Bus Tour Deposit Request

Bus Tour and Deposit Request

February 23, 2026

Hello Family!

Thank you to everyone who took the survey about your intentions to come to the reunion July 17-19, 2026. Your responses really help with planning. 

If you haven't already, you can take the survey at https://forms.gle/HdQDgCVrThfDpojK9

So far, we have around 30 people with pretty solid commitment to attend, and quite a few others that I’ve talked to with intention to attend. 

The first order of business is to put down a deposit (~$1600) on the bus and for the Tour of Chicago on Saturday afternoon. 

Bus tour cost estimate is between $75-85 per adult depending on the number of people that are on the bus.

Our custom bus tour will pick us up from Lou Malnati’s pizza at 2:15 pm. 

The bus tour is 2.5 hours and includes Chicago’s iconic plazas, Michigan Avenue, and the scenic Museum Campus—with a photo stop along the lakefront. Then we'll drive south for a beautiful view of the city, a stop for ice cream, and areas such as the South Loop, Bridgeport, Pilsen, Chinatown, Little Italy/UIC and Greektown. Throughout the journey, our guide will tell stories of European immigration, the Great Migration, and the evolution of Chicago’s people and architecture. I’ve taken tours from our tour guide in the past, and they are quite informative and enjoyable. 

Another advantage of having our private bus will be a drive home to Bartlett! (Avoiding the hassle of driving, $30+ parking fee and making one of the hourly trains) Stop 1: Bartlett train station to pick up cars. Stop 2: Ruhlin’s home for a light dinner. (later, I will ask for a headcount for dinner)

Here is what I need before March 6. 

A deposit for your seat on our Chicago Bus Tour. 

This will give me an accurate count to reserve the correct size bus. 

$80 per adult 

$25 per child under 12

Zelle: 630-965-6605

Venmo: @Laurie-Ruhlin

(Venmo and Zelle QR codes are at the bottom of this email)

To help with your budgeting, here is an estimate of other events and costs that are planned for the weekend.

Reunion Cost estimates 

Friday - Arrival day

Dinner at Ruhlins  $20-25 per person (pp)

Saturday Morning

Saturday Train ticket to Chicago $5 pp (free parking in Bartlett)

Architectural Boat Tour (OPTIONAL, you will book on your own, I’ll provide a link later) ~$50 pp

Book other tours on your own or enjoy a few hours in the city. 

Saturday 1:00 pm 

Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Pizza Lunch (Graciously will be paid for by Larry Olson! - Thank you Larry!)

Saturday 2:15 pm

Chicago Bus Tour

~$80 per adult ($25 kids under 12)

Saturday Evening

Light Dinner (salad/sandwiches) at Ruhlin’s - $15-20 pp

Sunday

Sunday Brunch/Lunch $15-20 pp

If you participate in all meals and bus tour, the approximate cost per person is $135-150

Please make your Bus Reservation by March 6 with payment of $80 per adult and $25 per child.

Also send me a message with your total seat count for the Bus. If bus cost is less, I'll apply any extra deposit $ to your account.

Thank you!

Laurie