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Woodfield Mall

Woodfield Mall is a shopping mall located in the northwest Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, Illinois, United States, near the interchange of Golf Road and Interstate 290. The mall is the largest shopping mall in the state of Illinois, the second largest being Oakbrook Center in Oak Brook.[3][4] It is also one of the largest shopping malls in the United States.[5][6] The mall features the traditional retailers JCPenney, Macy's, Nordstrom, and Primark.

Woodfield Mall
Woodfield Mall logo
The entrance to Woodfield Mall
Map
LocationSchaumburg, Illinois, United States
Coordinates42°2′48″N 88°2′13″W / 42.04667°N 88.03694°W / 42.04667; -88.03694
Opening dateSeptember 9, 1971; 53 years ago (September 9, 1971)
DeveloperTaubman Centers
Homart Development
ManagementSimon Property Group
OwnerCalPERS (50%)
Simon Property Group (50%)
ArchitectCharles Luckman & Associates, Jickling Lyman & Powell Associates, Inc
No. of stores and services234
No. of anchor tenants4
Total retail floor area2,154,014 square feet (200,114 square meters)[1]
No. of floors2 with partial third floor (3 in Macy's and Nordstrom)[2]
Public transit accessPace
WebsiteOfficial website

The mall is located approximately 27 miles (43 km) from the Chicago Loop and attracts more than 27 million visitors each year.[7]

The mall was originally developed by Taubman Centers, which later sold the mall to CalPERS, Miller Capital Advisory, and GM Pension Trusts. Taubman continued to manage the mall until December 31, 2012, when GM Pension Trusts sold its stake in the mall to Simon Property Group, which took over management effective January 1, 2013.[8]

History

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1960s–1970s

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Construction began on Woodfield Mall in October 1969[9] and the mall opened on September 9, 1971, with 59 stores, growing to 189 stores with 1.9 million retail square feet by 1973, along with a 135-foot (41 m) water tower to supply water to the mall and the nearby village. It was the largest mall in the United States at the time of its opening.[5][6]

 
Woodfield Mall in 1973

Woodfield Mall is named after former Sears board chairman General Robert E. Wood and Marshall Field and Company founder Marshall Field.[10] It was built on 191 acres (0.77 km2) of prairie land, previously occupied by farms, cows, and a village tavern.[10] Singer Carol Lawrence, actor Vincent Price, and two marching bands entertained at the debut. At the time of its opening, it claimed to be the world's largest shopping center.[11] By the end of September 1971, another 28 stores and restaurants had opened and that first business year finished with 138 specialty retailers.[citation needed] Originally, the mall covered 1,900,000 square feet (180,000 m2) of retail space, compared to the gross leasable area of the mall today, which is 2,154,014 square feet (200,114 m2).[12][13] In 1973, a new Lord & Taylor wing was constructed, along with 50 additional new retailers.[14]

1980s–1990s

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Sbarro opened in 1984 and A&W opened in 1985. The 5-plex opened for business on July 30, 1971. The mall also had a pair of free-standing twin cinemas, Woodfield Theatres 1 & 2 and Woodfield Theatres 3 & 4, at the perimeter of the mall near Golf Road. The 1 & 2 was opened with 2 G-rated films, including a Disney movie, and the 3 & 4 later opened; both were closed and demolished in the 1990s, replaced by additional retail. The Woodfield Mall Cinemas 5-plex closed in 2000 and was last operated by Cineplex Odeon Corporation. After it closed, the space was turned into a theme restaurant called Mars 2112, which was short-lived.[15] The former theater area was converted into an Improv Comedy Club in 2006, the first location in Illinois. The Loews Theatres at the Streets of Woodfield, an outdoor shopping center next to Woodfield Mall, made its debut as a 20-screener on December 10, 1999. The Streets of Woodfield was built between 1999 and 2000, replacing another indoor mall, One Schaumburg Place, which opened in 1991. The Streets of Woodfield featured Carson's, Dick's Sporting Goods (formerly Galyan's), and GameWorks. The freestanding Loews Theatres complex was eventually rebranded by the AMC Theatres chain in 2016. Carson's at The Streets of Woodfield closed in 2018. A&W closed in 2019.[citation needed]

