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The Boys in Chicago Heights: The Forgotten Crew of the Chicago Outfit
“Chronicles the heyday of the Chicago Heights subsidiary of Al Capone’s infamous Prohibition-breaking criminal organization” ( Time Out Chicago ).
Chicago Heights was long the seat of one of the major street crews of the Chicago Outfit, but its importance has often been overlooked and misunderstood. The crew’s origins predate Prohibition, when Chicago Heights was a developing manufacturing center with a large Italian immigrant population. Its earliest bosses struggled for control until a violent gang war left the crew solidified under the auspices of Al Capone. For the remainder of the twentieth century, the boys from Chicago Heights generated large streams of revenue for the Outfit through its vast gambling enterprises, union infiltration, and stolen auto rackets. For the first time, the history of the Chicago Heights street crew is traced from its inception through its last known boss.
Includes photos!
“I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Chicago Heights Street Crew. It not only provides a well researched history of the crew, but also explains how the boys from Chicago Heights became an important, yet little known, part of the Chicago Outfit.” — Springer Science + Business Media
Chicago Heights was long the seat of one of the major street crews of the Chicago Outfit, but its importance has often been overlooked and misunderstood. The crew’s origins predate Prohibition, when Chicago Heights was a developing manufacturing center with a large Italian immigrant population. Its earliest bosses struggled for control until a violent gang war left the crew solidified under the auspices of Al Capone. For the remainder of the twentieth century, the boys from Chicago Heights generated large streams of revenue for the Outfit through its vast gambling enterprises, union infiltration, and stolen auto rackets. For the first time, the history of the Chicago Heights street crew is traced from its inception through its last known boss.
Includes photos!
“I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Chicago Heights Street Crew. It not only provides a well researched history of the crew, but also explains how the boys from Chicago Heights became an important, yet little known, part of the Chicago Outfit.” — Springer Science + Business Media
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2012
104 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 20, 2022
This is how history used to be recorded, told, studied. Not in the theory of why or to be put into a politico or whole piece agenda of any kind- but to relate who, what, where, when. And the why only in the regard of what outcome for a particular time and event proceeded in aftermath.
This would not be a book many outside of the Chicago area might easily understand or even want to pursue. It's about 100 or more people from the time of the late 1800's to the middle of the 20th century in most particulars. How they formed and proceeded in organization of crime (Mafia and mostly Sicilian immigrant based) in Northern Illinois.
Chicago Heights was one of 5 satellite cities around Chicago. It was NOT a Chicago suburb then. Nor were the 4 other places more than 20 miles from the city. Aurora was one. These are actually not suburbs at all. Not even now. Long histories plus distances..
The photos were 6 star. They are nearly on every other page. Placements and stature (some sitting always in posed groups- others standing) were carved.
My Grandmother moved from these places of biggest Sicilian groups twice. Once when my Mom was still quite young. Very good reasons.
Organized crime still has a foothold in Chicago Heights and in Blue Island. As much as it does in Cicero.
Added later: The money makers in this era and even up until my youth (1960's) were massive gambling operations (numbers), union corruption/racketeering, auto chop shop enterprises and extortion/protection. And to a lesser factor than usually depicted- bootlegging during Prohibition.
This would not be a book many outside of the Chicago area might easily understand or even want to pursue. It's about 100 or more people from the time of the late 1800's to the middle of the 20th century in most particulars. How they formed and proceeded in organization of crime (Mafia and mostly Sicilian immigrant based) in Northern Illinois.
Chicago Heights was one of 5 satellite cities around Chicago. It was NOT a Chicago suburb then. Nor were the 4 other places more than 20 miles from the city. Aurora was one. These are actually not suburbs at all. Not even now. Long histories plus distances..
The photos were 6 star. They are nearly on every other page. Placements and stature (some sitting always in posed groups- others standing) were carved.
My Grandmother moved from these places of biggest Sicilian groups twice. Once when my Mom was still quite young. Very good reasons.
Organized crime still has a foothold in Chicago Heights and in Blue Island. As much as it does in Cicero.
Added later: The money makers in this era and even up until my youth (1960's) were massive gambling operations (numbers), union corruption/racketeering, auto chop shop enterprises and extortion/protection. And to a lesser factor than usually depicted- bootlegging during Prohibition.
April 6, 2018
Luzi offers to readers a fascinating story of one branch in the Chicago mob. The Chicago Heights Crew is not well-known in terms of membership, territory, or activity. Luzi exposes their leaders and highlights their crimes. The book is very short, and seems incomplete. This reader wanted to see more on everything. Prohibition, the Robertos, LaPorte, Calumet City, NE Indiana. What does it mean to say that Joe Guzzino was his lieutenant? At times, the book reads more like a teaser or an unattributed magazine story. However, the writing is very clear, the book is cleverly organized by era of crew chief, and the book is richly illustrated.
Luzi begins with a good description of Chicago Heights as a community. He creates a fascinating environment and gradually introduces readers to the underworld. However, readers probably are a bit taken aback with seeing so many factions in Chicago Heights. Luzi's claims that Roberto and Emery were Capone loyalists almost at the outset of Prohibition also is confusing considering Capone was a soldier. As Luzi races through history, these separate clans coalesced into the Chicago Heights crew. Luzi does not have many sources for the 1920s-1940s. Perhaps that is why the era receives such brief attention.
