Check this out: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14911467 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14911467 Mind you, I did a quick search in the Chicago area

Check this out: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14911467 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14911467 Mind you, I did a quick search in the Chicago area for developer jobs, found a bunch of them have written n+ years of experience required. But give it a shot, and read the comment threads too. At the very least, hope it's a bit of inspiration. Good luck.