80 to 55 = no tolls. Probably save about $25
88 to 290 = tolls. Maybe a little less traffic. At least until you hit Aurora.
Tips for Chicago
- Thread starter Cycsk
- Start date
80 to 55 = no tolls. Probably save about $25
88 to 290 = tolls. Maybe a little less traffic. At least until you hit Aurora.
Yeah, I would say 88 is better, but if you have time, you might as well save the tolls.
Re: Tips for Chicago: Safety
If you're that big of an idiot that you can't tell you're in a bad part of town, you probably shouldn't be going to Chicago. Some of Cycsk's posts make the city seem like there's some violent/illegal act happening on every corner.
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As someone who lived in Chicago for a minute, here's the best advice I can give: Don't be an idiot. Believe it or not, this advice can be used everywhere and every day!
More like 1956.
If you're that big of an idiot that you can't tell you're in a bad part of town, you probably shouldn't be going to Chicago. Some of Cycsk's posts make the city seem like there's some violent/illegal act happening on every corner.
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What in the hell is this? Chicago is a busy city, if you find yourself alone, you're probably not in a good part of town. Walking around jiggling your hand in your pocket isn't going to detract people because they think you've got a weapon, they're going to think you're nuts and playing with yourself.
Make sure to wear your whistle around your neck with a lanyard. All Chicagoans do this. You will not stick out.
I don't even know what to say to this. You either think most Iowan's have never seen an African American, are completely clueless, or think they believe everything they watch on TV.
As someone who lived in Chicago for a minute, here's the best advice I can give: Don't be an idiot. Believe it or not, this advice can be used everywhere and every day!
Yeah, but when you hit Aurora, there's a wonderful stretch where people drive 90 in a 55. Love me some FIB drivers.
Re: Tips for Chicago: My Favorite Places and Restaurants
Sorry, but the only place to get ribs in Chicago is at Twin Anchors. No doubt about it, best ribs, best atmosphere.
Sorry, but the only place to get ribs in Chicago is at Twin Anchors. No doubt about it, best ribs, best atmosphere.
Great list, this would be great to sticky or something. I've done free (you should still tip) walking tours in NYC, which I'd highly recommend. Can't vouch for the Chicago version, but they look interesting - http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/chicago-tours/
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I've always found it helpful to have a cautionary bumper sticker, maybe something like "IF YOU DONT LIKE MY DRIVING, STAY OFF THE SIDEWALK"
For anyone planning to take the train I HIGHLY recommend going Thursday or you're rolling the dice. My Gf and I had a bulls game planned about a month ago with the train supposed to be leaving out of Osceola at 6 or 7 AM, it didn't reach us until 2 PM due to weather/unforeseen events. We missed the entire first half of the game and half a day in Chicago. I was told the delays happen multiple times a week.
If you go to Chicago few times a year, it probably wouldn't hurt investing in an I-Pass. I think it's about half off the tolls and you don't have to stop at each toll station.
Great advice. I'm stopping in the QC on my way and borrowing a family friends I-Pass for the weekend.
And make sure your car/license plate is registered on the I Pass! might get a ticket sent your way if that's not taken care of properly
Really? Didn't know that. We've done it 5-6 times over the last couple years and haven't had a problem. Our car was never registered under the I-Pass.
Yeah, it'll definitely save you half off the tolls.
Another tip: if you don't have an Ipass and don't want to stop at every single toll, you can drive through the tolls and just pay online afterwards. They give you 7 days to pay. If you do this, write down the plaza # of the tolls you pass, as thats how you will pay off the fee. It will say the plaza number in large numbers right before every toll and on top of each toll.
88 is much more direct. Either will work. 88 has tolls. We have an EZ-Pass so we take 88 and don't stop for tolls.
I will say about the safety things... I was telling my friend that went with me to NYC a few years ago for the Sweet Sixteen to just be extra cautious. The biggest city he'd ever been to was Des Moines. He told me "it ain't the 80s anymore!" and kinda blew my warnings off. Sure enough, on the first subway ride his wallet was stolen.
Re: Tips for Chicago: Safety
I absolutely love Chicago and don't think most people have anything to worry about. However, it is the people with silly fears that are the most likely to become vulnerable if they don't take some common sense action.
"Don't be an idiot" is great advice, but unfortunately idiots don't know what that looks like. I addressed a lot of uninformed concerns, but to alleviate some concerns and give people a sense of what they can do to protect themselves. I know tender-hearted Iowans who have done things like invite a homeless person back to their hotel to give them leftovers. And I know the "touch a black person's hair" was extreme, but again, I've been in Chicago with people from Iowa (and Montana) who literally hadn't ever been near a black person. No I don't think "most" Iowans need this advice, but if I can prevent one person from having their kid say something like that, I will have done something good.
Urban universities encourage female students to have a whistle on their keychain. And while there is almost no chance someone will need it, I could see lots of my Iowa friends feeling better if they had a whistle and mace.
Stop acting like I'm the idiot and just welcome the valuable things I offer and ignore the others. Or correct the ones that are wrong. And please don't insert "most's" into advice that is intended for a "few."
I absolutely love Chicago and don't think most people have anything to worry about. However, it is the people with silly fears that are the most likely to become vulnerable if they don't take some common sense action.
"Don't be an idiot" is great advice, but unfortunately idiots don't know what that looks like. I addressed a lot of uninformed concerns, but to alleviate some concerns and give people a sense of what they can do to protect themselves. I know tender-hearted Iowans who have done things like invite a homeless person back to their hotel to give them leftovers. And I know the "touch a black person's hair" was extreme, but again, I've been in Chicago with people from Iowa (and Montana) who literally hadn't ever been near a black person. No I don't think "most" Iowans need this advice, but if I can prevent one person from having their kid say something like that, I will have done something good.
Urban universities encourage female students to have a whistle on their keychain. And while there is almost no chance someone will need it, I could see lots of my Iowa friends feeling better if they had a whistle and mace.
Stop acting like I'm the idiot and just welcome the valuable things I offer and ignore the others. Or correct the ones that are wrong. And please don't insert "most's" into advice that is intended for a "few."
