Sauget, Illinois: Home Of The 'YIMBY-ists'

Give us your strip-clubs, your benzene and dioxin-spewing chemical plants, say Sauget, Illinois officials.

1 minute read

October 5, 2006, 11:00 AM PDT

By Matt Baumann


Sauget, Illinois, a village just across the Mississippi river from St. Louis, was formed "to offer Monsanto a tax- and regulation-free dumping location at a time when environmental rules existed mainly at the local level. We were basically incorporated to be a sewer," Mr. Sauget, the town manager says.

However polluted, and "morally corrupt" Sauget may be, it does offer a lesson for other Midwestern towns seeking economic rejuvenation through other means besides attracting a Wal-Mart or a new housing development. "Instead, Sauget has embraced some of the less-popular remnants of the industrial Midwest as well as the seamier side of the U.S. service economy. Along with companies that smelt zinc, treat sewage and incinerate toxic waste are a brace of strip clubs, two nightclubs and a 24-hour liquor store that doubles as an off-track betting parlor and the largest lottery outlet in Illinois."

Also of interesting note is Sauget's per capita income of about $19,000 which is close to Chicago's. "And with annual property and other tax revenues of $7 million -- which works out to a remarkable $28,000 per person -- residents of Sauget (pronounced so-ZHAY) enjoy free sewer service and trash pickup, and a force of 16 police officers and 16 firefighters -- one of each for every 15 locals."

Tuesday, October 3, 2006 in Wall Street Journal via The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

SunRail passenger train at platform in Poinciana, Florida.

Central Florida’s SunRail Plans Major Expansion

The expanded train line will connect more destinations to the international airport and other important destinations.

November 24, 2024 - Hoodline

Rendering of proposed housing development on former Desert Pines golf course in East Las Vegas, Nevada.

Las Vegas Golf Course to Become Over 1,000 Units of Affordable Housing

The project is part of an initiative to build affordable housing on shuttered golf courses.

November 20, 2024 - KTNV

Low close-up of busy city crosswalk in Vienna, Austria.

Planning for True Transportation Affordability: Beyond Common Misconceptions

Transportation affordability is important but often misunderstood, resulting in misguided solutions. New research helps identify ways to provide true affordability for economic freedom, opportunity and happiness.

November 21, 2024 - Todd Litman

Car parked at EV charging station in parking lot in Carlsbad, California.

California Governor Vows to Protect EV Credits

If the federal government eliminates the tax credit for electric vehicles, the governor will need legislative support to restart a state-level incentive program.

1 hour ago - The Hill

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

3 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Times Square in New York City empty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project

Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.

5 hours ago - StreetsBlog NYC

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.