It may feel like winter, but there is definitely a little “spring” in our step at I-GO these days! Whether it’s our exciting partnerships with new businesses, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, DePaul University or the anticipation of our new reservation system, new vehicles or member parties, this spring has a lot to offer and I-GO is ready to kick up our heels.
What’s New at I-GO?
Coming Soon– new car locations
Look for new vehicles at locations in Lincoln Park (DePaul Campus,) Andersonville (Trumball Elementary) and Albany Park (near Montrose and Kedzie.)
A Breath of Fresh Air
I-GO is launching a new reservation system this spring that has everyone budding with excitement! Besides a new clean and fresh look, the improved system will feature:
More information on the launch of the new reservation system to come!
Spring Fling
I-GO is hosting two member parties on March 19 and March 25 from 5:30 to 8 pm to celebrate the end of winter and to share information and answer questions about what’s new at I-GO. Bring a friend to join I-GO and both you and your friend will earn $20 in driving credit. Enjoy complimentary food, cash bar, great raffle prizes and alot of fun! Locations TBD.
Welcome New Business Members
- The Actor’s Gymnasium
- U.S. Equities
Hey Blue Demons
I-GO offers $25 membership for DePaul University students, faculty and staff with Promo Code D25DePaul. (After your driving record is approved, you will need to provide your school ID number.) We’re adding cars to the DePaul campus soon, so don’t delay and sign up today!
I-GO Partners with Avon Walk For Breast Cancer 
I-GO is an official local sponsor of this important event that raises awareness and money for breast cancer research and support services for community-based programs. I-GO is providing vehicles before and during the event on the weekend of May 31st and June 1. Click Here to learn more about Chicago’s Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
I-GO Supports YNPN Chicago
TheYoung Non-profit Professionals Network of Chicago (YNPN Chicago) is an organization focused on strengthening the non-profit community by providing accessible professional development, resources and networking opportunities for young professionals involved in the Chicago-area non-profit sector. YNPN’s Annual event was February 28 and congratulations to Rachel Durchslag from Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) for winning Young Non-profit Professional of the Year. For more information, visit www.ynpnchicago.org.
Member Tips
You Look FOB-ULOUS
It is important to insert the black fob into the blue Key Pad in the glove box at the end of your trip. This is the first step in ending your trip so you are billed correctly (the second step is using your Smart Card to the lock the doors.) Failure to insert the fob back in to the Key Pad not only keeps the clock ticking on your trip (and a fine starting at $30,) but it also causes grief for the next member scheduled to use the vehicle who cannot gain access to the vehicle.- Everyone knows the blue Key Pad in the glove box is where you find the black fob, ignition key and gas card, but did you know the Key Pad is also a phone system? You can reach I-GO’s call center or 911 for an emergency anytime during your trip by pressing the yellow button on the Key Pad and following the instructions on the screen. This is especially handy if you do not have a cell phone or just want to save those valuable minutes! Speakers are in the dash board.
Chicagogreenlife
Why use plastic resource-rich water bottles when you can serve filtered tap water at a fraction of the cost and the waste? Why purchase a traditional wedding cake when an organic baker can prepare a scrumptious creation with a lower environmental impact? Why hire a gas-guzzling limo when getting to your party in a hybrid is so much more thoughtful?
Planning an environmentally-conscious party not only helps to lower your impact on the earth’s resources, it can be as beautiful, delicious, and exciting as a conventional party. If you’re planning a party, check out Chicago’s first environmentally-friendly event planning service, ChicagoGreenlife.
Neighborhood News
Edgewater
Edgewater begins at the edge of Rogers Park and ends at the edge of Uptown. It bumps into Andersonville on the west. But often, people do not know where Edgewater is. If you have ever gone to Foster or Hollywood Beach, you are in Edgewater. Edgewater seems to be that small spot of area that is not as robust as those other aforementioned areas but you would be surprised. There is a lot of commercial business in Edgewater. Take a drive down Broadway from Foster to Devon Avenues and you will see cleaners, currency exchanges, convenience stores, insurance companies, hair salons, nail salons and a host of other businesses.
Between Broadway and Sheridan Road along Bryn Mawr there are eight eateries: Ben’s Noodles, Francesco’s, Little Mexican Village, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, a deli, and Flourish Bakery. Go further west about 10 minutes down Ridge and you run into the new Target. We have our share of dollar stores and hardware stores.
Along Sheridan Road there are towers of rental and condo buildings reaching into the sky. What we treasure the most is the Lake. Edgewater sits along Lake Michigan and in the summer time the beaches are overrun with families, bikers, skaters, walkers, and just plain folk laying under the sun. We are blessed to have several bus lines from the 36 Broadway to the 147 Express. The red line subway joins the bus line.
Almost anything you want is within walking distance. We have an abundance of grocery stores and banks. Edgewater is clean and relatively crime free. It has a diverse population. You may hear several languages from Yoruba to Russian as you walk down the street. Our residents come from the Eastern European bloc countries and Africa. We are proud to have Loyola University as a neighbor and their police force patrol our streets.
A browse through I-GO Car locations shows that Edgewater has nine locations, second only to Lakeview and Downtown.
Stop and stay awhile on your way to Rogers Park.
If you’d like to share information about your neighborhood, contact Deb Ackles. You could earn up to $20 in driving credits if we use your content in future newsletters. We are looking for members living in Bucktown, Lakeview, Logan Square and Oak Park to share information about their neighborhoods.
