Arlington Heights, Illinois

Arlington Heights is a village in Cook county in the U.S. state of Illinois. A suburb of Chicago, it lies about 25 miles northwest of the city's downtown. The population was 75,101 at the 2010 census.

Arlington Heights is known for Arlington Park Race Track, home of the Arlington Million, a Breeders' Cup qualifying event; also hosted the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2002. It is also home to the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, which has one of the largest collections in the state, as well as the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Saint Viator High School, John Hersey High School, South Middle School and Thomas Middle School.

Background
Arlington Heights lies mostly in the west side of Wheeling Township, with territory in adjacent Elk Grove and Palatine townships, in an area originally notable for the absence of groves and trees. The General Land Office began selling land here in 1835. In 1853 William Dunton, originally from Oswego, New York, persuaded the Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad to make a stop here, and laid out a town called Dunton. Dunton Avenue, named after William Dunton, is the village's base line that splits addresses east and west, with Campbell Street splitting north and south.

By 1850 the area had largely changed its ethnic composition, as many German farmers from Saxony had arrived during the 1840s. John Klehm might serve as an example; he was at first a potato farmer, supplying the Chicago market, and in 1856 began a nursery for cherry, apple, and pear trees, later moving into spruce, maple, and elm, and then flowers. By the late 1850s the area had become noted for its truck farms, sending dairy products as well as vegetables to Chicago on the railroad.

The little town at the depot slowly grew, acquiring a blacksmith, a cheese factory, a hardware store, and a hotel. It incorporated as Arlington Heights in 1887, when its population numbered about 1,000. Most were farmers, but they were joined by others who worked in Chicago since Arlington Heights was an early commuter suburb.

Religious heritage of Arlington Heights
The town developed religious institutions that reflected the origins of its citizens. The first churches were Presbyterian (1856) and Methodist (1858), with a German Lutheran church following in 1860.

Arlington Park Racetrack
By the turn of the century Arlington Heights had about 1,400 inhabitants, and it continued to grow slowly with a good many farms and greenhouses after World War II. By then Arlington Heights was also known for its racetrack, founded in 1927 by the California millionaire Harry D. “Curly” Brown upon land formerly consisting of 12 farms. Camp McDonald and two country clubs were founded in the 1930s. On July 31, 1985 a fire burned down the Grandstand. The current six story Grandstand was completed and opened for use June 28, 1989.

Population increase
A population explosion took place in the 1950s and 1960s, when the spread of automobile ownership, together with the expansion of the Chicago-area economy, the baby boom, and white flight from the city, drove the number of people in Arlington Heights—expanded by a series of annexations—up to 64,884 by 1970. By then virtually all the available land had been taken up, and the formerly isolated depot stop found itself part of a continuous built-up area stretching from Lake Michigan to the Fox River.

Geography
Arlington Heights is located at 42.09498°N, -87.98087°W (42.094976, -87.980873).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 16.40 square miles (42.60 km2), of which, 16.36 square miles (42.50 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of it (0.18%) is water.

Business
Arlington Heights has experienced a recent boom in development of condominiums, restaurants and other businesses in the Central Business District or downtown area of Arlington Heights, with restaurants experiencing the greatest overall success. Although land and space is now limited in Arlington Heights; business and community development along with community design are key concerns of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce with over 800 individual members and about 500 business members. The Village of Arlington Heights is also instrumental in business, residential and community development. The community is served by many fine hotels.

Top employers
According to the Village's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Sports

