Featured Research
Report: Chicagoland’s Solar Landscape
Federal investments, statewide initiatives, and expanded capacity and demand in Chicagoland have prompted investment in the region’s solar industry. Specifically, the establishment of Cook County Solar Synergy — initially funded…
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Chicago Business Bulletin: Future of Food
The World Business Chicago Research Center’s latest Chicago Business Bulletin: Future of Food reveals the data behind Chicago’s dominance in food innovation. The World Business Chicago Research Center…
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Chicago Business Bulletin: Chicagoland By the Numbers
The World Business Chicago Research Center has published the Chicago Business Bulletin: Chicagoland By the Numbers — an annual snapshot of the data, trends, and insights shaping the region’s economy.…
Read MoreChicago Business Bulletin: Chicagoland by the Numbers
A Comprehensive View of Chicagoland
Economic Dashboard
Updated monthly, the Economic Dashboard is a snapshot of how the city and region are performing compared to peer metro areas.
One Pagers & Reports
Why Chicago?
View the latest one pagers and reports from WBC’s Research Center
Asset Map:
Research Library
Explore the data on Chicago and the Region
The World Business Chicago Research Center delivers original research and data-driven insights on priority industries, emerging trends, and the diverse drivers shaping Chicagoland’s economy. See resources below organized by format and topic.
Explore all of our latest in-depth reports
- Chicagoland’s Solar Landscape (2025)
- Innovation in Food and Ag (Oct. 2025)
- Chicagoland’s Economic Assets (May 2025)
- Chicagoland’s Green Future (Oct. 2023)
- Chicagoland’s Quantum Ecosystem (Aug. 2023)
- Innovation in Manufacturing & Chicagoland’s Advantages (Aug. 2023)
- Chicago:Blend Startup Diversity Report (2023)
Learn more about “Why Chicagoland” and the strengths of the nation’s third largest economy.
Chicago is the nation's food innovation and manufacturing capital, offering the nation's largest food manufacturing workforce and concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the industry.
The third highest employment numbers in the finance and insurance sector are here in Chicago- the city with the most diverse economy among US metros.
Chicago is home to the thinkers, analysts, and innovators driving one of the largest concentrations of professional, scientific, and technical talent in the nation.
Innovation and technology platforms all of Chicagoland's core industry to achieve inclusive growth and opportunity for the city’s tech, innovation, and start-up ecosystem.
A future powerhouse industry for Chicagoland- Life Science and Healthcare are concentrated in and around the central business district for Chicago, with more lab space than ever.
Chicago's manufacturing sector provides career pathways for skilled workers while producing everything from food products to industrial equipment that powers the economy.
As a top market for logistics tech, we are the nation's transportation and logistics hub serving as a crossroads of innovation and moving freight and people.
As a public-private partnership, WBC’s economic development services and convening power connects industry, startups, universities & national labs, and investors for new investments that benefit working families and Chicagoans.
Our team is an extension of yours
Get in Touch
Have a question on Chicagoland’s economy? Email us for additional information or to inquire about research requests.