East Chicago, Illinois

Located on the far south side of Chicago, between the Calumet River and the Illinois-Indiana state line, East Chicago is one of 77 official community areas of Chicago, Illinois. The East Chicago neighborhood has its own park on Lake Michigan, Calumet Park, and its own forest preserve, Eggers Woods.

The East Chicago community got its name based on its location on the east bank of the Calumet River. Since its early days, East Chicago was socially and economically dependent on the river and the jobs that the river supported. In the early 20th century, a grouping of riverside docks and slips formed the bustling Port of Chicago. Rail lines ran adjacent to the river, making East Chicago a very desirable industrial site. Republic Steel, American Steel, Mobil Oil Company, and Inland Steel Company opened facilities on the river. Additional business became drawn to the area, such as E.I. Du Pont De Nemours, Harbison-Walker Refractories Company, and Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company. Although steel mills and heavy industries are no longer the mainstay of the East Chicago neighborhood, the area has shifted into a growing suburban community with direct access to the facilities and attractions of downtown Chicago.

East Chicago’s manufacturing and industrial settings place the community in a high risk category for asbestos exposure. If you have been exposed to asbestos in East Chicago, you may benefit by seeking counsel from a mesothelioma attorney.

Jobsites in East Chicago where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

A number of jobsites in East Chicago, IL have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.