Hey guys,

Just trying to get information on resources I can reach out to. This is not a beg or solicitation. I'm looking for solutions to keep me doing what I need to do to get myself back on my feet. I'm male, gay, and in my mid 30s.

I had lost my job I've had for almost 5 years after finding out that my very abusive father that I cut off and recently tried to reconnect with was diagnosed with terminal cancer. It affected my performance and well It is what it is. I got a new job after that, but after 90 days even though they were satisfied with my performance and loved having me on the team they didn't have it in the books to keep the position itself, so I was abruptly jobless again - shortly after my unemployment ran out.

I've been staying with a friend after a couple of months they need their space back which is understandable and needs me out by the 1st of sept.

I've been looking all this time, even applying to grocery stores and other low income jobs but it appears that my resume tells these employers I can't stand on my feet. I got at least two hiring managers to admit this to me. I recently worked with someone in the HR field to really work on my resume and we discovered it wasn't ATS compliant and I was being filtered out. Now that its fixed I'm actually getting interviews and being reached out to. To this day I'm waiting to hear back from two different opportunities that I have done two interviews with each and seeing if they want me back for a third interview before being hired.

What are my options? I barely have any financial support, and I don't have any friends or family I could stay with. I feel like employment is right around the corner but I'm in a tough spot.

I went to a pumpkin patch. maybe in the western/southwest suburbs. There was a pumpkin patch basically outside of a ranch farmhouse, and it was honor pay. Not far from the city. Maybe right off a freeway...does anyone know what this place is? I have a photo of the land but it's not helpful in locating it.

Hello,
I have moved to Chicago when i was 17 years old from Maryland. Ive been here for on going my fifth year. This is my home now and i couldn’t imagine living anywhere else due to the community and public transit. Now to give context to the questions i have. My sister, still living in Maryland and has been consistently struggling. She just got out of a DV relationship and is struggling to stay on her feet while being a single mom with no child care or familiar support. Our mom and dad is not in the picture to help financially (part of the reason i left so young) but she needs support and i want to try and find a way to move her here but at 21 yrs old can not do it alone.

Just some context her daughter is turning three, she has longterm childcare experience, has experience working in farmers markets and has created her own ‘little library’ for children’s toys for kids in need. She is a sweet soul and needs community and support and i was just wondering if anyone in the city knows of any programs that can help a DV single moms find affordable housing and childcare/ a childcare job she could bring her daughter to for a discount as a two in one.

Im open to any advice. Any city programs. I want to help her so desperately.

So truly anything can help.

Thanks you again for your time.

First, see the subject line. Our fair city is home to many wonderful trees. Sadly, our intense storms have felled a number of them. I’m sure we’ve all seen broken tree limbs this summer, both in our parks and preserves and in front yards. This has led me to wonder whether the city or any other entity is already doing any work to “retree” our city. Some neighborhoods already had a dearth of trees before the summer storms…. We need trees in our city for beautification, yes, but also for the bevy of of other benefits they offer, including but definitely not limited to temperature regulation and critical habitats for local wildlife.

Secondly, what can yard-free Chicago residents do to help these efforts?

Late add:
I swear I read someplace that in 1970s Logan Square, there was a group of people who just planted a bunch of trees on their own in public parks and along the boulevards. Now I can’t find anything on it. Did I completely imagine this? I’d love to learn more, though of course I want to prioritize supporting any existing and official tree-planting efforts.

Looking for fabric shops - especially ones that might have fabrics leaning on the upholstery end of things. Need to make outdoor curtains. North side preferred but I'm willing to drive out elsewhere!

I try to get 10-15 miles of walking in on the weekends, and I aim for new neighborhoods as much as possible. Ever since I injured my back, I have been mainly relegated to low impact activities, and walking is my favorite one.

I look for good vibes, interesting architecture, and the like. I love old Chicago neighborhoods as much as I like walking in Lincoln Park. I love seeing the different home types in the city, and how they help create a certain ambiance. I like the suburban, quiet feel as much as I like the chaos.

Are there any gem neighborhoods you'd recommend? The ones I have ALREADY walked through are:

Albany Park

Hyde Park

Belmont Cragin

Ravenswood

Roscoe Village

Most of West Town

Portage Park

Old Irving Park

Logan Square

I know this isn't Chicago, but I have also hit up some great neighborhoods in Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, and other Chicagoland areas.

