Amazon HQ2: Chicago weather a pro, experts say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- What is amazon founder Jeff Bezos looking for?

Access to transportation, quality of life, cost of living, an educated workforce, population. Chicago checks all the boxes listed on Amazon's initial wish list.

John Pletz of Crain's Chicago Business said Amazon will rely heavily on data when making its final decision on where to locate its 2nd headquarters.

"What we do know is they are one of the most data driven organizations anywhere...the question is what data is most important," Pletz said.

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs said Amazon should also consider weather when making its choice.

"There is a lot they must have, the question is what can they not have, I think some of those threats from weather are things they ultimately wouldn't want to invest in long term," said Karen Weigert of the Chicago Council of Global Affairs.

Weigert said climate change has made many cities, specifically the coastal ones, too risky. While Chicago may have brutal winters, it does not have destructive hurricanes.

"If you are that one company picking that one place for your only 2nd headquarters, you can make a choice to avoid those places," Weigert.

While weather can be viewed as an actual positive for Chicago, violence, and political and financial dysfunction, are negatives that Pletz said Chicago's bid team must be ready to answer, but not dwell on.

"That is where the sales pitch comes in, the city is going to have to put its best foot forward," said Pletz.