I know you mentioned moving to Chicago for a cooler climate.. Not knowing where you're from or what you're used to I'd just throw out my two cents and recommendation being the Dallas / Fort Worth area. You'll get ALOT more "bang" for your "buck" in terms of housing. No state income tax or sales tax on food or clothing as well. You'll pay some of the highest taxes in the country other than the west coast in Chicago vs Dallas. The base is also rather Jr as far as F/Os go and it's not too bad on the CA side either. (2yrs is the most jr CA)

As far as weather it is hot.. But also dry. It's not humid or swampy feeling like the SE part of the country or even some of the northern plains like OK or KS. I've enjoyed living here thus far.