We're in Chicago though, where there's probably not many spirits, as spirits there would either be utterly swamped with all the people asking them to do things, or constantly in danger of attack because of people hating any kind of spirit. Plus the CZ is just unpleasant.
Granted, that doesn't mean the character couldn't leave Chicago for a time, looking for the closest free spirit that's rumored to know how to open rifts. Though, that'd need some plot seeds to begin... Or it feels like it would. Again I can't imagine free spirits just openly advertising what they can do so everyone and their uncle comes knocking on their door asking for a miracle.