Des Plaines, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Des Plaines is a city in Cook County
, Illinois
, United States. It has adopted the official nickname of "City of Destiny." As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 58,720. It is a suburb
of Chicago, and is next to O'Hare International Airport
. The Des Plaines River
runs through the city, just east of its downtown area.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 14.5 square miles (37.6 km²).Of this, 14.4 square miles (37.3 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.76%) is water. Des Plaines is traversed by two interstate highways – I-90 Northwest Tollway
and I-294 Tri-State Tollway
.
Des Plaines is named for the Des Plaines River, which flows through it. The name is French, "of the plains."
Portions of Des Plaines are underlain by the "Des Plaines Disturbance
", an area in which the layers of sedimentary rock are highly abnormal. This probably represents an ancient meteorite crater, 75 to 200 feet (61 m) beneath the town. The bedrock was highly fractured by the impact, with large blocks of sediment upended. The crater was eventually filled by glacial activity, so that no trace now remains on the surface.
Addresses in the city limits of Des Plaines have their own numbering system. Areas in unincorporated Maine Township
have Des Plaines postal addresses that follow the Chicago numbering system. Devon Avenue in Des Plaines is 3200 South while it is 6400 North in Chicago. Golf Road runs through a large unincorporated area as 9600 North with a Des Plaines mailing address but is 0 North/South when entering the Des Plaines city limits. As sections become incorporated, they take on the city numbering system. For instance in 2003, land at 9661 West Golf Road, Des Plaines, became 2323 East Golf Road, Des Plaines, when it was formally incorporated into the city limits. The largest unincorporated areas are in the O'Hare area and east of the Tri-State Tollway.
of 2000, there were 58,720 people, 22,362 households, and 15,071 families residing in the city. The population density
was 4,071.2 people per square mile (1,572.3/km²). There were 22,851 housing units at an average density of 1,584.3 per square mile (611.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.44% White
, 7.65% Asian / Asian American
, 0.26% Native American
, 1.01% Black
or African American
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 4.64% from other races
, and 1.97% from two or more races. 14.01% were Hispanic or Latino
of any race.
Biggest ancestries: German (21.5%), Polish (18.2%), Irish (13.8%), Italian (10.6%), English (5.2%), Swedish (3.3%).
There are 22,362 households, out of which 29.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples
living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $53,638, and the median income for a family was $65,806. Males had a median income of $42,241 versus $30,885 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $24,146. About 3.0% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.
A notable amount of population resides outside the city limits in unincorporated areas which use a Des Plaines mailing address. These areas are often considered part of the city, giving the impression that it is much larger. In the 2000 census
the population of these areas was 25,617 people bringing the incorporated and unincorporated population of Des Plaines to 84,337 people.
, Ottawa
, and Ojibwe (Chippewa) native American tribes inhabited the Des Plaines River Valley prior to Europeans' arrival. The first white settlers came from the eastern United States in 1833, after the Treaty of Chicago
, followed by many German immigrants during the 1840s and 1850s. In the 1850s, land in the area was purchased by the Illinois and Wisconsin Land Company along a railroad line planned between Chicago and Janesville, Wisconsin. In 1852, the developers built a steam powered mill next to the river, to cut local trees into railroad ties. Socrates Rand then bought the mill and converted it into a grist mill, which attracted local farmers. The Illinois and Wisconsin Railroad made its first stop in the area in the fall of 1854. In 1857, the Chicago, St. Paul and Fond du lac Railroad began running its route, stopping near the mill where a small business section had grown up, and the Town of Rand was platted. In 1859, the Chicago and North Western Railway
purchased the rail line, stopping its train and subsequently named its station "Des Plaines." In 1869, the subdivision name was changed to Des Plaines and the Village of Des Plaines was incorporated.
Des Plaines was reincorporated in 1873 and elected a village board the following year. Local brick manufacturer Franklin Whitcomb was the first Village President.
In 1925, village residents voted to convert to a city form of government, and annexed the Village of Riverview to the south. Subsequent annexations included the Orchard Place area in 1956. The city experienced rapid growth after World War II and with the opening of nearby Chicago-O'Hare International Airport.
In 1979, it was the site of the American Airlines Flight 191
disaster, in which a McDonnell Douglas DC-10
lost an engine and wing material and barreled into a local trailer park.
