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Welcome to cook county court system and thank you to our governor signing the SAFE T BILL.also the states attorney approves the charges not the police.
Being a white dude u better watch your ass in Robbins. That place isn’t a joke. I lived in Blue Island next door to Robbins. I’m white but had friends in the old trailer park and new projects that were tore down. I really miss Blanches BBQ to be honest. I always hit the Maxwell St off Pulaski still when I don’t want to drive up to 18th st. Good old Robbins!!!
Chris I had no idea how much corruption was going on in these small southern Chicagoland suburbs. It’s very eye opening. If you created a documentary on every neighborhood in Chicagoland I would watch it. I love hearing about all the dirt and corruption that these small cities have. PLEASE continue doing them.
Chris, thank you for the very detailed report. Also, thank you for the kind words in relation to the work I performed for the village while holding the title of Chief of Police. D. Sheppard
Officer Sheppard, ill always appreciate the help you gave as my son experienced a mental health crisis and the Robbins Police were called...I hope you find a position in a town where your compassion and professionalism will be appreciated.....
I'm white My father & I used to go to Robbins to give out Secret Christmas gifts to the poor. My Black boss said he wouldn't even go to Robbins. Kim Fox the Cook County DA releases criminals on low or no bond.
@@bufordmaddogtannen5164 They shut it down because it could not pass EPA inspections or emissions standards once it was put to use. That and the barges that brought garbage down the Cal Sag to be burned, ended up polluting the waterway as the trash literally blew off the open containers into the water. I don't recall how long they ran it for, but in the morning neighborhoods would be covered in a sticky grey ash after an overnight burn.
Please do Midlothian IL. my family has a rich history from building plazas to starting midlothian auto parts on 147th in waverly. His building is a historical building. Chuck cavalini's was one of the greatest places.
Thanks for researching and putting together this video. I learned a lot that I didn't know. The guys who started the airport and air school, fascinating. Visually, the informal market starting at 24:20 was the most visually interesting part for me.
As a life long Blue Islander, I can tell you that during the 80s and 90s, 1 was 'smart' to stay out of Robbins at all costs. Don't even drive through it. As you said, the mass exodus started in the 70s with the gangs and police corruption. Turf wars between the Latin Kings and Gangster disciples were common, and often spilled over into neighboring towns. Younger members would throw rocks at passing cars hoping they would stop. If they did, older members would rob and car jack them. And the police were no better. If fact the last thing 1 wanted to do was get pulled over even for the most minor thing. At 1 time, Robbins had family owned stores of all types, a couple car dealerships, their own medical complex that's now some sort of rehab/assisted living center, a paint store, hardware store etc. You should've filmed about 2 yrs ago before they started tearing down all the buildings and collapsed houses. What you drove through, what is left, is nothing in comparison. To this day, as bias as it sounds, I still go completely out of my way to avoid driving through Robbins. There was talk in the 2010s about possible annexation, but no neighboring town wants to take on their debt and infrastructure woes.
Nichelle Nichols and Keke Palmer are also from Robbins. Nichelle is the first lead Black Woman from Star Trek and Keke Palmer Emmy Award , actress, songwriter, and singer are from Robbins.
My hometown😊😢 not going to lie. The current mayor is way better than the last two mayors we had and one mayor we had almost for like 20 years and she did nothing. Absolutely nothing
Mayor Bryant is following in that same footsteps. Ask what happened with the BRINN\R3 funding through Metropolitan Family Services, whom only implemented 2 of the 5 services under that grant. MFS is just as corrupt as this Mayor and the ones before. Don't fool yourself
in massachusetts Boston our biggest city and the surrounding cities and towns its the opposite of that you won't see abandoned homes and buildings in that quantity. lots of old being fixed or replaced with new you walk around seeing construction everywhere. lots of foot traffic. new England is the oldest area lots of farm homes and Colonial homes. you would not think in other states it would be like that. massachusetts is also more expensive to buy and rent. etc.
I grew up (did I? lol...) at 533 W 129th Pl, Chicago. We moved to Blue Island, and Alsip was always important...Commissioner's Park, Alsip Nursery...I remember Tuthill Pump Co.
