Happy to help - I've lived in this city on the S/W side near Midway Airport for 68 years....so far -lol....... and I too turn on talk radio before deciding on a 'thru the Loop' or 'out west to the Tollway' to get North. Thru the Loop is the shortest distance and free but most times is a traffic mess of frustration. I typically go out of my way to the Tollway on I55 west just to save the grief. It costs a little more in gas and of course the tolls but I'm willing to pay for the peace of mind and body.