A DYING, Decaying, Dangerous, Declining Italian Mob Town | Chicago Heights, Illinois

Chicago Heights is about 26 miles south of the Chicago Loop. The town was built through blue-collar industries. Jobs were once plenty here through steel mills, chemical factories and other types of manufacturers. When Chicago Heights was first growing, the city saw a substantial amount of Italian immigrants. Overtime, the Chicago Outfit (an Italian gang) which was lead by Al Capone set up a branch in Chicago Heights. The city became a hub for alcohol sales during the prohibition era. During the great depression, the Italian Mob brought in more money to the local economy than any other industry did. Other gangs made their precense known in the city in the 1960's when public housing projects were built in the eastside of town. Chicago Heights' population peaked in 1970 before experiencing extreme decline. Today, Downtown is miserable looking and the eastside is almost completely empty. Although, there are some neat looking Victorian style mansions on the westside of town that have been nicely preserved over the years.
0:00 - 0:30 Intro
0:30 - 2:23 Welcome to the eastside of Chicago Heights
2:23 - 5:05 Empty Downtown
5:05 - 11:00 What life in the town is like today
11:00 - 23:32 Economic History
23:32 - 31:41 Chicago Outfit, Italian Mob, other gang history
31:41 - 33:10 High Schools
33:10 - 41:26 Chris's Livability Score
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[@ChrisHarden]

See more of Chicago Heights through this video here >>> (available on Monday at 10am ET) kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3TUqGObi5Z2e7M - Sorry for sucking. The house that I highlighted towards the end, 2606 Chicago Rd isn’t Al Capone’s former home. That houses address also is not “2606 Chicago Road.” I saw a source that Al Capone used to live in a “Victorian style mansion” at 26th and Chicago Road, so I assumed that it was the lone Victorian style home at 26th and Chicago Rd. Problem is, that the house I was looking for no longer stands and was on the southwest corner of the intersection, rather than the house that I highlighted which is on the northwest side of the intersection. Al Capone apparently had at least one other address in Chicago Heights too. - Now with that over with, carry on! Chicago Suburbs Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLkAKbwTlGHeILgN75aeaBe0EHvhBHyagP American Hoods Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLkAKbwTlGHeLYlKLyBm1dGc7MRpNhCBZX Illinois Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLkAKbwTlGHeKoOBxconpFSyUSO32NKREy Help me grow my 2nd channel! www.youtube.com/@chrishardenarchives ==================================================================== EVERYTHING THAT I USE IN THE FIELD: Main Camera: amzn.to/3iS4vvF Side Cameras: amzn.to/2WuCYIs Media Mod for Camera: amzn.to/3j7CMGF Lav Mic: amzn.to/3lsMkz9 Drone: amzn.to/3ITcKBV SD Cards: amzn.to/3C2co9O Camera Mounts: amzn.to/2UXVR6p Cables Required for Longer Recordings: amzn.to/3BYnr3Q Computer: amzn.to/3787b2j External Hard Drive: amzn.to/3lb23Tf WHAT I USE AT HOME: Computer: amzn.to/3rKIdiN Sound Mixer: amzn.to/3C15Ubx Microphone: amzn.to/2VaCjvo Microphone Accessories: amzn.to/3v7A35Z INTERACTIVE MAP that shows you all of the places that I've made videos on: (Doesn't always work on mobile devices. Will always work on PC.) www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edit?hl=en&mid=1Lhzf04ocimPu-ROkg4cfXEYEvKMNnlI5&ll=34.29834970801405%2C-91.53765609999999&z=5 SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTACT INFO: Email: [e-mail] On Twitter: twitter.com/Chris_Harden55 On Instagram: instagram.com/c_harden7 On Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisHardenYT DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. As an Amazon Associate I do earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. As always, thank you for supporting my channel!

[@FixItStupid]

Good Report TY

[@man_on_wheelz]

I live on the far west side of Chicago Heights. First home, just bought it 2 years ago, it's just me, so far living here has been ok. It's rare, but obviously more often than it should be, I do hear gun shots in the area. The way they're being fired though, sounds more like they just want to drive the neighborhood cost down, not actually shooting at anyone. It's happened about 3 times in my 2 years here, but otherwise it's a very quiet neighborhood with very little shady activity, all things considered. My neighbors are friendly and talkative, we look out for one another, there are several abandoned houses in my neighborhood but like my house, they are slowly getting renovated one by one so hopefully this attracts decent buyers like myself. The city is currently in the middle of a very ambitious replacement of the storm sewers in the area resulting in resurfacing and re-curbing some much needed roads, so this helps beautify the area a little bit. They've already done the road in front of my house and it looks and feels fantastic. I can only hope things improve over the years since I've put my money into it, but I know not to fully count on it, I'll just do my part as a trouble-free, working-class resident occupying at least one property.

[@charleykeenan6171]

You are really making a difference! Not just talking. REALLY doing it! You should be proud 👏

[@ChrisHarden]

That’s awesome. Chicago Heights needs more like you to move in and buy up the homes

[@aps125]

West side of the town (and north of Lincoln Hw) isn’t too bad I suppose.

[@man_on_wheelz]

@@aps125 Yeah, I'm south of Lincoln Hwy., little dicey looking but still not too bad.

