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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Chicago, IL

Home Care Chicago, IL

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Tribune Tower in Chicago, IL gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Chicago, IL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Chicago, IL

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Ali Asmi provided us with clear expectations and went above and beyond them to ensure my Dad's comfort. He cares about his clients and the safety of his employees.”

dorene R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“They were an absolute lifesaver! I needed ongoing care for my dad at the last minute as he was released from rehab. They were extremely knowledgeable, and quick to respond to our needs. Ali spoke to my dad and took a genuine interest in what he wanted and made him feel at ease throughout the process. Very satisfied and highly recommend. The balance tracking system was a real fun activity for my dad.”

Nilton P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We are very pleased with our care; our overall experience has been fantastic”

Wendy B.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Chicago, IL?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Chicago, IL

Types of Elderly Care in Chicago, IL

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Chicago, IL
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Chicago, IL
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Grant Park in Chicago, IL with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Chicago, IL
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Alinea or visit CharnleyPersky House Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Chicago, IL

Benefits of Home Care in Chicago, IL

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Chicago, IL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Chicago, IL

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IL's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Chicago, IL

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Chicago, IL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Chicago, IL

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Chicago, IL

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Brookdale Lake Shore Drive
  • Montclare Supportive Living Community
  • Belmont Village Senior Living Lincoln Park
  • Grand Regency of South Shore formerly Coles SLF Supportive Living Senior Housing
  • Eden Supportive Living Chicago North
  • Grand Regency of Jackson Park Supportive Living
Home Care Chicago, IL

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Chicago, IL

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Chicago, IL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Chicago, IL

Latest News in Chicago, IL

Bye Week Breakthrough: How Coaching Adjustments Revived the Chicago Bears

Teams often dread an early-season Bye Week, but for the Bears, it was essential. Heading into their Week 5 Bye, Chicago did not have a lot to hang their hat on. Sitting at a record of 2-2, the Bears managed to survive their first month of the season despite a porous defense and a near league-worst rushing attack. What felt like it would take weeks to fix appears to be accomplished in their self-scout during their week off.For teams like the Andy Reid Chiefs, John Harbaugh Ravens, or the Sean McDermott Bills, the Bye Week is a perfect ...

Teams often dread an early-season Bye Week, but for the Bears, it was essential. Heading into their Week 5 Bye, Chicago did not have a lot to hang their hat on. Sitting at a record of 2-2, the Bears managed to survive their first month of the season despite a porous defense and a near league-worst rushing attack. What felt like it would take weeks to fix appears to be accomplished in their self-scout during their week off.

For teams like the Andy Reid Chiefs, John Harbaugh Ravens, or the Sean McDermott Bills, the Bye Week is a perfect opportunity to self-scout and vastly improve. The elite teams in the league not only use the Bye to get healthy, but to identify and ameliorate deficiencies. These types of changes only occur when the right coaching staff is present, which Chicago has not had in quite some time. In their last 11 seasons, the Bears had a woeful record of 1-10 in their first game coming out of the Bye Week.

Looking back at last year, the Bears entered their Week 7 bye at 4-2, coming off one of Quarterback Caleb Williams’ best games at the time. Instead of building upon their success, Chicago lost all of their momentum coming out of the bye in the infamous “Fail Mary” game in Washington. Past seasons’ failures are what made Head Coach Ben Johnson’s approach to the Bye Week all the more intriguing.

Before the Bye

The first four games for the Bears found them struggling with the basics. From pre-snap and operational issues on offense to not shedding blocks to stop the run, Chicago was not playing fundamentally sound football.

The offense was plagued with costly, unnecessary penalties, and the run game was anemic. Chicago had a total of only 409 rush yards through the first month, coming out to just 102.3 rush yards per game on 3.8 yards per carry. The offensive line was not creating sufficient movement for the backs, and the backs were not hitting their holes. The defense found itself ranking near the bottom of the league in many categories. Chicago was giving up 164.5 rush yards per game on 6.1 yards per carry, ranking them last in the league in those categories. At only five sacks in the first four games and a pressure rate of 25.4%, the Bears were barely affecting the opposing Quarterback.

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Injuries played a part, but it felt like Chicago was in for a long season with the poor team play. The Bye Week was necessary for Coach Johnson and his staff to address their mistakes and turn their season around.

