What's Chicago Like These Days - Covid Restrictions and Crime

I live in Chicago (Lincoln Park).

There likely won't be any Covid restrictions/mandates at all in May (at the government level, obviously some private businesses might have their own policies), except for masks on public transportation. Speaking of...

Nationally, crime is picking up in basically every city. It used to be something I didn't worry about at all in the neighborhoods I've lived in/frequented in Chicago. Now, there is some carjackings/shootings that occasionally spill over into previously largely unaffected areas. The CTA trains are also more sketchy than they were pre-pandemic. I'd be wary of taking the red line, especially at night.

I've still yet to personally see any serious crime (e.g., not jaywalking) committed in nearly 5 years of living here. It's still not something I'd "worry" about or something I think should prevent a visit, but I'm definitely keeping my head on a swivel more than I used to (which is probably what should be the case for everyone everywhere), walking with more of a purpose at night, not twiddling my thumbs listening to the radio after I park my car at night in my alley spot, etc.

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Nationally, crime is picking up in basically every city.

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Shockingly and very surprising.., St louis for some weird reason is on pace to cut crime in half.

Pretty much everything that Buckeye Fan said.

I'm in Lakeview (same neighborhood as Wrigley) and there's certainly been more spillover of carjackings/muggings in the last 18 months. But by and large, the worst of the worst still seems to happen in areas that the average tourist will never end up.

Illinois is set to lift the mask mandate next Monday 2/28. Chicago has said they will likely follow that shortly thereafter. My guess is they'll keep the vaccine mandate in effect for a bit, though, I expect by May there won't be any restrictions. People are generally tired of it, so far as I can tell.

As for public transport - the L (and red line specifically) can always present the opportunity to meet some rather odd characters. I've abided by a general rule of riding the L (any line) during normal daytime hours is fine. After dark, I stay off. Believe it or not, riding the bus is also a decent alternative. I've found there tends to be less tom foolery/sketchiness as compared to the L.

I'd also recommend you download the Curb app for taxis. Uber/Lyft prices are still high as compared to pre-pandemic and Curb makes it super easy to book a cab, usually at way less than an Uber.

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Covid restrictions will be lifted the 28th.

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To clarify, this is the state mask mandate. Chicago will lift their mandate 14 days after three of four metrics (COVID cases, positivity rate, hospital beds, ICU beds) are categorized as "lower risk" or "low risk." There is no firm date for the city, but I doubt it's too far behind.

As a couple others have said, though, I'd be shocked if there were any restrictions remaining in May.

Thanks hoops

Guess the lesson is more taxis/ride shares and less walking and public transit...

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Guess the lesson is more taxis/ride shares and less walking and public transit...

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Happy to help That said, I don’t know that I’d want this to be the lesson because I love walking Chicago, if distance allows, and public transit is so, so convenient / cheap. More so, I think those of us living here don’t want to speak in absolutes — just because we haven’t seen anything, doesn’t mean it’s not there. Crime, ultimately, has increased in the downtown area, and carjackings and robberies are not immune to any neighborhood right now.

In all, you’ll be fine walking and taking public transit. As Serenity said, it’s a quick hop from your hotel to Berkshire Room, for example. Also, it’s easy to get to West Loop from Palmer House. Just pop on the Green Line to Morgan or walk a near straight-shot.

Agreed. I figured they'd extend this into mid-March.

Hopefully this is the last of it. Looking at the trends, many places, including CA and Utah recently, as well as England, have said this is it and they are moving to treating COVID as endemic and like the seasonal flu.

I, of course, believe this is all being done because many of these politicians are staring at the polling with midterm elections coming up and between inflation/supply chain issues, ongoing COVID restrictions and now Ukraine/Russia, they need an easy win. So this is it. But, that's for another topic and board

Just got back from a quick Friday-Sunday trip, so figured I'd update

Never felt unsafe at any point on the trip. We stayed at Palmer House on E. Monroe and mostly used taxis via the Curb app to get around. Going to/from the West Loop area was about $9-10 each way, huge savings compared to Uber/Lyft rates.

Parade day was a blast...so many happy people in the streets out having a good time, even with the feels-like temp in the teens much of the day.

Weather for Sunday brunch at Cindy's was spectacular...great way to end our visit. I don't think I'll ever get tired of visiting Chicago...fantastic city.