In 2008, the Illinois Gaming Board awarded the state's 10th and last casino license to Midwest Gaming and Entertainment LLC to build a 140000 square feet (13,006.4 m²) casino on approximately 21 acres (84,984.1 m²) adjacent to the Tri-State Tollway at the northwest corner of Devon Avenue and Des Plaines River Road. Midwest Gaming received the award despite having the lowest bid because other bidders were found unacceptable by the Board, with one board member finding no bidders acceptable. The City approved zoning in early 2010 and the casino was projected to open in mid to late 2011.
China Airlines
maintains the Chicago office in Des Plaines. It was previously located in Michigan Plaza
in the Chicago Loop
.
Public School Districts include:
Private Schools include:
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States. It has adopted the official nickname of "City of Destiny." As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 58,720. It is a suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Chicago, and is next to O'Hare International Airport
O'Hare International Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport , also known as O'Hare Airport, O'Hare Field, Chicago Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is a major airport located in the northwestern-most corner of Chicago, Illinois, United States, northwest of the Chicago Loop...
. The Des Plaines River
Des Plaines River
The Des Plaines River is a river that flows southward for through southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois in the U.S. Midwest, eventually meeting the Kankakee River west of Channahon to form the Illinois River, a tributary of the Mississippi River....
runs through the city, just east of its downtown area.
Geography
Des Plaines is located at 42°2′2"N 87°53′59"W (42.033848, −87.899786).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 14.5 square miles (37.6 km²).Of this, 14.4 square miles (37.3 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.76%) is water. Des Plaines is traversed by two interstate highways – I-90 Northwest Tollway
Northwest Tollway
The Jane Addams Memorial Tollway in Illinois is a 79-mile segment of Interstate 90 from Interstate 190 in far northwest Chicago to Illinois Route 75, one mile south of the Wisconsin state line. For 16 miles , Interstate 90 is concurrent with Interstate 39 and U.S. Route 51...
and I-294 Tri-State Tollway
Tri-State Tollway
The Tri-State Tollway is a U.S. toll road maintained by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority in northeastern Illinois which is considered one of the most heavily traveled highways in the country...
.
Des Plaines is named for the Des Plaines River, which flows through it. The name is French, "of the plains."
Portions of Des Plaines are underlain by the "Des Plaines Disturbance
Des Plaines crater
The Des Plaines crater or Des Plaines disturbance is recognized as an impact crater in Illinois, United States. It is located beneath the eastern part of the city of Des Plaines, which is a suburb of Chicago....
", an area in which the layers of sedimentary rock are highly abnormal. This probably represents an ancient meteorite crater, 75 to 200 feet (61 m) beneath the town. The bedrock was highly fractured by the impact, with large blocks of sediment upended. The crater was eventually filled by glacial activity, so that no trace now remains on the surface.
Addresses in the city limits of Des Plaines have their own numbering system. Areas in unincorporated Maine Township
Maine Township, Cook County, Illinois
Maine Township is one of thirty townships in Cook County, Illinois. The population was 135,623 at the 2000 census. The township was founded in 1850....
have Des Plaines postal addresses that follow the Chicago numbering system. Devon Avenue in Des Plaines is 3200 South while it is 6400 North in Chicago. Golf Road runs through a large unincorporated area as 9600 North with a Des Plaines mailing address but is 0 North/South when entering the Des Plaines city limits. As sections become incorporated, they take on the city numbering system. For instance in 2003, land at 9661 West Golf Road, Des Plaines, became 2323 East Golf Road, Des Plaines, when it was formally incorporated into the city limits. The largest unincorporated areas are in the O'Hare area and east of the Tri-State Tollway.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 58,720 people, 22,362 households, and 15,071 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,071.2 people per square mile (1,572.3/km²). There were 22,851 housing units at an average density of 1,584.3 per square mile (611.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.44% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 7.65% Asian / Asian American
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, 0.26% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.01% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 4.64% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.97% from two or more races. 14.01% were Hispanic or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
Biggest ancestries: German (21.5%), Polish (18.2%), Irish (13.8%), Italian (10.6%), English (5.2%), Swedish (3.3%).
There are 22,362 households, out of which 29.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $53,638, and the median income for a family was $65,806. Males had a median income of $42,241 versus $30,885 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $24,146. About 3.0% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.
A notable amount of population resides outside the city limits in unincorporated areas which use a Des Plaines mailing address. These areas are often considered part of the city, giving the impression that it is much larger. In the 2000 census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
the population of these areas was 25,617 people bringing the incorporated and unincorporated population of Des Plaines to 84,337 people.
