These days the South Suburban Cook County city of Chicago Heights, about 25 miles from Chicago, is known mostly for empty store fronts, dilapidated neighborhoods, and empty space where factories once stood. It wasn't always like this. In fact, once Chicago Heights wound up in the Guinness Book of World records. It had nearly 90 factories during World War II, giving it the most factories per person in the world. (Chicago Heights population is about 30,000) In 1950, Ford Motors moved their plant right next door, and in the late 1970's, the legendary controversial mayor of the Heights