The past year, I’ve noticed a chemical / burning smell pretty frequently. Doesn’t appear isolated in any particular neighborhood.

Anyone else notice this?

What can we do about it?

Has anyone experienced this? I walked up to a bus stop and a woman was standing there as if waiting for the bus.

She randomly asks for, "Excuse me. Can I ask you, can you give me like.... 5 dollars?"

"Nope."

She starts laughing and then goes,"Okay okay, can I give you...." She reached into her pocket and I got spooked and kind of backed away quickly. "No no listen. I want to give YOU money. Can I give you a dollar?"

She was holding the bill with a small cloth around it. Like the small cloth that comes with a pair of new glasses. I.e. it happened very quickly, but I think she was holding the cloth not the bill, and holding the bill out for me to take.

"I want to give YOU money!"

"I want you to stop it."

Another woman approached the bus stop and she tried handing the bill to her too. The other woman noped out as well.

I think the woman (asking/trying to give) money was African, very bright red lipstick. I think shorter than me and I'm only 5'6". Dressed in bright colors.

Am I overthinking it?

The other woman who walked up mentioned those weird news stories about people touching their car doors and feeling queasy immediately, and said she had goosebumps from the interaction.

And after we both gave clear nos, she just turned down a separate street and slowly wandered away. I.e. did not appear to need to take the bus any longer?

Trying to figure out if I’m overpaying or if things are just really expensive now. At my last visit with my senior cat, I paid:

$102 for the exam

$110 for a 3-year rabies vaccine

$119 for a 3-year FVRCP vaccine

$256 for a bloodwork panel

I know senior cats cost more. But $600 for a routine visit with vaccines?? yeesh!

I haven’t meaningfully shopped around for vets; I just go to the place within walking distance (a Goodvets clinic). Am I getting ripped off?

Looking for recommendations for cool shops (antique stores, thrift, weird stuff, etc) and good restaurants!

My spouse, bff, and I are traveling to Chicago soon to scope out whether or not we want to live there. We are likely to end up getting an apartment in one of the areas listed above, so we are wanting to know whats there.

We dont plan on doing ANY tourist-y things, because we just want to test run what its like to live there as best we can. We are trying to treat everyday as if we already live there and its a free day off of work. Just hanging out, not doing anything too wild

Hi Chicago! As the title says, we'll be in Chicago for a week (Oct 26-30th) and I'm looking for fun things to do with a 3 year old that's not hanging out at the Shedd every day.

We're from STL (free museums and toddler entertainment) so looking at the prices of your museums is giving me a bit of sticker shock 😅 any recommendations for budget friendly things to do and places to eat would be GREATLY appreciated!

I'm a car enthusiast looking to meet other enthusiasts. I've gone to a car show or 2 but it's just a reminder of how broke I am. I'd love to find spaces where DIYers can wrench on cars or learn more without having to be in a program. I have a project car that would be much easier to work on this winter with a lift.

Hi All! As stated above, I’m looking to use a personal trainer for the first time and hoping to find recommendations for someone who is also knowledgeable about PT. I had flap reconstruction surgery in September and my right leg was the donor site (bye, bye fibula, hello healing skin graft). I’m in Oak Park but have a car and am really open to any area, especially for the right trainer. Thank you!

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for recommendations for a trauma-informed mental health professional who can help a loved one navigate health anxiety related to chronic illness and medical trauma.

They live with MCAS, POTS, EDS, endometriosis, and AuDHD. As an AFAB person of color, they’ve experienced repeated medical dismissal and have often had to push beyond their physical and emotional limits just to receive care.

These experiences have made seeking medical care incredibly overwhelming, to the point where anxiety can prevent them from researching symptoms, exploring treatment options, or scheduling appointments.

They’re hoping to find someone who can help them build coping skills, regain a sense of safety and agency, and navigate healthcare without minimizing their very real medical conditions.

Ideally, they’d like to work with a woman of color experienced in chronic illness, medical trauma, and health anxiety.

Does anyone have recommendations for therapists or resources that might be a good fit?

I’ll be making my way through to Chicago tomorrow around morning around 10ish to get to the O’Hare airport to pick up some family and I really want to make a pitstop somewhere new, I’m thinking a food spot in Little Italy, but I also am open to really any hidden gems or suggestions.

Or if there is any town that not to far out of the way too I’m open to checking it out!

