As most people dread going to DMV, I also thought this was going to be a painful experience. Quite…read morethe opposite! After being closed for 2 years because of the pandemic (by appointment only since 2020), they finally opened again with the usual first-come-first served option. I lost of SSA card so when I went to create my account online to request a new one, it said I was not a US citizen. Ha! I realized that I didn't update SSA when I became a citizen back in 2012. So I had to do the trek to the office. Pretty smooth operation - you come in, check-in at the touchpad kiosk, get a number, sit and wait for your number to be called. It took like 5 minutes of me in my seat til my number was called. Then another 10-13 minutes at the window, of the SSA personnel to input the necessary info and scan my certificate of naturalization into the system. All the personnel were super nice, from the security to the one at the window. I always think that when you come in with smile and greetings, people will treat you back kindly.

1. No heat 2. Not enough chairs…read more3. No INDOOR bathrooms (33 degrees out) 4. Impossible to reach by phone 5. Woman who helped me was very nice. Many expressed "Thank trump for this" I appreciate that - he's a deviant.

Another brilliant summer afternoon spent people-watching, reading, sun-tanning, chilling, in…read moreGiddings Plaza, the heart of the Lincoln Square neighborhood, and realizing that this is definitely the best neighborhood in Chicago. Giddings Plaza is the center of the area. On a beautiful summer day like today, it is filled with parents and babies, children playing, people having lunch, and even someone like me, who uses a day off to enjoy the whole panorama. Lincoln Square has a diverse population that's best seen on Thursday evenings when the farmer's market is operating, and the free concerts take place in the Plaza. It really feels like you're in a small, friendly town. The area has restaurants (many, many), an independent bookstore (BookCellar), a fantastic deli (Gene's Sausage Shop), independent and unique stores (Merz Apothecary, Eclectricity, Gallimaufry Gallery, and more), coffeeshops, a wine shop (Fine Wine Brokers), entertainment (Davis Theatre, Old Town School of Folk Music, free events sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce), a large park district (Welles Park), a big public library (Sulzer Branch) -- just too many pluses to list here. The neighborhood features plenty of housing, without feeling like you're living in one of those high-rise caverns alongside Sheridan Road. There are apartments, condos and single family homes. And the neighborhood luckily escaped the worst of the housing boom - there are a few McMansions around here, those hulking monsters that fill up their lots with not enough land left to place a flower pot - but not nearly as many as in other neighborhoods or suburbs. It still maintains the old Chicago 'hood character. The one thing that may develop into a problem is parking. Thursday night is already challenging in the area, since the Market fills a parking lot. Now that Lincoln Square Athletic Club has opened, there will be a lot more people coming into the area with their cars. On the nights when Old Town School has a big concert, parking is already an issue. Old Town School is expanding into a much larger, new building across the street from its current location, and you can be sure that will add stress to the parking issues. But for me, I love it. Nights on our block are quiet and peaceful. But when we want action, summer or winter, we can find whatever we want in Lincoln Square.

Out of all of Chicago's 77 unique neighborhoods, Lincoln Square is truly my favorite. This is also…read moreprobably why I chose to live here. It's far enough north from much of the city congestion, has a true neighborhood feel amongst an urban surrounding, and still manages to maintain a good amount of it's German culture. It's truly "A village in a city." Several German businesses are still alive and booming with pride: Chicago Brahaus, Merz Apothecary, Lutz Continental Café, Huttenbar, the Chicago branches of DANK HAUS (The German American Cultural Center) and the Niedersachsen German Club, to name a few. The Chamber of Commerce does a lovely job in making sure the neighborhood maintain's this "life" with many festivals and events like the SpringRavenswood Run, May Fest, Fold & Roots Festival, Apple Fest, German Fest, and the Christkindl Market. I love exploring the neighborhood whether it is sitting in a lovely cafe reading a book, strolling past the many shops or watching the kids play by the fountain Square.

Excellent alderwoman! Her office is on top of all important matters. They follow up on issues…read more Silverstein is the best choice!

Just spoke to Ald. Silverstein about a situation I'm facing, essentially the city ticketing my…read morementally ill mother for uncut weeds (multiple times, several months delayed). She offered no solutions whatsoever even though the city and an attorney I spoke with said the alderman can get you off the citation list. Even if there's nothing you can do to help a person, you should return their calls promptly (this was the second call to her office) and you should be sympathetic and offer something. If I was able to vote in this district, I would vote for someone who is more solution oriented and understanding. Any sort of assistance, even offering other city services, would have been appropriate in this situation. A simple, no there's nothing I can do, is not good enough.

