What is your favorite Illinois Metro(beside Chicago)

[Azn_chi_boi]

The title says it all(its my first thread).

Btw, Chicago will win, so chicago isnt included..

Aurora, Waukegan, Elgin, Joliet, is included in the Chicago Metro.


Discuss, about what is Illinois without Chicagoland..

your choice could base on the following..


Culture,
Landscape,
Climate,
Entertainment,

[Fighting Irish]

LOL I think it's been proven that there is not much to Illinois outside of Chicagoland.

That said, I'll go with Rockford. I always thought it to be a nice city. Kind of reminds me of South Bend, although it's closer to Chicago's sprawl than we are!

[chicagogeorge]

Kankakee is actually part of the Chicago CSA, and I think they added Dekalb as well.
As for the poll, I would have to say some place down in southern Illinois, I don't know where. Get the picture? How about Kaskasia the old capitol.

[MattSal]

I've always thought that the Quad Cities and Peoria were really nice cities.

Someone should show some pictures too, BTW.

[SChristopher]

OTHER : Schaumburgland

[i_am_hydrogen]

Peoria.

It has a river and some pretty nice topography (for Illinois). The downtown also is suprisingly urban for a city that small. Sure, it has its sketchy parts, but there are also some really nice areas. The world hq of Caterpillar is also there.

http://www.reaiche.org/Peoria_Skyline.jpg

http://www.illinoisbiz.biz/film/filmtrial/Images/town/peoria.gif

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/i_am_hydrogen/peoriadowntown20.jpg

[hudkina]

Illinois sans Chicago is deader than Iowa.

[Rockford]

Peoria has a better downtown than Rockford for the time being. But Rockford is positioned for phenomenal growth. The I-90 corridor from Chicago to Madison will be one of the fastestgrowing areas of the Midwest over the next 10-20 years.

Plus Rockford has more of a northern Midwest feel (like Wisconsin/Minnesota) which I prefer.

[Azn_chi_boi]

Kankakee is actually part of the Chicago CSA, and I think they added Dekalb as well.


did this just happen this year, or since the last census?

[airmale007]

You left Decatur out of your poll.
So... DECATUR. :)

[edsg25]

My choice is exceedingly small and definitely not metro. It is, however, the second biggest tourist attraction in the state....and rightfully so.

That's obviously Galena, a town you just gotta love. What a gem. A time warped mining time, with virtually no new buildings since 1850, on a hilly site that makes you think you're driving in San Francisco. The place has charm and quaintness (genuine quaint, not the retro-type) written all over it.

A day trip to Galena makes me think I'm a million miles away from Chicago in a town that would be a winner no matter what state it was in.

If Galena doesn't prove there's more to Illinois than Chicago, I don't know what does (in saying that, I must also admit that Galena, dispite its distance, really is a Chicago outpost. The vast majority of its visitors are from Chicago and suburbs and the Chicago influence is palitable).

[Azn_chi_boi]

Peoria isnt that bad, as people say it is, Peoria actually looks like a great small city.

[JB_Gold Coast]

I'm ashamed of most of Illinois beyond the Chicago borders. Peoria is absolutely disgusting. Shame on those of you who voted for it. I've got very little positive feedback about Rockford or Bloomington. I'm going to go with edsg here and say Galena. It isn't a big metro, but but it does offer something unique and rare in this state.

[theodore]

Peoria has a better downtown than Chicago for the time being.

You forgot to use one of those smiley faces to let people know you were being facetious.

[STLgasm]

The Illinois suburbs of St. Louis is by far the 2nd-largest metro in the state (~600,000). Many of these industrial cities are in the dumps, but there are also some nice areas with highly educated populations as well.

[Rockford]

You forgot to use one of those smiley faces to let people know you were being facetious.


woops...


meant to say...

peoria has a better downtown than rockford......