History
PotawatomiPotawatomi
The Potawatomi are a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a member of the Algonquian family. In the Potawatomi language, they generally call themselves Bodéwadmi, a name that means "keepers of the fire" and that was applied...
, Ottawa
Odawa people
The Odawa or Ottawa, said to mean "traders," are a Native American and First Nations people. They are one of the Anishinaabeg, related to but distinct from the Ojibwe nation. Their original homelands are located on Manitoulin Island, near the northern shores of Lake Huron, on the Bruce Peninsula in...
, and Ojibwe (Chippewa) native American tribes inhabited the Des Plaines River Valley prior to Europeans' arrival. The first white settlers came from the eastern United States in 1833, after the Treaty of Chicago
Treaty of Chicago
The Treaty of Chicago may refer to either of two treaties made and signed in Chicago, Illinois between the United States and the Ottawa, Ojibwe , and Potawatomi Native American peoples.-1821 Treaty of Chicago:...
, followed by many German immigrants during the 1840s and 1850s. In the 1850s, land in the area was purchased by the Illinois and Wisconsin Land Company along a railroad line planned between Chicago and Janesville, Wisconsin. In 1852, the developers built a steam powered mill next to the river, to cut local trees into railroad ties. Socrates Rand then bought the mill and converted it into a grist mill, which attracted local farmers. The Illinois and Wisconsin Railroad made its first stop in the area in the fall of 1854. In 1857, the Chicago, St. Paul and Fond du lac Railroad began running its route, stopping near the mill where a small business section had grown up, and the Town of Rand was platted. In 1859, the Chicago and North Western Railway
Chicago and North Western Railway
The Chicago and North Western Transportation Company was a Class I railroad in the Midwest United States. It was also known as the North Western. The railroad operated more than of track as of the turn of the 20th century, and over of track in seven states before retrenchment in the late 1970s...
purchased the rail line, stopping its train and subsequently named its station "Des Plaines." In 1869, the subdivision name was changed to Des Plaines and the Village of Des Plaines was incorporated.
Des Plaines was reincorporated in 1873 and elected a village board the following year. Local brick manufacturer Franklin Whitcomb was the first Village President.
In 1925, village residents voted to convert to a city form of government, and annexed the Village of Riverview to the south. Subsequent annexations included the Orchard Place area in 1956. The city experienced rapid growth after World War II and with the opening of nearby Chicago-O'Hare International Airport.
In 1979, it was the site of the American Airlines Flight 191
American Airlines Flight 191
American Airlines Flight 191 was a regularly scheduled passenger flight in the United States from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, to Los Angeles International Airport. On May 25, 1979, the McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 operating the route crashed moments after takeoff from Chicago....
disaster, in which a McDonnell Douglas DC-10
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engine widebody jet airliner manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. The DC-10 has range for medium- to long-haul flights, capable of carrying a maximum 380 passengers. Its most distinguishing feature is the two turbofan engines mounted on underwing pylons and a...
lost an engine and wing material and barreled into a local trailer park.
In 2008, the Illinois Gaming Board awarded the state's 10th and last casino license to Midwest Gaming and Entertainment LLC to build a 140000 square feet (13,006.4 m²) casino on approximately 21 acres (84,984.1 m²) adjacent to the Tri-State Tollway at the northwest corner of Devon Avenue and Des Plaines River Road. Midwest Gaming received the award despite having the lowest bid because other bidders were found unacceptable by the Board, with one board member finding no bidders acceptable. The City approved zoning in early 2010 and the casino was projected to open in mid to late 2011.
Largest employers
The largest employers in the city area:| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UOP UOP LLC UOP LLC, formerly known as Universal Oil Products, is a multi-national company developing and delivering technology to the petroleum refining, gas processing, petrochemical production, and major manufacturing industries.... |
1,900 |
| 2 | Holy Family Medical Center Resurrection Health Care Resurrection Health Care is a not-for-profit Catholic health care organization which operates six hospitals and many other health care facilities in the Chicago metropolitan area. The organization was incorporated in 1981, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and the... |
1,036 |
| 3 | Oakton Community College Oakton Community College Oakton Community College is a two-year community college with campuses in Skokie, Illinois and Des Plaines, Illinois. District 535 serves 450,000 residents in northeast Cook County, Illinois... |
990 |
| 4 | Community Consolidated School District 62 Community Consolidated School District 62 (Illinois) Community Consolidated School District 62 has headquarters in Des Plaines, Illinois The district has eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and one year-round school. The district is 45.8% White, 4.2% Black, 35.9% Hispanic, 10.0% Asian/Pacific Islander. 0.1% Native American, and 3.9%... |
760 |
| 5 | Juno Lighting | 650 |
| 6 | Sysco SYSCO Sysco Corporation is the global leader in marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, hotels and inns, and other foodservice and hospitality businesses... |
650 |
| 7 | City of Des Plaines | 626 |
| 8 | Wheels | 550 |
| 9 | Hart Schaffner & Marx | 500 |
| 10 | Abbott Molecular | 500 |
China Airlines
China Airlines
China Airlines is both the flag carrier and the largest airline of Republic of China . Although not directly state-owned, the airline is owned by China Airlines Group, which is owned by the China Aviation Development Foundation...
