The time frame that to be examined is 1919-1929. Chicago will serve as the city that will provide the narrative on the impact of Prohibition on urban areas. Rural areas that will be covered include the cities Peoria and East St. Louis and the counties of focus are Williamson, Franklin, and Saline. This research will investigate how the Prohibition affected the economy for better or worse in these regions. Charlie Birger and the Shelton brothers are the rural organized crime masterminds who monopolized the rural Illinois country while Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, and Nucky Johnson dominated urban Chicago. How and why did these particular individuals rise to great heights and dominate organized crime and racketeering. There will also be a focus