[@brianwells4507]

The problem with the Heights is the city taxes on businesses. They've been climbing too fast over the last 15 years. One long time restaurant finally pulled out and relocated to Monee. The owner said she didn't want to move and missed the steady patrons, but had no choice? There just wasn't any profit anymore

[@mookiepookie444]

My family on both sides is from Chicago Heights. My grandparents never left that town and I’m grateful for that because the Heights was “home.” I went to school at St. Agnes and drove down Chicago Rd. everyday. My grandfather Giulio Filippi owned a barbershop, his brother (great uncle) Robert Filippi was the school principal at Grant Elementary, (uncle, my mother’s brother) Brian Filippi was Cpt. of Chicago Heights Fire department. My family was and is proud to be from the Heights. 🇮🇹♥🇮🇹 Respectfully speaking, you drove through the “armpit” of the town. Lol In highschool, Arnold St. and Sunrise apts is where we went to buy weed (sorry Ma).🤭 There were so many people outside that area in the late 90’s. I’m honestly surprised you were not pulled over😅. One thing is for certain is Chicago Heights has the BEST fireworks on the Fourth and is home of the BEST Italian sausage ever!! Shout out to Dino’s and D&D’s!♥ Chicago Heights is really big, hopefully you were able to see the homes and buisnesses in the better parts of town. Thanks for sharing and God bless!🙏🏼

[@jerrydethomas8058]

went to Grant in the 1950's...the old Grant on 26th Street...played tons of softball there after school...played hardball in a field that my friend's father turned into a baseball field for us that was located across from the 'new' Grant school on Miller Ave...that father was married to the Vera Emory shown in the photo with Capone at 27:30 of this video...spent a lot time at their home growing up, playing hockey in their basement, swiping homemade wine from kegs in that basement and playing football in a lot between their house and old Grant school...great memories...my dad, sometime in the early 1930's, had a softball game in that same lot when some of the 'boys' showed up...he said some of them joined in on the game including Machine Gun Kelley...

[@slimcarter3738]

You probably bought weed from my dad

[@italialove70]

Wow I'm italian too I'm surprised your family didn't move to melrose Elmwood park area that's where I grew up in melrose park.

[@elizabethcavazos675]

Robert Filippi was my principal at Wilson Elementary back in the 70's ❤

[@briansierzega]

I went to Marian Catholic in the late 80’s early 90’s, and no joke, bought a case of beer with my football jersey on… but with a fake ID at Dino’s!! Those were the days! lol

[@djdragonlee6640]

In defense of Chicago heights, that last murder of the 5 year old occurred in Park Forest not chi heights

[@brettjolliff]

Thats cute

[@glendapalms1686]

Yep ! he try to sound like < and kill their grandaug < he'll I seeing video after videos of white folks not only killing the whole family but the dog * and cat * and even the neighbors dog * < so who ever hired him are like those others ride from city to city from state to state ...saying the same thang " oh what a shame " "blk folks" 😅😅😅😂

[@brianwells4507]

As a 15 year old kid, we snuck out of the house with some buddy's in his moms car. It's 12 o'clock at night, non of us even hsd a driver's license! But we all got in "The Vagabond Lounge", a fully nude strip joint and drank beers! Fun times, although as a Grandpa now I wouldn't advise that activity now 😅? This was in the mid 70's

[@markshaw5661]

lol! if you don't know the Vagabond, you don't know 'da heights...

[@briansierzega]

How bout Jimmys? lol

[@CaptainGanja]

I used to deliver pizzas to some of the ladies at the Vagabond and Jimmy's in the 90s and early 2000s. Loved all the nude eye candy! 😎👍

[@markshaw5661]

Which pizza?

[@CaptainGanja]

​@@markshaw5661 Faso's Pizza.

[@sammysam2615]

Born at St James, lived on Halsted for a number of years. Moved out long ago but a lot of childhood memories. Pilatto and Tocco kept the streets safe. You should read a book called "The Boys in Chicago Heights" Organized crime was in Chicago Heights before Al Capone. That book I mentioned tells the story

[@mookiepookie444]

My grandfather use to talk about Tocco when he came home from work. From what I understood, he was a real pos. His wife was the first mob wife ever to testify against her husband.

[@skivvywaver]

The large decorative shade trees still line empty streets with the houses gone. How cool.

[@jerrydethomas8058]

The 'Bloom High School' you show did not open in 1900...it opened in 1934...my Pop says he had to carry his desk from the 'old' Bloom when the new school opened (he was 16 at the time)...at 32:37 of the video is the field house that was built when I first entered Bloom...I had that honor to be the first student to have his rear-end pushed through one of the windows that formed a dome around the field house...I'm so proud of my achievement...the principal didn't agree...

[@nikimbacollins2163]

I was born in the heights at St. James hospital in 1977 and it was thriving. My father worked at Ford. Then we moved to Matteson in 86. My parents moved to the Heights in 1965. Things have really changed but I do have family that still live on the Westside. My family also owned a building on the Eastside but it burn down long time ago.