An outdoor shopping center named Woodfield Village Green opened across the street in late 1993.[16] In October 1994, a three-story parking garage attached to Marshall Field's opened.[17] That year, TGI Fridays opened northwest of the mall.[18] Hooters would open in the surrounding area a year layer in 1995.[19] In celebration of its 20th anniversary in 1991, Woodfield added 23 more stores, including The Disney Store (closed in 2021), and then in 1995, Woodfield grew again with a $110 million wing that included 50 new specialty stores. Rainforest Cafe was added to the mall in October of that same year. (closed in 2020, replaced by Peppa Pig's World of Play) [20] In 1996, the mall added a three-level Nordstrom and a larger replacement Lord & Taylor. Of these new-for-1995 stores, nearly 40 were flagship concepts and designs, with about 27 of them the largest in their chains. In June 1997, a Stir Crazy restaurant opened between Sears and Marshall Field's.[21] Joe's Crab Shack opened on the northeast edge of the mall the same year, but it was one of 41 locations in the chain to close in 2017. IKEA opened a three-story location across from Woodfield Mall on November 18, 1998.[22]

While all of this expansion continued at Woodfield Mall, the surrounding village of Schaumburg grew as well. In 1970, the population was 19,000; in 1980, it mushroomed to 55,000; and, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Schaumburg had over 75,000 people in 2000. Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson observed that, "Woodfield established a focal point for development throughout all of the northwest suburbs. Without Woodfield, we wouldn't have office towers in Itasca or corporate development in Hoffman Estates."[citation needed]

In 1995, Woodfield Associates commissioned a brand new $128,000 paint job for the mall water tower. Woodfield paid an additional $97,000 for the exterior painting. Both the interiors and exteriors of the water tower were completely repainted. The tower was completely drained of water before the new paint job could be applied. Afterwards, the interior and exterior of the tower were thoroughly cleaned, and rust spots were treated properly. The painting of the interior began after the cleaning and treatment, followed by the painting of the exterior. For the exterior, Woodfield chose a base layer of light gray, along with four continuous, teal "W"s (for Woodfield) around the bowl of the tower. The entire painting process took around 350 gallons of paint.[23]

2000s–2010s

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DSW and Linens 'n Things opened outside the mall east of Sears and Marshall Field's in 1999;[24] Linens 'n Things would officially close in 2008 and Ashley Furniture opened in its spot on March 26, 2010.[25] Multiple restaurants would open in 2001; Red Robin, in the Lord & Taylor wing and The Cheesecake Factory, in the JCPenney wing,[26] along with an Olive Garden outside the mall.[citation needed] An Apple Store opened in the Lord & Taylor wing on August 24, 2001.[27] The following year, Torrid opened on the second floor in the JCPenney wing on September 18, 2002, six days after a store of the same name at Orland Square Mall in Orland Park opened.[28] A Lego Store was added to the mall in 2003 as one of seven "prototype" stores across the United States.[29] Fountains, the waterfall and the aquariums were removed from the mall in 2004.[citation needed] The water tower was repainted in 2005, ten years after its original repaint. The current scheme includes small, black text reading "Woodfield Mall" with large white clouds in the background, along with a representation of Schaumburg's skyscrapers in blue right below the text. Blue sky can be seen above the clouds, covering the top of the bowl.[citation needed] P.F. Chang's China Bistro and Texas de Brazil opened at the mall in 2005, bringing the restaurant count within the mall to 38.[30] Following the acquisition of Marshall Field's by Macy's, the store was renamed in September 2006.[citation needed]

2010s–2020s

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A McDonald's was renovated in June 2012.[31] Also, that same year, Pink by Victoria's Secret opened to the public. LongHorn Steakhouse opened on the northeast corner outside of the mall in October 2012.[32] Three stores opened at the mall in 2013, Forever 21[33] and a two-story H&M opened in the Sears wing.[34][35]

Lululemon and Arhaus opened in the Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom wings in June 2014.[36][37][citation needed] A portion of the second level of Sears was subleased to Level 257 (now Enterrium), a Pac-Man-themed restaurant featuring a bowling alley, an arcade and pinball machines in 2015.[38] Along with a major renovation, Zara, Timberland, Kids Foot Locker and rue21 opened.[39][citation needed]

Uncle Julio's officially opened in the JCPenney wing in 2016, replacing Ruby Tuesday, which closed in 2012.[40] Victoria's Secret was substantially remodeled in 2017.[citation needed] A large food court, known as the "Dining Pavilion", opened on the second floor in 2017, in the east court opposite of the main mall entrance. It features Chipotle Mexican Grill, Blaze Pizza, and more. It replaced two level 2 stores: F.Y.E., which moved to a smaller location on the lower level near Dunkin' Donuts. A year before the opening of the Dining Pavilion, a fourth elevator was added.[41] A'GACI ladies' wear has since closed.[citation needed]

In the summer of 2018, Blocks to Bricks, a hybrid store and museum dedicated to Lego and other construction toys, opened.[42] In October 2018, Uniqlo, a Japanese clothing chain, opened in the JCPenney wing.[43] Also, a salon was added in the Sears wing near Jimmy John's. Shake Shack opened outside the mall in October 2019.[44] Molly's Cupcakes opened in the Nordstrom wing in December 2019.[45]

