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Buffalo Grove, Illinois

Buffalo Grove is a village in Lake and Cook Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. A suburb of Chicago, it lies about 30 mi northwest of Downtown Chicago and 20 mi north of O'Hare International Airport. As of the 2020 Census, Buffalo Grove has a population of 43,212. It totals 9.6 sqmi of land, with the top three-quarters in Lake County and the bottom quarter in Cook County. Roads in the village such as Lake Cook Road and Illinois Route 83 converge on I-294. It is part of the Chicago Metropolitan Area.

Before European colonization, Native American Potawatomi tribes inhabited the present area. The name "Buffalo Grove" comes from the English translation of the Potawatomi name for Buffalo Creek, which flows through some of the village. Initial Homesteaders sold their land to agricultural Catholic German immigrants, who established St. Mary's Church and a school. The area remained small and rural and character until housing developers began building single-family houses after the Korean War. After being incorporated in 1958, Buffalo Grove experienced a population boom for the rest of the 20th century. The village hosted a 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2008.

The village features dozens of recreational facilities, parks, and festivals, including a months-long Farmers' market, two golf courses, and the popular "Buffalo Grove Days". Buffalo Grove has an elected council-manager government with home rule status. The local government's public works department is nationally accredited. Economically, residents work in health care, education, and professional services, while businesses in the village employ 20,000 daytime workers in 10 million square feet of commercial and industrial space.

Prior to incorporation
The first inhabitants of the region were the Illinois Confederation; they comprised multiple tribes and mainly lived in central Illinois. Throughout the 1700s, the Iroquois, Potawatomi, and others invaded and eventually destroyed the confederation. The Potawatomi's success led them to inhabit areas near the present Buffalo Grove until 1833. Being the dominant group, the Potawatomi would frequently be involved in the conflicts between Europeans, such as the Beaver Wars. The first Europeans to stay the winter in what would become Chicago were the French Jesuit explorers Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet in 1673; they established trade relations with the Ojibwe. They were traveling west to find the mouth of the Mississippi River to map its entirety and to spread Christianity.

Consistent with Native American history in the United States, the tribes in Illinois were devastated by decades of war, diseases, and the ever-encroaching American settlers. The settlers caused a dwindling of food and game; in 1829, a group of Illinois River Potawatomi signed a land cession treaty that included what would become Lake County in exchange for annual delivery of $12,000 in cash and 50 barrels of salt, $12,000 in gifts, and an exclusive blacksmith shop for them. The Native Americans' efforts to remain on their land failed because of the pressure of westward migration, aided by the recent opening of the Erie Canal. They signed the 1833 Treaty of Chicago, which ceded all their lands in Illinois and Wisconsin and opened the area to white settlement. Some Native Americans who left the area would move onto reservations in western Missouri and Kansas, while others went north into Canada or resettled in northern Michigan and Wisconsin.

The first white settler in Vernon Township was Daniel Wright, who arrived in 1833 and established a cabin and crops with the help of remaining natives. The first settlers in Buffalo Grove were homesteaders from New England who received land grants from the government. They stayed for five years and sold their land to Catholic German immigrants fleeing poor living conditions. The primarily agricultural immigrants subsequently established the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church and St. Mary's School in the 1850s; they still stand today. Buffalo Grove expanded throughout the 19th century with the additions of the first school (St. Mary's School), the Firnbach Tavern, and the Weidner General Store. The General Store served many purposes in the town, such as the post office, train ticket office, polling place, and first town telephone. Before World War II, Buffalo Grove was entirely rural, consisting of less than 150 people, mostly dairy farmers.

Incorporation and post-incorporation
All farmers eventually sold their land to developers like Al Frank, president of Buffalo Grove Home Builders Inc., who started developing his 100-acre purchase in the 1950s for World War II and Korean War veterans. The demand for single-family homes near Chicago led to a wave of "suburban settlers" in Buffalo Grove; they lived in Frank's 1,000 square foot homes. Frank was instrumental in Buffalo Grove's incorporation in 1958 because he successfully recruited many people; incidentally, most of them were related to him or working for him. He had wanted to incorporate Buffalo Grove to remove his development from Cook County city planners. The incorporated population was 164 people. The incorporation led to a population increase in Buffalo Grove, and as more developers came, the village annexed more land. Organization quickly commenced as the government created a plan commission and parks and recreation commission. Meanwhile, the government hired a professional planner to create a land-use plan, which prevented problems associated with rapid growth. Alcott School opened in 1960. In 1962, the village held its first Buffalo Days festival, and the new Buffalo Grove flag—depicting a majestic, fighting buffalo, green leaves, and gold bands—was chosen.

In the 1970s, Buffalo Grove experienced an 80 percent population growth, the third-highest rate in the northwest suburbs during the decade. The increasing population caused the village to continue to annex subdivisions such as the Highlands, Green Knolls, and Windfield and establish home rule status, thereby allowing the government greater ability to solve local problems. In addition to residential subdivisions, the Buffalo Grove Commerce Center was developed in 1981 with 50 acres of industrial park at Lake Cook Road and the Soo Line Railroad tracks. In the mid-1980s, the Corporate Grove industrial park was built to the east, and Buffalo Grove Business Park was constructed to the west. The Arbor Creek Business Center at Aptakisic Road and Barclay Boulevard, and Covington Corporate Center on Busch Road were also developed. Important buildings and organizations were completed in the 1970s, including Buffalo Grove High School, Adlai E. Stevenson High School, the park district, Indian Trails Public Library, and Vernon Area Public Library. In 1992, village representatives successfully pushed for a United States Postal Service in Buffalo Grove, the first main postal facility built in the United States in twenty years. The lack of a postal facility had many problems for residents, such as long lines, congestion, and parking hassles at the Wheeling facility. In 2006, the village became one of the first official smoke-free communities by banning smoking in public places and work environments.

Geography
Buffalo Grove is a suburb of the city of Chicago, located in the extreme northeastern region of Illinois. Lake Cook Road splits Buffalo Grove into two parts: the Lake County Vernon Township portion and the Cook County Wheeling Township portion. Around three-quarters of the village is in Vernon Township. Both parts differ in their demographics and similarities with neighboring communities. Buffalo Grove shares a border with Wheeling to its southeast, Arlington Heights to its southwest and south, Riverwoods and Deerfield directly east, Lincolnshire to its northeast, Vernon Hills directly north, and Long Grove to its west and northwest. Unincorporated Prairie View is in two parts of the village. One large portion in the north includes Didier Farms, while the much smaller portion is on the Horatio Gardens subdivision just northeast of the intersection of Weiland Road and Pauline Avenue. Illinois Route 83 leads north towards central Lake County and south towards O'Hare International Airport. East–west streets can take residents east to Lake Michigan and other North Shore suburbs such as Lake Forest, Highland Park, and Glencoe.

According to the 2020 US gazetteer files, the village has a total area of 9.58 sqmi, of which 9.563 sqmi is land, and 0.017 sqmi (or 0.31%) is water. Willow Stream Park is the largest park in Buffalo Grove at 54 acres. It includes picnic areas, handicap-accessible preschool and elementary play areas, sports fields, and bike paths. Buffalo Creek is a forest preserve located adjacent to Buffalo Grove. Before European settlement, the area featured a tallgrass prairie dotted with small wetlands and even now is a nesting spot for grassland birds, including bobolinks and eastern meadowlarks. Improvements in the 2010s include 1.7 miles of trails, seven boardwalks, two scenic overlooks, and a reservoir expansion. Buffalo Creek also functions as flood control and is built to look like a naturally occurring wetland. Buffalo Grove is in the Des Plaines River watershed.

Climate
Due to its proximity to the city, Buffalo Grove's climate shares many of the same traits as Chicago. Buffalo Grove lies in a humid continental climate zone (Köppen: Dfa) and experiences four distinct seasons. Buffalo Grove receives an average of 28.93 in of precipitation each year. According to MyForecast, Buffalo Grove's record high is 104 °F (40 °C), and the record low is -24 °F (-31.1 °C). Summers are hot and humid, with frequent heat waves. July is the hottest month, and the daily average temperature is 84 °F (28.9 °C), while the daily low temperatures are around 65 °F (18.3 °C). On average, summer temperatures reach at least 90 °F (32 °C) on as many as 16 days. Winters are relatively cold and snowy, with blizzards sometimes occurring, as in 2011. There are many sunny but cold days in winter. The average winter high from December through March is about 34 °F (1.1 °C), with January and February being the coldest months; a polar vortex occurred in January 2019. Spring and autumn are mild, short seasons. Dew point temperatures in the summer range from an average of 56 °F (13.3 °C) in June to 62 °F (16.7 °C) in July. Like all Chicago suburbs, Buffalo Grove lies within USDA plant hardiness zone 5b.

Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Buffalo Grove has a population of 43,212, a 4.1 percent increase, with 1,716 more people than the 2010 United States Census. Originally incorporated with 164 people, Buffalo Grove experienced a population boom during its first few decades because of the suburban craze following World War II and the Korean War.

According to 2020 US Census Bureau data, the population of Buffalo Grove was 72.2% White (67.9% non-Hispanic White), 21% Asians, 1.6% African American, 0.2% American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.92% of the population. Hispanics of any race made up 6.8% of the village's population. The educational attainment of Buffalo Grove citizens were 97.7% graduating high school, 6.3% having an associate degree, 38.1% having a bachelor's degree, and 28% having a master's degree or professional degree. The median property value for owner-occupied houses was $332,300. Median household earnings were $115,951; men's median earnings were $92,984; women's median earnings were $66,705. The poverty rate was 3.4%.