[Rockford]

fpr JB Gold Coast....

some pics of Rockford...No, it isn't Chicago....but it isn't Schaumburg either

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Downtown%20Rockford/City%20Hall.jpg
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/il/winnebago/postcards/bevrok.jpg


Coronado Theater

http://www.rockfordrotary.org/images/coronado.jpg

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Downtown%20Rockford/Coronado%20Theatre%20stage.jpg


Rock River
http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Downtown%20Rockford/Davis%20Park.jpg

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Downtown%20Rockford/MetroCentre.jpg


http://www.pirateplanet.com/Brendan_And_Bailey/Rockford_Symbol.jpg

proposed downtown housing
http://www.larsondarby.com/design/GT1%20copy.jpg

http://milo.blogs.com/uno/coronado-thumb.jpg

http://www.rockriver.net/index/rockford-large.jpg

http://www.chroniclesmagazine.org/News/Richert/photo_141_tall.jpg



http://tempwww.rockford.uic.edu/FPR/images/assets/hospital.jpg

http://www.ywca-rockford.org/images/bldg.jpg

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Downtown%20Rockford/Downtown%20from%20Beattie%20Park.jpg

http://www.livin4jc.net/bike/trails/2/Rockford%20Trails.jpg

http://www.rockfordillinois.com/gif/oct300a.jpg

http://www.rockfordregisterstar.com/specialreports/council100/images/downtown.jpg

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Downtown%20Rockford/Jefferson%20Street%20bridge.jpg

http://www.niurockford.niu.edu/niurockford/Photos/Front.jpg

http://www.riverdistrict.com/images/tinker.jpg

http://www.riverdistrict.com/images/retail.jpg

http://www.riverdistrict.com/images/Paragon.jpg

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Downtown%20Rockford/The%20skyline.jpg

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Architecture/Tinker%20Swiss%20Cottage.jpg

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Architecture/Erlander%20Home%20Museum%20interior.jpg
TURN OF THE CENTURY HOME, NOW A MUSEUM

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Architecture/Erlander%20Home%20Museum%20interior.jpg
lOBBY TO THE CORONADO THEATER

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Dining%20-%20Shopping/Cliffbreakers%20Martini%20Bar.jpg
MARTINI BAR AT THE CLIFFBREAKERS ON THE ROCK RIVER

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Rockfords%20Top%20Sites/Anderson%20Garden%20Waterfall.jpg
ANSERSON JAPANESE GARDENS

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Rockfords%20Top%20Sites/Magic%20Waters%20Water%20Park.jpg
MIDWEST'S LARGEST WATER PARK, MAGIC WATERS

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Gardens/Klehm%20Arboretum.jpg
KLEHM ARBORETUM

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Gardens/Sinnissippi%20Gardens.jpg
SINNISSIPPI GARDENS (ALONG THE RIVER)

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Downtown%20Rockford/Downtown%20riverfront.jpg
DOWNTOWN RIVERFRONT

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Downtown%20Rockford/Rock%20River%20activities.jpg
ROCK RIVER

http://www.rockfordartmuseum.org/images/comp036_r4_c2.jpg
ROCKFORD ART MUSEUM

http://www.burpee.org/general/sol_man.jpg
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

http://www.rockfordairport.com/about/images/airial_veiw_1.jpg

http://www.gorockford.com/igallery31/upload/Downtown%20Rockford/Symbol.jpg

[airmale007]

[QUOTE=JB_Gold Coast]I'm ashamed of most of Illinois beyond the Chicago borders. Peoria is absolutely disgusting. QUOTE]

(sigh) See my signature. PLEASE.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Galena is pretty nice. It's like a little bit of Door County in Illinois. As for Peoria, it certainly isn't Camelot, but to call it "disgusting" is an overstatement to say the least.

[Azn_chi_boi]

Why is Peoria like the "worst city in Illinois"?

[edsg25]

I want to be careful in what I say here. I don't want to be excessively negative or to flame.

That said, I have to say that I find Champaign-Urbana to be are far less than what it should be as the college town for our state's flagship university and the home of one of the top universities in the nation.

