The Chemical Plant

Chemical production is a rapidly growing industry in Chicago. In addition to striking out against crime, Mayor Hadewich also lead a push to help clean up the city's major water source - the Chicago River. This has lead to a boom in plants producing water-treatment chemicals such as sodium aluminate. The National Aluminate Corporation (Nalco) is the leading producer of sodium aluminate both in Chicago and the nation as a whole.

The Nalco Plant is located along the banks of the Chicago River and is identifiable by its water tower. The factory is composed of several squat, low-to-the-ground brick buildings with hanger-style rooftops. Huge sacks of powdery, white sodium-aluminate can be seen stacked up outside the large garage doors, ready to be transported by truck throughout the various industrial plants in the city.