Hair Follicle Drug Testing Chicago, IL
Accredited Drug Testing Inc provides Hair Follicle drug testing Chicago, IL for individuals and employers needing a drug test utilizing the hair follicle analysis process. To schedule a hair follicle drug test in Chicago, IL, Call (800) 221-4291. Most testing centers are within minutes of your home or office.
Hair follicle drug testing Chicago, IL is available for 5, 10, and 12 panel drug screenings.
To schedule a Hair Follicle Drug Test at one of our testing centers in the Grady county area, Call (800) 221-4291, Same Day Service Available. Testing centers do not require an appointment, but you must call and register for the test.
Hair follicle drug testing is becoming a more popular method by employers and individuals in need of a drug test due to the detection time frame being longer than a standard urine test.
Local Hair follicle drug testing Chicago, IL centers are available to assist our clients throughout the entire process and all of our hair follicle drug testing Chicago, IL facilities have certified drug testing technicians available to conduct a hair follicle drug test collection.
Hair Follicle Drug Test
In recent years the method to conduct drug testing has more frequently included a hair follicle drug test. Many employers, courts and Substance Abuse Professional are requiring a hair follicle drug test instead of a standard urine test. Hair follicle drug tests are used by employers who have zero tolerance drug use policies, courts and individuals on probation. The primary benefit of a hair follicle drug test include a much longer detection period for drug use which typically is up to 90 days. However, when screening drug use within the last 5 days the urine test continues to be the most accurate test.
Hair Follicle Drug Test Process
The procedure used to perform a hair follicle test is simple, the drug testing specialist will cut approximately 120 strands of hair (not really a lot) utilize a chain of custody procedure and send the hair to a certified laboratory for analysis. Drug testing centers require at least 1.5 inches of hair to perform this test and the hair generally needs to come from the head, however if the donor does not have head hair certain testing centers can use hair from chest, leg or arm pit.
If a donor has no hair on their body, than a hair test cannot be performed!
Hair Follicle Drug Test Results
Once the hair follicles have been analyzed by a certified laboratory they will then be reviewed and then verified by a Medical Review Officer (licensed Physician) who will than release the results. Generally a negative hair follicle drug test result is available in 2-3 days. A non-negative hair follicle drug test is available in approximately 5 days.
Urine cut-off levels are expressed in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or as a weight of drug per unit volume of urine. Hair cut-off levels are expressed in picograms per milligram (pg/mg) or as a weight of drug per unit weight of hair
5 Panel Hair Follicle Drug Test
The 5 panel hair follicle drug test screens for the following
- Amphetamine
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine
5 Panel w/ Expanded Opiates Hair Follicle Drug Test
The 5 panel w/ expanded Opiates hair drug test screens for the standard 5 drugs but will also screen for Opiate class drugs such as pain killers, which may indicate abuse of prescription drugs
- Amphetamine
- Cocaine
- Codeine
- Marijuana
- Morphine
- Phencyclidine
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- 6 AM- Heroine
10 Panel Hair Follicle Drug Test
The 10 panel hair follicle drug test screens for the following
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Methadone
- Methamphetamine
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine
- Propoxyphene
12 Panel Hair Follicle Drug Test
The 12 panel hair follicle drug test screens for the following
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Meperidine
- Methadone
- Opiates
- Oxycodone
- Phencyclidine
- Propoxyphene
- Tramadol
To schedule a Hair follicle Drug Testing Chicago, IL Call (800)221-4291.
Accredited Drug Testing Inc. is pleased to provide hair follicle drug testing, alcohol testing, occupational health and DNA testing services in Chicago, IL.