Like many other northwest suburbs, Buffalo Grove contains a large Jewish population. Jewish immigrants in the 20th century moved from Germany and Eastern Europe to Chicago, and many enjoyed economic mobility throughout the first half of the 20th century. The German immigrants tended towards Reform Judaism in America while the Russian and Hungarian Empire immigrants usually practiced Orthodox Judaism because they stuck with traditions from home. Despite Jewish success in Chicago, the younger generation left for the suburbs. Vacant land, reasonably priced housing, and a desire for single-family housing attracted many. Their high income and improved mobility from the automobile allowed them. In 1995, the population of the northern suburbs was around ten to 25 percent Jewish, with Buffalo Grove being over 25 percent. Buffalo Grove had six synagogues in 1995. Since the 1980s, the Jewish population has declined due to less immigration to the US, low birthrate, assimilation, intermarriage, and lack of Jewish identity.

In 2011, 16% of Buffalo Grove's residents were Asian, the seventh-highest percent in Chicago suburbs. Buffalo Grove's increasing Asian population continued in 2019, with the number jumping to 21%, compared with 8.4% in 2000. The particular Asians most represented in Buffalo Grove are Japanese Americans, Indian Americans, and Korean Americans. The schools, housing, work opportunities, religious institutions, ethnic businesses, and entertainment attract moving families. Also, NeighborhoodScout routinely ranks Buffalo Grove as one of the top 100 safest cities in the US, and some years, the top ten.

Being a suburb, Buffalo Grove attracts families looking for a good environment to raise children and avoid the downfalls of living in a city. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey data estimates for 2015–2019, of the 15,399 households, 35.5% had children under 18 living with them, and 65.9% were married couples living together. Female householder families with no spouse or partner present who own children under 18 years made up 2.4% of all households (0.5% for male equivalent), and 3.3% of households were cohabiting couples. Of all households, 23.0% were individuals, and 28.6% had one or more people 65 years and over. The average household size was 2.66, and 41.6% spoke a language other than English at home. The median age was 41.7 years old. The age range was broad, with 23.0% of the population under 18, 32.5% aged 18 to 44 years, 30.0% aged 45 to 64 years, and 14.5% aged 65 years and older.

Economy
The Buffalo Grove economy includes several corporate business parks, a diverse retail market, and professional services. The 20,000-day workers operate in ten million square feet of commercial and industrial space. Retail areas are Town Center, Chase Plaza, and individual businesses in smaller commercial centers. Town Center has declined since being built in the 1980s. According to consultants of the village, it lacks a theme, has little street access and walkability, and has physically deteriorated. Industrially, Buffalo Grove is stronger. In 2017, industrial property vacancy was lower than that of the Chicago metro area and the US; also, the average gross rent was double that of the area average, suggesting that demand for property was high in the village.

The village government incentivizes multiple companies to operate in the village. Because Hines Supply has been the largest sales tax generator in Buffalo Grove, the village created a tax agreement in 2000 that—after being amended a few times—will last until 2040. The agreement requires the village to rebate 60 percent of the total sales tax collected. The village also created a $7 million tax agreement to incentivize the long-awaited and popular Woodman's Markets to open in Buffalo Grove. It attracts shoppers from up to an hour away. The arrival spurred build out on Milwaukee Avenue and is part of Deerfield Parkway's 25 acres of commercial development. Other companies in tax agreements are Business IT Source Inc. and ThermFlo.

In 2015, 72.5 percent of residents were in the labor force; the unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, a little lower than Lake County's rate of 5.1 percent. Of those employed in 2015, 15.9 percent worked in Chicago, 5.7 percent worked in Buffalo Grove, and less than 4 percent in Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, and Wheeling. Around 10 percent of those employed in Buffalo Grove lived in Chicago, while 7.4 percent lived and worked in Buffalo Grove.

In 2019, the top five employers in Buffalo Grove were Siemens Building Technologies with 1,800 employees, I.S.I (business consulting) at 1,200, ESS (business consulting) at 550, Plexus Corp (an electronic parts supplier) at 370, and Veritas Document Solutions (commercial printer) at 300. Other large employers include US LBM Holdings, LLC (Hines Supply is a subsidiary), the Village of Buffalo Grove, ARxIUM, Vapor Bus International, and Leica Microsystems Inc.

Arts and culture
The Raupp Museum, operated by the Buffalo Grove Park District, chronicles the town's history, starting with the Potawatomi and ending at the "bustling suburb of today". In 1964, the Raupp brothers donated their land to the Park District with the wish that they make it a library or museum. Dedicated in 1979, the museum regularly receives grants from the state, allowing it to contain and preserve two permanent gallery spaces and changing exhibits while serving around 9,000 visitors a year. In 2014, the Buffalo Grove Park District opened the Community Arts Center, which houses a theater space and classrooms. The Park District's local theater company, Big Deal Productions, uses the theater.

The Buffalo Grove Town Center, a major shopping and retail destination within the village, is located at the Buffalo Grove Road and McHenry Road intersections with Lake Cook Road. It accommodates the Buffalo Grove Theater and Bowlero: a bowling, arcade, laser tag, and birthday party venue. The Town Center has struggled throughout its existence, with the original development taking 17 years and redevelopment stagnating. The Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Arts Festival was year-round at the Buffalo Grove Town Center in mid-July, with over 30,000 visitors attending on average. The last festival occurred in 2011.

The village is home to St. Mary's Church, built in the 1850s by the Catholic population, and originally made up of ten members. It was reconstructed around the turn of the century after it burned down in a fire. The Gothic architecture contains miniature spires, wood tending, and stained windows which tower above the surrounding country. Buffalo Grove had six synagogues in 1995.

Annual cultural events
Buffalo Grove holds approximately ten events throughout the year, the largest being Buffalo Grove Days in September. The multi-day festival occurs at Mike Rylko Community Park, 951 McHenry Road., located on the east side of McHenry/Route 83, between Buffalo Grove Road and Deerfield Parkway, next to the Spray ’n’ Play waterpark. It features carnival games, roller coaster rides, arts and craft booths, food vendors, live music, and a parade held at the beginning of the festival. The festival usually attracts residents from Buffalo Grove and neighboring communities. Another prominent event is the Farmers' Market, also held at Mike Rylko Community Park. It lasts every Sunday morning from June to October, presenting "locally grown fruits, vegetables, condiments, gourmet coffee and pastries, and more". In addition, businesses sponsor booths while non-profits showcase local organizations and businesses.

On June 2, 2019, Buffalo Grove held its inaugural pride parade, organized by the Pinta family, and has continued hosting annually. Other events and programs in Buffalo Grove include Rotary Village Green concerts, Lawn Chair Lyrics, Movies Under the Stars, Green Fair, Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band, Buffalo Grove Singers, National Night Out, Fourth of July Fireworks, and Golf at Buffalo Grove and Arboretum Golf Courses.

Libraries
The Indian Trails Public Library District serves Wheeling Township Buffalo Grove and a small portion of Lake County Buffalo Grove. It is located in Wheeling, south of the intersection of Dundee Road and Schoenbeck Road. The library has renovated, moved, and changed multiple times since beginning in a 20-foot by 30-foot frame building and holding fewer than 13,000 items in its collection. In 2009, the one-millionth item was checked out from the library.

Vernon Area Public Library District serves Vernon Township Buffalo Grove, located in Lincolnshire. The Vernon Area Public library began in 1974 in a classroom in the Adlai Stevenson High School and later moved to a temporary building in the high school parking lot. The first permanent library building was at 4 Indian Creek Road in Lincolnshire. On March 20, 1990, voters approved a referendum to sell $6.9 million in bonds to construct a new library adjacent to the existing library building. On September 15, 1993, the Vernon Area Public Library opened at 300 Olde Half Day Road in Lincolnshire. In 2019, the total collection use was 1,092,622.

Sports and recreation
Buffalo Grove has an extensive collection of parks and natural open spaces. Nicole Park is north of Old Checker Road along Arlington Heights Road and contains a playground and open space. It is named after a 10-year-old girl who died in a nearby reservoir. Willow Stream Park along Old Checker Road serves the village with sports fields and courts, a pool, playground, and large open grass areas. Mike Rylko Community Park is home to the fairs and events mentioned above, and Buffalo Grove Fitness Center is north of Willow Stream; both feature similar amenities to Willow Stream. South of Lake Cook Road is Emmerich Park (named after a soldier), home to the Buffalo Grove Park District and where BGRA (mentioned below) plays many games. In total, Buffalo Grove has dozens of parks. In addition to parks, Buffalo Grove has 43 miles of paths and sidewalks in Buffalo Creek Trail, Des Plaines River Trail, and Cook County Forest Preserve District.

The non-profit corporation Buffalo Grove Recreation Association (BGRA), not affiliated with the park district, provides a youth baseball league for the community. Founded in 1961, BGRA's 1,500 players and 600 volunteers participate in House Baseball (for anyone), Travel Baseball (try out), and Buddy Baseball. Buddy Baseball pairs special needs children and non-disabled buddies, who help them play baseball.

Buffalo Grove has two golf courses and one indoor golf facility. The Buffalo Grove Golf Course is one of the largest open spaces within the village. Utilized as a floodplain, the course both functions as enjoyment and civil infrastructure. The Arboretum Club, which opened in 1990, is an 18-hole course. Lastly, the park district's 100 by 60-yard Golf Dome has a 75-yard driving range, putting green, and hitting stations.

