With more than two dozen Fortune 500 companies making their headquarters in Chicago, the Windy City is a financial powerhouse. The city produced $419 billion in 2005 and boasts more than 200,000 firms. More than 11 million contracts exchange hands on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange a day and $90 billion in currency transactions.

Entrepreneurs are seizing their chance and making the most of the city with more than 172,000 companies with fewer than 20 employees.

FOX Business reporter Sandra Smith heads back to her hometown to prove American prosperity is alive and well.

Chicago: By the Numbers

29 Fortune 500 companies call Chicago home, including Boeing, Wm. Wrigley and Northern Trust Corp.

The Sears tower is the nation’s tallest building with 110 floors

The Magnificent Mile stretches across 8 city blocks with over 460 stores

Renters pay a median price of $803 a month for housing

Chicagoans took home a median income of $43,223 in 2006

190,000 travelers pass through O'Hare International Airport every day

The median house value was $277,900 in the Windy City for 2006

More than 2 million books are housed in the world’s largest public library: Harold Washington Library Center

$16 billion went to NAFTA country partners in 2007

A Glance in the Rearview Mirror

1.) What has changed about your hometown the most since you left?
The skyline. Two buildings expected to be the tallest in the world are already in the works in Chicago adding to the large number of high rises that have been popping up over the past several years. Yet you can still count on the Sears tower and the John Hancock building to define the ever-changing Chicago skyline.

2.) What one characteristic in your life now do you credit your hometown for planting in you?
Friendly demeanor. The people in the Midwest are among the friendliest in the country. Complete strangers smile and wave when they pass- I love that. It was all about the people for me.

3.) What do you miss the most?
The loop. It's an area in downtown Chicago where the elevated train makes a loop around what is essentially the business district. I grew up going down there with my dad, seeing my uncles and my brother at the exchanges. To this day, when I am back there, I bop my head into brokerages and trading floors to say hi to people that have known me since I was a kid.

4) Given the chance, would you move back? Why?
Never say never. Everyone always asks me- which do you prefer? Chicago or New York? I say apples and oranges. I love both, but for very different reasons.

5.) What economic opportunity has your hometown lost?
Closing down Meigs field. Big mistake.

6.) What does your hometown not get enough credit for?
Its beauty. It’s funny how people picture Lake Michigan as some tiny little lake. It is a spectacular place to sail, run or bike on the lakefront, or even just take in the view.

The Business of Baseball

*Statistical Source: Forbes.com

Where the Jobs Are

Agricultural	<1%
Construction	6%
Manufacturing	11%
Wholesale Trade	3%
Retail Trade	9%
Transportation	6%
Information	3%
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate	9%
Professional, Scientific, Management	14%
Education, Health Care, Social Assistance	20%
Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Food Services	10%
Other Services	5%
Public Administration	5%

*Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2006

What's Happening in Chi-town

• Cubs Fans Make Unusual Futures Bet On World Series Tickets
• Chicago Tribune Cuts 14% of News Staff
• Southern Illinois University: Drinking Age Should Stay Put
• Surprise Cargo Inspection Conducted at O'Hare Airport
• New Wave of Riders Spurs Amtrak Upgrade Talks
• Chicago Mayor: Politics Won't Play Role in City Layoffs