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The Chicago Southland is the suburban region south and southwest of the City of Chicago, made up of approximately 62 municipalities. This region has been known as the Chicago Southland by the local populace and regional media for over 20 years.^[1]

Bordered by Bedford Park (near Chicago Midway International Airport) on the north, the Chicago Southland extends south to Peotone, Its eastern boundary is the Illinois/Indiana State Line, and the region extends west to Woodridge and the surrounding communities in south DuPage County.

The Chicago Southland was formerly known for its blue collar roots, as it was once home to the region's steel mills and heavy industry. While some heavy industry still remains, many Southland communities have transformed into service-oriented economies as the bulk of heavy industry moves out of the Chicago metro region.

As a result of Chicago's Northern and Western suburban fill up, major residential development has made its way to the Southland in the form of subdivisions. Southland property values continue to soar, especially in the southwestern portion of the region. Nevertheless, housing remains more affordable compared to the northern and western suburbs. In 2007, Forbes magazine rated three Southland municipalities as being the most "livable" suburbs in the Chicago Metropolitan area: South Holland, Park Forest, and Homewood.^[2]
The November 17, 2009 issue of BusinessWeek named Tinley Park one of America's Best Places to Raise Your Kids.^[3]

The Chicago Southland is served by interstates I-80, I-90, I-94, I-294, I-55, and I-57, and the six major U.S. rail lines. The Lincoln Highway - America's first transcontinental paved roadway - crosses another famous highway, the Dixie Highway, in Chicago Heights, hence the city's nickname, "The Crossroads of the Nation". The Tri-State Tollway (I-80/I-294) which runs through this region has an oasis appropriately named the Chicago Southland - Lincoln Oasis near South Holland.

The Chicago Southland is home to the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater^[4] (formerly the Tweeter Center), a large outdoor music theater; Balmoral Park^[5] in Crete; and Toyota Park, home of the Chicago Fire MLS Soccer Club.^[6]

The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau represents the 62 communities and works to bring outside visitors, meetings, and conventions to the region.

The Chicago Southland has several media outlets and regional organizations including: the Daily Southtown,^[7]The Orland Park Prairie, The Tinley Junction, The Mokena Messenger, The Frankfort Station, The Homer Horizon, The New Lenox Patriot and several Patch Media outlets.

Municipalities

Area 1 (West Cook)
Bedford Park,
Bridgeview, Burbank,
Chicago Ridge,
Evergreen Park,
Hickory Hills,
Hometown,
Palos,
Summit,
Oak Lawn,
Worth

Area 2 (Central Cook)
Alsip,
Blue Island,
Crestwood, Merrionette Park,
Midlothian,
Oak Forest, Orland Hills, Orland Park
Posen,
Robbins

Area 3 (Cook/Will)
Calumet Park, Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills, Dixmoor, East Hazel Crest, Flossmoor, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Homewood, Markham, Matteson, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Richton Park, South Chicago Heights, Steger, University Park

Area 4 (East Cook)
Burnham, Calumet City, Dolton, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Lansing, Lynwood, Phoenix, Riverdale, Sauk Village, South Holland, Thornton

Area 5 (Will)
Frankfort, Mokena, Monee, New Lenox, Peotone, Beecher, Crete

Area 6 (South DuPage/Will)
Belmont, Bolingbrook, Burr Ridge, Darien, Downers Grove, Homer Glen, Joliet, Lemont, Lisle, Lockport, Romeoville, Willowbrook, Willow Springs, Woodridge

Transportation

Air Transit

The possibility of an airport in Peotone has been discussed since 1968, with official planning beginning in 1984. However, due to concerns that this would negatively impact the environment, the project has yet to be completed. As late as 2014, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn expressed intention to continue with the project, despite slowdown from the FAA.^[8]

Mass Transit

• The Metra Electric District, Rock Island District and Southwest Service Metra lines serve Chicago Southland commuters.


• 
  Pace also operates several bus lines in the Chicago Southland, with operating divisions in Markham and a major facility in South Holland.

Post-Secondary Education

There are a variety of community colleges and universities in the Chicago Southland including:

• 
  Governors State University (University Park, Illinois)


• 
  Moraine Valley Community College (Palos Hills, Illinois)


• 
  Prairie State College (Chicago Heights, Illinois)


• 
  South Suburban College (South Holland, Illinois)


• 
  Trinity Christian College (Palos Heights, Illinois)

References

External links

• Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau


• South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association and Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation


• Southwest Conference of Mayors