Chicago

Chicago is located in northeast Illinois in Cook County. The population estimate for 1998 was about 2,800,000. Its population ranks third in the U.S., behind New York City and Los Angeles.

Founded on land won from the Indians by Gen. "Mad Anthony" Wayne in 1794, the village officially became a city in 1840.

Chicago extends 29 miles along the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. The downtown area lies largely south of the Chicago River. The heart of the business district is "The Loop", taking its name from the loop of elevated electric railroad tracks (els) that encircle the city.

Among the city's many features are the Sears Tower, the world's tallest building and the University of Illinois at Chicago, among the top-ranked research universities. Other major universities include The University of Chicago, Northwestern Business College and Loyola University Chicago.

Golfers will be interested in trying one of the Top-10 public courses in the state--Harborside International Golf Center.

Lincoln Park and Grant Park provide brief respites from the everyday grind.