Chicago Q&A

I'm moving to Chicago from Texas and my mini van has no heated steering wheel or auto start features, and it's rear wheel drive.

I voted at the Britton Budd site in Lakeview and brought someone who needed same day registration. They were told that the registration wasn’t currently working and to “come back later”. Poll workers said they had not seen this before.

I was trying to vote at 1900 W Irving Park Rd (North Center, Silvies) this morning but they didn't have any paper ballots. The line was already pretty long and people were waiting to use the electronic machines. One of the election judges told me they had escalated the issue to their highest powers, but it didn't seem like anything was being done about it. Has anyone else had any issues voting here today?

I've noticed that people in Chicago seem to brag about the city's amenities, but then look down on those who live in the heart of the city. I'm confused.

I've run the Hot Chocolate 5K and 8K in Chicago for the past 5 years, but this year the experience during the actual run felt much worse than before. The packet pickup was smooth, but once I started running, I noticed that the water tables were mostly empty, and there were only 3-4 water stations on the course with no electrolytes. I was lucky that the weather was fine, but I'd expect electrolytes on a run at this price. The first water station was understaffed, and runners had to detour to grab chocolate chips themselves. I also didn't see mile markers until around mile 5.

We're a couple from East Asia with a kindergartner moving back to Chicago. We're looking for an elementary school with a notably large Asian population.

I've been considering signing up for a gym membership at Fulton Market, but I'm not sure what the monthly fees are. I'd also like to know if retirees can get a discount and how crowded it is at off-peak times.

I've been reading about the renovated Leland Hotel in Uptown and the affordable housing units it will offer. I'm wondering if the cost is really that low, $553,271 per unit. Can anyone break it down for me?

I was walking by DePaul University in the Little Italy neighborhood last night and saw some people with microphones harassing passersby about abortion and gender identity. They were following people onto the crosswalk to try and get them to say something. Is this a common occurrence and what can I do about it?

I love the Music Box, but I've noticed the audience culture has become increasingly unhinged. They heckle, hoot, and holler through any given movie, and it's making it difficult for me to enjoy films there anymore.

I saw a sign in front of a daycare in Lincoln Park that says parking is restricted, but the daycare is no longer in business. I'm wondering if the parking restriction still applies.

My partner and I are setting up a home in Chicago. I'm trying to decide on a high school for our 8th grader who got a perfect score and perfect grades last year. They're interested in Science and Engineering, have a long commute to school every morning, and want a good social scene and a pretty campus. They also want freedoms like off-campus lunch and want to be on cross-country and soccer teams.

I'm a long-time Chicago resident who's been here for over a decade, and I'm curious to know what others think about the Street Course. I've enjoyed it in the past, but I also understand the traffic concerns it brings to Lake Shore. I'd love to hear different perspectives on it.

I haven't ordered from there in months and I just noticed the new name while deciding what to order from UberEats.

I've been shopping at this Mariano's for years and I'm getting frustrated with the new layout. The dairy section is now in a maze and the seafood is next to the hot food grill. Is this a permanent change?

I'm considering moving into a new luxury building at 400 Lake Shore Drive, but the price tag is steep ($5,500 for a 1,200 sq.ft 2BR). I've seen nicer fixtures than in other apartments at this price range, but I'm not sure if it's worth the premium over other downtown luxury buildings.

I got a call from someone claiming to be from ComEd, saying I was getting a $150 refund for overpayment and they asked me to confirm my address. They then said they were going to enroll me in a lowered payment program with Green Light Energy, but I'm not sure if this is a scam. I looked up Green Light Energy and they have low ratings for abusive customer service.

I live in the 49th ward, have a CPS school on my street that blocks the street during drop off time, and have tried talking to crossing guards but still face issues getting to my home.

I'm trying to decide between theaters 1 and 3 at the Music Box for a movie screening. I've heard that theater 3 has a new screen, but I'm not sure if it has the same issue with tall people blocking the screen. Can anyone who's been to theater 3 recently tell me about their experience?

I've seen people using them in North Avenue and it's a nightmare. My dog and I had to turn around because someone was walking three dogs on one retractable leash, and the owner was on her phone.