2020s–present

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The Sears store in its last day of operation at the mall

The dawn of the 2020s saw several storied traditional department store retailers update their brick-and-mortar formats after being encroached upon to a degree by several digital retailers in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic.[46] In August 2020, it was announced that upscale specialty department store retailer Lord & Taylor would shutter its traditional brick and mortar format as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[47][48] In September 2021, it was announced Sears would shutter as part of an ongoing decision to eliminate its traditional brick-and-mortar format. The store closed on November 14, 2021, becoming the last remaining store in Illinois to close, after 50 years of operation. [49][50][51] It was also announced Primark would be reconstructing the previous Sears outpost. Primark opened on the upper level of the former Sears department store on October 12, 2023.[52]

By 2023, since the government lockdown, Woodfield Mall had announced several newest additions. In addition to Primark, new additions include Miniso, Radio Flyer, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gilly Hicks, Showcase, Lovisa, Offline by Aerie, Earthbound, Athleta, Warby Parker, and The North Face.[53][54][55]

In August of 2023, Radio Flyer announced that they will be opening their first retail store at Woodfield Mall after 106 years. The Radio Flyer store opened in November 2023.[56]

In January of 2024, Zellano Home Furniture moved into the lower level of the former Sears department store. However, the store is not designated as an anchor store because it is not connected to the mall.

Anchors

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Current

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Former

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  • Marshall Field's – Opened in 1971, converted to Macy's in 2006
  • Sears – Opened in 1971, closed in 2021, upper level converted to Primark in 2023
  • Lord & Taylor – Opened in 1973, closed in 2021

Renovations

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An interior shot of Woodfield Mall in 2009

Woodfield planned and announced a $13.8 million renovation in January 2015. The makeover consisted of an updated grand court, including the removal of the brick fixtures and leveling out many multi-leveled sections of floor. The renovation also includes new flooring for both lower and upper levels, replacing two existing elevators, and adding one new elevator. The renovation was predicted to be finished by the end of the year.[57]

In 2017, Woodfield planned and announced a $14 million renovation to introduce a new food court in the Sears wing. The food court introduced a seating area containing 820 seats for quality fast-casual dining restaurants such as Chipotle Mexican Grill, Charley's Philly Steaks, Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza, and more.[58]

Car incident

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A bordered up former Sears store entrance. 
The entrance where the incident occurred

On September 20, 2019, at around 2:30 pm CDT, a man drove a black first generation (2001-2008) Chevrolet TrailBlazer LT through an entrance door of Sears and began driving through the store and into the main concourse of the mall, crashing into kiosks, Clarks, International Diamond Company, and multiple other stores, seemingly targeting Forever 21 and other adjacent stores.[59][60] The driver was taken into custody by responding police near the center of the mall's first level without further incident. The identity of the suspect was not immediately released. No injuries were reported, but the mall was temporarily on lockdown due to the incident as well as concurrent, but unfounded, reports of an active shooter.[61][62] The mall was evacuated about one hour after the incident.[63]

The man, later identified as Javier Garcia of Palatine, Illinois, was charged with terrorism as a result of the incident; he appeared in court on September 29, 2019, and was denied bond. He appeared in court again on October 1, 2019, and was due back in court on January 27, 2020.[64][65][66][67][68] Garcia's family spoke out arguing that Javier is not a terrorist and that he has schizophrenia, though a police investigation shows evidence that Garcia's attack was premeditated, with investigators releasing – in part – that Garcia "searched 'Woodfield Mall,' the aerial view of the mall and mall premises 124 times between 9/19/19 at 14:38 and 9/20/19 at 12:55."[69] Garcia has since also been charged with an unrelated arson case from September 8, 2019, in his hometown of Palatine.[70]

Escalator incidents

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On September 11, 2022, a person's leg and finger were "crushed" by one of the escalator steps inside JCPenney. The person was transported to the hospital. Another incident occurred nine years prior to the 2022 incident in 2013, an escalator inside of the Nordstrom department store malfunctioned and injured three senior citizens. They were transported to the hospital in stable condition.[71]

