I-GO’s new Logan Square minivan

The Odyssey may have been a chore in lit class, but it’s smooth sailing at I-GO. We just added two more Honda Odyssey minivans to our fleet. The Hyde Park and Logan Square minivans follow in the wake of the Odyssey recently added in Evanston (at South Blvd. and Hinman Ave.). North…south…west…we like to spread our vehicle types around evenly to all the areas we serve. So whether you’re BBQ-bound on the South Side, carting the kids to a soccer game on the North Shore, or road-tripping from Logan Square, we’ve got you covered.

• 2009 red Honda Odyssey minivan, 1401 E. 47th St., Hyde Park, car #4456
• 2009 silver Honda Odyssey minivan, 2293 N. Milwaukee Ave., Logan Square, car #4445

And that’s not all, folks…

• 2010 black Honda Insight hatchback hybrid, 1847 S. Campus Dr., Evanston, car #4452
• 2010 silver Honda Insight hatchback hybrid, 3200 N. Lake Shore Dr., Lakeview, car #4535
• 2009 silver Honda CR-V compact SUV, 4877 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Square, car #4514
• 2008 silver Toyota Prius, 5440 N. Sheridan Rd., Edgewater, car #4584

Whether or not Chicago snags the Olympics, I-GO is already basking in the glow of two medal ceremonies:

The Illinois Environmental Council, which provides a forum for statewide environmentalists in Springfield and promotes sound environmental laws and policies, will honor I-GO at its 7th annual Environmental Leadership Dinner, Sept. 24, at Hotel InterContinental Chicago. I-GO is one of three recipients of the Environmental Leadership Award, along with 18th District Illinois State Rep. Julie Hamos and the Austin-Wide Parent Network’s joint initiative with the Healthy Schools Campaign. The keynote speaker is no slouch either: Jon Carson, chief of staff for the White House Council on Environmental Quality. I-GO got the nod for being “a successful social enterprise that is reducing the individual and societal costs of driving.”

I-GO’s also a finalist in the 8th annual Chicago Innovation Awards, which “celebrates the creative spirit of the city’s most innovative new products and services.” This year there’s a People’s Choice Award, too, that lets the public view all 75 candidates on the web and cast their vote. It’s an impressive field that gathers some of the most cutting-edge entrepreneurs in Chicago. Worthy contenders all. But, c’mon, folks, we’ll take our cue from Bo Diddley and ask, “Who do you love?” (Hint: It starts with an “I” and ends with “GO.”)

I-GO has ramped up its Member Services call center in the past year. We do our best to respond to your needs as quickly as possible. But we’re also a small non-profit and, despite our best efforts, occasionally callers get bottlenecked in a phone queue. Part of the reason: members who call to report a non-emergency problem, comment on an aspect of our service, or make a suggestion. Which is great! But instead of calling, use the Feedback function on our website. You’ll get a faster response and help us free up phone lines to address issues demanding immediate attention.

It’s easy:

1. Log into our online reservation system with your member number and password.
2. Click “Feedback” in the menu bar at the top of the page.
3. Select a problem type in the first drop-down menu.
4. Select your reservation in the second drop-down menu.
5. Enter your comment in the text field next to “Description.”

Problem types include: gas card not working, lost and found, lost smartcard, suggestions, ticket, vehicle cleanliness, and vehicle damage.

We’re constantly monitoring your feedback, and an I-GO Member Services employee will respond to you ASAP.

Ba-da-bing, ba-da-boom. Problem solved.

Did you know I-GO’s Chi-Town Rewards program offers members sweet deals on goods and services from local businesses, national companies, online retailers and more?

See the full Chi-Town Rewards member benefits list here.

Here are the latest two:

New Urban Property Services
Chicago-based residential real estate brokerage company focusing on transit-oriented locations in Chicagoland via specialized search functions on its newly launched website.

Offer: Use New Urban to buy or sell a home and receive free I-GO driving credit equivalent to 0.10% of the purchase or sale price (e.g., a $300,000 transaction would yield $300 in driving credit)

Chicago Heating and Cooling
773.330.3689
Heating and air conditioning repair contractor providing full service for all residential and commercial HVAC systems in Chicago.

Offer: 20% off on all heating and air conditioning repairs

I-GO can save your business big-time on transportation expenses. Click here to learn how.

And check out our newest business members:

Bistro Campagne

Forefront Structural Engineers, Inc.

Metropolitan Energy

One Brick

I-GO’s calendar is bumper to bumper this month

Community outreach is key to I-GO’s mission. Stop by for discount membership deals or earn driving credits when you sign up a friend.

Art on Harrison
Sat., Sept. 12, noon-8pm

Harrison Street (between Highland and Lombard), Oak Park
Nine blocks of galleries, restaurants, indie boutiques and services. Plus art made from recycled and found materials.

INCS Charter Family Picnic
Sat., Sept. 12, noon-4pm

Garfield Park, Jackson & Hamlin
Join the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (more than 1,200 charter public school advocates, parents, students and teachers from across Chicago) for free food and music.

Auburn-Gresham 79th Street Renaissance Festival

Sat., Sept. 12, 10am-6pm
79th St. between Loomis & Elizabeth
Auburn-Gresham’s very own Farley Jackmaster Funk is in the house. We’ll be on spin cycle.

Boulevard Lakefront Tour

Sun., Sept. 13, 10am-3pm
Washington Park, Payne Drive (south of the Armory)
I-GO provides support cars for Chicago’s longest-running bike ride, hosted by our pals at the Active Transporation Alliance. The ride’s four routes—highlighting Daniel Burnham’s green boulevards, landmark architecture, and more—start and finish in Washington Park, where the post-ride fest also takes place.

UIC Sustainability Week’s Transportation Day
Mon., Sept. 14, 11am-2pm
An outdoor fair in the beautiful UIC quad that showcases alternatives (including yours truly) to the traditional automobile.

Carbon Day Holiday Festival
Tues., Sept. 15, 10am-8pm
Lincoln Park, 2200 N. Cannon Dr. at Fullerton
Reduce your carbon footprint on the new state holiday with live music, food, electric vehicle and alternative energy exhibits, vendors, tree plantings and kids’ activities.

Edgewater GRalley
Sat., Sept. 19, noon-10pm
Green Pavilion, 1400 W. Granville
Granville’s back alleys come alive for this all-ages block party. Music, food tents, beer gardens, artist displays, kids’ activities, and green-themed events ensure family fun.

A Taste of Rogers Park and Edgewater
Thurs., Sept. 24, 5-9pm
Starts at 1209 W. Arthur
I-GO’s a sponsor of this dinner crawl, featuring tasting-size portions at restaurants in these North Side ‘hoods.

Hyde Park Jazz Festival
Sat., Sept. 26, 11am-9:30pm
Midway Plaisance, 59th St. between Woodlawn & Ellis
The fest brings together world-class headliners and local emerging artists for 15 hours of FREE, non-stop jazz at a dozen unique indoor and outdoor venues in Hyde Park.