2361 Reliable Parkway 0.0 miles
Chicago, IL 60686
2393 Reliable Parkway 0.0 miles
Chicago, IL 60686
3145 S ASHLAND AVE STE 110 1.2 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60608
2907 S WABASH AVE STE 100 1.4 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60616
3201 S WALLACE ST 1.4 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60616
3316 S ASHLAND AVE 1.4 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60608
2600 S Michigan Ave 1.4 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60616
811 S STATE ST STE B 1.9 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60605
2929 S ELLIS AVE 2.0 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60616
600 W ADAMS ST 2.1 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60661
REMIT ONLY: DEPT 77-6478 2.1 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60678
75 REMITTANCE DR STE 1660 2.1 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60675
614 W MONROE ST 2.1 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60661
300 W ADAMS ST STE 835 2.2 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60606
1230 W LAKE ST 2.5 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60607
36 W RANDOLPH ST STE 705 2.5 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60601
55 E WASHINGTON ST STE 2500 2.6 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60602
311 N ABERDEEN ST STE 100B 2.6 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60607
111 N Wabash Ave Ste 1514, 2.6 miles
Chicago, IL 60602
300 E RANDOLPH ST CL404 2.8 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60601
835 S WOLCOTT AVE STE E144 2.9 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60612
676 N SAINT CLAIR ST STE 900 3.1 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60611
1030 W CHICAGO AVE 3.2 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60642
219 W CHICAGO AVE 3.3 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60654
650 W 51ST ST 3.4 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60609
233 E ERIE ST STE 602 3.4 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60611
1460 N Halsted St Ste 201, 4.0 miles
Chicago, IL 60642
5709 S. Loomis Blvd 4.2 miles
Chicago, IL 60636
1044 N FRANCISCO AVE 4.3 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60622
1520 N DAMEN AVE 4.3 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60622
1431 N Western Ave Ste 137, 4.4 miles
Chicago, IL 60622
5841 S MARYLAND AVE 4.8 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60637
2400 N. Ashland Ave Suite 100 5.3 miles
Chicago, IL 60614
5525 S PULASKI RD FL 3 5.5 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60629
2800 N Sheridan Rd Ste G1, 5.8 miles
Chicago, IL 60657
2868 N BROADWAY ST 5.8 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60657
5601 W CERMAK RD 5.9 miles
CICERO, IL 60804
3000 N. Halsted, Suite 604 6.0 miles
Chicago, IL 60657
4940 S CICERO AVE 6.2 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60638
413 S HARVEY AVE 7.1 miles
OAK PARK, IL 60302
1974 E 73RD ST 7.1 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60649
5015 W 65TH ST 7.2 miles
BEDFORD PARK, IL 60638
537 N HARVEY AVE 7.5 miles
OAK PARK, IL 60302
610 S Maple Ave, Ste 5800 8.1 miles
Oak Park, IL 60304
8751 S Greenwood Ave Ste 106, 8.4 miles
Chicago, IL 60619
7222 W CERMAK RD 8.5 miles
NORTH RIVERSIDE, IL 60546
7230 W NORTH AVE STE 106B 8.7 miles
ELMWOOD PARK, IL 60707
6500 W 65TH ST 8.7 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60638
4211 N CICERO AVE 8.9 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60641
4126 N Milwaukee Ave, 9.0 miles