maintains the Chicago office in Des Plaines. It was previously located in Michigan Plaza
Michigan Plaza
Michigan Plaza is an office complex in Chicago Loop area of Chicago, Illinois, United States. The complex is managed by MB Real Estate.The complex consists of the 44 story 205 North Michigan Avenue and the 25 story 225 North Michigan Avenue...
in the Chicago Loop
Chicago Loop
The Loop or Chicago Loop is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas located in the City of Chicago, Illinois. It is the historic commercial center of downtown Chicago...
.
Places of interest
- Rivers Casino – Midwest Gaming
- McDonald's MuseumMcDonald's MuseumThe McDonald's #1 Store Museum, also known as the McDonald's USA First Store Museum, is housed in a replica of the former McDonald's restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois opened by Ray Kroc in April 1955...
, a reconstruction of the first franchised McDonald'sMcDonald'sMcDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
restaurant built by franchiser Ray KrocRay KrocRaymond Albert "Ray" Kroc was an American fast food businessman who joined McDonald's in 1954 and built it into the most successful fast food operation in the world. Kroc was included in Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century, and amassed a fortune during his lifetime...
, founder of the McDonald's Corporation - Lake OpekaLake OpekaLake Opeka is a small, lake in Des Plaines, Illinois, with an 18 hole par-3 golf course on its western shore.On the northern bank is Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Jogging paths run around the east side, where a band shelter is located amongst picnic tables and grills, exercise stations and a...
in Lake Park - Maryville AcademyMaryville AcademyThe Maryville Academy is a Roman Catholic institution for the treatment of physically, sexually, and emotional abused children, located in Des Plaines, Illinois. Founded in 1883, it operated under the leadership of Father John P...
, center for under-privileged children, which hosts the Chicagoland Sports Hall of FameChicagoland Sports Hall of FameThe Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame, located in the Hawthorne Race Course, in Stickney/Cicero, near Chicago, Illinois, honors sports greats associated with the greater Chicago area. It was founded in 1979 as a trailer owned by the Olympia Brewing Company parked at Soldier Field in Chicago. The... - Methodist Camp Ground, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, predates the city (founded 1860) and is still active every summer with concerts, day camps, swimming & recreation, picnics, etc.
- Des Plaines Public Library
- Des Plaines Theater
- The Des Plaines Forest Preserve surrounds the Des Plaines River and spans most of the eastern border of the city.
- Deval Crossing interlocking tower is a very popular spot for train enthusiasts, as one Canadian National and two Union Pacific railways all meet in a triangular pattern. MetraMetraMetra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by...
trains run on two of the routes.
Schools
College Campuses include:- Oakton Community CollegeOakton Community CollegeOakton Community College is a two-year community college with campuses in Skokie, Illinois and Des Plaines, Illinois. District 535 serves 450,000 residents in northeast Cook County, Illinois...
, opened in 1969; a community college with campuses in SkokieSkokie, IllinoisSkokie is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Its name comes from a Native American word for "fire". A Chicago suburb, for many years Skokie promoted itself as "The World's Largest Village". Its population, per the 2000 census, was 63,348...
and Des Plaines.
Public School Districts include:
- elementary and middle school: District 62Community Consolidated School District 62 (Illinois)Community Consolidated School District 62 has headquarters in Des Plaines, Illinois The district has eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and one year-round school. The district is 45.8% White, 4.2% Black, 35.9% Hispanic, 10.0% Asian/Pacific Islander. 0.1% Native American, and 3.9%...
and District 59Community Consolidated School District 59Community Consolidated School District 59 has headquarters in Arlington Heights, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Though headquartered in Arlington Heights it's also to be called Elk Grove Community Consolidated District 59, as it serves most of Elk Grove Village and some parts of Arlington Heights,... - high school: District 207Maine Township High School District 207Maine Township High School District 207 is a school district based in Illinois.Composed of Des Plaines and Park Ridge as well as portions of Glenview, Harwood Heights, Morton Grove, Niles, Norridge, and Norwood Park Township, the district lies 30 minutes from downtown Chicago...
with Maine West High SchoolMaine West High SchoolMaine West High School, or MWHS, is a public four-year high school located in Des Plaines, Illinois, a north-west suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States...