Multiple notable athletes have originated from Buffalo Grove. Felice Herrig, a native of Buffalo Grove, is a kickboxer, Muay Thai fighter, and mixed martial artist. In 2021, she was No. 15 on the UFC women's strawweight rankings. Zach Borenstein had a .524 batting average as a senior at Buffalo Grove High School and subsequently played at Eastern Illinois University and multiple minor league teams. Andy Wozniewski, a former ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs and other teams, including Team USA at the Deutschland Cup, was born in Buffalo Grove. Brett Lebda, ice hockey defenseman for multiple teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, attended Buffalo Grove High School. Buffalo Grove native Megan Bozek is an ice hockey player who plays for the KRS Vanke Rays and the United States national team. Finally, Olympic figure skater Bradie Tennell trained most of her life at Twin Rinks in Buffalo Grove. She is a 2018 Olympic team event bronze medalist, the 2020 Four Continents bronze medalist, the 2018 CS Autumn Classic champion, the 2018 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb champion, and a two-time US national champion (2018, 2021).

Government
The government of Buffalo Grove is a council-manager form of government with elements of home rule, gained in 1980. The village president and six trustees with four-year terms lead the government. The daily functions of the village are carried out by an appointed village manager whose job includes attracting new businesses, presenting an annual budget, and much more. According to the village, the village manager's function "is similar to that of a general manager in a multi-division service organization". Accordingly, the village manager, Dane Bragg, received a $267,310 salary in 2019 plus a $15,000 bonus.

In 2021, the village expected $107 million in revenues to support $113 million in expenditures. Fire Department and Police pensions and Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund were the steepest expenditures, totaling around $7 million. In 2017, the biggest revenue sources were taxes at 58 percent (property taxes were largest at 34 percent) and intergovernmental revenues at 27 percent. The sales tax rate for Cook and Lake County is 10 percent and 8 percent. Also, the tax rate on food and beverages sold at restaurants in the Cook County portion of Buffalo Grove is 11 percent (10 percent for sales tax and 1 percent for food and beverage tax), while in Lake County, the same tax on food sold at restaurants is 9 percent. Budgeted employment in 2018 for Police, Fire, Public Works, Golf, and Administration was 260 people.

Illinois Democratic Senator Adriane Johnson is a resident of Buffalo Grove. Appointed in 2020 following Terry Link's resignation, she represents part of Buffalo Grove and serves on Buffalo Grove Park Board. An Illinois Senator who represents Buffalo Grove is Democrat Julie Morrison in the 29th state senate district. In the Illinois House of Representatives, Democrats Daniel Didech and Jonathan Carroll represent the 59th and 57th districts. Nationally, Democrat Brad Schneider represents Lake County Buffalo Grove in the 10th Congressional District, and Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi represents Cook County and Buffalo Grove in the 8th Congressional District. Former Buffalo Grove Village Presidents Verna L. Clayton and Sidney Mathias served in the Illinois House of Representatives.

Education
Buffalo Grove has four private schools, over ten public schools, and one public high school. Lake County Buffalo Grove districts are Aptakisic-Tripp Community Consolidated School District 102 and Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District 96, while Cook County Buffalo Grove has Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21. High school students in the Lake County portion of Buffalo Grove attend Stevenson High School in nearby Lincolnshire. Cook County students attend Buffalo Grove High School, located in the Cook County part of the village.

The three districts that take students from Buffalo Grove have different histories. Since the 1840s, schools serving Buffalo Grove changed in response to the growing community. They were consolidated in 1955 under the name Aptakisic-Tripp Community Consolidated School District 102. The first school to open in Buffalo Grove was the Alcott School in 1961—now the Alcott Center—in response to growth on the Cook County side (a different district Aptakisic-Tripp). The first year had 52 first-graders and six sixth graders. To support the rapidly growing village, the district held referendums and successfully built Pritchett Elementary School, Tripp School, and Meridian School in the 1980s. To accommodate the continued increase in population, the district changed the configuration of the grades in the schools in 2018. Buffalo Grove High School's district (Township High School District 214) almost did not pass the referendum because women's votes were not counted immediately; the referendum was eventually successful.

Infrastructure
Buffalo Grove relies on multiple arterial roads. Going north-south, drivers use Milwaukee Avenue (Illinois Route 21) on the east side of the village, Buffalo Grove Road and Weiland Road down the center, and Arlington Heights Road on the west side of Buffalo Grove. Going east-west, drivers use Dundee Road (Illinois Route 68) in south Buffalo Grove, Lake Cook Road and Deerfield Parkway in the center, and Aptakisic and Half Day Road (Illinois Route 22) in the north. McHenry Road (Illinois Route 83) acts as a diagonal road in the village by going north–south and east–west. O'hare International Airport is approximately 20 mi south of Buffalo Grove. Because of Lake Cook Road, the village has access to the Interstate Highway system (I-90, I-94, and I-294).

Pace provides bus service on multiple routes with a hub at the Buffalo Grove Metra station.

Metra
Since its creation in 1996, the Buffalo Grove station has operated on Metra's North Central Service, which provides daily commuter rail service between Antioch and Chicago's Union Station. The station is 32 mi away from the southern terminus of the line Union Station. In Metra's zone-based fare system, Buffalo Grove is in zone F. As of 2018, Buffalo Grove is the 76th busiest of Metra's 236 non-downtown stations, with an average of 695 weekday boardings, making it the most trafficked station on the North Central Service. The train station is just east of the intersection of Weiland Road and Deerfield Parkway.

The Prairie View station is north of Half Day Road (IL Route 22) and Prairie Road's intersection, and it is also used by Buffalo Grove residents. Located along the eastern boundary of the village, the station is 34.4 mi away from Union Station. Prairie View is in zone G. As of 2018, Prairie View is the 113th busiest of Metra's 236 non-downtown stations, with an average of 415 weekday boardings. The North Central Service runs primarily during rush hour, but not on the weekends and few holidays; instead, Buffalo Grove residents must use the Arlington Heights Metra Station, the Deerfield Metra Station, or the Lake Cook Road Metra Station.

Utilities
Water in Buffalo Grove is from Lake Michigan, and Commonwealth Edison provides electric power. The village purchases water from the Northwest Water Commission and controls the distribution of water. It travels through four pumping stations and 181 miles of underground water main. Also, Buffalo Grove flushes hydrants, plows streets, and repairs faulty water meters of private residents. There is a Stormwater Utility Fee for Buffalo Grove owning and maintaining the Stormwater Management System, composed of storm sewers, creeks, waterways, and detention areas.

Buffalo Grove operates on an exclusive contract with Waste Management, Inc. for solid waste disposal. This contract includes "At Your Door (AYD) Service," which allows a pick-up of hazardous and difficult-to-recycle materials, such as electronics, televisions, paint, and chemicals. In 2004, the Village of Buffalo Grove Public Works Department received national accreditation from the American Public Works Association, the second agency to earn recognition in Illinois.

Notable people
Several actors, actresses, and musicians are from Buffalo Grove. Aaron Himelstein, the actor who played younger Austin Powers in Austin Powers in Goldmember, moved to Buffalo Grove when he was three. Vince Vaughn was raised in Buffalo Grove. Jessy Schram, an actress who was born and raised in Buffalo Grove, played Cinderella in the TV series Once Upon a Time. Mike Kinsella, a musician in American Football and Cap'n Jazz, grew up in Buffalo Grove. His brother, Tim Kinsella, was a musician in Joan of Arc and a member of Cap'n Jazz. Raymond Benson, an author of some James Bond novels, lives in the village. Rob Sherman, an atheist activist, perennial candidate and businessman, lived in Buffalo Grove for 32 years. Olympic judoka Irwin Cohen was from Buffalo Grove, as is his son judoka Aaron Cohen. Ronald Goldman, a victim in the O. J. Simpson murder case, grew up in Buffalo Grove.

title: Buffalo Grove, Illinois


text:
Burbank, Illinois

Burbank is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 29,439 at the 2020 census. It borders the southwest edge of the city of Chicago; the Chicago city limit – specifically that of the Ashburn neighborhood – is in common with Burbank's eastern city limit. Burbank shares a boundary with Oak Lawn to its south, Bridgeview to its west, and Bedford Park to its north; the city of Hometown is also adjacent to Burbank's southeast corner. Burbank is less than two miles south of Chicago Midway International Airport.

History
In 1850, the area which would become the city of Burbank, then largely uninhabited and agrarian, became part of Lyons Township. Over the next hundred years the area remained largely undeveloped, though several times large plans were laid out for the area, never to come to fruition. In the late 19th century a railroad investor named A. B. Stickney planned a large railroad transfer center which included what became the northern part of Burbank, but his ideas were never realized due to an economic depression in 1893.

In the 1920s, the area became an attractive site for real-estate developers who bought up farmland and built subdivisions. However, ongoing drainage problems, practically nonexistent water and sewage systems and the Great Depression kept Burbank largely unbuilt and empty until the 1950s.

In 1952, the area became part of Stickney Township. Though still unincorporated, this led to massive development in the area, and by 1960 the population of the area had reached 20,720, nearly triple the population of a decade earlier. The area was incorporated into a city in 1970, partly to resist annexation by the City of Chicago. The city was named after Luther Burbank Elementary School, an institution which had served the area since the 1930s. The area's population peaked in 1976 at 29,448.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Burbank has a total area of 4.17 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 29,439 people, 9,108 households, and 6,823 families residing in the city. The population density was 7,059.71 PD/sqmi. There were 9,784 housing units at an average density of 2,346.28 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 60.35% White, 1.93% African American, 1.59% Native American, 3.13% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 17.37% from other races, and 15.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 39.57% of the population.

There were 9,108 households, out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.96% were married couples living together, 12.15% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.09% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.13% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.65 and the average family size was 3.10.

The city's age distribution consisted of 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 25% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $70,052, and the median income for a family was $79,422. Males had a median income of $44,447 versus $31,477 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,505. About 8.3% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 6.3% 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
Burbank has been in Illinois's 3rd congressional district since 1983. The city was in the 4th District from 1973 to 1983, prior to which the area had been in the 5th District since the 1940s.

Transportation
Pace provides bus service on multiple routes connecting Burbank to destinations across the southwest side of Chicago and the south suburbs.