Chicago, IL 60641
4757 W MONTROSE AVE 9.1 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60641
3317 W 95TH ST LOWR LEVEL STE 5 9.2 miles
EVERGREEN PARK, IL 60805
2333 N HARLEM AVE STE 100 9.5 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60707
10242 S VINCENNES AVE 9.8 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60643
2300 W PETERSON AVE 9.9 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60659
6140 N BROADWAY ST 9.9 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60660
7107 W BELMONT AVE 10.0 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60634
5961 N LINCOLN AVE UNIT 2 10.1 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60659
900 E 103RD ST 10.1 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60628
1734 W 105TH ST 10.2 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60643
3101 N HARLEM AVE LOWER LEVEL 10.4 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60634
1225 W LAKE ST STE 101 10.6 miles
MELROSE PARK, IL 60160
5660 W 95TH ST 10.7 miles
OAK LAWN, IL 60453
4801 W Peterson Ave Ste 205, 10.9 miles
Chicago, IL 60646
8755 S HARLEM AVE 11.2 miles
BRIDGEVIEW, IL 60455
Fitness Department, 11.2 miles
Melrose Park, IL 60101
2615 HARRISON ST 11.2 miles
BELLWOOD, IL 60104
125 N LA GRANGE RD 11.5 miles
LA GRANGE, IL 60525
9532 EAGLE WAY 11.6 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60678
10837 S Cicero Ave Ste 310, 11.6 miles
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
5533 W 109TH ST STE 103 12.2 miles
OAK LAWN, IL 60453
6170 JOLIET RD 12.4 miles
COUNTRYSIDE, IL 60525
800 Austin St, East Tower Ste 457 12.6 miles
Evanston, IL 60202
4830 N Cumberland Ave Ste 9 12.6 miles
Norridge, IL 60706
4900 N CUMBERLAND AVE 12.6 miles
NORRIDGE, IL 60706
1983 N MANNHEIM RD 12.7 miles
MELROSE PARK, IL 60160
7742 W HIGGINS RD 12.7 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60631
5101 WILLOW SPRINGS RD 12.8 miles
LA GRANGE, IL 60525
12647 S JUSTINE ST 12.9 miles
CALUMET PARK, IL 60827
2450 WOLF RD STE I 12.9 miles
WESTCHESTER, IL 60154
10137 GRAND AVE 13.0 miles
FRANKLIN PARK, IL 60131
12942 S CARPENTER ST 13.2 miles
CALUMET PARK, IL 60827
6191 N CANFIELD AVE 13.3 miles
CHICAGO, IL 60631
6555 WILLOW SPRINGS RD STE 6 13.4 miles
LA GRANGE HIGHLANDS, IL 60525
2310 York St Ste 4A 13.4 miles
Blue Island, IL 60406
4800 W 129TH ST 14.1 miles
ALSIP, IL 60803
4200 MANNHEIM RD 14.1 miles
SCHILLER PARK, IL 60176
8125 RIVER DR STE 102 14.1 miles
MORTON GROVE, IL 60053
4742 CAL SAG RD 14.4 miles
CRESTWOOD, IL 60445
7800 W College Dr, Room 1-W 14.6 miles
Palos Heights, IL 60463
155 E BRUSH HILL RD 14.8 miles
ELMHURST, IL 60126
4709 W. Golf, Suite 806 14.9 miles
Skokie, IL 60076
6449 DEMPSTER ST 15.0 miles
MORTON GROVE, IL 60053
40 S CLAY ST STE 100E 15.1 miles
HINSDALE, IL 60521
12255 S 80TH AVE 15.2 miles
PALOS HEIGHTS, IL 60463
534 CHESTNUT ST, STE 230 15.2 miles
HINSDALE, IL 60521
1200 S YORK RD Center for Health 15.3 miles
ELMHURST, IL 60126
565 N YORK ST 15.6 miles
ELMHURST, IL 60126
O'Hare International Airport Terminal 2 15.7 miles
Chicago, IL 60666
3831 S HOHMAN AVE 15.8 miles
HAMMOND, IN 46327
535 PLAINFIELD RD STE C 15.9 miles
WILLOWBROOK, IL 60527
321 W LAKE ST STE C 16.1 miles
ELMHURST, IL 60126
4020 S CALUMET AVE 16.1 miles
HAMMOND, IN 46320
ONSITE ONLY 16.2 miles
WILLOWBROOK, IL 60527
1 KRAFT CT 16.3 miles
GLENVIEW, IL 60025
533 W North Ave, LL Suite 50 16.4 miles
Elmhurst, IL 60126
1600 Dempster St Ste 218, 16.6 miles
Park Ridge, IL 60068
6300 KINGERY HWY STE 404 16.8 miles
WILLOWBROOK, IL 60527
1240 IL ROUTE 83 16.8 miles
BENSENVILLE, IL 60106
15600 HONORE AVE 16.9 miles
