I noticed that TER is not baseline for reviews in Chicago. What do you all usually use? I am fascinated by the RS2K community. However, the design is quite lacking and I'm reluctant to trust their security (no SSL forms).

Are you asking about reviews or looking at ads?  If it is for reviews, the answer is simple, TER.  For ads, it is TER, RS2K, Eros, P411, and BP.

RS2k, P411, are a couple of the verification, and Ad sites the providers use, there are other ad sites, eros and date check to name a couple,
But for us guys we use a multitude of Avenues to understand a provider.  
1st.  her Ad, then does she have reviews, A website, and we banter on the boards here in TER, PM each other, and the other things.
Chicago is a very friendly, and Fun hobby community, just check the Chicago discussion board....

p41,datecheck, and rs2k is great.. it makes it much more simple to see clients.

I look at a provider's Web site, then check reviews on TER, followed to see if the person is listed on RS2K

I just realized that if a provider does not like your review. she can remove herself from being a provider that you have already seen. it's a shame she had already verified me and then did not like the reviews that were given said they were not high enough for her??? go figure
 I was just trying to be honest with the review so others would know what my opinion was off this provider they were not bad but they were not excellent.