Chicago, Illinois
This article concerns the city of 'Chicago, Illinois. For other uses of the term Chicago, see Chicago (disambiguation).
'Chicago' is the third largest city in the United States with a population of 2,896,016 (2000). It is located in the state of Illinois, on the shores of Lake Michigan. The city is the county seat of Cook County. The greater Chicago metropolitan area is known colloquially as Chicagoland. The name Chicago comes from "Checagou" or "Checaguar" which in the language of the Potawatomi Indians means 'wild onions' or 'skunk'. The area was so named because of the smell of rotting marshland onions that used to cover it.
Four ships called the USS Chicago were named after the city by the U.S. Navy.
History
Chicago was first settled by Europeans when Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, an African American from Haiti, settled on the Chicago River. In 1795, the area of Chicago was ceded by the Native Americans in the Treaty of Greenville to the United States for a military post. In 1803, Fort Dearborn was built and remained in use until 1837 except between 1812 and 1816 when it was destroyed in the Fort Dearbon Massacre dring the War of 1812. On August 12, 1833, the Town of Chicago was incorporated as a town with a population of 350. Chicago was granted a city charter by Illinois on March 4, 1837. The opening of the Illinois and Michigan Canal in 1848, allowed shipping from the Great Lakes through Chicago to the Mississippi River and so to the Gulf of Mexico. The first rail line to Chicago, the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad was completed the same year. Chicago would go on to become the transportation hub of the United States with it road, rail, water and later air connections. Chicago also became home to nationwide retailers offering catalog shopping utilizing these connections like Montgomery Ward and Sears, Roebuck and Company.
In 1855 the level of the city was raised 4 to 7 feet with individual buildings jacked up and fill brought in to raise streets above the swamp. The 1860 Republican National Convention in Chicago nominated home state candidate Abraham Lincoln. In 1871, most of the city burned in the Great Chicago Fire. In the following years, Chicago architecture would become influential throughout the world. The first skyscraper was constructed in 1885 using novel steel skeleton construction. The direction of flow of the Chicago River was reversed in 1900 to prevent sewage from running into Lake Michigan, the city's water source.
On December 2, 1942, the world's first controlled nuclear reaction was conducted at the University of Chicago as part of the top secret Manhattan Project.
Mayor Richard J. Daley was elected in 1955, in the era of so-called machine politics. During Daley's tenure (he died in office in 1976), the 1968 Democratic National Convention was held in Chicago, four major expressways were built, the Sears Tower became the world's tallest building and O'Hare Airport, which later became the world's busiest airport, was constructed. In 1983, Harold Washington became the first African American mayor of Chicago. Richard M. Daley, son of Richard J. Daley, became mayor in 1989.
Important Historical Events
- French-Canadian explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet pass through the area that will become Chicago. 1673
- French explorer René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle, passes through Chicago en route to the mouth of the Mississippi River. 1682
- French Jesuits establish Fort de Chicago, the area's first true European settlement. 1683
- Jesuit missionary Francois Pinet founds the Mission of the Guardian Angel. It is abandoned four years later. 1696
- Conflicts develop between French traders and the Fox tribe of native Americans. Fort de Chicago is abandoned. 1705
- Haitian immigrant Jean-Baptiste Point du Sable establishes Chicago's first permanent settlement near the mouth of the Chicago River. 1779
- Six square miles of land at the mouth of the Chicago River are reserved by the Treaty of Greenville for use by the United States. 1795
- The Potawatomi Indian wife of du Sable delivers Eulalia Pointe du Sable, Chicago's first recorded birth. 1796
- The U.S. Army constructs Ft. Dearborn near the mouth of the Chicago River. 1803
- Fort Dearborn Massacre, August 15, 1812
- Ft. Dearborn is rebuilt. 1816
- Illinois joins the union. 1818
- Lager Beer Riot, 1855
- Lady Elgin Disaster, September 8, 1860
- Mercy Hospital becomes the first hospital in Illinois. 1863
- Rand McNally is formed as a railway guide company 1868
- Great Chicago Fire, October 8-October 10, 1871
- Haymarket Riot, May 4, 1886
- World Columbian Exposition, 1891-1892
- First Ferris Wheel built by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., 1893
- Pullman Strike, May 11-August 2, 1894
- Eastland Disaster, July 24, 1915
- St. Valentine's Day Massacre, February 14, 1929