Growing up in Albany Park, I had many Cambodian friends. Both my elementary school and community…read morecenter offered Cambodian ESL classes and other programs geared towards Cambodian immigrants. Throughout the years, I've learned a little bit of their culture through my friends, school, and festivals. But my recent visit to the Cambodian Association of Illinois was a true learning experience. This review is based primarily on my tour of their Cambodian American Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial. The museum director, Mr. Daas was my guide, walking me through the exhibits and memorial. He spoke about Cambodian Buddhism, its origins, practices, and art. There are several sculptures throughout the museum, created by their own artist (Chhoeut Tuy), and other carved wood and stone art. The current exhibit explores socio-economic, cultural, and historical issues in Cambodia. I learned about fishing, rice harvest, and silk production. After viewing the exhibits, we headed over to the Killing Fields Memorial. The Wall of Remembrance honors the 2 million people who died during the Khmer Rouge regime. Many Cambodians throughout the country come here to pay their respects and to add names of family and friends lost in the genocide. The Cambodian Association of Illinois itself was formed in 1976 by a group of Cambodian refugee volunteers to assist those who fled the war-torn country. They provide several programs for this community: education, citizenship help, employment assistance, seniors services, health fairs, counseling, summer camp for children, and cultural workshops. This place is vital to Cambodian-Americans here in Chicago. They help immigrants adjust to life in America while maintaining their culture and heritage. That's what community is all about. Definitely check out their museum the next time you're in the neighborhood.

It's no small undertaking to have a building that's both a museum and a community resource center -…read moreespecially for a community that's as relatively small as Chicago's Cambodians. I feel weird with Yelp giving a "Woohoo!" to a place dedicated to honoring and remembering a genocide, but this place is worth seeing both for the historical value and to get a perspective on genocides other than those that took place during WWII. I found the staff - particularly the executive director - tremendously friendly and informative and the information is well presented. Also, it must be said as part of my general enthusiasm -- they have a nice little gift shop area where you can buy interesting textiles and other things at very reasonable prices. Stuff you won't see anywhere else. Interesting that Yelp says that this is in Ravenswood. Given that's it's on the south side of Lawrence, it might be Ravenswood Manor, but most would consider it Albany Park. A really nice thing to have in a very interesting neighborhood.

I've been a customer here for 11 years with a PO Box. The drop in reliable service and not being…read moreopen during posted hours is inexcusable. I can't get my mail in the morning because the doors are locked, and I can't get it in the afternoon due to the bottleneck of one unreliable person being at the counter. Something needs to change here.

I have never cried while being a customer at a business (with the exception of my Dr.'s) until…read morecoming here. I asked to see more stamps for my Christmas cards and the "lady" at the counter said I was "not entitled to see them". Then she bossed me around and told me to go somewhere else if I wanted to see other stamps as she would only sell me the Forever stamps. I was stunned and frustrated and left in tears. The next time I came here was to pick up a package, and I did 3 shots of Rumple Minze before, in case I had to deal with the same "person". I didn't have the same "worker", and was able to get my package after waiting in line for ~30 mins.

Giddings Plaza is the center of Lincoln Square. It's an easy meeting place, and often functions as…read morea stage or entertainment hub for one of the festivals that take place in Lincoln Square. During the holiday season, Lincoln Square's Christmas tree is here and the tree lighting ceremony takes place in the plaza. I like that there are several benches around the perimeter so folks can actually gather here.

Summer concert!!!!! In 2018, it's on Thursdays, June 7-August 30, 6:30-9pm. There are sooooo many…read morepeople, it's dog and family friendly, oh, and of course that includes strollers! Here's what you need to do- ditch the stroller and bring a blanket. Go to the Farmer's Market on Lincoln & Leland first, less than a block away, order a pan of pizza, get some beer and wine, come back to the plaza (or have your family save your space), sit on your blanket and enjoy some pizza while listening to some live music. The music changes weekly and is a variety of live bands. There was a huge crowds of people- ages from infant months to 70s(?). There were many toddlers with working parents, whom seemed to come after getting off from work. If you're around, go visit!

I really appreciate Leni's approach to governance. She fights for the average person and against…read morebig Trump aligned special interest groups which is why the dark money groups spend so much on mailers opposing her. She is also great at communicating and constituent outreach and services. We are very lucky to have such a people oriented city council membe representing our Ward.

I'd initially shrugged off this office. I contacted them, knowing they weren't my alderwoman but…read morebelieving that the company I was complaining about may be affiliated with their area. The response I initially got was that I apparently (accidentally?) contacted a campaign address. I just assumed that was the end of it and moved on to the next politician. For whatever reason, 10 days later, I got two more responses with VERY HELPFUL tips that educated me on an organization I didn't even know about during my reporting days. I don't know how I slept through the organization they recommended, but I leaped at the chance to contact it to resolve my complaint. I genuinely appreciate that they followed up even after some time because they really could've chosen to ignore me the way my ACTUAL alderwoman is (while taking selfies on Instagram and posting about renaming parks). Instead, they did the exact opposite. They read and responded to my email, and then came back with other ways to assist. Even if the alternate organization cannot resolve my complaint, I respect the effort. Thank you!

Great information to fill a police report and restriction orders thanks officers…read moreI've been here many times to fill reports about a crazy guy who was harrasent me for months. Finally, I got emergency order protection. Thank you Also, a lot of Venezuelans immigrants all over the place

Really good staff here that help me with my problems and are informative. Highly recommend this…read morelocation.