Chicago Cubs MLB team logo

Chicago, IL is a windy city in the northeastern part of Illinois and at the southwestern tip of Lake Michigan. Due to its proximity to Lake Michigan, its history is directly tied up with the lake where in the early years it served as a trading center. In 1848, it became the most important transportation center with the opening of the first railway, the Galena & Chicago Union Railway. Trade flourished due to such developments and a lot of the Chicago Theatre people have relocated in the city that eventually gave rise to new industries, particularly in manufacturing and retail. However in 1871 tragedy struck, known as the Great Chicago Fire, that burned one-third of the city including the central business district. Many were pessimistic that Chicago could ever rise from the tragedy, yet with the help of the residents and the government, rapid rebuilding was organized and in 1885 the first skyscraper was built.

The 3rd largest city in the United States, Chicago has a population of more than 2 million with 9 million based in the metropolitan area. The increase in population was borne of the massive work and business opportunities Chicago offered. Chicagoans or the residents of Chicago comprise of a multitude of races including White, Black, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, Pacific Islander and Native American among others. A huge number of Chicagoans are Catholic while the rest are Protestants and other Christian denomination, Islam and Jewish.

The city of Chicago is popular for having the most number of unique buildings and structures designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (Abraham Lincoln Center), Mies van der Rohe (United States Post Office Loop Station), Louis Sullivan (Carson Pirie Scott) and Holabird & Root (Commonwealth Edison Substation).

Some of the major attractions include Grant Park (with the statue of Abraham Lincoln, Clarence Buckingham Fountain and Millennium Park), Shedd Aquarium (exhibits of Oceanarium and Caribbean Reef), Navy Pier, Magnificent Mile (grand boulevard with its museums, restaurants, glamorous hotels and exclusive shops) and Sears Tower (one of the tallest buildings in the world).

What's Happening in Chicago

 

 

Black firefighters say tensions persist
3 African-Americans discuss their firehouse experiences

Annette Nance-Holt's first day of work was defined by what wasn't said.



Read more
3 youths recovering from drive-by gunshot wounds
Boys, 12 and 16, underwent surgery

They were on their way to get mochas and iced teas Wednesday evening at a Schaumburg 7-Eleven — a 12-year-old boy, his 14-year-old sister and their 16-year-old friend — when a spray of bullets rained from a passing gold pickup truck.



Read more
Lawsuit: Harvey mayor, cop threatened murder frame-up



Read more
Woman thought she’d be safe in Cicero apartment
Survivors of deadly blaze remember 7 victims

When mice invaded Allison Gist's apartment, she moved to 3034 S. 48th Court in Cicero so her children and baby grandchildren would be safe and more comfortable.



Read more
'Heroic' neighbors rescue man from Des Plaines trailer fire
Victim severely burned in explosion following natural gas leak

Guadalupe Flores heard a loud explosion and ran out of his home in a Des Plaines mobile home park to find his neighbor's place engulfed in flames.



Read more