- Century of Progress, 1933
- Coopers Inc. sold the world's first briefs, January 19, 1935
- Founding of Chicago Surrealist Group, 1966
- 1968 Democratic National Convention, August 26-August 29, 1968
- The Chicago 8 trial opens, 1969
- AA Flight 191 Crashes - May 25, 1979
- Chicago Flood, April 13, 1992
- Chicago Heat Wave of 1995
Important Citizens or people born here
- Franklin Pierce Adams
- Jane Addams, Awared Nobel Peace Prize
- Gillian Anderson, Actress
- Nelson Algren, Writer
- Saul Bellow, Awarded Nobel Prize for Literature
- Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet
- Daniel Burnham, Architect
- Edgar Rice Burroughs, Writer
- Jane Byrne, Former Mayor
- Marvin Camras
- Al Capone, Gangster
- Harry Caray, TV & Radio Broadcaster
- Anton Cermak, Former Mayor
- Wesley Clark, Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander & United States Army General
- Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Senator & Former First Lady
- Nat King Cole, Musician
- Billy Corgan, singer
- "Bathhouse" John Coughlin, Former Alderman
- Richard J. Daley, Former Mayor
- Richard M. Daley, Current Mayor
- Miles Davis, Musician
- John Dillinger, Criminal
- Walt Disney, Founder of The Walt Disney Company
- Stephen Douglas, politician
- Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, early Chicago settler
- Phil Everly, singer
- Marshall Field, entrepreneur
- Betty Ford, former First Lady
- Harrison Ford, Actor
- Bob Fosse, Director
- Ira Glass, NPR broadcaster
- Benny Goodman, Musician
- Steve Goodman, Singer
- George Halas
- Carter Harrison, Sr., former Mayor
- Carter Harrison, Jr., former Mayor
- Ernest Hemingway, writer
- Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard, early Chicago developer
- Louis Joliet, Canadian explorer
- Michael "Hinky-Dink" Kenna, former Alderman
- John Kinzie, early Chicago settler
- Gene Krupa, Musician
- Mike "Coach K" Krzyzewski, college basketball coach
- Ann Landers (Esther Pauline Friedman Lederer), columnist
- David Mamet, playwright, poet, screenwrighter, director
- Jacques Marquette, missionary
- Joseph Medill, newspaper editor & former Mayor
- Merrill C. Meigs
- William Butler Ogden
- James Petrillo
- George Pullman
- Mike Royko
- Jack Ruby, killed Lee Harvey Oswald
- Donald Rumsfeld, current U.S. Secretary of Defense
- Carl Sandburg, Poet
- Amy Sedaris, Actress
- David Sedaris, radio broadcaster & author
- Captain George Streeter
- Studs Terkel
- William Hale Thompson
- James Tiptree, Jr.
- Irving Wallace
- Harold Washington former Mayor
- John Wentworth former mayor and Congressman
- Robin Williams, Actor
- Frank Lloyd Wright
- Charles Yerkes
- Billy Zane, Actor
- Florenz Ziegfield
Nicknames
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 606.1 km² (234.0 mi²). 588.3 km² (227.1 mi²) of it is land and 17.8 km² (6.9 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.94% water.
Major Neighborhoods & Areas
- Andersonville
- Archer Heights
- Austin
- Back of the Yards
- Beverly
- Boystown (East Lakeview)
- Bronzeville
- Bucktown
- Buena Park
- Bridgeport
- Calumet Heights
- Chinatown
- Edgewater
- Edison Park
- Far South Side
- Ford City
- Forest Glen
- Garfield Park
- Gold Coast
- Greektown
- Humboldt Park
- Hyde Park
- Jefferson Park
- Lake View
- Lawndale
- Lincoln Park
- Lincoln Square
- Little Italy
- Logan Square
- Loop
- Magnificent Mile
- Near North Side
- Near South Side
- North Center
- Old Irving
- Old Town
- Pilsen
- Pullman
- South Shore
- Streeterville
- Ravenswood
- River West
- Rogers Park
- Roscoe Village
- Roseland
- Rush & Division
- University Park
- Uptown
- Warehouse District
- Wicker Park
- Wrigleyville
See Also
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 2,896,016 people, 1,061,928 households, and 632,909 families residing in the city. The population density is 4,923.0/km² (12,750.3/mi²). There are 1,152,868 housing units at an average density of 1,959.8/km² (5,075.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 41.97% White, 36.77% African American, 0.36% Native American, 4.35% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 13.58% from other races, and 2.92% from two or more races. 26.02% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,061,928 households out of which 28.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.1% are married couples living together, 18.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% are non-families. 32.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.67 and the average family size is 3.50.
In the city the population is spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $38,625, and the median income for a family is $42,724. Males have a median income of $35,907 versus $30,536 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,175. 19.6% of the population and 16.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 28.1% are under the age of 18 and 15.5% are 65 or older.
