Check out Brian Edwards channel here for some future documentaries: www.youtube.com/@brianedwardsvideo9526 See more of what Blue Island looks like here: th-cam.com/video/GbXUmCbAaJ4/w-d-xo.html Illinois Playlist: th-cam.com/play/PLkAKbwTlGHeKoOBxconpFSyUSO32NKREy.html Chicago Suburbs Playlist: th-cam.com/play/PLkAKbwTlGHeILgN75aeaBe0EHvhBHyagP.html Help me grow my other channels! Chris Harden's Travel Archives: www.youtube.com/@chrishardenarchives Nostalgia Tours Radio: www.youtube.com/@Nostalgiatoursradio ==================================================================== 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: ChrisHardenYT@Gmail.com 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!
Santa Barbaran here. I lived in Chicago for four years in the eighties. I have such good memories of times spent with friends in Blue Island. It's changed so much. Looks really nice. Thank you.
I like to see the way you have started to include the local people, their opinions, and a little bit of the personal history of the town. That’s very good thank you.
Great job getting those resident's takes on their city and some insight into the past and future of their community Chris. One of the things about Illinois i'm most proud of is its architecture whether it is Chicago skyscrapers or private homes. They are just so unique and the styles are unmatched.
What a jewel from the opening drone shots of the city with downtown Chicago as backdrop to a human interest story, everything that Chris has mentioned about livability is beautifully illustrated and discussed. Nobody shows the how and why of a place better.
I used to drive through Blue Island on 127th Street to get to the tank wash near Pullman in Chicago. Blue Island is a nice town. Thanks for bringing back memories.
At 6:32 at the top right of the image are "Necco Wafers" candies. They're almost as old (well maybe not almost) as Blue Island, Necco's came out in 1847. To help keep the downtown/uptown alive and vibrant, keep out Walmart, pawn shops and pot shops. Again; keep the Walmart's as far away as possible.
I know several of the people who have put a great deal of blood, sweat, and tears into BI over the past several decades. It really is a gem. For anyone who is working in the area and looking for a lunch spot to grab some Mex. El Ranchito on S.B Western Ave just So. of 127th is the best to-go spot in the area. Yes, it's a grocery store, but with a little carniceria in the front. De-lish.
Great info. I was born in Blue Island and grew up in Posen to the South. After a hitch in the Marines I was a police officer in Harvey and Dixmoor. Love your history.
You're spot on about the taxes in Illinois, Chris. They are onerous and necessary to fund the layer upon layer upon layer of government in Illinois. I'll bet 20% of the population has employment directly tied to the public sector. When my son graduates St. Charles North in 3 1/2 years, we are leaving Illinois to live in our lake house in Indiana. Our property taxes will be cut by 2/3 and we will live on a lake, on a bigger lot, and in a bigger house. I can't wait!!!
"The grass is always greener on the other side", do you believe that if more of the money went to rich ceos directly (technically the case already with these politicians in service of these ceos) and that if more spending supposedly went towards private corporations and not towards public programs (already goes more to private ventures everywhere) that this would solve the tax issues in a place like Illinois or make taxes better everywhere else, cause that is not solving the root of the problem and is only helping to reinforce the problems at hand as is seen time and time again with politicians and ceos along with their bureaucrats in both the public and private sector. Sorry but moving from place to place when something does not go in your favor does not fix anything and only gives credence to the problem and makes it worse. Not to mention bigger house and land is not always better either.
That seems like a good clean honest suburb of Chicago, I can see its appeal as it is like Chicago in some neighborhoods architecturally, but it’s not Chicago. It definitely seems like it’s in awesome shape for an inner ring suburb.
Best pair of videos on your channel. Very well done! Yes, I agree that this town has always been nice...but, between the 70s and 00s...it did decline (not as much as its neighbors). People made the difference, and fought to keep this town alive. I love the sound of the new projects. I have a feeling changes will be for the better. Can't say that for its neighbors. Any word on what used to St. Francis Hospital?
