ID and Chicago
Discover Chicago — a "city on the make."
Chicago—the Second City, the Windy City, the City of the Big Shoulders, a city of the make. Chicago is ID’s home, and has been since our founding in 1937. It’s a global city where the world’s first skyscrapers were erected, where hot dogs and deep dish pizza were perfected, and where modern improvisational comedy was invented.
It’s the third largest US city, and its museums are among the world’s best—including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Design Museum of Chicago, the Field Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Museum of Science and Industry.
When you join us at ID, you also become part of a diverse city of 2.7 million people living in 77 unique neighborhoods. ID’s campus in Bronzeville is home to a rich history and the largest concentration of Mies van der Rohe buildings in the world.
In Chicago, you experience the advantages of city life while enjoying the support of ID and Illinois Tech resources.
Chicago is home to world-renowned museums like the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Field Museum of Natural History. Chicago’s neighborhoods offer unique cultural experiences, including the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, the National Museum of Mexican Art, and the Intuit Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art.
Famous for its iconic deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, and Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago embodies a passion for good food. The city showcases a diverse range of cuisine, reflecting the cultural richness of its residents. It’s also home to 22 Michelin-starred restaurants and the James Beard Awards ceremony, which recognizes top talent from across the culinary world.
Chicago is rich in history, starting with its roots in the traditional homelands of the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi nations. In the 1700s, Haitian trader Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable established a thriving trade hub along the Chicago River. And by 1900, Chicago was a major city, driving the American industrial revolution. From the Great Chicago Fire to its iconic architecture and World’s Fair, Chicago has made a significant impact on American history. Or as TikTok historian Shermann Dilla Thomas says, “Everything dope about America comes from Chicago.”
Chicago offers various sports and outdoor activities, such as exploring the Lakefront Trail, visiting the many beaches, and hiking the forest preserves during the summer. Winter options include ice skating, sledding on area hills, cross-country skiing, and even jumping in Lake Michigan for a polar plunge. The city is also home to several professional sports teams, including the Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Sky, and Bears, with year-round options for sports fans.
Chicago is the birthplace of improvisational comedy and a center for performing arts. The city is home to iconic institutions like The Second City, known for launching the careers of some of today’s most famous comedians, as well as many smaller venues offering unique improv shows across the city. With an abundance of acclaimed theaters, from established companies in the Theater District to innovative storefront theaters, Chicago offers a wide range of productions. Dance is also a significant aspect of the city’s culture, from historical companies like the Joffrey Ballet to SummerDance, the city’s outdoor dance party.
With a diverse economy driven by finance, healthcare, transportation, and technology, Chicago is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, including Boeing, Walgreens, United Airlines, and McDonald’s. The city has long been a hub for innovation, from the world’s first skyscraper to the development of the first commercial cell phone by Chicagoland-based Motorola. Today Chicago fosters a thriving startup community, with numerous accelerator and incubator programs, and events to support entrepreneurs.
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Experience Chicago
Chicago is home to a vibrant downtown and 77 distinct neighborhoods. Explore more videos to see what Chicago is all about.