I grew up in the far west suburbs of Chicago in a town that isn't even a town now.  It is called Plato Center.  Plato Center had a population of maybe 100...maybe.  It was an old railroad town and when I was young and going to school at Plato Center Elementary School we would walk to the "train depot".  Only freight trains go by there now but I use to imagine as a young child, the town bustling with trains and young women being reunited with their families after their travels to New York and Chicago.  The woman wearing beautiful dresses and carrying umbrellas to block the sun - just like in the movies.  Now Plato Center is growing along with all the other small unincorporated communities on the outskirts of the urban Chicago area with million dollar homes, new roads, and 5 car garages.  People live there who work in the job centers in the western suburbs of Chicago and drive 30+ miles to work a day and clog the already clogged roads.
 
As I grew older I realized where I lived stunk!  You have to get in your car to get anywhere.  It was so bad that when one of my family members left to get a gallon of milk we literally said "I'm going into town does anyone need anything?"  My school was like a private school even though it wasn't.  It was only upper middle class and upper class students - .8 % of my graduating class was non-white.  How awful is that?  How is anyone going to learn and respect other cultures when everyone you associate with is exactly like you?
 
One of the most exciting choices I have made so far in my life is where to live (once I could support myself).  Hmm, do I live somewhere "urban" but have a long commute to work.  Do I live in the same type of area that I grew up in?  How about somewhere in-between?  Transportation is important to me.  I hate sitting in my car and the only thing I hate more than sitting in my car is sitting in my car in TRAFFIC!  So my options were limited due to where my job was - as I saw it, I had two choices...near the tollway or near the commuter rail, but definitely in an urban area where I can walk to restaurants, bars, grocery stores, etc.  I choose a wonderful cute little suburban town near the river with a new park, a martini bar on the corner, and a convenience store on the other corner.  It wasn't perfect (a drive to the commuter rail and the tollway) but close! Ultimately I told myself - I will live in a big city.  I will.
 
Well, now I do live in a big city.  The City of Chicago.  I do realize I am a suburban girl.  I complain about carrying everything on my shoulder rather than putting it in my trunk.  I complain about the huge amounts of people.  I complain about my old apartment.  I complain about walking in the snow.  But I sure wouldn't trade it for the world, not having to buy gas, not having to sit in traffic, being able to read while commuting to work, being able to walk to the library, being within half an hour of world renowned parks, libraries, museums, art galleries, and restaurants.  How could you ever wish to be anywhere else?!?!?!?  Its wonderful, I have a bakery, restaurants, convenience store, Starbucks, video rental, YMCA, grocery store, library, and a martini bar (I hope you are seeing a theme) with in a five minute walk from my apartment. 
 
In my dreams for the future of Chicago, I am looking forward to options to choose the lifestyle you choose to live.  I hope for equal opportunity for all races, income brackets, and ages.  I hope to see young women arriving in Plato Center or any town without needing their cars and being able to stop to get a gallon of milk at the local store on their walk home from their train. 

I grew up in the far west suburbs of Chicago in a town that isn't even a town now.  It is called Plato Center.  Plato Center had a population of maybe 100...maybe.  It was an old railroad town and when I was young and going to school at Plato Center Elementary School we would walk to the "train depot".  Only freight trains go by there now but I use to imagine as a young child, the town bustling with trains and young women being reunited with their families after their travels to New York and Chicago.  The woman wearing beautiful dresses and carrying umbrellas to block the sun - just like in the movies.  Now Plato Center is growing along with all the other small unincorporated communities on the outskirts of the urban Chicago area with million dollar homes, new roads, and 5 car garages.  People live there who work in the job centers in the western suburbs of Chicago and drive 30+ miles to work a day and clog the already clogged roads.
 
As I grew older I realized where I lived stunk!  You have to get in your car to get anywhere.  It was so bad that when one of my family members left to get a gallon of milk we literally said "I'm going into town does anyone need anything?"  My school was like a private school even though it wasn't.  It was only upper middle class and upper class students - .8 % of my graduating class was non-white.  How awful is that?  How is anyone going to learn and respect other cultures when everyone you associate with is exactly like you?
 
One of the most exciting choices I have made so far in my life is where to live (once I could support myself).  Hmm, do I live somewhere "urban" but have a long commute to work.  Do I live in the same type of area that I grew up in?  How about somewhere in-between?  Transportation is important to me.  I hate sitting in my car and the only thing I hate more than sitting in my car is sitting in my car in TRAFFIC!  So my options were limited due to where my job was - as I saw it, I had two choices...near the tollway or near the commuter rail, but definitely in an urban area where I can walk to restaurants, bars, grocery stores, etc.  I choose a wonderful cute little suburban town near the river with a new park, a martini bar on the corner, and a convenience store on the other corner.  It wasn't perfect (a drive to the commuter rail and the tollway) but close! Ultimately I told myself - I will live in a big city.  I will.
 
Well, now I do live in a big city.  The City of Chicago.  I do realize I am a suburban girl.  I complain about carrying everything on my shoulder rather than putting it in my trunk.  I complain about the huge amounts of people.  I complain about my old apartment.  I complain about walking in the snow.  But I sure wouldn't trade it for the world, not having to buy gas, not having to sit in traffic, being able to read while commuting to work, being able to walk to the library, being within half an hour of world renowned parks, libraries, museums, art galleries, and restaurants.  How could you ever wish to be anywhere else?!?!?!?  Its wonderful, I have a bakery, restaurants, convenience store, Starbucks, video rental, YMCA, grocery store, library, and a martini bar (I hope you are seeing a theme) with in a five minute walk from my apartment. 
 
In my dreams for the future of Chicago, I am looking forward to options to choose the lifestyle you choose to live.  I hope for equal opportunity for all races, income brackets, and ages.  I hope to see young women arriving in Plato Center or any town without needing their cars and being able to stop to get a gallon of milk at the local store on their walk home from their train.