I grew up in Hammond and bought a new 1973 BMW 750 from Midwest Triumph on Crawford Avenue in Alsip. Midwest sold the most Triumphs in Chicagoland and made a killing repairing those once out of warranty. They also sold Yamaha. The owner was a cool older man that was friends with Harry Molenaar in Hammond. Harry once had 5 Harley dealerships in Chicago's southern industrial suburbs.
Hi there Chris I’m from the UK this is my first time here and I’m going to start from the beginning I look forward to the history and architecture of the USA .
We have beautiful architecture, lots of history, and good food. But many small communities are sadly run by corrupt officials and greedy companies destroy once great businesses.
and yet as you drove around town, the vast majority of the occupied homes looked well maintained, nice lawns etc. I feel for the hard-working residents trying to build a life for their families, only to have the corrupt politicians knock them down.
I think Robbins has potential. I notice many immigrant families moving into these blighted areas because they're affordable. Those same families are fixing up those homes.
Incredible very detailed narration which has to be heard to be believed. Corruption...it warps the ones doing it as they take advantage of the vulnerabilities of others. Yet...there are inspirational stories here of people who beat the odds. Chris not only puts his heart and head into the most illuminating videos he is equally concerned to find the facts that are relevant. This is so refershing as there is too much out there that only tries to prove a point. Again here is the important how and why he is superb at!
Well done on all the information provided in the video Chris. As long as Illinois cities continue to stick their heads in the sand and ignore crime and corruption it will continue to go downhill. Taxes, crime, politics, and weather are why everyone is leaving. Those in power would rather whine and complain about problems and blame everyone else rather than do something to correct it. Shame about the police chief. Hope he is in a town that appreciates the effort.
My uncle lives a couple miles away in Alsip. I had no idea it was so close to a terrible place. Cool to hear Richards cause one of my cousins went there.
The common thread seems to be loss of manufacturing jobs. If folks can work consistently for a decent wage, keep their families together and maintain some local business, they can thrive. It's sad to see.
My mom grew up here in the 60s after her dad died, leaving my stay at home grandma a widow with 5 children to raise. She did the best she could in Robbins, but they were pooor.
Another Robbins fact is that it is the home of 9 original Tuskegee Airmen. I drive through Robbins pretty often and can say that in the last year they have at least began efforts to demolish some of the more dangerously dilapidated buildings.
I think corruption & violence has pretty much ruined every Chicago neighborhood... and Chicago too. Count Illinois in total... particularly the governors (4 of the last 10) who ended up in jail.
True. I was raised in "Colonial Village" (Chicago), at 533 W 129th Place, 60628, along the Little Calumet River. I heard it's dangerous now, although it looks nice on GoogleMaps.
3:08 oh my God I was going to say 40 million dollars to fix plumbing and Robbins, IL must have never upgraded they're plumbing system & you just said it,lol 🤣
I grew up in Bellwood IL 70 percent of the Whites did the White flight in the mid 1970s. Davies real estate said you better sell now before your home loses it value.
Robbin's has been like that for 55 plus years We used to shortcut through their going to Blue Island Good old skins lounge. And of course don't forget Nichelle Nichols lieutenant uhura on Star Trek was from Robbins.
I used to take the shortcut, too, right past Skins Lounge - great name - I'd see guys hanging out front 6-7 in the morning on my way to work, kinda sad, I knew they're broke and having a tough time...
@@carlsaganlives4036 do you know the funny thing though given the area though the regular like gang crime wasn't there back then I know a lot of people that they didn't go to Swap-O-Rama they went to the robbins flea market. And they enjoyed themselves
What is the WORST place in Illinois? I would say Cairo followed by Ford Heights and the Englewood "hood " of Chicago. But the worst of the worst, to me, would be a small part of Rockford's near-east side bordered by 1st Ave to the north, Kishwaukee to the west, 7th Street to the east and Broadway to the south!!!😮
I don't think another village wants to annex Robbins with all the water pipe problems and the political issues with the police dept failing to do their jobs. I suspect the mayor fired the police chief as he was getting to close one of the mayor's relatives being arrest for something. This village has no money or tax base to work with so an annex is going to put a burden on any village that thinks oh money tax money coming in, duhhhh no more expenses and headaches.
