Here's a positive article from the Michigan Avenue magazine --

The Biggest Bash in the World

"A lot of money and hard work are required to prepare for the Olympics; organizers estimate that hosting the event will cost nearly $4 billion. The good news is that there will be returns, because that hard work will often be done by out-of-town engineers, architects, designers, and planners—an army of professionals who will come to Chicago for years, from the moment the winning city is selected in October until well after the Games are over. That’s good for business. They will come here to work, then spread out and begin shopping, helping bring what organizers estimate will be an additional $22.5 billion to the local economy over a 10-year period."

Steve Chapman of the Chicago Tribune offers this more negative viewpoint --

Torched by the Olympics?

"But what does Chicago really stand to gain from it? It's not like we were unknown, even before a Chicagoan went to the White House. And it's hard to believe all the publicity has a long-term payoff. How many people do you know who were inspired to visit Calgary after the 1988 Winter Games?"

"Many residents would get to see Olympic events in person, something they would never do otherwise, which is worth something. But for most of the rest of the people in the region, it will be a major hassle, a minor hassle or an irrelevance."