I know it seems like you ought to be able to come to a forum like this, and get the answers you want, but that's not actually true. The reason is, pool construction is intensely local. It will not do you any good for me to talk about the benefits of choosing a fiberglass pool . . . if there's no one in your area who sells and installs them.

South Florida is one of the biggest pool markets in the country, but you'd have a hard time finding an experienced vinyl pool installer there, but there are thousands of concrete pool installers. I think fiberglass is fairly common, too.

I don't know what's available in your area of Chicago, but that's what you need to find out. And you need to be wary of advice you might get here, or another forum, from someone in S. California. A pool that would work well for them might not make it through 2 Chicago winters!

Good luck!