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

title: Burbank, Illinois


text:
Burnham, Illinois

Burnham is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,046 at the 2020 census. The ZIP code is 60633.

Burnham has a Chicago ZIP code, and is often mistakenly considered part of Chicago. It is, however, an independent municipality lying just south of the Chicago city limits.

Burnham was named for Telford Burnham who drew its plat; not, as is widely assumed, by Chicago city planner and architect Daniel Burnham.

There are two sections of Burnham. The westernmost section surrounds Torrence Avenue, a north–south street. Torrence Avenue leaves this part of Burnham via a bridge, with Chicago on the other side. The eastern section surrounds Burnham Avenue, another north–south street. This section of Burnham ends at Brainard Avenue, where the Hegewisch neighborhood of Chicago lies on the other side. Upon entering Chicago, Burnham Avenue becomes Avenue O.

Geography
Burnham is located at 41.63556°N, -87.55139°W (41.635535, -87.551284).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Burnham has a total area of 1.94 sqmi, of which 1.86 sqmi (or 95.62%) is land and 0.09 sqmi (or 4.38%) is water. The water section of Burnham includes part of Powderhorn Lake and its adjacent nature preserve, a unit of the Cook County Forest Preserve District.

Surrounding areas
Burnham is bordered by Chicago to the north, Calumet City to the south and west, and Hammond, Indiana, to the east.
 * Chicago
 * Chicago Up arrow left.svg Up-1.svg Up arrow right.svg Hammond, Indiana
 * Calumet City Left.svg Right.svg Hammond, Indiana
 * Calumet City Down arrow left.svg Down arrow.svg Down arrow right.svg Hammond, Indiana
 * Calumet City

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 4,046 people, 1,607 households, and 821 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,085.57 PD/sqmi. There were 1,589 housing units at an average density of 819.07 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 60.43% African American, 16.58% White, 0.59% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 12.75% from other races, and 9.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.58% of the population.

There were 1,607 households, out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 22.78% were married couples living together, 23.15% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.91% were non-families. 46.36% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.82% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.56 and the average family size was 2.40.

The village's age distribution consisted of 23.9% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $46,382, and the median income for a family was $46,890. Males had a median income of $54,931 versus $27,141 for females. The per capita income for the village was $24,430. About 15.3% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.

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

Transportation
Pace provides bus service on multiple routes connecting Burnham to destinations across the Southland.

Notable people

 * Mary Matalin, political consultant and author

title: Burnham, Illinois


text:
Burr Ridge, Illinois

Burr Ridge (formerly Harvester) is a village in Cook and DuPage counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. Per the 2020 census, the population was 11,192.

Geography
Burr Ridge is located at 41.75306°N, -87.92°W (41.753030, -87.919998).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Burr Ridge has a total area of 7.29 sqmi, of which 7.16 sqmi (or 98.15%) is land and 0.14 sqmi (or 1.85%) is water.

Burr Ridge lies in both Du Page and Cook counties. The village is bordered by Hinsdale to the north, Western Springs to the northeast, Indian Head Park to the east, Willow Springs to the south and southeast, and Willowbrook to the west, along with several unincorporated areas.

History
Burr Ridge's gently rolling hills were carved by glaciers at the end of the last ice age, and most of the village lies on the Valparaiso Moraine. Flagg Creek, a tributary of the Des Plaines River, runs through town.

Joseph Vial erected a log cabin near Wolf and Plainfield roads in 1834. Vial also ran a hotel on the stagecoach line, and the Vial family was actively involved in Lyons Township politics and the creation of the Lyonsville congregational church. The first Democratic convention in Cook County was held in Burr Ridge in 1835. After 1848, farmers shipped their goods to Chicago along the Illinois and Michigan Canal. A small settlement of German farmers also inhabited Flagg Creek by the 1880s.

In 1917, the International Harvester Company purchased 414 acre for an experimental farm, where it tested the world's first all-purpose tractor, the Farmall. Also in 1917, the Cook County Prison Farm (also known as the Bridewell Farm) began operation in what is now Burr Ridge.

In 1947, developer Robert Bartlett, whose company also developed Beverly Shores and Countryside, established the Hinsdale Countryside Estates out of a former pig farm. In 1956 these residents decided to incorporate as the village of Harvester, in honor of International Harvester.

In the 1940s, Denver Busby bought 190 acre that became known as the Burr Ridge dairy farm. He later launched the Burr Ridge Estates, with 5 acre home sites. In 1961, International Harvester and the Burr Ridges Estates merged with Harvester, changing the community's name to Burr Ridge. The town name is derived from a group of bur oak. By 1963, the population had more than doubled, to 790, and by 1975 it had soared to over 2,200.

In 1969, Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley suggested a proposal to build low-income subsidized housing on the prison farm property, but Republican-dominated DuPage County quashed the idea. The prison farm site became the Ambriance subdivision, a gated community of multimillion-dollar homes. The Four Pines Farm gave way to the Carriage Way subdivision, at whose entrance the original farmhouse still stands, and in 1971 additional farmland became the Braemoor neighborhood. An area known as Valley View, once owned by a Chicago industrialist and later by the Chicago chapter of the Boy Scouts of America, was developed in the early 1970s as the Burr Ridge Club. The village also has five corporate parks. As with other towns in the industrial corridor southwest of Chicago, close proximity to Interstates 294 and 55 spurred development in Burr Ridge.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 11,192 people, 4,278 households, and 3,194 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,534.83 PD/sqmi. There were 4,562 housing units at an average density of 625.62 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 74.42% White, 16.46% Asian, 1.96% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.22% from other races, and 5.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.44% of the population.

There were 4,278 households, out of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.29% were married couples living together, 6.76% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.34% were non-families. 23.26% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.58% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 2.50.

The village's age distribution consisted of 20.3% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 13.7% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 29.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $151,900, and the median income for a family was $204,167. Males had a median income of $115,272 versus $63,266 for females. The per capita income for the village was $97,295. About 1.1% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Bo Jackson, former professional athlete in both baseball and football
 * Jennifer Hudson, singer and actress
 * Jim Peterik, member of the band Survivor; co-wrote "Eye of the Tiger"
 * Dennis DeYoung, former lead singer of the band Styx
 * Allison Rosati, WMAQ-TV weeknight anchor
 * Bobby Simmons, professional basketball player
 * Jim Thome, former major league baseball player and National Baseball Hall of Famer
 * David Otunga, former WWE wrestler

Government and infrastructure
Burr Ridge is located in Illinois's 3rd congressional district, which has been represented by Democrat Marie Newman

Burr Ridge is served by Pleasantview Fire Protection District (headquartered in LaGrange Highlands) and Tri-State Fire Protection District (headquartered in Darien). Tri-State Fire Protection District Station 3 is located on Madison Street in southern Burr Ridge.

Transportation
Pace provides bus service from the Burr Ridge Park-n-Ride via Routes 850 and 855 which travel on I-55 from Plainfield to Chicago.

Education
Primary schools
 * Burr Ridge Community Consolidated School District 180 (Anne M. Jeans Elementary School, Burr Ridge Middle School)
 * Gower School District 62 (Gower West Elementary School, Gower Middle School)
 * Hinsdale School District 181 (Elm School, Hinsdale Middle School)
 * Pleasantdale School District 107 (Pleasantdale Elementary School, Pleasantdale Middle School)
 * Trinity Lutheran School

High schools
 * Hinsdale Township High School District 86 (Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale South High School)
 * Lyons Township High School District 204

Community colleges
 * Community College District #502 (College of DuPage)

Parks
Burr Ridge includes 12 major parks. One of the largest parks, and home of the Burr Ridge Park District, is Harvester Park. Other larger parks include "Pleasantdale Park District" with adjacent Walker Park at 7425 S. Wolf Road in the Cook County portion of the Village. In DuPage County are Citizens Park, Kraml Park, Palisades Park, Stevens Park, and Whittaker Park in the south, Garywood Park and McCullough Park on Plainfield Road, and Oak Grove Park and Woods Pool Park in the north.

Religious institutions

 * St. Peter and St. Paul Orthodox Church
 * Trinity Lutheran Church, a congregation of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, organized on December 31, 1865. The church supports an elementary school with an enrollment of 137 students (as of 2007), founded in 1883, and is National Lutheran Schools Accredited (NLSA).
 * St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, a congregation of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria (Egypt), was built in 1981 and was completed in 1983. The church conducts liturgies every Sunday and supports a Montessori pre-school.
 * St. Helena's Episcopal Church of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago was founded in the mid-1950s. The church supports multiple food ministries including a 24/7 food donation drop box and a partnership with Vacant 2 Vegetables, which provides fresh produce to area food banks with vegetables grown on the church's 5-acre site.
 * Zoroastrian Center of Chicago, is one of the few Zoroastrian institutions in Illinois. It was founded in 1975 and is currently led by the Arbab Rustom Guive Darbe Mehr.

title: Burr Ridge, Illinois


text:
Calumet City, Illinois

Calumet City is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 36,033 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area.

Etymology
The word Calumet is the Miꞌkmaq and French word for a Ceremonial pipe as used by Native Americans.

History
Calumet City (commonly referred to locally as "Cal City") was founded in 1893 when the villages of Schrumville and Sobieski Park merged under the name of West Hammond, since it lies on the west side of the Illinois-Indiana line from Hammond, Indiana.

In 1916, when alcohol was prohibited in Indiana, West Hammond became a preferred location for drinkers coming from northwest Indiana. Bootleggers including Al Capone built on this basis once the Prohibition era arrived, and West Hammond gained the nickname of "Sin City".

West Hammond became known for illegal alcohol consumption, gambling, and prostitution. In 1923, residents wishing to rid the city of its reputation voted to change the name from West Hammond to Calumet City.