[@brettjolliff]

Its a damn shame nobody respects where they live,throwing garbage out the window on the ground not cutting their grass,not keeping up with anything that involves work and this is the outcome. Then everybody wants to say im rascist and this and that,I was born in Gary Indiana which was also a huge thriving town and now look at it. Its just facts,my best friend is black so dont come at me with that race card bs.have a nice day brother,lock your doors and keep it cocked and locked

[@brettjolliff]

Forgot to say,was born in 83 in Gary,so same sad story

[@sonnylee8128]

I lived in Da Heights from 1978 until 2020 moving way South in Indiana. We lived in Mayor Panici’s neighborhood. Needless to say it was well protected and maintained. It was well known that the “mob” controlled most everything but they kept the Heights safe and flourishing. As time went on and the mob element was replaced by crude gang elements, things really began to deteriorate. In the 50s and 60s, I remember going to the downtown where there were stores such as Carsons’, Pennys, and high end shops and restaurants. We raised our 3 kids sending them to Marian and Bloom. We enrolled our kids in Park Districts great programs. Our neighborhood was originally very Italian but by the 90s it was very mixed and was still fairly safe. By the 2000s crime and decline increased. By 2020 we had to move. Most all of the towns/villages, have been in decline in the last 20 years. It is sad. Thanks for your research/video.

[@cpd95]

The Heights was a nice place while it was mob run but when the G went after the mob it left a vacuum that the gangs filled.

[@suecole2712]

Chicago Heights certainly isn't what it used to be but this video spends most of iits time on blighted east side. Even the "near west side" doesn't reflect the city adequately. I noticed you spent a lot of time in the same blocks. I grew up in Homewood, just north of CH, and lived nearby most of my life. (Nearby Park Forest has an interes ting history as well.) I wish Chris had driven down more of Lincoln Highway, Dixie Hwy from Holbrook to Rt. 30, and Joe Orr Rd. It doesn't all look like this video. I do enjoy your videos Chris, none the less.

[@landrat3481]

Agreed, my young adults & I have been living off of Vollmer Rd & Dixie highway for about three years. We love it.The homes are nice, I don't think I've heard gun shots at all,no abandoned buildings, the neighborhood is diverse & pretty quiet. Neighbors are nice,everyone seems to mind their business & are courteous of their neighbors. My family & I have always been assets to communities we've entered so we feel safe here. We have no complaints.

[@oaxaca1948]

right, he doesn't talk about anything positive.

[@glendapalms1686]

I don't where this fool was driving the first 10 or 15 mins...whoever hired him > he ain't even over 40 yrs < don't hav a clue about the Hgts ... Wow ! 😅

[@kaditriearth]

Exactly. He only spent time south of Lincoln highway. The part of Chicago Heights that’s in pretty bad shape. He didn’t go north of Lincoln highway. I live in that part of Chicago Heights. Our school district is even different from the east and south Heights. Chicago Heights is way bigger than what he’s showing.. As a matter of fact, Marion catholic , the high school he showed, is in the better part of the Heights, in my neighborhood. Now what would have been a dope video, would have been to show the difference between how one part of the same city can look completely different from the other . But I guess he only wanted to present the destitute part of Chicago Heights. other than that, I appreciate most of his videos.

[@jacob-v8567]

​@kaditriearth yup I lived off Roberta by prairie state. That whole side should've been shown solely on how vastly different it is.

[@joannunemaker6332]

Wonderful research on Al Capone. He was always so mysterious. I didn't know he operated out of Chicago Heights. I love this video!😊❤

[@DarekKoczwara]

I always thought he rolled in Cicero, IL. I guess I was wrong all this time, just saying...

[@EmilyTienne]

He really was out of Cicero, after coming out of NY.

[@m.e.5482]

He was all over da place. Even in2 indiana. Has houses everywhere, literally damn near every city surrounding Chicago.

[@glendapalms1686]

that tunnel they run underground start from the snack- bar > right off of Wentworth and Lincoln Hwy. all the way to Chicago... even in Steger... ( this fool need to learn from those Who knew ) 😮...

[@Lpm920]

@@DarekKoczwarahe was in Cicero at the Hotel. But he had a big had in the Heights

[@angelatoni3296]

This is sad and amazing! I was born at St James hospital where my father was a physician. St Agnes for two years. I remember the Lincoln Theatre and Karelia Korn shop. I’m very proud of my beginnings and my Italian heritage. Thanks for the drive past my house and for getting my family reminiscing about some very good wholesome times. ❤

[@bobthompson29]

Nicely done Chris, however I would have included a minute or two on St. James Hospital that served the Chicago Heights community for 108 years. Closed in 2018 and demolished in 2019.

[@JerryHunt92]

My son was born there in 2016😢

[@heatherframpton9693]

Very sad about that. 😢

[@dashawnamilons3229]

My 2nd daughter was born there December 20, 2016

[@PhoenixEvolution]

Can't believe it was demolished. Had the kids there still 2010/2012

[@ChubbyCox13]

Both of my kids were born there, and my father died there.

[@flamingostringfellow5399]

Chris your video is spot on concerning The Heights and Ford Heights, IL. I lived in both towns but got the heck out of there in 1971 right after I graduated from Bloom High School. I lived in an Eastside tenement house and then the Projects aka The Bronx in Ford Heights. The gangs invaded the area in the late 60s and by the 1970s factories began to move out of the area. A mixture of gangs, unemployment, poverty, crime and political corruption made this place unlivable for me. I remember police corruption was so prevalent that I actually grew up thinking gambling and prostitution was not illegal because it was not enforced. I still have fond memories of my Alma Mater Bloom Township High School and I will always be a Trojan.

