Chicago Climate
July and August are hot and humid. Late January and February are very cold. May and September are mild.

Chicago Emergency Numbers
Dial 911 for emergency Fire, Ambulance and Police

Chicago Newspapers
The Chicago Tribune ("The Trib") is the biggest daily followed by the Chicago Sun-Times. New City is a free weekly alternative arts and entertainment magazine. The Chicago Defender an African-American daily. Chicago Magazine is a monthly guide to events

Chicago Post
The main Post Office in Chicago is located at 200E Randolf Street (312 861 0473) and is opened Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5.30pm..

Chicago Shopping
The main shopping area is along Michigan Avenue with boutiques, malls and department stores. Halsted Street and Armitage Avenue in Lincoln Park are good for up market boutiques. River north is good for art or designer goods.

Chicago Telephones
There are plenty of public phone sin Chicago with most accepting pre paid telephone cards and telephone charge cards
The are codes for Chicago are 312 or 773
If you need to make a call outside of Chicago dial 1 then the area code and then the 7 digit phone number
For directory assistance dial 411 and for the operator dial 0

Chicago Tourist Information
Chicago Water Works Visitor Information Centre, 163 E. Pearson Avenue
Chicago Cultural Centre Visitor Information Centre - 77 E. Randolph Street.(312 744 2400)
Sears on state Information Kiosk,- 2 N State Street

Chicago Internet
Free wireless internet at the Chicago Public Library and at all branches of McDonald's.

Chicago safety
Dial 911 to get emergency help and 311 for all non emergency situations. Chicago does have crime. Blocks around some areas of the city are potentially dangerous. Avoid some areas of the South and West Sides at night. Be street wise on the Loop at night and on Sunday's and keep an eye out for muggers and purse snatchers. Please do take local advice from your hotel on arrival as areas of danger do change rapidly.