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About IL-05

Illinois' 5th Congressional District of Illinois encompasses a wide variety of cultures, religions, and ethnicities that are well-known and appreciated by the over 700,000 residents of the district. The district consists of over 20 different Chicago neighborhoods and extends into the suburbs to include over 20 different towns, villages, and cities.

The 5th District is home to numerous historic sites, venues, and attractions. The famed home of the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field, is the heart of Wrigleyville and hosts a variety of musical artists throughout the year. The park first opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park for Charles Weeghman's Chicago Whales of the Federal League, which folded after the 1915 baseball season. The Cubs played their first home game at the park on April 20, 1916, defeating the Cincinnati Reds 7–6 in 11 innings. Chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. of the Wrigley Company acquired the Cubs in 1921. It was named Cubs Park from 1920 to 1926, before being renamed Wrigley Field in 1927.

Also within the district lies the Lincoln Park Zoo. The Zoo was founded in 1868, making it the fourth oldest zoo in North America, and is one of the few free zoos in the United States. Exhibits in the zoo include polar bears, big cats, a wide variety of apes, and reptiles. During the winter, the park receives a festive makeover as part of the annual Zoo Lights.

Visitors and residents to the 5th District, as well as Greater Chicago, can fly out of one of the busiest airports in the world, O’Hare International Airport. O'Hare held the distinction as the world's busiest airport from 1963 to 1998; today, it is the world's fourth-busiest airport, serving 54 million passengers in 2021. Built and designed to succeed Chicago's other airport, Midway International, O'Hare began as an airfield serving as a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports during World War II. In 1949, it was renamed after Edward "Butch" O'Hare, the U.S. Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient during the war. O'Hare serves as a major hub for both United Airlines (which is headquartered in Willis Tower) and American Airlines.

Many well-recognized brands and companies have historically called sections of the 5th district home. Keebler Company, which marketed brands such as Cheez-Its and Famous Amos (now a part of Kellogg) called Elmhurst its’ corporate headquarters until 2001. Jewel-Osco, which serves millions of people across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana, was headquartered in Melrose Park from 1953 to 2008. Oak Brook currently serves as home to Ace Hardware, Sanford L.P, and was the former corporate home to McDonalds.

The district has and continues to welcome immigrants from Europe and Latin America. Suburban Elmwood Park is home to large populations of Polish and Italian Americans, while Melrose Park is home to the second-largest Latino population in Illinois.

This page was written by 2022 summer interns. Interested in Rep. Quigley's internship program? Learn more about what our office offers interns here