Hillside, a Green Gateway

Sitting at the far western edge of Cook County, Hillside is tucked away where all roads converge. Only 14 miles west of Chicago, Hillside enjoys easy access to Interstates 290 and 294. Although they divide Hillside into distinct sections, these expressways have contributed considerably to its development as a convenient place to live. Hillside is located north of Westchester, south of Berkeley, and west of both Broadview and Maywood.

The village was incorporated in 1905, adopting its name from a railroad stop called Hillside – the point where westbound trains started going uphill. Residential housing jumped from 1940 to 1950 then again after the completion of the Congress Expressway in 1956. Today it’s home to Proviso West High School, which serves the communities of Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Hillside, Stone Park, Westchester, and parts of Melrose Park and Northlake.

Hillside has two major Catholic cemeteries: Mount Carmel Cemetery and Queen of Heaven, both located along Roosevelt Road. Mount Carmel is the resting place for many bishops and archbishops of the Archdiocese of Chicago. It also has the grave of gangster Al Capone.

The village supports a number of community events, including Summer Nights in the Commons. From late July through August, this outdoor concert series includes a cruise night filled with classic cars, a marketplace to shop for local and handmade items, and live music under the stars at the Hillside Commons, 4950 Washington St.

With five other parks throughout the village, Hillside is adding to its green footprint with development of the Illinois Prairie Path from Maywood to Wheaton. This will improve and increase biking, hiking and other activities along the path, attract businesses to the area, and lend more beauty to the parks and open space in this natural trail developed along former train tracks.