unlike crudebar I've been there 12+ times including 2x last year and city has noticeably plunged since I've been going (>2005)...used to go after Tgiving every year for the RSNA. It's perfectly safe AS LONG as you stay in tourist areas either near convention center, miracle mile, or just north of the river.
Not one of my favorite cities because it really is a shit hole but unless you're getting off the highway b/w downtown and Midway Airport to get gas you'll be fine. If walking from inner downtown to the lake try to stay on the upper roads and not in the lower catacombs which is infested with street people
Take in a Cubs game, do an Architectural Boat Tour, walk the Miracle Mile shopping area, swing by Navy Pier, eat a deep dish and then you're pretty much set. There's nothing by Soldier Field at all but easy enough to drive by it on way to hotel. If you're driving own car the overnight parking rate will be brutal.
I'd go sooner than later as the place is going to shit
Say hi to Jussie for me