Frank LaPorte is believed to have been the member of the Chicago Outfit who was most responsible for developing and maintaining the "Sin Strip" area of Calumet City. Police avoided Sin Strip and risked violence if they tried to make an arrest.

In 1959, the state of Illinois conducted a police raid that resulted in 98 arrests and the seizure of business records. An article published in Chicago Daily News on June 2, 1959, exposed LaPorte as being instrumental in the illegal activities in Calumet City.

In 1995, the city began demolishing bars and taverns in the "Sin Strip" area.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Calumet City has a total area of 7.32 sqmi, of which 7.20 sqmi (or 98.31%) is land and 0.12 sqmi (or 1.69%) is water.

Surrounding areas
In addition to being bordered to the east by Hammond, it is also bordered by Burnham and Chicago to the north, Lansing to the south, and South Holland and Dolton to the west.

 * Chicago / Burnham
 * Dolton [[Image:Up arrow left.svg|20px]] [[Image:Up-1.svg|20px]] [[Image:Up arrow right.svg|20px]] Hammond
 * Dolton / South Holland [[Image:Left.svg|20px]] [[Image:Right.svg|20px]] Hammond
 * South Holland [[Image:Down arrow left.svg|20px]] [[Image:Down arrow.svg|20px]] [[Image:Down arrow right.svg|20px]] Munster
 * Lansing

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 36,033 people, 14,166 households, and 8,607 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,921.20 PD/sqmi. There were 16,196 housing units at an average density of 2,211.96 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 72.64% African American, 9.74% White, 0.65% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 10.44% from other races, and 6.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.97% of the population.

There were 14,166 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.65% were married couples living together, 26.42% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.24% were non-families. 36.79% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.38 and the average family size was 2.56.

The city's age distribution consisted of 23.5% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 26% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $50,640, and the median income for a family was $55,612. Males had a median income of $34,474 versus $32,079 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,688. About 15.9% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.6% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture
A landmark and point of pride among Cal City residents is the pair of large water towers painted like the popular "Have a Nice Day" smiley faces which are located on Ring Road near River Oaks Mall, the other State Street near Interstate 94.

Government
Calumet City has a Mayor-Council type government.

The city has 7 Wards.

Calumet City is in Illinois's 2nd congressional district.

The mayor of Calumet City is currently Thaddeus Jones. He has served as Mayor since being elected to the office in 2021.

Education
Calumet City is served by several elementary school districts:
 * Calumet City School District 155
 * Woodrow Wilson Memorial School
 * Wentworth Intermediate School
 * Wentworth Jr. High School
 * Dolton School District 149
 * Berger Vandenberg School
 * Carol Moseley Braun School
 * Caroline Sibley School
 * Dirksen Middle School
 * Lincoln Elementary School District 156
 * Lincoln Elementary School
 * Hoover-Schrum Memorial School District No. 157
 * Hoover Elementary School
 * Schrum Memorial Middle School

The city is served by two high school districts:
 * Thornton Township High School District 205 (west of Torrence Avenue)
 * Thornwood High School
 * Thornton Fractional High School District 215 (east of Torrence Avenue)
 * Thornton Fractional North High School

Transportation
Pace provides bus service on multiple routes connecting Calumet City to destinations across the Southland.

Notable people

 * Landon Cox, drafted to Cincinnati Bengals, July 28, 2011
 * Joseph F. Fanta (1914–1988), member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1957-1963 and 1965-1967. He was a childhood resident of Calumet City.
 * Arline M. Fantin (b. 1937), Illinois state representative. She resided in Calumet City while a representative.
 * Frank Giglio (b. 1933), Illinois state representative. He resided in Calumet City while a representative.
 * John Jurkovic (b. 1967), defensive lineman for several NFL teams; radio host at ESPN Radio 1000
 * Mirko Jurkovic (1970–2013), former offensive guard for the Chicago Bears and All-American at the University of Notre Dame
 * Alan Keyes (b. 1950), conservative political activist and perennial candidate. Keyes moved from Maryland to Calumet City to establish residency after being drafted by the Illinois Republican Party to run against Barack Obama in the 2004 United States Senate election.
 * Gene Krupa (1909–1973), jazz drummer, buried in Holy Cross Cemetery
 * José Olivarez, poet, author of Citizen Illegal and Promises of Gold. Editor of The Breakbeat Poets Volume 4: LatiNext.
 * DJ Rashad (1979–2014), Chicago house music producer
 * Mike Tomczak (b. 1962), quarterback for several NFL teams, including the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl champions
 * Steve Wojciechowski (b. 1970), former pitcher for the Oakland Athletics
 * Tink (b. 1995), singer-songwriter
 * Tim Walberg (b. 1951), member of the United States House of Representatives from Michigan. His family moved from Chicago to Calumet City and he attended Thornton Fractional Township North High School.

In popular culture
Calumet City is featured or mentioned in a number of major movies. John Belushi's "Joliet Jake" and Dan Aykroyd's "Elwood" characters from The Blues Brothers were born in Calumet City, and so is the orphanage they grew up in, which they save "on a mission from God" by paying $5,000 in property taxes from a $10,000 record deal at their concert, as well as "Ray's Music Exchange" that holds the famed Ray Charles "Shake Your Tail-Feather" scene of the movie. In the book and film The Silence of the Lambs, Buffalo Bill is thought to be hiding in Calumet City, when he is actually in Belvedere, Ohio. The Calumet City scenes in the film were filmed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, however. Lily Tomlin's prim but assertive housewife/spokesperson "Mrs. Judith Beasley" is said to be a resident of Calumet City. She said, "Hi. I am not an actress, but a real person like yourself."

Calumet City is also referenced by a number of popular music acts. The Black Crowes included a video of the Smiley Towers in their 1990 video for "Hard to Handle". A photograph of the "Dolton" smiley water tower is featured on the back of the Dead Kennedys album Plastic Surgery Disasters. Rapper Twista has referenced Calumet City. Kanye West's reference to Calumet in his 2005 song "Drive Slow" does not refer to Calumet City, but rather to Calumet High School, which was located in the South Side of Chicago and not in Calumet City.

The Smiley Tower is also featured in the movie Natural Born Killers; it is seen out the window of Mallory's family home (part of that movie was filmed in Hammond, Indiana). In the Nine Inch Nails music video on the director's cut of the same film, the Smiley Tower and Dolton Avenue/State Street is featured.

The founders of the Calumet Baking Powder Company adopted its brand name from the original Native American word for the land that became Calumet City. They later named one of thoroughbred horse racing's most famed and successful enterprises, Calumet Farm, after the company.

In 2004, Alan Keyes purchased a raised ranch house in Calumet City to establish residency in Illinois so he could run for the U.S. Senate in place of Jack Ryan against Barack Obama, although instead of residing in the house, he officially moved into an apartment elsewhere in town, on Garfield Avenue.

In 2010, pop music group Hanson remade the "Shake Your Tailfeather" scene from The Blues Brothers for the music video for their hit "Thinkin' 'Bout Somethin'" in Tulsa, Oklahoma, paying homage to Calumet City's Ray's Music Exchange, John Belushi, and Ray Charles.

Jean Shepherd (writer and narrator of the classic movie A Christmas Story) in radio broadcasts from WOR radio, New York in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s and in his PBS specials of the 1970s and 1980s, and his many books, often refers to it as Cal City or just Calumet. He grew up next door in Hammond, Indiana.

title: Calumet City, Illinois


text:
Calumet Park, Illinois

Calumet Park (formerly DeYoung) is a village in Cook County, Illinois. The population was 7,025 at the 2020 census.

On May 13, 2010, Mayor Joseph DuPar and the Village Board approved renaming 127th Street as Obama Drive, in honor of the 44th President of the United States. On August 21, 2010, State Senator Emil Jones III read a proclamation of the Illinois Senate in honor of the dedication on the same date. This road became the first Obama Drive in the country and the first road named after President Barack Obama in his home state of Illinois.

Geography
Calumet Park is located at 41.66556°N, -87.65806°W (41.665602, -87.658139).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Calumet Park has a total area of 1.15 sqmi, of which 1.12 sqmi (or 96.88%) is land and 0.04 sqmi (or 3.12%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 7,025 people, 3,256 households, and 1,973 families residing in the village. The population density was 6,092.80 PD/sqmi. There were 3,074 housing units at an average density of 2,666.09 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village (including Hispanics in the racial categories) was 3.36% White, 89.27% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.77% from other races, and 3.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.45% of the population.

There were 3,256 households, out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 23.68% were married couples living together, 30.41% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.40% were non-families. 37.04% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.23% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.48 and the average family size was 2.57.

The village's age distribution consisted of 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $50,049, and the median income for a family was $60,689. Males had a median income of $41,402 versus $32,665 for females. The per capita income for the village was $25,250. About 15.5% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.5% of those under age 18 and 17.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Calumet Park is located in Elementary School District #132, High School District #218, and Moraine Valley Community College District #524.

Calumet Park is divided between two congressional districts. The area east of Interstate 57 and south of 123rd Street is in Illinois' 2nd Congressional District; the rest of the village is part of the 1st Congressional District.

Transportation
The Ashland/Calumet Park station provides Metra commuter rail service along the Blue Island branch of the Metra Electric District line. Trains travel north to Millennium station in Chicago and south to Blue Island.

Pace and CTA provide bus service connecting Calumet Park to destinations across the Southland.

Notable people

 * Charles Krezwick (born 1947), member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2012 to 2013. He served as a village trustee and acting mayor of Calumet Park in the late 1970s.
 * Marty Russo (born 1944), member of the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 1993. He lived in Calumet Park at the time of his first election.
 * Juice Wrld (1998–2019), rapper and singer-songwriter. He was a childhood resident of Calumet Park.

title: Calumet Park, Illinois


text:
Chicago Heights, Illinois

Chicago Heights is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 27,480 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. Its nicknames include "The Crossroads of the Nation" and "The Heights".