[@guyincognito210]

Sad to hear Lorenzeti's closed a couple years ago.

[@ginnyf5931]

Nicely done Chris. Always enjoy your videos

[@10forthebigguy753]

Illinois property taxes are eight times higher than Florida

[@kennetho5393]

My IL tax bill this year is estimated at $6,400. I have a 3 bedroom (now 4) 1,500 SF single story home. I'm not even in a pricey area. Crazy.

[@jay-vd6rt]

It may be that high but these people don’t pay a dime and haven’t for 25 years plus . This is why these cities are broke.!and this current administration has sent all the jobs overseas and to China .

[@franklawrence1975]

So what. Florida is a Fascist state

[@WARLOCH24]

@@franklawrence1975 Stop using word the “fascist” like that. It’s embarrassing, just as much as the boomers that called Obama a communist 😂

[@johng5710]

@@franklawrence1975 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@enriquegallegos4172]

You got to remember people couldn't afford to send their kids to a private school. Plus your only looking at one side of the town. I'm proud to come out of Chicago Heights and proud of my parents that raised 3 great kids especially living in Da Heights.

[@landrat3481]

My young adults & I have been living off of Vollmer Rd & Dixie highway for about three years. We love it.The homes are nice, I don't think I've heard gun shots at all,no abandoned buildings, the neighborhood is diverse & pretty quiet. In summer months the neighbors might have backyard parties every now & then, which is cool. Gives us a slight "city feel" at home & they don't bother anyone .Neighbors are nice & everyone seems to mind their business & are courteous of their neighbors. My family & I have always been assets to communities we've entered & never liabilities.We feel safe here. We have no complaints. We only go where we need to go & back home. I don't think I've ever been to some of the areas in CH you highlighted. Thanks for the history on CH💞

[@rebeccahale4673]

I would love to be able to look inside of these old houses.

[@briansierzega]

Commenting as I watch, but I grew up in Homewood and went to Marian Catholic HS in the heights and ran around that area in the late 80’s and 90’s. Both of my daughters were born and my grandma recently passed away at St James Hospital. I even had surgery there as recently as 2018. I was shocked when I went down there within the last 6 months to find that the hospital was completely gone and was reduced to a vacant corner lot. It was truly sad to see a bit of history removed…

[@tombeveridge7453]

Pretty much Chicago Heights, Park Forest, Richton Park, Harvey, Markham, Steger are all town with high crime rates now. Pretty a town you wouldn’t want to live in. My brother lived in Chicago Heights at the beginning of 2000 and it wasn’t too bad but all these towns lost companies and took a turn for the worse. The demographics of each town pretty much says it all. Crime data puts all these towns as bad places to live. It’s ashame how towns with a great history start falling apart. I wish there was away to get these towns back on track. Ford Heights will dissolve itself over the next 10-20 years because it’s just falling apart year after year.

[@atatterson6992]

@@tombeveridge7453 It's rather apparent he doesn't like to bring up demographics. He says Bloom HS is to be avoided like the plague, the school is 2% white.

[@Dimi374]

@@tombeveridge7453what about Sauk Village?

[@Dimi374]

I can’t remember the restaurant that I worked at in Homewood but I had a blast working there. This was in early 2000.

[@briansierzega]

@@Dimi374 Early 2000, the place to be was Bogarts Steakhouse. If that’s the place, a friend of mine that I worked with downtown owned it. It was always a good time there and my buddy was a super chill dude.

[@triplelindys]

I was born at St. James in the early 70's and grew up one town over in Park Forest, which has also slid down from what it was. It's a shame, growing up there was fantastic. You never had to worry about much of anything relating to crime and always felt safe.

[@louslugga9887]

I was waiting on you to do Chicago heights

[@shelbyz1974]

The gloomy day matches the degredation of the city. I really like the factoid additions in the video. Interesting drive Chris.👍

[@aliensojourner]

Your videos are very interesting and informative...thank you!

[@billharden7127]

Many years ago as a truck driver i had a few stops off Lincoln hwy. Never was comfortable there.

[@warbirdwf]

Holy shit... those roads there are brutal....Clearly, Chicago heights is another shining example of a rust belt city that lost its manufacturing/jobs and lots of its population. Add white flight that leaves only the poor population still there, equals what you see in lots of these rust belt cities.. Sad.

[@ronv6637]

NAFTA destroyed or relocated everything but the heavy industry that just can't be moved and undercut that with wage arbitration. How do you compete with slave labor and zero regulation?

[@brettjolliff]

White fight happened cause people moved in to what they built and destroyed it by not cutting their yards,robbing and killing eachother,selling drugs,gangbanging,letting shit fall apart and not ever fixing shit all the while hating on the white man who built the place and made it so damn beautiful and such a nice place to live,just like Gary Indiana,Detroit Michigan,but you see what happened when the whites left,just utter lack of respect and pride for their own city,you cant rep the hood your from if all you did was tear it down. Sorry for the rant,I love all people just wish we could all have the same pride and respect level as their was in the begginging,and stop blaming the white man who pays taxes for low income houseing and food stamps,whites dont get a free check at the first of the month,aint no checks cashed places in white areas. Prove me wrong. Peace and love to all the people whi cherish their roots.