Nobody puts C/U in the same category as B10 towns like Ann Arbor, Madison, Iowa City, Bloomington, or even in-state Evanston. Unlike the others,I find little collegiate or charming or quaint in C/U. Entering the cities, you get little indication that a school with the size and stature of the U of I is in town. To me, even the Illinois campus creeps up on you without much of a sense of arrival.

It's not that Champaign-Urbana is a bad place. It's not. This is a pleasant enough community. It's just not what it should be in its relationship with the U of I.

***

An additional thought: few college towns relate worse to a major university than does DeKalb. The campus is surrounded by fast food places. Cross the street from NIU, you are in no-where's-ville. Meanwhile, downtown DeKalb gives the impression of being a real hick town. I would imagine that the growth of the Chgo area towards DeKalb will rectify some of these problems.

Meanwhile, the Chicago area (NU/Evanston, UofC/HydePk, DePaul/LincolnPk) does the collegiate setting better than downstate does. Even UIC is getting an exciting atmosphere in the rapidly gentrifying near west side.

[james2390]

Something close to Chicago...like Schaumburg!:D

[JB_Gold Coast]

[QUOTE=JB_Gold Coast]I'm ashamed of most of Illinois beyond the Chicago borders. Peoria is absolutely disgusting. QUOTE]

(sigh) See my signature. PLEASE.

That's just how I feel. I've seen your signature. Its not meant to offend you, but the reality is that as long as you live in Chicago, there is very little reason for me to visit any other place in Illinois. It is going to be a major step down every single time. If I'm going to travel somewhere in the car for a couple hours, I'm heading to Milwaukee or Madison....both of which are highly superior to any other place in Illinois.

Rockford: You act like I've never been there. I've been to Rockford a few times. It is only 90 miles away. No, it isn't Chicago. It may not be Schaumburg either, but I'd much rather live in Schaumburg than Rockford.

[Rockford]

JB.

I understand why you wouldn't want to visit Rockford. That's not the point.

But as a place to live, Rockford really isn't that bad. It's close to Chicago with housing a third of the price. It is bigger than many people think and has sushi restaurants, Vietnamese, Thai, Indian buffets, and several Mexican districts. It has a few Jewish temples, a growing south Indian population, and has for nearly a century had a sizable Italian and Swedish/Scandanavian population. It also has a large African-American population, with local blues and jazz acts.

I'd pick Rockford over Schaumburg anyday.

[HennepinHen]

I'm glad that I read this thread before voting because I forgot about the home of U.S. Grant, tiny little Galena, Illinois. So my vote went to other.

[JivecitySTL]

The Illinois suburbs of St. Louis, though wrought with hoosiers, are the only part of Illinois outside of Chicagoland that is worth a shit. Arrogant I know, but true. I spent four years in Peoria for college (went to Bradley U.) and it opened my eyes to the godforsaken condition of outstate Illinois. East St. Louis and environs are actually quite interesting.

[HumbleHoosier]

The Illinois suburbs of St. Louis, though wrought with hoosiers, are the only part of Illinois outside of Chicagoland that is worth a shit.

Huh? Are there alot of Indiana transplants in southern Illinois?

[milwaukeeunseen]

A few years I ago I woke up one morning and realized that I had never seen the State of Illinois outside of Chicagoland and Rockford. So my wife and I piled in the car and took a road trip. We hit all the major cities: Quad Cities, Peoria, Springfield, Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington-Normal.

Now, I am a lover of cities. And I am a lover of well-cared-for small towns. I am not a lover of flat, featureless landcapes that drone on for miles, or for putrid little towns that look like no one has cared one whit for in 75 years. This might sound arrogant. And maybe it is. But I honestly have to say that on a list of "worst places I've ever been" these cities in Illinois are all contenders for top of the list.

