The RADIOACTIVE CAPITAL of the Midwest

At first glance, West Chicago seems like the perfect place to settle down—surrounded by affluent suburbs, home to the DuPage Airport, and nestled in the economic heart of Illinois. But hidden beneath the surface is a decades-old radioactive disaster that still lingers today.

This video dives deep into the history of the Kerr-McGee rare-earths facility, where thorium processing left behind toxic waste that spread throughout the community. From the radioactive mounds at the old factory site to contaminated creeks and even private yards, the aftermath of this environmental catastrophe is still felt by residents. Despite cleanup efforts, can we really trust that all the waste will ever be removed? Or will West Chicago remain a cautionary tale of corporate negligence and unfulfilled promises?

Join me as I uncover the shocking truth behind West Chicago’s radioactive past and the lasting impact on its people. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below!

#WestChicago #Radiation #EnvironmentalDisaster #KerrMcGee #History

0:00 - 1:53 Intro
1:53 - 11:28 West Chicago's Toxic Legacy
11:28 - 14:15 Interview with business owner
14:15 - 17:45 History
17:45 - 22:21 Chris's Livability Score

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Help me grow my other channels!

Chris Harden's Travel Archives:    / @chrishardenarchives  
Nostalgia Tours Radio:    / @nostalgiatoursradio  

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In order to make good YouTube videos, it helps to have good equipment. I started out on a budget and have expanded overtime. Links to everything that I use are down below.

WHAT I USE AT HOME:
Home PC for video editing: https://amzn.to/4aDWtze
Sound Mixer: https://amzn.to/3TFkHCo
Microphone: https://amzn.to/4ahTBbs
Other things: https://amzn.to/3TzvUnG

WHAT I USE ON THE ROAD:
Camara: https://amzn.to/3TGtUKG
Other Camera: https://amzn.to/3TGu44K
Drone: https://amzn.to/3vADq9Z
Other things: https://amzn.to/3J3FxXe


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I keep virtual map that shows every place that I've made a video on here:

INTERACTIVE MAP that shows you all of the places that I've made videos on: (Doesn't always work on mobile devices. Will always work on PC.) https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edi...

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I have other social media that you can follow me on as well. Through a DM or Email, you contact me for collaborations, video ideas or for basic fan mail:

SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTACT INFO:
Email: ChrisHardenYT@Gmail.com
On Twitter:   / chris_harden55  
On Instagram:   / c_harden7  
On Facebook:   / chrishardenyt  

DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. As an Amazon Associate I do earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. As always, thank you for supporting my channel!