In somewhat of defense of BI, crime here has always ebbed and flowed from the surrounding areas, as well as its easy access to Chicago. Previous administrations thought low income as well as section 8 apts were a good idea. They brought with them a ton of crime. That is largely sorted now, with pocket areas still being an issue. In the summer, there still are gang issues aided by the warmer weather. But again, few of te members actually live in BI. They come to BI because it's more central and it's more quiet. (so they get away with more) However local residents are diligent in calling BIPD. I really wish they would bring back the Neighborhood Watch programs of the 90s.
No, but there are some vacancies (here and there). The south side of Olive Street was leveled for the expansion of Jewel (mid-80s). That sadly went out of business (spring 2009). Hopefully, there are plans to redevelop that too.
If you have to live in the Chicago area this might be the place to go. I agree with your assessment of IL completely. The state is being run into the ground.
In Chicago a common saying back in the day when I went on vacation was I'm going to the islands. In Chicago it was Blue Island goose Island and Stony island. They don't say that much anymore but that was a common saying back in the days. Say like 3040 even 50 years ago.
I don't see the north end of Blue Island, though. The Island starts at 119th on the north @Vincennes. Why is it not shown? Is it featured in another video?
I used to rehad the old Victorian homes in Blue Island when I was in college at Moraine Valley. About 35 years ago. The housing was really run down back then, but the white folks didn't leave, so it's still a decent place to live. If it ever hits that tipping point, it's all over like the rest of the south suburbs.
Most of the white folks in Blue Island did leave actually, -it just happened much more gradually then in many of it's neighbors. Blue Island is much more diverse now and less than 16% Non Hispanic White. There just wasn't a full blown white flight like in much of the area. But a diverse mixture of middle income people are moving in, helping to revitalize the area.
"If it ever hits that tipping point, it's all over like the rest of the South suburbs". Blue Island is only a little over 15% Non Hispanic White , more then 30% Black and over 50% Hispanic. It just happened gradually instead of a more rapid flight, and a large middle class population remained.
True! The housing stock (from after World War II-the 2000s) was in decline. It is amazing that the (white and Hispanic) people stuck together (and around). I had family that lived just north of the former Jewel. The block looked like crap for years. Only in the last 10-15, has there been a citywide effort, to restore and modernize homes. Actually looks a lot better now.
Blue Island has a lot happening, but if you have ranked it as tops in Cook County, you have a LOT of other places to visit. Unfortunately, the South suburbs overall are not as vibrant as the Western, NW or Northern suburbs, which have many dozens of nice suburban communities, ranging from very densely populated blue collar places to very wealthy communities. Cook County has a population larger than most of the US states.
I agree there are nicer suburbs around. But I could be wrong I don’t believe the western or northern suburbs have as much history as the south suburbs. Again I could be wrong though.
People have moved and revitalized the downtown area and a large middle class remained in the comunity. However Blue Island is less then 16% Non Hispanic White now and is now slightly more then half Latino. The change happened a lot more gradually then in many of the South Cook County suburbs.
People do not realize the hidden liens on Illinois property. There is a debt load for pension obligations that makes Illinois property nearly worthless. Public employees can 'early retire' at age 58 with pensions exceeding salaries of working nurses, after working 10-20 years of 8-month working day obligations, at half the hours....then go back to work at the same job. Nurses are starting to be made aware that they shouldn't be nurses! Be public employees like teachers! OPEBs are a huge local property tax obligation rarely mentioned, and TIFs are barely understood even by those public officials advantaging their own personal positions by ramming them into naive, ignorant communities.
Been here 50 yrs. I like your vids but this is just as much fluff as I can stomach. You have no idea how many empty buildings you passed while driving down Western Ave, and then back up Gregory. We had a complete medical district, gone now. We had hardware stores, gone now.We had banks, now just 1. We had multiple car dealerships, all gone.We had multiple manufacturing businesses such as Libby's, all long gone. There's a whole lot more negative things going on here than meets the eye. The taxes are horrendous, and there is a constant fight with BI on TIF districts as well as the fight against eminent domain in which the city can reclaim property from an owner for their purposes. The town has enough ordinances and rules to give Chicago a run for its $. There's a heck of a lot more, no you can't vs yes you can, in BI. On a positive note, Chris is a talented painter, hands down, and Joe really does make a great Santa Claus. And finally, thx for driving past my house at approx 26:50 ;) You actually drove through some of the oldest parts of BI by doing so. When this town was founded, my house would've been under water in swampland, hence the natural pitch of our hills. That's why we still call portions of the city, 'up town'. There's a plaque by 1st Lutheran Church, on Grove and Ann streets, that tell about the 1st settlements.