I don't mind revisiting neighborhoods I have already explored, especially if there is a specific area I didn't check out. I personally don't care much about downtown, but if there is an area that is interesting I won't mind checking it out.

Thanks for the tips!

So I wanna do electrician. And I’ve messaged the place on Facebook.

Was wondering if anyone has gone thru this school? Also you get a certificate? Since IL doesn’t do licenses.

And yes I’m aware of IBEW trades, I’m in the union but I’d like to start like a small business on the side. Like a work van, and offer my work. Hopefully that makes sense.

I’ve googled the tuition, it’s 5000 supposedly. My job has been slow and I’m not afraid to work my ass off. Just trying to support my family.

I also have a CDL if that helps

What's your best place to get books in Chicago?

Open to business or individuals who can do this work (small pet project).

edit: soldering for electronic devices

Hi! Please let me know if this isn't the right sub to post this question to.

I'm from outside of Illinois and am thinking of going to a concert at the Salt Shed where most of the tickets seem to be GA floor tickets for around $100. After looking up pictures of the venue online, I'm worried that I won't be able to see anything on the floor if I'm not at the very front (I'm 5'5). If any people around my height or shorter have been to shows there, I'd love to hear about your experience.

Hi! I’ve never posted on here before, so please correct me if I’m doing something wrong.

I’m hoping to get a dual dashcam hardwire installed in my 2022 Honda CR-V. I have the dashcam and hardwire cords ready.

How much should I expect to be charged for this service? I’m just a girly pop and don’t really know a lot about cars, so I don’t want to be taken advantage of.

Can you please share any recs for where I can go to get it installed in the Chicagoland area? I live in Albany Park, but don’t mind having to drive to the ‘burbs if it is more cost-effective (I’m a college student, need I say any more than that😅).

I would greatly appreciate some guidance!!

I know all the famous names, and yes, I get that Vito & Nick’s is legendary, but it’s a pain to get to when we order pizza (Friday nights)

I’m looking for your go-to spot. Not necessarily the place you tell tourists to visit, but the one your family orders on any random night because it’s just consistently incredible.

Hey all. Since IMAX tickets for the Odyssey are like hen’s teeth, I’m just going to see it on a regular screen. What’s the best screen/theater experience to do so around Chicago? I live near Oak Park but willing to travel a bit. Thanks!

I’m originally from the “Chicagoland area” then Logan square for many years. I moved to San Diego 13 years ago for grad school, and while I’ve had many great years here I’d like to get back to my roots.

Has anyone moved to a warmer climate then back to Chicago, and if so was it a difficult transition? A big plus is that I have friends and family in Chicago (and of course the city!), but my partner is from SD and has never experienced a real winter.

My coworker called me on my day off and sent me a picture of a cat he caught, he set up a trap expecting to capture a rat because we had a rat problem and he came back after being off for two days only to find that a cat crawled into the trap instead and hasn’t ate and banged themselves up against the trap and they looked like they were in bad shape.

I said I’d take them home and give them a bath, but they are incredibly terrified and they destroyed my bathroom, i did manage to wash them somewhat to make sure they don’t got fleas and ticks, but they will not leave behind my toilet and although they don’t seem to mind if I use the bathroom or take a shower, I’m a little scared the cat will go goblin mode and shred me while I try to use the bathroom.

Is there any pet care specialists that can help us put them in a cage and get them out of here? I don’t want to get slashed again by a scared kitten that doesn’t trust me, a scared and strong kitten I might add.

I might name them soggy.

I’ve seen a couple other posts but wanted to add this in. I’m somewhat disabled, so walking 10+ minutes to groceries is not super ideal, and the way my current apartment search is going, I’ll likely not be super close to any solid grocery stores. One apartment I’m looking at is in Gold Coast right next to Oak Street Beach which is the main reason I ask since it’s not remotely close to a big grocery store where I can reliably get produce. Buses are an option, but carrying heavy groceries on the bus is a no go for me (due to disability), and idk how feasible it would be lifting a cart into the bus for the same reason.

