Aww. sorry.

Is he leaving for just a month, and coming back, or is he just going to be visiting?

Well maybe things can still work out then.

You can try to join http://suicidegirls.com/groups/SGChicago/. sometimes regoinal groups allow visitors in to see if anything is going on when you're there. I used to have friends in the chicago group, and they seemed pretty active, but sometimes regional grp owners are pretty anal about who they let in. You could give it a shot though.
If you do want to join just go to
the grp owners journal, and explain you're are visiting for ten days, and want to see if there's anything going on. I've never had any problems with regional get togethers, they're usually pretty good at screening out the weirdos.

Everything will be ok You'll get to see your friend in a month, and hopefully you get to visit Chicago. I heard it is a really great city... I'm only about 4 hours from it, but I've never been there. If you get too bored you can always make a short trip and come hang out with me

I've heard that there is a ton of shite to do in Chicago, though I'm not enough of a city boy myself to hang out there... Hopefully your hotel will have internet access...

I lived on the outskirts of Chicago for quite awhile it drove me crazy no friends no contact with anyone i was in exile.

I hope things get better for you dear Chin up stiff upper lip etc...ok i will stop being british...