Magical May is in full bloom! Tulips are dancing, neighborhood festivals are set, mothers awaiting their day, fair-weathered cyclists re-appear, fiestas on the 5th (and 6th and 7th and…,) farmers run the market, and we honor those who fought and died for our freedom. The magic is real so reserve your I-GO car today and get out there– Enjoy May!

What’s New at I-GO?

Cars, cars, cars

• Downtown (2 cars) #4574 & #4575, 60 E. Lake (Red Honda Fit, Silver Honda Civic Hybrid)
• Edgewater #4572, 5240 N. Sheridan (Silver Prius)– 2nd car coming to this location soon!
• Hyde Park #4571, 5541 S. Everett (Red Prius)
• Hyde Park #4573, 5210 S. Woodlawn (Silver Prius)
• Rogers Park #4570, 1218 W. Morse (Silver Prius)– at the Morseland

If there is one thing we’ve learned from our blog, Motormouth, it’s that members are passionate about wanting cars in their neighborhoods. Choosing where to have vehicles is one of the most important aspects of our business and also one of the most challenging. Our team continually ensures the vehicle locations we choose are convenient for members and also financially viable. If you are a business and have a parking space for an I-GO vehicle or if you’re a member and have a specific location that you feel would be a great parking space for I-GO, please email Richard Kosmacher with the information and he will follow up on each request.

Big Car On Campus

The recent partnership with DePaul University is I-GO’s latest venture onto Chicago’s college campuses and it furthers the commitment to reduce carbon emissions while easing area traffic. Employing only low emission, eco-friendly vehicles, I-GO will offer DePaul students, faculty, staff and local residents a new, environmentally friendly option to owning a car. Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, State Rep. John Fritchey, Ald. Vi Daley (43rd Ward), Ald. Scott Waguespack (32th Ward), DePaul University President Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kim Schilf and Sharon Feigon, the CEO of I-GO Car Sharing celebrate our new location on the DePaul campus at 2350 N. Racine.  Our 3 low emission cars are sure to help combat congestion and ease the parking shortage in this busy Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Paperless Trail P

The I-GO team feels strongly about reducing our paper consumption; therefore, beginning May 1, all I-GO members will receive their invoice by email. Of course we understand online technology is not suited to every member. If you would like to receive a paper invoice, you can change the method of your invoice delivery method by:

You can also change the delivery method by calling Member Services at 773.278.4446.  Please note any changes to the invoice delivery method for this month must be made before May 6.  All future changes to the delivery method must be made before the end of the month to take effect the following the month.  Members can review previous invoices at any time by logging into their account.

New Billing Cycle

I-GO’s billing team has shifted gears to create a timelier and consistent invoice process for members. Beginning in June, I-GO will invoice monthly plan charges (GO Budget, GO Anytime, Volume Plans) on the 5th of each month.  Trip charges for GO Standard, GO Standard Plus and GO Anytime will still be billed within 24 hours after the trip. We understand the temporary inconvenience this shift may cause; therefore, we are adjusting our billing schedule in May to help ease this transition. Please note the following billing schedule:

• May 5– Your monthly plan charges for April will be invoiced and charged.
• May 20– Your monthly plan charges for May will be invoiced and charged.
• June 5– Your monthly plan charges for June will be invoiced and charged.

*GO Budget Members will be credited 3 free hours at the end of the month.

Welcome New Business Members

• Cartridge World
• McCormick Theological Seminary
• McCormick Tribune Foundation
• Mercy for Animals
• Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal, LLP

If you would like to learn more about how to become an I-GO business member, contact Richard Kosmacher.  Refer another business and you could earn $50 in driving credit!

And the Award Goes to…

I-GO was selected to receive the “Welcome to Downtown” Award presented by Friends of Downtown, a not-for-profit civic group that promotes intelligent planning, superior design and awareness of important issues affecting Chicago’s downtown area. I-GO was recognized for its contribution to Downtown Chicago by changing the way people should think about transportation.

Member Tips

We’ve Got You Covered

• One of the advantages of being an I-GO member is that you don’t ever have to pay for insurance. Our premium insurance covers $300,000 per accident and a $5,000 per person per accident for medical expenses. If you are in an accident, remember to call the police and the I-GO office at 773.278.4446 immediately. Our insurance card and the Accident Report Form you’ll need to complete is located in the driver’s side visor.

Reserve It!

• Don’t forget that once you’ve selected a vehicle on the reservation site, a reservation confirmation page will pop up so you can review the details before reserving the vehicle. If everything looks good, click the “Reserve It” button at the bottom of the page and you are set to drive!

Neighborhood News

Oak Park

What do architect Frank Lloyd Wright, McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc and rapper Ludacris have in common? All were residents of Oak Park, a thriving village of 52,000 just 7 miles west of Chicago. With two CTA el stops, a metra stop and two I-GO cars, getting around is a breeze in this haven of historical landmarks and independent businesses.

Architecture buffs will find much to do in Oak Park. Frank Lloyd Wright has his own historic district that houses his home, studio, and several of the 27 Wright-designed structures that are located in Oak Park. Tours and programs are offered through the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust www.gowright.org. Literary types can get their fill by visiting the Hemingway Birthplace Home (339 N. Oak Park Ave) and the Ernest Hemingway Museum, Bookstore, and Archives (Oak Park Arts Center, 200 N. Oak Park Ave). Further details and tour information is available through the Ernest Hemingway Foundation (www.ehfop.org).

For shopping, Oak Park Arts offers something for everyone. Stop by Val’s Halla Records in the Oak Park Arts District and chat with Val, the store’s owner since its opening in 1972 (239 Harrison Street, www.valshalla.com). Barnard’s Schwinn is a family owned business that has been selling bikes since 1911 (6109 N. Oak Park Ave, www.barnardsschwinn.com). Kids and adults alike will enjoy downtown’s Magic Tree Bookstore with its assortment of award winning children’s books and foreign language selections for kids (141 N. Oak Park Ave, www.magictreebookstore.com).

If you’ve worked up an appetite, swing by Buzz Café (905 S. Lombard Avenue, www.thebuzzcafe.com). Enjoy a cup of coffee with the organic, locally grown food while admiring the works of local artists that line the walls. A hug from Chef Paco only enhances the friendly atmosphere and tasty Mexican food at the New Rebozo Mexican Restaurant (1116 Madison Street). Avenue Ale House is the perfect place to spend an evening. Choose from dozens of beers, microbrews and ales on tap or grab a burger and enjoy it at the rooftop cafe (825 S. Oak Park Ave, www.avenuealehouse.com). For more information about Oak Park and its many other attractions, visit www.oak-park.us or www.visitoakpark.com.

If you’d like to share information about your neighborhood contact Deb Ackles. You could earn up to $20 in driving credit if we use your content in future newsletters. We are currently seeking members who would like to share info on hot Logan Square, Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park!

Events

Be a part of the community, meet new people, share your experiences as an I-GO member with others and earn driving credit! Join I-GO’s Volunteer Network today. Contact Sheena@igocars.org to learn more.

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