Summertime in most areas of the United States heralds road construction season. But what was it like for automobile drivers 100 years ago? This video prepared by the Ford Motor Company shows how the Model T was built and what it was like to drive in those early days of the automobile age. Most roads were not paved and snow plowing was nonexistent. Mount Prospect entered the automobile age in full force when William Busse bought his first Buick automobile and eventually became a Buick dealer. Here is a c1920 photograph from the Mount Prospect Historical Society showing William and his son, Fred, with the family’s first automobile. Most of Mount Prospect’s roads were unpaved until the mid-1920s.
News from the Reference Desk Category: Travel
Illinois Toll Road Rates
Searching for cash costs vs. I-PASS rates on the Illinois Toll Roads? Check all tollways on Rates by Toll Plaza.
Be Safe on the Roads: IDOT You Tube
The Illinois Department of Transportation launched a new YouTube video series this week aptly called “On The Move.”
IDOT says videos will be produced on an ongoing basis and allow Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider to keep Illinois citizens up to date on state transportation issues.
“This video series is an opportunity for me to provide further details on several imperative topics here at IDOT and also to elaborate on what we are working on to help keep you, the motorist, informed” said Schneider in a press release. “I look forward to discussing new projects and initiatives as well as letting you know how you can help us keep our roads safe.”
The inaugural video of the series concentrates on traffic safety. Schneider gives the lowdown on those digital billboard displays which keep a running total of the number of traffic fatalities which have occurred on roads within the state and then spends some time passing on some solid traffic safety tips.
Planning a Local Trip?
Trying to get from point A to point B around the city? Yes, we can surely help you find the best way, and so can the RTA Trip Planner.
The RTA gets you where you’re going with three transit operators: the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus and rail system, Metra commuter rail (Metra map), and Pace suburban bus service.
Going a bit farther? Take a look at Amtrak to book train tickets or Greyhound.
Free rides for most seniors to end on CTA, Metra, Pace on 9/1/11
A vast majority of the 440,000 senior citizens who registered to receive free transit rides over the last three years will lose the privilege on Sept. 1. The Chicago Tribune posted this article which discusses the income caps of seniors who will qualify.
Green Cards, Citizenships, Visas
A permanent resident card is also referred to as a green card. Information and applications for application, renewing and replacing are available at the Department of Homeland Security: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration site or by calling 800-375-5283.
The application for citizenship is the N-400 Application for Naturalization and details for fees and completing this form are also available on a section of the U.S. Citzenship and Immigration site.
Information regarding various types of visas needed for foreign citizens to travel to the U.S. are available on the Department of State: travel.state.gov site.
Passports
We often receive questions from travelers preparing to apply for a passport or needing to renew. While you may complete an application and have the required photo taken at the Mount Prospect Post Office, information is also available at the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov) site. Details regarding renewals, lost or stolen passports, and updating an existing passport are provided.
In need of a passport in a hurry? In addition to the details on the site, our closest passport agency to expedite an application is at:
Chicago Passport Agency
Kluczynski Federal Building
230 S. Dearborn Street, 18th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604-1564
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays
Automated Appointment Number: 1-877-487-2778