Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

After experiencing a few decades of moderate decline, Chicago's 2007 population grew to over 2.8 million. The Chicagoland area boasts almost ten million people.

Top Chicago employers include the U.S. Government, Chicago Public Schools, City of Chicago, Jewel-Osco, Cook County, SBC Communications, UPS of America, Walgreen Co., the State of Illinois, Target Corp, Abbott Laboratories, and United Airlines.

Chicagoans pay 10.25% sales tax; higher than any other US city.

Weather

Opinions vary, but Chicago experiences four distinct seasons. Much of the weather is influenced by Lake Michigan, and horizontal snowfall is not rare. Winters are relatively mild (the low teens to mid-40s). Summers are great for baseball, as temperatures range from the 50s to the low 90s. Spring and autumn (between the 30s and mid-50s) are the best times to visit.

Holidays & Business Hours

Many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours on state and federal holidays. Policies vary, but these are generally observed:

Coming & Going

O'Hare is one of the world's busiest airports. Some 17 miles northwest of the Loop, it features six terminals, is self-sustaining, and employs more than 50,000 people. Midway, southwest of downtown, is one of the country's premier point-to-point airports. CTA train lines connect both airports to the Loop, and cab rides from either cost between $35 and $50.

Another gateway is historic Union Station, west of the Loop. Aside from receiving regular El service, the station serves as the heart of the city's commuter lines. Amtrak (800-872-7245) also coordinates some 40 arrivals and departures daily.

Making Your Way

Chicago is definitely a public transport kind of town. The signature way to get from A to B is the rail service operated by the CTA. Dubbed the El, the system is both inexpensive ($2 single rides) and reliable. Its seven lines are color-coded on all CTA maps. The CTA also offers bus service (fares begin at $2).

Taxis are another alternative, and most offer 24-hour service and accept credit cards.

Ace Cab
773-381-8000

American United Cab
3155 N Clybourn Ave
773-248-7600

Checker Taxi
845 W Washington Blvd
312-243-2537

City Service Cabs
2601 W Peterson Ave
773-907-0909

Flash Cab
4717 N Clark St
773-561-1444

Metro Jet Cab
4554 N Broadway St
773-784-5669

Sun Taxi
4001 W Devon Ave
773-736-3399

Yellow Cab Company
1730 S Indiana Ave
312-829-4222

News & Views

The main print sources for local, national, and international news are the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times. The weekly Chicago Reader highlights arts and culture. Chicago Magazine and CS, both monthlies, provide information about restaurants, nightlife, fashion, and shopping. The Chicago Defender and La Raza publish news from the African-American and Latino perspectives, respectively. For gay and lesbian travelers, there's the Chicago Free Press or Windy City TimesWindy.

Quirks & Curiosities

Chicago's streets are laid out in a clear grid, and the Chicago River divides the city into the North Side, West Side, and South Side. State Street is the dividing point for east-west addresses, and Madison Street is the divider for north-south addresses. Other main thoroughfares include North Michigan Avenue, known as the Magnificent Mile, and Lakeshore Drive.

Getting Your Bearings

If this is your first trip, Chicago's wealth of diversions can be overwhelming. Check with the Convention and Tourism Bureau (www.choosechicago.com) 312-201-8847 or 877-244-2246, to get advice and literature. The city offers two visitor information centers and one information kiosk:

Chicago Cultural Center
77 E Randolph
Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm

Chicago Water Works
163 E Pearson
Daily 7:30am-7pm

Sears Mall Store
Information Kiosk
2 N State

Necessities - Post Offices

Postal drop-boxes are easy to find, but if you need further help from the USPS, visit these convenient branches:

Cardiss Collins Postal Store
Main Branch
433 W Harrison
312-983-8182
Daily 24 hours

Midwest Station
2419 W Monroe St
312-243-2560
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-1pm

Wacker Drive Postal Store
233 S Wacker
312-876-1024
Mon-Fri 7:30am-5pm

Federal Center Plaza/Loop Station
211 S Clark
312-427-0016
Mon-Fri 7am-6pm

James R. Thompson Center
100 W Randolph
312-263-2686
Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm

Haymarket Postal Store
168 N Clinton
312-906-8557
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Pilsen
1859 S Ashland
312-733-4750
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-1pm

Ontario Street Postal Store
227 E Ontario St
312-642-3576
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

Uptown Station
4850 N Broadway
773-561-4451
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm, Sat 8:30am-3pm

Common Courtesies

In Chicago, a 15% tip is standard for a waiter or waitress; groups are sometimes charged an automatic 18% gratuity. Bartenders usually get $1 per cocktail. Coat-check clerks should be tipped about $1 per garment.

Bellhops and porters should get about $1 per piece of luggage, and maids in more sophisticated hotels rate $1 or more per day of service. Depending on the type and quality of assistance, concierges generally receive between $5 and $15 dollars.