HARVEY, IL 60426
8630 W GOLF RD 17.3 miles
NILES, IL 60714
16246 PRINCE DR 17.6 miles
SOUTH HOLLAND, IL 60473
5500 Hohman Ave Ste 1D 17.6 miles
Hammond, IN 46320
813 SIBLEY ST 17.8 miles
HAMMOND, IN 46320
7421 S CASS AVE 18.0 miles
DARIEN, IL 60561
18W125 RODGERS CT 18.0 miles
DARIEN, IL 60561
4321 FIR ST STE 313 18.1 miles
EAST CHICAGO, IN 46312
16501 KEDZIE AVE 18.1 miles
MARKHAM, IL 60428
onsite for POH only 18.2 miles
ORLAND PARK, IL 60462
639 W NORTH AVE 18.3 miles
VILLA PARK, IL 60181
1113 Fairview Ave, 18.5 miles
Westmont, IL 60559
14475 John Humphrey Dr Ste 100, 18.5 miles
Orland Park, IL 60462
1595 VALENCIA CT 18.6 miles
CALUMET CITY, IL 60409
2340 S Highland Ave Ste 330, 18.6 miles
Lombard, IL 60148
100 N RIVER RD 18.7 miles
DES PLAINES, IL 60016
303 W LAKE ST 18.8 miles
ADDISON, IL 60101
2200 LANDMEIER RD STE 2200 18.9 miles
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL 60007
6624 MONROE AVE 19.1 miles
HAMMOND, IN 46324
1010 165TH ST 19.1 miles
HAMMOND, IN 46324
16325 HARLEM AVE STE 110 19.1 miles
TINLEY PARK, IL 60477
130 S MAIN ST 1ST FL IMMEDIATE CARE OCC HEALTH 19.1 miles
LOMBARD, IL 60148
6423 COLUMBIA AVE UNIT A 19.1 miles
HAMMOND, IN 46320
2591 Compass Rd Ste 110, 19.2 miles
Glenview, IL 60026
2601 COMPASS RD, STE 130 19.3 miles
GLENVIEW NAS, IL 60026
129 W SAINT CHARLES RD 19.3 miles
LOMBARD, IL 60148
1830 JARVIS AVE 19.6 miles
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL 60007
17665 Torrence Ave, 19.6 miles
Lansing, IL 60438
2150 PFINGSTEN RD STE 3000 19.9 miles
GLENVIEW, IL 60026
2150 PFINGSTEN RD 19.9 miles
GLENVIEW, IL 60026
17148 HARLEM AVE 20.1 miles
TINLEY PARK, IL 60477
9570 W 159TH ST STE A 20.1 miles
ORLAND PARK, IL 60467
1060 S ELMHURST RD 20.2 miles
MOUNT PROSPECT, IL 60056
2450 169TH ST 20.3 miles
HAMMOND, IN 46323
2741 RIDGE RD 20.4 miles
LANSING, IL 60438
2741 RIDGE RD FL 2 20.4 miles
LANSING, IL 60438
6701 159TH ST OCC HEALTH 20.5 miles
TINLEY PARK, IL 60477
1339 W LAKE ST 20.6 miles
ADDISON, IL 60101
875 ROOSEVELT RD STE 200 20.6 miles
GLEN ELLYN, IL 60137
7905 CALUMET AVE 20.6 miles
MUNSTER, IN 46321
18665 DIXIE HWY 20.7 miles
HOMEWOOD, IL 60430
2380 S ELMHURST RD 20.8 miles
MOUNT PROSPECT, IL 60056
7530 WOODWARD AVE 20.8 miles
WOODRIDGE, IL 60517
7530 Woodward Ave. Suite G, 20.8 miles
Woodridge, IL 60517
8135 S Calumet Ave 20.9 miles
Munster, IN 46321
1214 Brownwood Ste B 21.0 miles
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
5404 W 25TH AVE STE107 21.1 miles
GARY, IN 46406
126 BIESTERFIELD RD 21.3 miles
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL 60007
7501 W 15TH AVE 21.4 miles
GARY, IN 46406
19150 South Kedzie Avenue, Suite 101 21.4 miles
Flossmoor, IL 60422
10737 W. 165TH STREET 21.5 miles
ORLAND PARK, IL 60467
701 WINTHROP AVE 21.5 miles
GLENDALE HEIGHTS, IL 60139
4519 W 5TH AVE 21.7 miles
GARY, IN 46406
8840 CALUMET AVE, STE 204 21.8 miles
MUNSTER, IN 46321
303 E Army Trail Rd, Ste 111 21.9 miles
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
18210 LA GRANGE RD STE 110 21.9 miles
TINLEY PARK, IL 60487
19550 GOVERNORS HWY 22.0 miles
FLOSSMOOR, IL 60422
211 E ARMY TRAIL RD 22.1 miles
BLOOMINGDALE, IL 60108
273 E ARMY TRAIL RD 22.1 miles
BLOOMINGDALE, IL 60108
3040 SOUTHCREEK LANE 22.7 miles
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60005
605 W CENTRAL RD STE 101 23.0 miles
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60005
605 ACADEMY DR 23.0 miles
NORTHBROOK, IL 60062
800 W CENTRAL RD 23.1 miles
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60005
1100 W. Central Rd., Suite 402 23.3 miles
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
