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Home , Allstate Arena, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Portage, Chicago Sky, Four Seasons (Chagall), Shedd Aquarium

SPOTLIGHT ON

WELCOME TO CHICAGO,

Chicago, on in Illinois, is among the largest cities in the U.S. Famed for its bold architecture, it has a skyline punctuated by skyscrapers such as the iconic John Hancock , 1,451-ft. Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and the -Gothic . The city is also renowned for its , including the with its noted Impressionist and Post- Impressionist works.

Contents

Climate and Geography 02

Cost of Living and Transportation 03

Sports and Outdoor Activities 04

Shopping and Dining 05

Schools and Education 06

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CLIMATE

The is classified as humid continental with all four seasons distinctly Chicago, IL Climate Graph represented: wet, cool springs; somewhat hot, and often humid, summers; pleasantly mild autumns; and cold winters. However, Chicago is known for the strong air currents that blow in from Lake Michigan, earning it the nickname “The Windy City.”

Average High/Low Temperatures Low / High January 18oF / 32oF

July 66oF / 81oF

Average Precipitation Rain 37 in.

Snow 37 in.

GEOGRAPHY

Chicago is located in northeastern Illinois on the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan. It is the principal city in the Chicago Metropolitan Area, situated in the Midwestern and the region. Chicago rests on a at the site of the Chicago Portage, connecting the and the Great Lakes watersheds. The city lies beside huge freshwater Lake Michigan, and two rivers—the in downtown and the Calumet River in the industrial far South Side—flow entirely or partially through Chicago. Chicago’s history and economy are closely tied to its proximity to Lake Michigan. While the Chicago River historically handled much of the region’s waterborne cargo, today’s huge lake freighters use the city’s Lake Calumet Harbor on the South Side. The lake also provides another positive effect, moderating Chicago’s climate; making waterfront neighborhoods slightly warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

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COST OF LIVING

In Chicago the cost of living is 12% higher than the Illinois average and 11% higher than the U.S. average. The median home price is $50,000 more than the national average and residents experience a year over year appreciation rate over 2%. As to be expected in the third-largest city in the United States, most goods and services (including groceries, transportation, and utilities) are higher than the national average.

Key Housing Figures*

Median Home Purchase Price Median Monthly Rent (1BDRM) $289,900 $1,798

*Sources: www.zillow.com - accessed 07/21/2017, www.numbeo.com - accessed 07/21/2017

TRANSPORTATION

Highways Interstate Highways I-55, I-57, I-90, I-94, I-290 US Highways US-14, US-20, US-41 State Highways 1, 19, 43, 50, 64, 171

Airport

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Department of Motor Vehicles 5401 N. Elston Avenue Chicago, IL 60630 http://www.dmv,org/il-illinois

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LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

Chicago is a city replete with cultural diversity, breathtaking architecture, delicious and diverse cuisine and unique entertainment districts. The city is well known for its deep dish pizzas, blues music, and attractions such as the , of Science and Giant Ferris Wheel. Many residents rely on the public transportation system which makes mobility easy to virtually all outlets of the city. With many young working professionals, Chicago is known to be very welcoming to meeting new people.

SPORTS

Pro Teams MLB - MLB - MLS - Chicago Fire NBA - NFL - NHL - WNBA -

Major Venues Arena Toyota Park

OUTDOORS & ADVENTURE

Parks & Trails Fun on the Water Attractions Discover More

Burnham Park Lake Michigan Brookfield chicago.com North Avenue Beach Navy Pier choosechicago.com Lincoln Park Oak Street Beach Shedd Aquarium cityofchicago.org

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SHOPPING & DINING

Fantastic Flavors Shopping at Its Finest

Chicago has a wealth of classic restaurants that make Think Chicago, think shopping. This city has some of this fair city unique. Known for various popular culinary the best in the world all within an easy stroll. Home dishes, including deep-dish pizza, the Chicago-style hot of the Magnificent Mile, which boasts more than 460 dog and the Italian beef sandwich, Chicago lays claim to a retailers, including popular brands; major department large number of regional specialties that reflect the city’s stores; international luxury labels and designers; and ethnic and working-class roots. A number of well-known three vertical shopping centers, each with incentives chefs have had restaurants in Chicago, including Charlie and premier savings. Discover unique merchandise and Trotter, Rick Tramonto, Grant Achatz, and Rick Bayless. In interactive experiences at more than 50 flagship stores 2003, Robb Report named Chicago the country’s “most plus top-down renovations and new openings all the time. exceptional dining destination” and in 2008, Maxim awarded Chicago the title of “Tastiest City.”

ART & CULTURE

Chicago is home to a wide array of theaters, museums, and galleries, as well as world-renowned festivals and historic sites. Be sure to see the iconic and giant Picasso and the famous .

Theaters: Museums & Galleries: l Beacon Street Theater l Art Institute of Chicago l Chicago Center for Performing Arts l Chicago Children’s Museum l Chicago Children’s Theater l Field Museum l l Museum of Contemporary Art l Chicago Theater l Museum of Science and Industry l North Shore Center l Notebaert Nature Museum l Oriental Theatre l Peace Museum l The House Theatre of Chicago l

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EDUCATION IN CHICAGO, IL

Notable Colleges & Universities Elementary & High School

DePaul University Chicago, IL

Schools Loyola University Chicago There are 644 public schools in Chicago. Test scores in Chicago, IL Chicago are 8% higher than the national average.

Northwestern University Chicago Educational Attainment Evanston, IL High School Graduates or higher 78% Bachelor’s Degree or higher 34%

University of Chicago Contact Chicago, IL 42 W. Chicago, IL 60602 University of Illinois at Chicago (773) 553-1000 l www.cps.edu Chicago, IL

CONNECT WITH GMS

Founded in 1987, Global Mobility Solutions is a global corporate relocation services company that specializes in workforce mobility. The company’s corporate relocation services include global assignment management, domestic relocation management, and a range of pre-decision solutions. Global Mobility Solutions is a perennial winner of the HRO Today “Baker’s Dozen” customer satisfaction survey, being recognized as a top relocation company for the last four years in a row.

Online Resources Phone & Email Baker’s Dozen www.gmsmobility.com 1-800-617-1904 Customer Satisfaction Ratings LinkedIn: Global Mobility Solutions [email protected] RELOCATION 2017 Winner

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