Summary

maker spaces are popping up all over the country. the two I know of in the Chicago area are pump station one (downtown) and workshop 88 out in the Western suburbs this is their logo.
it's a small space but with a growing membership, a very well-equipped shop for its size, a cupcake 3-D printer and a nice electronics area with plenty of parts that have been donated. soldering irons and oscilloscopes and whatever else you need to make what you need. they frequently schedule classes in everything from introduction to blender to how to build a marshmallow gun. come on by, general meetings are on Thursdays-check out their website for class scheduling