economy
Westchester is home to Westbrook Corporate Center, located at Wolf Road and Cermak Road. Constructed in 1986 and renovated in 1996, the complex consists of five 10-story towers encompassing more than 1 e6ft2 of office space. Westbrook Corporate Center has won the 2000/2001 BOMA- International Office Building of the Year Award, 2000/2001 BOMA- North Central Region Office Building of the Year Award, and 1998/1999, 1999/2000, 2000/2001 BOMA- Suburban Chicago Office Building of the Year Award.

Top employers
According to the Village's 2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Public schools
Westchester School District 92.5 serves most of the city. There are four schools in this district:
 * Westchester Primary School (Preschool – 2nd grade)
 * Westchester Intermediate School (3rd grade – 5th grade)
 * Westchester Middle School (6th grade – 8th grade)
 * Britten School (Special Needs)

In addition Hillside School District 93, which operates a single K-8 school in Hillside, serves a section of Westchester. In 1968 the school district proposed a bond for a junior high school, on a 12.5 acre parcel of land in Westchester. The voters rejected the referendum and the plans were scrapped. The president of Concord Homes, Roger Mankedick, stated in a Chicago Sun-Times stated that the student population that was supposed to surround the school never came. The Chicago Tribune stated there was a decline in students in the area surrounding the school site. In 1998 the district instead sold the land to Concord Homes for $2.6 million.

Proviso Township High Schools district serves high school residents. Zoned students attend Proviso West High School in Hillside. Westchester residents may apply to Proviso Math & Science Academy in Forest Park.

Private schools
The following private Catholic school of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago is located in the village:
 * Divine Providence School (PS–8)

Other private schools are located in the village:
 * Immanuel Christian Academy (K–8, Lutheran)
 * Westchester Christian School (K-12, Non-Denominational)
 * PAEC Academy (K-8, Special Needs)

Recreation
The Village of Westchester is home to the Westchester Park District, which provides many recreational amenities and activities for both residents and non-residents. There are also five different golf courses available within 3 miles or a 10-minute drive from Westchester: The Chicago Highlands Club; located on the southwest side of the village, Fresh Meadow Golf Club in Hillside, Meadowlark Golf Course in Hinsdale, and The Oakbrook Golf Club and Butler National Golf Club in Oakbrook. Additionally, Westchester is home to Eden Lanes Bowling Alley, Focus Time Escape Rooms, the Wolf Road Prairie, the Westchester Woods Sledding Hill, 4 youth sports organizations, and multiple forest preserves.

Parks and playgrounds

 * Camberly Park
 * Community Park
 * Dury Lane Park
 * Gladstone Park
 * High Ridge Park
 * Mayfair Park
 * Middle School Athletic Fields
 * Norfolk Park
 * Primary School Park
 * Sweetbriar Park
 * Forest the Fox's Playbox at the Mayfair Recreation Center

Fitness

 * Westchester Community Center
 * Mayfair Recreation Center
 * Anytime Fitness

Aquatics
John J. Sinde Community Swimming Pool serves as Westchester's public pool. The facility was dedicated with a ribbon-cutting event on June 5, 1977, and officially opened on June 11, 1977. The facility features a beautiful 50-meter pool with a 12-foot-deep diving well. Other enjoyable features are a separate zero-depth wading pool with bubblers. The main pool has a 25-foot-high, 150-foot-long water slide and an SCS interactive water play structure in the shallow end. A concession stand and grass area round out the facility. The facility is typically in operation from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The Chicago Highlands Club also boasts an outdoor seasonal pool, however those wishing to use it must possess a membership to the club or be a guest of a current member.

Notable people

 * Philip Caputo, author and journalist (A Rumor of War); born in Westchester
 * Marco D'Amico, mafia member of the Chicago Outfit
 * Mario Anthony DeStefano, member of the Chicago Outfit
 * Jim Durkin, state legislator representing Illinois' 82nd District
 * Kathryn Hahn, actress (Crossing Jordan); born in Westchester
 * Julian Love, NFL player (Seattle Seahawks)
 * Cameron Meredith, NFL player (New Orleans Saints)
 * Gene Pingatore, basketball coach at St. Joseph High School; lived in Westchester
 * Saba, rapper and record producer
 * Michael Sarno, member of the Chicago Outfit
 * Daniel P. Ward, Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court; lived in Westchester
 * Bill Wightkin, NFL player (Chicago Bears); lived in Westchester

title: Westchester, Illinois


text:
Western Springs, Illinois

Western Springs is a village located in Cook County, Illinois, United States, and a suburb of Chicago. As of the 2020 census, the village had a total population of 13,629. It is twinned with Rugeley, Staffordshire, United Kingdom. In July 1962, the towns made telephone history on national television when the chairman of Rugeley Urban District Council made the first telephone call via the new Telstar satellite to the mayor of Western Springs.

