so i have friends flying in from NY friday, and was wondering if anyone could recommend me some cheap hotels in/near the downtown area, thanks in advance

 

Cheap and downtown don't generally go together. However, I do believe there is a motel near the Hooters in River North. I can't remember the name of it, but I'm pretty sure it's about as cheap as it gets in that area.

There's also a Days Inn in east Lincoln Park that should be pretty cheap.

 

When I lived in the city, my parents generally had good luck using Priceline, generally paying around $100 for places like the Westin and Intercontinental.

The hotel Chris is thinking of is probably one of the Best Western / Howard Johnson / Ohio House, which are all on LaSalle St around Ohio/Ontario. I'm pretty sure the Days Inn right across from Lincoln Park Zoo is closed. Or were you thinking of the one on Diversey?

But finding anything in Chicago during the summer, let alone cheaply, is going to be more difficult the week of the stay...