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East Chicago City Government: . East Chicago is classified as a second-class city under Indiana law, which classifies all cities by population. It is governed by a City Council of nine members, and a full-time Mayor - all elected for four-year terms. Other elected officials include a City Clerk, Township Assessor, and Township Trustee. The number of full-time employees is 910. The city's boundary encompasses 12 square miles.

Police Protection: One police station with 120 police officers.

Fire Protection: Four fire stations with 90 firefighters.

Airports: Gary Municipal Airport (east and immediately adjacent to East Chicago) A reliever airport to ease congestion at Midway and O'Hare Airports in Chicago. Gary Municipal offers regularly scheduled, as well as on demand, cargo service and corporate aircraft service up to DC 9's. The terminal area comprises 19,000 square feet, and handles more than 95,000 flights a year. Repair and hangar facilities are available.

Midway Airport (32 miles) and O'Hare Airport (52 miles) provide regularly scheduled major airline service, as does Michigan Airport in South Bend, 45 miles to the east.

Commuting: East Chicago residents still receive free bus & para-transit service.

Waterways:
Nearby Lakes: Lake Michigan
Rivers: (1) Grand Calumet

There are some outstanding incentives for business to expand existing facilities, or locate new operations in East Chicago.

The first is tax abatement. This incentive provides for abatement of all new taxes assessed on machinery and equipment as well as real estate improvements made by the owner for a period up to ten years. It is imperative that a statement of benefits be approved by the City of East Chicago via an abatement proposal prepared with the assistance of Business Development Department staff, prior to any purchase or construction.

A second important incentive is the newly established Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). This lending program can provide to eligible project applicants up to $75,000 per project. The funds come from a pool of funds provided by local banks and a grant from the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Government. This Revolving Loan Program can work in conjunction with a private bank loan providing applicants meet guidelines and conditions of the RLF program.

A third incentive exists through the Northwest Indiana Business Development Corporation (NIBDC). This agency is serviced by Business Development Department staff who assist business owners to receive SBA 504 and 7A loans. These programs also work in conjunction with a private bank which participates in the loan package for applicant meeting guidelines set forth by the Small Business Administration . For more info click here: Planning & Business Development

A state park and a national park are located within 20 miles east of East Chicago.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore A 14,000 acre park that contains many different environments: clean, sandy beaches, huge sand dunes covered with trees and shrubs, bogs and marshes, and various animals and plants. A Visitor's Center includes a hard-surfaced nature trail. The National Lakeshore also has beaches, marked nature trails, picnic areas, the famous Bailly Homestead and Chelberg Farm, cross-country skiing, riding trails, and camping.

Indiana Dunes State Park Consists of 2,182 acres of historical and unique Hoosier landscape. The park occupies three miles of Lake Michigan lakefront with white sand dunes and beaches. About 1,800 acres are covered with densely forested hills with rare flowers and ferns. It has the famous shifting sand dunes, one of which has created the 192-foot Mount Tom. There are 17 miles of marked hiking trails, swimming, cross-country skiing, picnic facilities, campgrounds, nature center, and naturalist service.

Boating: There is one marina with 294 wet slips and 250 for dry storage. It also is home of the East Chicago Yacht Club and Indiana Harbor Boat Club. The marina facility has catering facilities a deli and a Mobile Marine Store.

City Park System: Includes more than 200 acres for respite and recreation. There are 20 parks that offer activities ranging from picnicking, golfing, swimming, and tennis, to exercise. The city also has (8) recreational centers with various activities happening during the year. The city-owned marina also provides an opportunity for considerable water activities including fishing. The parks range in size from as little as one acre to more than 36 acres.

Golf Courses: There is one golf course in East Chicago (Par 3, 9 Holes) - McArthur Park, and seven in close proximity to East Chicago: Briar Ridge Country Club, Broadmoor Country Club, Calumet Golf Club, Idlewild Country Club, Innsbrook Country Club, Wicker Park Country Club, and Woodmar Country Club.

There are over 57 different religious institutions of various denominations in our city.