As a result, the ethnic character of the 13th Ward is diminishing, said Ramunas Astrauskas, attache at the Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuanian in Chicago. Astrauskas said elderly Lithuanian immigrants often visit to reminisce about the old Southwest Side and bemoan the new ways. Lithuanian markets, theaters and banks filled the streets 30 years ago. If a Lithuanian family wanted to celebrate Christmas Eve with the traditional Kuciukai biscuit, it was as simple as hopping into one of the many bakeries on 71st Street. Today only one Lithuanian business exists on the street and many residents are afraid to leave their house after dark.
New immigrants see it as a temporary place and they're looking forward to moving out.
There are no positive comments that the area will improve. Astrauskas estimates that about 80 percent of the Lithuanian immigrants in Chicago lived on the Southwest Side 30 years ago. He said only 25 percent of the 60,000 immigrants remain. Rudy Rodriguez, a postal worker whose route includes the 13th Ward, has noticed the changes over the past 10 years. People would stay and raise their kids.