I have been watching your videos for several years now .and I watch several Bitcoin videos as well. You have all the receipts I need to say BTC could rescue someone from Broken Money! Chris please study Michael Saylor or jack mallers .
Went into Blue Island Police station 2 Saturdays ago to ask a minor question, an older female civilian was behind the glass window in the lobby. What an ignorant evil person. No personality, no help. Just evil and rude. Alot of illegal immigrants reside in the area too. A few aggressively panhandle at the carwash at 123rd & Western. I give it a 6 out of 10.
Check out Brian Edwards channel here for some future documentaries: www.youtube.com/@brianedwardsvideo9526
See more of what Blue Island looks like here: th-cam.com/video/GbXUmCbAaJ4/w-d-xo.html
Illinois Playlist: th-cam.com/play/PLkAKbwTlGHeKoOBxconpFSyUSO32NKREy.html
Chicago Suburbs Playlist: th-cam.com/play/PLkAKbwTlGHeILgN75aeaBe0EHvhBHyagP.html
Help me grow my other channels!
Chris Harden's Travel Archives: www.youtube.com/@chrishardenarchives
Nostalgia Tours Radio: www.youtube.com/@Nostalgiatoursradio
====================================================================
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: ChrisHardenYT@Gmail.com
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!
Santa Barbaran here. I lived in Chicago for four years in the eighties. I have such good memories of times spent with friends in Blue Island. It's changed so much. Looks really nice. Thank you.
I like to see the way you have started to include the local people, their opinions, and a little bit of the personal history of the town. That’s very good thank you.
Great job getting those resident's takes on their city and some insight into the past and future of their community Chris. One of the things about Illinois i'm most proud of is its architecture whether it is Chicago skyscrapers or private homes. They are just so unique and the styles are unmatched.
What a jewel from the opening drone shots of the city with downtown Chicago as backdrop to a human interest story, everything that Chris has mentioned about livability is beautifully illustrated and discussed. Nobody shows the how and why of a place better.
I used to drive through Blue Island on 127th Street to get to the tank wash near Pullman in Chicago. Blue Island is a nice town. Thanks for bringing back memories.
At 6:32 at the top right of the image are "Necco Wafers" candies. They're almost as old (well maybe not almost) as Blue Island, Necco's came out in 1847. To help keep the downtown/uptown alive and vibrant, keep out Walmart, pawn shops and pot shops.
Again; keep the Walmart's as far away as possible.
Already has a weed shop there on Western Ave.
@@ld4687 Sounds like a good candidate for a boycott.
@@jetsons101 Too late now, it's 1 of the mayor's and congressman's Rita's pet projects.
@@jetsons101there are more liquor stores. How about we start with them?
I know several of the people who have put a great deal of blood, sweat, and tears into BI over the past several decades. It really is a gem.
For anyone who is working in the area and looking for a lunch spot to grab some Mex. El Ranchito on S.B Western Ave just So. of 127th is the best to-go spot in the area. Yes, it's a grocery store, but with a little carniceria in the front. De-lish.
Started watching your videos back in May, was waiting for you to make one of my hometown. Great video sir, keep educating us. Salutes to you 🫡
Great info. I was born in Blue Island and grew up in Posen to the South. After a hitch in the Marines I was a police officer in Harvey and Dixmoor. Love your history.
Thanks for the video, its a boring sunday
👍 yep
You're spot on about the taxes in Illinois, Chris. They are onerous and necessary to fund the layer upon layer upon layer of government in Illinois. I'll bet 20% of the population has employment directly tied to the public sector.
When my son graduates St. Charles North in 3 1/2 years, we are leaving Illinois to live in our lake house in Indiana. Our property taxes will be cut by 2/3 and we will live on a lake, on a bigger lot, and in a bigger house. I can't wait!!!