Didn't talk about the murder🎉 of a Black security guard at Manny's Blue Room by a cop from the next town over (Midlothian), who was acquitted, calling it 'friendly fire.' There is also new construction going on, and an increasing Hispanic population. And a lot of the population decline began when one of the two housing project and the trailer park were torn down. The housing project you show in this video was the other one, where they remodeled it, and revamped everything, and there are no gangs like once before. There is now a Dollar General, a gas station, and a restaurant coming to the town. The corruption is on point, but Robbins has not sank into the abyss like you make it out to be.
Back in 1979 I went with my stepfather to a hardware store in Robbins. We left without incident, however, as we pulled out onto the street on sat at a red light, that same store got robbed. In 1999ish there was a, fresh- built ground up, incinerator built and barely ran maybe a year.The hiring mandate required a very large percentage of new hires were to be local citizens. Employees caused the facility to be unproductive and highly cost-inefficient. Stereotypes exist for a reason
Blue Island refused to annex Robbins in the 20th century for blackish reasons, and it's doubtful that Brown Island--chicanos rule now--will in the 21st century. Blue Island annexed the once unincorporated subdivision of California Gardens, which Robbins once provided Lake Michigan water to. Dr. Irene Brodie, Ph.D., likely resigned because of her increasing dementia. I still remember grading her Moraine Valley Community College students' papers on village time when she was supposed to collect water bill payments. She and her deputy clerk were receiving twice the salary for collecting on water bills than the Phoenix village clerk and Phoenix deputy clerk were getting for that. It took Blue Island Community High School District 218's first black educator Clara Lemon to sing like a canary about how trifling Brodie was. As village president and police magistrate of Robbins, Nichelle Nichols stood up to Al Capone and his bootlrlegging operation in the village. Robbins had a volunteer fire department. The best neighborhood in the village was Golden Acres, where Brodie once lived. Robbins has a park district.
I work in most of these neighborhoods almost daily. I work for the local gas company and it really is a shame what these towns have turned into. Especially robbins being right next to Crestwood and Alsip.
equal parts anger and sadness. That there's the noble history with the airport and it's connection to the Tuskegee Airmen is the sadness part. The memory of those great men deserves better.
I lived in Alsip for 10 years, then 2 in Midlothian. Dated a girl from Harvey. Had a great friend from Robbins & went to school with lots of kids from there. They used to say "we call it Robbins because that's what we doing".
You should do the baller side of Beverly. Was doing DoorDash on my bike cruising down “Longwood” (I think). A few mile stretch where every house on the street must have been $3Million. I think it is by St Barnabis.
I grew up in crestwood; Robbins has never been a safe place to travel through. Plenty of people I know have had wild issues just passing through in broad daylight.
My brother’s neighbor in Crestwood was shot and killed by someone firing a round across 135th street in Robbins. He was driving through Robbins on his way home from work. Anything east of Cicero is no go, Oak Forest is getting bad too.
@fratzogmopars I agree my brother loves in oak forest and says it's got more rough areas than ever now. Not as bad as these neighborhoods in the videos but not what it was. Completely agree east of Cicero is generally more trouble
Chris, you were bold driving on Grace Ave…those projects are notorious for shooting at cars. Hell, Robbins police hardly drive thru there. Oh, that one abandoned house at 29:01 that was on Lydia used to be a family friend of mines. Haven’t heard from them in over a decade
There was a drive thru BBQ place we used to go here in high school to buy beers. They never carded. All the teens in the area knew it as “Drive By”. That’s the only reason we ever went to Robbin’s.
I still remember Robbins' police dept being mentioned in an SNL skit back in the 1980's. I grew up next to Robbins decades ago and it's always been awful.
Depends on the suburbs. Most are nice with beautiful homes lots of wealth and then you have places like North Chicago, Gurnee and Waukegan which appear to be setting up for decline if they don't get the gang and drug activity under control
Exactly. That’s why places with high unemployment/few job opportunities have poorly-maintained infrastructure. Robbins, Cairo, Harvey, the South Side… all good examples of that.
It's depressing in a sense. I only say that because I remember when some of these neighborhoods were nice. Even the southside of Chicago was great at one time. My brother moved away from Berwyn just in time and he moved to Crest Hill. It's a crap hole there now.
The fact that people keep running away from places that they voted for, and turned a blind eye to, and never fought to correct it, just moves the problem to their new town, city, municipality, and never rectifies the problems they first created and had.
