moving to chicago next year, looking for safety tips as a young woman

just got back from a trip to chicago which was AMAZING!!! chicago has been my destination for about a decade and we're finally moving in the summer.

the last several times i've been i've felt completely safe but this time it felt much less safe (namely downtown at night and CTA platforms/trains). we got harassed a few times by crazy people, threatened twice, and flirted with by a guy who would not leave us alone right outside the starbucks reserve roastery on a sunday morning. it's going to be me and my girlfriend and while the neighborhoods we were in all felt safe even in the evening (i don't go out past 9 anywhere i'm at) i would like to not be confined to one area and go enjoy events and nightlife.

besides taking a women's self-defense course, which im planning on taking within the next year, what are some general safety tips? things like:

• legal self defense weapons/tools
• safely waiting for trains/busses
• getting around at night
• what to do when being harassed

any tips would be greatly appreciated, specifically other ladies.