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55-645: The Near West Side , one of the 77 community areas of Chicago , is on the West Side , west of the Chicago River and adjacent to the Loop . The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 started on the Near West Side. Waves of immigration shaped the history of the Near West Side of Chicago, including the founding of Hull House , a prominent settlement house . The near west side comprises several neighborhoods . In

110-600: A citywide 1934 census to help collect data related to the Great Depression , in what was known as the Local Community Fact Book . With the exception of 1970 (whose data was published in 1980 ), it continued this publication for every subsequent census through 1990, expanding in the 1960s to also cover major suburbs of Chicago. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning continues this work by periodically publishing "Community Snapshots" of

165-548: A common identity. Except for the addition of two areas ( O'Hare from land annexed by the city in 1956 and Edgewater 's separation from Uptown in 1980) and peripheral expansions due to minor annexations, the areas' boundaries have never been revised to reflect change but instead have been kept stable. The areas have become a part of the culture of Chicago, contributing to its perception as a "city of neighborhoods" and breaking it down into smaller regions for easier analysis and local planning. Nevertheless, Park's and Burgess's ideas on

220-544: A cost of approximately $ 36 million to Enterprise Companies of Chicago redevelop into retail and housing. The Illinois Medical District is one of the largest medical districts in the United States, and the largest in the state. John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County (formerly known as Cook County Hospital ), one of the largest county-run hospitals in the U.S. and inspiration for the TV shows ER and The Fugitive ,

275-632: A friend and local businessman, Don Ponte, encouraged Randazzo to start a Hall of Fame to honor all Italian American athletes. One year later, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame was founded as a non-profit, educational institution. The first induction ceremony and banquet was a star-studded event, as the Hall of Fame honored Lou Ambers, Eddie Arcaro, Charlie Trippi, Gino Marchetti, Dom DiMaggio and “The Yankee Clipper,” Joe DiMaggio. Mrs. Vince Lombardi also accepted

330-464: A single community area. The Chicago Department of Public Health wished to present local differences in birth and death rates; it worked with the committee to produce the list of 75 community areas, which were divided into 935 census tracts. After the community areas were introduced, the University of Chicago Press published data sorted by them from the 1920 and 1930 Censuses , as well as

385-467: A struggling local Catholic youth program. Randazzo collected boxing photos and memorabilia, a hobby that inspired him to organize a fundraising dinner that brought together a list of boxing greats and celebrities. The dinner honored twenty-three former Italian American boxing world champions, including Rocky Graziano, Jake LaMotta, Sammy Angott, Willie Pep, and posthumously Rocky Marciano, Primo Carnera and Tony Canzoneri. The results were so overwhelming that

440-550: A weekly outdoor market. The area was also a center in the development of the Chicago Blues in the mid-twentieth century. The Market was moved twice in the 1990s and 2000s, and continues on Des Plaines Street. In the 2000s, UIC led a redevelopment of the area, which included new dormitories, parking garages, commercial buildings, and housing. The borders are 16th Street to the south, the Dan Ryan Expressway to

495-504: Is a major transportation hub for the region. The southern and western boundaries of the area are defined by busy rail-road tracks. The St. Charles Air Line , at the area's southern edge is also a major passenger train route. There are many bus routes in the area. For rapid transit , the area is served by the Blue , Green , and Pink Lines on the Chicago "L" . The Lake Street Elevated ,

550-415: Is a neighborhood consisting of residential and retail properties. University Village, along with other major developments such as University Commons and University Station, is conveniently located near the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) campus, the medical district, and Maxwell Street. The blocks around the intersection of Maxwell and Halsted Streets, the heart of University Village, once served as

605-506: Is from Saint Ita's." National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame The Hall of Fame and museum was located in a 44,000-square-foot (4,000 m²) building on Taylor Street in the heart of Chicago's " Little Italy " neighborhood from 2000 until 2019. The Hall of Fame is now based on the city's north side. In 1977, George Randazzo founded the Italian American Boxing Hall of Fame as a way to raise money for