 * Brian McBride, former professional soccer (football) player for the US Men's National Team and former player of Fulham F.C. in the English Premier League (attended Buffalo Grove High School). Currently plays for Chicago Fire. Noted as one of the Greatest American Soccer players in history.
 * Jonathan Spector, professional soccer (football) player for the US Men's National Team and West Ham United F.C. in the English Premier League (attended Saint Viator High School).
 * Tom Zbikowski (football and boxing), Notre Dame strong safety, punt and kick returner, professional boxer, 2008 3rd round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens from Buffalo Grove High School.
 * Walter Payton, running back for the Chicago Bears lived in Arlington Heights during his early years with the team
 * Walter's son, Jarrett Payton, U of Miami running back 2001-2004, Tennessee Titans RB, 2005, attended Saint Viator High School.
 * Ray Meyer, long-time head coach of DePaul University's men's basketball program, lived in Arlington Heights.
 * Mike Myers (baseball), New York Yankees pitcher.
 * Brett Basanez (football), Northwestern University star dual threat quarterback, 2002–2005, Carolina Panthers QB 2006-2008, Chicago Bears QB 2009, attended Saint Viator High school.
 * Tom Preissing (hockey), Los Angeles Kings defensemen in the NHL.
 * Chris Nowinski, WWE wrestler. Attended John Hersey High School.
 * Dave Corzine, NBA basketball player. Attended John Hersey High School.
 * Bruce Sutter, Hall of Fame relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs(1976–1980) lived there during his time with the team
 * Tom Nelson, (football), Free Safety, Punt and Kick Returner, Professional - Cincinnati Bengals, College - Illinois State University, High School - John Hersey High School.
 * Bobby Murcer, (baseball), infielder for the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, and the Chicago Cubs. He lived here during his short stint with the Chicago Cubs.
 * Doug Betters, (football), Professional Football Player, All-Pro Defensive End, - Miami Dolphins, High School - Arlington High School.

Media and the arts

 * Davis Daniel, country music artist;
 * Ted Nugent, musician; attended St. Viator High School;
 * Tim McIlrath, lead singer of the band Rise Against; attended Rolling Meadows High School after attending Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic School, and currently lives in Arlington Heights.
 * Jennifer Morrison, actress on House; attended Prospect High School''.
 * Steve Chen, Co-Founder of YouTube. He attended John Hersey High School.
 * Marlee Matlin, actress graduated from John Hersey High School.
 * Jim Michaels, Producer/Director/Actor graduated from John Hersey High School.
 * Ray Kroc, legendary businessman behind McDonald's success, was a long-time resident.
 * Lee DeWyze, American Idol Season 9 winner. He attended Saint James Catholic Elementary School, Prospect High School and Forest View Alternative School.
 * Jeff Speakman, an accomplished martial artist and actor graduated from John Hersey High School.
 * Kathleen Dulkoski, a writer for the hit TV series Full House attended John Hersey High School.
 * Sebastian Maniscalco, comedian and actor. He attended Rolling Meadows High School.
 * Alan Gratzer, Rock Music Artist, Co Founder of REO Speedwagon; A 1966 graduate of Arlington High School.

In the Movies
The following movies were partially filmed in Arlington Heights
 * Lucas, (1986) Many scenes filmed at the former Arlington High School including the former Grace Gym and Foyer]];
 * A Nightmare on Elm Street, (2010) High School scenes filmed at John Hersey High School;
 * The Lucky Ones, (2008),
 * Blood and Wine, (1996),
 * Normal Life, (1996),
 * Uncle Nino, (2003),

Entertainment venues
From 1964 to 1970, Arlington Heights served as the home to The Cellar. The club was located in an unused warehouse on Davis Street, along the Chicago and Northwestern railroad tracks). Founded by local record store owner Paul Sampson, The Cellar offered live Rock and Blues bands for its mostly teenage audience to listen and to dance. It hosted a wealth of regional bands and repeat performers, such as the Shadows of Knight, The Mauds, H.P. Lovecraft, and Ted Nugent. It also hosted a significant array of national and international rock bands as well, including The Who, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and The Spencer Davis Group.

Current entertainment venues include the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre and Arlington Theaters, both located in downtown Arlington Heights. The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre includes live entertainment as well as arts education. The facility includes a 350 seat theatre, ballroom and classrooms for music and theatre. The Arlington Theaters include six state of the art movie auditoriums.

Transportation

 * Arlington Heights has two stations (Arlington Heights and Arlington Park) on Metra's Union Pacific Northwest Line, which provides daily rail service between Harvard, IL and Chicago, IL. Other nearby rail service includes the Metra North Central Line. Metra's proposed STAR line, if it were to be funded and built, would likely include a third station on the far south end of Arlington Heights.


