Recognizing Different Methods for Load Bearing Enhancement

Recognizing Different Methods for Load Bearing Enhancement

* Identifying Foundation Problems Suitable for Carbon Fiber Reinforcement

* Defining Load Bearing and its Importance in Residential Foundations


Okay, let's talk about load bearing in residential foundations, and why it's such a big deal, especially when we're thinking about how to make things stronger.
French drains redirect water away from homes to prevent foundation damage foundation repair service market concrete block.
Imagine your house as a giant stack of building blocks. The foundation is the very bottom block, the one that's got to hold up *everything* above it – the walls, the roof, the furniture, even you and your family walking around. That's load bearing in a nutshell: the ability of the foundation to safely support all those weights and pressures.

Why is this so important? Well, if the foundation can't handle the load, bad things happen. We're talking about cracks in the walls, sloping floors, doors and windows that stick, and in really severe cases, even structural collapse. A failing foundation isn't just unsightly; it's dangerous and can devalue your home significantly.

Think of it like this: a weak foundation is like building a house on sand. It might look okay at first, but over time, the shifting and settling will cause problems. A strong, properly designed load-bearing foundation, on the other hand, is like building on solid rock. It provides a stable base that will keep your home safe and secure for years to come.

So, when we start talking about methods for enhancing load bearing – things like adding rebar to concrete, using different types of foundation systems, or even soil stabilization techniques – we're really talking about ways to make that bottom block stronger and more reliable. We're essentially reinforcing the foundation's ability to handle the immense weight and pressure of the house above, ensuring its longevity and the safety of everyone inside. It's about more than just building a house; it's about building a home that lasts.

* Common Foundation Problems Leading to Load Bearing Issues


Okay, so you're thinking about load-bearing walls and how things go wrong at the foundation level, right? It's like building a house on shaky ground – literally. The foundation is the heart of the whole load-bearing system, and when it starts to crumble, things can get dicey fast.

Think about it this way: common foundation problems are like the villains in this story. The biggest baddie is settlement. This happens when the soil under your house compacts unevenly. Now, all soils settle a little, but when it's uneven, it can lead to cracks in your foundation walls and slab. These cracks aren't just cosmetic; they weaken the whole structure and redistribute the load in ways it wasn't designed for. Suddenly, that load-bearing wall is carrying more weight on one side than the other, putting immense stress on the framing above.

Another troublemaker is hydrostatic pressure. This happens when water builds up around your foundation from poor drainage or a high water table. The water pushes against the foundation walls, and over time, this constant pressure can cause them to bow inward or even crack. Again, this weakens the foundation's ability to support the load above, potentially causing walls to buckle or sag.

And we can't forget about soil erosion. Rainwater runoff and poor landscaping can wash away soil from around the foundation, creating voids and undermining its stability. This is especially problematic near load-bearing walls because the soil directly beneath them is critical for transferring the weight of the structure to the ground.

Finally, sometimes it's just plain old poor construction. Improperly compacted soil, inadequate footing size, or using substandard materials during the initial foundation pour can all lead to problems down the line. These underlying issues are often the reason why a foundation starts to fail prematurely.

So, these foundation problems, settlement, hydrostatic pressure, erosion, and poor initial construction, are the usual suspects when it comes to load-bearing issues. Identifying them early is crucial because they can lead to serious structural problems if left unchecked. That's why understanding the signs of foundation distress is so important for anyone concerned about the structural integrity of their home.

* Understanding Soil Stabilization Techniques for Enhanced Load Bearing


Okay, so we're talking about making soil stronger, right? I mean, anybody who's ever tried to build a sandcastle knows that soil isn't always the most reliable stuff. Sometimes it's mushy, sometimes it crumbles, and sometimes it just can't handle much weight. That's where soil stabilization comes in – it's all about tweaking the soil's properties so it can bear more load, like supporting a building, a road, or even just a really impressive garden wall.

Think of it like this: you've got a bunch of different tools in your toolbox, and each one is good for a different job. Soil stabilization is similar, with several techniques to choose from depending on the type of soil you're working with and what you need it to do.

One common method is compaction. It's basically squishing the soil particles closer together, which makes it denser and stronger. You see road crews doing this all the time with those big rollers. Then there's chemical stabilization, where you add things like lime or cement to the soil. These react with the soil particles, bonding them together and creating a much more stable material. It's like adding glue to your sandcastle!

Another approach is mechanical stabilization. This involves mixing different types of soil together to get the properties you want. For instance, you might mix clay soil with sand to improve drainage and increase its load-bearing capacity. It's like baking a cake – you're blending different ingredients to get the right texture and strength.

Geosynthetics, like geotextiles and geogrids, are also becoming increasingly popular. These are basically fabrics and grids made from synthetic materials that you lay down in the soil to reinforce it. They act like a skeleton, providing extra support and preventing the soil from shifting or settling.

Choosing the right method depends on a bunch of factors: the type of soil, the climate, the cost, and what you're actually trying to build. What works great for a small parking lot in Arizona might be totally unsuitable for a large highway in Alaska.

So, understanding these different soil stabilization techniques is crucial for any construction project. It's all about making sure the ground beneath our feet is strong enough to support whatever we're building on top of it. Without it, well, things could get pretty shaky!

* Exploring Piering Methods: Steel Piers, Helical Piers, and Concrete Piers


Okay, so you've got a structure, and it's...sagging a bit. Or maybe you're building something new and want to make sure it *stays* put for the long haul. That's where load-bearing enhancement comes in, and often, that means thinking about piers. Think of them as strong, silent heroes, transferring the weight of your building to more stable soil deep down. But which kind of hero do you need? Let's explore a few common options: steel piers, helical piers, and concrete piers.

Steel piers are like the seasoned veterans of the pier world. They're typically hydraulically driven into the ground in sections, using the weight of the structure itself to help push them down. They're durable, predictable, and can often reach significant depths, making them a solid choice when you need to hit bedrock or a really firm bearing stratum.

Helical piers are a bit different – picture a giant screw being twisted into the earth. These guys have helical-shaped plates welded to the shaft, which pull the pier down as it rotates. They're great in situations where you need to avoid vibration (sensitive equipment nearby?) or when access is a bit tricky. Plus, the installation process often allows you to verify the load-bearing capacity as you go, which is pretty neat.

Then there are concrete piers. These can be formed and poured in place, or precast and driven into the ground. They're often a good option for larger, heavier loads, and can be particularly cost-effective for new construction where you have the space and time to properly cure the concrete. The method of installation can vary considerably, affecting the suitability for different soil conditions and project constraints.

Ultimately, choosing the right type of pier depends on a bunch of factors: the soil conditions, the size and weight of the structure, the budget, and even the accessibility of the site. Consulting with a qualified geotechnical engineer and a foundation specialist is absolutely key. They can assess your specific needs and recommend the best piering method to ensure your structure stands strong for years to come. Think of them as your personal piering superheroes!

* Chemical Grouting and its Role in Strengthening Soil and Foundations


Okay, so you're thinking about beefing up soil and foundations, right? There are tons of ways to do it, but one that often gets overlooked is chemical grouting. Basically, it's like injecting a special sauce into the ground to make it tougher.

Imagine you've got soil that's a bit weak, maybe sandy or with lots of voids. It's not ideal for holding up a building or even a road. Chemical grouting is where you pump a liquid grout – think a special mix of chemicals that react and solidify – into those weak spots. This grout fills the gaps, binds the soil particles together, and essentially turns a crumbly mess into a much stronger, more stable mass.