The Qaud Cities smell bad. Aside from a John Deere museum and a Riverboat casino, there's really no reason in hell to go there. Peoria's problems have already been well-covered. Driving into Springfield, I thought we we would be entering a kind of prairie oasis, an island of culture in a sea of corn.... it's the state capital after all. What I found was a smelly, dull town about as exciting as a slab of drywall, with an almost clinical obsession with Abe Lincoln. With my expectations in the toilet, we moved on the Champaign-Urbana. I can honestly say that I was not disapointed. Because I wasn't expecting much. The U of I campus is nice in some parts. But the town is hardly worthy of the title "Big 10." We spent the night the Jumer's Castle Lodge, a highlight of the trip.

We left Champaign-Urbana the next morning, and went on mental autopilot as we drove for hours through the moonscape known as Central Illinois. When I saw the offramp for "Illiopolis" I was damn tempted to get off and check it out. But it this point we just said "screw it" and kept going.

[JB_Gold Coast]

The Illinois suburbs of St. Louis, though wrought with hoosiers, are the only part of Illinois outside of Chicagoland that is worth a shit. Arrogant I know, but true. I spent four years in Peoria for college (went to Bradley U.) and it opened my eyes to the godforsaken condition of outstate Illinois. East St. Louis and environs are actually quite interesting.

All true Jive. And I would have voted for the Metro East portion of St. Louis (my dad actually had to work in Fairview Heights for a few years, and WOW, it was wrought with hoosiers) for Illinois' best metro outside Chicago, but I felt that it since it was a smaller part of a large Missouri metro, then I would just focus on the "metros" that are totally in Illinois. And you know what? They all stink. That's just the plain truth.

[JB_Gold Coast]

A few years I ago I woke up one morning and realized that I had never seen the State of Illinois outside of Chicagoland and Rockford. So my wife and I piled in the car and took a road trip. We hit all the major cities: Quad Cities, Peoria, Springfield, Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington-Normal.

Now, I am a lover of cities. And I am a lover of well-cared-for small towns. I am not a lover of flat, featureless landcapes that drone on for miles, or for putrid little towns that look like no one has cared one whit for in 75 years. This might sound arrogant. And maybe it is. But I honestly have to say that on a list of "worst places I've ever been" these cities in Illinois are all contenders for top of the list.

The Qaud Cities smell bad. Aside from a John Deere museum and a Riverboat casino, there's really no reason in hell to go there. Peoria's problems have already been well-covered. Driving into Springfield, I thought we we would be entering a kind of prairie oasis, an island of culture in a sea of corn.... it's the state capital after all. What I found was a smelly, dull town about as exciting as a slab of drywall, with an almost clinical obsession with Abe Lincoln. With my expectations in the toilet, we moved on the Champaign-Urbana. I can honestly say that I was not disapointed. Because I wasn't expecting much. The U of I campus is nice in some parts. But the town is hardly worthy of the title "Big 10." We spent the night the Jumer's Castle Lodge, a highlight of the trip.

We left Champaign-Urbana the next morning, and went on mental autopilot as we drove for hours through the moonscape known as Central Illinois. When I saw the offramp for "Illiopolis" I was damn tempted to get off and check it out. But it this point we just said "screw it" and kept going.

Look, this is as well said and comprehensive as it gets. If I woke up tomorrow and found myself living in Rockford, Peoria (especially), Urbana, or Decatur, I'd jump out of a fuckin window. I can't believe that anyone who has any interest, knowledge, or appreciation for cities and urban culture would actually be an advocate for some of these places.

Rockford: I'd prefer Schaumburg to Rockford any day. Just what exactly does Rockford offer that Schaumburg doesn't? For godsake, I'll take Schaumburg for proximity to Chicago alone, aside from the fact that it has better job opportunities than Rockford. I find it hard to believe that you could move to Schaumburg from Rockford and actually utter "God, I just miss the sheer urbanity and diversity of Rockford that is nowhere to be found in the Schaumburg area." That's insane. If Chicago fell into Lake Michigan, Schaumburg would probably be the new #1 metro in Illinois.

