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Illinois serves as the heart of America both geographically and culturally. As the hub of a vast transportation network, Illinois is where East and West, Nort and South meet and mix. Big cities and small towns, quiet farms and heavy industry are all important parts of this microcosmic America.
From the big-city excitement of Chicago to the peaceful Amish communities of Central Illinois, to the majestic Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois, Illinois is a reflection of America.

Chicago/Chicagoland
Chicago is one of the world's largest and most diverse cities. The "city of big shoulders" offers something for everyone, from blues to baseball, art to architecture. Chicago is famous for its unique deep dish pizza, hot dogs and ethnic foods, as well as its own legendary jazz and blues sound. But in addition to its theaters, comedy clubs, world-class museums and sports, Chicago also is a major player in business. Chicago is home to the World Trade Center Chicago and the Chicago Board of Trade, the Mercantile Exchange, the Board of Options Exchange and the Chicago Stock Market. Chicago offers world-class shopping including Macy's, Bloomingdale’s, Tiffany's, Saks Fifth Avenue, American Girl Place and others.
Chicago is a convention mecca, annually hosting many of the nation’s largest conferenc es and trade shows. The city features the famed Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, Field Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the John G. Shedd Aquarium. Music lovers can enjoy the Chicago Blues Festival, the Grant Park Music Festival, Jazz Fest, Gospel Fest and Country Music Fest. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera and Ravinia Festival draw thousands of visitors each season. Theater enthusiasts can choose from the new theater district, including the world-renowned Second City, Steppenwolf and the Goodman.
Those who enjoy sports enjoy Chicago. From the sentimental favorite Chicago Cubs and historic Wrigley Field, to the 2005 Champion White Sox; the Chicago Bulls, Blackhawks, and Chicago Bears; Sportsmen's Park, Hawthorne, Maywood, and the Chicagoland Speedway, Chicago offers the best in professional sports and an enthusiastic and well-versed community of fans.
Getting around in Chicago is easy. The world's second busiest airport, O'Hare International, as well as Midway Airport, provide flights from every destination imaginable. Amtrak and the Metra commuter system provide rail passenger service, while the Chicago Transit Authority's buses and elevated/subway trains whisk people around the city. Suburban communities are served by PACE buses.
Sightseers can enjoy 29 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, breathtaking architecture that includes the Sears Tower, Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio, Brookfield Zoo, riverboat gaming establishments, and more than 5,000 restaurants and first-class hotels to make any stay in the Chicago area a memorable one. |