Chicago has been called many things. It is the City of Broad Shoulders, the Second City, the Windy City, the place where things get done, but in the last two decades it has been tagged with its best title: World Class.

It took a little work to earn that honor, though.

Incorporated in 1837, Chicago expanded rapidly in size and stature, due primarily to its location. Serving as a hub between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River and, ultimately, the Gulf of Mexico, Chicago grew along with the country’s need for transporting goods.

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed about a third of the city, including most of the business district. The city quickly rebounded, rebuilding bigger and better, including the first skyscraper (a 10-story steel-structure building) in 1885. The population continued to increase, reaching 3 million by the early 1900s.

To list all of the events which shaped Chicago would be a daunting task, one more befitting a history book. The Chicago River reversal of 1900, the gangster era of the 1920s and continual growth and unrest in the Stockyards started the 20th century. The 1968 Democratic National Convention, the building of the Sears Tower in 1974 and the election of Richard M. Daley as mayor in 1989 marked the end of that era and the beginning of Chicago’s ascension to world-class status.

Daley has stressed quality of life since his inauguration, working steadily to improve the basic services provided to Chicagoans, building more than 70 miles of landscaped street medians, planting 500,000 trees and implementing an aggressive graffiti-removal program. The result is an infinitely more beautiful city. The bridges crossing the Chicago River in the west loop are no longer eyesores. Downtown-area sidewalks and streets have morphed from functional passageways to aesthetic treats.

The beautification and revitalization comes with a price, but one clearly worth paying. A $200-million renovation turned Navy Pier into the city’s most popular tourist attraction. The payback? According to its 2006 annual report, Navy Pier contributed $1.2 billion to the local economy.

Several years ago, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications brought in Local Traffic Control Aides to address the ungainly traffic congestion in the Loop. While it is difficult to isolate the positive effects of this change, long-time area residents and business owners see a major improvement in traffic flow and accessibility. OEMC Director of Media Relations Jennifer Martinez noted “the Traffic Control Aides are such a valuable asset that private companies frequently request information on hiring them for their own events.”

The improvements extend beyond just the downtown area. The Chicago Department of Transportation’s Streetscape and Urban Design Program guides neighborhoods to improve infrastructure and beautify their business districts. Areas such as Greektown, Humboldt Park and Wicker Park are prime examples of such efforts, resulting in better housing and increased business traffic.

More examples of city investment being followed by private development include the once semi-deserted South and Southwest loops. Within the last decade each area has seen remarkable growth in high-rise residential and business development. The city has already spent $22 million to improve traffic flow and provide better accessibility to the burgeoning areas. McCormick Place, the largest convention center in the nation, is now connected to the downtown area via the hotel network encompassed in the now-thriving South Loop. Once considered a satellite facility requiring an inconvenient effort to reach, McCormick Place last year completed a $900-million expansion project.

Chicago had a bit of extra help with the development of the West Loop. Michael Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA titles and 610 straight home sellouts. Going to the United Center to watch the team became an event in itself,  and businesses followed.

The next part of Daley’s plan includes Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympics. The impact of landing the Summer Games would be enormous. Economic benefits from neighborhood revitalization, new jobs, tourism, business and development will be felt before, during and long after 2016.

Mayor Daley’s vision did more than just make Chicago a greener and more enjoyable place. The overall effort and improved transportation propelled Chicago into the elite group of business cities. “A strong and attractive transportation network [streets, highways, public transportation, aviation] is crucial to any city to remain competitive in the global marketplace,” said Brian Steele, CDOT director of communications.

Chicago developed out of transportation necessity. Always gritty yet functioning, the city has become — through both public and private revitalization and development — a much more enjoyable place to live.

Now, world-class Chicago is poised to take its rightful place on the global stage.