Private Schools include:
- The Science and Arts Academy
- The Willows Academy
- Immanuel Lutheran School
- St. Zachary School
- Our Lady of Destiny; created after the merging of St. Stephen's and St. Mary's Catholic schools
Places of worship
- Romanian Baptist Church of Chicago
- St Martin's Episcopal Church
- First United Methodist Church
- First Presbyterian Church
- Faith Alliance Bible Church
- St Zachary's Roman Catholic church
- St Mary's Catholic Church
- St Stephens Catholic Church
- Trinity Lutheran Church
- Immanuel Lutheran Church
- Unity Northwest Church
- Phat Bao Vietnamese Buddhist Temple
- Islamic Community Center of Des Plaines
- The Bridge Community Church
- Chicago Mar Thoma Church
- First Congregational United Church of Christ of Des Plaines
- Christ Church
Notable residents
- Eileen FisherEileen FisherEileen Fisher, Inc. is an American women's clothing retailer founded by a clothing designer of the same name. Her clothing is known for simplicity. She has sometimes used non-traditional models in print advertisements, including employees of the company....
, clothing designer - Adrian FulleAdrian FulleAdrian Fulle is the Managing Member of Poya Pictures, a full service production company for film, television and new media clients. Adrian began his career as a writer/director of independent feature films and is best known for the comedy Love 101...
, Managing Member of film production company - Shawn GreenShawn GreenShawn David Green is a former Major League Baseball player.Green was a 1st round draft pick and a two-time major league All-Star...
, retired major league baseball all-star - Michael KleenMichael Kleen-Early Life and Education:Michael A. Kleen is an American folklorist, publisher, and social commentator. He was born in Chicago and grew up in the northwest suburb of Des Plaines, Illinois. He received a B.A. in Philosophy in 2006 and M.A. in History in 2008 from Eastern Illinois University in...
, folklorist, publisher, and social commentator - Jill MorgenthalerJill MorgenthalerJill Morgenthaler was the 2008 Democratic nominee for Illinois' 6th congressional district defeating Stan Jagla in the primary. Morgenthaler was defeated by Peter Roskam, a Wheaton, Illinois Republican, in the Nov 2008 general election, by a 16% margin ,Morgenthaler was retired Colonel in the...
, politician - Todd WessellTodd WessellTodd Wessell, is the Managing Editor, and part owner of the Journal & Topics newspapers that serve the communities that surround O'Hare airport. He currently lives in Des Plaines, Illinois.- References :...
, newspaper editor and owner - Rick ZomboRick ZomboRichard J. Zombo is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the NHL for 12 seasons between 1984 and 1996...
, NHL ice hockey player - Eric Suevel, Stained Glass Artist
- Fred Reporto, Founder of TheFappingGuys
Pop culture
- Des Plaines is featured in the Left Behind seriesLeft Behind (series)Left Behind is a series of 16 best-selling novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, dealing with Christian dispensationalist End Times: pretribulation, premillennial, Christian eschatological viewpoint of the end of the world. The primary conflict of the series is the members of the Tribulation...
of novels as well as a recently released American GirlAmerican GirlAmerican Girl is a line of dolls, books, and accessories.American Girl may also refer to:* American Girl , a magazine published by the American Girl company* American Girl , a 2002 American film...
book.
- The majority of the hit 1985 film The Breakfast ClubThe Breakfast ClubThe Breakfast Club is a 1985 American teen drama film written and directed by John Hughes. The storyline follows five teenagers as they spend a Saturday in detention together and come to realize that they are all deeper than their respective stereotypes.-Plot:The plot follows five students at...
was filmed at the now-defunct Maine North High SchoolMaine North High SchoolMaine North High School was a school in unincorporated Maine Township, part of Maine Township High School District 207 which includes Maine East, Maine West, and Maine South High Schools. It closed in 1981....
located in unincorporated Des Plaines.
