It has achieved international notoriety as a world financial center and cultural Mecca. Its diversified economy is based on manufacturing, finance, printing and publishing, insurance and food processing. A substantial industrial base and a well-developed transportation network of highways, airways and waterways contribute to the city's position as a national transportation and distribution center. Because of its size, its ethnic diversity and the easy access to and from the city, Chicago has become a major distribution hub of narcotics and other controlled substances for the entire heartland of the United States. Chicago is a major hub for illicit drug trafficking by Mexican, Colombian and Nigerian criminal cartels distributing cocaine, heroin and marijuana in Chicago and throughout the entire Midwest.
Street gangs dominate the local distribution and sale of illicit drugs.
As a result, the number of drug related crimes, principally violent crimes, is particularly high. The executive committee assures the coordinated efforts of the various agencies and the elimination of duplicated efforts. They also support programs aimed at demand reduction. The office of the Executive Director oversees the cooperative efforts of each initiative and assures the appropriate resources are allocated when required. The ISC directly supports the investigation.