Chicago, the most populous city in Illinois and the Midwestern US, ranks as the third-largest city in the United States, following New York City and Los Angeles. The 2020 census recorded Chicago's population at 2,746,388. Located in Cook County, the second-most populous county in the US, Chicago serves as the heart of the Chicago metropolitan area, commonly known as "Chicagoland," with a total population of 9.6 million.
1900: End of an Influential Literary Period
Around 1900, a significant period in Chicago's literary history, which began around the time of the Great Chicago Fire, came to an end. This era had a lasting impact on American literature.
1900: Influx of Immigrants
By 1900, a significant portion of Chicago's population, over 77%, consisted of individuals born either abroad or to foreign-born parents within the United States. This influx of immigrants was largely drawn by Chicago's thriving economy. German, Irish, Polish, Swedish, and Czech immigrants constituted almost two-thirds of the foreign-born populace.
1900: Reversal of the Chicago River
In 1900, Chicago achieved a significant engineering accomplishment by reversing the flow of the Chicago River. This groundbreaking project aimed to divert sewage away from Lake Michigan, ensuring cleaner water for the city. This involved the construction and improvement of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, culminating in the creation of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, which connects to the Illinois River, ultimately flowing into the Mississippi River.
1901: Establishment of Joliet Junior College
In 1901, Joliet Junior College was founded, becoming the first junior college in the United States. William Rainey Harper, the University of Chicago's inaugural president, played a crucial role in establishing this institution and the junior college concept in general.
1901: White Sox Begin Play
The Chicago White Sox began playing on the South Side continuously in 1901 and won their first American League pennant that same year.
1905: Benjamin Ferguson Art Trust
In 1905, Benjamin Ferguson established a trust to fund public art in Chicago.
1906: White Sox First World Series Win
The White Sox won their first World Series title in 1906.
1906: Cubs vs. White Sox World Series
The Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, the city's two Major League Baseball teams, competed against each other in the World Series in 1906, their only such meeting.
1907: Bugmobile Founded
The Brass Era car builder Bugmobile was founded in Chicago in 1907 during the city's involvement in the automobile revolution.
1908: Start of the Cubs' Championship Drought
In 1908, the Chicago Cubs began their infamous championship drought, which would last until 2016.
1910: Start of African American Migration Wave
Between 1910 and 1920, Chicago's Black population doubled as African Americans migrated from the American South.
1910: Start of the Great Migration
Between 1910 and 1930, Chicago witnessed a substantial increase in its African American population, rising from 44,103 to 233,903. This demographic shift was primarily driven by the availability of employment opportunities in the city, attracting African Americans from the Southern United States. The period marked the beginning of the Great Migration.
1910: Chicago as a Railroad Hub
By 1910, Chicago had solidified its status as the nation's railroad center, with over 20 railroads operating passenger services from six downtown terminals.
1912: Poetry Magazine Founded
Poetry magazine, an influential literary publication, was founded in Chicago in 1912 by Harriet Monroe, an art critic for the Chicago Tribune.
1917: White Sox Second World Series Win
The White Sox won their second World Series title in 1917.
1919: Chicago Race Riot
In 1919, Chicago experienced a significant race riot amidst the ongoing Great Migration, which saw a substantial influx of African Americans from the Southern United States seeking employment opportunities.
1919: Start of the Gangster Era
The ratification of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution in 1919, initiating Prohibition, marked the commencement of the gangster era in Chicago. This period witnessed intense conflicts between gangsters like Al Capone, Dion O'Banion, Bugs Moran, and Tony Accardo against law enforcement and amongst themselves.
1920: Tenant Rent Strikes
From 1920 to 1921, Chicago experienced a series of tenant rent strikes, which subsequently led to the establishment of the Chicago Tenants Protective Association and the enactment of the Kessenger tenant laws, as well as a heat ordinance mandating landlords to maintain temperatures above 68 °F in flats during winter months.
1920: Continued Growth of African American Population
Chicago's Black population continued to grow, doubling again between 1920 and 1930.
1920: Annexation of Neighboring Townships
Between 1851 and 1920, Chicago underwent substantial expansion by incorporating numerous adjacent townships. The most extensive annexation took place in 1889, incorporating five townships, including Hyde Park and Jefferson, which now constitute a significant portion of Chicago's South and Northwest Sides respectively. This expansion was largely driven by the desire of these townships to access the municipal services provided by the city.