"The grass is always greener on the other side", do you believe that if more of the money went to rich ceos directly (technically the case already with these politicians in service of these ceos) and that if more spending supposedly went towards private corporations and not towards public programs (already goes more to private ventures everywhere) that this would solve the tax issues in a place like Illinois or make taxes better everywhere else, cause that is not solving the root of the problem and is only helping to reinforce the problems at hand as is seen time and time again with politicians and ceos along with their bureaucrats in both the public and private sector. Sorry but moving from place to place when something does not go in your favor does not fix anything and only gives credence to the problem and makes it worse. Not to mention bigger house and land is not always better either.
@@supercinos8924 That's 1 hellava run on sentence that doesn't make any case to move to, nor stay in BI.
I have been hoping you were doing BI. Great watch, thank you!
That seems like a good clean honest suburb of Chicago, I can see its appeal as it is like Chicago in some neighborhoods architecturally, but it’s not Chicago. It definitely seems like it’s in awesome shape for an inner ring suburb.
It’s a dump. Yes it has some nice homes but it is dirty, run down and polluted from the old Clark refinery.
Have to agree with this guy.. downtown is nice.. but everywhere else looks like Gaza does now. lol@@Gfysimpletons
Been there a few times in the 70' and 80's and it was a nice place and glad to see it still is!!!
Blue Island was actually a prehistoric Island it was million some years ago. That why the town have so many hills …
Super talent Chris!
Blue Island was always a nice little town. Nice downtown, good restaurants and shops.
Great video 👍
Another great video, commenting to boost the algorithm.
Best pair of videos on your channel. Very well done! Yes, I agree that this town has always been nice...but, between the 70s and 00s...it did decline (not as much as its neighbors). People made the difference, and fought to keep this town alive. I love the sound of the new projects. I have a feeling changes will be for the better. Can't say that for its neighbors. Any word on what used to St. Francis Hospital?
Used to hang out there years ago. Know the area well. They are trying but unfortunately they are surrounded by some high crime areas.
That they are
Meh. Everywhere in and around the rust belt has "high-crime" areas. Hell, any suburb and/or small town in the country has "high-crime" areas, etc.
@ depends what type of high crime. I moved to southern Indiana. Yea there’s some meth head theft but no shootings, car jacking ect.
In somewhat of defense of BI, crime here has always ebbed and flowed from the surrounding areas, as well as its easy access to Chicago. Previous administrations thought low income as well as section 8 apts were a good idea. They brought with them a ton of crime. That is largely sorted now, with pocket areas still being an issue. In the summer, there still are gang issues aided by the warmer weather. But again, few of te members actually live in BI. They come to BI because it's more central and it's more quiet. (so they get away with more) However local residents are diligent in calling BIPD. I really wish they would bring back the Neighborhood Watch programs of the 90s.
Chris, You're not flying your "Invader Drone" in New Jersey are you. LOL
Now back to the video............
There used to be all the different car dealers in Blue Island.I used to work at one of the dealers from 1971 till it closed in 1979.
Great downtown. Looks like the town of Mayberry. It has not deteriorated. Great railroad town.
No, but there are some vacancies (here and there). The south side of Olive Street was leveled for the expansion of Jewel (mid-80s). That sadly went out of business (spring 2009). Hopefully, there are plans to redevelop that too.
If you have to live in the Chicago area this might be the place to go. I agree with your assessment of IL completely. The state is being run into the ground.
I was born in blue island at St. Francis hospital in 1968. I even remember my doctor was Dr. Bono.
In Chicago a common saying back in the day when I went on vacation was I'm going to the islands. In Chicago it was Blue Island goose Island and Stony island. They don't say that much anymore but that was a common saying back in the days. Say like 3040 even 50 years ago.
I don't see the north end of Blue Island, though. The Island starts at 119th on the north @Vincennes. Why is it not shown? Is it featured in another video?
I used to rehad the old Victorian homes in Blue Island when I was in college at Moraine Valley. About 35 years ago. The housing was really run down back then, but the white folks didn't leave, so it's still a decent place to live. If it ever hits that tipping point, it's all over like the rest of the south suburbs.
