CQ Risk Rating: Safe Democrat 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Rod R. Blagojevich (D) | 142,161 | 87% |
| Matthew Joseph Beauchamp (LIBERT) | 20,728 | 13% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: MARCH 21, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Rod R. Blagojevich | 40,701 | 100% |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
ILLINOIS 5
:
Chicago - North Side
The 5th spans the North Side of Chicago, from Lake Michigan to near
O'Hare International Airport (in the 6th). One of the city's few remaining
active industrial sectors runs through the middle of the district, along the
north branch of the Chicago River.
On the east side, the 5th includes most of Lincoln Park and the Gold
Coast, two wealthy neighborhoods of "lakefront liberals," known for their
opposition to the Democratic machine. Voters here rarely support candidates
from the local Democratic organization in the primary but then vote
Democratic in general elections.
The west side of the district covers part of the "Bungalow Belt," a
strip of 1930s brick homes built by Central and Eastern European families.
Although still dominated by middle- and working-class German and Polish
neighborhoods, this section of town has seen an increasing number of black
and Hispanic newcomers. Voters here also lean Democratic, generally
supporting the organization's primary candidates but sometimes voting for
Republicans in the general election.
The combination of these voting habits makes for a constituency that
leans Democratic - but not always. The west's working-class base routinely
supports candidates trumpeting populist-style economic causes. But far-west
side neighborhoods also have been known to elect a few Republicans to local
offices.
Major Industry
Warehousing and storage, electronics and other manufacturing, health care
Population
571,053 (1990)
Cities
Chicago (pt.) 460,009 (1990); Elmwood Park, 22,760; Franklin Park, 18,125
(1996)
People
100% rural; 15% age 65+ (ranks sixth of 20 in state; top third nationally);
44% married couples, 18% married couples with children; 26% college educated
(ranks sixth of 20 in state; top third nationally); 63% white collar (ranks
sixth of 20 in state; top third nationally), 24% blue collar (ranks 13 of 20
in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Race
87% white, 1% black, 6% Asian; 13% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$33,262 (ranks ninth of 20 in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Famous gangster death sites: S.M.C. Cartage Co. garage, where Al Capone
ordered rival "Bugs" Moran's gangsters shot in the 1929 St. Valentine's Day
Massacre; Biograph Theatre, where federal agents gunned down outlaw John
Dillinger in 1934.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 5