Answer this question for me: Why do you stay in Rockford? Why not just move to Chicago? Why?

[samsonyuen]

Champaign-Urbana. It's scholarly feel is like an extension of Chicago.

[EastSider]

Does Rockford really have the largest waterpark in the Midwest? I know that's random, I just always thought Noah's Ark in the dells was the largest.

[airmale007]

Look, this is as well said and comprehensive as it gets. If I woke up tomorrow and found myself living in Rockford, Peoria (especially), Urbana, or Decatur, I'd jump out of a fuckin window. I can't believe that anyone who has any interest, knowledge, or appreciation for cities and urban culture would actually be an advocate for some of these places.

Well, some of us LIVE HERE AND LIKE IT. Chicago is wonderful to visit, and I wouldn't mind living there, but for now I just like it here. I happen to have an acute appreciation for cities and urban culture, and living in Decatur is really not as horrible as you might think. Although we lack highrises (highest at about 209'), you can see myriad architectural styles represented, and I can't think of a more amazing street for low rise residential architecture than Prairie Street (the one in Decatur that is, although the one in Chicago is impressive for different reasons).

To appreciate Illinois' smaller cities, you just have to stop comparing them to Chicago, and try to see each city's individuality and special qualities.

[Azn_chi_boi]

One things, you guys should know about Springfield, if you hate lincoln, Springfield wont like you. Its like Lincoln was their god... even though he did live there..

one time, this tourist that went to springfield(i was a tourist too, but not with their group, he as who is lincoln(i think he was out of country like germany..), then these springfield people, start yelling and saying, you dont kno who is lincoln.

[JivecitySTL]

HumbleHoosier-- St. Louisans have a different meaning for the term "hoosier" that has absolutely nothing to do with Indiana. It basically means white trash here.

[HumbleHoosier]

Oh. Well, that's just not very nice. All of you people from Wisconsin had better be on your best behavior in St.Louis. If you make the St.Louis residents mad they might decide to start calling homeless bums "Wisconsonites".

[airmale007]

One things, you guys should know about Springfield, if you hate lincoln, Springfield wont like you. Its like Lincoln was their god... even though he did live there..

one time, this tourist that went to springfield(i was a tourist too, but not with their group, he as who is lincoln(i think he was out of country like germany..), then these springfield people, start yelling and saying, you dont kno who is lincoln.


What ARE you talking about? Most Springfield people don't give a crap about whether or not you know who Lincoln is! Although I can understand being incredulous as to someone not knowing who he is, most of the time they would just make fun of you, not hate you. To most Springfieldians, Lincoln is little more than a tourist attraction.


And Im still offended you left Decatur Metro (117,000) off of the poll.
Kaskaskia doesn't even HAVE a metro. ;-)

[Steely Dan]

Oh. Well, that's just not very nice. All of you people from Wisconsin had better be on your best behavior in St.Louis. If you make the St.Louis residents mad they might decide to start calling homeless bums "Wisconsonites".

don't sweat it. whenever the st. louis people use the word " hoosier" on the forum with their own weird little meaning for it, it always causes confusion. it's just an odd st. louis thing that, from what i understand, really has nothing to do with the state of indiana.

rest assured that everyone else in the english speaking world knows that a hoosier is someone from indiana.

[Azn_chi_boi]

What ARE you talking about? Most Springfield people don't give a crap about whether or not you know who Lincoln is! Although I can understand being incredulous as to someone not knowing who he is, most of the time they would just make fun of you, not hate you. To most Springfieldians, Lincoln is little more than a tourist attraction.


And Im still offended you left Decatur Metro (117,000) off of the poll.
Kaskaskia doesn't even HAVE a metro. ;-)

Kaskaskia is just a joke, to see if anyone remember that old city..I cant belive people voted for it.. I am sorry to leave out Decatur, because on a map, it doesnt look that big, and Kaskaskia sticks out because its probably the only Illinois city on Missouri's side of the river.

