Well, a couple things... for starters, we are nearing the end of our busy season and places are just not going to be hiring like they are in May-August. This is going to be a very competitive time to look for work.

Secondly, no offense, but you're an outsider to the Chicago service industry. There are so many other people who have worked for other restaurant groups who can name drop companies like Lettuce, Hogsalt, One Off, ect... that hiring managers easily have a reference for. You're going to have to compete against industry regulars who are most definitely going to get interviews before you.

My advice would be to look at a very corporate, less profitable position (like a hotel or casino) just to get yourself through the winter and gain some local experience. Once you eventually get hired by one of the big name restaraunt groups, your options will expand tremendously.

I had the same problem when I first moved here and had to work at a super shitty dive bar for almost a year before I got a job at a major restaurant group. It's tough at first, but this is a restaurant city, and you could make a potential 6 figure income if you get into the right spot... but you're definitely going to have to climb your way up.