Des Plaines is a municipality within Cook County, Illinois, in the United States. It is considered a suburban area of Chicago and is positioned to the north of O’Hare International Airport. The city sits alongside the Des Plaines River, which flows east of its central business district and gives the city its name.

The Des Plaines River Valley was once home to several Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi, Ottawa, and Ojibwe (also known as Chippewa), before the arrival of European settlers.

In the summer of 2022, a life-changing lottery ticket was purchased at a gas station in Des Plaines, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. The ticket, which boasts a whopping $1.34 billion value, remains unclaimed as of November 2022, leaving the identity of the lucky winner a mystery.

Des Plaines is crossed by two interstate highways – I-90, known as the Northwest Tollway, known as the Tri-State Tollway.

According to the 2020 census, the city was home to 60,675 individuals, 21,849 households, and 14,785 families.

A significant portion of the population in Cook County lives in unincorporated areas that share a zip code with Des Plaines. These regions are characterized by high population density and a predominance of multi-family housing, with a substantial proportion of residents originating from outside the United States.

The city’s 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report reveals that Rivers Casino (Des Plaines), Universal Oil Products, Oakton Community College, Sysco Food Services, Juno Lighting, Holy Family Medical Center, Wheels Inc. (passenger car and truck leasing), and LSG Sky Chefs are the leading employers in the area.

China Airlines has their Chicago office based in Des Plaines, having moved from its previous location at Michigan Plaza in the Chicago Loop.

The Des Plaines Methodist Camp Ground, a recognized historical site, has been in operation since before the city was established in 1860. It continues to be a popular destination during the summer months, offering a variety of activities such as concerts, day camps, swimming, recreation, and picnics.

Oakton Community College, established in 1969, boasts two campuses located in Skokie and Des Plaines, providing accessible higher education to the surrounding communities.

Public school districts that are part of the system are as follows:
For there are District 62 63.
For the, there is District 207, which includes Maine West High School.

Private educational institutions in the area include Immanuel Lutheran School, St. Zachary School, The Science and Arts Academy, and The Willows Academy.

Des Plaines features several important roadways, such as Interstate 90 and Interstate 294, US 12, US 14, US 45, as well as Illinois Routes 58, 72, and 83.

Des Plaines, Illinois, has been home to a variety of notable individuals throughout the years. Perry Caravello, a well-known actor and comedian, spent his childhood in the city. Eileen Fisher, a renowned clothing designer, grew up in Des Plaines as well. Adrian Fulle, a managing member of a film production company, and Shawn Green, a former professional baseball player who played for several teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets, were both born in Des Plaines. Peter M. Hoffman, a politician who served in various roles including Cook County Sheriff, Cook County Coroner, and member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, called Des Plaines home. Michael Kleen, a folklorist, publisher, and social commentator, and Tyler Ladendorf, a second baseman for the Oakland Athletics, also have ties to the city. Jill Morgenthaler, a US Army colonel and politician who served as a Homeland Security adviser in Illinois, lived in Des Plaines, as did Pelican, a post-metal band. Robert Reed, an actor best known for his role on The Brady Bunch, grew up in Des Plaines, and Jacky Rosen, a United States Senator from Nevada, spent part of her childhood in the city before moving to Arlington Heights. Rick Zombo, a former professional hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, and Boston Bruins, was born in Des Plaines. Marty Moylan, a former Illinois State Representative and Mayor of Des Plaines, and Matthew Bogusz, an advertising executive who was elected Mayor of Des Plaines at age 26, have also made significant contributions to the city’s history and development.

The 1985 box office smash The Breakfast Club was primarily shot at Maine North High School, which has since closed its doors, in the unincorporated area of Des Plaines.