Originally Posted by
Drago1010
I commute in Chicago 365. Chicago is flat and you can use whatever bike you like - fixed/single speed, mtg, hybrid, cross, road, european city, cruiser or frankenbike. The choice is yours. Your are over thinking the situation. I commute on a road bike (nice one) 3 seasons and switch to a hybrid for the winter. Only things to consider is where you are going to park it during the work day. Theft is a major concern so don't get a bike for your commute that you aren't afraid to have ripped off (no $2000 road bikes unless they sit in your workspace or secured parking). If you are worried about being passed, get over it. It ain't the bike , its the motor.
+1 to this. I'm also a year-round Chicago commuter. I use an old Schwinn touring bike (also my, uhhh, bike I use for touring) and a Bianchi SS/fixed (with studs sometimes in the winter) for almost all of my commuting, running 28-32mm tires on both. At your price range, the easiest (and from what I see, most common) solution is to go buy an all-purpose road bike (Surly Crosscheck, Bianchi Volpe, etc) that runs about $1000 and get some heavy duty locks.