Tucked in the northwest corner of Cook County, suburbs such as Hoffman Estates, Palatine, South Barrington and Schaumburg vary widely in personality and composition. Schaumburg, the largest in population, is home to Ikea and Woodfield Mall, the largest mall in the Chicago area. Palatine, developed on a wooded marshland, comes in at a close second in size. Hoffman Estates, while smaller, is the most densely populated of the four suburbs and is home to AT&T's Midwest headquarters and Sears Holding Corporation. South Barrington, tiny in comparison, and arguably the most affluent in the area, is home to the famous mega church, Willow Creek Community Church.

Heavy traffic can double or triple commute times, so area locals know to check the highway reports before leaving home. Normal drive time into the city from this area is about 30 minutes via the Interstate 90 tollway. An easy 20 minute drive will take residents to O'Hare International Airport.