THE CITY OF
EAST SAINT LOUIS

Located on the east side of the Mississippi across from St. Louis, Missouri, the city of East St. Louis is the heartbeat of St. Clair County in Illinois.

Known as the City of Champions, East St. Louis is rich in tradition and success. It has been the birthplace and home to Olympians, a U.S. ambassador, a world-renowned jazz artist, and an NFL Hall of Famer.

According to RiverFrontTimes.com, the football team of East St. Louis Senior High School has racked up more wins than any other program in the country. On March 16, 2019, the East St. Louis Basketball Flyers won the Boys 3A Basketball State Championship—the school’s first. On May 18, 2019, the East St. Louis Flyerettes won the Girls Track and Field State Championship. A year ago, the East St. Louis boys track team was banned from the postseason because of an altercation in the Clyde C. Jordan stadium during the Southwestern Conference Meet on May 8, 2018. One year later, on May 25, 2019, the East St. Louis Flyers won the Boys Track and Field State Championship—a great example of determination to overcome setbacks.

Although East St Louis has experienced some thrilling victories in the realm of sports in recent years, the city also faces challenges with respect to poverty.

According to CensusReporter.org, 43.1 percent of the people in this city, including 66 percent of children under 18, are living below the poverty line. This is more than three times the number of people below the poverty line (12.6 percent) in Illinois as a whole. The median household income in East St. Louis is $20,659, about a third of the median household income in Illinois ($62,992). Although these are very disturbing numbers, the city has shown resolve and fortitude. Last year, a number of decrepit homes and buildings were demolished. Sometimes we must remove the old in order to make way for the new. This is a step in the right direction.

Restoration of this city is the common goal of city officials and the citizens of East St. Louis. And it is my goal. East St. Louis is destined to rise again.