Bus routes

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Pace

  • 208 Golf Road [72]
  • 554 Elgin/Woodfield (Monday-Saturday only) [73]
  • 604 Wheeling/Schaumburg (Monday-Saturday only)[74]
  • 606 Rosemont/Schaumburg Limited[75]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Do Business at Woodfield Mall, a Simon Property". business.simon.com. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  2. ^ "Center Map of Woodfield Mall - A Shopping Center In Schaumburg, IL - A Simon Property". www.simon.com.
  3. ^ "Largest Shopping Malls in the United States (2004)". American Studies at Eastern Connecticut State University. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2006.
  4. ^ "Radio Flyer opening its first store at Woodfield in Schaumburg | Crain's Chicago Business".
  5. ^ a b "Big, Bigger And Then There's Woodfield Mall". Chicago Tribune. February 24, 1995. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2010.("When Woodfield Mall opened in 1971, it covered 2.3 million square feet and featured 224 shops, making it the largest mall in the United States at the time. It is now the ninth largest mall in America.")
  6. ^ a b "Woodfield Mall still largest in the nation". Chicago Tribune. October 15, 1978. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved March 14, 2010.("Schaumburg's Woodfield Mail still tops the list of the nation's largest shopping centers, according to the latest standings compiled by Shopping Center World-magazine in its September issue.")
  7. ^ "America's Most-Visited Shopping Malls". NBC News. November 21, 2011.
  8. ^ "Woodfield Mall now half-owned by Simon". Crain's Chicago Business. February 4, 2013.
  9. ^ "Woodfield Mall". Mall Hall of Fame. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Andrew H. Malcolm (October 17, 1973). "Farm Now a Theater--Another Mall Built". The New York Times. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
  11. ^ Nagelberg, Alvin (September 13, 1971). "Woodfield Mall: Land Price Boom". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved March 14, 2010.("Woodfield Mall, the world's largest shopping center, opened last week in Schaumburg, 25 miles northwest of Chicago")
  12. ^ "Woodfield Mall" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  13. ^ "Real Estate". May 22, 2018.
  14. ^ "Lord & Taylor Planning 5 Stores in Chicago Area". The New York Times. December 15, 1971. p. 91. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  15. ^ Wendy Kummerer (October 2, 2000). "WOODFIELD ADDS MARS TO MENU". Chicago Tribune.
  16. ^ "Shoppers open their present: A new mall". Chicago Tribune.
  17. ^ "HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY, WOODFIELD MALL!". September 5, 2021.
  18. ^ "Mama mia, restaurants everywhere". Chicago Tribune.
  19. ^ "Controversial restaurant set to open in 2 months". Chicago Tribune.
  20. ^ Piccininni, Ann (November 19, 1995). "Feel the heat!". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023.
  21. ^ Bommer, Lawrence (May 4, 1997). "The name game". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023.
  22. ^ Tracy, Theresa (August 20, 1998). "New store is big in land of giants". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023.
  23. ^ "THE WATER TOWER OF WOODFIELD". September 16, 2012.
  24. ^ "DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse Orland Park and Schaumburg grand openings". The Daily Herald.
  25. ^ "Ashley Furniture opening at Schaumburg Promenade". Chain Store Age.
  26. ^ "Red Robin in Wheaton". Chicago Tribune. August 14, 2001. Archived from the original on September 21, 2023.
  27. ^ "Heads Up, Illinois: New Apple Store Opening Tomorrow In Woodfield – The Mac Observer". www.macobserver.com.
  28. ^ Chandler, Susan (August 31, 2002). "Store openings heat up for plus-size Torrid". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023.
  29. ^ "Azria shop is vanguard of wave". Chicago Tribune.
  30. ^ "Restaurant choices make taking a break easy". Chicago Tribune.
  31. ^ Travers, Julie (June 30, 2012). "Woodfield Mall McDonald's Grand Re-Opening VIP Party". Daily Herald.
  32. ^ "LongHorn Steakhouse opens in Schaumburg". Daily Herald. October 4, 2012.
  33. ^ "FOREVER 21 GRAND OPENING IN SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS". Forever 21 Newsroom.
  34. ^ report, Daily Herald (July 15, 2013). "Woodfield H&M reopens Thursday". Daily Herald.
  35. ^ "Bold New Microsoft Store Opens Near Apple Store at Woodfield Mall". June 29, 2013.
  36. ^ "Woodfield Mall celebrates retail surge with the grand opening of Lululemon Athletica and Arhaus".
  37. ^ "Columbia Sportswear Opens at Woodfield Mall, Celebrates Grand Opening". Palatine, IL Patch. November 14, 2014.
  38. ^ "Official Pac-Man Restaurant Coming To Chicago Next Month". December 19, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  39. ^ "New Stores Coming to Woodfield Mall This Fall". NBC Chicago. July 19, 2015.