14330 S WILL COOK RD 23.5 miles
HOMER GLEN, IL 60491
306 ERA DR 23.5 miles
NORTHBROOK, IL 60062
113 W LAKE ST 23.6 miles
BLOOMINGDALE, IL 60108
19070 EVERETT BLVD, UNIT 111 23.6 miles
MOKENA, IL 60448
1573 N CLINE AVE 23.6 miles
GRIFFITH, IN 46319
1375 E SCHAUMBURG RD 23.8 miles
SCHAUMBURG, IL 60194
1423 CHICAGO RD 23.8 miles
CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL 60411
3145 45TH ST STE F 23.9 miles
HIGHLAND, IN 46322
30 E 15TH ST STE 100 23.9 miles
CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL 60411
130 N WEBER RD STE 108 24.2 miles
BOLINGBROOK, IL 60440
121 SOUTH WILKE RD, #405 24.2 miles
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60005
544A W DUNDEE RD 24.3 miles
WHEELING, IL 60090
391 S BOLINGBROOK DR 24.3 miles
BOLINGBROOK, IL 60440
484 W Boughton Rd, 24.5 miles
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
480 QUADRANGLE DR 24.6 miles
BOLINGBROOK, IL 60440
902 W DUNDEE RD RIDGE PLAZA 24.8 miles
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60004
1190 S NAPER BLVD 24.9 miles
NAPERVILLE, IL 60540
808 E Woodfield Rd Ste 400, 24.9 miles
Schaumburg, IL 60173
PO BOX 63 24.9 miles
MOKENA, IL 60448
519 S ROSELLE RD 25.0 miles
SCHAUMBURG, IL 60193
245 S GARY AVE STE 101 25.0 miles
BLOOMINGDALE, IL 60108
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Handy Resources
Comprehensive Online Resources for Drug Testing
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Provides comprehensive information on drug testing and its role in substance use disorder treatment.
- FDA: Drug Testing
Explains the FDA's role and regulations concerning drug testing for consumers.
- PDR.net
Provides detailed drug information and safety updates through a mobile-friendly platform.
- BeSafeRx - FDA
Resource by the FDA to help consumers identify and choose safe online pharmacies.
- SAMHSA: Drug Testing Resources for the Workplace
Resources and guidelines for drug testing in the workplace.
- Drugs.com
Provides drug information, side effects, and interactions for consumers and professionals.
- Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST)
Online version of the DAST to help individuals assess whether they have a drug problem.
- Merck Manuals
Consumer-friendly medical resource providing comprehensive information on a wide array of health topics, including drug testing.
- SAMHSA Store
Provides access to resources and publications on substance use prevention and treatment.
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
Information on state boards of pharmacy and regulations, including those related to drug testing.
- CDC: Workplace Health Promotion
CDC's resources on substance use and drug testing in the workplace.
- Mayo Clinic: Drug Testing
General information about the procedures and types of drug tests.
- MedlinePlus: Drug Testing
Offers information about various drug tests and their uses in medical diagnosis and treatment.
- University of Rochester Medical Center Health Encyclopedia
Provides a detailed entry on drug testing, including how tests are conducted and what they detect.
- World Health Organization (WHO)
International guidelines and information on public health, including substance abuse and drug testing.
- Healthline: Drug Testing
Consumer health site offering information on how drug tests work and what they look for.
- WebMD: Drug Testing
Provides a patient-oriented overview of drug testing and its purposes.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
Provides a vast database of scientific studies, including research on drug testing and its effectiveness.
