Elgin, IL
The watch city on the Fox River, where America once set its clocks and now commutes to Chicago
Elgin is a river city on the north-western edge of the Chicago metropolitan area, about 35 miles from the Loop, straddling Kane and Cook counties. The 2020 census counted about 114,800 people, nearly half of them Hispanic.
The masthead year is 1854, when Elgin was chartered as a city. It was founded in 1835 by the brothers James and Hezekiah Gifford, who chose a spot on the Fox River where the road from Chicago to Galena might cross, and named it after a Scottish hymn tune. The railway arrived in 1850, and two industries made the town. Dairy farming spread across the surrounding prairie; Gail Borden opened a condensed-milk plant here, and for decades the Elgin Board of Trade set the national price of butter. Then, from the 1860s, the Elgin National Watch Company built a great factory by the river and became one of the largest watchmakers in the world; its watches, sold under a Father Time trademark, were carried across the country, not least by railwaymen. Production in Elgin ended in 1965, and the factory was demolished the following year.
The Fox River runs north to south through the city, with downtown on both banks and a chain of riverside parks and islands between them. Around downtown are some of the best-preserved Victorian neighbourhoods in Illinois, protected as historic districts, with houses built for watch-factory managers and workers on streets climbing the bluffs. The eastern side of the city, in Cook County, is older and more established, with Lords Park and its museum. Wing Park lies to the west. Beyond, the city has spread a long way west into Kane County along Randall Road and the Jane Addams Tollway, with large subdivisions, shopping centres and business parks built since the 1990s. The Fox River Trail follows the river through the city, linking it to the other river towns.
Today Elgin is one of the most Hispanic cities in Illinois, with a large Mexican-American community whose restaurants, bakeries, shops and churches give the east side and downtown much of their life; Puerto Rican, Central American and other communities add to the mix. The Elgin Symphony Orchestra is one of the strongest regional orchestras in the Midwest, performing at the Hemmens Cultural Center by the river. The Gail Borden Public Library, a striking riverside building, is a civic hub. Old watch-factory pride survives in local museums and street names, and the historic districts hold an annual house walk. The Elgin Mental Health Center, a state hospital dating from the 1870s, remains a large employer.
In the 1990s the Grand Victoria Casino opened as a riverboat on the Fox and for years paid a large share of the city's budget, funding the rebuilding of the riverfront. Its revenues have fallen as gambling spread across Illinois, and the city has had to look elsewhere. Downtown has struggled to fill empty shopfronts, but its riverside parks, restored theatres and new flats are slowly drawing people back. The western subdivisions continue to grow, the Metra line keeps the city tied to Chicago, and Elgin Community College and Judson University give it two campuses of its own. It is a working, diverse and comparatively affordable corner of the Chicago region.
Where People Live
Downtown & the riverfront
Both banks of the Fox River, with the casino, the Hemmens Cultural Center, the Gail Borden library, riverside parks and paths, and a slowly reviving stock of older shops and restaurants.
Gifford Park
A historic district east of downtown, named after the city's founders, with Victorian and early twentieth-century houses and an active preservation association.
Spring-Douglas
A historic district north-west of downtown of large Victorian houses along Spring and Douglas streets, built for the city's richer families in the watch era.
Lords Park & the east side
The older Cook County side of the city, around Lords Park with its lagoons, small zoo and the Elgin Public Museum.
Wing Park & the near west side
Established neighbourhoods around Wing Park, with its golf course, pool and bandshell, and the Judson University campus to the north-west.
Far west side
The newer city along Randall Road and the Jane Addams Tollway, large subdivisions, shopping centres and business parks reaching into Kane County farmland.