1921: Kessenger Tenant Laws and Heat Ordinance
In 1921, following a series of tenant rent strikes from 1920, Chicago saw the passage of the Kessenger tenant laws and a heat ordinance. This legislation aimed to protect tenant rights and ensure adequate living conditions by requiring landlords to maintain a minimum temperature of 68 °F in flats during the winter months.
1924: Formation of the Society for Human Rights
In 1924, Chicago became the first American city to establish a homosexual-rights organization, known as the Society for Human Rights. The organization published "Friendship and Freedom," the first American publication for homosexuals. However, it was eventually forced to disband due to police and political pressure.
1926: Blackhawks Begin Play
The Chicago Blackhawks, one of the "Original Six" NHL teams, started playing in 1926.
1927: Last Republican Mayor Elected
The last time Chicago elected a Republican mayor was in 1927 when William Thompson won.
1928: Beginning of the Tax Revolt
Between 1928 and 1933, Chicago grappled with a tax revolt, rendering the city unable to fulfill its payroll obligations or provide adequate relief efforts. The fiscal crisis was eventually resolved in 1933, coinciding with the influx of federal relief funding.
1929: St. Valentine's Day Massacre
The St. Valentine's Day Massacre, a notorious event in Chicago's gangster era, took place in 1929. Orchestrated by Al Capone, the massacre involved the killing of members of the North Side gang, a rival group led by Bugs Moran.
1930: End of the Great Migration
By 1930, the African American population in Chicago had grown significantly to 233,903, as a result of the Great Migration. This period witnessed a substantial cultural impact, known as the Chicago Black Renaissance, which contributed to the New Negro Movement in art, literature, and music. However, it was also marked by persistent racial tensions and violence, including the Chicago race riot of 1919.
1930: Establishment of "Black Belt"
By 1930, two-thirds of Chicago's Black population resided in areas with 90% Black composition, primarily on the South and West Sides. A lesser known fact is that the 4600 block of Winthrop Avenue in Uptown was the only location on the North side where African Americans could live or own businesses.
1930: Growth of Chicago's "Black Belt"
In 1930, the "Black Belt" on Chicago's South Side became a major center for African American life, with two-thirds of the city's Black population living in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
1931: Shift in Chicago's Political Landscape
In 1931, amidst the Great Depression, Chicago's political landscape underwent a significant transformation as the Republican political machine was effectively dismantled due to the economic crisis. Since then, every elected mayor has been a Democrat.
1933: Impact of the Great Depression
By 1933, the Great Depression had severely impacted Chicago's economy, leading to the loss of over 50% of industrial jobs. The city's dependence on heavy industry exacerbated the effects of the economic downturn, particularly in south side industrial areas and neighborhoods along the Chicago River. Unemployment rates among Black and Mexican communities exceeded 40%.
1933: Assassination Attempt on FDR and Chicago's Centennial Celebration
In 1933, Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak was fatally wounded during a failed assassination attempt on President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt in Miami, Florida. That same year, Chicago also began its centennial celebrations, culminating in the Century of Progress International Exposition World's Fair in 1934.
1933: Resolution of Fiscal Crisis and Influx of Federal Relief
In 1933, Chicago resolved the fiscal crisis that had gripped the city since 1928, due to a tax revolt. This coincided with the arrival of federal relief funding, offering much-needed support to the city during the Great Depression.
1933: End of Prohibition
In 1933, Prohibition, which had been in effect since 1919, was repealed, marking the end of the gangster era in Chicago. This period was characterized by significant violence and criminal activity related to the illegal production and sale of alcohol.
July 24, 1934: Record High Temperature
Chicago's highest official temperature of 105°F (41°C) was recorded on July 24, 1934.
1934: Century of Progress International Exposition
In 1934, Chicago hosted the Century of Progress International Exposition World's Fair as part of its centennial celebration. The fair's theme centered on technological advancements achieved over the century since Chicago's founding.
1935: Workers Alliance of America
By 1935, the Workers Alliance of America began organizing the poor, workers, and unemployed in Chicago, advocating for their rights and needs during the challenging times of the Great Depression.
1937: Memorial Day Massacre
In the spring of 1937, the Memorial Day Massacre occurred at Republic Steel Works in Chicago's East Side neighborhood, highlighting the ongoing labor struggles and tensions of the era.
December 2, 1942: World's First Controlled Nuclear Reaction
On December 2, 1942, physicist Enrico Fermi achieved the world's first controlled nuclear reaction at the University of Chicago as a part of the Manhattan Project. This breakthrough was pivotal in the development of the atomic bomb, which the United States used in World War II in 1945.
