Chicago has long been considered the business and cultural capital of the Midwest, but within the past decade, under the leadership of Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chicago has emerged as a World City renowned for its diverse and thriving economy, world-class arts and entertainment, and progressive environmental stewardship. Today, Chicago’s star is shining brighter than ever – as a Candidate City for the 2016 Summer Olympics, as the FAST COMPANY U.S. City of the Year, and as the No. 1 city in resident satisfaction according to a recent survey of 14 international cities including New York and Paris.

To the average Chicagoan, these accolades come as little surprise. Since its incorporation in 1837, Chicago has represented the strong work ethic, boot-strap optimism and practical ingenuity of the Midwest. This is the town that reversed the flow of a river, gave birth to the modern skyscraper and endured the longest championship drought in Major League Baseball history…with a smile. It’s a city known for breathtaking beauty and blue-collar brawn. And more and more, Chicago has the attention of the nation and the world.

Chicago is called “The City That Works,” and it lives up to that moniker as the corporate headquarters for more than 25 Fortune 500 companies. Chicago’s economy is growing faster than either New York’s or L.A.’s, and the recent merger of the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange created the world’s largest financial exchange. But Chicago is also fiercely entrepreneurial; a city where just about anyone with an idea and the passion to see it through can find success.

Sources: Fast Company (May 9, 2008), The Economist (March 18, 2006), Chicago Tribune (July 29, 2008), Chicago Sun-Times (July 22, 2008), World Business Chicago, Chicago 2016, City of Chicago.