Catering and Special Events by Phil Stefani
Chicago Parking
Parking in Chicago is expensive.
Street parking is limited and meter-controlled; parking in a parking garage costs up-wards of $15.00 per day, at least twice that at hotels. Be careful not to park in a tow zone - you'll end up paying the cost of retrieving your car from the car pound plus a separate fine. If you're towed, call the police at 311.
Chicago Parking Meters
- Inside the Loop (Area bounded by Lake Michigan to the East, Wacker Drive to the North and West, and Congress Parkway to the South), rates will be $4.25 per hour.
- In the Central Business District outside the Loop (Area bounded by Lake Michigan to the East, North Avenue to the North, Halsted to the West, and Roosevelt Road to the South, exclusive of the Loop Area) rates will be $2.50 per hour.
- In all other areas of the city, rates will be $1.25 per hour
Chicago Taxis
Meters start at $2.25, rising by 20 cents for every one-ninth of a mile or 36 seconds of waiting time. The first extra passenger (aged 12-65) is charged $1.00, with additional passengers adding a further 50 cents to the fare. Journeys to or from either airport incur an additional $1.00 charge. There is no fee for baggage. Tipping is optional but expected. Taxis are usually safe and reliable. If you have a compliant, call the Department of Consumer Services at 312.744.4006.
Chicago Wireless Internet Zone
Church Directory
City Hall-County Building
Since 1853, the governments of Chicago and Cook County have shared three different buildings on this site. The monumental, Classical Revival-style exterior of the present structure, which was designed to be a functional and efficient office building, symbolizes the strength, dignity, and vigor of the governmental functions it contains. The County Building was completed in 1908; City Hall was finished in 1911.
CTA's Visitor Passes
Exchanging Foreign Currency In Chicago
World's Money Exchange, Inc
203 N. La Salle Street, Suite M11
312.641.2151
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
American Express Travel Service
605 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 105
312.435.2570
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Foreign Consulates
Canada Consulate General
Two Prudential Plaza
180 N. Stetson Avenue, Suite 2400
312.616.1860
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
China, People's Republic of Consulate General
1 E. Erie Street Suite 500
312.803.0095
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 am to Noon, & 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Germany, Federal Republic of Consulate General
676 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 3200
312.202.0480
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 am to Noon
Great Britain Consulate General
400 N. Michigan Ave., 1300
312.970.3800
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Mexico Consulate General
204 S. Ashland Avenue
312.855.1380
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 1:30pm
Netherlands Consulate General
303 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2600
312.856.0110
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Switzerland Consulate General
737 N. Michigan Avenue, 23rd floor
312.915.0061
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 am to Noon
Hyde Park Barber Studio
The Hyde Park Hair Salon, located in the heart of the Hyde Park community, has been providing outstanding grooming techniques to a very distinctive and diverse clientele. Their clients have included U.S. Senators and city officials, as well as a number of well-known celebrities. It's always the place to be for quality service, great hair-cuts and good conversation.
Inka Internet Station
James R. Thompson Center
State Street Barbers
Tipping Recommendations
There is no right or wrong when it comes to tipping, just plain common sense. Use your best judgment when deciding to tip or not to tip. Tips should be accepted, not expected.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Bartenders: $1 per drink
- Waiters: 15% to 18% of the bill total
- Cab Drivers: 10% of the cab fare total
- Headwaiter/Maitre d': 15% of the bill or more depending on the occasion
- Limo-Driver: 15% - 20% of the bill
- Car Park Attendant: $1.00
- Airport Skycaps - Minimum $1.00 per bag
- Maids - $2.00 or more per day at the time of check-out
Note: A compulsory service charge of 18% may be added to your bill on large parties of six (6) or more people at some dining establishments. Please ask your sever to be sure if you are in doubt.
United States Post Offices - Downtown Chicago
Main Post Office
433 W. Harrison
800.275.8777
Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 11:59
Saturday 9:00 am to 11:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
*Loop Station
211 S. Clark Street
312.427.0016
*Fort Dearborn Office
540 N. Dearborn
312.644.9191
*Ontario Office
277 E. Ontario
312.642.3576
*Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday - 8:00 am to Noon
Visitor Services - When Something Goes Wrong
- Police/Fire/Medical Emergencies – 911
- Non-emergency -- 311
- Chicago Dental Society – 312.836.7300
- Chicago Medical Society – 312.670.2550
- Chicago Veterinarian Emergency Services - 773.281.7110
- Chicago Office of Tourism - 312.744.2400
- Chicago Convention and Visitors Bureau - 312.567.8500
- Illinois Bureau of Tourism - 312.814.4732
- Department of Cultural Affairs - 312.346.3278
- Chicago Visitor Information 877.Chicago
- Translations - 312.263.3379
- International Visitors Center - 312.254.1800
- Passport Information - 312.341.6020
- American Express - 800.233.5432
- VISA - 800.227.6811
- Master Card 800.307.7309
- Western Union - 800.325.6000
- Bank American - 312.828.7654
- Western Union - 800.325.6000
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AAA-Chicago Motor Club 630.328.7000
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Travelers Aid (O’Hare) 773.686.7562
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Hearing Impaired TDD 312.744.8599