And the top 5 are...

According to Crain's online information the top five largest employers in Chicago are
1) U.S. Government - 78,000 local employees
2) Chicago Public Schools - 43,910 local employees
3) City of Chicago - 35,570 local employees
4) Wal-Mart - 23,453 local employees
5) Cook County - 22,142 local employees.

So Wal-Mart, who the city tried to keep out so desperately, employs more people than the county? Awesome.

Another great fact:
Nationally the U.S. Government employs 1,800,000 people. Wal-Mart? Their national number is 2,100,000. Makes you wonder who is really running this country some days.