[@deliciamo]

I appreciate you doing this. The issues with these areas and the abandonment are the property taxes. It's the same issue in Ford heights, Park Forest, Rivderdale, and Harvey. This will soon be the same problem in Dolton,and Markham.

[@Steven_Williams]

Cool video, thanks for the memories. My grandmother used to live on 16th and Center My grandfather lived on Parnell Ave. just off Lincoln Hwy. My mom and my aunts all went to Bloom Township HS. My parents would always take me to watch the trains in the area when visiting my grandparents. Spread my mother's ashes at Woodrow Wilson Forest Preserves because she use to play there as a little girl.

[@davehawash2255]

I would love to see you do one on Harvey. I think Harvey has the most interesting story, and hustory than Chicago Heights, but Chicago Heights is second IMO

[@bufordmaddogtannen5164]

Calumet city is better

[@Sai-xc8ij]

I was born n raised there. Born at Ingalls. That would be pretty interesting.

[@Sai-xc8ij]

​@@bufordmaddogtannen5164Yea, i used to live there. Went to Caroline Sibley. Its becoming trashier every day though, just like the shit hole Dolton. I lived there too, and went to Lincoln middle school as well as Thornridge High. All of those areas are failing.

[@mobilemowers]

The high school has a 500-pound globe of the world ( made of cherry wood), one of five built in World War II. I saw that while back. Today, only three of the five original globes can be found. There are very few high schools in country that has such direct artifacts of WWII history as Bloom does. …”couldn’t be prouder”

[@jerrydethomas8058]

1963 Bloom graduate and I echo your thoughts...My Pop was in the first classes when 'new' Bloom was opened...he said he and fellow classmates had to carry their desks from old Bloom, later to become the Chicago Heights police station, to the new building...under the old school was the 'Morgue' where on Fridays, in the 50's and 60's, after football and basketball games, dances were held...

[@Tenebarum]

A rainy Friday night, cheap wine, mac and cheese with shrimp, and a 40 minute Chris Harden video. The only way it could be better is a 2 litter of the Dew.

[@YeseniaV92]

Adam Carola calls mountain dew the 'nectar of the t @ r d s' 😂

[@mariecampbell3373]

Or Sprite.

[@surecockhomes]

not just this videos all of your videos amazing work.

[@joe51av]

Great video, really got a feel for what it was and what it is today. South Cook County seems very blighted and overall dangerous. I think you may find great historical pasts in places like Melrose Park, Stone Park, and Maywood Illinois, also Former mob run towns that have changed.

[@franklawrence1975]

Those are western suburbs

[@chrystallee5528]

South Cook County is not, "very blighted and overall dangerous". There are some places that have experienced blight but there are also many lovely neighborhoods and many beautiful homes. It's the Blue Collar Suburbs. Where most Americans come from. What would you expect?

[@ashtolbert7466]

It's funny that he only stuck to the East side of the Heights. I guess there is no north side. Show the whole picture to the people, not just a sliver. Not everyone is avoiding Bloom Township high school

[@Sai-xc8ij]

Most definitely. Im in South Chicago Heights. I too am a homeowner here. All of my neighbors are very cool, to themselves, we speak occasionally, and its very quiet over here. We're right after the forest preserve by Steger down sauk trail. I used to think this area Park Forest. I wish they'd fix our side a lil better like they did on Lincoln Hwy. For the most part, its pretty calm and no drama whatsoever.

[@guyincognito320]

Yeah because South Heights is still white

[@paulherbert5548]

Used to go to Luigi's Pizza in the Heights to see rock bands like Cheap Trick perform in the mid 1970s. The Heights back then was gritty but safe.

[@mexton]

I was born in St James Hospital in 1962 lived there til 1980. I’m really sad that everything is gone now but I have great memories of growing up in the Heights.

[@LittleMariog]

Not only you travel but do a lot of research I like that btw your videos change so far and look better

[@scoobtube5746]

I love how you put "Italian" in the title while never really saying who's really responsible for the decay, LOL.

[@peterruddick1952]

Have driven rte 30 thru CH to my son's farm near Joliet, was shocked and anxious to get past that stretch. Strange, b/c surrounding towns are not so bad. For example, when I lived in Chi Gold Coast 2002, I had friends in nearby Crete... such a nice little town

[@chrystallee5528]

I live in Crete. I love it here. Rural, quiet, picturesque, safe. Reminds me of Andy Griffiths, Mayberry. Luckily, it's so far away from the city of Chicago that no one wants to drive out here.😊

[@portapotty69]

Exactly. Chicago Heights/Ford Heights is the worst stretch along Route 30, period. It's not a safe area at all. You can get Sauk Trail off of 30 and bypass the ghetto, if you ever go back to Joliet.

[@markscott5421]

I remember going thru Chicago Heights in the 70's to visit family that lived in Country Club Hills IL. We would drive by the Ford plant on US 30 and even then the Heights was rough and looking at the video of today it continues it's downhill decline.

