Is it their life's mission to test and harras?  Or do they (more-or-less) just leave you alone?  Anybody have any feedback?

Very, especially if you are an out-of-towner.  They have busted some famous ones, for example, Brooke, Diamond of the Desert, from Phoenix, to the point where these providers will never return.  I suspect same thing happened to Aussie Amber on her visit to Chicago.  The BDJ girls will NOT entertain visits here.  Be wary!  Trust few, do not accept other client references, only go with those you validate through real providers.

yes, we know of one who got busted awhile ago, also.  A famous girl, too, at that time.  
Yikes!  Wonder why Chicago is so tough a town?
People give us crap about working for agencies ("you are so pretty you could work as an independent" blah..blah..blah) BUT we have a reason for doing this (note the General Discussion Board on the lovely lady who was just stabbed to death).
Maybe it will be safer for us to work for any agency there--OR will this still be a problem?  
How rough is LE on agencies in Chicago?  (and do they have nothing better to do?)

Don't post asking for hotel recommendations and then stay at the places that are posted.  Guys will post their favorite hotels and you eventuaally announce your schedule.  You might as well send room number to LE directly.

I believe whether you are with an agency or not, you should always keep your guards up.  And as far as being safe, what about the 2 providers who were visiting Atlanta a few years ago.  They were with an agency.  They went on a double and were murdered at the clients hotel room.  Do you remember hearing about the provider that went on an outcall and never came back.  She was found murdered a month later.  She was with an agency.  I started with an agency.  What protection can they really offer?  (Unless someone is sitting right outside of the door listening.)  I was fed up with agencies.  There idea of protection is...Call when you arrive and call when you are leaving.  What could happen in between that time?  You never know who you will meet next.  He could be the kindest gentleman or the devil himself.  I always keep my guards up.  The key is to SCREEN SCREEN SCREEN!!!!  If a client doesn't want to give you info, just don't see him.  There are plenty of clients who are willing to give there info to you.  Just don't keep that information you receive.  I always get rid of it.  Burn it or flush it.
The fact is that bad things are happening to providers that people just don't know about because they are not reported or LE just doesn't care because of the line of work.
In Atlanta alone, I know a few providers who were raped, robbed or drugged and LE never did anything about it.  Only you can protect you from crazy clients or LE.
I recieved this in an email.  Please read.
This was an agency.  Agencies keep info.  Maybe that is why clients are afraid to use them.  
I have never visiting this city and don't ever plan on it.

That agency you talk of in the email sounds totally stupid.  Duh!
A good agency should know where you are going, the guy's name, phone number and check-in and out time (and time you!), and have a reputation that is one of honesty and reliability
, too.
Both us and the agency needs to screen, screen, screen.  Two heads are always better than one.
We have always been super pickey about who we went with.  Have had good experiences.  And have been safe.
Tried friends to watch out backs.  Did not work out at all after awhile.
There are so many agencies who think that giving you a lead is, "Gary.  Room 222, Marriott on Main.  8 pm.  Be there."  Sucks!  Gary who?  Where is Gary from?  What is he doing here?  Etc.
Guys sometimes get irritated at all the questions but it is for your own safety, ladies!  Do ask questions over and over.
The only negative is that the dependable agencies know who they are and sometimes charge accordingly...but what cost will you pay if you get hurt and nobody knows where you are?  It's a trade off worth it to us.