Chicago's northwest suburbs have experienced tremendous growth since the late 1960's. Wheeling has developed and redeveloped in response to its community's growth including the advancement of recreational services. Seven park commissioners work to provide comprehensive leisure programs--one of the best in Northern Illinois. Wheeling is a few minutes drive to Golf Mill, Randhurst, Hawthorne Center, and Northbrook Court shopping centers. The village hosts at least a dozen more malls.

The string of inns, taverns and eateries established in the 1830's for travelers moving through Illinois into the Wisconsin territory was the start of what is now Wheeling's renowned Restaurant Row. Wheeling emerged as a center for industry and commerce in the 1960's. Currently, Wheeling's motto is “A Community of Choice”. Wheeling prides itself on its strong community base dedicated to helping the less fortunate. It is a community that takes action and provides strong “grassroots” organizational assistance to numerous causes on various levels.