1942: Boulevard System Construction Ends
Construction on Chicago's boulevard system ended in 1942.
1945: Use of Atomic Bomb in WWII
In 1945, the United States utilized the atomic bomb, developed as a consequence of the first controlled nuclear reaction achieved in Chicago on December 2, 1942, during World War II.
1950: Start of Population Decline
Chicago's population, over 3.6 million in 1950, began to decline in the latter half of the 20th century.
1950: Chicago's Peak Population
In 1950, Chicago reached its highest recorded population of 3.6 million.
1953: Moore's Public Art
Henry Moore's "Large Interior Form" was created in 1953, among other public art installations in Chicago.
1955: Election of Mayor Richard J. Daley
Richard J. Daley, a Democrat, was elected mayor of Chicago in 1955, marking a significant moment in the city's political history during the era of machine politics.
1956: Annexation of O'Hare Airport Land
In 1956, Chicago undertook its final major expansion by annexing the land beneath O'Hare Airport, including a small section of DuPage County.
1956: Lithuanian Opera Company Founded
The Lithuanian Opera Company of Chicago, presenting operas in Lithuanian, was established by Lithuanian Chicagoans in 1956.
1966: Chicago Freedom Movement
In 1966, Martin Luther King Jr. and Albert Raby led the Chicago Freedom Movement, culminating in agreements between Mayor Richard J. Daley and the movement leaders.
1968: Joseph Jefferson Awards Established
The Joseph Jefferson Awards, recognizing excellence in Chicago area theater, were first presented in 1968.
1968: 1968 Democratic National Convention
Chicago hosted the 1968 Democratic National Convention, marked by tumultuous protests and confrontations between police and anti-war demonstrators.
1968: Chicago Imagists
In 1968, members of the Chicago Imagists created bizarre representational paintings.
1969: Chicago Imagists Continued
The Chicago Imagists continued their work producing bizarre representational paintings in 1969.
1973: Robert P. Hanrahan Elected
Republican Robert P. Hanrahan was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing a portion of Chicago, in 1973.
1974: Sears Tower Becomes World's Tallest
The Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) became the world's tallest building in 1974.
1975: Robert P. Hanrahan Leaves Office
Robert P. Hanrahan's term representing part of Chicago ended in 1975.
1977: Chicago Marathon Begins
The first Chicago Marathon was held in 1977.
1979: Jane Byrne Elected Mayor
Jane Byrne was elected as Chicago's first female mayor in 1979. She is known for temporarily residing in the Cabrini-Green housing project and for addressing the city's school system's financial crisis.
1979: Pope John Paul II's Visit
Pope John Paul II visited Chicago in 1979.
1983: Harold Washington Elected Mayor
Harold Washington became Chicago's first black mayor in 1983, focusing on neglected minority neighborhoods during his first term.
1983: Harold Washington Elected Mayor
Harold Washington, an independent Democrat, was elected mayor of Chicago in 1983.
January 20, 1985: Record Low Temperature
Chicago's lowest official temperature of -27°F (-33°C) was recorded at O'Hare Airport on January 20, 1985.
1985: Bears Win Super Bowl XX
In 1985, the Chicago Bears won Super Bowl XX.
1987: Chicago Half Marathon
A half marathon replaced the usual Chicago Marathon in 1987.
1987: Re-election and Death of Harold Washington
Harold Washington was re-elected as mayor in 1987 but died of a heart attack shortly after, succeeded by Eugene Sawyer.
1987: Harold Washington Leaves Office
Harold Washington's term as Mayor of Chicago ended in 1987.
1987: Previous Chicago Teachers' Strike
The Chicago Teachers Union's previous strike before 2012 occurred in 1987.
1989: Richard M. Daley Elected Mayor
Richard M. Daley, son of Richard J. Daley, was elected mayor in 1989. His tenure included park improvements, sustainable development initiatives, and the controversial closure and destruction of Meigs Field.
1989: Richard M. Daley Becomes Mayor
Richard M. Daley began his tenure as Chicago's longest-serving mayor in 1989.
1990: Overtaken by Los Angeles
In 1990, Los Angeles surpassed Chicago as the second-largest city in the United States.
1990: Chicago's South Side as Largest Black Majority Region
By 1990, Chicago's South Side and surrounding suburbs formed the largest Black-majority area in the United States.