  40. ^ "Woodfield Mall Enhances Dining Experience with Future Addition of Uncle Julio's this Spring and New Dining Section on Website". April 26, 2016.
  41. ^ "6 restaurants announced for new Woodfield Mall dining pavilion". February 6, 2018.
  42. ^ "Lego pro bringing 'first-of-its-kind' business to Woodfield". February 20, 2018.
  43. ^ "Uniqlo sets opening date at Woodfield". October 2018.
  44. ^ "Shake Shack Schaumburg Opening Tuesday October 8, 2019 on Golf Rd Woodfield's North Side". October 4, 2019.
  45. ^ "Molly's Cupcakes Opens in Lord & Taylor/Nordstrom Wing at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg". December 16, 2019.
  46. ^ "Woodfield Mall to reopen Friday with limited hours, capacity". May 28, 2020.
  47. ^ Rattner, Lauren Thomas,Nate (August 20, 2020). "Lord & Taylor is closing two dozen stores. Here's a map of where they are". CNBC.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  48. ^ "Disney closing all Chicago area standalone stores, including Michigan Avenue location". WGN-TV. August 24, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  49. ^ "Sears closing Woodfield Mall store, its last in Illinois". September 16, 2021.
  50. ^ "SEARS IN WOODFIELD MALL TO CLOSE; SITE IS LAST OF COMPANY'S LARGE DEPARTMENT STORES IN ILLINOIS". November 14, 2021.
  51. ^ "Sears at Woodfield Mall, Illinois' Last Remaining Store, Closes Sunday After 50 Years". NBC Chicago. November 13, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  52. ^ Reserved, Simon Property Group, L. P. and/or Its Affiliates (NYSE: SPG), © Copyright 1999-2023 All Rights. "Primark". www.simon.com. Retrieved May 9, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  53. ^ "Warby Parker is opening its 11th Chicago-area store". www.bizjournals.com.
  54. ^ "Rainforest Cafe to Meet Extinction at Woodfield Mall, Chicago Restaurant May Follow". December 20, 2019.
  55. ^ "Peppa Pig World of Play Experience Opens in Schaumburg". March 21, 2021.
  56. ^ "Radio Flyer to open first retail store at Woodfield Mall in November". Daily Herald. August 10, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  57. ^ "Woodfield Mall plans $13.8 million renovation". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  58. ^ "New dining pavilion planned for Woodfield Mall". dailyherald.com. January 10, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  59. ^ "Police respond to Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, reports of car driving inside". ABC7 Chicago. September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  60. ^ "WATCH LIVE: Police on the scene after cars drives through Woodfield Mall". CLTV. September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  61. ^ Peterson, Eric (September 20, 2019). "Police: Person in custody after driving through Woodfield Mall". Daily Herald. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  62. ^ Sobol, Rosemary; Chen, Elaine; Guerrero, Rafael; Anderson, Javonte. "SUV drives into Woodfield Mall, suspect in custody, no injuries reported, police say". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  63. ^ "Car Crashes Into Sears Store, Drives Through Illinois Mall". Time. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  64. ^ Gallardo, Michelle (October 1, 2019). "Woodfield Mall terrorism charge for Javier Garcia too severe, defense attorneys say". ABC7 Chicago.
  65. ^ WLS (October 18, 2019). "Man indicted after driving through Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg". ABC7 Chicago.
  66. ^ Wire, Sun-Times Media (November 2, 2019). "Man charged with driving through Woodfield Mall pleads not guilty to terrorism charges". ABC7 Chicago.
  67. ^ "Man Charged With Driving Through Woodfield Mall Pleads Not Guilty". NBC Chicago. October 31, 2019.
  68. ^ "Palatine man, Javier Garcia, charged with driving through Woodfield Mall now indicted in unrelated arson case | abc7chicago.com". Archived from the original on December 18, 2019.
  69. ^ Goudie, Chuck (September 30, 2019). "Man charged with terrorism allegedly scouted Woodfield Mall before SUV attack". ABC7 Chicago.
  70. ^ Gallardo, Michelle (October 2, 2019). "Family of Woodfield Mall driver Javier Garcia speaks for 1st time: 'My brother is not a terrorist'". ABC 7 Chicago. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  71. ^ Fisher • •, Alexandria (March 23, 2013). "Three Injured in Woodfield Escalator Mishap". NBC Chicago. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  72. ^ "208 - Golf Road | Pace Suburban Bus". www.pacebus.com.
  73. ^ "554 - Elgin – Woodfield | Pace Suburban Bus". www.pacebus.com. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  74. ^ "604 - Wheeling – Schaumburg (REDUCED) | Pace Suburban Bus". www.pacebus.com. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  75. ^ "606 - Rosemont – Schaumburg Limited | Pace Suburban Bus". www.pacebus.com. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
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