History

Western Springs, an affluent suburb located along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (formerly the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad) between Chicago and Aurora, encompasses roughly the area between Willow Springs Road (Gilbert Avenue), Ogden Avenue, Interstate 294, and West Plainfield Road. Named for local mineral springs on the southwest side of town, Western Springs originally consisted of flat prairie land with a swamp on its western border.

Around the turn of the 18th century, nomadic Potawatomi Native Americans settled in the Western Springs area. Whether they built a village is unclear, but evidence of temporary campsites has been found near Flagg Creek in Forest Hills. The natives were gone by the end of 1835, but Potawatomi artifacts may still be found buried in the Springdale neighborhood. The last Cook County campground of the Potawatomi was within what is now the Timber Trails subdivision.

The first known settler in the area near Western Springs was Elijah Wentworth. By 1834, after the Black Hawk War, farmer Joseph Vial had moved from New York and built a cabin along what is now Plainfield Road, a former Native American trail in the south of Western Springs. This cabin served as a stagecoach station, hotel, general store, and post office for the entire area. In 1872, Hill moved to the area from Chicago, and the community began organizing to attract more commuters. Residents built a wooden schoolhouse (1872) and a post office (1873).

The CB&Q Railroad built a line through Western Springs in 1863, filling in much of the westside swamp in the process. In 1870, the Western Springs Land Association, consisting of promoter Thomas Clarkson Hill, William Page and two sons of Phillip F. W. Peck, bought the three tracts that make up the area for $105,000.

In 1885, the Grand Avenue School replaced the wooden schoolhouse, and the office of village marshal was created as a combination policeman, dogcatcher, and groundskeeper. In 1886, the Friend's Church (razed in 1958) was built on the corner of Walnut and Woodland. That same year, Western Springs incorporated as a village by a public vote of 34 to 25. The voting townspeople elected a prominent Quaker developer, T. C. Hill, as the town's first president.

A large number of early residents were Quakers, and deeds often prohibited the sale of alcohol. (Until recently, the village itself had not permitted the sale of alcoholic beverages but currently a number of establishments do sell such.) Over time, with increased commuter settlement, Western Springs came to look less and less Quaker.

After the spring dried up in 1890, the village hired engineers Edgar and Benezette Williams to build the village waterworks system, including the famous water tower. Constructed using Naperville stone, the tower stood 112 ft high. Replaced in 1962, it became a museum in 1970 and entered the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Western Springs added many improvements over the years, including a fire department (1894), electric plant (1898), telephones (1899), a park district (1923), and a library (1926). The village expanded south of 47th Street, annexing the subdivisions of Forest Hills (1927), Springdale (1955), and Ridgewood (1973).

On March 21, 2005, the Village of Western Springs annexed the former Timber Trails golf course, which is now being developed into a new community of single-family homes and townhomes. The annexation of the property added 105.9 acre to the village. The plans for this development were controversial, with some residents citing concerns over the number of trees to be cut down and fears about possible environmental contamination due to pesticides from the former golf course as reasons for their opposition to the development.

Geography
Western Springs is located at 41°48'20" North, 87°54'4" West (41.805531, -87.901035).

Western Springs is located 15 mi west of the Chicago Loop and encompasses roughly the area between Willow Springs Road, Ogden Avenue, Interstate 294, and Plainfield Road.

According to the 2010 census, Western Springs has a total area of 2.79 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 13,629 people, 4,460 households, and 3,844 families residing in the village. The population density was 4,894 PD/sqmi. There were 4,726 housing units at an average density of 1,697 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 91.42% White, 0.46% African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.80% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other races, and 5.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.58% of the population.

There were 4,460 households, out of which 41.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.45% were married couples living together, 6.77% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.81% were non-families. 13.61% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.83% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.27 and the average family size was 2.96.