Anyone from here Remember the trailer parks that used to be up in Robbins? That was probably the most ghetto area I’ve ever seen my whole life. There would be people sitting in the middle of the road with gallon bag full of crack, just waiting to sell it to you. I got pulled over there and the cops were as ghetto as the people selling the drugs.
@johnobrien1759: Please tell me you are joking. How is it that the police didn't see it and make arrests thus putting a stop to this foolishness? Please explain Thanks.
@@Leroy-tj9jg I explained you the story but didn’t send it to your name. Just go back to this page and read it. I’m not lying to you, bro. It was really like that.
The Trillionaires that want to go to the midwest and build a NEW mega city for the 22nd century might look at these suburbs as a STARTING point for the city of the 22nd century .........
When I was young, my uncle and I used to drive through Harvey and Robbins to look at dilapidated houses. I was probably like eight at the time. Robins has been bad forever. It actually looks better now. They built a lot of new houses there that look out of place to the old ones.
So people left the Crime and insanity for greener pastures and relish in a gated community. Putting as much Real Estate between good and evil will speed the self destruction we see as elevatable.
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Welcome to cook county court system and thank you to our governor signing the SAFE T BILL.also the states attorney approves the charges not the police.
Being a white dude u better watch your ass in Robbins. That place isn’t a joke. I lived in Blue Island next door to Robbins. I’m white but had friends in the old trailer park and new projects that were tore down. I really miss Blanches BBQ to be honest. I always hit the Maxwell St off Pulaski still when I don’t want to drive up to 18th st. Good old Robbins!!!
Chris I had no idea how much corruption was going on in these small southern Chicagoland suburbs. It’s very eye opening. If you created a documentary on every neighborhood in Chicagoland I would watch it. I love hearing about all the dirt and corruption that these small cities have. PLEASE continue doing them.
That's why we call it crook county
Chris, thank you for the very detailed report. Also, thank you for the kind words in relation to the work I performed for the village while holding the title of Chief of Police.
D. Sheppard
You’re the man, David!
You seem like a good guy. I hope you continue your career and find a Village that actually wants your help and dedication.
Officer Sheppard, ill always appreciate the help you gave as my son experienced a mental health crisis and the Robbins Police were called...I hope you find a position in a town where your compassion and professionalism will be appreciated.....
I'm white My father & I used to go to Robbins to give out Secret Christmas gifts to the poor. My Black boss said he wouldn't even go to Robbins. Kim Fox the Cook County DA releases criminals on low or no bond.
She was a disappointment.
She belongs in jail
I recall a lot of drama surrounding the now defunct incinerator in that town back in the 90's.
Yea they built a highschool right next to it for cheap then they shut it down
@@bufordmaddogtannen5164no they did not
@@bufordmaddogtannen5164 They shut it down because it could not pass EPA inspections or emissions standards once it was put to use. That and the barges that brought garbage down the Cal Sag to be burned, ended up polluting the waterway as the trash literally blew off the open containers into the water. I don't recall how long they ran it for, but in the morning neighborhoods would be covered in a sticky grey ash after an overnight burn.
Please do Midlothian IL. my family has a rich history from building plazas to starting midlothian auto parts on 147th in waverly. His building is a historical building.
Chuck cavalini's was one of the greatest places.
Thanks for researching and putting together this video. I learned a lot that I didn't know. The guys who started the airport and air school, fascinating. Visually, the informal market starting at 24:20 was the most visually interesting part for me.
Im so freaking glad you brought that up . Robbins ALL Black first airport 🛫it's such a forgotten piece of Black history 😢
Never even heard of it WOW
I appreciate all the work you put into your videos. Always enjoy watching!
As a life long Blue Islander, I can tell you that during the 80s and 90s, 1 was 'smart' to stay out of Robbins at all costs. Don't even drive through it. As you said, the mass exodus started in the 70s with the gangs and police corruption. Turf wars between the Latin Kings and Gangster disciples were common, and often spilled over into neighboring towns. Younger members would throw rocks at passing cars hoping they would stop. If they did, older members would rob and car jack them. And the police were no better. If fact the last thing 1 wanted to do was get pulled over even for the most minor thing. At 1 time, Robbins had family owned stores of all types, a couple car dealerships, their own medical complex that's now some sort of rehab/assisted living center, a paint store, hardware store etc. You should've filmed about 2 yrs ago before they started tearing down all the buildings and collapsed houses. What you drove through, what is left, is nothing in comparison. To this day, as bias as it sounds, I still go completely out of my way to avoid driving through Robbins. There was talk in the 2010s about possible annexation, but no neighboring town wants to take on their debt and infrastructure woes.