- Des Plaines, during the 1940s and 50s, was home to many huge greenhouse complexes and was the world's largest producer of hothouse roses. The city's vehicle stickers sported a large "American Beauty" rose, and the city's logo was "City of Roses" (replaced in the 1960s by "City of Destiny").
- Des Plaines is featured in an episode called L.D.S.K from the TV series Criminal MindsCriminal MindsCriminal Minds is an American police procedural drama that premiered September 22, 2005, on CBS. The series follows a team of profilers from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit based in Quantico, Virginia. The BAU is part of the FBI National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime...
. A sniper (or as called on the show a Long Distance Serial Killer) starts shooting people in Franklin Park. The main characters on the show think the killer is a Des Plaines cop, which is eventually found out to be not true.
- "Des Plaines" is the name of a Venetian SnaresVenetian SnaresVenetian Snares is the main performing alias of Canadian electronic musician Aaron Funk .From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Funk is known for making electronic music often in odd numbered time signatures...
track from the 2005 album MeatholeMeatholeMeathole is an album by Canadian breakcore artist Venetian Snares, released on August 22, 2005, on the label Planet Mu.Unlike his previous album Rossz Csillag Alatt Született, which is strongly classic-inspired, this album is more influenced by jazz and blues with a dark and chaotic mood, best...
. The track erroneously refers to the townTownA town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
where the American serial killer John Wayne GacyJohn Wayne GacyJohn Wayne Gacy, Jr. was an American serial killer, rapist and clown who sexually assaulted and murdered at least 33 teenage boys and young men between 1972 and 1978. Gacy buried 26 of his victims in the crawlspace of his home, buried three others elsewhere on his property, and discarded the...
murdered and raped his victims.
- Des Plaines is the home of the first franchised McDonald'sMcDonald'sMcDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
opened by Ray KrocRay KrocRaymond Albert "Ray" Kroc was an American fast food businessman who joined McDonald's in 1954 and built it into the most successful fast food operation in the world. Kroc was included in Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century, and amassed a fortune during his lifetime...
, which is preserved as a "museum" on Lee Street, north of downtown.
- Chet and Connie Ripley (played by John CandyJohn CandyJohn Franklin Candy was a Canadian actor and comedian. He rose to fame as a member of the Toronto branch of The Second City and its related Second City Television series, and through his appearances in comedy films such as Stripes, Splash, Cool Runnings, The Great Outdoors, Spaceballs, and Uncle...
and Stephanie FaracyStephanie FaracyStephanie Faracy is an American film and television actress.Faracy was born in Brooklyn, New York. One of her earliest notable roles was as Mary Carson's servant "Judy", in the 1983 television mini-series The Thorn Birds.Faracy also appeared with Frankie Faison and Nancy Walker in True Colors , a...
) in the movie The Great OutdoorsThe Great Outdoors (1988 film)The Great Outdoors is a 1988 American comedy film starring Dan Aykroyd and John Candy. Annette Bening and Stephanie Faracy co-star. Robert Prosky and Lewis Arquette have supporting roles...
lived in Des Plaines, according to the address on the check Candy wrote to Dan Aykroyd's character.
- Mentioned in David Mamet's play, Glengarry Glen RossGlengarry Glen RossGlengarry Glen Ross is a 1984 play written by David Mamet. The play shows parts of two days in the lives of four desperate Chicago real estate agents who are prepared to engage in any number of unethical, illegal acts—from lies and flattery to bribery, threats, intimidation and burglary—to sell...
.
- Serial killer John Wayne GacyJohn Wayne GacyJohn Wayne Gacy, Jr. was an American serial killer, rapist and clown who sexually assaulted and murdered at least 33 teenage boys and young men between 1972 and 1978. Gacy buried 26 of his victims in the crawlspace of his home, buried three others elsewhere on his property, and discarded the...
did not live in Des Plaines. His house was in an unincorporated Norwood Township, near Chicago. It was the abduction and murder of 15-year-old Robert Piest, a sophomore at Maine West High SchoolMaine West High SchoolMaine West High School, or MWHS, is a public four-year high school located in Des Plaines, Illinois, a north-west suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States...
, of Des Plaines, that finally led to Gacy's capture. Additionally, a 1975 Maine West class ring engraved with the initials "JAS" was found in the crawl space of Gacy's home. The ring belonged to missing 19-year-old Maine West alumnus John Szyc. Des Plaines City detectives tracked down Gacy, as the 32 previous known victims were investigated by Chicago and other detectives that mainly wrote off the disappearances as "runaways" and closed the files.