[@eddiestacks1585]

Hi 👋 Chris, Born and raised chicagoan here. i was recently briefly living in chicago hieghts this past february, and it’s kind of ironic that u created this video around that time, and i can say that this video is absolutely stunning!!! the youtube algorithm just recommended yiur video to me and i liked and subbed keep up the good work. ps i was living right by the creek on 14th street, the one u mentioned in your video by the founders cabin !!! so awesome 👏 love your work man keep it up 👍🏽 will check out your channel next. hopefully u do other chicago townships like melrose park (mob influenced), the back of the yards (historically iconic) cicero, etc…

[@Wo1fLarsen]

I live in Lynwood, other side of 394. It's decent, but I really want to get over into Indiana. Good video.

[@Misspattylove7]

Me too. Indiana

[@JV-mw7gv]

Grew up in Lynwood, I could see people driving on 394 from my bedroom window.

[@uncleremus7380]

It's full.

[@billwilson-es5yn]

There's plenty of nice houses for sale in Gary!

[@YeseniaV92]

​@@uncleremus7380full of hill rods

[@user-le2yl5wh6d]

Chicago Heights slowly reverting to it's 1833 one house roots.

[@bradyhagen7789]

I really want to see you do Madison Wisconsin. It would be so interesting to see which areas you would choose to go through. I know its hard to get to so many places but it would be cool to see. Thanks for your hard work making these vidoes.

[@MelodyChiappetta]

See this is what happens when you go after the Italian Mob. Italians took care of the neighborhood, Now look at it!!! hmmm i wonder why... lmao

[@nochey78]

False…. Jobs and industries are what took care of the neighborhood… When those dried up, everything went downhill. Coincidence???

[@melissareiger1387]

I lived in Chicago Heights as a young children. Thank you for the video!

[@marcuscicero9587]

oh I used to have some fun in Chicago Heights in my younger years. fortunate not to lose my immortal soul there

[@glennmcgee1729]

Hi Chris, I've enjoyed your videos for years and grew up on the north side of Chicago Heights west of Prairie State College. Growing up in that area was idyllic like a Leave it to Beaver neighborhood. Showing that area would have been a bit more of an honest review since it is still decent. Da Heights is a smaller version of Pittsburgh now.

[@user-qs5yr6bg8n]

Let us be real, what killed all of the South Suburbs including Chicago Heights? It was the same thing that killed Roseland, Dolton, Harvey, Glenwood,, Hazel Crest, Park Forest, Park Forest South, East Chicago Heights, Sauk Village Glenwood, and on and on. It was a culture that refused to assimilate. Nothing more, nothing less. Taking care of a house, yard, neighborhood or in general pride in town. Not me and I don’t care people did this, period. No one else is responsible. The last one out shut the lights off.

[@indyguy3400]

People love to tip toe around that, but its usually pretty obvious.

[@socialisttrafficregulator2015]

I've traveled through the Heights often using US 30. Never had a lick of crime issues as it's basically empty. (Commercial driver)

[@buejean]

Jerry Colangelo lived on the Hill and went to Bloom. Also big time gangster in the 70 was Albert Tocco. We moved to Chicago Heights in 1969 from Texas when my Dad got a job at Ford motor company. I lived there until 2010. I lived in the Hill area.

[@jerrydethomas8058]

did you have a few beers at Tony's Place?...I graduated with Tony in 1963...his wife Dale graduated in 1964...

[@buejean]

@@jerrydethomas8058 No, I believe it closed down by the time I turned 21. They raised the drinking age when I turned 18. My Dad drank at Keynote on 22nd street and sometimes at 3 Star.

[@jerrydethomas8058]

I went to a great bachelor party at the 3 Star...nice fashion show... @@buejean

[@donmorajr8898]

I move to Chicago hts in 1966 and also got a job at ford stamping.moved back to Texas 20 years ago. I never forget paying city 700.00 cause I sold my home and moved out of the hts

[@The1stClassVillain]

Yayyyy! He back in Illinois! I like the Illinois videos. Hopkins Park and Rantoul is my favorite ones

[@user-zh3mv7ln1i]

Enzo's kicked ass! Great food!

[@markhewitt4307]

The picture at 24:28 is the corner of 26th Street and Chicago Road. There's an empty gas station there now where that house stood. I was just there in that area yesterday.

[@BeefSupreme-vk9sz]

Please do my hometown of Melrose Park IL if you want a sad decline story, my grandfather built many houses there in the 30's-40's

[@aps125]

West of Chicago Hts is the small village of Olympia Fields, where R Kelly used to reside. I lived in that neck of the woods briefly during the 90s. The decline has already started but wasn’t as blight as today.

[@franklawrence1975]

North West of the Heights .

[@cle-chi]

Rudolf Isley too. From the Isley bros group

[@phillipmarlowe0525]

@@cle-chi Yes Rudy brought Kelly’s home. Before Kelly had it the house was owned by a man who owned six McDonalds franchises.

[@africkinamerican]

My brother lived in Park Forest and used to run into R from time to time at Walgreens, believe it or not. he also lived downstairs from one of R's songwriters he had in his stable. that was back before anybody knew the shady sh!t he was into. I didn't meet him until 2002 but that was at the "Ali" premiere downtown. By that time, things about his freaky fetishes were beginning to leak out. (Sorry for the pun)

[@zealousjay1993]

That's a crazy sight

[@coachbobkapustka4803]

nice soundtracks. great channel

[@familylifescienceeducation5227]

Chris, job well done.

