Service-sector jobs are an increasingly important part of Chicago’s economy. The three industries profiled in this report – hotels, retail, and restaurants – represent nearly 188,000 jobs in the city of Chicago and over 720,000 in the Chicagoland region – nearly one job in five. Beyond this, they are important components of Chicago’s hospitality and tourism infrastructure and key sources of entry-level employment opportunities for individuals with low levels of educational attainment or work experience.
