Found this list of reading material for the windy city today and thought it was fortuitous. If you need a book for the plane, hotel room, or just to get inspired one of these might be worth a look: 5 Terrific Modern Chicago Novels
:D -Ooooh ... Devil in the White City paints the history of the planning and execution of the World's Columbian Expo in 1893, as well as delineating the exploits of a clever, prolific serial killer operating from a murder castle just a short walk away from the fair, with all the excitement of an epic thriller. Fun and fascinating read! It's a cluster bomb of Chicago trivia.
My favorite Chicago-based literature is Jim Butcher's "Dresden Files". With a nod to pulp fiction P.I. serials the protagonist is a wizard-for-hire. Much of his adventures happen in and around the Chicago area.
Gotta agree with ErictheRed. The Dresden Files are among my favorite book series right now. Clever, funny, and plenty of surprises. Also set right across the Lake from me, it hits home.