I-485 Taking forever..Please help!

[Keepinghope]

I have an I-485 pending application that was mailed to Chicago:

PD: 04/26/2016
Received EAD and Advance Parole: 07/27/2016
Checking the status online: It still says on this date we received your fingerprint and we are working on your case

When I received the notices they have St Louis service center on them.

Here are my questions?
1) For me to check the processing time, do I check for Chicago or St Louis? knowing that I mailed my package to Chicago lockbox but for some reason I see st louis when they responded with the receipt.
2) I did a service request and I got a confirmation to expect a reply by 03/08/17...Today is 03/07..Did not receive a response of the request I made.
3) My work permit is of course a year old and will expire in July..Do why just go ahead and Apply for renewal now? So I won't have problems sitting without an EAD in case they take too long to give me the renewal? I heard the fee is waived for renewal if I-485 is pending. is that true?

[newacct]

You can renew up to 180 days early so you can apply now. As long as you apply to renew before the EAD expires, its employment authorization will be automatically extended for 180 days from its expiration date.