To add to that, finance in Chicago is very different than finance at big banks. Many of the big players are tech companies first and foremost. Engineers are often on the "money side" of the business and respected/rewarded as such.

Anyone trying to attract talented STEM employees in Chicago should read these to see what they're up against:

http://www.nancyhua.com/2012/12/11/the-and-my-future/

http://qr.ae/3MPL1