Government
The City of Chicago is divided into executive and legislative branches. The mayor is the Chief Executive and is elected by general election for a term of four years. The mayor appoints commissioners who oversee the various departments.
The city council is the legislative branch and made up of 50 aldermen, one elected from each ward in the city. The city council makes local ordinances and passes the city budget.
Government priorities and activities are established in a budget ordinance usually adopted in November of each year. The city takes official action through the passage of ordinances and resolutions.
In addition to the mayor, Chicago's two other city-wide elected officials are the clerk and the treasurer.
Chicago is considered to be one of the largest Democratic strongholds in the United States, as an example, the citizens of Chicago have not elected a Republican mayor since 1927 when William H. Thompson was voted into office.
City Departments
- Office of the Mayor
- Chicago Office of Tourism
- Administrative Hearings
- Aging
- Animal Care and Control
- Aviation
- Budget & Management
- Buildings
- Business & Information Services
- Cable Communications
- Chicago Film Office
- Consumer Services Department
- Cultural Affairs Department
- Department of Construction and Permits
- Mayors Office for People with Disabilities
- Environment
- Ethics (Board of Ethics)
- Finance
- Fire
- Fleet Management
- General Services
- Graphics & Reproduction
- Health
- Housing Department
- Human Relations
- Human Services
- Inspector General
- Law
- Library, Chicago Public
- License Appeal Commission
- Mayor's License and Local Liquor Control Commission
- Mayor's Office of Workforce Development
- Office of Emergency Management and Communication
- Personnel
- Planning & Development
- Police
- Procurement Services
- Pubic Building Commission
- Revenue
- Special Events
- Streets & Sanitation
- Tourism
- Transportation
- Zoning
Municipal Flag of Chicago
The three white stripes of the flag represent, from top to bottom, the North, West and South sides of the city. The top blue stripe represents Lake Michigan and the North Branch of the Chicago River. The bottom blue stripes represents the South Branch of the Chicago River and the Great Canal. Finally, the four red stars on the center white stripe represent, from left to right, Fort Dearborn Massacre, the Great Chicago Fire, the World Columbian Exposition, and the Century of Progress Exposition.
In addition, each of the six points of the stars stand for something.
On the Fort Dearborn Massacre star (added in 1939): transportation, labor, commerce, finance, populousness, and salubrity.
On the Great Chicago Fire star (on the 1917 flag): religion, education, esthetics, justice, beneficence, and civic pride.
The points on the World Columbian Exposition star (on the 1917 flag) represent political entities Chicago belonged to: France 1693, Great Britain 1763, Virginia 1778, the Northwest Territory 1798, Indian Territory 1802, Statehood 1818.
The Century of Progress star (added in 1933: World's Third Largest City, City's Latin Motto (Urbs in horto - City in a garden), City's "I Will" Motto, Great Central Marketplace, Wonder City, Convention City.
Sister Cities
Chicago is sister cities with:
- Accra, Ghana
- Athens, Greece
- Birmingham, England
- Casablanca, Morocco
- Delhi, India
- Dublin, Ireland
- Durban, South Africa
- Galway, Scotland
- Gothenburg, Sweden
- Hamburg, Germany
- Kiev, Ukraine
- Lucerne, Switzerland
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Milan, Italy
- Moscow, Russia
- Osaka, Japan
- Paris, France
- Petah-Tikva, Israel
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shenyang, People's Republic of China
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Warsaw, Poland
See Also
Communications & Media
Broadcast Television Stations
- CBS (WBBM-2)
- NBC (WMAQ-5)
- ABC (WLS-7)
- WB (WGN-9)
- PBS (WTTW-11)
- WFBT (WFBT-23)
- WCIU (WCIU-26)
- FOX (WFLD-32)
- PAX (WCPX-38)
- TEL (WSNS-44)
- UPN (WPWR-50)
- WJYS (WJYS-62)
- UNI (WGB0-66)
