Cicero is an incorporated town in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 83,891 at the 2010 census. Cicero is named for the town of Cicero, New York, which in turn was named for Marcus Tullius Cicero, the Roman statesman and orator. Originally, Cicero Township occupied six times its current territory. Weak political leadership and town services resulted in cities such as Oak Park and Berwyn voting to split off from Cicero, and other portions such as Austin were annexed into the city of Chicago . Al Capone built his criminal empire in Chicago before moving to Cicero to escape... the reach of Chicago police. The 1980s and 1990s saw a heavy influx of Hispanic residents to Cicero. Once considered mainly a Czech or Bohemian town on 22nd Street , most of the European-style restaurants and shops have been replaced by Spanish-titled businesses. Cicero has also seen a revival in its commercial sector, with many brand-new mini-malls and large retail stores. New condominiums are also being built in Cicero. Cicero has long had a reputation of government scandal.
more