Suburban decline (Chicago, Aurora, Naperville: crime rates, neighborhoods, high schools)

[Hillbros]

It's my opinion that Chicago's suburbs have suffered a significant decline in the last 30 years, with many of them FAR WORSE off than they were in the 1970's and 1980's.

Sometimes journalists, pundits, etc. will focus on a few neighborhoods in Chicago that have boomed (Bucktown, Lake View, South Loop, West Loop, etc.) and use this as evidence that things are better. But these small areas do not offset the terrible declines we've seen in Chicago's suburbs where even many of the suburban schools are hellholes of existence now.

Many middle class neighborhoods in Chicago are declining as well, but the focus always seems to be on the gentrification of a few small areas of Chicagoland, despite the obvious decline of much more.

[chet everett]

Numerically the data would differ. 30 years ago the total assessed value of basically every town was a fraction of where it is today.

If you mean that the values have changed and there are less family owned businesses where one can make a living that allows one to live in the same town where you work, that is probably true, but that is not the same as "decline".

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Hillbros

It's my opinion that Chicago's suburbs have suffered a significant decline in the last 30 years, with many of them FAR WORSE off than they were in the 1970's and 1980's.

Sometimes journalists, pundits, etc. will focus on a few neighborhoods in Chicago that have boomed (Bucktown, Lake View, South Loop, West Loop, etc.) and use this as evidence that things are better. But these small areas do not offset the terrible declines we've seen in Chicago's suburbs where even many of the suburban schools are hellholes of existence now.

Many middle class neighborhoods in Chicago are declining as well, but the focus always seems to be on the gentrification of a few small areas of Chicagoland, despite the obvious decline of much more.

I think quite the opposite! Ive watched numerous suburbs reinvent themselves and make something of themselves. PLaces like Dundee, South Elgin, Geneva, St. Charles, Aurora, Plainfield, Wheaton, Naperville, Hinsdale, etc, were not really in total decline, but they have consistently upgraded and modified and have become very desireable places to live. Well, maybe not all of Aurora yet, but theyre trying.

[sgresident]

I think you are totally wrong about the decline of the suburbs. where do you live! The growth and development in will, kane, kendall and even the far-reaching dekalb counties has been huge in the past 30 years. I grew up in what was rural st. charles, and have lived in sugar grove for over 20 years. the suburbs have not declined.

[oakparkdude]

You know, there's always been poverty in the Chicago region. Back when the city of Chicago held over 80% of the metro population, it also contained most of the wealthy and most of the poor. As population shifted to the suburbs, first the wealthy and now the poor migrated out of the city. Now that the suburbs hold 70% of the metro population, why wouldn't you expect to see poverty in the suburbs?

[oakparkdude]

Yeah, Oak Park in the 1970s and 80s was written off by many as doomed to become part of the black underclass ghetto. Crime rates were soaring and businesses were wary of investing in the village. Although we've still got our share of issues, its fair to say we've triumphed over those original challenges of disinvestment and white flight.

And as a general rule, I'm always wary of "good 'ol days" nostalgia where everything in the past was always good and everything today sucks. People's memories tend to be notoriously unreliable about these kinds of issues.

[Unitrin]

Originally Posted by oakparkdude

Yeah, Oak Park in the 1970s and 80s was written off by many as doomed to become part of the black underclass ghetto. Crime rates were soaring and businesses were wary of investing in the village. Although we've still got our share of issues, its fair to say we've triumphed over those original challenges of disinvestment and white flight.

And as a general rule, I'm always wary of "good 'ol days" nostalgia where everything in the past was always good and everything today sucks. People's memories tend to be notoriously unreliable about these kinds of issues.

Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Maywood, Galewood, and east Oak Park have declined significantly in the last 30 years as has OPRF high school. These areas have not triumphed over decay, they've been defeated. This phenomenon has occurred in many other suburban clusters and locales, in the very same exact way. Test scores are for sure down in the high schools.

[Unitrin]

Originally Posted by knitgirl

OMG, Mexicans! You seem to be equating decline with minorities. We don't all do that. They are just among the most recent immigrants to this country. Try reading about how Irish and Polish and Italian immigrants were treated in the early 1900's. Things haven't changed much, just who the hatred is directed at. And YES, I realize that a lot of latino immigrants are here illegally, plenty of Poles are, too - and I'm Polish. If I thought that the only way to improve the future for my (nonexistent) kids was to move to another country illegally and wash dishes, I'd do it. Most immigrants that I've encountered ( and I know plenty living in Elgin and having worked in restaurant kitchens) are extremely hard working and law-abiding.

Many Polish immigrants come to Chicago with nothing, they cannot speak the language, etc. and yet they prosper and maintain neighborhoods, etc. My sister works in criminal justice in Chicago (26th & Cal) and she says that the Polish are far underrepresented as compared to blacks and browns, and esp. Mexicans as defendants. Cook County Jail is not filled with Polish people, so there is a difference in immigrants groups.

[knitgirl]

yes, generally the Poles are better educated.

[IRV007]

Originally Posted by knitgirl

OMG, Mexicans! You seem to be equating decline with minorities. We don't all do that. They are just among the most recent immigrants to this country. Try reading about how Irish and Polish and Italian immigrants were treated in the early 1900's. Things haven't changed much, just who the hatred is directed at. And YES, I realize that a lot of latino immigrants are here illegally, plenty of Poles are, too - and I'm Polish. If I thought that the only way to improve the future for my (nonexistent) kids was to move to another country illegally and wash dishes, I'd do it. Most immigrants that I've encountered ( and I know plenty living in Elgin and having worked in restaurant kitchens) are extremely hard working and law-abiding.

Don't forget those cleaning our schools and hospitals every day and night...both Latino and Polish.

And look there..I go to the Dentist and the women assisting are Latino and when I go to the bank....there they are again...probably second generation but making their way in our suburbs. Any Latinos fixing cars? Damn, got the oil changed today...sure enough a Latino. Had the roof replaced last year. Yep. Latinos on my roof.