Definitions by acb
sprawl
The term to describe unplanned and rampant suburban and urban growth because of the way it eats up the landscape and "sprawls" out the extent of a metropolitan area. Typical things associated with sprawl are megastores, identical housing, large yards, and 8-lane roads.
ORD
The abbreviation for O'Hare International Airport, located in Chicago, the busiest airport in the world.
Metra
Located in Chicagoland, it is one of the most extensive suburban commuter rail systems in the country, providing service between hundreds of suburbs and downtown Chicago.
"I take the Metra to work and it only takes 30 minutes"
"I like Metra for going downtown on the weekends"
"I like Metra for going downtown on the weekends"
NIU
Northern Illinois University, the 2nd largest institution of higher education in the state of Illinois.
Huntley
A rapidly-growing unique town on the fringes of suburbia NW of Chicago. Also the posterchild for suburban and exurban sprawl in the midwest. Famous for its small town charm, cows, outlet mall, gazebo, dairy mart, high school mascot controversey, and the largest age 55+ golf course community in the Midwest. Went from a population of 5,000 in 2000 to an estimated 20,000 in 2005.