The cool thing about chemical grouting is that it's pretty versatile. You can use different types of grout depending on the soil type and what you're trying to achieve. Some grouts create a really strong, rigid bond, while others are more about filling voids and preventing water flow.

So, what's its role in strengthening things? Well, first off, it increases the soil's bearing capacity, meaning it can handle more weight. This is crucial for foundations, especially if you're dealing with poor soil conditions. It also reduces permeability, so water can't easily seep through and weaken the structure. And, it can even be used to stabilize slopes and prevent landslides.

Think of it like this: if your house was built on a wobbly table, chemical grouting is like adding extra legs and reinforcing the joints. It's a subtle but powerful way to make sure everything stays put, even under pressure. It's not always the first solution that comes to mind, but for certain soil conditions, chemical grouting can be a real game-changer for strengthening soil and foundations.

* Carbon Fiber Reinforcement for Increased Load Capacity


Okay, so we're talking about beefing up structures to handle more weight, right? And one of the cooler ways to do that these days is by using carbon fiber reinforcement. Think of it like giving your aging bridge or building a super-strong exoskeleton.

Essentially, we're sticking carbon fiber materials – usually in the form of sheets, strips, or even wraps – onto the existing structure. Now, carbon fiber isn't just any material; it's incredibly strong for its weight. It's like, way stronger than steel, but much lighter. This means we can add significant strength without adding a ton of extra weight, which is a huge advantage. Imagine trying to reinforce an old bridge by just piling on more concrete – it would likely collapse under its own increased weight!

The way it works is pretty neat. The carbon fiber is bonded to the existing structure with a special adhesive. When the structure is under load, the carbon fiber shares the stress. It basically takes on a significant portion of the load, reducing the strain on the original material, whether that's concrete, steel, or even wood. This prevents cracking, bending, or even catastrophic failure.

You see this being used a lot in bridge repair, strengthening columns in buildings, and even in aerospace applications. It's really versatile because it can be applied to a wide range of shapes and sizes. Plus, it's relatively quick to install compared to some other reinforcement methods, which means less disruption.

Of course, it's not a magic bullet. It's more expensive than some traditional methods, and the application process needs to be done very carefully to ensure a good bond. But for structures where weight is a concern, or where you need a really strong and durable fix, carbon fiber reinforcement is a seriously effective option for increasing load capacity. It's basically giving structures a new lease on life and allowing them to handle a whole lot more than they were originally designed for.

* Selecting the Appropriate Load Bearing Enhancement Method


Choosing the right way to make something stronger, especially when it's holding a lot of weight, is a big deal. We're talking about load-bearing structures – things like bridges, buildings, even aircraft. You can't just slap some extra steel on and hope for the best. You need to understand the problem first, and then pick the solution that fits.

Think of it like this: your car tire is low. Do you just keep pumping air in? Maybe. But what if there's a nail in it? Pumping air is a temporary fix, not a real solution. Similarly, with load-bearing structures, we need to diagnose the weakness before prescribing a treatment. Is the material degrading over time, like concrete crumbling? Is there a design flaw causing stress in particular areas? Or maybe the structure is just being asked to carry more weight than it was originally designed for.

Once you know *why* the structure needs help, you can look at different methods. Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) are like a high-tech bandage, wrapping around concrete or steel to add strength. They're great for corrosion problems because they don't rust. Steel plates can be bolted or glued on to reinforce weak spots, a bit like adding muscle. Grouting, injecting special materials into cracks, can fill voids and restore integrity. And sometimes, you might need to completely replace a section, like getting a new tire that's actually built to handle the road.

The trick is matching the method to the specific need. FRP might be perfect for a bridge column that's suffering from corrosion, but overkill for a simple floor beam that just needs a little extra support. Steel plates might be a cost-effective solution for a warehouse upgrade, but too heavy and cumbersome for a delicate historic building.

So, picking the right load-bearing enhancement isn't just about throwing money at the problem. It's about understanding the root cause, weighing the different options, and choosing the solution that's both effective and appropriate for the situation. It's a bit of engineering detective work, really.

* Case Studies: Successful Load Bearing Enhancement Projects


Okay, so we're talking about beefing up structures, right? Making them handle more weight than they were originally designed for. And we want to look at some real-world examples to get a feel for how it's actually done. Makes sense. It's one thing to read about different techniques, but seeing them applied in action is where the rubber meets the road.

Think of it like this: you've got a building, maybe an old warehouse someone wants to turn into swanky apartments. The original design might have been fine for storing boxes, but now you're talking about people, furniture, and all the extra weight that entails. Or maybe you've got a bridge that needs to handle heavier trucks than it was built for back in the day.

That's where load-bearing enhancement comes in. And it's not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. The right method depends on a whole bunch of factors: the type of structure, the existing materials, the extent of the required upgrade, the budget, and even the disruption to the existing use.

So, let's look at some imaginary, but realistic, cases. Imagine an old brick building. One successful enhancement might involve adding steel flitch plates to the existing wooden beams. These plates are basically steel strips bolted onto the sides of the beams, adding significant strength without drastically altering the building's character. It's a relatively non-invasive approach. Another successful case might involve wrapping concrete columns with carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP). This is like giving the column a super-strong hug. The CFRP adds strength in tension, which is crucial for resisting bending and buckling.

Or consider a concrete bridge deck that's showing signs of distress. A common solution is to apply an overlay of high-performance concrete. This adds a new layer of strength and protection to the existing deck, distributing the load more effectively. Another bridge scenario might involve external post-tensioning. By adding high-strength steel cables along the exterior of the bridge and then tensioning them, you effectively compress the concrete, making it much stronger and resistant to cracking.

Each of these examples showcases a different method and highlights the importance of tailoring the solution to the specific problem. The "successful" part isn't just about adding more strength; it's about doing it efficiently, cost-effectively, and with minimal disruption. It's about understanding the nuances of each technique and knowing when to apply which one. These case studies, even the imaginary ones, help us start to see those nuances and become more aware of the toolbox available for load-bearing enhancement. They show the art and science of making structures stronger, safer, and more adaptable to changing needs.



Interior of part of a damaged home in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina
Family photographs damaged by flooding
A smaller and more minor water spot caused by rainwater leaking through a roof

Water damage describes various possible losses caused by water intruding where it will enable attack of a material or system by destructive processes such as rotting of wood, mold growth, bacteria growth, rusting of steel, swelling of composite woods, de-laminating of materials such as plywood, short-circuiting of electrical devices, etc.

The damage may be imperceptibly slow and minor such as water spots that could eventually mar a surface, or it may be instantaneous and catastrophic such as burst pipes and flooding. However fast it occurs, water damage is a major contributor to loss of property.

An insurance policy may or may not cover the costs associated with water damage and the process of water damage restoration. While a common cause of residential water damage is often the failure of a sump pump, many homeowner's insurance policies do not cover the associated costs without an addendum which adds to the monthly premium of the policy. Often the verbiage of this addendum is similar to "Sewer and Drain Coverage".