Nichelle Nichols and Keke Palmer are also from Robbins. Nichelle is the first lead Black Woman from Star Trek and Keke Palmer Emmy Award , actress, songwriter, and singer are from Robbins.
Yeah, We old people know about Star Trek, and he did tell us about the rest!
@cherylday1831 the first interracial kiss on television was between Nichelle Nichols and William Shatner.
I don't blame Willie. 😊
My hometown😊😢 not going to lie. The current mayor is way better than the last two mayors we had and one mayor we had almost for like 20 years and she did nothing. Absolutely nothing
Bet she stole tons of money
Mayor Bryant is following in that same footsteps. Ask what happened with the BRINN\R3 funding through Metropolitan Family Services, whom only implemented 2 of the 5 services under that grant. MFS is just as corrupt as this Mayor and the ones before. Don't fool yourself
@@fredgardner2870she did!
in massachusetts Boston our biggest city and the surrounding cities and towns its the opposite of that you won't see abandoned homes and buildings in that quantity. lots of old being fixed or replaced with new you walk around seeing construction everywhere. lots of foot traffic. new England is the oldest area lots of farm homes and Colonial homes. you would not think in other states it would be like that. massachusetts is also more expensive to buy and rent. etc.
@@scottbrenham1341he wasn't talking about your city
Great info. I didn't know a lot of this stuff about Robbins. I only knew about D Wade. Good work on the vids.
I grew up in nearby Alsip. Every time driving through Robbins, I always thought about what could have been....
I grew up (did I? lol...) at 533 W 129th Pl, Chicago. We moved to Blue Island, and Alsip was always important...Commissioner's Park, Alsip Nursery...I remember Tuthill Pump Co.
@@boomer3150I walk my dog through commisioners regularly. Tuthill is now Ingersoll Rand, unfortunately the nursery is no more
@@tb-bk9kh Thanks for the update.😊😊
I grew up in Hammond and bought a new 1973 BMW 750 from Midwest Triumph on Crawford Avenue in Alsip. Midwest sold the most Triumphs in Chicagoland and made a killing repairing those once out of warranty. They also sold Yamaha. The owner was a cool older man that was friends with Harry Molenaar in Hammond. Harry once had 5 Harley dealerships in Chicago's southern industrial suburbs.
It's CROOK county .
Hi there Chris I’m from the UK this is my first time here and I’m going to start from the beginning I look forward to the history and architecture of the USA .
We have beautiful architecture, lots of history, and good food. But many small communities are sadly run by corrupt officials and greedy companies destroy once great businesses.
No better place to start than Robbins.
You missed out on discussing the Robins Incinerator
I always wondered about that.
I remember on this show call The Awakening (a Chicago tv show) they filmed over there at a warehouse
Ha! I remember that show. It was on a public access channel and came on Saturday nights
A lot of Robbins goes to Eisenhower high school in blue island
Damn South Suburbs make the west side look like Naperville
I'd rather live in Bellwood or Maywood than any of these places he's gone through
Maywood, hell no. Bellwood, maybe.
@@F4URGranted I'll take Robbins over Maywood any day of the week lol
Yo Chris harden great video s as always 😎 👊 bro
Robbins has looked similar in 1970, when my friend drove me thru it.
50 yrs ago.A town where time has stood still. Is that good or bad???
and yet as you drove around town, the vast majority of the occupied homes looked well maintained, nice lawns etc. I feel for the hard-working residents trying to build a life for their families, only to have the corrupt politicians knock them down.
Ikr.
I think Robbins has potential. I notice many immigrant families moving into these blighted areas because they're affordable. Those same families are fixing up those homes.
Hope you make a video about my neighborhood of South Holland!!
Another great video. I spent more than enough time in robbins. Spot on.
Oh my God Brooklyn Illinois the town has nothing but strip clubs. I swear Southern Illinois and Chicago Illinois it's two different states
First! Donation for the Hill Jack - Mountain Dew relief fund!
Haha thank you! Much appreciated!
@@ChrisHarden I enjoy your videos and can appreciate all of the hard work you put in to research the communities for each video.
