Are you considering moving to Chicago? Whether you are staying there for good or visiting some tourist destinations, it is essential to know Chicago's time zone. This way, you can make excellent plans for your travels. Besides, you also need to know if this place follows the Daylight Saving Time, especially if you want to live in this city. Even if you support DST or not, knowing if there are clock changes in Chicago can help you decide whether to live in the city or not.

Living in Chicago

Before you know what time zone Chicago follows, would it be better to know more about this place? What does it feel like living in this city? Are there lots of tourist attractions that you can visit and explore?

Early History

Before being a famous city in the United States, Chicago has been a home to many indigenous people, which continues its relationship to the city, land, and even the environment. From an indigenous land to being one of the centers of international trade and commerce, Chicago is a place where you can pursue your dreams.

When it comes to indigenous people, Chicago was home to Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. He was Chicago’s first permanent non-indigenous resident who came from Haiti. His father was a French sailor, and his mother was an African slave. Sable Came to Chicago in the 1770s via the Mississippi River from New Orleans with his Native American wife. 

Fort Dearborn was built in 1803 at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, but it was destroyed in 1812 following Fort Dearborn's Battle. Although it was rebuilt in 1816, it was permanently demolished in 1857. Chicago was a humble place back then until it became one of the United States' trading centers. It was incorporated as a city in 1837. Chicago took advantage of the trading possibilities created by the nation’s westward expansion.

United States’ Third Largest City

Chicago was once hailed as the largest city in the United States until it became Los Angeles. Now, it is the third-largest city, making some people wonder whether it has different time zones. This place is home to nearly three million residents. There is no wonder why many people want to live in Chicago because this city conducts many celebrations and offers many incredible places where you can travel.

What to Love in Chicago

You will surely love visiting or living in Chicago because it takes pride in annual celebrations and hundreds of parks, gardens, and other recreational areas. It is also the second-highest percentage of commuters riding their bikes for work. According to Chicago’s official website, the city has the following:

• 600 parks
• 500 playgrounds  
• 70 nature and bird sanctuaries 
• 307 fields for soccer, football, lacrosse, and more  
• 250 field houses  
• 534 tennis courts and six indoor courts  
• 80 swimming pools  
• 29 beaches
• 26 miles of open lakefront

Aside from the recreational spaces where you and your loved ones can enjoy, you may also delight yourself with Chicago’s mouth-watering delicacies. While enjoying your travels, you can have a stopover from the following destinations:

• More than 7,300 restaurants
• 7 AAA Diamond-rated restaurants
• 26 Michelin-starred restaurants
• 40 James Beard Award-winning restaurants, and host of the annual James Beard Awards
• 54 Bib Gourmand winners
• 144 dog-friendly restaurants

Chicago’s Time Zone

Chicago is indeed a wonderful place to live in. But before you can make plans for your travels and outdoor adventures, it is essential to know what time it is. Remember, there is no single time zone in the United States, meaning the timezone in your hometown can differ from Chicago’s. Besides, some states don’t follow Daylight Saving Time.

What time zone is Chicago in? Does this city follow DST?

Chicago is in the Central Time Zone. When it comes to UTC-GMT offset, Chicago, Illinois is GMT/UTC - 6 hours during Standard Time and GMT/UTC - 5h during Daylight Saving Time. Therefore, Chicago utilizes DST. This year, the Daylight Saving Time will start on March 14, at 2:00 am local time. DST will end on November 7, 2021, at 2:00 am local time.

Do Chicago residents need to change their clocks this year? If you research the internet, you’ll know that not all states in the U.S. follow Daylight Saving Time. This fact makes some Chicago residents think that they may not need to change their clocks. However, this year, people in this city still need to change their clocks twice because there is still Daylight Saving Time. This is because the Illinois Senate has not proposed a new daylight saving time bill in 2020 based on the records search on the Illinois General Assembly's website.

The different time zones can affect your day to day activities, especially if you travel from one place to another. If you are moving to another city like Chicago, it is crucial to understand that it follows the Central Time Zone. Besides, it also observes Daylight Saving Time. Knowing these things can help you plan for your next outdoor trip.