Chicago Southland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Chicago Southland is the suburban region south and southwest of Chicago, comprised of approximately 61 Chicagoland communities. This region has been known as the Chicago Southland by the local populace and regional media for about 20 years.
Many of the Chicagoland communities that have a majority black population are located in this region.
Bordered by Bedford Park (near Midway Airport) on the north, the Chicago Southland extends south to Peotone, near the Kankakee County line. Its eastern boundary is the Illinois/Indiana State Line, and the region extends west to New Lenox, one of several rapidly-growing Will County communities near Joliet.
Known for its blue collar roots, the Chicago Southland was once home to the region's steel mills and heavy industry. Some heavy industry still remains, but many Southland communities are transforming themselves into service-oriented economies as the bulk of heavy industry moves out of the Chicago metro region.
Major residential development has made its way to the Chicago Southland as the city's northern and western suburbs are filling in and developers search for the last available open land for subdivisions. Southland property values continue to soar, especially in the southwestern portion of the region.
Located at the nation's crossroads, the Chicago Southland is served by interstates I-80, I-90, I-94, I-294, I-55, and I-57, and the six major U.S. rail lines. The Lincoln Highway - America's first transcontinental paved roadway - crosses another famous highway, the Dixie Highway, in Chicago Heights, hence the city's nickname, "The Crossroads of the Nation."
The Chicago Southland is home to the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre [1] (formerly the Tweeter Center), a large outdoor music theater; Balmoral Park Race Track [2] in Crete; and Toyota Park, new home of the Chicago Fire MLS Soccer Team [3].
Several media outlets and regional organizations can provide additional information on the Chicago Southland, including: the Daily Southtown [4] and The Star [5].
[edit] Communities
AREA 1 Bedford Park, Burbank, Chicago Ridge, Evergreen Park, Hometown, Oak Lawn, Worth
AREA 2 Bridgeview, Forest View, Hickory Hills, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Summit
AREA 3 Frankfort, Mokena, New Lenox, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Tinley Park
AREA 4 Alsip, Blue Island, Crestwood, Merrionette Park, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Posen, Robbins
AREA 5 Country Club Hills, East Hazel Crest, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Homewood, Markham, South Holland, Thornton
AREA 6 Burnham, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Dixmoor, Dolton, Lansing, Lynwood, Phoenix, Riverdale
AREA 7 Beecher, Chicago Heights, Crete, Matteson, Monee, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Peotone, Richton Park, Sauk Village, South Chicago Heights, Steger, University Park
Communities sometimes included: McCook, Justice, Willow Springs, Lemont, Homer Glen