The village's age distribution consisted of 31.3% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 17.3% from 25 to 44, 32.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $184,412, and the median income for a family was $194,731. Males had a median income of $122,670 versus $51,733 for females. The per capita income for the village was $80,877. About 1.8% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 1.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Western Springs' village president is Alice Gallagher (2017). It is in Illinois's 3rd congressional district; the district's former congressman, Dan Lipinski, is a resident of the village. His father, Bill Lipinski, was a longtime congressman of the 3rd district, and was able to get his son to replace him on the ballot, though he had not lived in Illinois for 15 years. Marie Newman defeated Lipinski in 2020, but, due to statewide redistricting, was forced in the 2022 Democratic primary to compete with neighboring incumbent Sean Casten. On June 28, 2022, Newman lost the primary to Casten.

Transportation
One major highway traverses Western Springs; Ogden Avenue (U.S. Route 34) runs east–west along the northern border and intersects the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) on the western border. The main north–south street in the village is Wolf Road, designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway.

The BNSF Railway runs through Western Springs. Daily commuter service on that line, connecting Aurora and Chicago, is provided by Metra. Freight rail traffic on the line is heavy, with BNSF operating freight trains on all three mainline routes through the village. During non-rush hours, a freight train may run along the line as frequently as once every 10 minutes on average. Amtrak also runs this subdivision with passenger trains such as the Southwest Chief and the Illinois Zephyr. All told, the BNSF and Amtrak run up to 130 trains a day through Western Springs: Eight Amtrak trains in both directions, 96 Metra trains from morning to midnight, and around 25 or more freight trains. Sometimes, around 145 trains can come through. A typical BNSF train contains 100 to 125 cars, mainly consisting of coal cars and intermodal trains. Metra runs five to 11 cars per train, with the average being six cars.

A new train station was built in 2004–2005. The north platform was remodeled in 2008, and the extended platform was connected to Wolf Road in 2019. The new station is a virtual replica of a train station that was demolished in 1972. Passenger airline service is available at O'Hare and Midway airports, both located in Chicago. Commuter bus service is provided by Pace, the suburban bus division of the Regional Transportation Authority.

Education
The Village of Western Springs is served by three public elementary school districts and one public high school district.

Western Springs School District 101 serves the original neighborhoods of Western Springs and operates four schools: Field Park, Forest Hills, and Laidlaw Elementary Schools serve K-5 students, and McClure Junior High serves students in grades 6–8. LaGrange Highlands School District 106 serves students from other, newer neighborhoods (e.g., Ridgewood) and operates two schools: La Grange Highlands Elementary, which serves K-4 students, and La Grange Highlands Middle School for students in grades 5–8.

All elementary and middle schools that serve Western Springs feed into Lyons Township High School District 204. Lyons Township High School has two campuses: Freshmen and Sophomores attend the South Campus in Western Springs, and Juniors and Seniors attend the North Campus in LaGrange.

Recreation
The Western Springs Service Club (WSSC) is Western Springs' private pool. The pool was formed in 1954 and officially opened in 1955. There was an addition made in 1965 and a renovation in 1996. The WSSC provides recreational swimming, swim team for ages 6 to 18, water aerobics, lap swimming, and swim lessons for members of the Service Club. On top of the infant pool, two swimming pools with slides and a diving board, the WSSC also includes a grass volleyball court and a GaGa pit. The facility also provides an outdoor snack shop and locker rooms. The property may also be used for birthday parties, relaxation, picnics, or meetings.

Western Springs has a public library, the Thomas Ford Memorial Library. The library building at 800 Chestnut St. opened in 1932. Additions to the building were completed in 1962 and 1996. The library serves both children and adults and is part of the suburban library system. Patrons have access to programs such as story hour, book groups, and film groups.

Western Springs includes two recreational centers. The Recreation Center and the Grand Avenue Community Center are both about four blocks from downtown Western Springs. These recreation centers provide many classes, sports, events, and activities for anyone who desires to be active.

Parks

 * Ridge Acres Park
 * Ridgewood Park
 * Laidlaw Park
 * Spring Rock Park (1931)
 * Springdale Park
 * Forest Hills Park
 * Clark Park
 * Northeast Park (previously known as "Candy Cane Park")
 * Field Park
 * Timber Trails Park (2005)
 * Sereda Park

Notable people

 * Robert Barron — Roman Catholic bishop
 * Emil J. Boucek — state representative
 * Brian Campbell — former defenseman for NHL's Chicago Blackhawks
 * Terrel E. Clarke — Illinois state legislator and businessman
 * Jack Collom — poet and teacher
 * Melinda Culea — actress
 * Steve Dahl — radio personality, podcaster
 * Taylor Davis — violinist
 * Jim Durkin — Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives
 * Jake Elliott — NFL kicker
 * Cameron Esposito — comedian
 * Eileen Lyons — state representative
 * Jonathan Franzen — novelist
 * John Hattendorf — maritime historian
 * John Kass — columnist for Chicago Tribune
 * Dan Lipinski — United States congressman
 * Walter M. Urbain — food scientist
 * James "J.Y." Young — guitarist for Styx
 * Suzy Glowiak — state senator from the 24th State Senate District