Radio Stations
- WGN-AM (720)
- WBBM-AM (780)
- WAIT-AM (850)
- WLS-AM (890)
- WMVP-AM (1000)
- WGCI-AM (1390)
- WSCR-AM (670)
- WVON-AM (1450)
- WBBM-FM (96.3)
- WBEZ-FM (91.5)
- WCKG-FM (105.9)
- WFMT-FM (98.7)
- WGCI-FM (107.5)
- WJMK-FM (104.3)
- WKIE-FM (92.7)
- WKQX-FM (103.5)
- WLEY-FM (107.9)
- WLIT-FM (93.5)
- WLUP-FM (97.9)
- WNIB-FM (97.1)
- WNND-FM (100.3)
- WNUA-FM (95.5)
- WOJO-FM (105.1)
- WTMX-FM (101.9)
- WUBT-FM (103.5)
- WUSN-FM (99.5)
- WVAZ-FM (101.9)
- WXCD-FM (94.7)
- WXRT-FM (93.1)
- WXXY-FM (103.1)
- WYBA-FM (106.3)
Newspapers
- Chicago American, 1900-1939, became Herald-American
- Chicago Chronicle, 1895-1908
- Chicago Courier, 1874-1876
- Chicago Daily News, 1876-1978
- Chicago Daily Telegraph, 1878-1881 (became Chicago Morning Herald)
- Chicago Daily Times, 1929-1948 (merged with Chicago Sun to form Chicago Sun-Times)
- Chicago Defender, 1905-present
- Chicago Democrat, 1833-1845
- Chicago Democratic Press, 1852-1857
- Chicago Evening Mail, 1870-1875 (became Post & Mail)
- Chicago Evening Post, 1865-1875 (became Post & Mail)
- Chicago Evening Press & Mail, 1884-1897
- Chicago Examiner, 1902-1918 (became Herald-Examiner)
- Chicago Express, 1842-1843
- Chicago Globe, 1887-1895
- Chicago Herald, 1881-1918
- Chicago Herald-American, 1939-1958 (became Chicago's American)
- Chicago Herald-Examiner, 1918-39
- Chicago Journal, 1844-1929 (absorbed by Chicago Daily News)
- Chicago Mail, 1885-1894
- Chicago Morning News
- Chicago Morning Herald, 1893-1901 (became Record-Herald)
- Chicago Post, 1890-1929 (absorbed by Daily News)
- Chicago Reader, 1972-present
- Chicago Record, 1881-1901
- Chicago Record Herald, 1901-1914
- Chicago Republican, 1865-1872 (became Inter Ocean)
- Chicago Sun, 1941-1948 (mmerged with Chicago Daily Times to form Chicago Sun-Times)
- Chicago Sun-Times, 1948-present
- Chicago Times, 1861-1895 (became Times-Herald)
- Chicago Times-Herald, 1895-1901 (became Record-Herald)
- Chicago Tribune, 1847-present
- Chicago's American, 1958-1969 (became Today)
- Daily Southtown, 1906-present
- Inter Ocean, 1872-1914 (became Record-Herald)
- Post & Mail, 1875-1878 (absorbed by Chicago Daily News)
- Today, 1969-1974
- City News Bureau of Chicago, local cooperative wire service
Community Newspapers
- Ashburn Independent
- Austin Voice
- Austin Weekly News
- Back-of-Yards Journal
- Beverly News
- Beverly Review
- Brighton Park Life
- Bridgeport News
- Shoreland News
- Chicago Free Press
- Chicago Journal
- Chicago Standard
- Citizen Newspapers
- Clear Ridge Reporter
- Edgebrook Times
- Edison Review
- Exito
- Extra
- Greek Star
- Hyde Park Herald
- Inside Publications
- Korean News
- Korean Times
- La Raza
- La Voz de Chicago
- Lawndale News
- Lerner Booster
- Lerner News-Star
- Lerner Times
- Logan Square Times
- McKinley Park Life
- Mt. Greenwood Exp.
- Nadig Press-Journal
- Near West Gazette
- Near North News
- New Metro News
- North Loop News
- Northwest Leader-Post
- Norwood Review
- Polish Daily News
- River North News
- Sauganash Sounds
- Scottsdale Independent
- Skyline
- Southeast Chicago Observer
- Tri-City Journal
- Westside Journal
- Windy City Times
Business, Legal, Entertainment and Other Local Periodicals
- Bar Fly
- Chicago Computer Guide
- Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
- Chicago Educator
- Chicago Magazine
- Chicago Parent
- Chicago Reporter
- Chicago Reader
- Crain's Chicago Business
- New City
- Outlines
- PerformInk
- Utne Reader
Arts & Culture
Chicago is notable for Chicago Blues & Chicago House styles of music, Chicago style deep dish pizza, Chicago School in architecture, economic theory and urban sociology.
Historically Chicago is remembered for machine politics, meat packing and gangster violence during Prohibition.
Musicians & Bands from Chicago
Novels set in Chicago
Musicals set in Chicago
Movies & TV Shows set in Chicago
Famous Attractions, Landmarks & Areas of Interest
Colleges & Universities
Nearby Evanston has Northwestern University. Hamburger University, a training facility for McDonald's, is located in Oak Brook.
