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Resources for Current PILI Interns in Chicago

Whether you are visiting Chicago for your Internship or you live here, we want to help you make the most of your time and money. We have collected information for you regarding Chicago summer housing, transportation, discounts to national and local vendors, and Chicago-area events.

Disclaimer: The Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) provides information regarding student discounts and resources in the Chicago area solely for your information. Inclusion on this page does not constitute an endorsement as to the quality of the service or product, or to the habitability of any housing offered through these services. Following any of these links will take you outside of the PILI website, and PILI cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by this link.

Chicago Housing & Neighborhoods

Chicago offers a diverse set of housing options. Learn more about Chicago tenants rights here.

Popular Apartment Rental Services

Summer Student Housing Options

Transportation Options

Buses & Trains

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates the nation’s second largest public transportation system. On an average weekday, 1.7 million rides are taken on CTA.

Regular bus fares are $2.25 if you have a CTA card, or $2.50 if paying by cash. Bus drivers do not have change. Train fares are $2.50 and you cannot pay with cash. You can use mobile pay such as Apple Pay or Google Pay to access the CTA. CTA Ventra cards can be purchased at hundreds of retail locations across the city and can be reloaded at CTA stations. Daily, weekly and monthly passes are also available.

Bikes

Cars

Student Discounts

Receiving your discounts is easy, and most vendors just need to see your school ID card or offer an online coupon code. However, be sure to read each discount carefully, as they may not apply to everyone or have specific requirements.

Clothing & Retail

  • Amazon, 6 month membership to Amazon Prime free for students, 50% off going forward. Includes offers like free monthly Grubhub+Student membership.
  • Ann Taylor, 15% discount of all full-price items in store and online
  • Banana Republic, 15% discount of all full-price items in store
  • Best Buy, student deals change regularly
  • Eddie Bauer, 15% discount on all items in store
  • J. Crew, 15% discount on in-store purchases
  • Unidays, find student discounts on 300+ brands
  • Apple, discounts of up to $200 on their laptops, and up to $20 on a new iPad
  • Microsoft Store for Education, 10% of Microsoft store purchases
  • Dell University, student deals change regularly
  • Norton, offers student discounts for up to 50% off software and security packages
  • Target: Students with a Target Circle membership can get 20% off one qualifying store purchase now through Sept. 28.
  • Groupon: Groupon’s Select Student Program gets you up to 25% off every time you shop a local deal, and up to 10% off travel, tickets and events and more.
  • Stanley: 20% off your purchase
  • FedEx: Up to 30% off select shipping and packing services with a valid student ID
  • The Happy Planner: 15% off your purchase
  • Nike: 10% off your purchase online and in the Nike App

Entertainment

  • AMC Movie Theaters, student prices on Thursdays
  • Art Institute of Chicago, $26 student ticket
  • Chicago Symphony Orchestra, student pricing during concert season
  • Goldstar, discounted tickets available to everyone for Chicago shows
  • Goodman Theatre,$10 day-of tickets to Albert Theatre productions and advance tickets to Owen Theatre productions are available for current college students.
  • HotTix, ½ price theater tickets to a number of Chicago Theaters
  • Peggy Notebart Nature Museum, student price is $10
  • Regal City North Stadium in Logan Square, half price Tuesdays for loyalty members
  • Steppenwolf Theater, offers $15 student tickets and ½ price student subscriptions
  • Spotify, 50% off a premium membership for students
  • Peacock: Peacock Premium for $1.99 a month
  • Hulu: Hulu with ads for $1.99 per month
  • Spotify: Spotify Premium for $5.99 per month, which includes three months free and access to Hulu (with ads)
  • Apple Music: $5.99 per month, plus free access to Apple TV+ for a limited time
  • YouTube: Ad-free subscriptions to YouTube and YouTube Music for $7.99 per month, plus one month free
  • Paramount Plus: Paramount Plus Essential Plan for $5.99 per month
  • Headspace: Headspace Student Plan for $9.99 a year

Gym Membership

Explore Chicago

Free Activities

Find out What's Happening

We do our best to keep this list of resources up-to-date for your use. If you have comments, questions or suggestions about the discounts and resources listed above, or if you have recommendations for services or resources to be included, please contact PILI by email.