Chicago kickboxers, please help

[Haros]

Whats up everyone,

I have no Martial arts training at all, and I decided that it's time to finally learn how to defend myself properly. A friend of mine knows Karate and Hapkido but he told me that nothing compares to kickboxing as far as worth in the street.
The two questions I have are what's the difference with American Kickboxing and Muay Thai Kickboxing? (keep in mind, i'm 5'6, if that makes a difference with the different forms.)
Also, does anyone know where in Chicago I can train? I looked all over and I cant seem to find anything teaching either form of Kickboxing.

All help and responses are welcome, Thanks.

[AlexJitsu]

Your friend is right "on average", meaning that if you took an average karate school vs. an average Muay Thai school, the MT school would probably be superior in most aspects as far as applicability in fighting. There are, however, exceptions to the norm.

Are you in the heart of Chicago or the 'burbs? There is Muay Thai, American Kickboxing, Boxing, Brazillian/Japanese/Gracie Jujitsu, Internal martial arts, san shou, CMA, TKD, Karate, MMA, and more, all in the chicagoland area. There are many choices.

[EGstudent]

There is the Degerberg Academy I'm not sure where it is but it is one of the best schools in the U.S.

http://www.chicagomartialartsclasses.com/

[Haros]

Thanks for the responses first of all and I live 10 miles south of Chicago's "loop". I heard about the Degerberg Academy so I will definetely check that out, I wasn't sure if it was a good school or not.

Thanks again =)