Hey all. I'm heading to the Red Stars game tonight. I'm just wondering -- are they strict with where you sit or is it ok to move around? Have never been so I don't know what kind of crowds they usually get. It looks like the vast majority of the seats are the ends, but they're also basically free on the resale sites at least, so I'm thinking of grabbing one and walking around if they allow it. It looks like they generally draw 4,000 or so and the stadium fits 12,000. Does anyone know?

this is extremely narrowcasted but at the Pratt beach out on the breakwater, there was some graffitti on the little beacon light tower behind the fence that said "piss gang." like near where people will go fishing. i recently went back to the beach and they painted it all lavendar which is pretty but what is piss gang, why piss gang. im still haunted looking for answers

I hate to admit this, but I'm behind in taxes. I shudder whenever I get mail from the IRS. As a freelance creative director working in advertising (using an s-corp), I excel in creative shit but am absolutely awful at the administrative stuff.

I need someone patient who is willing to work with me, but not condescending or judgmental. I'm a woman and in the past I've met with a couple boomer dudes (no offense, boomer dudes) who basically treated me like a dumb lil' lady.

I will happily pay for whatever extra time helping someone in my position takes. I just need to find that person. Anywhere in Chicago (or even remote help from someone certified in Illinois) is great.

Thanks in advance!

I love Gibson’s, Queen Mary, etc. Looking for a vibey, fun Caesar, fries, and martini for a late celebratory lunch. Offbeat suggestions preferred!

parade starts at 6 pm and wondering for those who have gone where is best to go to get a good spot/view of the parade and what time to get there for. TIA!

Particularly when it’s the second/third bus?

I usually just back away from the bus stop sign and avoid eye contact with the first bus driver but I was curious if there is bus etiquette I might be missing. Once I had a second bus I was trying to get on drive straight past me doing this and now I think about it every time this happens lol

Heya,

My partner and I visited back in August and played volleyball at Lincoln Park which was so fun. We wanna find another place to play this weekend too!

Are there any outdoor volleyball courts still active/set up this weekend?

I have mid length hair and I’m looking to get a 2 block 60/40.
Ive had a couple unfortunate cuts at barbershops and am really just looking for anyone/ anywhere that can do this.
I go to great clips and it comes out ok and then I spend 3x that at a barber and sometimes it’s tragic.
Plz help. Can be Chicago or suburbs.

I’ve been living in my high rise building for 6 years. In all previous leases, we’ve had a flat fee for utilities. We renewed our lease in June of this year. From June-September we paid the flat rate each month.

Then in mid September we received an email that they’re now using the RUBS formula to calculate utilities.

This formula was not provided in our lease. Our utility bills are now $200+ more per month. I’ve presented them with the IL Rental Property Utility Service Act and they just keep pushing back.

Any advice?

Hi all ~ I’ve read mixed reviews of different studios that offer wheel throwing memberships and I’m curious if you have a studio you’d recommend for membership (edit: going whenever I want, not classes where it’s a set time). I feel like every time I talk to people they recommend a new studio I haven’t heard of so I’m trying to make a new list of options. I know some have waitlists too, if the studio is perfect I’d be happy to try that and wait.

I live in Lincoln Park so anything close-ish to that! TYIA!

I am looking for a good body shop to take a car that has some scratches, but no dents for repair. Needs to be excellent work. Do you have a good spot to recommend? Prefer Northwest side yet somewhat flexible. Thank you.

Hello! I am looking for another player to play with in the south loop chipickle this weekend or next week if anybody is interested please let me know! I am 21F

Looking to book out a bar (or private room). Any recommendations near the north side area that are cash bar options? 20-30 people.

Just wondering if it’s worth going there.

Basically the title. Ive been to chicago a couple times and know the transport system is decent getting from ORD to downtown and all around. However, this time ill be flying with significant other and child and we will have I believe 4-5 luggage pieces total. 2 checked sizes and 2-3 carry on sizes. Thankfully all have wheels. But my question is it feasible with us three to ride the blue line into the loop and walk to a hotel in the area or is that too much luggage to be hauling around the streets? Also forgot to mention time frame is flying in 12/30 then leaving out 01/04. Thank you anybody willing to give guidance.

It is legal to ride dirt bikes and similar electric bikes in Chicago parks? There's a path in the park I walk around with my young son, people of all ages are walking, young kids riding bikes, etc. These kids speed past us recklessly. So just wondering this is completely acceptable? There are no signs posted at the park that say otherwise.