South Side, Chicago
The South Side is one of the three major sections of the city of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Geographically, it is the largest of the three sections of the city, with the other two being the North and West Sides. It radiates and lies south of the city's downtown area, the Chicago Loop.
This article is about the southern part of the city of Chicago. For the region south of Chicago, see Chicago Southland.
Much of the South Side came from the city's annexation of townships such as Hyde Park.[1] The city's Sides have historically been divided by the Chicago River and its branches.[2][3] The South Side of Chicago was originally defined as all of the city south of the main branch of the Chicago River,[4][5] but it now excludes the Loop.[3] The South Side has a varied ethnic composition and a great variety of income levels and other demographic measures.[6] It has a reputation for crime, although most crime is contained within certain neighborhoods, not throughout the South Side itself,[7][8] and residents range from affluent to middle class to poor.[9][10]
South Side neighborhoods such as Armour Square, Back of the Yards, Bridgeport, and Pullman host more blue collar and middle-class residents, while Hyde Park, the Jackson Park Highlands District, Kenwood, Beverly, Mount Greenwood, and west Morgan Park range from middle class to more affluent residents.[11]
The South Side boasts a broad array of cultural and social offerings, such as professional sports teams, landmark buildings, museums, educational institutions, medical institutions, beaches, and major parts of Chicago's parks system. The South Side has numerous bus routes and 'L' train lines via the Chicago Transit Authority, it hosts Midway International Airport, and includes several Metra rail commuter lines.[12] There are portions of the U.S. Interstate Highway System and also national highways such as Lake Shore Drive.[13]
Political figures[edit]
The South Side has been home to some of the most significant figures in the history of American politics. These include Richard J. Daley and his son, Richard M. Daley; the first black U.S. President, Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama; the first black female U.S. Senator, Carol Moseley Braun; and the first black presidential candidate to win a primary, Jesse Jackson. Before them, Harold Washington, a Congressman and the first black Mayor of Chicago, as well as groundbreaking Congressman William L. Dawson, achieved political success from the South Side.[61]
The South Side's gritty reputation often makes its way into popular culture.