<DIV>The pride of the midwest, Chicago has recently been named one of the top cities in the US for architecture, conventions, tourism, dining, sports and culture.The Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, touted as the most important new cultural building in Chicago in our lifetime, is set to open in mid- May. The city has a non-stop year round schedule of festivals, from the Chicago Blues Festival to Taste of Chicago to Lollapalooza, many of which are accompanied by free events to coincide. The restaurant scene has expanded dramatically over the last decade and its reputation is stellar.</DIV>