Naperville, Illinois is dynamic - it is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and the fourth largest city in Illinois, with about 135,000 residents. Naperville has been acclaimed for its high-achieving schools and library system and as a fine community in which to raise a family, run a small business, or to retire. Living in Naperville allows access to plenty -- opportunity, convenience, education, culture, and entertainment. As with much of Chicago's environs, history is important and well preserved. Naperville has its own museums, historic district and even an 'Americana vacation' destination, with a preserved and re-enacted version of the original village, at the Naper Settlement.

A  Ride to Work: Being just 28 miles west of downtown Chicago, easy access to the Interstate and to O'Hare and Midway airports make Naperville a business-friendly and worker-friendly city. Adding to that ease of flow are the railway systems, both a freight distribution system and the burb-splicing Metra commuter line. Whether one works in Chicago itself or in any of the suburbs in-between, Naperville residents can get there! Residents can also commute just 12 miles further west to Aurora, Illinois's third largest city, via the Metra on the Burlington Northern railway. Naperville has two railway stations serving its residents as well as two park-n-ride lots for their cars. Further, Amtrak provides service from Naperville's main station to points west of Aurora. An alternative for commuters and all residents is the suburban bus system, Pace.

Naperville has a growing high-tech business atmosphere, including its long-time resident employer, Lucent Technologies (with approximately 5,000 employees). Other 'tech' employers include Tellabs with about 1000 employees and Solar Communications with about 400 employees. Utilities also are large employers in Naperville with Nicor Gas providing approximately 2100 jobs and BP Amoco with about 1400 employees. The two School Districts comprising all of Naperville's schools together employ nearly 2500 people.

Naperville's downtown bustles, and is a highly desirable place for merchants to do business. Old homes, new homes, old-fashioned railway stops, new-fashioned boutiques 'downtown'-- all come together to achieve Naperville's eclectic and very American look and feel. Within the village are many sections under consideration as historic districts. Naperville has its own Historical Society. From their homepage: "Inspired by the Village's approaching centennial celebration in 1973, a group of concerned residents began to scour the community in search of data and memorabilia that would be useful in public exhibits and presentations of its 100 year history. Because of the difficulties encountered in collecting such material, the idea of a permanent historical organization was conceived. In April 1975, the Naperville Historical Society, under the auspices of the Village's Board of Trustees, was granted a charter as a not-for-profit corporation by the State of Illinois." Whether or not their town is formally labeled, residents are aware that they are living in a remarkable area. Naperville's preserved homes regularly attract architecture and history connoisseurs.* It is not surprising that Naperville's citizens take so much pride in their noteworthy community!