Don't add to flawed impressions of Elgin

Two steps forward, one back.

I first noticed Elgin when I drove through 20 years ago headed somewhere else. Having grown up in one of the post-World War II suburbs that stretch from Chicago, I was captured one fall afternoon by the sudden history I tumbled into along common city streets. I was so taken, I not only came back but stayed, buying a home on the northeast side.

Since then, I've watched the city's reputation tick up or down with Northwest suburbanites, people who in most cases don't know her, but don't let that stop them from casting a rock or two. Everyone likes a black sheep to measure themselves by, right?

Most of those rocks are going at ghost reputations - a city full of gangs, dirty, economically challenged. True at one time to be sure, but as far from today's reality as Chicago's association with Tommy-guns.

But the rocks find their mark anyway, ensconcing common wisdom. Changing a reputation is tough sledding - one conversion at a time: a drive through the city; a party at a friend's house; positive articles in regional newspapers. Ambassadors like Michael Jordan help tremendously, of course, but they are godsends.

That's why I'm amazed at the work site on Route 25 over I-90. Much of the suburbs garners its impression of Elgin from hearsay and visual evidence along the tollway, the biggest of which is the sign for the casino. But that will be soon be trumped - the fences that are going up along the bridge make it look like the worst parts of Chicago. This is what we want people to think of Elgin? Really? Because they will, impressions will be confirmed, partialities set a bit deeper, as they drive by - on their way to somewhere else.

Mark Demel

Elgin