LODGING

THE PENINSULA CHICAGO

Built in 2001, The Peninsula Hotel is located at the center of the Magnificent Mile. A short walk brings you to the beautiful lakefront or Water Tower Place, home of some of Chicago’s finest eateries and boutiques. Virtually hundreds of other fine shops, restaurants, clubs and museums are a quick cab ride away. This luxury hotel is dedicated to pleasing your senses, from the soothing décor to afternoon tea with live classical music in the lobby restaurant. Literally topping it off is a two-floor spa and fitness center.$$$$
THE PENINSULA CHICAGO
108 E. Superior St.
tel 312 337 2888
http://www.chicago.peninsula.com

THE SHERATON
Located in the heart of downtown, the Sheraton Hotel and Towers affords each guestroom a spectacular view of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River or Chicago’s skyline. The Navy Pier, Millennium Park, the theater district and much more are all within walking distance. The newly decorated rooms feature all of the usual amenities while surrounding you with a warm, modern feel. The lively, spacious lobby hosts five distinct restaurants and lounges. On the business front, the Sheraton offers the Midwest’s largest ballroom, many individual meeting rooms and a River Exhibit Hall for trade shows.$$$$ THE SHERATON 301
E. North Water St.
tel 312 464 1000
http://www.sheratonchicago.com

HOTEL AMALFI
Hotel Amalfi caters to the business traveler without losing a bit of the sophistication befitting its location in the River North area. Every day starts with an executive breakfast and ends with a cocktail reception in the Ravello Lounge. An Executive Designer, essentially a super concierge, is available to each guest for whatever need arises, from help with the Internet to finding a specific CD. Each of the 215 guest “spaces” is designed to provide the comforts of home while keeping you pampered. The cozy yet trendy bar is a great place to end the day.$$$
HOTEL AMALFI
20 W. Kinzie St.
tel 877 262 5341
http://www.amalfihotelchicago.com

DINING

GIBSON’S

This steakhouse and bar sits in the heart of the Rush Street district. The atmosphere is an unusual blend of intimate yet bustling, casual yet upscale. The service staff is unbelievably pleasant and accommodating, but it is the variety of steaks that puts Gibson’s in an exclusive category. The menu boasts a fine selection, and the chef prepares them to perfection. The wine list features more than 100 excellent choices. The dessert menu, highlighted by an unbelievable carrot cake, is fairly simple, yet each serving is large and very flavorful.$$$$
GIBSON’S
1028 N. Rush St.
312 266 8999
http://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com

COSTA’S
This elegant yet casual delight is located in the heart of Greektown. Unique and traditional options combine together fo r a Mediterranean feast. Stuffed, grilled calamari highlights a wide variety of hot and cold appetizers. Whether you choose one of the traditional Greek specialties or opt for chicken, pasta, fish or steak, you will be treated to a savory sensation. The wine list features well over 100 choices. Live piano music sets the perfect mood of Old World charm.$$$
COSTA’S
340 S. Halsted St.
tel 312 263 9700
http://www.costasdining.com

LA LUCE
Located in a 19th-century four-story Queen Anne Victorian, La Luce opened in 1993 in the developing West Loop area near the United Center. This quaint restaurant and wine bar, one of the hidden gems of Chicago, features a wide array of Italian dishes with an emphasis on the cuisine of northern Italy. Of special note is the chicken marsala. The wine list, while not extensive, offers a pleasing variety, and the dessert menu features the finest cannoli in Chicago, among other treats.$$
LA LUCE
1393 W. Lake St.
tel 312 850 1900
http://www.lalucerestaurant.com

DIVERSIONS

You could spend a week in Chicago and still not have scratched the surface of interesting things to see or do. Filling a day with great activities is no problem.

The Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture Cruise (585 E. Illinois St., tel 312 222 9328, http://www.shorelinesightseeing.com) is a one-hour journey on the Chicago River. Guides highlight various architectural landmarks while summarizing Chicago’s fascinating history.

The Art Institute of Chicago (111 S. Michigan Ave., tel 312 443 3600, http://www.artic.edu) is one of the world’s premier museums of fine art. In addition to the seemingly endless collection of works from many centuries and cultures, the museum features the Ryerson and Burnham libraries, which contain an extensive collection of books on art and architecture.

