The worst thing about Chicago is... (Chicago Heights, Harvey: school, prices, train)

[otters21]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

I think all the Cook County suburbs should be annexed to Chicago. Not that it's likely to happen but other cites have expanded so; Lexington Ky and I think Indianapolis.

Columbus Ohio as well.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by BRU67

I personally feel as though Illinois doesn't focus enough on adaptive reuse. I'm heartened to see things like the planned CTA blue line expansion but by and large, most of the State's policies regarding transporation and education seem to be aimed at destroying as much fertile farmland as possible. Instead of that worthless I-355 extension that only benefits a few (and encourages further wasteful sprawl), why weren't we spending that money to improve the dated CTA infrastructure which would benefit many? Or expand public transit to areas not yet served so there are fewer cars on our roads? I didn't get it, and still don't. For our own good, I hope that changes.

One problem is the disparity in federal funding for highway versus transit. For highways, Feds pay 80% of costs with a 20% local match. For transit, the Feds pay only 50% of costs. I can't think of any GOOD reason for the disparity but it effectively means that highway building get a significant funding advantage versus transit construction.

Its things like this and about a 1000 other regulations/laws/policies that have been put in place over the past 60 years which bias development in favor of greenfield suburbs/exurbs versus established urban areas.

Luckily, the Obama administration appears to be looking into this and hopefully will change the formulas for a more equitable balance.

[ngrome]

Worst thing about Chicago? That thing that Trump is building downtown and the re-naming of the Sears Tower.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

...Luckily, the Obama administration appears to be looking into this and hopefully will change the formulas for a more equitable balance.

I would not hold my breath.

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by johnm68

Venom's exactly right.

What's more suburban--Sauganash or Cicero? Edison Park or Maywood? Beverly or Ford Heights?

I've also noted that the most vociferous suburb haters tended to grow up in......the suburbs (or small towns). Many people who live in the suburbs actually grew up in the city.

Beverly is more urban(density wise) than Ford heights. Quality its more suburban.

There is some truth that. I grew up in the burbs and still live here. Personally, I kind of tired of the burbs and want to move to the city some day. Just want to try something new

[whitecollarboy]

Chicago's segregation is saddening. If you ever take the red line from Howard all the way down to 95th and that's if you get past the 35th stop. You'll know what I mean.

[US-Traveller]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

I think all the Cook County suburbs should be annexed to Chicago. Not that it's likely to happen but other cites have expanded so; Lexington Ky and I think Indianapolis.

That will never happen. Evanston has resisted since the early 1900's. Suburbs being annexed by the city would make home prices fall. Mayor Daley would try and push the students from underperforming schools to the high performing schools like New Trier, Evanston, Glenbrook South, and Oak Park/River Forest.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by US-Traveller

Mayor Daley would try and push the students from underperforming schools to the high performing schools like New Trier, Evanston, Glenbrook South, and Oak Park/River Forest.

Who says he would survive as mayor in such a scenario? Incorporating Cook County into the City would probably shake up city politics a great deal, doncha think? Incorporating a huge new group of middle class people into the city would serve as a stimulus to improve the public schools too, all of them. Especially since improving the schools is a matter of will not of money.

But yeah, I don't think it will ever happen.

[ajolotl]

I have to agree. I take that train a few times a month. If you step back a second and take in the situation it's absolutely incredible -- there are virtually zero non-blacks at all for an unbelievably huge swath of the south side. It must be unspeakably horrific to live in any of those areas if you're white, otherwise you'd expect to see at least 10% or so whites mixed in here and there. Even the relatively large areas of neatly kept homes and quiet streets -- you still see zero white people.

I'm not preaching and suggesting anyone in particular should move there (I wouldn't), just commenting on how weird the situation is when you step back and look at the big picture.

Originally Posted by whitecollarboy

Chicago's segregation is saddening. If you ever take the red line from Howard all the way down to 95th and that's if you get past the 35th stop. You'll know what I mean.

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by ajolotl

I have to agree. I take that train a few times a month. If you step back a second and take in the situation it's absolutely incredible -- there are virtually zero non-blacks at all for an unbelievably huge swath of the south side. It must be unspeakably horrific to live in any of those areas if you're white, otherwise you'd expect to see at least 10% or so whites mixed in here and there. Even the relatively large areas of neatly kept homes and quiet streets -- you still see zero white people.

I'm not preaching and suggesting anyone in particular should move there (I wouldn't), just commenting on how weird the situation is when you step back and look at the big picture.

In order to get rid of Chicago segregation reputation, large parts of the southside has to integrate or diversify. You don't even have to ride the train to see the segregation. You can start at the end of the southside and ride on Dan Ryan expy and it's basically all black, until you get to 35th and all of a sudden you see white people getting on the train by the White Sox Stadium.

I think the huge migration of Hispanics and Asians help integrate and diversify some of Chicago(especially the Southwestside).