COMMUNITY PROFILES
Chicagoland seems to offer the finest of every imaginable service and facility, regardless of the endeavor. Internationally famous healthcare and research institutions include the Illinois Medical District, home to Rush University Medical Center, the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago, and John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County—the largest trauma center in the city. The University of Chicago operates the University of Chicago Hospitals, consistently ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report. Highly respected medical schools underline the exemplary level of healthcare services and facilities in this region, where hospitals tend to be staffed by the brightest and most talented professionals in the nation.
Two of America’s leading research universities are located in Chicagoland, the University of Chicago in Hyde Park and Northwestern University in Evanston. Prestigious Catholic universities in this area include DePaul University, St. Xavier University, and Loyola University—the largest Jesuit Catholic university in the nation. Many of the institutions in this region are internationally renowned, including several fine art schools. Columbia College Chicago is also well-known for its performing arts and communications programs. Along with public and private colleges, the region is well-served by community college systems that provide affordable starts on a four-year degree as well as career and vocational programs, customized training for local businesses, and continuing education opportunities for students of all ages.