Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, the Democrat whose 4th District includes North Riverside east of 9th Avenue, took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on the afternoon of July 27 to enter into the record his congratulations to North Riverside for reaching the centennial of its incorporation as an Illinois municipality.
His brief floor speech follows:
“I rise to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Village of North Riverside, Illinois.
“The area now known as North Riverside sits on Potawatomi land that was purchased by a real estate and fur trading company in 1835.
“By 1900, onion farmers had begun to move to the area and the Village grew from there.
“The bright neon lights and blaring brass sounds of the legendary Melody Mill Ballroom – a mainstay of the Big Band era – attracted people from all over who were looking for a lindy-hopping night of jazz and swing music.
“North Riverside continues to be a thriving place, with a vibrant theater scene, sports, scouting, and even a quilting club. Every street has a block captain who helps neighbors and seniors with errands and much more.
“Here’s to the next 100 years, North Riverside!”
Garcia, a resident of Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, has been the 4th District’s congressman since 2019, when he replaced Luis Gutierrez. The 4th District, an amoebic area that stretches as far northwest as Franklin Park, as far west as Oak Brook, as far east as Bridgeport and as far south as Oak Lawn, also includes all of Riverside and all but one property in Brookfield.
