Need info on Chicago Field Office

[poolmom 1]

I have my interview next week and am trying to decide whether to drive down from northern suburbs or take Metra train to Union Station. Is there ample parking available? I'm afraid to get lost and not be able to find parking. I see on the map 101 West Congress Parkway is not too far from Union Station and I could catch a bus or taxi to the building. Any info will be much appreciated.

Edited November 29, 2012 by poolmom

[milimelo 4,744]

I have my interview next week and am trying to decide whether to drive down from northern suburbs or take Metra train to Union Station. Is there ample parking available? I'm afraid to get lost and not be able to find parking. I see on the map 101 West Congress Parkway is not too far from Union Station and I could catch a bus or taxi to the building. Any info will be much appreciated.

There are plenty of parking garages around but you will pay a lot unless you get in early. I once walked to the Field office from Wacker drive (Ogilvie Metra station) - wasn't too bad. You can also take CTA to get you closer to the office - it is only couple of blocks from the Chicago Library stop.

[summer13 0]

I have my interview next week and am trying to decide whether to drive down from northern suburbs or take Metra train to Union Station. Is there ample parking available? I'm afraid to get lost and not be able to find parking. I see on the map 101 West Congress Parkway is not too far from Union Station and I could catch a bus or taxi to the building. Any info will be much appreciated.

when is your priority date? how long before they scheduled u for an interview?? thnks

[poolmom 1]

when is your priority date? how long before they scheduled u for an interview?? thnks

Priority date is July 17 2012. Early Biometrics on July 31 2012. Waited exactly 90 days from being place in line for an interview to getting an interview date. Pretty much in the time frame stated for Chicago Field Office of 5 and half months from beginning to end.

[NickD 203]

It's a mile walk to the field office from the Ogilve Transportation Center. We generally take the Metra from Harvard, IL for downtown Chicago. But really have to watch the schedules and clock. Driving to downtown Chicago with one big fat no parking zone is a pain in the butt. Plus during the rush hour, can take as long as 4 hours to get past O'Hare before the traffic breaks up.

Assume you will be either coming down the Edens or I-94 Tollway. I would check your appointment time and your Metra schedules, far more trains headed north than to Harvard. As even a six year old kid growing up in Chicago, knew the CTA like the back of my hand. But dead lost on this today, is there parking way north or northwest of that madhouse city? Certainly somebody should know.

One time we drove down there, grabbed the nearest parking lot I could find. Ended up paying 17 bucks per hour, and when I got home, found four new dents on my brand new car. Has to be a better way.

Still have to go down there to maintain my wife's Colombian passport, in person. You are not a US citizen just like if you were born here. And its not dual naturalization, its dual citizenship!

Would be nice if they moved these consulates and the USCIS field office to O'Hare, least you can find a safe place to park.

[summer13 0]

Priority date is July 17 2012. Early Biometrics on July 31 2012. Waited exactly 90 days from being place in line for an interview to getting an interview date. Pretty much in the time frame stated for Chicago Field Office of 5 and half months from beginning to end.

Omg really that long? My pd is september 12 and i am currently inline.. i hope mine will be quicker.

[NickD 203]

This is the worse time to apply, day off for Veterans Day, week off for Thanksgiving, and two weeks off for what we use to call Christmas.

Wife applied in March with not much going on when the USCIS was far busier due to those rate increases. Stepdaughter applied this time of year with all those days off, we waited much longer for her.