Economics & Commerce Data

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World economics is an enormous subject and one for which governments, corporations, and NGO’s alike require data. We aim to supply a forum that allows interested parties to access economic data both online and via events. click for more information

Financial Centres of the World: Chicago

Chicago is the largest city in Illinois and has a population of more than 2.7 million, making it the third most populated city in the United States after New York and LA. Chicago is listed as one of the top ten Global Financial Centres in the World and is an important hub for business. Chicago is also an important centre for industry, infrastructure and telecommunications.

Working in Chicago

Chicago is a principal world financial centre and boasts the second largest CBD in the United States. The city is home to the Chicago Stock Exchange, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, The Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade.

Chicago is also host to the headquarters of 17 Financial Times 500 Companies and 12 Fortune Global 500 Companies. Important industries to the economy of Chicago also include publishing, printing, food processing and manufacturing.

The Willis Tower is the tallest office building in Chicago, boasting 108 floors, and is also the tallest office building in the United States. Chicago is the third largest convention centre in the United States, with most conventions being held at McCormick Place.

Living in Chicago

Chicago is world renowned as a centre for higher education and research, with the University of Chicago, Northwestern University and the University of Illinois at Chicago having campuses in the city. Chicago is also host to a number of prestigious graduate schools including The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and the Adler School of Professional Psychology.

The Chicago Parks district comprises of more than 7,300 acres of municipal parkland and 552 parks. The city is home to many upscale shopping districts with the Magnificent Mile providing a plethora of exclusive boutiques and fashionable department stores. Navy Pier is a popular location for both residents and visitors and features restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, gardens, events and cruises.

Visiting Chicago

Chicago is a popular tourist destination, attracting more than 45 million domestic and international leisure travellers in 2008. Visitor attractions in Chicago include Lincoln Park, which boasts more than twenty million visitors a year, and the Chicago Cultural Centre. The city is also home to numerous exhibition centres, galleries, theatres, orchestras and music venues.

Chicago benefits from an extensive transportation network with The Chicago Transit Authority operating a transit subway system and numerous bus routes throughout the city. Metra provides an 11 line commuter train services between Chicago and the surrounding suburbs and is the second most used passenger rail system in the US. Inter-city bus services are provided by Megabus (North America) and Greyhound.

Chicago is home to a number of major airports, O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport, along with Chicago Rockford International Airport and Gary/Chicago International Airport.

Useful Chicago Resources