[@stevoschannel4127]

Eerily, i drove across the entire country recently, and the whole country looks like that…Good thing we have so much money to invest overseas…

[@TomintheD]

Hey Chris love these videos! (Tom from Hite Photo)

[@ChrisHarden]

Thank you!

[@albertsancho5909]

You left out the old St James hospital that was on US 30 and Chicago Road. That's where my grandma past in 2010. Are you going to do Bolingbrook video soon?

[@aps125]

FYI the old hospital has been torn down for several years now. Bolingbrook is a typical boring suburban town. Nothing really interesting to show off

[@guywesterman7274]

i grew up in an excellent Chicago Heights neighborhood in the 70's between Vollmer Rd and Joe Orr road. it was the typical Leave it to Beaver type neighborhood. the opening of Sears mall in park forest and Lincoln mall in Matteson, destroyed Chicago heights. City planners & politicians were corrupt and didn't care about the future of Chicago Heights

[@The_best_days_are_yesterdays]

The "Sears Mall" is correctly known as The Park Forest Plaza.

[@The_best_days_are_yesterdays]

@@Zathrian451 I will say this: I grew up and came of age in Richton Park in the 60s & 70s and lived in the Heights in the 80s. My "stomping grounds" as it were, included those two plus all the surrounding towns/villages. The blight that has overtaken these areas just breaks my heart; even the Rich Township high schools - East, Central, and South are "gone." Truly, you can't go home again. But it's nice to reminisce with those who shared the same place and time.

[@The_best_days_are_yesterdays]

@@Zathrian451 Yes. I graduated from South in 77. They've changed the name, the mascot, and the purpose. It is now Rich Township High School Fine Arts and Communications Campus and the mascot, which used to be The Stars, is now The Raptors. Rich Central is also renamed and repurposed. It is now Rich Township High School STEM Campus. Everything about it is gone. There are no athletic, no mascots, no activities, no band, no nothing. Apparently there is some kind of 'transitional' campus also on-site. Rich East bit the dust completely just a few years ago. All of this news has been hard for me to take; I imagine so for many of our classmates and alumni.

[@guywesterman7274]

@@The_best_days_are_yesterdays this guys YT Channel has 2 video drive throughs of current Chicago Heights. i grew up there between 1968 and 1980 and 44 years later it is definitely 3rd world country now. Chris Harden's Travel Archives - A Town That's Hanging Onto What's Left | Chicago Heights, Illinois

[@r3dyskunkteam904]

I love to see the outcome of you walking and driving around Ford Heights

[@Ahrudmcmahoney12399]

I’m an estate planning attorney. And, despite how much I love IL history, I actively encourage my clients to move out of the state.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Taxes really bad?

[@Thelawncarenut]

This was really well done. I sold lawn care door to door in Chicago Heights in the late 1990s through 2010. It was pretty rough then too.

[@ChrisHarden]

Thank you, and I bet

[@radicalmoderate2730]

"The Hill" oh that brings back found memories lol. Damn Enzo's closed. Brother please tell me Jimmy's is still open lol, and why didn't you highlight it lol

[@ChubbyCox13]

Jimmy's is still open.

[@GeoffreyMorrison-xh2eo]

Thanks for doing all this, Chris! I consider it mandatory viewing. If we can get fusion going, the world's outlook should brighten a great deal It seems to me that there's plenty of space for everyone....

[@MarlinWilliams-ts5ul]

Imagine being trapped in a town like that with little money, no car, and no way out?

[@ramonjamison373]

You gotta trap😂😂😂

[@DarekKoczwara]

Love the videos. Can you do one about my hood: Kildeer in Lake County Illinois. Please ?

[@Wtfusachi]

Currently in Steger, I catch the Bus at the Chicago Heights Pace terminal, gonna give this a watch!

[@heatherframpton9693]

Wow, I heard you mention Chicago Heights in your Riverdale, IL video introduction. 😢 My family lived in nearby Steger, IL in the 1970's & early 1980's travelling through or to Chicago Heights frequently.❤

[@KyleRoku]

Steger was wonderful then and Eastview school was almost magical. Totally agree with you. We moved to Arizona in 1982 and people said that when they noticed things starting to slip.

[@heatherframpton9693]

@@KyleRokuWhat an amazing place to grow up! My parents still own property there. Definite changes...unfortunately. My brother & I attended Parkview Elementary. Eastview: Did you have Mrs. Zaijcek for 5th Grade?

[@jilledmondson6894]

Grew up in Frankfort , Illinois about 10-15 miles west of the Heights. US Route 30 (Lincoln highwa)and US 45 (LaGrange Road)are the crossroads. In the 60's this was a farm community but my dad always said that Capone would store liquor in barns in and about town.

[@alexmanne]

I drove through Chicago Heights on US 30 back in 2021. Looked extremely depressing and ghetto (at least the east side of the city did). Thats why I distinctly remember it.

