CQ Risk Rating: Safe Democrat 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D) | 175,995 | 90% |
| Robert Gordon III (R) | 19,906 | 10% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: MARCH 21, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Jesse L. Jackson Jr. | 67,784 | 100% |
| write-in | 4 | 0% |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
ILLINOIS 2
:
Chicago - Far South Side; south suburbs; Chicago Heights
U.S. Steel once employed 20,000 people in the 2nd, a roughly U-shaped
district that covers Chicago's South Side through the south suburbs to
Chicago Heights. When the steel industry collapsed in the late 1970s, it
devastated the district's economy. Now, Ford Motor Co. is the only
manufacturing business in the district with more than 1,000 workers.
A politically gridlocked proposal to build a new airport in neighboring
Peotone could rejuvenate the 2nd's economy. Advocates hope a new airport
would bring in hotels, distributors and other new business. In the meantime,
unemployment remains high and many residents have some of the longest
commutes in the nation, traveling downtown or to the northwest suburbs to
work. Ultimately, many former residents have left the South Side to find
jobs, draining the district of voters.
The 2nd's predominantly black population and working-class base shape a
consistently Democratic district, even though only about half of the
district's population lives within Chicago city limits. Democratic
candidates need to make a strong appeal to suburban voters, including white
ethnic groups that tend to be more socially moderate than city voters. The
2nd does have some Republican voters in the relatively affluent,
historically Jewish suburbs of Homewood, Flossmoor and Olympia Fields.
Major Industry
Automotive and wire manufacturing, steel production, health care
Population
572,188 (1990)
Cities
Chicago (pt.), 295,554 (1990); Chicago Heights, 31,899; Harvey, 29,097
(1996)
People
100% urban; 10% age 65+ (ranks 16 of 20 in state; bottom third nationally);
46% married couples, 22% married couples with children; 13% college educated
(ranks 15 of 20 in state; bottom third nationally); 57% white collar (ranks
11 of 20 in state; middle third nationally), 27% blue collar (ranks 10 of 20
in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Race
27% white, 68% black, 1% Asian; 6% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$30,217 (ranks 11 of 20 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Pullman, factory town built by the Pullman Place Car Co., maker of Pullman
sleepers.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 2
