Chicago is the largest city in the state of Illinois, USA. It is also the third largest city in the United States, behind Los Angeles and New York City. Over 2.8 million people live within the city limits and Chicago resides between Michigan and Wisconsin with Lake Michigan located on Chicago's east side. Chicago was founded in 1833, near a portage between the "Great Lakes" and the Mississippi River Watershed. The Potawatomi were forcibly removed from their land following the Treaty of Chicago. The city became a major transportation and telecommunications hub in North America. Today, the city retains its status as a major hub, both for industry and infrastructure, with O'Hare International Airport being the second busiest airport in the world. In 2008, the city hosted 45.6 million domestic and overseas visitors. 

In modern times, the city has taken on an additional dimension as a center for business and finance and is listed as one of the world's top ten Global Financial Centers. Chicago is a stronghold of the Democratic Party and has been home to many influential politicians, including the current President of the United States, Barack Obama. 

The city is known as "The windy city" but in reality, during the summer months, it is one of the most popular cities in the entire US. The summer months of June, July and August provide temperatures averaging in the high 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also home to twelve man made beaches that are substantially busy during these months. Chicago also contains the America's largest building Willis Tower which was formerly known as the Sears Tower. The structure currently stands above the Illinois skyline 108 stories above ground. The name was changed from Sears to Willis due to the naming rights of Sears expired in late 2003, but it was still known as the "Sears Tower". This happened because no one happened to purchase the naming rights. But in March 2009, a London based insurance group called "Willis Group Holdings Inc" bought the naming rights and therefore changed the name of the structure to Willis Tower.

Other areas of interest in Chicago include Navy Pier and "Millennium Park". Navy Pier is a pier along the shore of Lake Michigan that has several amusement rides and restaurants available on site for patrons to use. Navy Pier is free of charge and is quite popular during the Summer months.Navy Pier attractions include sightseeing tours from companies such as Seadog I, II, IV, and Extreme, Shoreline Sightseeing cruises and Water Taxi service, and the Tall Ship Windy. There are also dinner cruises by the Spirit of Chicago, The Odyssey, and the Mystic Blue Cruise line.

Millennium Park is a public park located on the Chicago Loop line. It is a prominent civic center of Chicago's Lake Michigan lake front. Completed in 2004, the park is bounded by Michigan Avenue, Randolph Street, Columbus Drive and East Monroe Drive, features a variety of public art.