Well, I did look up the coverage map, which shows excellent coverage in this region. I use an older Nokia E7-00 communicator device purchased abroad that uses Symbian Belle OS, and the top band my phone can use is the 3.5G network.
I don't have this problem all over the area which includes 60612. The problem seems to be centered around the Blue Line CTA stop named Illinois Medical District and the adjoining area in the radius of around half a mile, where I happen to live. The phone works perfectly fine else where all over the city.
Which is why this is so frustrating: having to hold the phone in awkward positions to detect a signal in the room is not my idea of a fun time!