3 Chicago guys compete on 'The Bachelorette'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- On "The Bachelorette," two ladies looking for love will choose among 25 bachelors. Three of those bachelors are from the Chicago area, and they all think their Midwestern roots give them an advantage!

ABC7 asks Clint, Josh and Justin some tough questions. Their answers:

CLINT

You're a smart, successful professional, roots in the Fox River Valley; a guy like you would be considered a great catch for dozens of women in Chicago, where you live, and must be very popular. Why look for a bride this way?

I haven't really watched the show prior to this. I was submitted for the show by some women on my recreational summer volleyball team. I initially agreed to meet with producers as a sort of long-shot joke, never thinking I would go on the show in a million years. However, after watching one of the episodes from Chris Soules season on "The Bachelor" with a "superfan" friend from high school at her weekly watch party in LA, I saw one of the women who eventually became one of the Bachelorettes this season. I remember thinking that she was unlike the prototypical contestants I had seen in the past and it genuinely surprised me. My personality is pretty off-beat and can be polarizing, but I thought that she may be someone who I could really connect with, so I decided to give it a shot. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I knew I would be kicking myself if I never threw my hat in the ring when the opportunity knocked.

Midwestern guys have been very popular in this reality series; your profile reflects that you're a real romantic. How does an all-American guy approach courting two women, knowing that millions of people are watching?

I tried my best to treat the process like I would approach any "real" relationship. It's a bizarre set of circumstances, but I think the fundamental building blocks of a relationship are there. I did my best to get to know both the girls, who were truly great, and move forward with what I felt in my heart. There is an added filter with the production, cameras, lights, etc., but I went into the process with the idea that I would focus my efforts on the girl and the relationship I was building and try not to worry about anything else. I wanted to "leave it all on the table" so to speak - get to know her and let her know who I was. It is incredibly difficult to open up so quickly and entirely to someone, especially for me, as I'm not historically an "emotional open book" by any means. It is even harder to do so with the idea that your mom is going to have to watch it at some point. However, I knew that I came to the show for a reason, and in order to have a chance to find what I was looking for, I was going to have to get out of my comfort zone and commit to the process. I never wanted to go home thinking that there was something more I should have said or done.

As for the Chicago success on the show, I think it's because we are part of a special breed. I feel like in order to be successful in this area, you have to be pretty well-rounded and have a bit of an edge. You have to be kind of tough. I attribute my work ethic, cultural awareness, and ethical convictions to the people I grew up with in this area. I think we bring a genuine approach. We aren't afraid to speak our minds. We know how to work hard and how to have a lot of fun, how to roll with the punches - and how to give and take a joke.

What are your favorite places or pastimes in Chicago you'd want to share with the bachelorettes?

Some Chicago places I'd like to share with the Bachelorettes would be our amazing museum campus, the historic modern architecture in the Loop, and the lakefront. As for pastimes, I'd probably have them sub in on my softball team. We always need people, and I don't think anyone would mind watching those two play. Then depending on which Bachelorette it was, we would either go for dinner and cocktails at The Signature Room before a show at the House of Blues, or hit Pequod's and a Cubs game before grabbing a beer - and maybe a shot of Malort at The Pony.

JOSH

This is a combo that's catching everyone's attention: law student and exotic dancer. Is this a way to pay for school, or do you enjoy performing like you'll be doing making your case in the courtroom someday?

It's a combination of both. I initially began dancing because it was the only job that was isolated to the weekends and was highly lucrative, and hence would help pay my tuition. I was interning full time during the week, as well as attending classes full time, so to pay the bills my options were either dancing or bartending on the weekends. I figured (correctly) that dancing would be more fun than bartending. Since graduating law school (I received my Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law in May 2013), I have continued dancing because I love what I do and the people I work with. I currently dance in a downtown Chicago club, and also dance at other venues throughout Chicago and its suburbs, as well as at private parties. So I am dancing five to six days a week. At the moment I am completely content, and have put my law career on hold. So it's safe to say something that started out as a side job to pay the bills has turned into a full-time job that I love.

You live in Chicago, where there are plenty of women looking for love. What would you want to share with the bachelorettes in our town to help them get to know you and your lifestyle?

It goes without saying that I would invite all the girls to come out to our show at the club every Saturday, where they can have fun with their friends and embarrass one another by dragging them onstage with their favorite dancer. That's a great way to get to know me. But in all seriousness, outside of my job, I am a pretty normal guy. I love to eat and love sushi, so grabbing dinner is always a fun time! I'm pretty much up for whatever; 99 percent of the time I'm laid back and non-serious, if my profession is any indication. So if I'm laughing, I'm content.

You've met all these other bachelors from around the country - do you think about being from a place as great as Chicago gives you an instant advantage? The last bachelor these women vyed for was a farmer. Our town has to be a better incentive!

Chicago is awesome, especially during the summer. I'm not a big club person outside of work, and that's why I love Chicago, because there's always something to do: the beach festivals, Michigan Avenue, even the suburbs. What I love most about Chicago is that downtown gives you the benefits of any big city, while its suburbs give you that solitude and rest you need from time to time. It's definitely a great combination. Plus there are male strippers! If you're a woman, you can't go wrong here!

JUSTIN

Naperville is a pretty conservative, family-oriented community. How are your friends and family in the Fox River Valley reacting to the way you've picked to look for a bride?

They were really excited for me, though they thought the concept was crazy, and they would not do it themselves! I'm always up for new experiences, and I'm a risk taker. So they thought it was fitting for me to put myself out there to find love.

Midwestern bachelors have done well on the show. What might we hear you telling the ladies about what's great about Naperville and the life you can offer?

Naperville is a great community. It's a bigger city, yet everyone is still really connected with one another. The downtown area is great for food and drinks, and meeting great people. The schools are some of the best in the country. It's a great place to raise a family. We are also just outside of one of the greatest cities in the world: great people, awesome restaurants, entertainment and sports.

What are the things you love about where you live that you'd look forward to sharing with the bachelorettes?

I love restaurants and variety of places to go. Summertime in the city is one of the best places to be. Everyone is excited to be outside, hitting the beach, and grabbing drinks. There's always something to do.