If Lincoln, never went to Springfield, Springfield will probably be like a ghost town or just a rest area between St. Louis + Chicago with 100,000 people.

[airmale007]

If Lincoln, never went to Springfield, Springfield will probably be like a ghost town or just a rest area between St. Louis + Chicago with 100,000 people.

How could there be a ghost town with 100,000 people?
Seriously though, Springfield is the state capital, so it would still be more than a ghost town.

[Rural King]

Cairo of course!!!! What city in Illinois can compete with it....I mean its by and far the greatest city in Illinois outside Chicago. ;) j/k Still due to its history, architecture, and overall character that words cannot describe....I still pick Cairo.

[Rural King]

How can anywhere in Illinois compare to this? (Sarcasm) Seriously though. There is alot of history and attraction to this once booming rivertown. Its a shell of itself, once 20K but now barely 3-4K. It has not modern commercial areas (not even a McDs or a Dairy Queen), and going through the town is like being taken literally taken back to the early 1960s, and at night can be as scary as heck to drive through. Really a place you have to see (both at night and during the day) to believe.

Historic Downtown Cairo
http://images5.fotki.com/v70/photos/1/134657/873397/HistoricDTCairo-vi.jpg

http://images5.fotki.com/v71/photos/1/134657/873397/BigCairoBldg-vi.jpg

Bullet marks on the Custom House from the race riots that ravaged Cairo in the late 1960s.
http://images5.fotki.com/v70/photos/1/134657/873397/BulletHolesinCH-vi.jpg

http://images5.fotki.com/v70/photos/1/134657/873397/Cairo1-vi.jpg

http://images5.fotki.com/v71/photos/1/134657/873397/Cairo2-vi.jpg

http://images5.fotki.com/v71/photos/1/134657/873397/Cairo4-vi.jpg

http://images5.fotki.com/v70/photos/1/134657/873397/Cairo5-vi.jpg

Alexander County Courthouse
http://images5.fotki.com/v71/photos/1/134657/873397/CairoCourtHouse-vi.jpg

Cairo's Custom House- now a museum to the city's once glorious past.
http://images5.fotki.com/v71/photos/1/134657/873397/CairoCustomHouse-vi.jpg

Cairo's local newspaper
http://images5.fotki.com/v71/photos/1/134657/873397/CairoEveningCitizen-vi.jpg

The remains of its main commerical avenue
http://images5.fotki.com/v71/photos/1/134657/873397/Clock-vi.jpg

http://images5.fotki.com/v71/photos/1/134657/873397/CptWades-vi.jpg

The Gem Theatre
http://images5.fotki.com/v70/photos/1/134657/873397/GemTheatre-vi.jpg

Not the friendlist apartment block I assure you
http://images4.fotki.com/v50/photos/1/134657/873397/Projects-vi.jpg

http://images5.fotki.com/v70/photos/1/134657/873397/Trolleylines-vi.jpg

Hope for the future?
http://images5.fotki.com/v71/photos/1/134657/873397/IDOT-vi.jpg

[JB_Gold Coast]

^ Yikes.

[Rockford]

Look, this is as well said and comprehensive as it gets. If I woke up tomorrow and found myself living in Rockford, Peoria (especially), Urbana, or Decatur, I'd jump out of a fuckin window. I can't believe that anyone who has any interest, knowledge, or appreciation for cities and urban culture would actually be an advocate for some of these places.

Rockford: I'd prefer Schaumburg to Rockford any day. Just what exactly does Rockford offer that Schaumburg doesn't? For godsake, I'll take Schaumburg for proximity to Chicago alone, aside from the fact that it has better job opportunities than Rockford. I find it hard to believe that you could move to Schaumburg from Rockford and actually utter "God, I just miss the sheer urbanity and diversity of Rockford that is nowhere to be found in the Schaumburg area." That's insane. If Chicago fell into Lake Michigan, Schaumburg would probably be the new #1 metro in Illinois.

Answer this question for me: Why do you stay in Rockford? Why not just move to Chicago? Why?