1991: Lollapalooza Begins
Lollapalooza, a music festival, originated in Chicago in 1991 and initially toured various cities.
1992: Illinois Becomes "Solid Blue"
Illinois became a reliably Democratic state in presidential elections starting in 1992, largely due to Chicago's Democratic vote.
1992: Chicago Flood
In 1992, a construction accident caused a breach in the Chicago River, flooding downtown tunnels and causing significant damage and financial losses.
1993: Parliament of the World's Religions
The second Parliament of the World's Religions was held in Chicago in 1993.
1994: World Cup in Chicago
In 1994, Chicago's Soldier Field hosted games for the FIFA World Cup.
1995: Blue Bag Recycling Program
Chicago initiated a "blue bag" recycling program in 1995 to divert recyclable materials from landfills.
1995: Michael Patrick Flanagan Elected
Michael Patrick Flanagan, a Republican, was elected to represent a part of Chicago in the U.S. House in 1995.
1995: Heatwave
Midway Airport experienced a heat index of 125°F (52°C) during the 1995 heatwave.
1997: Chicago Fire Founded
The Chicago Fire soccer club was founded in 1997.
1997: Michael Patrick Flanagan Leaves Office
Michael Patrick Flanagan's term representing part of Chicago in the U.S. House concluded in 1997.
1999: Judge Mathis Begins Filming in Chicago
Judge Mathis started filming his syndicated courtroom show at the NBC Tower in Chicago in 1999.
2000: Population Rebound
Chicago saw a rise in population in the 2000 census.
2002: Freight Train Congestion in Chicago
By 2002, Chicago had become a major bottleneck for freight trains, with transit times through the region sometimes equaling cross-country trips from the West Coast.
2003: Top Dining Destination
In 2003, Chicago was named the country's "most exceptional dining destination" by Robb Report.
2005: O'Hare: World's Busiest Airport
In 2005, O'Hare International Airport held the title of the world's busiest airport by aircraft movements and was the second busiest in terms of passenger volume.
2005: Lollapalooza Settles in Chicago
In 2005, after years of touring, Lollapalooza established Chicago as its permanent home.
2005: White Sox Third World Series Win
The Chicago White Sox won their third World Series title in 2005.
2006: Chicago Sky Founded
The Chicago Sky, a WNBA team, was founded in 2006.
2007: Chicago Music Industry Report
A 2007 report by the University of Chicago Cultural Policy Center ranked Chicago highly in the U.S. music industry, third in size and fourth in the number of concerts and performances.
2008: Merchandise Mart Zip Code Change
The Merchandise Mart's dedicated zip code was discontinued in 2008.
2008: Shift to Blue Bin Recycling
Due to low participation, Chicago transitioned from the blue bag program to a pilot blue bin recycling program in 2008, which later expanded citywide.
2008: Chicago's Parking Meter Deal
Struggling with a budget deficit in 2008, Chicago signed a 75-year, $1.16 billion agreement to lease its parking meter system, a move Mayor Daley defended as beneficial to taxpayers.
2009: Chicago Leases Parking Meters
In 2009, Chicago leased its public street parking meter system to Chicago Parking Meters LLC, a Morgan Stanley-backed entity, in a 75-year deal.
2010: Population Decline Continues
By 2010, Chicago's population had fallen to under 2.7 million.
2010: Temporary Population Dip
Following the rise in 2000, Chicago's population experienced a decrease in 2010.
2010: Blackhawks Stanley Cup Win
The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010.
2010: Projected Increase in Rail Freight
The U.S. Department of Transportation predicted a substantial increase (almost 150%) in rail freight traffic through Chicago between 2010 and 2040.
February 23, 2011: Rahm Emanuel Elected Mayor
Rahm Emanuel won the mayoral election on February 23, 2011.
May 16, 2011: Rahm Emanuel Sworn In
Rahm Emanuel was sworn in as mayor of Chicago on May 16, 2011.
2011: Blizzard
Chicago experienced a significant blizzard during the winter of 2011.
September 10, 2012: Chicago Teachers' Strike
Chicago teachers went on strike on September 10, 2012, over issues such as pay and resources.
2012: Sanctuary City Designation
Chicago officially became a sanctuary city in 2012 with the passage of the Welcoming City Ordinance.
2012: Start of Period with High Alderman Corruption
The period between 2012 and 2019 saw a high number of Chicago alderpersons convicted on corruption charges.
