A recent letter from University of Maryland professor Jeff Lucas highlights ongoing tensions over regional identity between residents of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. In the letter, Lucas contends that spending time in Chicago does not equate to being a true Chicagoan, a distinction he argues is often claimed erroneously by those who grew up in the suburbs.

Lucas emphasizes the differences in everyday experiences between city dwellers and suburban residents. He cites challenges faced by Chicagoans such as waiting for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) in harsh winter conditions, adhering to early morning street cleaning parking restrictions, and the long search for parking spaces — experiences he suggests are unfamiliar to those who were raised outside the city limits. In contrast, he notes that suburban youth commonly spent time in shopping malls, whereas city kids frequented garages, porches, alleys, and parks.

Acknowledging that suburban teenagers often ventured into the city for entertainment and excitement, Lucas maintains that merely visiting Chicago does not grant the cultural or community affiliation that comes with growing up in the city. To further illustrate the divide, he points to differences in urban issues: gangs, homelessness, and street vendors are prominent realities in Chicago neighborhoods but are far less common in suburban areas such as Naperville, Evanston, and Schaumburg.

Lucas concludes by suggesting a simple linguistic adjustment that could help clarify identity claims: suburban residents might describe themselves as being “from right outside Chicago” rather than claiming to be from the city itself. However, he notes this phrasing lacks the appeal that the label “Chicagoan” carries.

The letter offers a perspective rooted in the lived experiences and cultural nuances that distinguish Chicago proper from its metropolitan outskirts, reflecting broader debates on urban identity and belonging in large metropolitan regions.