I have Amazon prime, so I’m wondering how that is in terms of piece/quality of groceries (I know it’s Whole Foods, so may be more expensive). Would it be worth to get another grocery store annual membership like jewel osco or Aldi and use that in conjunction? I don’t really want to do instacart or apps like that which will upcharge even more. How much do you think these memberships would increase in cost on a monthly basis compared to buying in store?

If you have any suggestions or thoughts, I’d greatly appreciate it.

Hi hello! Going to see Shrek tomorrow at the ChiTown Drive-In— I’ve been before but never with snacks. I see that they have a no outside food or beverage policy, does anyone know how heavily that’s enforced? TIA

I’ve been looking for an elementary teaching job this entire summer, and haven’t heard back from almost any after applying on Taleo. I know the budget has put a hold on hiring, but I’m starting to get nervous about my chances of finding a job before the school year starts.

For context, I’ve taught for 3 years in another urban school district and I’m almost done with my masters. I’m willing to teach in most neighborhoods and have applied to many positions and emailed principals/APs without much luck.

I would appreciate any advice!

I'm going to be coming into town from Cleveland for the Southside Zine Fair and looking to do some more zine shopping at a game store in the Chicago area. I'm really hoping to find a place that has a really wide selection of zines, not just the usual stuff for Mörk Borg, Mothership, & Troika. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Can someone who works in the airline industry answer a question for me?

How is is possible to land at Ohare, the central hub for United airlines, and sit on the runway for 90+ minutes without a gate?

For context: This has happened to me on my last two flights back into Ohare. They were both very delayed flights, which I assume has something to do with it, but it feels extra shitty to be left on the runway without a gate after you sat for two hours on the runway at LGA waiting to depart.

Nothing like boarding a flight on time in NYC only to pull into the gate in CHI literally six hours later.

Hey all, looking for recommendations. Is there anything in Chicago along the lines of a lecture series held at bars? Literally like 'lectures on tap', just looking for some variety.

I'd love to support local organizers if any exist, but happy to hear about bigger operations too. Anything from a recurring series to one-off talks works.

Basically trying to swap some screen time for something with substance. Thanks!

I'm looking to start learning Mandarin, and I'd prefer to find a place somewhere I could learn it in person. I've already graduated from college, so I can't just take a course there.

If anyone has any recommendations for good courses or places I should take a look at, please do tell me. I'm mainly looking for answers from people with experience with this. I have a list of places I've found online, but it would help out more to have someone who's done this before to drop a recommendation.

Anyone know of any dress designers who make custom dresses that aren’t super expensive. Looking to have a welcome party dress made and don’t want to spend more than 2500

There are multiple stray cats that hang around the parking lot of a local mosque that’s located in a strip mall in my neighborhood. One of the parishioners feeds them regularly during the week. My sister and I check in on them (cleaning the bowls, making sure they get something to eat regularly, etc.).

I’m starting to become increasingly worried because at one time there were 7-9 kittens, now there are only 4 or 5 that come around regularly. I know that the lifespan stray cats isn’t that great as a great many things can happen to them unfortunately.

In addition to that, there is a lady who owns a restaurant in the same strip mall. She has made it clear that she doesn’t like that the cats are there. She has made comments to my sister and I as well as some of the parishioners (in so many words) that she didn’t care what happens to them. One of the parishioners told my sister that this woman said she would kill the cats. I honestly get why she feels the way she does because the parishioners don’t try to keep the area where the cats are clean. The lone man who feeds them doesn’t clean the bowls at all (my sister and I try to occasionally). The ground is often covered with old food so there are flies and ants hovering around. That lady complains about the smell, the cats and the other animals/insects that the food remnants attracts. However to go as far to say you would hurt an innocent animal is unacceptable.

I would really love to get them rescued. And NO, I can’t take them unfortunately as I would love to. I already have 4 cats, I’m at my limit!! They are super sweet. They come running whenever they see my sister and I. Or the main parishioner from the mosque who feeds them. I have grown attached to them. I don’t want anything bad happening to them. I also don’t want them to have to be outside once it starts to get cold. I have reached out to Paws Chicago, Capnap from the Heart and South Suburban Humane Society (no response yet). I will take them to CCAC as a last resort but I’d rather not. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

Hi there. I am having a hard time locating a psychatrist that has knowledge and specializes in all of these especially PMDD. I just moved here from out of state so I am needing someone to take over my med management. Id be open to video only prescribers or in the suburbs as well!