AI Overview
Hair Follicle Drug Testing: An Overview
Hair follicle drug testing is a method used to detect the use of illicit drugs or the misuse of prescription drugs over an extended period. Unlike urine tests, which can detect recent drug use, hair follicle testing provides a longer window of detection, typically up to 90 days. This overview explores how hair follicle drug testing works, its applications, and its benefits.
How Hair Follicle Drug Testing Works
The process involves taking a small sample of hair, usually from the head but sometimes from the body if scalp hair is insufficient. The hair is tested to identify drugs and their metabolites, which are deposited in the hair from the bloodstream. This method is sensitive to a wide range of substances, including marijuana, cocaine, opiates, methamphetamine, and phencyclidine (PCP).
Applications of Hair Follicle Drug Testing
- Employment Screening: Many employers use hair follicle testing as part of their pre-employment screening processes and in regular checks to ensure a drug-free workplace.
- Legal and Forensic Cases: This testing is used in legal settings to provide evidence in custody disputes, DUI cases, and other legal matters requiring proof of drug use.
- Rehabilitation Monitoring: Health care providers and rehab centers use hair tests to monitor individuals recovering from drug addiction.
Advantages of Hair Follicle Drug Testing
- Long Detection Period: Can detect drug use for up to 90 days, making it more effective for identifying long-term drug use than other testing methods.
- Tamper Resistance: The nature of hair sample collection makes it difficult to tamper with or substitute samples, providing more accurate results.
- Non-invasive: The process is simple and does not require the handling of bodily fluids, making it less invasive and safer to administer.
Considerations and Limitations
While hair follicle drug testing is highly effective, there are considerations to keep in mind:
- Growth Rate Variability: Hair growth rates can vary from person to person, potentially affecting the detection window.
- Potential for External Contamination: Drugs can sometimes be absorbed from the environment, leading to potential false positives, though washing the hair sample prior to testing can mitigate this risk.
- Cultural and Personal Concerns: The requirement of hair samples can raise concerns among those with hair loss or individuals whose cultural practices affect hair grooming or styling.
Hair follicle drug testing is a reliable and comprehensive method for detecting drug use over an extended period. It is widely used across various sectors for its accuracy and tamper-resistant methodology, making it a valuable tool in maintaining drug-free environments and supporting legal and medical interventions.
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Local Area Info: Chicago
Chicago , officially the City of Chicago, is the most populous city in Illinois, as well as the third most populous city in the United States. With an estimated population of 2,716,450 (2017), it is the most populous city in the Midwest. Chicago is the principal city of the Chicago metropolitan area, often referred to as Chicagoland, and the county seat of Cook County, the second most populous county in the United States. The metropolitan area, at nearly 10 million people, is the third-largest in the United States, and the fourth largest in North America (after Mexico City, New York City and Los Angeles) and the third largest metropolitan area in the world by land area.
Located on the shores of freshwater Lake Michigan, Chicago was incorporated as a city in 1837 near a portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed and grew rapidly in the mid-nineteenth century. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed several square miles and left more than 100,000 homeless, the city made a concerted effort to rebuild. The construction boom accelerated population growth throughout the following decades, and by 1900 Chicago was the fifth largest city in the world. Chicago made noted contributions to urban planning and zoning standards, including new construction styles (including the Chicago School of architecture), the development of the City Beautiful Movement, and the steel-framed skyscraper.
Chicago is an international hub for finance, culture, commerce, industry, technology, telecommunications, and transportation. It is the site of the creation of the first standardized futures contracts at the Chicago Board of Trade, which today is the largest and most diverse derivatives market gobally, generating 20% of all volume in commodities and financial futures. O'Hare International Airport is the one of the busiest airports in the world, and the region also has the largest number of U.S. highways and greatest amount of railroad freight. In 2012, Chicago was listed as an alpha global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network, and it ranked seventh in the entire world in the 2017 Global Cities Index. The Chicago area has one of the highest gross domestic products (GDP) in the world, generating $680 billion in 2017. In addition, the city has one of the world's most diversified and balanced economies, not being dependent on any one industry, with no single industry employing more than 14% of the workforce.