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660-549: Is known as Little Italy. An Italian community developed in the late nineteenth century. Italians never actually constituted a majority in the polyglot area, but the neighborhood is still home to several Italian-American landmarks, such as the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompei and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame , as well as Italian-American social clubs . Taylor Street is home to

715-570: Is located here. The District had its start in the 1870s when Cook County Hospital, Rush Medical College, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons were established on the Near West Side following the great Chicago fire of 1871 . The cornerstone for the Medical Center was the building of Cook County Hospital in 1876. In 1877, Rush Medical College erected a building next to County at Harrison and Wood. Presbyterian Hospital (affiliated with Rush)

770-434: Is located in the 9th House District and the 10th House District represented by Democratic Representatives Jawaharial Williams and Lakesia Collins . Small portions of the Near West Side are located in the 1st Legislative District, represented by Democratic Senator Antonio Munoz , the 3rd Legislative District, represented by Democratic Senator Mattie Hunter , the 2nd Representative District, represented by Theresa Mah , and

825-561: Is the home of the Ogilvie Transportation Center (formerly Chicago & North Western Station), a major commuter rail terminal. The neighborhood is known for the aroma of chocolate emanating from the Blommer Chocolate Company . Greektown is a restaurant and nightlife corridor along Halsted Street between Van Buren and Madison Streets . In the late 19th century Greek immigrants settled

880-981: Is traditionally divided into the three "sides" of the North Side, West Side , and South Side by the Chicago River. These three sides are represented by the white stripes on the Flag of Chicago . The city is also divided into 50 wards for the purpose of electing one alderman each to the Chicago City Council . These wards have at times generated identities similar to neighborhoods. Unlike community areas, wards are adjusted decennially to account for population shifts. Another method of neighborhood nomenclature in heavily Catholic neighborhoods of Chicago has been to refer to communities in terms of parishes . For example, one might say, "I live in St. Gertrude's, but he

935-555: The Chicago City Council which undergo redistricting based in population movements, and the parishes of the Roman Catholic Church. The Social Science Research Committee at the University of Chicago defined the community areas in the 1920s based on neighborhoods or groups of related neighborhoods within the city. In this effort it was led by sociologists Robert E. Park and Ernest Burgess , who believed that physical contingencies created areas that would inevitably form

990-478: The Chicago River to form distinctive and consistent areas within the city, which he deemed "natural" areas that would eventually merge into a distinctive identity. Ernest Burgess , a colleague of Park's who shared his thinking, was crucial in creating and naming the community areas. Initially able to identify 400 neighborhoods of the city, he considered that number excessive and trimmed it down to 80 and thereafter 75 by grouping related neighborhoods into

1045-594: The Lake Michigan shoreline. The areas are used for statistical and planning purposes by such professions as assessors, charities, and reporters. Shortly after their development they were used for all kinds of statistics, including movie theater distribution and juvenile delinquency. Although developed by the University of Chicago, they have been used by other universities in the Chicago area, as well as by

1100-532: The 1920s, the market was congested and overcrowded. The City of Chicago built new streets parallel to the Chicago River and moved the market to the neighborhood, alongside the St. Charles Air Line . The three-story buildings were originally designed by the architects Fugard & Knapp. On July 10, 2003, the Chicago Planning Commission granted their approval on the sale of the produce market for

1155-661: The 19th century railroads became prominent features. In the mid-20th century, the area saw the development of freeways centered in the Jane Byrne Interchange . The area is home to the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago-Kent College of Law , and City Colleges' Malcolm X College . the United Center , the Illinois Medical District , Union Station , Ogilvie Station , and the Jane Byrne Interchange are also located in

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1210-405: The 2013–2014 school year this declined to 46%, and Linda Lutton of WBEZ stated that Irving "is largely ignored by the families who live here." As of that school year, 80% of Irving students originated from outside of the school's attendance zone, and according to Lutton it was "a neighborhood school in name only." Moses Montefiore Academy , a CPS special school for at-risk youth, was located in

1265-543: The 25th and 28th wards, represented by Democrats Daniel Solis and Jason Ervin , and smaller parts are within the 11th and 42nd wards, represented by Democrats Patrick Daley Thompson and Brendan Reilly. In the Illinois Senate , the Near West Side is located almost entirely in the 5th Legislative District, represented by Democratic Senator Patricia Van Pelt . In the Illinois House of Representatives , it

