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Chicago


Chicago Travel News
Have breakfast in Chestnut first - The geographic center of Illinois is in a cornfield between Lincoln and Springfield. The cornfield is just a half-mile southwest of Chestnut (pop. 250), which makes this the official center of Illinois.
Planning your trip to Chicago
Maps and Destinations - Street-level maps and detailed driving directions to help you get around.
Chicago Weather - What's the weather like in Chicago.
Airport Terminal and Flight Information O'Hare International Airport (ORD) - O'Hare has four terminals: Terminals 1, 2, and 3 primarily serve domestic flights, while Terminal 5 hosts international flights. United and United Express use Terminal 1 and 2; while Terminal 2 also serves Northwest, Continental, Trans World Airlines, America West, and several other carriers. Terminal 3 serves American Airlines, Delta, and others.
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) - provides transportation resources for the Chicagoland area, containing detailed maps, schedules, advertised bids, and a comments page.
The Sears Tower - Chicago became home to the world's tallest building in 1973 when the Sears Tower was topped off. The Sears Tower remained the tallest building in the world until February 13, 1996. The Sears Tower continued to be the tallest building in North America.
Location & Tips For Travelers
Location - Chicago, home to 2.8 million people, is the third biggest city in the U.S. Having been nicknamed the Windy City, Chicago is described as the city that moves too fast to be pinned down. This spacious metropolis spreads 25 miles (40 kilometers) long and 10 miles (16 kilometers) wide along Lake Michigan.
Chicago weather and climate - Chicago's weather can be extreme. Summers are hot and humid with recurrent heat waves, and winter temperatures often plummet to 27 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 3 degrees Celsius).
Getting around Chicago - Driving in downtown Chicago is not at all recommended as the city can get busy and the traffic can be thick on a Manhattan scale. Public transport is easily the best option, with an excellent bus service and the 'Loop', an elevated rail network that operates above the downtown business district.
What to wear - During the summer, choose natural fabrics to help counter the heat and humidity and in winter warm clothing, preferably in layers, to combat the freezing temperatures and well-heated buildings.
Tipping - The standard is 15% to 20 % in restaurants. Usually city residents leave tips depending on where they eat. For other places, $1 for the bartender per round, $1 to hotel porters and doorpeople if they are hailing a cab for you.
Useful Phone Numbers & Addresses
Chicago Office of Tourism:
378 East Washington Street Chicago, IL 60602
Tel: 312-744-2400
Chicago Transit Authority: 888-YOUR CTA
Metra system:
312-322-4269
O'Hare Express Limousine Service: 1-800-404-4140
Illinois Bureau of Tourism: 800-2CONNECT
Greater Chicago Chamber of Commerce:
330 N. WabashOne IBM Plaza, Ste. 2800 Chicago, IL 60611,
Tel: 312-494-6700
Travelers Aid (O'Hare): 773-686-7562
Regional Transportation Authority: 317-836-7000
Chicago Park District: 312-742-PLAY
Chicago City Hall: 744-8599

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