Geography
Chicago Heights lies on the high land of the Tinley Moraine, with the higher and older Valparaiso Moraine lying just to the south of the city.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Chicago Heights has a total area of 10.30 sqmi, of which 10.28 sqmi (or 99.87%) is land and 0.01 sqmi (or 0.13%) is water.

The city's major crossroads are at Dixie Highway (Illinois Route 1) and Lincoln Highway (U.S. Route 30).

Chicago Heights is about 30 mi south of the Chicago Loop.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 27,480 people, 9,736 households, and 6,708 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,669.00 PD/sqmi. There were 10,663 housing units at an average density of 1,035.64 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 42.50% African American, 21.05% White, 1.27% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 23.35% from other races, and 11.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 38.99% of the population.

There were 9,736 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.53% were married couples living together, 20.75% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 28.29% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.07% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.67 and the average family size was 2.96.

The city's age distribution consisted of 26.9% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $49,880, and the median income for a family was $59,536. Males had a median income of $35,142 versus $26,790 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,948. About 18.6% of families and 24.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.0% of those under age 18 and 22.7% of those age 65 or over.

Schools
Chicago Heights School District 170 operates twelve schools, with a student population of 3,600. Highland is the district's pre-school for children aged three and four; Garfield, Grant, Greenbriar, Jefferson, Kennedy, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Washington-McKinley, and Wilson are neighborhood schools that serve students from kindergarten through fifth grade. After elementary school/5th grade, students attend Chicago Heights Middle School for grades 6-8.

Chicago Heights is home to Bloom High School, which all students of District 170 attend after 8th grade, and Bloom Trail High School, which shares its athletic programs with Bloom. Many students from neighboring communities including Steger, South Chicago Heights, Ford Heights, Sauk Village and Glenwood attend high school at Bloom.

Parts of Chicago Heights are included in Flossmoor School District 161 which includes Serena Hills Elementary School in Chicago Heights. After Serena, students attend Parker Jr. High School—also a part of Flossmoor School District 161. Only some students who complete middle school at Parker Jr. High School move on to Homewood-Flossmoor High School; the remainder attend Bloom High School.

Parts of Chicago Heights are also served by Park Forest – Chicago Heights School District 163, and Beacon Hill Primary Center is located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. After Beaker, students attend Michelle Obama School of Arts and Technology for middle school (6-8). Students from this neighborhood attend Rich Township High School, part of Rich Township High School District 227.

Marian Catholic High School, affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, is a private high school located in city.

Prairie State College is a community college located in Chicago Heights.

There are also many elementary schools that operate at church locations.

Public library
On May 20, 1901, many Chicago Heights residents signed a petition asking for the mayor and aldermen to select a board of directors that would be responsible for founding and running a free public library in Chicago Heights. On June 28, 1901, the first library board members were sworn in, including Sam W. Lea, F.W. Schact, W.E. Canady, James Bowie, David Wallace, Joseph Caldwell, C.W. Salisbury, A.J. Sorensen, and A.W. McEldowney. The library was opened in a small room in the new city building on February 20, 1902. That month, the library board wrote to industrialist Andrew Carnegie seeking funds to build a library building in Chicago Heights. In July, the board was notified that Carnegie had proposed $15,000 toward the cost of a library building as long as the city could provide a free site for the building and if the council could promise $1,500 a year to keep the library running. The Carnegie Library in Chicago Heights was designed by Richard E. Schmidt. The library was located at 1627 Halsted Street and opened on September 11, 1903, with a staff of two and 1,643 volumes. A bigger library was eventually needed, and on August 5, 1972, the present building at 15th Street and Chicago Road was opened. The Chicago Heights Free Public Library was a million-dollar building that opened with 60,000 books, records, and other materials.

Economy
Chicago Heights was once home to a number of major industrial concerns, including the Thrall Car Manufacturing Company, manufacturer of freight cars, run for many years by chief executive officer Richard L. Duchossois. The city was also the original home of the Inland Steel Company.

Ford Motor Company operates a metal stamping plant located along Lincoln Highway in Chicago Heights. This facility produces automobile body panels that are shipped to Ford's Chicago Assembly plant approximately 15 mi to the north in the Hegewisch community area of Chicago.

Transportation

Chicago Heights is served by six Pace bus routes and the Pace Chicago Heights Terminal.

Healthcare
There was a Well Group Clinic (part of St. James) located on Dixie Highway. Well Group was previously known as Suburban Heights Medical Center. There are also two Aunt Martha's health centers in Chicago Heights.

In September 2018, St. James Hospital closed after more than 100 years.

Notable people

 * Paris Barclay, television producer and director, Sons of Anarchy; president of Directors Guild of America
 * Jim Bouton, pitcher for New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, Houston Astros, and Atlanta Braves; pitched in 1963 and 1964 World Series; author of Ball Four
 * David Broder, Pulitzer Prize-winning political columnist (The Washington Post)
 * Don Brumm, defensive lineman with NFL's St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles
 * Luke Butkus, lineman and coach for University of Illinois; assistant coach Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars
 * Jerry Colangelo, chairman of USA Basketball, owned Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks, chairman of NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, 2007 inductee in Basketball Hall of Fame
 * Eddie Condon, jazz musician
 * Darlene Conley, actress, portrayed Sally Spectra from 1988 to 2007 on The Bold and the Beautiful
 * Aldo DeAngelis, Illinois state senator and businessman
 * Jon Debus, Major League Baseball coach
 * Anthony DeLuca, mayor, state representative
 * Mike Downey, sports columnist with Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune
 * Rube Ehrhardt, MLB pitcher for Brooklyn Robins and Cincinnati Reds
 * Tom Erikson, amateur wrestler and mixed martial artist
 * Joe Farrell, jazz saxophonist
 * Wally Flager, shortstop for Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies
 * Matt Fraction, writer for Marvel Comics
 * Joe Gentile, author and publisher
 * Phil Guy, blues guitarist
 * Debbie Halvorson, U.S. Representative, 2009–11
 * Robert P. Hanrahan, U.S. Representative, 1973–75
 * Rodney Harrison, safety for San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots, two-time Super Bowl champion; NFL television analyst
 * John Holecek, linebacker for NFL's Buffalo Bills
 * Irene Hughes, psychic, television personality
 * Leroy Jackson, 3-time 100 yard dash state champion 1956–58, Washington Redskins running back
 * Jan Johnson, pole vaulter, 3-time NCAA champion, bronze medalist at 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich
 * Nancy Kaszak, state representative
 * Dennis Kelly, offensive tackle with NFL's Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans
 * Tim Kelly, assistant coach, Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans
 * Todd Krygier, left wing for NHL's Hartford Whalers, Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks
 * Audie Matthews, captain of University of Illinois basketball team, 1976–78
 * Ernie McMillan, 15-year offensive lineman for NFL's St. Louis Cardinals
 * Johnny Mince, clarinetist, played with Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and other big bands
 * John Mosca, decorated US Army soldier; restaurateur of Mosca's in Louisiana
 * Michael O'Hare, actor
 * Charles Panici, city's mayor, imprisoned 1993-2001
 * Johnny Pate, jazz musician and music producer
 * Ted Pawelek, catcher for Chicago Cubs
 * Mark Pfeil, pro golfer
 * Bret Prinz, pitcher for Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, and Chicago White Sox
 * Mike Prior, defensive back for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, and Green Bay Packers, NFL champion (Super Bowl XXXI)
 * Shonda Rhimes, television creator, writer and producer, Scandal, Grey's Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder
 * Maurino Richton, lawyer, Illinois, state representative, and mayor of Chicago Heights
 * Andy Rosenband, professional soccer player. He was raised in Chicago Heights.
 * Bret Saberhagen, pitcher for Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, and Boston Red Sox; 1985 World Series champion and Cy Young Award winner
 * Olayinka Sanni, basketball player for WNBA's Phoenix Mercury
 * Allen R. Schindler Jr., murdered U.S. sailor
 * John F. Stossel, consumer reporter with Fox News, investigative journalist
 * Brian Timpone, conservative businessman, former TV reporter (KDLH CBS 3) and media entrepreneur
 * Ted Uhlaender, outfielder for Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians, and Cincinnati Reds
 * Tyler Ulis, basketball player for Kentucky and NBA's Phoenix Suns
 * Derrick Walker, tight end for San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs
 * Lloyd Walton, point guard for Marquette and the Milwaukee Bucks
 * Tom Wieghaus, catcher for Houston Astros and Montreal Expos
 * Oscar Lawton Wilkerson, pilot
 * Julian Wright, small forward for Kansas, two NBA teams, and several European teams
 * Anna Irwin Young, mathematician was born here
 * Bryant Young, 4-time All-Pro defensive tackle for San Francisco 49ers and Super Bowl XXIX champion; Pro Football Hall of Fame
 * Walter Young, wide receiver for Pittsburgh Steelers
 * Bart Zeller, catcher for St. Louis Cardinals, minor-league manager and coach

Sister Cities
Chicago Heights has 4 sister cities.:
 * 🇬🇭 Asuogyaman District, Ghana
 * 🇲🇽 Cedral, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
 * 🇵🇱 Wadowice, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland
 * 🇮🇹 San Benedetto del Tronto, Ascoli Piceno, Marche, Italy

title: Chicago Heights, Illinois


text:
Chicago Ridge, Illinois

Chicago Ridge is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 14,433.

History
Chicago Ridge takes its name from ridges left behind when trainloads of dirt were brought out by the Wabash Railroad during construction of the Columbian Exposition of 1893.

