The Blogchicagospringfield middle class

Watch Chicago's Middle Class Disappear With This Amazing Map

In 1970, Chicago had a booming middle class. In the 40+ years since then, the middle class has disappeared from the city, squeezed out by growing lower and upper classes. It has left the city with two different economies.
Matthew Dietrich
By 

Editor of Reboot Illinois

Editor of Reboot Illinois
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

2014-04-04-Chicagomap.gif

In 1970, Chicago had a booming middle class. In the 40+ years since then, the middle class has disappeared from the city, squeezed out by growing lower and upper classes. It has left the city with two different economies.

Watch Chicago's middle class shrink over 42 years with this amazing animated map created by University of Chicago graduate student Daniel Kay Hertz. Reboot Illinois' Matt Dietrich provided some relevant commentary so you can argue over causes and effects.

CHECK OUT THE MAP HERE

While the middle class is disappearing, Chicago is facing another crisis: the looming pension crisis. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has proposed a pension plan that will rely partly on increased property taxes to help close the pension gap. It has gone from apparent clear sailing through Springfield to now having hit a brick wall.

READ THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS HERE

Related

chicagospringfield middle classReboot Illinoismap
|
Submit a tip

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot