Chicago Board of Trade Building — Attraction in Chicago

Audited Verified Review (AVR)

Brief History

Established in 1848, the Chicago Board of Trade is one of the world’s oldest futures and options exchanges. It was founded to standardize grain trading and evolved into a major global marketplace for agricultural, financial, and other derivatives. In 2007, CBOT merged with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) to form CME Group, enhancing its global influence.

NAICS Code

The CBOT, as part of CME Group, falls under NAICS 523210 – Securities and Commodity Exchanges, reflecting its role in operating exchanges for futures and options trading.

SIC Codes

The corresponding SIC code is 6231 – Commodity Contracts Brokers and Dealers, aligning with its primary activity in futures and options markets.

Ownership

The CBOT is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CME Group Inc., a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: CME) headquartered in Chicago. CME Group operates multiple exchanges, including CBOT, CME, NYMEX, and COMEX.

Management

As part of CME Group, CBOT’s operations are overseen by CME Group’s leadership. Key executives include Terry Duffy (Chairman and CEO) and Julie Holzrichter (Chief Operating Officer). Specific CBOT management details are integrated into CME Group’s broader structure. Address: 141 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604, USA. This is the historic CBOT building, a designated Chicago landmark. Phone Number: General contact: (312) 435-3500 (CME Group’s main line, as CBOT uses centralized contact points). Website: www.cmegroup.com (CBOT’s operations are accessible through CME Group’s official website).

Economic Impact

CBOT significantly influences global commodity markets, particularly agriculture and financial derivatives. It facilitates price discovery and risk management, impacting farmers, traders, and industries worldwide. In 2023, CME Group reported $5.6 billion in revenue, with CBOT contributing substantially through trading volumes. Its presence supports Chicago’s economy via jobs and infrastructure.

Employment

CBOT-specific employment data is not isolated, as it operates under CME Group, which employs approximately 3,460 globally (2023). Roles include traders, analysts, and administrative staff, with many based in Chicago.

Compliance

CBOT adheres to regulations from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and follows CME Group’s compliance framework, ensuring transparency, market integrity, and risk management. No major compliance issues were noted in recent records.

Reputation

CBOT enjoys a strong reputation as a leading derivatives exchange, bolstered by its history and CME Group’s global standing. It is respected for innovation in trading and market stability but faces scrutiny over market volatility risks.

Social Responsibility Participation and Involvement Score (SRPIS 6/10)

CBOT, through CME Group, engages in corporate social responsibility via the CME Group Foundation, which focuses on education, community development, and economic stability. Initiatives include grants for STEM education and disaster relief. However, specific CBOT-centric programs are limited, as efforts are centralized under CME Group. Score: 6/10, reflecting moderate involvement through broader corporate initiatives but lacking distinct...

Higher-than-average quality Italian joint. Great big portions, nice menu variety, chicken parmesan is tender but not mushy, great fagioli soup, friendly and inviting atmosphere...definitely a family place, though maybe not for really little children. Celebrated a birthday dinner here, drinks came out quick, bread was fresh made (dangerous if you're a carb junkie) and the apps were hot. I loved the crunch on the calamari and the baked shrimp are HUGE, 8 of those might make a meal. It's crowded and noisy and the waiters are going a mile a minute but we never felt ignored. Have to give it to the waitress, She was never terse or upset with us, even though she had at least one belligerent table in the corner that gave her no peace. As you can see, the Tiramisu is made in giant sheet pans designed to feed the military; highly unlikely that you walk away from this place still hungry. I finished my meal and made Room for dessert and...regretted it later, but totally worth it at the time. Less commercial than Buca di Beppo but not a hole in the wall either. Those stuffed pork chops sound fantastic, will...

This is an incredible building to visit if you are interested in architecture, American history, or the Art Deco movement. The interior of the lobby is covered in subtle and symbolic references to trade and industry (wheat, grains, owls, and machinery), and the exterior towers to the brim with a 30-foot statue of a faceless woman made of steel. The Chicago board of trade has several basements, one of which holds a giant walk-in safe where Al Capone once rented a safety deposit box. Unfortunately the safe is no longer available to the public to walk into, but you can walk right up to it to view the 20-ton door. Even the flooring in this building is full of industry, with depictions of early 20th century airplanes, zephyrs, and marine vessels. The elevators, mailboxes, sconces and pretty much every detail has beautiful art-deco style embellishments. Definitely worth a visit, and...