1320-576: The 6th Representative District, represented by Sonya Harper . Almost all of the area is part of Illinois's 7th congressional district , the most Democratically leaning district in the State of Illinois according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index , with a score of D+38, represented by Democrat Danny K. Davis . The southeasternmost jog is part of Illinois's 4th congressional district , the second-most Democratically leaning district in

1375-864: The Chicago Children's Advocacy Center, the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, Chicago Department of Public Health and the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. The Tri-Taylor neighborhood lies directly west of the Illinois Medical District. The neighborhood area roughly resembles a triangle with Interstate 290, Ogden Avenue, and industrial railroad tracks west of Western Avenue as

1430-547: The Goat by Stephanie Izard , and Leña Brava, founded by Rick Bayless who has since departed the establishment. The area has experienced rapid gentrification . A former manufacturing and warehousing area, many of the buildings have been converted to loft condominiums, restaurants, bars, and art galleries. Oprah Winfrey 's Harpo Studios were located on Randolph Street; the site is now the recently constructed corporate headquarters of McDonald's . The Fulton River District makes up

1485-469: The Hall of Fame moved its headquarters from Elmwood Park to Arlington Heights. The NIASHF enjoyed a new beginning in 1998 with the help of Phoenix Suns Chairman/CEO Jerry Colangelo . A 1994 Inductee and Chicago Heights native, Colangelo was asked by Randazzo to serve as Chairman of an ambitious new Hall of Fame building project in the heart of Chicago’s Little Italy. Colangelo accepted, and succeeded in bringing together civic-minded men and women from across

1540-600: The Italian restaurants Rosebud, Francesca's, Pompei and Al's No. 1 Italian Beef. There are other schools in this neighborhood. For example, Village Leadership Academy (VLA). Part of the Italian-American population of the neighborhood was displaced in the 1960s and 70s by the construction of UIC's east campus. The university is the source of the current name for the area. The 1980 novel Paper Fish by Tina De Rosa takes place in this community. University Village

1595-402: The Near West Side. Chicago Virtual Charter School , a public K-12 charter school, is also located in the Near West Side. St. Ignatius College Prep is an elite Catholic high school located in the Near West Side. Community areas of Chicago The city of Chicago is divided into 77 community areas for statistical and planning purposes. Census data and other statistics are tied to

1650-597: The Pilsen and Back of the Yards neighborhoods are much better known than their respective community areas Lower West Side and New City . In the case of New City this was a deliberate choice; Burgess opted for the less common "New City" to name the area as "Back of the Yards" carried a stigma after the publication of Upton Sinclair 's The Jungle (1904), which made the area notorious for its poor living conditions. Some of these discrepancies are due to names that were common at

1705-700: The Pink Line in 2006. The Douglas Park branch was part of the Blue Line until it was joined with the Connector to become a part of the Pink Line. Union and Ogilvie stations, major terminals for Metra and Amtrak trains, are on the eastern edge of the Near West Side. The Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad (AE&C), an interurban , used the Garfield Park branch and Metropolitan main line's tracks in

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1760-790: The West Side Center for Disease Control, the office for the Medical Examiner of Cook County, and Chicago Hope Academy (a private Christian high school that opened in the former St. Callistus School in 2005). The United Center opened its doors in 1994, replacing Chicago Stadium , which was located on the opposite side of Madison Street. The United Center is the home arena for the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks . The United Center hosts over 200 events per year and has drawn over 20 million visitors since its opening. The venue can seat between 20,000 and 25,000 people, depending on

1815-504: The area and competed with nearby Italians for business and jobs. The area previously bustled with Greek restaurants but has seen Greek influence decrease as inhabitants moved to Chicago suburbs. Greektown is home to the National Hellenic Museum , the nation's leading museum dedicated to the significant cultural contributions of Greek people. The neighborhood between the Illinois Medical District and UIC's east campus

