Revealing Blue Island: A Hidden Gem in Chicago's South Suburbs

Blue Island, Illinois is a suburb of Chicago that's located about 30 minutes southwest from Downtown. What was evident to me immediately was how much love the cities residents have for their own community. You can't say that about everywhere, so it's nice to see it when it's there to be seen. Blue Island is one of the oldest cities in all of Cook County, which says a lot. In this video I talk about what makes Blue Island a nice community. I also talk about some of the historical aspects of the city.

0:00 - 1:18 Intro
1:18 - 10:13 Downtown / Uptown / Western Avenue
10:13 - 12:00 Lyric Theater / Beggars Pizza / More Western Avenue
12:00 - 19:22 Olde Western Avenue District
19:22 Chris Campagna

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EVERYTHING THAT I USE IN THE FIELD:

WHAT I USE AT HOME:


SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTACT INFO:

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!

[DavidGlaum]

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.

[martysmith]

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.

[craignovy]

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.

[emmyali]

Blue Island!! My great uncle used to be the fire chief! My granny and all her sisters grew up in the house that used to be right across from the fire station on Vermont Street. My granny is almost 91 and I cannot wait to show this to her! She is going to LOVE this!! I was born in the old St. Francis hospital. Spent my childhood in the 80's down on Old Western and have SOOO many great stories to share. - Also, I just added to your subscriber count! Thank you for bringing light to the wonderful Chicago burbs! Not sure if you've already covered Tinley Park or New Lenox? But both cities have made MAJOR changes in the last 20+ years.

[Democratsrock]

I work for Moraine Valley Community College. So glad they have an education center in Blue Island. It really is a nice little town.

[johnvrabec]

I was born and raised in Blue Island. I was born in 1958 and we moved to Arizona in 2000. We go back to visit on average once per year and we have noticed yes, there were some times where the city was in a downturn and everything like that, but it is definitely on an upswing now because they have a good mayor for the first time in many years. Again, having lived in Illinois and Cook county, that is the real reason for many of the issues. The property tax situation is out of control in Cook County and the corruption in state and County government is very well known, I don't need to spell it out. My property taxes in Arizona are 20 to 30% of what I was paying in Blue Island and I have a bigger house and a pool. Blue Island does get a little bit of spillover crime from Chicago and Robbins, etcetera, but I still would consider it a fairly safe place to live today. Citizens really do care about the city, and as you have seen from the video the neighborhoods are really nice even though there are a few that could use some help, but that's every city across the nation. Blue Island has a good history, and again, the people care, and they have good leadership in the mayor's office right now, I foresee good things moving forward with the city on the hill, as it's called, and I look forward to its continued progress.

[shelbyz]

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.

[Inkinred]

Thanks for making these videos. I was born in Harvey, grew up in Dixmoor, then moved to Posen. I am now 45.

There was a point in another video, where you drove past my Grandparents house on Halsted, right across from the old train yard and refinery.

The house, sadly is no longer there. My Uncle estranged from the family, took ownership through shady means from my Mother, the youngest of 5 children.

One day, about 15 years ago, I was working in the area and drove by my childhood grandparents house. I was flooded with memories and after realizing where I was, I drove past the lot to find no house there. It had burnt down. Never heard from my Moms brother as to what happened. It remains a mystery to this day.

I tried to poke through the history of the area to find out what happened, but there was very little to find.

As I near 50 years old… watching all these neighborhoods decay from the inside out, watching all these people get elected to run these towns pick through the bones of what’s left of them, is so sad.

Posen, Robbins, Markham, Harvey, Dixmoor, Pheonix, Dolton, Calumet City…

I was born in 1980, There are parts of Harvey that have these lavish homes, all in decay. Those areas were on the downturn even when I was young…. For over 40 years the entire area has suffered. For many reasons…

[EmpireStateExpress]

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.

[JeepWrangler]

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.

[brianodonnell]

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!!!

[jesusmercado]

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 🫡

[heyassmanx]

Chris man, ya gotta do Aurora, Illinois!! Fascinating history, and recent revival of business and culture! Great city, great story

[geraldnovick]

I have been hoping you were doing BI. Great watch, thank you!

[kendalson]

Blue Island was always a nice little town. Nice downtown, good restaurants and shops.

[jetsons]

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.

[MBeezy]

My house is in this video twice 😂. Good thing i keep the lawn looking good lol. The schools I went to, the stores i still see everyday, the parks, everything! So many memories here. Great video!

[stringlarson]

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.

[donaldlabriola]

Mr. Murphy, back in the ‘70s the business owners had no choice but to sit back and watch as Western Ave/Gregory St. were converted to one way streets, practically destroying the Western Avenue business climate.