After the Bye

Johnson, Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen, and the rest of the coaching staff more than delivered and flipped the script for how Chicago was playing. In their two games after the bye, the Bears’ defense has only given up 84 rush yards per game on 3.3 yards per carry, a drastic change compared to the first month. That includes bottling up the best rushing team in the NFL at that time in Washington, and Chicago just held New Orleans to a mere 44 yards of rushing this past weekend.

Coach Allen deserves a ton of credit for how the defense is performing after the Bye. Allen made the decision to switch T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds’ Linebacker positions, and we have seen the dynamic LB duo making plays all over the field. Allen has also had his imprint on affecting the opposing QB. Chicago’s pass rush has come to life with seven sacks in the last two games, pressuring the QB on 41% of drop-backs. There has been an increase in blitz rate, and the development of young players is starting to pay dividends.

Rookie defensive lineman Shemar Turner was drafted to play on the interior defensive line, but Allen has experimented with Turner playing on the end, which has led to more comfortable play from the rookie. Dominique Robinson has had his struggles in his first few years, but now Robinson is starting to make his mark on the pass rush.

Chicago’s run game has seen an enormous lift since the Bye. The Bears are averaging 183.5 rush yards per game on 5.5 yards per carry, with D’Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai playing their best football of the season with the zone rushing scheme unlocked. When you watch the tape, Chicago is reaping the benefits of beautiful combo blocks from the interior offensive line, pulling tackles, and perimeter players’ willingness to block open up definitive rush lanes for the backs to hit.

Chicago has used their early Bye to their advantage, gaining momentum on a four-game win streak. It’s evident that Chicago has the coaches and players to adapt and respond to adversity. Whether it’s putting the players in the best position to succeed or creating schematic advantages week to week, Chicago has their coaching staff. The players are bought into what the coaches are selling, doing their part to help Chicago succeed.

With momentum behind them, Chicago is ready to prove they are the real deal, starting Week 8 in Baltimore.

Rain Possible This Weekend For Chicago Area, A Look At Halloween Weather

Plus, widespread frost as we head into the weekend.Seasonable temperatures are expected through the weekend and into next week, with a chance of showers on Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.Friday will be mostly sunny, with highs in the 50s, the weather service said. Overnight lows could be in the 30s, and frost is possible again Friday night into Saturday. The high on Saturday is 58, and the high on Sunday is 60 degrees."Primarily dry conditions prevail through the weekend, although c...

Plus, widespread frost as we head into the weekend.

Seasonable temperatures are expected through the weekend and into next week, with a chance of showers on Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

Friday will be mostly sunny, with highs in the 50s, the weather service said. Overnight lows could be in the 30s, and frost is possible again Friday night into Saturday. The high on Saturday is 58, and the high on Sunday is 60 degrees.

"Primarily dry conditions prevail through the weekend, although can’t rule out some sprinkles at times [on] Saturday/Sunday," the weather service said on its Facebook.

And if you're planning ahead for Halloween, and wondering how many layers can fit under a costume, it looks like Oct. 31 will be "partly sunny" with a high of 52 degrees, according to AccuWeather.

There is a 25 percent chance of precipitation, and winds are expected to be 8 mph.

Here is a more detailed look at the weather this weekend, per the weather service:

FRIDAY: Widespread frost before 9 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 54. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 5 mph.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Patchy frost after 3 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Calm wind.

SATURDAY: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1 p.m. Patchy frost before 9 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 54. Light east southeast wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

SATURDAY NIGHT: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. East southeast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph.

SUNDAY: Partly sunny, with a high near 59. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

SUNDAY NIGHT: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

5 Best Apps for Flight Deals and Trip Planning

This post is sponsored and contributed by Wego, a Patch Brand Partner.Use these essential travel apps to compare prices, secure fares, and finalize your travel plans.This is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch.CHICAGO, IL – For most travelers, planning starts with booking flights and hotels from major regional hubs. Successfully navigating this process requires more than j...

This post is sponsored and contributed by Wego, a Patch Brand Partner.

Use these essential travel apps to compare prices, secure fares, and finalize your travel plans.

This is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch.

CHICAGO, IL – For most travelers, planning starts with booking flights and hotels from major regional hubs. Successfully navigating this process requires more than just checking one website; it demands a smart, efficient strategy. Between searching hundreds of airline options and planning the transit journey home from the terminal, having the right apps can be the difference between overpaying and finding the perfect, budget-friendly trip.

We take a look at five essential apps that every savvy traveler should have on their phone to maximize savings and minimize stress on their next trip.