Where to stay
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Chicago - Hoffman Estates by IHG
5235 Prairie Stone Pkwy, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 · ihg.com
Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago Northwest - Elgin
495 Airport Rd, Elgin, IL 60123 · ihg.com
Super 8 by Wyndham Elgin
435 Airport Rd, Elgin, IL 60123 · wyndhamhotels.com
Best Western Plus Elgin - Chicago
2175 Marriott Dr, West Dundee, IL 60118 · bestwestern.com
Elgin Inn
405 Airport Rd, Elgin, IL 60123 · marriott.com
Quality Inn Elgin I-90
500 Tollgate Rd, Elgin, IL 60123 · choicehotels.com
Lexington Inn & Suites NW Chicago Elgin
1585 Dundee Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 · stayinns.com
Extended Stay America Suites- Chicago - Elgin - West Dundee
2185 Marriott Dr, West Dundee, IL 60118 · extendedstayamerica.com
Hot Tub & Sauna: Hoffman Estates Villa in Elgin!
30W777 Shoe Factory Rd, Hoffman Estates, IL 60120
Colonial Lodge Motel Elgin
788 Villa St, Elgin, IL 60120
Restaurants & places to go
Airports
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) 20 mi to the centre
Chicago, IL, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 46 airlines (United Airlines, American Airlines, US Airways, Delta Air Lines…) · direct flights to 206 destinations incl. Atlanta, New Orleans, Paris, London, Duesseldorf… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 46 airlines, 206 direct destinations
- United Airlines UA (ERJ, CRJ, A320, 737-800, A319, CRJ-700…) · 161 routes: Akron*, Albany, Albuquerque*, Allentown*, Amsterdam, Anchorage, Appleton*, Asheville*, Atlanta*, Atlantic City*, Austin, Baltimore, Beijing, Bentonville*, Birmingham*, Boise*, Boston, Bozeman*, Brussels, Buffalo, Burlington*, Calgary, Cancun, Cedar Rapids*, Charleston*, Charleston*, Charlotte, Cincinnati*, Cleveland, Colorado Springs*, Columbia*, Columbus, Dallas-Fort Worth, Dayton*, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Dublin*, Duesseldorf*, Duluth* … +121 more
- American Airlines AA (ERJ-145, ERD, 737-800, CRJ-700, Embraer 175, M83…) · 124 routes: Abu Dhabi*, Albuquerque*, Amman*, Atlanta*, Austin, Baltimore*, Beijing, Bentonville*, Berlin*, Bloomington*, Boston, Buffalo*, Calgary, Cancun, Cedar Rapids*, Champaign*, Charlotte, Charlottesville VA*, Chattanooga*, Cincinnati*, Cleveland*, Columbia*, Columbus*, Dallas-Fort Worth, Dayton*, Denver, Des Moines*, Detroit*, Doha, Dublin, Dubuque IA*, Duesseldorf, El Paso*, Evansville*, Fargo*, Flint*, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Fort Wayne*, Grand Rapids* … +84 more
- US Airways US (ERJ-145, ERD, 737-800, CRJ-700, Embraer 175, M83…) · 118 routes: Albuquerque*, Amman, Atlanta*, Austin, Baltimore, Beijing, Bentonville, Bloomington*, Boston, Buffalo*, Cancun, Cedar Rapids*, Champaign, Charlotte, Charlottesville VA*, Chattanooga*, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbia, Columbus, Dallas-Fort Worth*, Dayton, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Dublin, Dubuque IA*, Duesseldorf, El Paso*, Evansville*, Fargo*, Flint*, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Fort Wayne*, Grand Rapids*, Green Bay*, Gwinn*, Harrisburg*, Houston … +78 more
- Delta Air Lines DL (CRJ-900, A319, A330-200, 717, 737, MD-88…) · 17 routes: Amsterdam*, Atlanta, Calgary*, Cincinnati, Detroit, Guadalajara, London*, Memphis*, Mexico City, Minneapolis, New York*, New York*, Paris, Rome, Salt Lake City*, Seoul*, Vancouver*
- Spirit Airlines NK (A319, A320) · 15 routes: Atlantic City, Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Myrtle Beach, New York, Oakland, Orlando, Tampa