July 2013: Divvy Bike-Sharing System Launched
Chicago's bike-sharing system, Divvy, began operations in July 2013 with 750 bikes and 75 docking stations, managed by Lyft for the city's Department of Transportation.
September 9, 2013: Merchandise Mart Loses Zip Code
As of September 9, 2013, the Merchandise Mart, once the world's largest building, lost its own zip code, which it had until 2008.
2013: Red Stars Join NWSL
The Chicago Red Stars joined the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in 2013.
2013: Chicago School District Enrollment
The Chicago school district had an enrollment of over 400,545 students in the 2013-2014 school year.
2013: Blackhawks Stanley Cup Win
The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2013.
2013: Report on Gang Violence and Crime
In 2013, reports linked most of Chicago's violent crime to gang activity related to drug-selling territories and the Sinaloa Cartel.
2013: Top Metropolitan Area for Corporate Relocations
From 2013 through 2018, Chicago held the top spot in the nation as the most attractive metropolitan area for corporate relocations.
2013: Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage
Following the legalization of same-sex marriage in Illinois in 2013, over 10,000 same-sex couples married in Cook County, many in Chicago.
2013: Report on Alderman Campaign Contributions
A 2013 report revealed that over half of Chicago's elected alderpersons accepted illegal campaign contributions.
2014: Religious Demographics
A 2014 Pew Research Center study indicated that Christianity was the most practiced religion in Chicago (71%), with Catholicism and Protestantism being the largest branches. The study also noted a significant non-Christian population (22%), including those identifying as Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu.
2014: Report on Chicago's "Choice System"
A 2014 report analyzed Chicago's "choice system" for high schools and how it sorted students by achievement levels.
2014: Study on Religion in Chicago
A study on religion in Chicago was conducted in 2014.
2014: Tourism Boom
Chicago attracted a large number of tourists in 2014, contributing over US$13.7 billion to the city's economy.
2014: Christian Denominations
In 2014, the Catholic Church was the largest Christian denomination in Chicago (34%). Evangelical Protestantism was the largest Protestant branch (16%), followed by Mainline Protestants (11%) and historically Black churches (8%).
2014: Non-Christian Faiths
Non-Christian faiths comprised 7% of Chicago's religious population in 2014, with Judaism having at least 261,000 adherents (3% of the population).
2014: Rush University Medical Center Ranked Highly
Rush University Medical Center earned a high ranking (second best) in the Chicago metro area by U.S. News & World Report for the period 2014–16.
2015: LGBT Population Estimate
In 2015, about 4% of Chicago's population identified as LGBT.
2015: Blackhawks Stanley Cup Win
The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2015.
2015: Rahm Emanuel Re-elected
Rahm Emanuel was re-elected as mayor in 2015.
2015: Decline of Steel Industry
By 2015, the number of steelworkers in Chicago had drastically decreased to 28,000, down from a peak of 250,000 in the 1960s due to the steel crisis of the 1970s and 1980s.
2015: High Percentage of Carless Households
In 2015, Chicago had a notably high percentage of households (26.5%) without a car.
2016: End of the Cubs' Championship Drought
The Chicago Cubs' long championship drought finally ended in 2016.
2016: Increase in Carless Households
The percentage of carless households in Chicago rose slightly to 27.5% in 2016, exceeding the national average significantly.
September 2017: Gross Metropolitan Product and Economic Diversification
In September 2017, Chicago's gross metropolitan product was estimated at $670.5 billion. The city was also recognized for its balanced and diversified economy.
2017: Walkability Ranking
A 2017 study ranked Chicago as the sixth most walkable among the fifty largest U.S. cities.
2017: WYCC Ends PBS Affiliation
In 2017, Chicago public television station WYCC discontinued its affiliation with PBS, leaving WTTW as the sole PBS member station in the city.
2017: Chicago's Financial Exchanges
In 2017, Chicago's financial exchanges, including the Chicago Stock Exchange, the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (the "Merc"), traded a significant volume of derivatives, amounting to 4.7 billion.
2017: Northwestern Memorial Hospital Ranked Best
Northwestern Memorial Hospital secured the top spot in U.S. News & World Report's rankings of Chicago metropolitan area hospitals for 2017–18.
2018: Boulevard System Listed on National Register
Chicago's Park Boulevard System Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.
2018: Ultra-High-Net-Worth Residents
In 2018, Chicago ranked seventh globally for the number of ultra-high-net-worth residents, with about 3,300 individuals having a net worth exceeding $30 million.