1. Wego

Wego is the essential first stop for travelers, serving as a single metasearch engine that delivers true, all-in pricing for your entire trip. The platform is designed for unmatched price integrity, showing mandatory taxes and fees upfront so you never hit a last-minute price surprise. The platform also offers 24/7 support via live chat, WhatsApp, phone, and email, with a multilingual team available to support travelers in over 30 languages.

When you fly from any major hub, Wego's search tool for flights proves its reliability in surfacing the actual lowest fares and the broadest selection. Our test runs for routes directly from Chicago, using December 7, 2025, as the travel date, confirm Wego's advantage:

Lowest Domestic & Short-Haul Fares

Wego found the lowest domestic fare on the competitive Chicago-to-New York route for just USD 39 (Expedia: USD 44).

For winter leisure trips, Wego found the Chicago to Cancun route for USD 84 (Expedia: USD 89), confirming Wego is faster at surfacing budget carrier deals.

Verifiable International Value

Wego found the Air Portugal flight to Frankfurt for USD 319 (Expedia: USD 405), a verified USD 86 difference. For the Chicago to London route, Wego listed a JetBlue flight for USD 311 (Expedia: USD 333).

Extensive Inventory

Wego consistently yields a far greater volume of flight options than its competitors. For Chicago to London, Wego showed 771 results compared to Expedia's 107. For domestic travelers heading from Chicago to New York, Wego yielded 431 results, compared with Expedia's 92, ensuring the broadest selection.

Beyond simply surfacing lower fares and offering deeper search, the Book on Wego (BoW - Wego-marked flight provider) feature lets you complete your purchase directly in the app for select partners, eliminating third-party redirects and last-minute price jumps.

For hotels and other accommodations, Wego's powerful search function aggregates deals from thousands of booking sites, making it easy to book your final destination accommodation at a low price and with confidence.

Exclusive Member Deals

Simply logging into your Wego account can grant you access to special pricing, including savings of up to 20% on certain hotel bookings that are unavailable to non-members.

Offline Access

Even without an active internet connection, you can still access your saved hotel (or flight) booking details through the app's Account section. This is essential for quickly showing confirmations at check-in when relying on unstable airport or hotel Wi-Fi.

2. Rome2Rio

When planning a multi-city trip or comparing the actual cost of flying into a secondary hub versus a primary one, Rome2Rio is the essential helper app. This tool solves complex logistics by showing you all possible transport options in one view: flights, trains, buses, ferries, and driving routes.

Comprehensive Comparison

It helps travelers decide whether the cheaper initial transport option is worth the extra time and cost of the transit ride, or whether driving to a nearby regional airport is the more feasible choice.

Estimated Trip Cost

Rome2Rio breaks down the estimated prices and travel times for each mode of transport (flights, trains, rideshare), letting you optimize your journey for speed or budget, far beyond just the airfare.

3. TripIt

After you've booked your flight and hotel, you need to manage all those confirmation emails. That's where TripIt becomes indispensable, especially for busy commuters or frequent family travelers.

Automatic Itineraries

TripIt scans your confirmation emails (flights, hotels, rental cars, activities, etc.) and automatically creates a single master itinerary. You simply forward your booking emails to the app, and it organizes all the details chronologically.

Real-Time Logistics (Pro)

The Pro version offers essential features for navigating busy airports, including real-time flight status alerts, gate change notifications, and a feature that flags alternate flights if your original flight is delayed or canceled.

Offline Access

All your critical travel details are saved and available offline, so you can access your confirmation codes and hotel addresses even if you lose connectivity at the airport.

4. SpotHero

For those who drive to major regional hubs, finding affordable parking is often as stressful as finding the right flight. SpotHero is the hyperlocal app that solves the entire airport parking puzzle.

Pre-Book Savings

SpotHero lets you find, compare, and reserve spots at hundreds of garages and lots near major regional hubs, often at a significant discount compared to driving up and paying the gate rate.

Convenience Filter

You can filter by distance, price, and shuttle service availability, so you know exactly where you are parking and how long it will take to reach the terminal. This eliminates last-minute panic when the main airport lots are full.

5. Google Maps

Once you arrive at your destination or back at your home city, you need reliable navigation. Google Maps is the essential universal app that handles local logistics better than any other single tool.

Multi-Modal Navigation

It delivers instant, accurate directions for driving, walking, biking, and public transit. When relying on local public transport (bus or rail), Maps provides real-time arrival and departure data for virtually every system worldwide.

Seamless Local Search

Use it to find essential points of interest like local restaurants, gas stations, or your hotel, complete with reviews, hours, and navigation that updates based on real-time traffic or transit delays.