[@craignovy2090]

Simply outstanding! Where else does a well researched narration match the video as it does here. This is what Chris Harden does best and far better than anything else I have seen. On a personal note I went to a parochial grade school in Chicagoland with some of Capone's grandkids...or so I was told and my dad said he actually met Capone when a "product' delivery was being made in Berwyn Il. I saw a comment about Cicero Il. He had substantial interests there but did not live there. The mob thrived beacuse much more often than not they did not bother people who did not bother them unlike most criminals. Even though they are old like me I recommend The Godfather book and movie. While set in NYC it captures very well and in great detail how and why mobs worked as well as they did.

[@KayD115]

My husband and I purchased a house that resides in the 60411 zip code in 2018 however our area does not look like this. I have been told that it is because our area is considered "Un-incorporated Chicago Heights". It's in the area of Marian Catholic, which is why I'm curious to know why that area of Chicago Heights was NOT covered in this video of Chicago Heights.

[@randyw5117]

My grand dad did security at that steel meal at 6:20 back in the mid 90s. I use to spend the night there sometimes and it was a gas station near there that we always would get snacks from. Great times he will be 92 in May.

[@James-el6lj]

ANTOHER TOP VIDEO CHRIS.

[@user-zh3mv7ln1i]

I know exactly where you are at. I worked as a truck driver at Esmark Steel around 26 and Euclid in the Heights until 2018!

[@billhampton8004]

Like it when you list the streets you’re turning into.

[@trell019]

28:47 😂😂😂😂 this section right here is nuts because my uncle says he got pissed "living in nem BURBS" ma people came in then I moved out cus for every 6 goods you have 2 bads sooner or later the bad out grow the good

[@ChrisHarden]

😂

[@AlexanderWaylon]

I wish I could travel time and be disguised as a wealthy congressman or a senator and convince America to not de-industrialize and at the same time buy up all the undeveloped land around our major cities. And just never offer it for sale. Every single city it’s the almost the same sad story. It really darkens one’s perception of our nation. How can all of this be healed? It would take trillions of dollars to restore all of our cities. - Also is the currently B-list suburb of Dolton in the works???

[@ChrisHarden]

Dolton is in the works yessir

[@12schnsaint]

it's simple. he said it in the 50's or 60's the public housing destroyed cities.... govt destorys everything it touches. the crime made everyone leave. giving "free" shit and destroying a culture is what happened.

[@brpetzn]

Use to be known for steel. Once, American factories went so to did Chicago Heights.

[@Morningglory855]

Could you do Midlothian and Posen??

[@stefanbonecrushersmith728]

That beat before you got to Bloom High School was funky. I could write sum rap lyrics to it🤣

[@shreks5201]

You mentioned “sauk trail” a video of you going to sauk village would be neat.

[@user-moneyraf]

Theyknock down my hospital Saint James

[@naotosenpai2789]

It sucks how bad it's gotten here cause when I was a kid in the early 2000s-2010s Chicago heights was ok imo like I could still walk alone to places and wouldn't have to be afraid but ever since like maybe 2017 that all changed and noticed a huge uptick in killing like you mentioned. I live like what feels like the only not terrible part of town lol

[@thomaskovacs3502]

Grew up in town just west of here in 60’s…very sad

[@andy9675]

I’m thinking about leaving Texas and buying in Chicago Heights. I work from home and the price to purchase my first home is extremely appealing. As i search, would you say that the west part of Chicago Heights would be the best part of the town to look in? Thanks for the great video

[@bigrob4840]

West black. East black. Hill Latin. North white

[@klstarluv8972]

The north west end of Chicago Heights is really nice.

[@markshaw5661]

Normandy Villa or Rosewood Heights.

[@billwilson-es5yn]

You don't want to live there or anywhere in Cook County. Those with brains go to NW Indiana. Lower taxes,more jobs and more industries moving in. Whiting doesn't have a property tax thanks to the BP refinery paying so much. East Chicago has old neighborhoods in good condition upwind from the steel mills. Hammond is the largest city that's been doing well for itself. Gary has some safe areas with nice old houses that are very affordable.

[@indyguy3400]

Whiting has property tax, there's no exemption because of the refinery. And Gary is a shithole too, who tf would move to another ghetto shitbag area......

[@user-gz3cc8vh7g]

I worked at a railroad car plant from 78 to 85. It was a scary place for an 18 year old but once you learned the rules and how to stay out of trouble it was fine. We went to an Italian liquor store and bar called the goats club where the owner could so.ehow cash every everyone's checks. Thousands and thousands of dollars . Most of the town was run by the mob with many shady businesses and a lot of guys would be broke The next day. And yes there were tunnels

[@ogrish76]

As far as the Ford plant goes, the mob was still here in The Heights in 1987, seemed like everyone knew someone who could get them a job or get them out of trouble lol. As a kid, I used to buy dime bags on Arnold street.

[@BobBob-ff4ux]

Bloom THS began on Chicago Road across from St. James hospital. The old library was near the train and bus station. An impressive building. Is it still standing?

[@user-mr7my6ue8n]

I've been in Chicago heights for 46years and my mother has been in Chicago heights for 67yrs, It's going to hell.Nice to see the attention ❤❤❤

[@davidparsons4625]

I would love to see you do a video on Holyoke, MASS. It's a city that went from boom to bust in just a few years.

[@greylock2672]

I grew up in Belleville NJ now its not quite like Chicago Heights but if you are talking about towns with Strong Italian/Italian American history may I suggest you check out Belleville.