McKinley Park Existing Conditions Report

Located in Cook County, on the southwest side of the City of Chicago, McKinley Park is less than five miles from Chicago’s Loop. Neighboring communities include Bridgeport, Back of the Yards, Brighton Park, South Lawndale, and Lower West Side. The Stevenson Expressway (I-55) is north of McKinley Park, connecting the western suburbs to the Chicago Loop. The planning area boundaries are defined by the McKinley Park Chicago community area, with the exception of its south boundary, which is extended south to the rail corridor to include the CMD (see Figure 2.1). It includes two CTA Orange Line stations that serve the neighborhood, three main commercial corridors: the Archer Avenue, Ashland Avenue, and 35th Street Commercial Corridors, and the South Branch of the Chicago River.

Figure 2.2 McKinley Park Study Area Context

Source: Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, 2018

Understanding the governmental structure within McKinley Park will allow plan recommendations to be crafted and tailored to the appropriate partners and implementers. As in all Chicago neighborhoods, many city services and investments are coordinated by local aldermen. The planning area is contained almost entirely within the 12th Ward, which is represented by Alderman George A. Cardenas. A small portion of McKinley Park is also located in the 11th Ward (Alderman Patrick D. Thomson). Alderman Cardena’s office is located in the study area at 3476 S. Archer Avenue.

The Chicago Police Department serves the neighborhood through its 9th district, located at 3120 S. Halsted Street. Fire protection is provided through the Chicago Fire Department. Engine Company 39 is located within the study area at 33rd Place and Ashland Avenue. Additional fire services are provided by a Special Operations Division located in the CMD at 3918 S. Honore Street.

Residents in McKinley Park have access to an array of amenities, including those provided by the Chicago Park District and the McKinley Park Branch of the Chicago Public Library. The library provides an array of resources and services, with community space and programs for all ages. Additionally, the library features Chinese-language and Spanish-language materials and a “Citizens Corner” that offers English as a Second Language classes, citizenship workshops and a wide selection of materials on immigration and U.S. citizenship. Information about amenities and services provided by the Chicago Park District is available in Section 9 of this report.

McKinley Park has four public, two charter, and three private schools. Five colleges and universities are near McKinley Park, including the Arturo Velazquez Westside Technical Institute, Rush Medical College, Illinois Institute of Technology, and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Cook County Board of Commissioners

The Cook County Board of Commissioners is the governing board and legislative body of the county. It is composed of 17 Commissioners, elected from single member districts to four-year terms. Each district represents approximately 300,000 residents. The Board of Commissioners is responsible for the management of the affairs of Cook County. McKinley Park is located in Cook’s 7th District and is represented by Commissioner Alma E. Anaya. Commissioner Anaya’s offices are located at 3520 S. Archer Avenue.