Business & Commerce
Companies based in Chicago & surrounding suburbs
The following companies are based in the city limits:
McDonald's Corporation is headquartered in nearby Oak Brook. United Airlines is headquartered in Elk Grove Village. Sears has its headquarters in Hoffman Estates. Motorola is based in Schaumburg. Kraft Foods is based in Northfield. Walgreens is based in Deerfield. Abbott Laboratories is based in North Chicago. ComDisco is based in Rosemont. Allstate is based in Northbrook.
Sports Teams
The Chicago Wolves, a minor-league hockey team, plays at Allstate Arena in nearby Rosemont.
Events
- Taste of Chicago - Annual event in the week leading up to Independence Day in which hundreds of restauranteurs sell samples in Grant Park while bands play. This event draws millions each year.
- Celtic Fest Chicago
- Grant Park Free Concerts
- Chicago Air & Water Show
- Chicago Blues Festival
- Chicago Country Music Festival
- Chicago Gospel Music Festival
- Chicago Jazz Festival
- Chicago Venetian Night
- Saint Patrick's Day parade when the Chicago River runs green
- Neighborhood Street Festivals - Annual events from May through September occurring in the various Chicago neighborhoods. These include:
Health
The United States has the largest healthcare system in the world and Chicago is arguably the capital of that system. In addition to the sprawling Illinois Medical District on the Near West Side, the city is home to the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, the American Dental Association, the American College of Surgeons, and other health-related organizations, schools and institutions.
Hospitals
Listed below are the ten largest hospital systems in the Chicagoland region.
Transportation ==
Airports
Mass Transit
The Regional Transportation Authority ("RTA"), installed by referendum in 1974, funds three subordinate agencies:
- The Chicago Transit Authority ("CTA") serves the City of Chicago and its adjacent suburbs with 146 bus routes and the Chicago 'L', a network of seven rapid transit lines.
- The Northeastern Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation, under its trademark Metra, operates eleven commuter rail lines that serve 200+ stations across the RTA's six-county service area
- Pace buses serve suburban Chicagoland.
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District ("NICTD"), separate from the RTA, operates the South Shore Line, an interurban line that runs between Chicago and South Bend, Indiana.
Street Layout
The streets of Chicago for the most part follow the grid system. The base lines from which all streets and houses in Chicago are numbered are State Street, which runs North and South, and Madison Street, which runs East and West. Street numbers begin at "1" at the base lines and run numerically in directions indicated to the city limits. Letters, N,S,E and/or W indicate directions.
The City of Chicago is divided into one mile sections which contain 8 blocks to the mile. Every average block is assigned a new series of 100 numbers. Therefore, every 800 in numbers is approximately one mile.
Even numbers are found on the North and West sides of the street. Odd numbers are found on the South and East sides.
Lowest and highest house numbers for all streets are given regardless of the continuity of the street.
South of Madison street many of the streets are simply numbered. These streets run East and West and the number of the street indicates its location and distance.
Many of the suburbs of Chicago continue with the Chicago numbering system, and their exact location can be determined by street names and numbers. However, some suburbs do have their own numbering system.
See Also
External Links
Referenced By
12 November | 12th November | 14 February | 14 July | 14th February | 14th July | 15 February | 15 May | 15th February | 15th May | 1674 | 16 February | 16th February | 1837 | 1871 | 1873 | 1891 | 1901 | 1902 | 1903 | 1920 | 1922 in music | 1929 | 1930 | 1930 in television | 1933 | 1934 | 1942 | 1946 | 1956 in sports | 1956 in television | 1966 | 1966 in music | 1967 | 1968 in music | 1969 | 1972 in music | 1976 World Surrealist Exhibition | 1978 | 1979 | 1981 in sports | 1992 in music | 1993 in film | 19 March | 19th March | 1 April | 1 June | 1 May | 1st April | 1st June | 1st May | 2002 in sports | 2004 in gay rights | 20 December | 20 January | 20th December | 20th January | 22 July | 22nd July | 23 July | 23 September | 23rd July | 23rd September | 24 May | 24th May | 25 May | 25th May | 26 September | 26th September | 28 August | 28th August | 30 September | 30th September | 3 December | 3rd December | 4 December | 4 March | 4 May | 4th December | 4th March | 4th May | 50 Tallest buildings in the U.S. | 5 September | 5th September | 6 March | 6th March | 8 October | 8th October | 9 April | 9 May | 9 October | 9th April | 9th May | 9th October | A.I.: Artificial Intelligence | A.I. (movie) | AFBF | AI: Artificial Intelligence | AI (movie) | AT&T Corporate Center ...
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