Hi Cornczech,
You have received a lot of great advice here. In regards to the meetings that you went to that were filled with homeless people, is there an area of Chicago that is more affluent that you might be able to connect more with the group. That being said, hearing peoples stories of the hell they have been through has also helped me a lot.
Look for the similarities not the differences, they are also alcoholics just like you after all is said & done (scary & sobering isn't it?).
You have been a member here since Aug 2008 with just 8 or so posts, its going to take a lot of work & effort to get through this (if not everything you can give). Stay close to SR & find a program that works for you & take transit to the other side of town if you have to so that you can find a group you can relate to.
This is going to take almost everything you have got, are you ready? Time to forget all of the reasons why you drink & start listing off the reasons why to stop & how you are going to do this.
You can do this but you gotta do it!
All of the best in your recovery
NB