 * I-90 and Route 53 (northern extension of Interstate 290) run along the south and western edges, respectively, of the city providing easy access to nearby O'Hare International Airport, the city of Chicago, and other suburbs.


 * Arlington Heights Road is a main street running north-south through all of central Arlington Heights, running to the south it passes through Elk Grove Village and its southern terminus is in Itasca of DuPage County and running north it passes through Buffalo Grove and its northern terminus is in Long Grove of Lake County. Northwest Highway (US Route 14), runs northwest-southeast through central Arlington Heights, from Chicago to Crystal Lake of McHenry County. Other major streets/roads include Rand Road (U.S. Route 12), Golf Road (Route 58), Algonquin Road (Route 62), Dundee Road (Route 68), Palatine Road, Central Road, Hintz Road, Euclid Avenue, Dunton Avenue, Campbell Street, White Oak Street, Thomas Street, Olive Street, Oakton Street, Kennicott Avenue, Ridge Avenue, Dryden Avenue and Windsor Drive.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 76,031 people, 30,763 households, and 20,518 families residing in the village. The population density was 7,633.3 people per square mile (1,788.9/km2). There were 131,725 housing units at an average density of 11,933.3 per square mile (746.4/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 90.56% White, 0.96% African American, 0.08% Native American, 5.98% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.19% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.46% of the population.

There were 30,763 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.4% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the village the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $67,807, and the median income for a family is $84,488. Males had a median income of $59,162 versus $39,555 for females. The per capita income for the village was $33,544. About 1.6% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.

Arlington Heights media
The Daily Herald, the major locally owned and operated newspaper for Arlington Heights and many other Chicago suburbs.

Journal & Topics, covering Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, and Wheeling.

Education
Public elementary schools and middle schools in Arlington Heights are primarily operated by Arlington Heights School District 25. Portions of the city are also served by Prospect Heights District 23, Wheeling District 21, and Elk Grove District 59.

Public high schools are operated by Township High School District 214. During peak enrollment from the 1960s to the 1980s, there were three public high schools in Arlington Heights: Arlington High School, Forest View High School and John Hersey High School.

Arlington High School was the original high school founded in 1922, but was closed in 1984, and is now private school Christian Liberty Academy. Forest View High School was closed in 1986, but serves as the administration center for the district. Today Arlington Heights high school students attend Rolling Meadows High School, Prospect High School, John Hersey High School and Buffalo Grove High School, with small portions attending Wheeling High School and Elk Grove High School.

There are also several private schools in Arlington Heights, such as St. Viator High School, Our Lady of Wayside School, St. James School, St. Peter Lutheran School and Christian Liberty Academy.

News & current issues
New construction of residential and commercial developments are hot topics in the local news. In the residential category, issues of noise, neighborhood style and character, drainage, and crowding of lots are issues that face residents, developers and village planners. Many houses are torn down or almost completely torn down to make way for new construction. In the commercial category, issues of noise, traffic, parking, retail and residential mix and financing are major issues. In February 2006, [Arlington Heights Public School District 25 voted against extension of a tax increment financing (TIF) district, believing that the school district would not recoup funds lost from frozen property taxes. The failure of the TIF district to extend its deadline at the end of 2006, means a possible slowdown in commercial development in of the area within boundaries of the railroad tracks along Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights Road, Sigwalt Street and Chestnut Avenue in downtown Arlington Heights. A TIF district formed around the International Plaza mall on the northeast corner of Arlington Heights Road and Golf Road is the subject of protests and a lawsuit.

A decision of the Arlington Heights Village Board to reject a rezoning request in 1971 was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, in Arlington Heights v. Metropolitan Housing Corp., 429 U.S. 252 (1977). A religious order, the Clerics of St. Viator, had sought to rezone their land that was classified for single-family housing so that low and moderate income multi-family developments could be built. After the request was denied, the developer and three black individuals filed suit in federal court, claiming that the decision was racially motivated in violation of the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The Supreme Court rejected the challenge, because although racial minorities were disproportionately harmed by the decision, the record did not show any discriminatory intent on the part of the village.