Wondering if any Baltimore investors have worked with any reasonable priced architects?

Hi BPers -I am looking for an architect in the Chicagoland area who is familiar with the Chicago permitting process.The work I am looking to do is knock down a kitchen wall and bedroom wall in order to open up the space of a duplex Does anyone in this forum have a recommended architect they’ve used in the past? 

This is typically a certification held by architects and designers more than contractors, especially small residential.

After calling around 30 modular companies I settled with Excel Homes as they were the ones that were most comfortable working with a custom design and Architect.

Maybe you like to design a house so ask an Architect if you can help on the weekends, ask a property manager to let you shadow them for a month and learn all their tricks.

. - Project has been delayed due to Covid19 and Architect and GC issues, but we now have permits, and have started demo.

Should I hire an architect and discuss plans for the apartment first and get approval before reaching out to contractors? 

Be a deal architect.

Do I need to acquire W-9 from main contractors, pool contractors & architects (and all others I pay over $600 to)  prior to signing contracts with them?

My architect said not a great idea, which makes sense, but I had a good feeling about said contractor.I'm currently exploring other options in Charlotte, nc.