North along the lakefront, The Chicago History Museum (1601 N. Clark St., tel 312 642 4600, http://www.chicagohistory.org) is Chicago’s oldest cultural institution. Housing over 22 million artifacts, it is the perfect place to immerse oneself in Chicago’s past, present and future. Across Lake Shore Drive (the city’s most scenic road) sits Oak Street Beach, Chicago’s most famous place to relax and peoplewatch.

Lincoln Park Zoo (2200 N. Cannon Dr., tel 312 742 2000, http://www.lpzoo.com) fills 35 acres of the lakefront with one of the nation’s oldest and biggest zoos. It is open 365 days a year and admission is always free.

If the time is right, a trip to Wrigley Field (1060 W. Addison St., tel 800 843 2827, http://www.chicago.cubs.mlb.com) for a day baseball game is a nostalgia-filled three-hour bit of relaxation, sunshine and cheering for the Cubs. From the ivycovered outfield walls to the rooftop viewers, this is a piece of baseball history.

Chicago-style pizza is one of the city’s treasures, and none is better than the original Lou Malnati’s (6649 N. Lincoln Ave., tel 847 673 0800, http://www.loumalnatis.com), although technically it is two blocks north of Chicago.

Although it is 30 miles north of Chicago and would require a bit more planning, a night at Ravinia Park (418 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park, tel 847 266 5000, http://www.ravinia.org) is an extraordinary experience. The summer home of the oldest outdoor music concert series in the country, it’s much more than a mere concert venue. Feel free to bring your own wine, tablecloth and flowers to complete the perfect evening.

One simple daylong alternative is Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave., tel 312 595 7437, http://www.navypier.com), home of hotels, eateries, shops, a 46-foot-tall Ferris wheel, an IMAX theater, sculptures, parks, water fountains and more. Covering over 50 acres of prime lakefront property, it is an all-in-one entertainment center.

Checking In with Richard M. Daley
Mayor of Chicago

Global Traveler: What will the 2016 Olympics mean to Chicago’s business community?

Richard M. Daley: By hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016, we can enhance Chicago’s reputation as one of the great cities of the world. The Games could become one of the most significant events in Chicago’s history, attracting new visitors from around the globe; generating international good will; creating new businesses and jobs for our hard-working residents; and leaving a lasting legacy of physical, cultural and athletic benefits for future generations to come. Chicago’s business and philanthropic community is united behind our bid because they love this city and they want to make it better.

GT: What will be the impact of all of the renovation and (proposed) west expansion of O’Hare on Chicago commerce?

RMD: You can’t beat Chicago’s central location for connecting with the world. That’s why we have been working to modernize O’Hare International Airport and strengthen Chicago’s position as the transportation center of North America. The investment is necessary to maintain the long-term economic viability of Chicago and the hundreds of thousands of jobs and tens of thousands of businesses that depend on O’Hare.

Throughout the project we are also incorporating environmentally friendly initiatives into our efforts to modernize O’Hare Airport. We created a Sustainable Design Manual, a nationally recognized document that allows O’Hare to evolve as the benchmark for environmental stewardship in design and construction for a civil project.

GT: What do you see for Chicago over the next 20 years?

RMD: We are building the greatest city in the world. Chicago is a leading global city that inspires people to achieve great things because of its stunning beauty, dynamic spirit and unrivaled connections. Chicago is a city that continues to move forward because business and government work together in a collaborative culture to actively grow this market and create new opportunity so that our residents can enjoy an unparalleled quality of life in a city where they want to live, work and raise a family.

INFO TO GO

O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is the nation’s second-busiest airport, yet GT readers voted it the Best Airport in North America for four years running. A modernization plan, which was approved by the FAA in 2005, will ultimately leave the airport with eight parallel runways and expand Terminals 3 and 5. Numerous shops and restaurants are conveniently located throughout the airport. Taxis, shuttle buses and public transportation are all readily available and easily accessible.

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is actually closer to downtown than O’Hare. A massive expansion project over the last 10 years resulted in a new terminal, a new parking garage, a food court and other passenger-related improvements. All forms of public and private transportation have easy access into Midway.

In the Loop area, everything is quickly reached using taxis, buses and the famous elevated trains (tel 888 YOUR CTA, http://www.transitchicago.com).

For more information, visit http://www.choosechicago.com