Rozanne

How long have you lived in North Chicago?

Sixty-seven years. I'm 69, I've been here since I was eleven months old, but I live in Waukegan for two years. I got married. And My husband's from Waukegan, so we got an apartment in Waukegan... actually we lived in North Chicago first, and then we got an apartment in Waukegan. And then we bought the house in North Chicago. I'm happy that we bought a house here. We're happy here.

So, what is it about North Chicago that's made you content to stay in one place?

I grew up here– family friends. It's fallen on hard times now. But when I was growing up in the 60s, or late late 50s and 60s, it was a good place to live.

What's the best part about living in here?

The people. The people are nice. I mean, you have some bad elements, like you'll have any place to one degree or another. But the people are nice, a young man– one of the postal guys that is at the counter here [at the Post Office]– he grew up with one of my kids. I've got one son who's still in the area. And it's a lot of people I've grown up with and gotten older with, you know– they're still here.

There’s a strong sense of community, here.

Yeah, and I think North Chicago is trying. It hasn't quite found the piece of the puzzle that keeps things flowing nicely, but I think they're trying. In my little neighborhood I've known my next door neighbors for 40-some years and 30 years respectively. We help each other out when when when things come up. We're not a bunch of strangers that pass but never speak.

What do you aspire to? What do you hope for, personally for your future?

To be able to stay in my little house, enjoy my neighborhood and not have to go to an old folks home or something! It's not like I'm starting out in the career or something or a family– I've done all that. I'd I hope for things to get a little better. I don't know, and be more peaceful. And I'd be really, really glad to have a grocery store in the city.

What are you most proud of?

My children are doing well they're they're not troublemakers they've grown up they've got jobs they've got families and take good care of their families.

What trait do you possess that others admire in you?

I don't know about admire, but I consider myself relatively friendly. And I think I'm a nice person I, I like to help people out whenever I can. I don't mind putting myself out a little for other people. And even a lot for other people that the need is there. So other than that, like that nobody's special. I just try to live my life and be a good person and you know, treat others like I want to be treated.

Edited and condensed, this conversation took place in 2016.