Fascinating African American history in Robbins. thanks for bringing it out.
Incredible very detailed narration which has to be heard to be believed. Corruption...it warps the ones doing it as they take advantage of the vulnerabilities of others. Yet...there are inspirational stories here of people who beat the odds. Chris not only puts his heart and head into the most illuminating videos he is equally concerned to find the facts that are relevant. This is so refershing as there is too much out there that only tries to prove a point. Again here is the important how and why he is superb at!
I have a friend who currently lives in Robbins, after he moved from nearby Blue Island.
When growing up in that part of the south suburbs Robbins Illinois had nothing but just derelict houses that was in the 80s and 90
Yeah... Seems like it's always been that way based on what I could gather.
I love The Candyman music during breaks😂😂😂
Well done on all the information provided in the video Chris. As long as Illinois cities continue to stick their heads in the sand and ignore crime and corruption it will continue to go downhill. Taxes, crime, politics, and weather are why everyone is leaving. Those in power would rather whine and complain about problems and blame everyone else rather than do something to correct it. Shame about the police chief. Hope he is in a town that appreciates the effort.
My uncle lives a couple miles away in Alsip. I had no idea it was so close to a terrible place. Cool to hear Richards cause one of my cousins went there.
Robbins was wild in the 90s
You have an awesome channel brother! If you get a chance check Hopkins Park , Sun River terrace, Pembroke ... Interesting towns to say the least
Pembroke is horrible period
The common thread seems to be loss of manufacturing jobs. If folks can work consistently for a decent wage, keep their families together and maintain some local business, they can thrive. It's sad to see.
Pretty much. America has changed.
Excuses, excuses; blame, blame. Woe is me when me want do for self.
Did you put up that Phoenix video Chris
My mom grew up here in the 60s after her dad died, leaving my stay at home grandma a widow with 5 children to raise. She did the best she could in Robbins, but they were pooor.
Thank you . Very interesting video of Robbins .
You doing all the places I grew up salute 🫡
Thanks for covering this town.
Have you done Bellwood and Maywood yet?
Yesssss. The one I've been waiting for!
Another Robbins fact is that it is the home of 9 original Tuskegee Airmen. I drive through Robbins pretty often and can say that in the last year they have at least began efforts to demolish some of the more dangerously dilapidated buildings.
Yes, He mentioned the history!
Birds of a feather, corrupt together.
I think corruption & violence has pretty much ruined every Chicago neighborhood... and Chicago too. Count Illinois in total... particularly the governors (4 of the last 10) who ended up in jail.
True. I was raised in "Colonial Village" (Chicago), at 533 W 129th Place, 60628, along the Little Calumet River. I heard it's dangerous now, although it looks nice on GoogleMaps.
I’m glad you didn’t forget nichel nickels. Good video with some cool ass history lessons!
3:08 oh my God I was going to say 40 million dollars to fix plumbing and Robbins, IL must have never upgraded they're plumbing system & you just said it,lol 🤣
Looks like they tore down a lot of the blight. Careful driving through Robbins, they love giving speeding tickets.
I was told years ago to stay out of Robbins entirely because it was so bad. I enjoyed this video. 😊❤
Careful Chris, some harden criminals are on the streets of this burb
Can you do a video on Posen? I lived there from 01 to 08
Even the drugs that are sold in Robbins is of low quality lol
I grew up in Bellwood IL 70 percent of the Whites did the White flight in the mid 1970s. Davies real estate said you better sell now before your home loses it value.
Robbin's has been like that for 55 plus years
We used to shortcut through their going to Blue Island
Good old skins lounge.
And of course don't forget Nichelle Nichols lieutenant uhura on Star Trek was from Robbins.
I used to take the shortcut, too, right past Skins Lounge - great name - I'd see guys hanging out front 6-7 in the morning on my way to work, kinda sad, I knew they're broke and having a tough time...
@@carlsaganlives4036 do you know the funny thing though given the area though the regular like gang crime wasn't there back then I know a lot of people that they didn't go to Swap-O-Rama they went to the robbins flea market. And they enjoyed themselves
This is going to be Dolton next with Tahoe Tiffany
I saw a video for Dolton I can’t remember who did it though.
What is the WORST place in Illinois?