This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local brand partner. To learn more, click here.

Here’s What the La Niña Effect Means For Winter Weather in Chicago

Fall temperatures have finally arrived in Chicago after weeks of sweltering heat and humidity. The sharp drop-off in temps comes with the return of a familiar weather phenomenon—the La Niña effect.The weather pattern means colder air in the Northern Hemisphere and the potential for more snow in Chicago this winter. In fact, the La Niña effect has coincided with some of the Windy City’s biggest historical snowstorms.So just how strong will the effect be this seas...

Fall temperatures have finally arrived in Chicago after weeks of sweltering heat and humidity. The sharp drop-off in temps comes with the return of a familiar weather phenomenon—the La Niña effect.

The weather pattern means colder air in the Northern Hemisphere and the potential for more snow in Chicago this winter. In fact, the La Niña effect has coincided with some of the Windy City’s biggest historical snowstorms.

So just how strong will the effect be this season? Could winter 2025-26 mean Chicago is in for Snowmaggedon: The Sequel? Here’s everything to know!

Understanding La Niña

La Niña conditions surfaced in late September according to the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Climate Prediction Center. The phenomenon is marked by below-average sea temperatures near the Pacific equatorial region.

While the cooler ocean temperatures occur thousands of miles away, they majorly influence weather outcomes in Chicago. La Niña typically brings wetter and snowier winter conditions to the upper Midwest.

The intensity of La Niña can varythe stronger the effect, the greater the chance for heavy snowfall.

The 2025-26 winter outlook

The NWS anticipates the current La Niña pattern to remain in the weaker range, but this could change over the course of the fall through winter season. The phenomenon will stick around through February 2026 according to predictions.

Additionally, a marine heatwave or “warm blob” is predicted to form this winter which could increase the chances for heavy snowfall in Chicago even further!

If the predictions are any indication, the coming winter could be a doozy. So break out your winter coats and keep a snow shovel handy Chicagowe’ve got a long couple of months ahead!

The 23 best restaurants in Chicago right now

There's no shortage of fantastic food in this city, but these Chicago restaurants make our list of top eats.The best restaurants in Chicago come in all shapes and sizes, from pizza joints and Michelin-starred heavyweights to some of the best cheap eats Chicago has to offer. The cuisines are just as varied, with every corner of the globe represented through Korean, Mexican, Italian, sushi and much more. Whether you're a lifelong resident or simply visiting for the weekend, stuffing your face at one of these restaurants is easily among ...

There's no shortage of fantastic food in this city, but these Chicago restaurants make our list of top eats.

The best restaurants in Chicago come in all shapes and sizes, from pizza joints and Michelin-starred heavyweights to some of the best cheap eats Chicago has to offer. The cuisines are just as varied, with every corner of the globe represented through Korean, Mexican, Italian, sushi and much more. Whether you're a lifelong resident or simply visiting for the weekend, stuffing your face at one of these restaurants is easily among the best things to do in Chicago. This belt-busting food scene shows no signs of slowing down, so we cut to the chase and ranked our essentials—the absolute best restaurants in town.

Our editors scour the city for great dishes, excellent value and insider info. We hope to provide an authentic snapshot of Chicago's ever-evolving dining experiences by updating this list constantly with the best new restaurants in the city as well as decades-old stalwarts that keep us coming back for more. It could be a mega-hyped destination restaurant or a remarkable hole in the wall: If it’s on the list, we think it’s terrific, and we bet you will, too.

October 1, 2025: Our latest roundup of the city's finest eateries features top spots, from iconic institutions such as Johnnie's Beef and Calumet Fisheries to buzzy haunts like Monteverde and The Loyalist. This month, we've added a few new entries to the ranking, including Anelya, an exceptional Ukrainian restaurant from chefs Johnny Clark and Beverly Kim of Parachute HiFi; Milly's Pizza in the Pan, a pandemic-born pizzeria that dishes out some of the best deep dish this city has seen; and buzzy new Greektown spot Ithaki Estiatorio from the team behind the now-shuttered Costa’s Greek Dining and Bar. Whether you're just visiting or a lifelong Chicagoan, there's something new and delicious to discover this fall.

Time Out has also instituted a sitewide change in review policies. Our food and drink venues included in guides now have star ratings, with five stars corresponding to “amazing,” four to “great” and three to “good,” and we’ve also standardized how most listings are structured. For more on our new policies, feel free to check out How we review at Time Out.

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