- Air Canada AC (ERJ, CRJ-700, CRJ, A319, A320, 737…) · 12 routes: Calgary*, Edmonton*, Halifax*, London*, Montreal, New Orleans*, Ottawa*, Quebec*, Regina*, Toronto, Vancouver*, Winnipeg*
- British Airways BA (767-300, Embraer 175, A330-300, 747-400, 777, CRJ-700…) · 9 routes: Atlanta*, Dublin*, Duesseldorf*, London, Madrid*, Manchester*, New Orleans*, Paris*, Rome*
- Iberia Airlines IB (767-300, A330-300, 747-400, 777, CRJ-700, Embraer 175) · 9 routes: Atlanta*, Dublin*, Duesseldorf*, London*, Madrid, Manchester*, New Orleans*, Paris*, Rome*
- Alaska Airlines AS (737-800, 737-800, 737-900, Embraer 175, 737-700, 73J) · 7 routes: Anchorage, Los Angeles*, New Orleans*, Portland, San Diego*, San Francisco*, Seattle
- Finnair AY (767-300, A330-300, 747-400, 777) · 7 routes: Dublin, Duesseldorf, London, Madrid, Manchester*, Paris*, Rome
- Lufthansa Cargo LH (767-300, A340-300, A340-600, 747-400, CRJ-700, Embraer 170…) · 7 routes: Amsterdam*, Atlanta*, Duesseldorf, Frankfurt, London*, Munich, Paris*
- Etihad Airways EY (Embraer 175, 777-300ER, CRJ, EMJ) · 5 routes: Abu Dhabi, Atlanta*, Montreal*, New Orleans*, Toronto*
- Frontier Airlines F9 (A320) · 4 routes: Montego Bay, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, San Jose Del Cabo
- Qatar Airways QR (737-800, CRJ-700, 777-300ER, Embraer 175) · 4 routes: Atlanta*, Doha, New Orleans*, New York*
- WestJet WS (737-700, CRJ, CRJ-700, Embraer 175, ERJ-145) · 4 routes: Calgary, Montreal*, Toronto*, Vancouver
- Aer Lingus EI (330, A330-200, CRJ-700, Embraer 170, ERJ) · 3 routes: Atlanta*, Dublin, New Orleans*
- All Nippon Airways NH (A319, A320, 777, CRJ-700, ERJ, 777-300ER) · 3 routes: Atlanta*, New Orleans*, Tokyo
- Japan Airlines Domestic JL (Embraer 175, 777-300) · 3 routes: Atlanta*, New Orleans*, Tokyo
- JetBlue Airways B6 (A320, Embraer 190) · 3 routes: Boston, New York, San Juan
- Malaysia Airlines MH (767-300, 777, Embraer 175, CRJ-700) · 3 routes: Atlanta*, Paris, Tokyo
- AeroMéxico AM (737) · 2 routes: Guadalajara, Mexico City
- Air Berlin AB (A330-200, 767-300) · 2 routes: Berlin, Duesseldorf*
- Air China CA (747-400, 777) · 2 routes: Beijing*, Shanghai*
- Air Choice One 3E (CNC) · 2 routes: Burlington, Decatur
- Air France AF (A330-200, 717, MD-88) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, Paris
- Alitalia AZ (330, A330-200, MD-88) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, Rome
- Asiana Airlines OZ (777-200, Embraer 170, CRJ-700) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, Seoul
- Cathay Pacific CX (CRJ-700, 777-300ER) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, Hong Kong
- Hainan Airlines HU (777, 787) · 2 routes: Beijing, Shanghai*
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (A319, 717, 74M, MD-88) · 2 routes: Amsterdam, Atlanta*
- Qantas QF (Embraer 175, CRJ-700) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, New Orleans*
- Scandinavian Airlines System SK (A330-300, A340-300) · 2 routes: Copenhagen, Stockholm
- Virgin America VX (A320) · 2 routes: Los Angeles, San Francisco
- Virgin Atlantic Airways VS (A319, A340-300, 717, MD-88) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, London
- Air India Limited AI (777-300ER) · 1 route: Delhi
- Austrian Airlines OS (767-300) · 1 route: Vienna*
- Avianca - Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia AV (A319) · 1 route: San Salvador
- Brussels Airlines SN (777) · 1 route: Brussels*
- Cayman Airways KX (737-300) · 1 route: Georgetown
- Copa Airlines CM (737-800) · 1 route: Panama City
- Korean Air KE (777-200, 777-300ER) · 1 route: Seoul
- LOT Polish Airlines LO (787-8) · 1 route: Warsaw
- Royal Jordanian RJ (340) · 1 route: Amman
- Swiss International Air Lines LX (A330-300) · 1 route: Zurich