I would say Cairo followed by Ford Heights and the Englewood "hood " of Chicago. But the worst of the worst, to me, would be a small part of Rockford's near-east side bordered by 1st Ave to the north, Kishwaukee to the west, 7th Street to the east and Broadway to the south!!!😮
East St. Louis and surrounding areas probably deserve a place on the list of worst places in Illinois.
Englewood isn't nearly as bad as it was in the late 80s early 90s
Did you do Wheeling IL
Haven’t yet
I don't think another village wants to annex Robbins with all the water pipe problems and the political issues with the police dept failing to do their jobs. I suspect the mayor fired the police chief as he was getting to close one of the mayor's relatives being arrest for something. This village has no money or tax base to work with so an annex is going to put a burden on any village that thinks oh money tax money coming in, duhhhh no more expenses and headaches.
It'll be annexed by the Cook County Forest Preserves
@@ChrisHarden lolololololol
Didn't talk about the murder🎉 of a Black security guard at Manny's Blue Room by a cop from the next town over (Midlothian), who was acquitted, calling it 'friendly fire.' There is also new construction going on, and an increasing Hispanic population. And a lot of the population decline began when one of the two housing project and the trailer park were torn down. The housing project you show in this video was the other one, where they remodeled it, and revamped everything, and there are no gangs like once before. There is now a Dollar General, a gas station, and a restaurant coming to the town. The corruption is on point, but Robbins has not sank into the abyss like you make it out to be.
Exactly. A lot of things happening in Robbins he's totally oblivious to, all while disrespecting the town, the mayor and it's residents.
Keep dreaming.
Back in 1979 I went with my stepfather to a hardware store in Robbins. We left without incident, however, as we pulled out onto the street on sat at a red light, that same store got robbed.
In 1999ish there was a, fresh- built ground up, incinerator built and barely ran maybe a year.The hiring mandate required a very large percentage of new hires were to be local citizens. Employees caused the facility to be unproductive and highly cost-inefficient. Stereotypes exist for a reason
Bravo to those people who don't give up. Lots of homes are kept up with families working hard in spite of what is going on all around them.
Will you be showcasing any of Chicago's nicer suburbs? Also, will you continue the Mile Road series north of 13 mile? Thanks.
Yes and no plans to do the 2nd
Blue Island refused to annex Robbins in the 20th century for blackish reasons, and it's doubtful that Brown Island--chicanos rule now--will in the 21st century. Blue Island annexed the once unincorporated subdivision of California Gardens, which Robbins once provided Lake Michigan water to. Dr. Irene Brodie, Ph.D., likely resigned because of her increasing dementia. I still remember grading her Moraine Valley Community College students' papers on village time when she was supposed to collect water bill payments. She and her deputy clerk were receiving twice the salary for collecting on water bills than the Phoenix village clerk and Phoenix deputy clerk were getting for that. It took Blue Island Community High School District 218's first black educator Clara Lemon to sing like a canary about how trifling Brodie was. As village president and police magistrate of Robbins, Nichelle Nichols stood up to Al Capone and his bootlrlegging operation in the village. Robbins had a volunteer fire department. The best neighborhood in the village was Golden Acres, where Brodie once lived. Robbins has a park district.
I work in most of these neighborhoods almost daily. I work for the local gas company and it really is a shame what these towns have turned into. Especially robbins being right next to Crestwood and Alsip.
equal parts anger and sadness. That there's the noble history with the airport and it's connection to the Tuskegee Airmen is the sadness part. The memory of those great men deserves better.
What was the official name of the new projects that were on Woodlawn?
Everything east of Cicero Ave SUCKS
From The Roof Down sounds like something the Super Mayor of Dalton might be involved in.
I lived in Alsip for 10 years, then 2 in Midlothian. Dated a girl from Harvey. Had a great friend from Robbins & went to school with lots of kids from there. They used to say "we call it Robbins because that's what we doing".
On the Metra Rock Island train Robbins is always a flag stop.If they don't have to pick up or drop anyone off they won't stop..
You should do the baller side of Beverly. Was doing DoorDash on my bike cruising down “Longwood” (I think). A few mile stretch where every house on the street must have been $3Million. I think it is by St Barnabis.
🤫
I grew up in crestwood; Robbins has never been a safe place to travel through. Plenty of people I know have had wild issues just passing through in broad daylight.
