The university has a fairly good reputation in the area. US News & World Report ranks it in the third tier of the big (national) universities.
Depaul Living in Chicago, Depaul is obviously well known in the area. I believe it is the nation's largest Catholic institution as well. Depaul is rumoured to be expanding it's on-line e-learning presense. I think I read on this board that they hired a well known prof locally to improve their distance learning program. In Chicago at least I'd rank them below Northwestern and Univ of Chicago- although that is my own opinion. A degree from Depaul is well regarded not withstanding.
I second what rryan said....I believe DePaul is the largest catholic university in the US, second to Villanova. Very well regarded indeed.
And far and away the best-regarded and politically savviest Roman Catholic college or university in greater Chicagoland.* *Where is lesser Chicagoland?