In the United States, those individuals who are affected by wide-scale flooding may have the ability to apply for government and FEMA grants through the Individual Assistance program.[1] On a larger level, businesses, cities, and communities can apply to the FEMA Public Assistance program for funds to assist after a large flood. For example, the city of Fond du Lac Wisconsin received $1.2 million FEMA grant after flooding in June 2008. The program allows the city to purchase the water damaged properties, demolish the structures, and turn the former land into public green space.[citation needed]

Causes

[edit]

Water damage can originate by different sources such as a broken dishwasher hose, a washing machine overflow, a dishwasher leakage, broken/leaking pipes, flood waters, groundwater seepage, building envelope failures (leaking roof, windows, doors, siding, etc.) and clogged toilets. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 13.7% of all water used in the home today can be attributed to plumbing leaks.[2] On average that is approximately 10,000 gallons of water per year wasted by leaks for each US home. A tiny, 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can release up to 250 gallons of water a day.[3] According to Claims Magazine in August 2000, broken water pipes ranked second to hurricanes in terms of both the number of homes damaged and the amount of claims (on average $50,000 per insurance claim[citation needed]) costs in the US.[4] Experts suggest that homeowners inspect and replace worn pipe fittings and hose connections to all household appliances that use water at least once a year. This includes washing machines, dishwashers, kitchen sinks, and bathroom lavatories, refrigerator icemakers, water softeners, and humidifiers. A few US companies offer whole-house leak protection systems utilizing flow-based technologies. A number of insurance companies offer policyholders reduced rates for installing a whole-house leak protection system.

As far as insurance coverage is concerned, damage caused by surface water intrusion to the dwelling is considered flood damage and is normally excluded from coverage under traditional homeowners' insurance. Surface water is water that enters the dwelling from the surface of the ground because of inundation or insufficient drainage and causes loss to the dwelling. Coverage for surface water intrusion[5] to the dwelling would usually require a separate flood insurance policy.

Categories

[edit]

There are three basic categories of water damage, based on the level of contamination.

Category 1 Water - Refers to a source of water that does not pose substantial threat to humans and classified as "clean water". Examples are broken water supply lines, tub or sink overflows or appliance malfunctions that involves water supply lines.

Category 2 Water - Refers to a source of water that contains a significant degree of chemical, biological or physical contaminants and causes discomfort or sickness when consumed or even exposed to. Known as "grey water". This type carries microorganisms and nutrients of micro-organisms. Examples are toilet bowls with urine (no feces), sump pump failures, seepage due to hydrostatic failure and water discharge from dishwashers or washing machines.

Category 3 Water - Known as "black water" and is grossly unsanitary. This water contains unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria and fungi, causing severe discomfort or sickness. Type 3 category are contaminated water sources that affect the indoor environment. This category includes water sources from sewage, seawater, rising water from rivers or streams, storm surge, ground surface water or standing water. Category 2 Water or Grey Water that is not promptly removed from the structure and or have remained stagnant may be re classified as Category 3 Water. Toilet back flows that originates from beyond the toilet trap is considered black water contamination regardless of visible content or color.[6]

Classes

[edit]

Class of water damage is determined by the probable rate of evaporation based on the type of materials affected, or wet, in the room or space that was flooded. Determining the class of water damage is an important first step, and will determine the amount and type of equipment utilized to dry-down the structure.[7]

Class 1 - Slow Rate of Evaporation. Affects only a portion of a room. Materials have a low permeance/porosity. Minimum moisture is absorbed by the materials. **IICRC s500 2016 update adds that class 1 be indicated when <5% of the total square footage of a room (ceiling+walls+floor) are affected **

Class 2 - Fast Rate of Evaporation. Water affects the entire room of carpet and cushion. May have wicked up the walls, but not more than 24 inches. **IICRC s500 2016 update adds that class 2 be indicated when 5% to 40% of the total square footage of a room (ceiling+walls+floor) are affected **

Class 3 - Fastest Rate of Evaporation. Water generally comes from overhead, affecting the entire area; walls, ceilings, insulation, carpet, cushion, etc. **IICRC s500 2016 update adds that class 3 be indicated when >40% of the total square footage of a room (ceiling+walls+floor) are affected **

Class 4 - Specialty Drying Situations. Involves materials with a very low permeance/porosity, such as hardwood floors, concrete, crawlspaces, gypcrete, plaster, etc. Drying generally requires very low specific humidity to accomplish drying.

Restoration

[edit]

Water damage restoration can be performed by property management teams, building maintenance personnel, or by the homeowners themselves; however, contacting a certified professional water damage restoration specialist is often regarded as the safest way to restore water damaged property. Certified professional water damage restoration specialists utilize psychrometrics to monitor the drying process.[8]

Standards and regulation

[edit]

While there are currently no government regulations in the United States dictating procedures, two certifying bodies, the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the RIA, do recommend standards of care. The current IICRC standard is ANSI/IICRC S500-2021.[9] It is the collaborative work of the IICRC, SCRT, IEI, IAQA, and NADCA.

Fire and Water Restoration companies are regulated by the appropriate state's Department of Consumer Affairs - usually the state contractors license board. In California, all Fire and Water Restoration companies must register with the California Contractors State License Board.[10] Presently, the California Contractors State License Board has no specific classification for "water and fire damage restoration."

Procedures

[edit]

Water damage restoration is often prefaced by a loss assessment and evaluation of affected materials. The damaged area is inspected with water sensing equipment such as probes and other infrared tools in order to determine the source of the damage and possible extent of areas affected. Emergency mitigation services are the first order of business. Controlling the source of water, removal of non-salvageable materials, water extraction and pre-cleaning of impacted materials are all part of the mitigation process. Restoration services would then be rendered to the property in order to dry the structure, stabilize building materials, sanitize any affected or cross-contaminated areas, and deodorize all affected areas and materials. After the labor is completed, water damage equipment including air movers, air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, wood floor drying systems, and sub-floor drying equipment is left in the residence. The goal of the drying process is to stabilize the moisture content of impacted materials below 15%, the generally accepted threshold for microbial amplification. Industry standards state that drying vendors should return at regular time intervals, preferably every twenty-four hours, to monitor the equipment, temperature, humidity, and moisture content of the affected walls and contents.[6] In conclusion, key aspects of water damage restoration include fast action, adequate equipment, moisture measurements, and structural drying. Dehumidification is especially crucial for structural components affected by water damage, such as wooden beams, flooring, and drywall.

See also

[edit]
  • Indoor mold

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Individual Disaster Assistance". DisasterAssistance.gov. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
  2. ^ "How We Use Water". 16 January 2017.
  3. ^ The University of Maine Corporate Extension – www.umext.maine.edu
  4. ^ Herndon Jr., Everette L.; Yang, Chin S. (August 2000). "Mold & Mildew: A Creeping Catastrophe". Claims Magazine. Archived from the original on 2000-08-15. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  5. ^ Moisture Control Guidance for Building Design, Construction and Maintenance. December 2013.
  6. ^ "Water Damage Restoration Guideline" (PDF). Northern Arizona University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  7. ^ "The Basics Of Water Damage Restoration Training". www.iicrc.org. Retrieved 2016-11-03.
  8. ^ "Chapter 6: Psychrometry and the Science of Drying". IICRC Standards Subscription Site. Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  9. ^ "ANSI/IICRC S500 Water Damage Restoration". IICRC. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  10. ^ "California Contractors State License Board". State of California. Retrieved 2010-08-29.