Twin town
Western Springs is twinned with Cannock Chase, England. 🏴

title: Western Springs, Illinois


text:
Wheeling, Illinois

Wheeling is a village in Cook and Lake counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. A suburb of Chicago, it is primarily in Cook County, approximately 23 mi northwest of downtown Chicago. Per the 2020 census, the population was 39,137. Wheeling is named after Wheeling, West Virginia.

History
The land that is now Wheeling, Illinois, was controlled by the Miami Confederacy (which contained the Illini and Kickapoo tribes) starting in the early 1680s. The Confederacy was driven from the area by the Iroquois and Meskwaki in the early 1700s.

The French-allied Potawatomi began to raid and take possession of Northern Illinois in the 1700s. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the Potawatomi expanded southwards from their territory in Green Bay and westward from their holdings in Detroit, until they controlled in an L-shaped swath of territory from Green Bay to the Illinois River, and from the Mississippi River to the Maumee River.

The descendants of the Potawatomi who once inhabited the land that is now Wheeling currently live on a reservation in Mayette, Kansas.

The first cabin in Wheeling Township was built by a Mr. Sweet in 1833. He sold it to George Strong for $60, making Mr. Strong the first permanent resident in Wheeling Township.

In 1834, Joseph Filkins opened the first tavern-hotel in the township at the intersection of Dundee Road and Milwaukee Avenue. By 1835, there were 18 cabins in the township, and a post office was established in Filkins’ Tavern.

In 1837, Russell Wheeler and Charles Daniels opened a general store and trading post next to Filkins’ Tavern. The settlers who migrated to that area formed the Village of East Wheeling, which later became known as simply Wheeling.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, the village has a total area of 8.74 sqmi, of which 8.74 sqmi (or 97.26%) is land and 0.24 sqmi (or 2.74%) is water.

Climate
The climate in Wheeling can be classified as temperate. Winters are usually very cold and snowy. Summers are often hot and humid, but can be pleasantly warm as well. Precipitation is uniformly distributed throughout the year.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 39,137 people, 15,148 households, and 9,673 families residing in the village. The population density was 4,483.05 PD/sqmi. There were 16,190 housing units at an average density of 1,854.52 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 50.33% White, 2.36% African American, 1.42% Native American, 16.73% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 17.32% from other races, and 11.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 33.34% of the population.

There were 15,148 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.45% were married couples living together, 9.84% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.14% were non-families. 29.69% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.87% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.15 and the average family size was 2.52.

The village's age distribution consisted of 19.9% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $71,966, and the median income for a family was $83,406. Males had a median income of $45,470 versus $36,478 for females. The per capita income for the village was $36,999. About 5.6% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
A famous hotel called the Union Hotel used to be located on Milwaukee Avenue. It was built in 1856 and reconstructed following a fire in 1925. Over the years, the building evolved into several restaurants. Billy and Company, a restaurant, was the last occupant of the building, which was torn down in 1996 to make way for Union Commons condominiums.

Camp Ramah, a Jewish day camp, is located in Wheeling.

Wheeling was home to video game company Jaleco USA and to the American branch of Taito.

The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago is located in Wheeling.

Arts and culture
Wheeling is served by the Indian Trails Public Library District and Prospect Heights Public Library District.

Wheeling has its very own historical museum that offers a look at how the town has transformed since its founding in 1894. It offers different events for the milestones of the town and celebrating its long and important history as a stop for settlers from Chicago to Wisconsin.

Primary and secondary schools
Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21 is located in Wheeling. It comprises five elementary schools and three middle schools. Elementary schools include Walt Whitman Elementary School, Robert Frost Elementary School, Booth Tarkington Elementary School, Mark Twain Elementary School and Eugene Field Elementary School. Middle schools include Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School and Jack London Middle School.

In addition to students from District 21, a small portion of students attend schools in Prospect Heights School District 23. Schools in this district include Betsy Ross Elementary School (2-3), Anne Sullivan Elementary School (4-5), Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School (PreK-1) and Douglas MacArthur Middle School (6-8).

Most Wheeling students attend Wheeling High School, though a portion of Wheeling students attend Buffalo Grove High School. Both schools belong to Township High School District 214, which is Illinois' second largest high school district by enrollment.

