Information Guides -- Careers -- Chicago Job Market
Chicago, with a populations of 2.9M, is the third largest city in America. It is the commercial, financial, industrial, and cultural center of the Midwest. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange is the largest U.S. futures exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade is the largest agricultural futures market in the world. The city is also home to the Board of Options Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange. The city is a major Great Lakes port.
Chicago's employment is poised to increase by 10.5% from 2002-2012. Healthcare is expected to create the most jobs, followed by the restaurant and hotel sector and the business services sector. Manufacturing is projected to loose 20,500 jobs by 2012. The transportation and distribution segment remains strong. Exports from Chicago are increasing at twice the national rate. The city ranks as the second largest air import district in the nation. The local wholesale trade sector will create 32,000 by 2012.
The city is headquarters to 30 Fortune 500 companies and 12 Fortune Global 500 companies. There are 98 corporate headquarters in Chicago, second only to New York City.
Business Development Resources
- A not-for-profit economic development organization promoting metropolitan Chicago.
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
- Serves as the business voice of greater Chicago, representing business interests at the city, county, regional and state levels
- Check the Event Calendar
State of Illinois Business Portal
- Information on starting and running a business in Illinois
- Business news highlights state initiatives and funding
- State Employment Services
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
- Information on business development, support for small businesses and more.
- An economic development organization that promotes job growth and community advancement through the provision of professional and technical services to Illinois businesses.
- The NAFTA Opportunity Center provides technical guidance and assistance for companies exporting to Canada and Mexico.
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
- Research and data on regional economic issues
Sister Cities with Chicago
- Member of the World Trade Centers Association, the world's largest, private, international trade organization.
- The China Committee organizes trade shows, holds match-making sessions, initiates training programs, sponsors business symposiums, leads trade delegations and promotes friendly exchanges between Illinois and China.
- The African Trade Institute - Leading Illinois-Africa sectors for trade include industrial machinery and computer equipment, electronic equipment, chemical and allied products, food and kindred products and transportation equipment.
- Check the Events calendar and Internship opportunities
International Trade Association of Greater Chicago
- A not-for-profit, voluntary business association dedicated to promoting international commerce in all its forms.
- Check the calendar and schedule of events for networking opportunities
