Beyond Chicago

Northern Illinois, anchored by Chicago, is both a cultural and economic engine for the state. The region’s gently rolling plains supported early agricultural growth, while the dramatic Driftless Area near Galena reveals rugged hills, bluffs, and untouched glacial formations. Major waterways served as early transportation corridors, and Lake Michigan enabled Chicago’s rise as a global city. Together, these diverse geographies and historic routes have made Northern Illinois central to the state’s economic vitality, cultural identity, and continued growth.