One of Luzi's strengths is using FBI reports on several crew members. I am skeptical that there are no files for Roberto or Emery; but Luzi has clearly done the research and tries to add FBI documentation for the early years. Even with more reliable sources for later years, Luzi continues to briefly discuss the subject matter. I had to re-read the same section multiple times on LaPorte loaning $400,000 to shady developers in California to understand what was going on. I am still confused about the whole story and feel there is more to the story; but the data is not available to Luzi. Even with a key figure like LaPorte, readers may not understand the scope of the crew's activities. Luzi really only discusses the activities of Jim Emery and Al Tocco to any great length. A passing comment like "He was promoted to run the club..." does not mean much. Gambling? Prostitution? liquor laws? The readership may have difficulty imaging the ambiance of the Owl Club even with some photos. Plus there was a huge difference between the Owl Club and lesser places along the Calumet City Strip.
Overall, this book is a niche book. Residents of Chicago Heights will surely appreciate it; but general readers unfamiliar with the characters may gain little. Readers familiar with the Chicago underworld will be happy to have more resources on Emery and LaPorte. The photos alone make this book an important addition to the literature. Although, again, some of the people illustrated in the photos sometimes have little attention in the text.
Luzi begins with a good description of Chicago Heights as a community. He creates a fascinating environment and gradually introduces readers to the underworld. However, readers probably are a bit taken aback with seeing so many factions in Chicago Heights. Luzi's claims that Roberto and Emery were Capone loyalists almost at the outset of Prohibition also is confusing considering Capone was a soldier. As Luzi races through history, these separate clans coalesced into the Chicago Heights crew. Luzi does not have many sources for the 1920s-1940s. Perhaps that is why the era receives such brief attention.
One of Luzi's strengths is using FBI reports on several crew members. I am skeptical that there are no files for Roberto or Emery; but Luzi has clearly done the research and tries to add FBI documentation for the early years. Even with more reliable sources for later years, Luzi continues to briefly discuss the subject matter. I had to re-read the same section multiple times on LaPorte loaning $400,000 to shady developers in California to understand what was going on. I am still confused about the whole story and feel there is more to the story; but the data is not available to Luzi. Even with a key figure like LaPorte, readers may not understand the scope of the crew's activities. Luzi really only discusses the activities of Jim Emery and Al Tocco to any great length. A passing comment like "He was promoted to run the club..." does not mean much. Gambling? Prostitution? liquor laws? The readership may have difficulty imaging the ambiance of the Owl Club even with some photos. Plus there was a huge difference between the Owl Club and lesser places along the Calumet City Strip.
Overall, this book is a niche book. Residents of Chicago Heights will surely appreciate it; but general readers unfamiliar with the characters may gain little. Readers familiar with the Chicago underworld will be happy to have more resources on Emery and LaPorte. The photos alone make this book an important addition to the literature. Although, again, some of the people illustrated in the photos sometimes have little attention in the text.
February 2, 2014
Interesting if you're from the area or want a closer look at another the Chicago Outfit. However, it's pretty dryly written. Lots of facts and names and dates. Not a whole lot of energy. Reads mostly like a newspaper article.
March 30, 2023
Too much like a text book.
June 16, 2019
Interesting Town
As a young reporter in the early 1970s, I covered Chicago Heights city government for the local newspaper for a couple of years. A bit of civic corruption was out in the open, but I thought the real heavy gangster involvement had ended with Prohibition. Not so at all. This book taught me that I was even more naive than I had been thinking I was.
As a young reporter in the early 1970s, I covered Chicago Heights city government for the local newspaper for a couple of years. A bit of civic corruption was out in the open, but I thought the real heavy gangster involvement had ended with Prohibition. Not so at all. This book taught me that I was even more naive than I had been thinking I was.
March 14, 2023
This was 3.5 stars. Having grown up near Chicago Heights and with Italian family roots in the town, this was an interesting read. The writing style was a bit difficult to follow at times—lots of stated facts, little fiber between them—but there was obviously a lot of research that went into this book.
February 2, 2026
The joys of organized crime…
Information is densely packed throughout this book. It covers Chicagos era history in organized crime from Al Capone all the way through the Family Secrets trials, fairly well ending the days of organized crime. Which simply evolved to…
🕴️Great 💥 Read 🧞♀️🙂🕴️
Information is densely packed throughout this book. It covers Chicagos era history in organized crime from Al Capone all the way through the Family Secrets trials, fairly well ending the days of organized crime. Which simply evolved to…
🕴️Great 💥 Read 🧞♀️🙂🕴️
April 10, 2021
Totally enjoyed this book. During the 60’s I grew up working in a popular Chicago Heights restaurant, and during those years I had close contact with many of the characters in this book. Many memories.
April 2, 2022
Chicago Heights Mobsters
Who were they? Who ran the notorious little city south of Chicago? What went on there and how did Chicago Heights fit in with the mob? Luzi’s book is a well-researched look at all the answers. A must read for students of the murderous years of Chicago.
Who were they? Who ran the notorious little city south of Chicago? What went on there and how did Chicago Heights fit in with the mob? Luzi’s book is a well-researched look at all the answers. A must read for students of the murderous years of Chicago.
August 18, 2025
I appreciate that many months went into researching the people mentioned but the names fly by without grabbing my attention. Too many lesser soldiers are thrown in that have no bearing on the history of the Chicago mob. Photos were good to see. The book didn't "gel" for me.
April 25, 2020
This book was awesome. It helped with doing genealogy. I think it would be great to see a movie made.
December 30, 2025
My grandpa just casually in this book lol
March 24, 2014
This is a short but well researched book about the "Outfit" in Chicago Heights. I never knew they were so far reaching.
October 28, 2019
Read for personal research - found this book's contents helpful and inspiring.
A good book for the researcher and enthusiast.
A good book for the researcher and enthusiast.
November 15, 2018
Great insight to one of the Chicago Mobs most notorious crews!!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews