The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is the third largest district court in the U.S. The Northern District of Illinois is home to the five largest cities in Illinois: Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, and Naperville. Also known as "The Windy City," Chicago is the third most populous city in the U.S. with nearly 2.7 million inhabitants and more than 8 million people living in the Chicago metropolitan area. With Lake Michigan as its eastern border, Chicago covers more than 237 square miles. The Northern District of Illinois is comprised of two divisions: the Eastern Division and the Western Division.

The Eastern Division's Dirksen Courthouse is located in downtown Chicago and overlooks the beautiful Lake Michigan. Chicago is home to several museums and cultural institutions including the Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium. A center of art and culture, Chicago has over 200 theaters, nearly 200 art galleries, and more than 7,300 restaurants. Known for its magnificent skyline, Chicago is home to buildings designed by some of the world's most renowned architects including Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Mies van der Rohe, who designed the Eastern Division's Dirksen Courthouse. Professional Chicago sports teams include the Bulls (NBA), Sky (WNBA), Bears (NFL), Cubs (MLB), White Sox (MLB), Fire (MLS), Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), and Red Stars (NWSL). Chicago is a major world finance center. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Chicago Stock Exchange, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange are within blocks of the courthouse. The Northern District of Illinois is home to three international airports including O'Hare International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world.

The Western Division's Roszkowski Courthouse is in downtown Rockford and overlooks the Rock River. Rockford, also known as the "City of Gardens," has more than 10,000 acres of natural areas, recreational areas, lakes, rivers, and forest including the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. The Roszkowski Courthouse grounds feature beautiful landscaping including flowering crabapple trees throughout the premises. Rockford is home to the IceHogs, playing at the BMO Harris Bank Center and serving as the top minor league affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. The Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford Art Museum, Burpee Museum of Natural History, Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens, Rock Cut State Park, Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Coronado Performing Arts Center, and the Sinnissippi Park and Golf Course are also located in Rockford.

Major universities in the Northern District of Illinois include University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Loyola University, University of Illinois at Chicago, DePaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology and Northern Illinois University.