Incorporated on October 17, 1914, the village has an area of approximately 2.2 sqmi and is located in the southwestern portion of Cook County, Illinois, about 20 mi southwest of downtown Chicago.

The path of Stony Creek arcs through the village. It is not only an old creek but also the remnants of a feeder canal for the Illinois & Michigan Canal that reached from the Little Calumet River westward through the Saganash-kee Slough. Although the work on the feeder canal brought some settlers in the 1840s, German and Dutch farmers arrived after the 1850s.

Settlement increased with the coming of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad in 1882. Later, the Wabash would be crossed in the middle of Chicago Ridge by the Chicago and Calumet Terminal Railway, which also established rail yards in the village.

In 1898, the Paul E. Berger Company, manufacturers of cash registers and slot machines, located adjacent to the railroad. The Berger Company built housing for its employees, and a settlement emerged around the factory, with a tavern, rooming house, and grocery store. The first post office opened in 1900 in the Berger factory, and in 1902 the Wabash Railroad established a train station.

Both Chicago Ridge and Worth benefited from the activity and economic influences of a racetrack operating on 111th Street. Local residents proudly recall that a member of one of the founding families of the Chicago Ridge area, Fred Herbert, won the Kentucky Derby in 1910. The racetrack was torn down in 1911 and is now the site of Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

After Oak Lawn incorporated in 1909, Chicago Ridge considered the move. An incorporated government could replace wooden sidewalks, deal with the stagnant waters in the swampy areas, initiate local municipal services and provide locally elected and accountable officials. They accomplished those tasks and more. Their successors then built on those early improvements with paved streets, sewers, street lights, and sidewalks. They also brought Lake Michigan water to the area.

Chicago Ridge grew from 176 in 1920 to 888 in 1950. With the great demand for housing and the expansion of road networks to include expressways, Chicago Ridge was poised for growth. Along with a strong new industrial and commercial base, the population increased dramatically, to 5,748 in 1960 and 14,127 in 2000.

Geography
Chicago Ridge is located at 41.7025°N, -87.77861°W (41.702482, -87.778690).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Chicago Ridge has a total area of 2.27 sqmi, all land.

Located in Cook County, the village is 18 mi southwest of the Loop. Chicago Ridge's irregular shape is bounded by Oak Lawn on the north and east, Bridgeview and Palos Hills on the west, and Worth on the south.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 14,433 people, 5,339 households, and 3,364 families residing in the village. The population density was 6,363.76 PD/sqmi. There were 5,989 housing units at an average density of 2,640.65 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 72.54% White, 9.77% African American, 0.28% Native American, 2.33% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 6.55% from other races, and 8.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.64% of the population.

There were 5,339 households, out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.50% were married couples living together, 7.83% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.99% were non-families. 33.85% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.31 and the average family size was 2.54.

The village's age distribution consisted of 22.6% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $51,555, and the median income for a family was $64,206. Males had a median income of $40,596 versus $33,699 for females. The per capita income for the village was $24,310. About 19.4% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.3% of those under age 18 and 8.9% 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
Chicago Ridge is in Illinois's 3rd congressional district.

Charles Polchow served as the first president of Chicago Ridge when it organized as a village in 1914. He emigrated to the United States from Germany in 1897. Charles and his wife, the former Luzina Zippel, arrived March 10, 1897, to Chicago Ridge. Their first home was a farmhouse at 107th near Oak Park Avenue, where their first four children were born. Later the family moved to another farmhouse at 105th and Central, where they had seven children. One of his sons, Herbert Polchow, became village president of Chicago Ridge in 1953. Farming was the Polchow family's first occupation, but in 1919 at 107th and South Ridgeland Avenue the family built Polchow's Grove and Tavern. Polchow's was one of three taverns, the others being John Henry Meyer's Chicago Ridge Hotel at 103rd and South Ridgeland Avenue and Liberty Hall. Charles Polchow died in 1951 at the age of 78.

Henry Schmalen was Village President from 1921 to 1924. He moved from Chicago to Chicago Ridge after he retired from the wholesale meat business. His niece was Mary Maker, the first women trustee in Chicago Ridge.

Arthur W Meyer was Village President from 1925 to 1926. His father was John Henry Meyer who operated the Chicago Ridge Inn and Hotel which included a tavern, next to the railroad tracks at 103rd and Ridgeland Ave.

Peter Ruices was Village President from 1927 to 1934. The Ruices family owned Rucies Tavern and Grove at 106th Street and Ridgeland Avenue which was a popular spot for special events.

Bruno Duckwitz was Village President 1937 to 1942. He resigned his position to enlist in the armed forces in 1942 and serve active duty during World War II. After the War, Duckwitz operated a popular Laundromat at 106th and Ridgeland until it was destroyed in a fire.

John Dokner was Village President from 1943 to 1944. He spent 20 years in public service. He was on the local school board and a longtime member of the towns board of auditors. Upons this death in 1968, Worth Township issued Resolution No. 68-I honoring his service.

William Walsh was Village President from 1945 to 1952, president of the board of education, justice of the peace, and Worth Township Democratic Committeeman.

Herbert Pulchow Sr was Village President from 1953 to 1956. He was one of 11 children to Charles (1st Village President 1914–1920) and Lucina. He started Village wide trash collection at .25 per can.

Arthur Cooper was Village President from 1957 to 1964. He was the first Village President born in Chicago Ridge.

Joseph Coglianese was Village President from 1965 to 1974. The Chicago Ridge library, Public Works and Park District were formed under his administration. Firehouse 2, a Park District Building, a Police Car Garage and Elden D Finley Jr High were built during this time. His term was cut short by legal proceedings.

In 1975 Eugene "Gene" Siegel was appointed to serve as Part-time Village President and he served as a Part-time Village President until 1993 when he was elected as a Full-time Village President, a position that he held until he retired in 2013 making him the longest serving Village President of Chicago Ridge. His contributions to Chicago Ridge were numerous. Gene Siegel died in 2017. The Eugene Siegel Municipal Complex at 104th and Ridgeland and Eugene and Virginia Siegel Memorial Drive on 103rd Street between Ridgeland and Southwest Highway are named after him.

William Paulus was Village President from 1955 to 1956. Mayor Paulus was married to Marie Paulus, the town's postmaster for 1927 to 1954, and the post office was operated from their home.

The village of Chicago Ridge is governed by a President and Board of Trustees. The Village President is the chief executive officer, and the Board of Trustees is the legislative body. The Village Clerk is the keeper of the records. The Village President, Board of Trustees and Clerk are all elected to four-year terms. Local elections are held every two years in the spring.

The Chicago Ridge Park District offers a "before/after" school care program.

Business and industry
Over the years, recreational and cultural amenities including parks and a library, as well as business and industry were added to the picture.

Industry
Landis Plastics, Inc. is based in Chicago Ridge, with five domestic facilities supporting North American customers. Landis manufactures injection molded and thermoformed plastic packaging for dairy and other food products. Over the past 15 years, Landis has experienced robust organic growth in sales of 10.4%. During 2002, Landis generated $211.6 million of net sales. Landis Plastics, Inc. was purchased by Berry Plastics Corp. in 2003.

The Park at Chicago Ridge is a 135 acre industrial park located off Southwest Highway at 103rd Street, which features rail transport and easy access to major expressways, including the Tri-State Tollway, and the Stevenson and Eisenhower expressways.

Retail
The Chicago Ridge Mall (formerly Westfield Chicago Ridge) at 95th and Ridgeland has over 130 stores and a six-screen theater. The Chicago Ridge Commons at 99th and Ridgeland has over 55 strip stores. Commercial development is currently centered in the industrial sector, the Park at Chicago Ridge.

RidgeFest
Chicago Ridge hosts the annual RidgeFest celebration the last weekend in July at Freedom Park. It is one of the best-known summer festivals in the southwest suburban Chicago area. It consistently draws large crowds from throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

Parks and recreation
The Chicago Ridge Park District has 23 acre of land available for recreational purposes, divided among nine parks containing tennis courts, baseball fields, a fitness center/gymnasium, and a newly completed miniature golf/batting cages complex. The district offers over 100 programs for residents of all ages.

Transportation
Chicago Ridge has a station on Metra's SouthWest Service, which provides daily rail service between Manhattan, Illinois, and Chicago Union Station. Pace provides bus service on multiple routes connecting Chicago Ridge to destinations across the Southland.

Public schools
Chicago Ridge provides some public services. These include the Chicago Ridge Public Library, Elden Finley Junior High School, Ridge Central Elementary School, Ridge Lawn Elementary School, Freedom Activity Center (which provides preschool), and Teen Center.

Public schooling is provided through the Chicago Ridge School District 127$1/2$. Elden Finley Junior is Chicago Ridge's middle school. The mascot is a Viking. The colors are black, white, and gray. They provide grades 6 through 8.

Ridge Central Elementary School is one of Chicago Ridge's elementary schools. The mascot are stars, and the colors are navy blue and gold. They provide grades pre-kindergarten through fifth.

Ridge Lawn Elementary School is the other of Chicago Ridge's elementary schools. The mascot is an eagle. The colors are royal and white. They provide grades pre-kindergarten through fifth.

Chicago Ridge high school students attend Harold L. Richards High School in neighboring Oak Lawn.

Private schools
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago operates Catholic schools. Our Lady of the Ridge Catholic School closed in 2018.

Notable person

 * Tim Pyznarski, first baseman for the San Diego Padres

title: Chicago Ridge, Illinois


text:
Cicero, Illinois

Cicero is a town in Cook County, Illinois, United States, and a suburb of Chicago. As of the 2020 census, the population was 85,268, making it the 11th-most populous municipality in Illinois. The town is named after Marcus Tullius Cicero, a Roman statesman and orator.