I don't live in Rockford, but my financee does, so I'm representing. By the way, In Rockford you can make the same money as in Chicago, if you are a professional. And for the price of Lincoln Park condo, you can buy a 5-bedroom home, a cabin in northern Wisconsin, plus a small home on a Caribbean isle.....

That's our plan.

Plus we have family in NYC (Brooklyn), Chicago, and LA.

Rockford's just fine.

It's gloriously free of navel-gazing snobs. Just real people.

[Rockford]

More downtown development

Residential Development Will Revitalize Downtown Rockford
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by Alison Ahmoye

Rockford, Illinois- Plans are in the works to build new homes in Rockford's Midtown District, something downtown supporters say will help revitalize the area.

A portion of downtown Rockford will be getting a makeover, possibly attracting new residents.

"My vision is to have this become a destination location," says Midtown District President and CEO Bill Mohr.

A few rundown buildings on 7th St. will soon be renovated to accommodate loft-style apartments and condominiums. Mohr says the new homes will be perfect for young professionals and empty-nesters.

"We're trying to make this area a neighborhood of choice," he says. "In order to do that, you have to have a safe environment, a comfortable environment and you have to have people living here that are going to patronize the businesses that we hope to draw into the area."

The area has often been associated with prostitution, drugs and crime, but Mohr says things have changed significantly over the past several years.

"There's a perception that there's high crime in this area," he says. "Statistically, it's really not true by the way. Statistically, it's as safe as the east side of Rockford."

Mohr believes the upcoming development will breathe new life into this historic district.

"When these new residents come into play, we'll have people walking the street, using the street, using the local businesses, and it's going to change the character of 7th St," he says. "It's going to be a neat place. It really is."

The new housing developments include: the Midtown Lofts, where about 20 two-bedroom condos and apartments will be built, with the starting price at about $110,000; the other projects are the Lantow-Taxon apartments, which will have several units available for rent.

The cost of construction is estimated at more than $7 million. Funding is coming from both private sources and tax increment financing through the city. Construction is expected to begin this spring.

[edsg25]

How can anywhere in Illinois compare to this? (Sarcasm) Seriously though. There is alot of history and attraction to this once booming rivertown. Its a shell of itself, once 20K but now barely 3-4K. It has not modern commercial areas (not even a McDs or a Dairy Queen), and going through the town is like being taken literally taken back to the early 1960s, and at night can be as scary as heck to drive through. Really a place you have to see (both at night and during the day) to believe.



Rural King, great pictures of a city from a bygone era. It was in places like Cairo and others along the Ohio River where Illinois got its start and the far reaches to the north were considered wilderness.

Anybody have any pictures of Shawneetown? And is anyone in touch with the bank there? If so, if the opportunity comes again to invest in Chicago through a bank loan, they should seriously consider it!

[Azn_chi_boi]

any pics of Cairo that the Ohio river flows into the Mississippi R?

[Rural King]

Yeah I had one or two looking north from Wickliffe, KY (just south of Cairo)...but I have not idea where they are at.

[milwaukeeunseen]

If you showed me those picutres of Cairo and didn't tell me they were taken in Illinois, I would have thought they were taken in some town in Alabama or something. Very Southern-looking town.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Cairo doesn't look so good--thanks for showing those photos.

[Azn_chi_boi]

If you showed me those picutres of Cairo and didn't tell me they were taken in Illinois, I would have thought they were taken in some town in Alabama or something. Very Southern-looking town.

but Cairo is one of, if not, the southern most city in Illinois, just across the river from Kentucky. Cairo looks dangerous, is that true?

[Rural King]

During the day Cairo would be fine place to be downtown and in the historic housing district, however in other areas it would be sketchy. At night its not a very safe place in any regard, and resembles in look, feel, and general activity a inner city ghetto. Imagine a small East St. Louis or Gary. With that said the odds of something bad happening to you are slim as long as you use your head and don't stray into areas that put you at risk, which is true of most places.

