Is it really not thriving? Surely it's relative vs SF/NYC, but when I got here in the 90s, it was all just banking & insurance. Also advertising, but very little tech there. It was super frustrating at the time, but the last decade has shown quite a bit of growth of "modern" startups, imo. It may not be those other hubs, but as Mr Bourdain would probably say, Chicago doesn't care.

On the weather... "A nice day in Chicago is a nicer day than anywhere else in the world." -- Anonymous.

75 degrees with no humidity is heaven here, and _everyone_ you see feels the same way. Outdoor dining, festivals, parks, etc. People grind through January just to see June, and it shows. 75 degrees with no humidity in San Diego is just another Tuesday.