About L Stop Tours

Tom was always a Chicago tour guide. Whenever friends or family members would visit from out of town, he would drive them all over the city to his favorite must-see Chicago hot spots. Most of his Chicago walking tours were designed for that particular group of visitors, and most tours ended underneath Michigan Avenue at Billy Goat Tavern. Needless to say, Billy Goat was (and continues to be) one of Tom’s all-time favorite Chicago pubs.

Lindsay was a middle school teacher who kept busy year-round working a variety of seasonal positions. She spent two summers working as a Chicago tour guide and enjoyed teaching visitors about the culture and history of the city. She incorporated techniques from her teaching days into her tours, such as telling stories and quizzing guests on Chicago trivia. 

Coupling their knowledge and love of Chicago (and a propensity for talking), Tom and Lindsay decided to develop a new and different kind of company that blends the best of Chicago walking tours with public transit. They thought, what’s more Chicago than the L? Why don’t we use the train as our primary mode of transportation?  It’s convenient, affordable, punctual (usually), offers unique and scenic views, takes you to interesting neighborhoods and, frankly, is just plain fun. 

Combined, our team of Chicagoans has extensive experience and training in many industries. To name a few: Journalism, Education, Film/Media, Marketing, Tourism and Hospitality, Public Relations, Corporate Communications, and Event-planning. As a result, our leadership team understands what it takes to pull off a great Chicago walking tour that feels both entertaining and educational. 

Lindsay McNaught

Lindsay is a certified K-8 educator who worked as a guide for Chicago walking tours during the summer months. Lindsay primarily taught 5th and 6th graders but also designed both specialized project-based learning and communication media arts courses for 6th-8th graders. Lindsay holds a Master’s degree in Technology in Education and has just completed a second Master’s degree in Film and Television with an emphasis on Post Production. Lindsay works hard to ensure that L Stop Tours provides a Chicago tour experience unlike any other in the city.

Tom Schaffner

Tom’s ability to give exceptional Chicago walking tours comes from being a lifelong resident of the Chicago area who is knowledgeable and familiar with all aspects of the city. A journalist and entrepreneur, Tom has written about the city in a number of periodicals and publications. He was the founder, editor, and publisher of the Chicago File, a monthly newsletter for former Chicagoans all over the world. Tom also served as a consultant for the Chicago Cultural Mile Association and is the founder of Schaffner Communications, a Chicago-based consulting firm that he launched in 1985. Tom still loves to write about Chicago’s history, and you can read his most recent work on the L Stop blog!

JoAnn Murdock

A Southern California native, JoAnn is proud to now call Chicago home. She brings decades of marketing experience to the L Stop team, having worked as a grocery executive and most recently as a marketing consultant to the food service, environmental services, and real estate industries. JoAnn holds BSBA and MBA degrees with an emphasis in marketing. JoAnn loves being a part of L Stop’s Chicago walking tours.  According to JoAnn, “Being part of the L Stop team has been a blast. I’ve learned so much about this amazing city and am thrilled to help this unique family business grow.”