1870-569: The area to access downtown from 1905 to 1953; however, within Chicago it only boarded westbound passengers and alighted eastbound passengers lest it compete with the "L". Orbitz has its headquarters in the Citigroup Center in the Near West Side. McDonald's moved its headquarters to West Loop in 2018. PepsiCo 's Chicago offices are in the Near West Side. Aeroméxico operates the Chicago Downtown Location on

1925-529: The area. The Garfield Park branch and main line were replaced by the Congress Line in the 1950s, which continues as part of the Blue Line. The Logan Square branch was replaced in revenue service by the Milwaukee-Dearborn subway in 1951, but was retained for non-revenue linkage to the rest of the "L" system as the " Paulina Connector "; it was renovated in the 2000s and reactivated as part of

1980-451: The areas, which serve as the basis for a variety of urban planning initiatives on both the local and regional levels. The areas' boundaries do not generally change, allowing comparisons of statistics across time. The areas are distinct from but related to the more numerous neighborhoods of Chicago; an area often corresponds to a neighborhood or encompasses several neighborhoods, but the areas do not always correspond to popular conceptions of

2035-552: The borders. The neighborhood is traditionally an extension of the Little Italy neighborhood to its east, although it has consistently been one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Chicago as it was situated on the borders of African American, Irish, Hispanic, and Italian areas. It is a residential area for students from UIC. The neighborhood is also home to the Chicago Technology Park research center as well as

2090-420: The city and regional planners. They have contributed to Chicago's reputation as the "city of neighborhoods", and are argued to break up an intimidating city into more manageable pieces. Chicago was an early adopter of such a system, and as of 1997 most cities in the United States still lacked analogous divisions. The areas do not necessarily correspond to popular imagination of the neighborhoods. For example,

2145-472: The community area. The West Loop lies along the western bank of the Chicago River . It generally includes the districts of Fulton River, Fulton Market, and Greektown. It is approximately bounded by Grand Avenue on the north, Ashland Avenue on the west, the Eisenhower Expressway on the south, and the Chicago River on the east. Popular restaurants line Randolph Street , including Girl and

2200-584: The community areas and suburbs, the most recent being data from 2018 published in June 2020 . Only two major changes have occurred in the boundaries of the community areas. O'Hare was created from land that was annexed by Chicago in 1956 to control O'Hare International Airport . Edgewater was separated from Uptown in 1980 as residents considered being joined to it a detriment to obtaining aid for local improvements. In addition to these two there have been minor changes due to further annexations and additions to

2255-608: The country in support of the project. In 2000 the new facility was dedicated as “The Jerry Colangelo Center,” a tribute to his efforts and leadership. There are over 230 Inductees enshrined in the NIASHF. The Grand Piazza was located on the third floor of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. This banquet and dining area featured an adjacent outdoor terrace and banquet space with a commercial kitchen, an event space used corporate luncheons, dinner meetings, weddings, or any sit-down reception of up to 300 guests. The Rooftop Terrace

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2310-467: The east, Racine to the west, and Harrison Street to the north. Taylor Street is part of University Village. Chicago's original produce market sat along the south side of the Chicago River, west of what is now Michigan Avenue . Incoming vessels could bring fruits and vegetables from the states located around the Great Lakes . This market became known as South Water Market because of its location. By

2365-685: The event. A statue of Michael Jordan stands in the "atrium". The area around the United Center used to be known for its notoriously high crime rate and housing projects off Lake Street and Damen known as the Henry Horner Homes , also known as "the Hornetz nest". Designated Chicago Landmarks in the Near West Side include: In the Chicago City Council , the plurality of the area is within 27th ward, represented by Democrat Walter Burnett Jr. , while substantial parts are located within

2420-507: The first floor at 954 West Washington Boulevard. The Consulate-General of Mexico in Chicago is located at 204 South Ashland Avenue. Previously, Trizec Properties 's headquarters and Chicago-area offices were in 10 S. Riverside Plaza. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) operates public schools. K-8 schools serving the Near West Side include W. Brown, Calhoun North, Dett, Herbert, Washington Irving , King, Mitchell, Otis, Plamondon, Skinner, and Smyth. Crane High School previously served as