2018: Updated LGBT Population Estimate
The Chicago Department of Health estimated that approximately 146,000 Chicagoans (7.5% of the adult population) were LGBTQ in 2018.
2018: Windy City Live Remains Sole Daytime Talk Show
As of 2018, "Windy City Live" was recognized as Chicago's only locally produced daytime talk show, hosted by Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini at ABC7 Studios.
2018: End of Relocation Streak
2018 marked the end of a six-year period where Chicago was ranked the nation's top metropolitan area for corporate relocations.
2018: Chicago's Economic Growth
In 2018, Chicago's gross domestic product (GDP) reached $689 billion, establishing its position as one of the world's leading urban regions in terms of economic output.
January 2019: Newsy Expands Chicago Operations
Newsy, a news network, significantly expanded its Chicago presence in January 2019 by beginning to produce the majority of its live programming from its new facility in the city.
January 2019: Polar Vortex
A polar vortex in January 2019 nearly broke Chicago's all-time low temperature record.
May 2019: Electric Scooter Pilot Program Announced
Chicago announced a pilot program for shared electric scooters in May 2019, involving 10 companies and set to run from June 15 to October 15.
July 2019: Heatwave
Chicago experienced a significant heatwave in July 2019, with dew point temperatures reaching nearly 80°F (27°C).
July 2019: Divvy Expands Coverage
By July 2019, Divvy had significantly expanded its reach to 5,800 bicycles and 608 stations, covering a large portion of Chicago but excluding certain neighborhoods.
July 2019: Racial and Ethnic Demographics
In July 2019, U.S. census estimates showed non-Hispanic Whites as the largest racial or ethnic group in Chicago (32.8%), followed by Blacks (30.1%) and Hispanics (29.0%).
2019: End of Period with High Alderman Corruption
The period with a high rate of Chicago alderman being convicted on corruption charges ended in 2019.
2019: Lori Lightfoot Elected Mayor
Lori Lightfoot, Chicago's first African American woman and openly LGBTQ mayor, was elected in 2019.
2019: Nexstar Media Group Acquires Tribune Broadcasting
In 2019, Nexstar Media Group acquired Tribune Broadcasting, gaining control of WGN-TV and eventually transforming WGN America into NewsNation in 2021.
2020: Study on Jewish Population
A 2020 study estimated Chicago's total Jewish population, including both religious and non-religious individuals, at 319,500.
2020: Jewish Population Estimate
A 2020 study estimated the total Jewish population in the Chicago metropolitan area at 319,500, including religious and non-religious individuals.
2020: Renewed Population Growth
After the dip in 2010, Chicago's population rose again in the 2020 census.
2020: 2020 Census
As of the 2020 census, Chicago's population was recorded as 2,746,388, making it the third-most populous city in the United States, following New York City and Los Angeles.
2020: Chicago Crime Rate
Chicago's crime rate reached 3,926 per 100,000 people in 2020.
2021: WGN America Becomes NewsNation
WGN America, formerly owned by Tribune Broadcasting, was rebranded as NewsNation in 2021 following Nexstar Media Group's acquisition.
2021: Minimum Wage Increase
Chicago's minimum wage for non-tipped employees reached $15 per hour in 2021, establishing it as one of the highest in the nation.
2021: Chicago Ranked Walkable City
Chicago was ranked the fourth-most walkable large city in the United States in 2021.
2022: Median Income and Poverty
According to the 2022 American Community Survey, Chicago's median household income was $70,386, and per capita income was $45,449. About 17.2% of the population lived below the poverty line.
2022: Parking Meter Revenue Exceeds $1.5 Billion
By 2022, Chicago Parking Meters LLC investors had already collected over $1.5 billion in revenue from the city's parking meters.
2022: Fortune 500 Companies Leave Chicago
In 2022, three Fortune 500 companies left Chicago, reducing the city's total number of such companies to 35, although it retained its second-place ranking behind New York City.
2022: Ancestral Groups Data
The 2022 American Community Survey collected data on specific ancestral groups with 10,000 or more members in Chicago.
May 15, 2023: Brandon Johnson Becomes Mayor
Brandon Johnson took office as Chicago's 57th mayor on May 15, 2023.
2040: Projected Rail Freight Volume
The volume of rail freight moving through Chicago is projected to increase significantly by 2040, emphasizing the city's role as a central rail hub.
2081: End of Parking Meter Lease
The lease agreement for Chicago's parking meters is set to expire in 2081.