First of all good luck in your interview.

Here are some good things
-Opportunity to find a new job in the event you decide to leave your current job. There are enough major companies in Chicago.
-A lot of younger people live on the Northside in the area's you mentioned.
-Great town to go partying in.
-Deep Dish Pizza is wonderful
-A lot of opportunities for a new job if needed. Much more than Phoenix.

Bad things
-TAXES!!!!! They are AWFUL here! One reason why I am looking to leave.
-Commute times can be awful especially from Chicago to Northbrook. You will need a car for this one. The problem with using the Metra is that the "reverse commute" trains are pretty limited e.g. Northbound in the Morning, Southbound in the Afternoon. Here is the link to the Metra timetable for the Northbrook line.
http://metrarail.com/content/metra/e.../md-n/map.html
-The Bears drafting. Yes football fans I am mad about our draft pick.

Regarding the murder rate it isn't as bad as they say BUT the problem of "Flash Mobs" is increasing and at an alarming rate sadly.

I'd have to think about coming here long and hard a lot of it would depend on the salary.