America's Collapse: The Slums Of Illinois 

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Its nationwide. Its just awful how we allowed our manf. base to leave the country for other places just for the increased profits. The jobs we lost were the ones that millions of people raised families on. Our politicians and business leaders have gotten filthy rich while the middle class sinks closer to poverty everyday.

I was born, 1946, and raised in I Rockford. We lived on Spafford Avenue on the near East Side. My Dad worked at Elco Screw Company and my mom was a hairdresser and ran the beauty shop in the Hotel Faust. It was always busy and lots of jobs. My Stepfather owned Rockford Peerless Furniture. My father came from Sweden and my mother’s family were Polish. Lots of emphasis on education and pride in where you lived. Both my brother and I graduated from college and moved away… East Coast. I eventually ended up in Texas- Dallas Area. My Midwestern roots taught me self reliance, work hard, take care of what you have, and help others. You went past the Midway Theater on East State Street. The Hotel Faust was just across the Street. I lived not too far from there… brought back lots of memories. It was safe and vibrant when I grew up there. Sad to see it so deteriorated. Thanks for the video.

My mom grew up there. My grandfather was a builder in the 1920s. I cry when I see where my grandparents lived. He built it and now so run down. He was such a good builder

Its not the future its current state. Manufacturing was all systematically moved overseas were labor rates are extremely low. Maximum profit for the large corporations and to hell with the working class folks. This was a bipartisan effort and still is today.

The sad part is these old buildings are really beautiful and we’ll never be making them like this again. Now a days it’s just the ugly but quick throw ‘em up metal sheds that gives everything in America that cheap generic look.

You get to enjoy the second highest property tax rate in the US in Illinois.

These videos should be on the national news on television but they won’t

I was in prison in 1995 and was shocked by how many guys from Rockford

When Chicago started dismantling the notorious housing projects , the inhabitants were dispersed to places like Danville , Rockford , Kenosha , even the Twin Cities.

Yes, but tax the the people to build a new bears stadium and give the illegals 70 million

Not just Illinois. Nationwide problem. This country doesn't produce/manufacture anything other nations want.Then turn around and blame homeless individuals for not having anything. Unbelievable stupidity.

I was born in Rockford back in 1958. My dad worked at Woodward Governor. They opened a plant in Fort Collins Colorado. We moved there in the mid 1960s. Guess we were lucky to get out. Now I'm watching Colorado turn into California !

Fixing up old houses is simply impossible for most Americans. Most people don't possess the skill, money or motivation to do it. There was a time that your average dad could do it. Not anymore. Nothing at Home Depot is cheap.

My Dad is from Rockford. Actually my whole family on his side is. We walked down State Street some years back, so he could show me around. The shock on his face told me everything. Great Dad, great man, hard for me to believe he’s from a place like Rockford. Reality is, the place he’s from doesn’t exist anymore and Rockford isn’t what it used to be.

I lived in Rockford for a year if so in 1982 when the unemployment was at 25%. What a sad place. On a good note since I was single and had a job I didn’t have any trouble getting a date.

The conversation with the local guy makes this video great! Perhaps this could be a standard feature for future videos?

It already comes pre-blighed so that the people from Chicago can just get right to their criminal activities.

Hey Nick. I’m a 75 yr resident of Chicago. Can you believe there’s news / videos here telling people that Rockford is the next best place for the young newlyweds to buy a house!!!!!!

my brother is a carpenter, joiner, and cabinet maker. he inherited the tool chest from our great grandfather and took it from there. he can repair/renovate these old places provided he was paid and had the right materials. every ahole with a shiny suv (who doesn't need these 4 whl drive behemoths) wants him to work and rebuild/repair/whatever their hoped-for flips. alright, he'll do it but here's his rate. they gag, exaggerated cries of being "ripped off" and say he's not really worth much money. after all, my younger brother didn't go to college, he's not well-travelled outside of the country, and works manual labor (you'd be surprised - maybe - how often instead of manual these turds say "menial").