How many years until Illinois is sprawled out? (Chicago, Rockford: for sale, real estate)

[Dajustin98]

Been wanting to get more involved in researching this topic as I think it present is a interesting dilemma in the future but anyways it looks like Midwest farmland could be prime real estate for future American families to live on, plenty of water and rain and infrastructure already set up I can’t imagine it’ll take us long maybe in 5000 years? The first picture I posted I think shows around 1000 years or more of growth.

[Chicago-guy]

The U.S. might not even exist by then.
This is a really difficult question to ponder due to the unforseen.

And also, isn't Illinois already like only 1% wilderness? Which means it is already sprawled out.
But if hypothetically, everything went as it is going now for the next few thousand years...

I don't think it would be that filled out.
Yeah the coastal cities might get forced out. But there's still plenty of land very similar to Illinois within the entire U.S. Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, OKC, etc.

The great Lakes region has plenty of infrastructure due to the lakes and rivers we have that had plenty of activity pre-car era.

With that said, It would be a good 2000 years for Illinois to be super dense. It would be one of the first states to do so after the Coastal collapse... But I think people will prefer more temperate areas still.. pushing off any speed it might have.

[GWoodle]

To the north maybe build the last farmland in Lake County. North of there runs into Wisconsin. Maybe from Kenosha some commute into Chicagoland. Maybe someday do north end of IL 53 tollway. A branch to US 12 & another to I-41.

On the west side already approaching Elburn & Sandwich. Maybe keep growing toward Dekalb and Sycamore. Good question to fill in between Elgin, Belvidere, & Rockford. Maybe someday do tollway near IL 47 from I-80 to I-90.

On the south side it has been 30 years to do 3rd airport in Peotone. Maybe someday. Maybe fill gap to Kankakee. Maybe Orland sprawls out past Manhattan. Maybe someday extend I-355 tollway to I-57 & I-65 in Indiana. Maybe someday have commuter trains to Chicago from east Illinois/west Indiana area.

[Hiruko]

5000 years? LOL

[jasperhobbs]

I'm kind of busy right now, can I get back to you in 4000 years?

[Kraftask]

Not sure why you'd be researching what IL is gonna look like 1000-5000 years out. While not likely, but for all we know IL could become a desert by then. As for recent history & in our lifetimes & our great grandchildren's lifetimes, IL & most of the Midwest in general has some of the best land & waterways in the world. It wouldn't surprise me if the Midwest makes a comeback in the next few decades, especially with all the infrastructure already setup for a larger population.

[Kraftask]

Originally Posted by Dajustin98

Been wanting to get more involved in researching this topic as I think it present is a interesting dilemma in the future but anyways it looks like Midwest farmland could be prime real estate for future American families to live on, plenty of water and rain and infrastructure already set up I can’t imagine it’ll take us long maybe in 5000 years? The first picture I posted I think shows around 1000 years or more of growth.

BTW, those maps kinda remind me of the google maps timelapse. It goes from like 1984-2020 & you can already see how much all the metros have sprawled out in just 40 years. Looks like you missed Dubuque, IA & the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area. Dubuque has already sprawled quite a bit westward deeper into IA along with a lot of the sizable bedroom communities toward Waterloo & IC/CR are already practically merged.

[jasperhobbs]

I hope to be retired by then.

[Sunbiz1]

This will never happen, as Illinois will never be this desired; second highest property taxes in the country.
And everyone knows Chicago corruption is the reason, and just another city dependent on the rest of the state to feed them; literally with massive farmland not for sale.

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by Sunbiz1

This will never happen, as Illinois will never be this desired; second highest property taxes in the country.
And everyone knows Chicago corruption is the reason, and just another city dependent on the rest of the state to feed them; literally with massive farmland not for sale.

I'm impressed that you can predict what will happen 5000 years from now. Well done.