Living in Illinois

[w00dland]

Just moved here on Wednesday and I have a few questions.

First of all - is sales tax seriously over 9% here? I just left AUSTRALIA and ya'll rival GST over there. Sheesh.

Whats fun to do in the Chicagoland area? Where should we hang out? We're living in Elgin. Is there a decent theme park around here? Is it tough to get tickets to Wrigley for Brewers games?

Thanks in advance!

[FParker185]

state sales tax is around 7.25%, though I know cook county has an extra sales tax., plus an extra giant Cigarette Tax if you're into that sort of thing.
As for the other questions in order.

All kinds of stuff, depends what you're looking for.
Others can answer that one better, I hang out at Nels Old time Inn in Lisle, mason jars full of beer = good.
No not really, but SFGAm is about 45 min from you and Santas Village probably within 10 mins, they'll have to do unless you feel like frequent and long roadtrips.
From what i hear it's never that hard to get tickets, even day of, though since i've never been to a baseball game, I'll leave the exact ways to obtain them up to someone else, besides of course Stubhub.

[Director_Guy]

Yeah, Satan's Village is closest to you. I know during the winter they used to have ice skating there... so there's that. Other than that? Gah, I don't know... Spring Hill Mall? Woodfield Mall? Oh, and that boat that you can gamble on. That's probably good.

Downtown Chicago's probably about an hour from there. That's not too far, I think.

[Chitown]

I lived in Elgin for about 10 years before moving down to Florida. During the winter, options are limited. Obviously, Chicago has alot to do and they have the Metra train which can take you into Chicago without having to drive there.

By you, you have the Grand Victoria gambling boat, the Illinois railroad museum which is in Union (not far from Elgin). Wild West Town also in Union. Santa's Village azoosment park is close by but is geared for small children. Next door they have a decent sized paintball facility which also includes and indoor play that used to house hockey and ice skating.

If you are up for a little driving , the MOA in Minnesota is about a 6 hour drive and in my opinion is worth it for a weekend getaway during the winter.

Brookfield and Lincoln Park zoos are both world class zoos and are a fun winter trip. Not sure if still open but Villa Olivia is right near by Elgin off of Rte 20 which offers Skiing and Tubing.

Hope this helps.

[Chitown]

Also forgot to mention that downtown Elgin near city hall has (or had) an open outdoor ice skating rink which is free. They charge a rental fee if you don't have your own skates.

[w00dland]

Thanks. This place isn't Wisconsin, but it'll do.

[Paradise]

My hometown of Green Bay is only about 3.5 hours away from you. We got Lambeau Field, many awesome bars, and of course Bay Beach Amusement Park.