 

Chicago metropolitan area
Conurbation
Chicago–Naperville, IL–IN–WI
Combined Statistical Area
From top, left to right: Chicago skyline from Lakefront Trail at Northerly Island during sunrise, aerial view Evanston, view of Gold Coast, Downtown Naperville, view of Downtown Aurora
Map
Map of Chicago–Naperville, IL–IN–WI CSA
  Chicago–Naperville–Schaumburg, IL
  Elgin, IL Metropolitan Division
  Lake County, IL Metropolitan Division
  Lake County–Porter County–Jasper Cty, IN

Other Statistical Areas in the Chicago CSA

  Kenosha, WI MSA
  Ottawa, IL µSA
  Michigan City–La Porte, IN MSA
  Kankakee, IL MSA

 

Country United StatesStates Illinois
Indiana
WisconsinCore city ChicagoSatellite cities

  •  - Aurora
  •  - Elgin
  •  - Crystal Lake
  •  - Joliet
  •  - Naperville
  •  - Schaumburg
  •  - Waukegan
  •  - Kankakee
  •  - Gary
  •  - Hammond
  •  - Michigan City
  •  - Kenosha

Area

 

 • Metro

 

10,856 sq mi (28,120 km2)Highest elevation

[1]

673 ft (205 m)Lowest elevation

[1]

579 ft (176 m)Population

 

 • Density886/sq mi (342/km2) • Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) (2022)

 

9,441,957[2] (3rd) • Combined Statistical Area (CSA) (2022)

 

9,806,184 [3] (4th)DemonymChicagolanderGDP

[4]

 • Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)$894.862 billion (2023) • Combined Statistical Area (CSA)$919.229 billion (2023)Time zoneUTC−6 (CST) • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)Area codes219, 224/847, 262, 312/872, 331/630, 574, 464/708, 773/872 and 779/815

The Chicago metropolitan area, also referred to as Chicagoland, is the largest metropolitan statistical area in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the Midwest, containing the City of Chicago along with its surrounding suburbs and satellite cities. Encompassing 10,286 square mi (28,120 km2), the metropolitan area includes the city of Chicago, its suburbs and hinterland, that span 13 counties across northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana. The MSA had a 2020 census population of 9,618,502 and the combined statistical area, which spans 19 counties and additionally extends into southeast Wisconsin, had a population of nearly 10 million people.[5][6] The Chicago area is the third-largest metropolitan area in the United States and the fourth-largest metropolitan area in North America (after Mexico City, New York City, and Los Angeles), and the largest in the Great Lakes megalopolis. Its urban area is one of the 40 largest in the world.

According to the 2020 census, the metropolitan's population is approaching the 10 million mark. The metropolitan area has seen a substantial increase of Latin American residents on top of its already large Latino population, and the Asian American population also increased according to the 2020 Census. The metro area has a large number of White, Black, Latino, Asian, and Arab American residents, and also has Native American residents in the region, making the Chicago metropolitan area population truly diverse. The Chicago metropolitan area represents about 3 percent of the entire US population.

Chicagoland has one of the world's largest and most diversified economies. With more than six million full and part-time employees, the Chicago metropolitan area is a key factor of the Illinois economy, as the state has an annual GDP of over $1 trillion.[7] The Chicago metropolitan area generated an annual gross regional product (GRP) of approximately $700 billion in 2018.[8] The region is home to more than 400 major corporate headquarters, including 31 in the Fortune 500[9] such as McDonald's, United, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. With many companies moving to Chicagoland, and many current companies expanding, the area ranked as the nation's top metropolitan area for corporation relocations and expansions for nine consecutive years, the most consecutive years for any region in the country.[10]

The Chicago area is home to a number of the nation's leading research universities including the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, DePaul University, Loyola University, and the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). The University of Chicago and Northwestern University are consistently ranked as two of the best universities in the world.

There are many transportation options around the region. Chicagoland has three separate rail networks; the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and the South Shore Line. The CTA operates elevated and subway lines that run primarily throughout the city, Downtown Chicago, and into some suburbs. The CTA operates some of its rail lines 24 hours a day, every day of the year, nonstop service, making Chicago, New York City, and Copenhagen the only three cities in the world to offer some 24 hour rail service running nonstop, everyday throughout their city limits. The Metra commuter rail network runs numerous lines between Downtown Chicago and suburban/satellite cities, with one line stretching to Kenosha, Wisconsin, which is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The interurban South Shore Line runs between Downtown Chicago and the northwest Indiana portion of the metropolitan area. In addition, Amtrak operates Union Station in Downtown Chicago as one of its largest rail hubs, with numerous lines radiating to and from the station.

CTA bus routes serve the city proper, with some service into the suburbs. Pace bus routes serve the suburbs, with some service into the city. In addition, numerous CTA bus routes operate 24 hours a day, nonstop.

Definitions

[edit]

Chicago Metropolitan statistical area

[edit]
The Chicago–Naperville, IL–IN–WI Combined Statistical Area as defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget:
  Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–IN–WI MSA
  Michigan City–La Porte, IN MSA
  Kankakee, IL MSA
  Ottawa, IL MSA

The Chicago metropolitan statistical area (MSA) was originally designated by the United States Census Bureau in 1950. It comprised the Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will, along with Lake County in Indiana. As surrounding counties saw an increase in their population densities and the number of their residents employed within Cook County, they met Census criteria to be added to the MSA. The Chicago MSA, now defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as the Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–IN–WI Metropolitan Statistical Area, is the third-largest MSA by population in the United States. The 2022 census estimate for the population of the MSA was 9,441,957.[11]

The Chicago MSA is further subdivided into four metropolitan divisions. A breakdown of the county constituents and 2021 estimated populations of the four metropolitan divisions of the MSA are as follows:[11]

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–IN–WI Metropolitan Statistical Area (9,509,934)

  • Chicago–Naperville–Schaumburg, IL Metropolitan Division (7,159,394)
    • Cook County, Illinois (5,173,146)
    • DuPage County, Illinois (924,885)
    • Grundy County, Illinois (52,989)
    • McHenry County, Illinois (311,122)
    • Will County, Illinois (697,252)
  • Elgin, IL Metropolitan Division (750,869)
    • DeKalb County, Illinois (100,414)
    • Kane County, Illinois (515,588)
    • Kendall County, Illinois (134,867)
  • Lake County, IL Metropolitan Division (711,239)
    • Lake County, Illinois (711,239)
  • Lake County–Porter County–Jasper County, IN Metropolitan Division (719,700)
    • Jasper County, Indiana (33,091)
    • Lake County, Indiana (498,558)
    • Newton County, Indiana (13,808)
    • Porter County, Indiana (174,243)

Combined statistical area

[edit]

The OMB also defines a slightly larger region as a combined statistical area (CSA). The Chicago–Naperville, IL–IN–WI Combined Statistical Area combines the following core-based statistical areas, listed with their 2021 estimated populations. The combined statistical area as a whole had a population of 9,806,184 as of 2022.[11]

  • Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–IN–WI metropolitan statistical area (9,509,934)
  • Kankakee, IL metropolitan statistical area (106,601)
    • Kankakee County, Illinois (106,601)
  • Michigan City–La Porte, IN metropolitan statistical area (112,390)
    • LaPorte County, Indiana (112,390)
  • Ottawa, IL micropolitan statistical area (147,414)
    • Bureau County, Illinois (32,883)
    • LaSalle County, Illinois (108,965)
    • Putnam County, Illinois (5,566)

United Nations' Chicago urban agglomeration

[edit]

The Chicago urban agglomeration, according to the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects report (2023 revision), lists a population of 8,937,000.[12] The term "urban agglomeration" refers to the population contained within the contours of a contiguous territory inhabited at urban density levels. It usually incorporates the population in a city, plus that in the contiguous urban, or built-up area.

