Chicago is an international hub for finance, culture, commerce, industry, education, technology, telecommunications, and transportation. It is the site of the creation of the first standardized futures contracts, issued by the Chicago Board of Trade, which today is part of the largest and most diverse derivatives market in the world, generating 20% of all volume in commodities and financial futures alone. O'Hare International Airport is routinely ranked among the world's top six busiest airports according to tracked data by the Airports Council International. The region also has the largest number of federal highways and is the nation's railroad hub. The Chicago area has one of the highest gross domestic products (GDP) in the world, generating $689 billion in 2018. The economy of Chicago is diverse, with no single industry employing more than 14% of the workforce. It is home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Archer-Daniels-Midland, Conagra Brands, Exelon, JLL, Kraft Heinz, McDonald's, Mondelez International, Motorola Solutions, Sears, and United Airlines Holdings.
Although Chicago isn't located on either coast of the United States, what factors continue to contribute to its economic success?
Even though Chicago is the biggest major in-land city in America, its diverse economic sectors allows it maintain its status as a competitive global city. Chicago is the country's main railroad hub. Not only is it paramount to the transportation of goods nationally, but its ability to ensure that not a single industry dominates more than 14% of the city's workforce helps its economic endeavors. Having one of the most active airports in the world and an infrastructure proven to be conducive to a plethora of industries, it makes it an ideal location for companies to plant their headquarters as Exelon, JLL, McDonald's, and Motorola all have done.