History
Originally, Cicero Township occupied an area six times the size of its current territory. The cities of Oak Park and Berwyn were incorporated from portions of Cicero Township, and other portions, such as Austin, were annexed into the city of Chicago.

By 1911, an aerodrome called the Cicero Flying Field had been established as the town's first aircraft facility of any type, located on a roughly square plot of land about 800 meters (1/2-mile) per side, on then-open ground at 41.85529°N, -87.74903°W by the Aero Club of Illinois, founded on February 10, 1910. Famous pilots like Hans-Joachim Buddecke, Lincoln Beachey, Chance M. Vought and others flew from there at various times during the "pioneer era" of aviation in the United States shortly before the nation's involvement in World War I; the field closed in mid-April 1916.

After building his criminal empire in Chicago, Al Capone moved to Cicero to escape the reach of Chicago police. The 1924 Cicero municipal elections were particularly violent due to gang-related efforts to secure a favorable election result.

On July 11–12, 1951, a race riot erupted in Cicero when a white mob of around 4,000 attacked and burned an apartment building at 6139 W. 19th Street that housed the African-American family of Harvey Clark Jr., a Chicago Transit Authority bus driver who had relocated to the all-white city. Governor Adlai E. Stevenson was forced to call out the Illinois National Guard. The Clarks moved away and the building had to be boarded up. The Cicero riot received worldwide condemnation.

Cicero was taken up and abandoned several times as site for a civil rights march in the mid-1960s. Cicero had a sundown town policy prohibiting African Americans from living in the city. The American Friends Service Committee, Martin Luther King Jr., and many affiliated organizations, including churches, were conducting marches against housing and school de facto segregation and inequality in Chicago and several suburbs, but the leaders feared too violent a response in Chicago Lawn and Cicero. Eventually, a substantial march (met by catcalls, flying bottles and bricks) was conducted in Chicago Lawn, but only a splinter group, led by Jesse Jackson, marched in Cicero. The marches in the Chicago suburbs helped galvanize support for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, extending federal prohibitions against discrimination to private housing. The act also created the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, which enforces the law.

The 1980s and 1990s saw a heavy influx of Hispanic (mostly Mexican and Central American) residents to Cicero. Once considered mainly a Czech or Bohemian town, most of the European-style restaurants and shops on 22nd Street (now Cermak Road) have been replaced by Spanish-titled businesses. In addition, Cicero has a small black community.

Cicero has seen a revival in its commercial sector, with many new mini-malls and large retail stores. New condominiums are also being built in the city.

Cicero has long had a reputation of government scandal. In 2002, Republican Town President Betty Loren-Maltese was sent to federal prison in California for misappropriating $12 million in funds.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Cicero has a total area of 5.87 sqmi, all land. Cicero formerly ran from Harlem Avenue to Western Avenue and Pershing Road to North Avenue; however, much of this area was annexed by Chicago.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 85,268 people, 22,698 households, and 17,508 families residing in the town. The population density was 14,538.45 PD/sqmi. There were 25,836 housing units at an average density of 4,405.12 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 19.22% White, 3.72% African American, 4.26% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 46.86% from other races, and 25.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 89.00% of the population.

There were 22,698 households, out of which 45.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.83% were married couples living together, 19.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.87% were non-families. 18.99% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.63% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.06 and the average family size was 3.55.

The town's age distribution consisted of 28.0% under the age of 18, 12.3% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $53,726, and the median income for a family was $56,632. Males had a median income of $33,835 versus $26,101 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,040. About 11.4% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2011, 52.5% of occupied housing units were owned properties, and 47.5% were rentals. There were 4,667 vacant housing units. The average age of home properties was greater than 66 years.

Cicero is a factory town. As of 1999, about a quarter of the city contained one of the greatest industrial concentrations in the world. There were more than 150 factories in 2.8 km, producing communications and electronic equipment, sugar, printing presses, steel castings, tool and die makers' supplies, forging and rubber goods.

Arts and culture

 * St. Mary of Czestochowa, a Neo-Gothic church built in the Polish Cathedral style along with the sculpture of Christ the King by famed sculptor Professor Czesław Dźwigaj, who also cast the monumental bronze doors at St. Hyacinth's Basilica in Chicago. The church's other claim to fame is as the site of Al Capone's sister Mafalda's wedding in 1930.
 * J. Sterling Morton High School, East Campus, also known as Morton East High School, was built in 1894. The original school was destroyed by fire in 1924, and the current building was constructed. Located at 2423 S. Austin Blvd, Morton East serves residents of Cicero.
 * Chodl Auditorium, located inside Morton East High School, was built in 1924 (completed 1927) to replace the 1,200-seat auditorium which was destroyed by fire. The auditorium was originally a dual-purpose room, serving as a gymnasium for students, and was originally built for this purpose. In 1967 the school stopped using the auditorium as a gymnasium. Chodl Auditorium is among the largest non-commercial proscenium theatres in the Chicago Metropolitan Area and is listed with the National Register of Historic Places.
 * Hawthorne Works Tower, one of the original towers of the enormous Western Electric manufacturing plant that once stood east of Cicero Avenue, is still located behind the Hawthorne Works Shopping Center near the corner of Cermak Road (22nd Street) and Cicero Avenue.
 * Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame.

On the south side of Cicero, there were two racetracks. Hawthorne Race Course, located in Cicero and Stickney, is a horse racing track still in operation. Just north of it was Chicago Motor Speedway at Sportsman's Park, which was formerly Sportsman's Park Racetrack (for horse racing) for many years. This Sportsman's Park facility is now closed, acquired by the Town of Cicero, and has since been demolished. Facilities of the Wirtz Beverage Group have been built on the west half and a Walmart built on the east half.

Government
Most of Cicero is in Illinois's 4th congressional district; the area south of the railroad at approximately 33rd Street is in the 3rd district.

The United States Postal Service operates the Cicero Post Office at 2440 South Laramie Avenue.

Education
Cicero is served by Cicero Elementary School District 99 and comprises 16 schools, making it one of the largest public school districts outside of Chicago. Elementary students attend the following schools, depending on residency: Burnham (K-6), Cicero East (4-6), Cicero West (PK-4), Columbus East (4-6), Columbus West (PK-4), Drexel (K-6), Early Childhood Center (PK), Goodwin (PK-6), Liberty (K-3), Lincoln (PK-6), Roosevelt (5-6), Sherlock (PK-6), Warren Park (PK-6), Wilson (K-6), and Unity Junior High (7-8), which is separated into East/West sections. East side being held for eighth graders & seventh graders on the West side. Unity is the second largest middle school in the country. High school students entering their freshman year attend the Freshman Center and then continue high school at Morton East of the J. Sterling Morton High School District 201. The McKinley Educational Center serves as an alternative school for 5th-8th graders and the Morton Alternative School serves as an alternative school for 9th-12th graders

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago operates one PK-8 school in Cicero, Our Lady of Charity School. St. Frances of Rome School closed in 2024.

From 1927 until 1972, Cicero was the home of Timothy Christian School.

Cicero is also home to Morton College.

Transportation
Cicero is served by two major railroad lines, the BNSF Railway and the Belt Line Railroad. Public Transportation is provided by Metra's BNSF Line between Aurora and Chicago's Union Station with a stop at the Cicero station near Cicero Avenue and 26th Street. Currently, this station is undergoing a much needed reconstruction and expansion by Metra. Also, the CTA Pink Line provides daily service from the 54th/Cermak terminal to the Loop. Its Pink station is also located in Cicero. Multiple Pace and CTA bus routes cover portions of Cicero.

Fire department
The Cicero Fire Department (CFD) has a staff of 97 professional full time firefighters. The CFD operates out of three fire stations.

Notable people

 * Felix Biestek (1912–1994), American priest and professor
 * Al Capone (1899–1947), American gangster and businessman and the co-founder and boss of the Chicago Outfit.
 * JoBe Cerny (born 1947), an actor from Cicero, is the voice of the Pillsbury Doughboy.
 * Joe Mantegna (born 1947), Tony award-winning actor, also writer and director.
 * Erika Sánchez (born 1983/1984), American poet and writer
 * Lee Corso (born 1935), Former football coach and media personality.
 * Donald F. White (1908–2002), Canadian-born American architect and engineer, of African descent

In popular culture

 * In the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, Cicero is the home of Al Capone. Many of the episode plots are based in Cicero.
 * Cicero is mentioned as the hometown of Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman and his brother Chuck McGill in Better Call Saul.
 * In the musical Chicago, Velma Kelly mentions Cicero in the number "Cell Block Tango" as the location of the hotel where she murdered her husband Charlie and sister Veronica.
 * In Walker Percy's novel Love in the Ruins, the schismatic American Catholic church establishes Cicero, Illinois as its "new Rome."
 * In Bertolt Brecht's The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Cicero is annexed by Chicago as a satirical allegory for the Nazi annexation of Austria.
 * In Guys and Dolls, the Chicago-area gangster "Big Julie" claims to be from "East Cicero, Illinois" (and pronounces the final "s" on Illinois).
 * In the 1948 film noir Sorry, Wrong Number, the story takes place in New York City but in flash-backs recounted by several characters we learn that the story actually begins in Chicago and Cicero. The female character Leona Cotterel (Barbara Stanwyck) is the rich, spoiled daughter of the owner of a pharmaceutical company located in Cicero.  She lives with her father in a Chicago mansion.  A few years later, after she marries, the story moves to Bayonne, New Jersey, and ends in Manhattan and Staten Island.
 * Al Bundy from the show Married... with Children mentions that he gets his hair cut in Cicero.
 * In the song "Guns Under the Counter" by The Fiery Furnaces (from their album Rehearsing My Choir), Cicero is mentioned in the line "In Cicero, Never stand at a window".

title: Cicero, Illinois