Chicagoland

[edit]
Chicagoland by county and state[13]
A map of Chicagoland in relation to the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana

Chicagoland is an informal name for the Chicago metropolitan area. The term Chicagoland has no official definition, and the region is often considered to include areas beyond the corresponding MSA, as well as portions of the greater CSA.[citation needed]

Colonel Robert R. McCormick, editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, usually gets credit for placing the term in common use.[14][15] McCormick's conception of Chicagoland stretched all the way to nearby parts of four states (Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa).[14] The first usage was in the Tribune's July 27, 1926, front page headline, "Chicagoland's Shrines: A Tour of Discoveries", for an article by reporter James O'Donnell Bennett.[16] He stated that Chicagoland comprised everything in a 200-mile (320 km) radius in every direction and reported on many different places in the area. The Tribune was the dominant newspaper in a vast area stretching to the west of the city, and that hinterland was closely tied to the metropolis by rail lines and commercial links.[17]

Today, the Chicago Tribune's usage includes the city of Chicago, the rest of Cook County, eight nearby Illinois counties (Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Grundy, Will, and Kankakee), and the two Indiana counties of Lake and Porter.[18] Illinois Department of Tourism literature uses Chicagoland for suburbs in Cook, Lake, DuPage, Kane, and Will counties,[19] treating the city separately. The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce defines it as all of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.[20]

In addition, company marketing programs such as Construction Data Company's[21] "Chicago and Vicinity" region and the Chicago Automobile Trade Association's "Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana" advertising campaign are directed at the MSA itself, as well as LaSalle, Winnebago (Rockford), Boone, and Ogle counties in Illinois, in addition to Jasper, Newton, and La Porte counties in Indiana and Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth counties in Wisconsin, and even as far northeast as Berrien County, Michigan. The region is part of the Great Lakes Megalopolis, containing an estimated 54 million people.[citation needed]

Collar counties

[edit]

The term "collar counties" is a colloquialism for the five counties (DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will) of Illinois that border Chicago's Cook County. After Cook County, they are also the next five most populous counties in the state. According to the Encyclopedia of Chicago, there is no specifically known origin of the phrase, but it has been commonly used among policy makers, urban planners, and in the media. However, it also notes that as growth has spread beyond these counties, it may have lost some of its usefulness.[22]

Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

[edit]

Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is an Illinois state agency responsible for transportation infrastructure, land use, and long-term economic development planning for the areas under its jurisdiction within Illinois.[23] The planning area has a population of over 8 million, which includes the following locations in Illinois:[24]

  • Cook County
  • DuPage County
  • Kane County
  • Kendall County
  • Lake County
  • McHenry County
  • Will County
 
 
Panorama of North Avenue Beach

Geography and environment

[edit]

The city of Chicago lies in the Chicago Plain, a flat and broad area characterized by little topographical relief. The few low hills are sand ridges. North of the Chicago Plain, steep bluffs and ravines run alongside Lake Michigan.

Along the southern shore of the Chicago Plain, sand dunes run alongside the lake. The tallest dunes reach up to near 200 feet (61 m) and are found in Indiana Dunes National Park. Surrounding the low plain are bands of moraines in the south and west suburbs. These areas are higher and hillier than the Chicago Plain. A continental divide, separating the Mississippi River watershed from that of the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence River, runs through the Chicago area.

A 2012 survey of the urban trees and forests in the seven county Illinois section of the Chicago area found that 21% of the land is covered by the tree and shrub canopy, made up of about 157,142,000 trees. The five most common tree species are buckthorn, green ash, boxelder, black cherry, and American elm. These resources perform important functions in carbon storage, water recycling, and energy saving.[25][26]

The Chicago skyline
 
Night aerial view of Chicago and vicinity

Demographics

[edit]
Taken from the ISS on June 23, 2022; downtown Chicago is at the center by the lake.

As of 2022, the metropolitan area had a population of 9,442,159. The population density was 1,312.3 per square mile. The racial makeup was 50.1% Non-Hispanic White, 23.4% were Hispanic, 15.5% were Non-Hispanic African Americans, 7.2% were Asian, 0.1% were Non-Hispanic Native American, 0.4% identified as “some other race,” and 3.2% were non-Hispanic multiracial.[27]

According to 2022 estimates from the American Community Survey, the largest ancestries in the Chicago metro area were Mexican (18%), African (17.7%), German (12.8%), Irish (9.9%), Polish (8%), Italian (5.9%), English (5.2%), Indian (2.7%), Puerto Rican (2.3%), Filipino (1.7%), Swedish (1.5%), and Chinese (1.4%).[28][29][30][31]

The suburbs, surrounded by easily annexed flat ground, have been expanding at a tremendous rate since the early 1960s. Aurora, Elgin, Joliet, and Naperville are noteworthy for being four of the few boomburbs outside the Sun Belt, West Coast and Mountain States regions, and exurban Kendall County ranked as the fastest-growing county (among counties with a population greater than 10,000) in the United States between the years 2000 and 2007.[32]

Settlement patterns in the Chicago metropolitan area tend to follow those in the city proper: the northern and northwestern suburbs are generally affluent and upper-middle class, while the southern suburbs (sometimes known as Chicago Southland) have somewhat lower median incomes and a cost of living, with the exception being the southwest suburbs which contain many upper-middle class areas. Another exception to this is the West Side, which has a somewhat lower median income, but the western suburbs contain many affluent and upper-middle class areas. According to the 2000 Census, DuPage County as a whole had the highest median household income of any county in the Midwestern United States, although there are individual cities and towns in other surrounding counties in the metro that have even higher median incomes.

According to 2022 estimates from the U.S. Census, poverty rates of the largest counties from least poverty to most are as follows: McHenry 4.0%, Dupage 6.7%, Will 6.9%, Kane 7.8%, Lake 8.0%, and Cook 13.6%.[33] However, Cook County, which contains luxury high rises and expensive houses in sections of the city and expensive houses along the waterfront in the North Shore area, would also have the highest percentage of expensive homes in the region.

In an in-depth historical analysis, Keating (2004, 2005) examined the origins of 233 settlements that by 1900 had become suburbs or city neighborhoods of the Chicago metropolitan area. The settlements began as farm centers (41%), industrial towns (30%), residential railroad suburbs (15%), and recreational/institutional centers (13%). Although relations between the different settlement types were at times contentious, there also was cooperation in such undertakings as the construction of high schools.[citation needed]

Population

[edit]

As the Chicago metropolitan area has grown, more counties have been partly or totally assimilated with the taking of each decennial census.

