First you must learn to pronounce the city
name. It is Chi-ca-go, or Cha-ca-ga depending on if you live North or
South of Roosevelt Rd.
Next, if your road map is more than a few weeks old, throw it out and
buy a new one. If in Naperville and your map is one day old, then it is
already obsolete.
Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Chicago has its own version of traffic rules... "Hold on and pray."
There is no such thing as a dangerous high-speed chase in Chicago. We all drive like that.
All directions start with, "I94"... which has no beginning and no end.
The morning rush hour is from 6 to 10. The evening rush hour is from 3 to 7. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday morning.
If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed
out and possibly shot. When you are the first one on the starting line,
count to five when the light turns green before going to avoid crashing
with all the drivers running the red light in cross-traffic.
Construction on Northwest Tollway is a way of life and a permanent form
of entertainment. We had sooooo much fun with that we have added Elgin
O'Hare and I-355 to the mix.
All unexplained sights are explained by the phrase, "Oh, we're in Cicero!"
If someone actually has their turn signal on, it is probably a factory defect.
Car horns are actually "Road Rage" indicators.
All old ladies with blue hair in Mercedes have the right of way. Period.
First Ave, LaGrange Rd, NW Highway all mysteriously change names as you cross intersections (these are only a FEW examples).
If asking directions in Cicero you must have knowledge of Spanish. If
in Bridgeport, Mandarin Chinese will be your best bet. If you stop to
ask directions on the West or South side you better be armed.
A trip across town (east to west) will take a minimum of four hours,
although many north/south freeways have unposted minimum speeds of 75.
The minimum acceptable speed on the Dan Ryan is 85. Anything less is considered downright sissy.
The wrought iron on windows near Englewood and Austin is not ornamental.
.
The Congress expressway is our daily version of NASCAR.
The Dan Ryan is called "The Death Trap" for two reasons: "death" and "trap."
If it's 100 degrees, It's Taste of Chicago. If it's 10 degrees and
sleeting/snowing, It's opening day at Comiskey Park. If it's rained 6
inches in the last hour, the Western open Golf Classic is in the second
round.
If you go to the Wrigley Field pay the $25.00 to park "Cubs Lot . "
Parking elsewhere could cost up to $2500 for damages, towing fees,
tickets, etc.
If some guy with a flag tries to get you to park in his 'yard', run over him.