My brother’s neighbor in Crestwood was shot and killed by someone firing a round across 135th street in Robbins. He was driving through Robbins on his way home from work. Anything east of Cicero is no go, Oak Forest is getting bad too.
@fratzogmopars I agree my brother loves in oak forest and says it's got more rough areas than ever now. Not as bad as these neighborhoods in the videos but not what it was. Completely agree east of Cicero is generally more trouble
Chris, you were bold driving on Grace Ave…those projects are notorious for shooting at cars. Hell, Robbins police hardly drive thru there.
Oh, that one abandoned house at 29:01 that was on Lydia used to be a family friend of mines. Haven’t heard from them in over a decade
A Calumet City IL video would be cool.
Oh I'll definitely be commenting on this! Chris get your facts 1st
There was a drive thru BBQ place we used to go here in high school to buy beers. They never carded. All the teens in the area knew it as “Drive By”. That’s the only reason we ever went to Robbin’s.
Looks nice
I still remember Robbins' police dept being mentioned in an SNL skit back in the 1980's. I grew up next to Robbins decades ago and it's always been awful.
All these south west suburbs but what is the common denominator?
Hi, what are the North Chicago suburbs like?
Much much much nicer than the south suburbs
Not like Robbins. More like rich McMansion single family home suburbia.
@@ChrisHarden are you going to do Evanston someday?
Depends on the suburbs. Most are nice with beautiful homes lots of wealth and then you have places like North Chicago, Gurnee and Waukegan which appear to be setting up for decline if they don't get the gang and drug activity under control
Is there no place in that state that's not corrupt?
I was trying to see if you rode pass my uncle house, my cousin use to do dwayne wade first wifes hair
How is Siobhan?
What role does unemployment play in the demise of any municipality? Does unemployment affect the tax base that pays for infrastructure?
Exactly. That’s why places with high unemployment/few job opportunities have poorly-maintained infrastructure. Robbins, Cairo, Harvey, the South Side… all good examples of that.
It's depressing in a sense. I only say that because I remember when some of these neighborhoods were nice. Even the southside of Chicago was great at one time. My brother moved away from Berwyn just in time and he moved to Crest Hill. It's a crap hole there now.
The fact that people keep running away from places that they voted for, and turned a blind eye to, and never fought to correct it, just moves the problem to their new town, city, municipality, and never rectifies the problems they first created and had.
Nice Job Chris, but the incinerator fiasco in the 1990s was the death knell for this dump called Robbins.
Did you just came from dixmoor in that area what's desolate in the 80s and 90s
Lt. Nyota Uhura "Nichelle Nichols" and James T. Kirk has the first interracial kiss on TV back in November 22, 1968.
Phoenix Illinois is no better?
Anyone from here Remember the trailer parks that used to be up in Robbins? That was probably the most ghetto area I’ve ever seen my whole life. There would be people sitting in the middle of the road with gallon bag full of crack, just waiting to sell it to you. I got pulled over there and the cops were as ghetto as the people selling the drugs.
@johnobrien1759: Please tell me you are joking. How is it that the police didn't see it and make arrests thus putting a stop to this foolishness? Please explain Thanks.
@@Leroy-tj9jg
They're corrupt cops
@@Leroy-tj9jg Because they were as corrupt as 1 can get. They were getting paid off, and some were even selling themselves.
@@Leroy-tj9jg I explained you the story but didn’t send it to your name. Just go back to this page and read it. I’m not lying to you, bro. It was really like that.
You are correct. Do accept my apology. I almost cried after I read the full article. Our people are better than this! @@johnobrien1759
Solid report, here.
"Black pwned", that says it all.
That ain’t even the half but it’s gotten much better
The Trillionaires that want to go to the midwest and build a NEW mega city for the 22nd century might look at these suburbs as a STARTING point for the city of the 22nd century .........
When I was young, my uncle and I used to drive through Harvey and Robbins to look at dilapidated houses. I was probably like eight at the time. Robins has been bad forever. It actually looks better now. They built a lot of new houses there that look out of place to the old ones.
Thr first Black airport in the country. What happened since then?
So people left the Crime and insanity for greener pastures and relish in a gated community. Putting as much Real Estate between good and evil will speed the self destruction we see as elevatable.
I love your stuff Chris except that, for my liking, it's 'just that much' too long 😢
Again, you do stellar work.
When was Robbins not a disaster? This isn't a new story.