Census Area Area Type 2020 census 2010 census 2000 census 1990 census 1980 Census 1970 census 1960 census 1950 census
Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI Metropolitan 9,618,502 9,461,105 9,098,316 8,065,633 7,869,542 7,612,314 6,794,461 5,495,364
Cook County, Illinois Metropolitan 5,275,541 5,194,675 5,376,741 5,105,067 5,253,655 5,492,369 5,129,725 4,508,792
DeKalb County, Illinois Metropolitan 100,420 105,160 88,969 77,932 74,624 71,654 51,714 40,781
DuPage County, Illinois Metropolitan 932,877 916,924 904,161 781,666 658,835 491,882 313,459 154,599
Grundy County, Illinois Metropolitan 52,533 50,063 37,535 32,337 30,582 26,535 22,350 19,217
Kane County, Illinois Metropolitan 516,522 515,269 404,119 317,471 278,405 251,005 208,246 150,388
Kendall County, Illinois Metropolitan 131,869 114,736 54,544 39,413 37,202 26,374 17,540 12,115
McHenry County, Illinois Metropolitan 310,229 308,760 260,077 183,241 147,897 111,555 84,210 50,656
Will County, Illinois Metropolitan 696,355 677,560 502,266 357,313 324,460 249,498 191,617 134,336
Jasper County, Indiana Metropolitan 32,918 33,478 30,043 24,960 26,138 20,429 18,842 17,031
Lake County, Indiana Metropolitan 498,700 496,005 484,564 475,594 522,965 546,253 513,269 368,152
Newton County, Indiana Metropolitan 13,830 14,244 14,566 13,551 14,844 11,606 11,502 11,006
Porter County, Indiana Metropolitan 173,215 164,343 146,798 128,932 119,816 87,114 60,279 40,076
Lake County, Illinois Metropolitan 714,342 703,462 644,356 516,418 440,372 382,638 293,656 179,097
Kenosha County, Wisconsin Metropolitan 169,151 166,426 149,577 128,181 123,137 117,917 100,615 75,238
Kankakee County, Illinois Combined 107,502 113,449 103,833 96,255 102,926 97,250 92,063 73,524
LaSalle County, Illinois Combined 109,658 113,924 111,509 106,913 112,003 111,409 110,800 100,610
Bureau County, Illinois Combined 33,244 34,978 35,503 35,688 39,114 38,541 37,594 37,711
Putnam County, Illinois Combined 5,637 6,006 6,086 5,730 6,085 5,007 4,570 4,746
LaPorte County, Indiana Combined 112,417 111,467 110,106 107,066 108,632 105,342 95,111 76,808
Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI Combined 9,986,960 9,686,021 9,312,255 8,385,397 8,264,490 8,089,421 7,204,198 5,911,816

Counties highlighted in gray were not included in the MSA for that census. The CSA totals in blue are the totals of all the counties listed above, regardless of whether they were included in the Chicago Combined Statistical Area at the time.[34]

Principal municipalities

[edit]

Over 1,000,000 population

[edit]
  • Chicago (2,746,388)

Over 100,000 population

[edit]
  • Aurora, Illinois (180,542)
  • Joliet, Illinois (150,362)
  • Naperville, Illinois (149,540)
  • Elgin, Illinois (114,797)

Over 50,000 population

[edit]
  • Kenosha, Wisconsin (99,986)
  • Waukegan, Illinois (89,321)
  • Cicero, Illinois (85,268)
  • Schaumburg, Illinois (78,723)
  • Evanston, Illinois (78,110)
  • Hammond, Indiana (77,879)
  • Arlington Heights, Illinois (77,676)
  • Bolingbrook, Illinois (73,922)
  • Gary, Indiana (69,093)
  • Palatine, Illinois (67,908)
  • Skokie, Illinois (67,824)
  • Des Plaines, Illinois (60,675)
  • Orland Park, Illinois (58,703)
  • Oak Lawn, Illinois (58,362)
  • Berwyn, Illinois (57,250)
  • Mount Prospect, Illinois (56,852)
  • Tinley Park, Illinois (55,971)
  • Oak Park, Illinois (54,583)
  • Wheaton, Illinois (53,970)
  • Downers Grove, Illinois (50,247)
 
View of Chicago greater metropolitan region and the dense downtown area from the Willis Tower
 
View of Chicago greater metropolitan region and the North branch of the Chicago River from the Willis Tower

Urban areas within

[edit]

Within the boundary of the 16-county Chicago Combined Statistical Area lies the Chicago urban area, as well as 26 smaller urban areas.[35] Some of the urban areas below may partially cross into other statistical areas. Only those situated primarily within the Chicago combined statistical area are listed here.

Urban areas contained within the Chicago combined statistical area as of the 2020 census:
  Urban areas
  Counties in the Chicago MSA
  Counties in the Chicago CSA but not the MSA
Urban area Population
(2020 census)
Land area
(sq mi)
Land area
(km2)
Density
(population / sq mi)
Density
(population / km2)
Chicago, IL–IN 8,671,746 2,337.89 6,055.09 3,709.2 1,432.1
Round Lake Beach–McHenry–Grayslake, IL–WI 261,835 127.61 330.52 2,051.8 792.2
Kenosha, WI 125,865 56.17 145.48 2,240.8 865.2
Michigan City–La Porte, IN–MI 71,367 49.16 127.32 1,451.7 560.5
Kankakee, IL 66,530 31.66 82.00 2,101.4 811.3
DeKalb, IL 64,736 25.63 66.39 2,525.6 975.1
Valparaiso–Shorewood Forest, IN 51,867 33.64 87.12 1,542.0 595.4
Peru–LaSalle, IL 29,763 21.45 55.56 1,387.4 535.7
Woodstock, IL 25,298 9.31 24.10 2,718.7 1,049.7
Ottawa, IL 20,122 9.99 25.87 2,014.2 777.7
Streator, IL 16,209 8.12 21.04 1,995.3 770.4
Coal City–Braidwood, IL 15,837 10.29 26.65 1,539.4 594.4
Morris, IL 15,740 8.64 22.37 1,822.2 703.5
Lowell, IN 10,747 5.28 13.66 2,037.2 786.6
Manteno, IL 10,437 6.01 15.56 1,736.8 670.6
Harvard, IL 9,376 4.36 11.30 2,148.7 829.6
Princeton, IL 7,979 6.20 16.06 1,287.1 497.0
Marengo, IL 7,509 3.81 9.86 1,971.5 761.2
Lake Holiday, IL 7,313 4.30 11.14 1,700.5 656.6
Mendota, IL 6,918 2.85 7.38 2,426.2 936.8
Wilmington, IL 6,388 3.95 10.23 1,617.3 624.5
McHenry Northwest–Wonder Lake, IL 5,758 2.35 6.08 2,453.6 947.4
Hampshire, IL 5,699 2.72 7.06 2,091.4 807.5
Rensselaer, IN 5,509 3.23 8.37 1,703.9 657.9
Genoa, IL 5,484 2.20 5.69 2,498.0 964.5
Westville, IN 5,189 2.10 5.45 2,466.0 952.1
Marseilles, IL 4,660 2.39 6.19 1,948.4 752.3

Economy

[edit]
Westward view from the Willis Tower in Chicago

The Chicago metropolitan area is home to the corporate headquarters of 57 Fortune 1000 companies, including AbbVie Inc., Allstate, Kraft Heinz, McDonald's, Mondelez International, Motorola, United Airlines, Walgreens, and more. The Chicago area also headquarters a wide variety of global financial institutions including Citadel LLC, Discover Financial Services, Morningstar, Inc., CNA Financial, and more. Chicago is home to the largest futures exchange in the world, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. In March 2008, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange announced its acquisition of NYMEX Holdings Inc, the parent company of the New York Mercantile Exchange and Commodity Exchange. CME'S acquisition of NYMEX was completed in August 2008.

A key piece of infrastructure for several generations was the Union Stock Yards of Chicago, which from 1865 until 1971 penned and slaughtered millions of cattle and hogs into standardized cuts of beef and pork. This prompted poet Carl Sandburg to describe Chicago as the "Hog Butcher for the World".[36]

The Chicago area, meanwhile, began to produce significant quantities of telecommunications gear, electronics, steel, crude oil derivatives, automobiles, and industrial capital goods.

By the early 2000s, Illinois' economy had moved toward a dependence on high-value-added services, such as financial trading, higher education, logistics, and health care. In some cases, these services clustered around institutions that hearkened back to Illinois's earlier economies. For example, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, a trading exchange for global derivatives, had begun its life as an agricultural futures market.

