DuPage County, Illinois

DuPage County, Illinois is a county located in the northeastern part of the state, approximately 20 miles west of Chicago. The county is bordered by Cook County, Illinois to the east, Kane County, Illinois to the west, Will County, Illinois to the south, and Kendall County, Illinois to the southwest. DuPage County is home to several major cities, including Aurora, Naperville, and Wheaton, which serves as the county seat. The county is also home to several institutions of higher education, including Wheaton College, North Central College, and College of DuPage.

Geography

DuPage County is situated in the Midwestern United States and is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The county's terrain is characterized by rolling hills, wooded areas, and several rivers, including the DuPage River and the Salt Creek. The county's geography is also influenced by the presence of several lakes, including Lake Ellyn and Lake Michigan. DuPage County is bordered by several major highways, including Interstate 88, Interstate 355, and U.S. Route 20, which provide access to nearby cities like Chicago, Joliet, and Rockford. The county is also served by two major airports, O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport, which are located in nearby Cook County, Illinois.

History

DuPage County was founded in 1839 and was named after the DuPage River, which runs through the county. The county's early history was influenced by the presence of several Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi and the Ottawa. The county was also home to several early settlers, including Stephen A. Douglas, who later became a prominent United States Senator and Abraham Lincoln's opponent in the Lincoln-Douglas debates. During the American Civil War, DuPage County played an important role in the Union Army's efforts, with several regiments being formed in the county, including the 8th Illinois Infantry Regiment and the 12th Illinois Cavalry Regiment. The county was also home to several notable figures, including Ernest Hemingway, who was born in Oak Park, Illinois, and Ray Kroc, who founded McDonald's in nearby Des Plaines, Illinois.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, DuPage County had a population of 932,877 people, making it one of the most populous counties in Illinois. The county's population is diverse, with a mix of White Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic and Latino Americans. The county is also home to several major employers, including Navistar International, Caterpillar Inc., and Nalco Holding Company, which are headquartered in nearby Warrenville, Illinois, Aurora, and Naperville, respectively. DuPage County is also served by several major hospitals, including Loyola University Medical Center, Edward Hospital, and Central DuPage Hospital, which are located in nearby Maywood, Illinois, Naperville, and Winfield, Illinois, respectively.

Government

DuPage County is governed by a county board, which is composed of 18 members elected from 6 districts. The county is also served by several other government agencies, including the DuPage County Sheriff's Office, the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, and the DuPage County Clerk's Office. The county is part of the Illinois's 6th congressional district, which is represented by Sean Casten, and the Illinois Senate, which is represented by several senators, including Dan McConchie and John Curran. DuPage County is also home to several notable politicians, including Peter Roskam, who represented the county in the United States House of Representatives, and Jim Oberweis, who represented the county in the Illinois Senate.

Economy

DuPage County has a diverse economy, with major industries including healthcare, technology, and manufacturing. The county is home to several major companies, including Bell Labs, Lucent Technologies, and Tellabs, which are headquartered in nearby Naperville and Lisle, Illinois. The county is also served by several major shopping centers, including Woodfield Mall, Oakbrook Center, and Stratford Square Mall, which are located in nearby Schaumburg, Illinois, Oak Brook, Illinois, and Bloomingdale, Illinois, respectively. DuPage County is also home to several major transportation hubs, including O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport, which provide access to several major airlines, including United Airlines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.

Education

DuPage County is served by several major institutions of higher education, including Wheaton College, North Central College, and College of DuPage. The county is also home to several major school districts, including Community Unit School District 200, Naperville Community Unit School District 203, and Glenbard High School District 87, which serve several major cities, including Wheaton, Naperville, and Glen Ellyn, Illinois. DuPage County is also served by several major libraries, including the Wheaton Public Library, the Naperville Public Library, and the Downers Grove Public Library, which provide access to several major resources, including JSTOR, EBSCO Information Services, and ProQuest. The county is also home to several notable educational institutions, including the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, which is located in nearby Batavia, Illinois, and the Argonne National Laboratory, which is located in nearby Lemont, Illinois.