DOSSIER - Chicago: business in a city of art

For a long time, Chicago prospered in the shadow of its neighbour New York. But the economic crisis, which has hit Wall Street hard, has probably given the Illinois metropolis a new lease of life. Having weathered the storm better than other American cities thanks to its formidable economic fabric and its position as an air and rail hub, Chicago has also managed to forge a new image for itself, one that is more clearly in tune with the times. The "city that works", as its outgoing mayor Richard Daley likes to say, has also become the city that enjoys the pleasures of life. There are 23 Michelin-starred restaurants, a host of some of the most glamorous establishments in the United States, such as the Trump Hotel & Tower, and an unrivalled cultural life. And because Chicago cultivates its pride in being an American city, it boasts some of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Without a doubt, this city, so pragmatic in its appearances, also knows how to make you dream... Text Luc Citrinot - Photos Bruno Pérousse