In 2007, the area ranked first among U.S. metro areas in the number of new and expanded corporate facilities.[37] It ranked third in 2008, behind the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown and Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan areas,[38] and ranked second behind the New York metropolitan area in 2009.[39]

The Wall Street Journal summarized the Chicago area's economy in November 2006 with the comment that "Chicago has survived by repeatedly reinventing itself."[40]

Transportation

[edit]
O'Hare Airport
Chicago 'L' in the Loop
Metra surface rail
The Eisenhower Expressway with the Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line tracks and the non-revenue ramp that leads to the Pink Line

Major airports

[edit]
  • Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
  • Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
  • Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) (located in the adjacent Milwaukee metropolitan area)
  • Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) (located in the adjacent Rockford metropolitan area)
  • Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY)

Commercial ports

[edit]
  • Port of Chicago
  • Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor

Transit systems

[edit]

Commercial freight

[edit]

Chicago has been at the center of the United States' railroad network since the 19th century. Almost all Class I railroads serve the area, the most in North America.[41]

Passenger

[edit]
  • Chicago Transit Authority trains, locally referred to as "the 'L'", (after "elevated train") serving Chicago and the near suburbs
  • Pace Suburban Bus operates suburban bus and regional vanpool, paratransit, and ride-matching services in the Chicagoland region.
  • Metra run by the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation:
    • 4 lines serving southern Cook County and Will County
    • 3 lines serving western Cook County, DuPage County, and Kane County
    • 2 lines serving northern Cook County and Lake County
    • 1 line serving northern Cook County, Lake County, and Kenosha County
    • 1 line serving northwestern Cook County and McHenry County
  • South Shore Line shares the Metra Electric Line in Illinois and connects Chicago to Gary, Michigan City, and ending at South Bend.
  • Amtrak operates Union Station which is the major Amtrak passenger rail hub with connections to Metra and the within a few blocks of connections to several 'L' lines. Amtrak also operates a connecting station out of Joliet.

Major highways

[edit]

Interstates

[edit]
  • Interstate 41 (I-41) runs concurrently with Interstate 94 from the northern terminus of the Tri-State Tollway to Milwaukee.
  • Interstate 55 (I-55) is the Adlai Stevenson Expy.
  • I-355 is the Veterans Memorial Tollway (formerly North-South Tollway).
  • I-57 is unofficially the "West Leg" of the Dan Ryan Expy.
  • I-65 has no name, whether official or unofficial.
  • I-80 is officially called the Borman Expy (cosigned with I-94), Kingery Expy (cosigned with I-94 for 3 miles), Tri-State Tollway (cosigned with I-294 for 4 miles) and is unofficially called the Moline Expy west of I-294.
  • I-88 is the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (formerly East-West Tollway)
  • I-90 is locally known as Jane Addams Tollway (formerly Northwest Tollway), John F. Kennedy Expy (cosigned with I-94), Dan Ryan Expy (cosigned with I-94), and Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge.
  • I-94 is Tri-State Tollway in Lake County, Edens Spur, Edens Expy, John F. Kennedy Expy (cosigned with I-90), Dan Ryan Expy (cosigned with I-90), Bishop Ford Frwy (formerly Calumet Expy), Kingery Expy (cosigned with I-80) and Borman Expy (cosigned with I-80).
  • I-190 is the John F. Kennedy Expy spur heading into Chicago-O'Hare Int'l Airport.
  • I-290 is the Dwight D. Eisenhower Expy.
  • I-294 is the Tri-State Tollway.

Other main highways

[edit]
  • US Routes in the Illinois part of the area include: US 6, US 12, US 14, US 20, US 30, US 34, US 41, US 45, and US 52.
  • Illinois Route 53, an arterial north–south state highway running through Grundy, Will, DuPage, Cook and Lake counties
  • Historic US Route 66's eastern terminus is in Chicago.

Major corridors

[edit]

In addition to the Chicago Loop, the metro area is home to a few important subregional corridors of commercial activities. Among them are:

  • Illinois Technology and Research Corridor, along the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (Interstate 88)
  • Golden Corridor, along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (Interstate 90)
  • Lakeshore Corridor, along the Edens Expressway and Tri-State Tollway

Culture

[edit]

Sports

[edit]

Listing of the professional sports teams in the Chicago metropolitan area

Major league professional teams:

  • Major League Baseball (MLB)
    • Chicago Cubs
    • Chicago White Sox
  • National Football League (NFL)
    • Chicago Bears
  • National Basketball Association (NBA)
    • Chicago Bulls
  • National Hockey League (NHL)
    • Chicago Blackhawks
  • Major League Soccer (MLS)
    • Chicago Fire FC

Other professional teams:

  • Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
    • Chicago Sky
  • National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
    • Chicago Stars FC
  • American Association of Professional Baseball (AA)
    • Chicago Dogs
    • Kane County Cougars
    • Gary SouthShore RailCats
  • American Hockey League (AHL)
    • Chicago Wolves
  • NBA G League (NBAGL)
    • Windy City Bulls
  • Major League Rugby (MLR)
    • Chicago Hounds

The Chicagoland Speedway oval track has hosted NASCAR Cup Series and IndyCar Series races. The Chicago Marathon is one of the World Marathon Majors. The Western Open and BMW Championship are PGA Tour tournaments that have been held primarily at golf courses near Chicago.

NCAA Division I College Sports Teams:

  • Atlantic 10 Conference
    • Loyola University Chicago Ramblers
  • Big East Conference
    • DePaul University Blue Demons
  • Big Ten Conference
    • Northwestern University Wildcats (Evanston)
  • Mid-American Conference
    • Northern Illinois University Huskies (DeKalb)
  • Missouri Valley Conference
    • University of Illinois Chicago Flames
    • Valparaiso University Beacons (Valparaiso, IN)
  • Northeast Conference
    • Chicago State University Cougars

Cuisine

[edit]
  • Chicago-style hot dog
  • Chicago-style pizza
  • Italian beef
  • Caramel popcorn

Media

[edit]

The two main newspapers are the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. Local television channels broadcasting to the Chicago market include WBBM-TV 2 (CBS), WMAQ-TV 5 (NBC), WLS-TV 7 (ABC), WGN-TV 9 (Ind), WTTW 11 (PBS), MeTV 23, WCIU 26 (CW), WFLD 32 (FOX), WCPX-TV 38 (Ion), WSNS-TV 44 (Telemundo), WPWR-TV 50 (MyNetworkTV), and WJYS-TV 62 (The Way). Radio stations serving the area include: WBBM (AM), WBEZ, WGN (AM), WMBI, WLS (AM), and WSCR.

Education

[edit]
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago

Elementary and secondary education within the Chicago metropolitan area is provided by dozens of different school districts, of which by far the largest is the Chicago Public Schools with 400,000 students.[42] Numerous private and religious school systems are also found in the region, as well as a growing number of charter schools. Racial inequalities in education in the region remain widespread, often breaking along district boundaries;[43] for instance, educational prospects vary widely for students in the Chicago Public Schools compared to those in some neighboring suburban schools.[44]

Historically, the Chicago metropolitan area has been at the center of a number of national educational movements, from the free-flowing Winnetka Plan to the regimented Taylorism of the Gary Plan.[45] In higher education, University of Chicago founder William Rainey Harper was a leading early advocate of the junior college movement; Joliet Junior College is the nation's oldest continuously operating junior college today.[46] Later U of C president Robert Maynard Hutchins was central to the Great Books movement, and programs of dialogic education arising from that legacy can be found today at the U of C, at Shimer College,[47] and in the City Colleges of Chicago and Oakton College in the Northwest suburbs.[48]

Area codes

[edit]

From 1947 until 1988, the Illinois portion of the Chicago metro area was served by a single area code, 312, which abutted the 815 area code. In 1988 the 708 area code was introduced and the 312 area code became exclusive to the city of Chicago.

