Hoopeston is ranked among the most affordable small cities to live in if you're looking in Illinois.  SmartAssett.com conducted its 7th annual survey, showing the Vermilion County city is the third most affordable community to live in among smaller populations. The survey shows homeowner's insurance, mortgage payments, and median income as factors considered in the results.

Hoopeston Mayor Bill Crusinberry says improvements over the years have contributed to the favorable findings.  He said when Illinois towns suffered from job loss in the 1980s and beyond, housing improvements and better health care have helped in attracting people.  The mayor also credits a good school system to attract families.

WalletHub is out with their safest cities in America ranking, and Aurora is the highest-ranked Illinois city at #25. The website looked at 44 key indicators of safety, including assaults per capita to the unemployment rate to road quality. Chicago ranked 114th on the list. According to the study, the least safe city in the country is St. Louis.

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