Visit Cook County annual membership begins May 1st of each year. Notifications for renewals are sent out in February/March with a deadline to renew by April 15 to be included in the new visitor guide. Members can join at any time, however, there is no prorated membership.  Early signup. If you sign up after January 1 of the current year to be a member, you do not need to renew your membership until the next year. If you sign up before January 1 of the current year, you will need to renew your membership in the spring.  Late signup. If you sign up after April 15, you can enjoy many of the other benefits of membership but will be absent from the current visitor guide until the next year when you renew your membership.