Students can also attend one of many private schools in town or in the area. J. Slowacki School serves pre-kindergarten through 11th grade. East Capitol High School serves grades 9-12. St. Viator High School also serves grades 9-12. St. Joseph the Worker school was formerly a Catholic grade school which served grades K-8. St. Alphonsus Ligouri School is also a Catholic grade school which serves K-8 in nearby Prospect Heights which serves Wheeling and which is also located in Wheeling High School's boundaries.

Colleges and universities
National Louis University is an accredited, private, non-profit undergraduate and graduate institution of higher learning, organized in colleges of education, arts and sciences, and business and management. Worsham College of Mortuary Science is an accredited, private institution offering associate degrees and diplomas in mortuary science. William Rainey Harper College, based in Palatine, is the community college serving Wheeling.

Other education
The Consulate-General of South Korea in Chicago maintains the Korean Education Center in Wheeling.

Transportation
Wheeling has a station on Metra's North Central Service, which provides daily commuter rail service between Antioch and Chicago Union Station Monday through Friday.

Pace provides bus service on multiple routes connecting Wheeling to Des Plaines, Buffalo Grove, and other destinations.

Chicago Executive Airport, a busy general aviation airport, is located in Wheeling and Prospect Heights and jointly run by both villages. Formerly known as Palwaukee Municipal Airport, it is the third busiest airport in Illinois, after Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports.

Notable people

 * John Francis Daley, actor
 * Charlie Kirk, director of Turning Point USA
 * Mark Newman, executive with New York Yankees
 * Dan Patlak, former commissioner of the Cook County Board of Review
 * Haley Reinhart, singer
 * Mike Rucinski, ice hockey center
 * Deborah Voigt, opera singer

title: Wheeling, Illinois


text:
Willow Springs, Illinois

Willow Springs is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States, with a small portion extending into DuPage County. The village was founded in 1892 and was named for the springs along the Des Plaines River. In 2020, the population was 5,857.

Geography
Willow Springs is located on the banks of the Des Plaines River and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Willow Springs has a total area of 4.25 sqmi, of which 4.15 sqmi (or 97.55%) is land and 0.10 sqmi (or 2.45%) is water.

Neighboring communities are Hickory Hills, Justice, Hodgkins, and Burr Ridge.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 5,857 people, 2,303 households, and 1,494 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,377.15 PD/sqmi. There were 2,545 housing units at an average density of 598.40 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 81.85% White, 1.33% African American, 0.38% Native American, 3.45% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.93% from other races, and 9.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.21% of the population.

There were 2,303 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.27% were married couples living together, 5.08% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.13% were non-families. 28.88% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.94% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 2.44.

The village's age distribution consisted of 21.4% under the age of 18, 3.8% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $98,664, and the median income for a family was $123,531. Males had a median income of $61,136 versus $58,704 for females. The per capita income for the village was $51,333. About 3.1% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Most of Willow Springs is in Illinois's 3rd congressional district, while the northwestern portion is in the 6th district. The current Mayor is Melissa Neddermeyer. The current Board of Village Trustees are: Michael Kennedy (Term Expires 2025); Rick Mika (Term Expires 2025); Tom Arra (Term Expires 2025); Terrence M. Carr (Term Expires 2027); Ernie Moon (Term Expires 2027); and Fred Posch (Term Expires 2027).

Education
Public elementary and middle school students living south of the Des Plaines River and the canals attend Willow Springs School District 108, while those living north attend Pleasantdale Elementary and Pleasantdale Middle School in Pleasantdale School District 107. At the high school level, all District 107 students move onto Lyons Township High School (District 204) in La Grange/Western Springs, IL. Some District 108 students move onto Argo Community High School (District 217) in Summit, Illinois. Another portion of District 108 students attend Amos Alonzo Stagg High School (Consolidated High School District 230) in Palos Hills, Illinois. Trinity Lutheran School is also in the area.

The College of DuPage serves residents north of the river while Moraine Valley Community College serves those south of the river.

Transportation
Willow Springs station is on Metra's Heritage Corridor line, which provides weekday rail service between Joliet and Chicago Union Station.

Pace provides bus service on Route 390 connecting Willow Springs to Burbank, Chicago, and other destinations.

Movie location
Willow Springs was used as a set location for the film The Lake House, starring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. Some locations in Willow Springs Il were used in filming scenes for the Amazon TV series Night Sky and for Sonny Malhi’s 2015 debut horror feature Anguish.

title: Willow Springs, Illinois