Services

Catering and Special Events by Phil Stefani

At Catering and Special Events by Phil Stefani, great food and decor are not the only services we offer--we also are an event management company. At Stefani's we do everything for your event from start (getting appropriate event licenses) to finish (clean up crew). We're a one stop full-service company.

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

Chicago Parking Meters, LLC is reminding motorists that on-street metered parking rates will increase in 2010, based on the rate schedule detailed in the parking meter concession agreement.

Rates will change as follows:

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

Taxis are prevalent in most central locales and can be hailed on the street.
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

What is WiFi? WiFi is short for "Wireless Fidelity" which allows moble devices like laptop computers and personal digital assistants (PDA's) to connect to local area networks without wires.

Church Directory

Chicago is in the midst of an urban renaissance - nearly 3 million people now live in the City. As a growing number of Chicagoans move to the downtown area, Chicago's religious community is also growing, reflecting the city's diverse ethnic and religious heritage.

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

Chicago on $5.00 a day. Or less: You can enjoy unlimited rides on all CTA buses and trains with our 1, 2, 3, or 5-day Visitor Passes. Your pass activates the first time you use it and is good for the number of consecutive days shown on the front of the pass. CTA's Visitor Passes make getting to Chicago's top attractions quick, easy and more affordable than cab rides or parking fees.

Exchanging Foreign Currency In Chicago

Outlets are located in Terminals Three (3) and Five (5) at O'Hare International Airport additional mobile carts are available at some departure gates servicing international destinations.

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

This is one of the hottest new INTERNET Café's on the South-side of Chicago. Inka Internet Station offers WiFi for your laptop or PDA which provides a great place for students and business professionals. For those who need access to a computer there are on-site computers with high speed INTERNET access, word processing applications, printing, copying, scanning and faxing services are also available.

James R. Thompson Center

The James R. Thompson Center (JRTC) (also known as Clark & Lake due to its CTA Blue Line stop) is located at 100 W. Randolph Street in the Loop, Chicago, Illinois and houses more offices of the State of Illinois than can be found in the state's capital, Springfield. The building opened in May 1985 as the State of Illinois Center. It was re-dedicated in 1993 to honor former Illinois Governor James R. Thompson. The property takes up the entire block bounded by Randolph, Lake, Clark and LaSalle Streets, one of the 35 full-size city blocks within Chicago's Loop. In front of the Thompson Center is a sculpture, Monument With Standing Beast, by Jean Dubuffet. The JRTC is sometimes referred to as the State Building.

State Street Barbers

Featuring superb quality haircuts and hot lather shaves, State Street Barbers offers men the grooming experience they deserve without the fuss or frills of a salon.

Tipping Recommendations

Tips On Tipping
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

Local Emergency Numbers

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

Tourism Services

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

Foreign Assistance

Translations - 312.263.3379
International Visitors Center - 312.254.1800
Passport Information - 312.341.6020

Lost or Stolen Credit Cards

American Express - 800.233.5432
VISA - 800.227.6811
Master Card 800.307.7309

International Currency Wiring

Western Union - 800.325.6000
Bank American - 312.828.7654

Cablegrams/Telegrams

Western Union - 800.325.6000

Resources

AAA-Chicago Motor Club 630.328.7000
Travelers Aid (O’Hare) 773.686.7562
Hearing Impaired TDD 312.744.8599