Most of the white folks in Blue Island did leave actually, -it just happened much more gradually then in many of it's neighbors. Blue Island is much more diverse now and less than 16% Non Hispanic White. There just wasn't a full blown white flight like in much of the area. But a diverse mixture of middle income people are moving in, helping to revitalize the area.
"If it ever hits that tipping point, it's all over like the rest of the South suburbs". Blue Island is only a little over 15% Non Hispanic White , more then 30% Black and over 50% Hispanic. It just happened gradually instead of a more rapid flight, and a large middle class population remained.
There are South suburban areas that YOU cannot afford to live in.
True! The housing stock (from after World War II-the 2000s) was in decline. It is amazing that the (white and Hispanic) people stuck together (and around). I had family that lived just north of the former Jewel. The block looked like crap for years. Only in the last 10-15, has there been a citywide effort, to restore and modernize homes. Actually looks a lot better now.
Got cool spots to watch trains.
I've heard of it, never been there.
Blue Island has a lot happening, but if you have ranked it as tops in Cook County, you have a LOT of other places to visit. Unfortunately, the South suburbs overall are not as vibrant as the Western, NW or Northern suburbs, which have many dozens of nice suburban communities, ranging from very densely populated blue collar places to very wealthy communities. Cook County has a population larger than most of the US states.
I agree there are nicer suburbs around. But I could be wrong I don’t believe the western or northern suburbs have as much history as the south suburbs. Again I could be wrong though.
Sounds like people are hanging in there. Lets hope they can keep making it work.
People have moved and revitalized the downtown area and a large middle class remained in the comunity. However Blue Island is less then 16% Non Hispanic White now and is now slightly more then half Latino. The change happened a lot more gradually then in many of the South Cook County suburbs.
I luv that area tho its in the Wild 100's😢😢
Is the circle track still there?
Nope
You should review Crestwood, IL not far from Blue Island. Much more vibrant.
People do not realize the hidden liens on Illinois property. There is a debt load for pension obligations that makes Illinois property nearly worthless. Public employees can 'early retire' at age 58 with pensions exceeding salaries of working nurses, after working 10-20 years of 8-month working day obligations, at half the hours....then go back to work at the same job. Nurses are starting to be made aware that they shouldn't be nurses! Be public employees like teachers!
OPEBs are a huge local property tax obligation rarely mentioned, and TIFs are barely understood even by those public officials advantaging their own personal positions by ramming them into naive, ignorant communities.
🫂sharing🫂thankYOU
There is a lot to like about Blue Island. You're not too far from Emmett Till's grave. Look him up sometime.
Damn lie. You are a long way from Emmett's grave.
Been here 50 yrs. I like your vids but this is just as much fluff as I can stomach. You have no idea how many empty buildings you passed while driving down Western Ave, and then back up Gregory. We had a complete medical district, gone now. We had hardware stores, gone now.We had banks, now just 1. We had multiple car dealerships, all gone.We had multiple manufacturing businesses such as Libby's, all long gone. There's a whole lot more negative things going on here than meets the eye. The taxes are horrendous, and there is a constant fight with BI on TIF districts as well as the fight against eminent domain in which the city can reclaim property from an owner for their purposes. The town has enough ordinances and rules to give Chicago a run for its $. There's a heck of a lot more, no you can't vs yes you can, in BI. On a positive note, Chris is a talented painter, hands down, and Joe really does make a great Santa Claus. And finally, thx for driving past my house at approx 26:50 ;) You actually drove through some of the oldest parts of BI by doing so. When this town was founded, my house would've been under water in swampland, hence the natural pitch of our hills. That's why we still call portions of the city, 'up town'. There's a plaque by 1st Lutheran Church, on Grove and Ann streets, that tell about the 1st settlements.
I have been watching your videos for several years now .and I watch several Bitcoin videos as well. You have all the receipts I need to say BTC could rescue someone from Broken Money! Chris please study Michael Saylor or jack mallers .
Went into Blue Island Police station 2 Saturdays ago to ask a minor question, an older female civilian was behind the glass window in the lobby. What an ignorant evil person. No personality, no help. Just evil and rude. Alot of illegal immigrants reside in the area too.
A few aggressively panhandle at the carwash at 123rd & Western. I give it a 6 out of 10.
1st Dammit
Crap!