2475-465: The inevitability of physically related areas forming a common bond have been questioned, and the unchanging nature of the areas has at times been seen as analytically problematic with major subsequent changes in the some of the areas' urban landscapes, such as the construction of expressways. During the 19th century wards were used by the Census Bureau for data at the level below cities. This

2530-533: The main Chicago Post Office at 433 West Harrison Street in the Near West Side. The post office is the only 24-hour post office in the United States. USPS also operates the Nancy B. Jefferson Post Office at 116 South Western Avenue. The Federal Bureau of Investigation Chicago Field Office is at 2111 W. Roosevelt Road. Interstates 290 and 90 both run through the Near West Side. Their interchange

2585-414: The neighborhoods due to a number of factors including historical evolution and choices made by the creators of the areas. As of 2020 , Near North Side is the most populous of the areas with over 105,000 residents, while Burnside is the least populous with just over 2,500. Other geographical divisions of Chicago exist, such as the "sides" with origin in the 3 branches of the Chicago River , the 50 wards of

2640-618: The north east area of the Near West Side, on the Chicago River just west of the Loop. The related Fulton Market area extends west of the Kennedy Expressway as far as Union Park . The district is a former manufacturing and current transportation corridor turned mixed-use commercial and residential neighborhood. The neighborhood includes warehouses that have been converted to loft condominiums , new construction high rise condominiums and apartments, high rise and mid rise business offices, retail and restaurants. The Fulton River District

2695-594: The portion of the Green Line running through the area, has been in operation since 1893. The Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railroad , another company that built the "L", opened several branches of rapid transit in the area in 1895 and 1896. These branches included the Logan Square , Garfield Park , and Douglas Park branches , which all converged into the Metropolitan main line at Marshfield station in

2750-400: The posthumous induction of her late husband, Coach Vince Lombardi. In the years that followed, celebrities from all walks of life have come to the annual induction ceremonies to pay tribute to outstanding Italian American sports champions and heroes. An uninvited guest took part in the 1980 induction ceremony: President Jimmy Carter offered his congratulations and addressed the crowd. In 1988

2805-619: The state, with a Cook score of D+33, represented by Democrat Luis Gutiérrez . The Near West Side community area has supported the Democratic Party in the past two presidential elections. In the 2016 presidential election , the Near West Side cast 20,622 votes for Hillary Clinton and cast 3,094 votes for Donald Trump (82.68% to 12.40%). In the 2012 presidential election , the Near West Side cast 18,068 votes for Barack Obama and cast 4,234 votes for Mitt Romney (79.51% to 18.63%). The United States Postal Service (USPS) operates

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2860-419: The time of the adoption of community areas but have since been supplanted by others. The static nature of area boundaries is one of their benefits, but is also problematic at times such as when expressways were built in the mid-20th century and divided neighborhoods without area boundaries adapting. The concept of a "natural area" that underpinned Park's and Burgess's thinking has also been challenged. Chicago

2915-508: The zoned high school for the Near West Side. CPS announced in 2012 that Crane was to be converted into a magnet school for medical sciences. Whitney M. Young Magnet High School is also in the Near West Side. Washington Irving School is located in Tri-Taylor. In the 2000–2001 school year, of the area children who attended CPS schools (the figure does not include those who attended private schools nor charter schools), 69% attended Irving. By

2970-791: Was built in 1883. The University of Illinois at Chicago's origins in the District can be traced to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, founded in 1881. In 1917, the State acquired the vacated West Side Park located at Polk and Wolcott for the university. The district is also home to University of Illinois Medical Center , Rush University Medical Center , Rush University , University of Illinois College of Medicine , Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary , UIC College of Dentistry , UIC College of Pharmacy , Jesse Brown VA, The Neuropsychiatric Institute, Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center , Chicago Lighthouse , Illinois Forensic Science Center , West Side CDC,

3025-604: Was problematic as wards were political subdivisions and thus changed after each census, limiting their utility for comparisons over time. Census tracts were first used in Chicago in the 1910 Census . However, by the 1920s the Social Science Research Committee at the University of Chicago wanted divisions that were more natural and manageable than the arbitrarily-designated and numerous census tracts. The sociologist Robert E. Park led this charge, considering physical barriers such as railroads and

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