It became common to call suburbanites "708'ers", in reference to their area code.

The 708 area code was partitioned in 1996 into three area codes, serving different portions of the metro area: 630, 708, and 847.

At the same time that the 708 area code was running out of phone numbers, the 312 area code in Chicago was also exhausting its supply of available numbers. As a result, the city of Chicago was divided into two area codes, 312 and 773. Rather than divide the city by a north–south area code, the central business district retained the 312 area code, while the remainder of the city took the new 773 code.

In 2002, the 847 area code was supplemented with the overlay area code 224. In February 2007, the 815 area code (serving outlying portions of the metro area) was supplemented with the overlay area code 779. In October 2007, the overlay area code 331 was implemented to supplement the 630 area with additional numbers.

Plans are in place for overlay codes in the 708, 773, and 312 regions as those area codes become exhausted in the future.

  • 312 Chicago - City (The Loop and central neighborhoods, e.g. the Near North Side)
  • 773 Chicago - City (Everywhere else within the city limits, excluding central area)
  • 872 Chicago - City (overlay for 312 & 773, effective November 7, 2009)
  • 847/224 (North and Northwest Suburbs)
  • 630/331 (Outer Western Suburbs)
  • 708 (South and Near West Suburbs)
  • 815/779 (Rockford & Joliet: Far Northwest/Southwest Suburbs)
  • 219 (Northwest Indiana)
  • 574 (North-central Indiana)
  • 262 (Southeast Wisconsin surrounding Milwaukee County)

Proposed overlays

[edit]
  • 464 overlay for 708 (January 21, 2022, rollout)

See also

[edit]
  • Index of Illinois-related articles

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Elevations of the 50 Largest Cities". U.S. Geological Survey. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2016. Chicago city proper only
  2. ^ "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. August 12, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  3. ^ "USA: Combined Metropolitan Areas". CityPopulation.de. August 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  4. ^ "Total Gross Domestic Product for Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI (MSA)". Federal Reserve Economic Data. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
  5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Combined Statistical Areas in the United States and Puerto Rico: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019 (CSA-EST2019-ANNRES)". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. March 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the United States and Puerto Rico: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019 (CBSA-MET-EST2019-ANNRES)". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. March 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  7. ^ "CAEMP25N Total Full-Time and Part-Time Employment by NAICS Industry 1/ 2018". Bureau of Economic Analysis. November 14, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  8. ^ "CAGDP1 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) summary by county and metropolitan area 2018". Bureau of Economic Analysis. December 12, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  9. ^ "Economy". Worldbusinesschicago.com. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  10. ^ "Chicago Named Nation's Top Metro Area for Corporate Relocation For the Sixth Straight Year". World Business Chicago. March 25, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  11. ^ a b c "Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2021". Census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  12. ^ "The World's Cities in 2018" (PDF). United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  13. ^ As defined by Construction Data Company.
  14. ^ a b Fuller, Jack (2005). "Chicagoland". The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago. Chicago Historical Society. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
  15. ^ "The Press: The Colonel's Century". TIME. June 9, 1947. Archived from the original on September 18, 2008. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
  16. ^ O'Donnell Bennett, James (July 27, 1926). "Chicagoland's Shrines: A Tour of Discoveries". Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963). Archived from the original on September 10, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
  17. ^ Cronon (1992); Keating (2005); Keating (2004)
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Further reading

[edit]
  • Fischer, Paul B. (July 28, 1993). Racial and Locational Patterns of Subsidized Housing in the Chicago Suburbs: A Report to the MacArthur Foundation (Archive). Lake Forest, Ill.: Lake Forest College. Report to the MacArthur Foundation.
  • Lewinnek, Elaine (2014). The Working Man's Reward: Chicago's Early Suburbs and the Roots of American Sprawl. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
[edit]
  • Encyclopedia of Chicago (2004), comprehensive coverage of city and suburbs, past and present
  • U.S. Census Urbanized Area Outline Map (2000)
  • Chicago-Naperville-Michigan City, IL-IN-WI Combined Statistical Area (2012) map
  • Illinois CBSAs and Counties (2013) map
  • U.S. Census Bureau Chicago city, Illinois QuickFacts
  • Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas
  • About Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas
  • History of Metropolitan Areas
  • Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals and Components of Change: 2010–2019

 

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Reviews for


Jeffery James

(5)

Very happy with my experience. They were prompt and followed through, and very helpful in fixing the crack in my foundation.

Sarah McNeily

(5)

USS was excellent. They are honest, straightforward, trustworthy, and conscientious. They thoughtfully removed the flowers and flower bulbs to dig where they needed in the yard, replanted said flowers and spread the extra dirt to fill in an area of the yard. We've had other services from different companies and our yard was really a mess after. They kept the job site meticulously clean. The crew was on time and friendly. I'd recommend them any day! Thanks to Jessie and crew.

Jim de Leon

(5)

It was a pleasure to work with Rick and his crew. From the beginning, Rick listened to my concerns and what I wished to accomplish. Out of the 6 contractors that quoted the project, Rick seemed the MOST willing to accommodate my wishes. His pricing was definitely more than fair as well. I had 10 push piers installed to stabilize and lift an addition of my house. The project commenced at the date that Rick had disclosed initially and it was completed within the same time period expected (based on Rick's original assessment). The crew was well informed, courteous, and hard working. They were not loud (even while equipment was being utilized) and were well spoken. My neighbors were very impressed on how polite they were when they entered / exited my property (saying hello or good morning each day when they crossed paths). You can tell they care about the customer concerns. They ensured that the property would be put back as clean as possible by placing MANY sheets of plywood down prior to excavating. They compacted the dirt back in the holes extremely well to avoid large stock piles of soils. All the while, the main office was calling me to discuss updates and expectations of completion. They provided waivers of lien, certificates of insurance, properly acquired permits, and JULIE locates. From a construction background, I can tell you that I did not see any flaws in the way they operated and this an extremely professional company. The pictures attached show the push piers added to the foundation (pictures 1, 2 & 3), the amount of excavation (picture 4), and the restoration after dirt was placed back in the pits and compacted (pictures 5, 6 & 7). Please notice that they also sealed two large cracks and steel plated these cracks from expanding further (which you can see under my sliding glass door). I, as well as my wife, are extremely happy that we chose United Structural Systems for our contractor. I would happily tell any of my friends and family to use this contractor should the opportunity arise!

Chris Abplanalp

(5)

USS did an amazing job on my underpinning on my house, they were also very courteous to the proximity of my property line next to my neighbor. They kept things in order with all the dirt/mud they had to excavate. They were done exactly in the timeframe they indicated, and the contract was very details oriented with drawings of what would be done. Only thing that would have been nice, is they left my concrete a little muddy with boot prints but again, all-in-all a great job

Dave Kari

(5)

What a fantastic experience! Owner Rick Thomas is a trustworthy professional. Nick and the crew are hard working, knowledgeable and experienced. I interviewed every company in the area, big and small. A homeowner never wants to hear that they have foundation issues. Out of every company, I trusted USS the most, and it paid off in the end. Highly recommend.

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