Its also considered a speed trap, but what would you expect of one of, if not, the poorest county in the state.

[edsg25]

With my expectations in the toilet, we moved on the Champaign-Urbana. I can honestly say that I was not disapointed. Because I wasn't expecting much. The U of I campus is nice in some parts. But the town is hardly worthy of the title "Big 10."

God, if you could pack up Madison (lakes included) and ship it down to Champaign/Urbana for reassemblage around the U of I, we'd be forver grateful! If you could do this quickly, I promise you we will not badger you about anything else.

[Azn_chi_boi]

The best metro in Illinois out of chicagoland is illiopolis, illinois (just kidding) only 910 people..and 99% of them is white.

Illiopolis, Illinois... funny name

Its located on I-72 between Decature and Springfield

[2tall78]

HumbleHoosier-- St. Louisans have a different meaning for the term "hoosier" that has absolutely nothing to do with Indiana. It basically means white trash here.

You should take a look at where you live before labeling people white trash. I was in South county the other day and I was shocked by the amount of hillbillys, and I'm from the metro east! And if you want to talk about trash, drive around St. Louis in some parts of the southside and most of the northside, you can't find trash anywhere like this on the eastside save for East St. Louis.

[JivecitySTL]

I didn't mean to offend anyone, I'm just saying that there is much more of a rural influence on the East Side than there is over here because the suburbs have developed a lot differently. Than cannot be denied. That said, every city-- large, medium or small-- has white trash.

[jcraw80]

metro east isn't too bad. there are some really nice communities east of the river with close proximity to downtown. the metro east is also home to great school districts in the state

[Azn_chi_boi]

Obviously, Kaskaskia is a joke... only 9 people in the city(and 11% hawaiian, any city in Illinois have that much Hawaiian people, even its only one person out of 9)

If this was the capital of Illinois, this will truly be an embarrasement to Illinois, because its on the Missouri side of the river..

http://www.idcide.com/i/mc1/il/kaskaskia.gif

Here is a fun fact about Kaskaskia, it lost 71.9% of its population since 1990

[Azn_chi_boi]

Bringing this from the dead.

Any cities in IL screams IL?(got this idea from What city in Cali screams Cali.

Any city in IL, even chicago.

I'll go first.

Definetly not Chicago, The rest of IL isnt like Chicago, not very urban, not many, if any skyscrapaper outside of Chicago.

The city to me that screams IL is definetely Springfield.
It fits IL and its nickname "Land of Lincoln" and the "Prairie State".

So much corn by Springfield.. A medium to big size city in IL.
The next choices is either Rockford or Peoria.

*By the way, I cant believe St. Louis(IL side only) metro won for being your favorite IL metro outside of Chicago.

[JivecitySTL]

^East St. Louis is cool as all hell. It's just sad that most people are too scared to get to know it.

[Rural King]

East St. Louis is cool, but its still seedy and sketchy as hell for most people. I mean your right, if you're street smart you'd probably be okay, but most people aren't. The best policy for those folks, heck for all folks (street smart or not), is if you aren't from a rougher/sketchy area and have no business and/or reason to be there, don't go there.

I have driven and walked around East St. Louis during the day, but I personally think I have no business being there at night. I would just be asking for trouble.

[Azn_chi_boi]

east st. louis is alright to me too.

East St. Louis and St.Louis should build another arch, but this arch span over the Mississippi River to symbolize the real gateway to the west(from the old US to the Lousiana Purchase). lol..

At least E. STL is currently building a new suspension bridge to connect with STL(I-70)

[Latoso]

Peoria has a lovely dowtown and beautiful skyline worthy of a city 4 times it's size.

[Minneapolis612]

Rockford or Decatur

[The anti-cheesehead]

I've only been to Rockford and Chicago, so, besides Chicago, I like Rockford.

[gronier]

Actually, almost all the population of the quad cities is in Iowa.
So, I would not consider it as part of Illinois.