Welcome to the "scene". We here in Chitown use the following for your....

PROTECTION!!!  
Become a member of www.roomservice2000.com and talk with Cathy, she is a saint and will give you good advice.  This is one way of using a VERIFICATION system that you will HAVE TO USE for YOUR PROTECTION when SCREENING us gents! Prefered411 is another web sight, but as I said, most of the ladies here in Chitown use roomservice.  
As far as advertising look at eros.com and roomservice2000.com.  Cityvibe.com and backpage.com are somewhat less comforting as ladies that are found there are typically not GFE, lower cost, more risky to us hobbiest etc.   Research the ladies that are "indy" on those sights to see the disclosure statements etc. they use in their advertising as well what you think is a good websight.  These advertising services vary in costs, with eros being the highest quality and most expensive, backpage being the least expensive.
Once you get up an running come over to the Chicago Regional Board and make yourself known, participate, etc.  
TER has rules to follow as far as amount of advertising per week, links to the TER logo, etc.  Any of the Moderators can help you, or local ladies, as we have a fairly good bunch.
Good luck!

B

important topics to new ladies have been discussed recently.

Best wishes,
skb

Welcome suzy! I myself became a member just a few days ago. This site has plenty of helpful information and many wonderful helpers with great advice! Every question I've had is in the newbie manual and in the old posts on the newbie boards. Just take your time and go through the old pages (I'm on page 30 now). You will find almost everything you're looking for. Good luck!