re: Chicago...staying around Miracle Mile. Still a good idea?

I hear ya. Like I said, what happened over the weekend is not ideal, but I wouldn't categorize it as any sort of common occurrence. Obviously, you wouldn't want to see it at all, but is what it is.

In general, The Loop is just a bit shitty. Dies pretty quick after the 9-to-5 crowd goes back to the neighborhoods and suburbs. It's ripe for shite like this to happen. Magnificent Mile and Gold Coast are well-lit, populated places that haven't gotten much attention from the vandalizing crowds since the George Floyd riots. I'm confident that where you're staying is more than OK.

As for the neighborhoods, most crime is pocketed in the far south, west and north sides. Not completely contained, of course, but I can't imagine you should feel unsafe going to a Cubs game.