About Robbins

Vital Statistics

Population: 6,636 (Approximately)

Zip Code: 60472

Congressional District: 1st (Congressman Bobby Rush)

Historical Highlights

Robbins was incorporated in 1917 and the first mayor was Thomas J. Kellar.

Between 1930-1933, Robbins, IL was home to the First Airport that was owned and operated by African Americans in the United States. This also was the only flight school at the time where African American could be trained as pilots and served as a model for the Tuskigee Airmen Program during W.W.II. Many great African American Pilots flew into this great lost and forgotten airport.

Notable Natives of Robbins

• Dwyane Wade – NBA basketball player for the Miami Heat. Wade mentions his hometown in a Converse commercial.
• Nichelle Nichols – Born Grace Nichols in Robbins, best known for playing Uhura in Star Trek.
• Bessie Coleman, Cornelius Coffey, and John C. Robinson – Founders of the Robbins Airport, a center for black aviation in the North. The Robbins Airport was the first African American owned and operated airport in the US. They also greatly influenced the development of the Tuskegee Airman.
• Keke Palmer – Actress and Singer, known for the movie Akeelah and the Bee