- Turkish Airlines TK (330) · 1 route: Istanbul
- Volaris Y4 (A320) · 1 route: Mexico City
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Dupage Airport (DPA) 8.6 mi to the centre
Chicago/West Chicago, IL, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) 21 mi to the centre
Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, IL, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Aurora Municipal Airport (AUZ) 20 mi to the centre
Chicago/Aurora, IL, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Koppie Airport 7.8 mi to the centre
Gilberts, IL, US
Landings Condominium Airport 9.8 mi to the centre
Huntley, IL, US
Local transit
Trains & rail
Amtrak
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Greyhound
Intercity coach
Jefferson Lines
Intercity coach
MegaBus
Intercity coach
Trailways
Intercity coach
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
JSX
Semi-private scheduled · Embraer 135/145, 30 seats · Scheduled "hop-on" jet service from private terminals in the western US and Texas — no TSA lines.
NetJets
Fractional, jet card · Cessna Citation, Embraer Phenom, Bombardier Challenger & Global · The largest private-jet operator in the world; fractional shares and the NetJets card, US and Europe.
Flexjet
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Magellan Jets
Jet card, charter · Partner fleet · Jet cards and on-demand charter from Boston.
Sentient Jet
Jet card · Partner fleet, light to heavy · One of the first jet-card programmes; guaranteed availability on partner aircraft.
Tours & experiences
Living Here
Getting about
- Metra's Milwaukee District West line runs from the National Street, Elgin and Big Timber Road stations to Chicago Union Station, about an hour and a quarter away.
- Pace runs suburban buses through the city and to the neighbouring towns.
- The Jane Addams Tollway (Interstate 90) runs across the north of the city towards Chicago and Rockford; O'Hare International is around half an hour to forty-five minutes by road.
- The Fox River Trail is excellent for cycling along the river. For most errands a car is the norm, and winters bring snow and cold.
Health
- Advocate Sherman Hospital, on the west side, and Saint Joseph Hospital are the city's two main hospitals, both with emergency departments.
- Dial 911 for any emergency. Winters are cold and snowy, and summer storms can bring tornado warnings.
- American healthcare is expensive and visitors are billed in full. Travel insurance with good medical cover is essential, and an urgent-care clinic is cheaper than an emergency room for anything minor.
Work & study
- Elgin Community College and Judson University, a Baptist liberal-arts university, are the city's two colleges, and the U-46 school district is one of the largest in Illinois.
- Healthcare, education, government, logistics, manufacturing and the casino are among the main employers, and many residents commute towards Chicago.
- Non-citizens need a visa or immigration status that allows work. Illinois levies a flat state income tax and sales tax, and property taxes are high.
Money & manners
- US dollars. Cards are taken almost everywhere. Tipping of around 18 to 20 per cent is expected in restaurants and bars.
- Elgin is bilingual in practice: Spanish is as common as English in many shops and churches.
- Use ordinary city sense about crime; lock cars and keep valuables out of sight.
News
Situations Vacant
Classified
Property
Sport
Display Advertising
Sources
- Geoverts Local — Elginthe local directory, the people-and-company index, and who is hiring
- Better Mapping — Elginthe intelligence map — parcels, boundaries and what is actually where