Applying for Visa in Chicago

I will be driving three hours to Chicago to apply for myself, my wife, and another friend.
I have three questions:

1. I assume that I can bring all three applications by myself. The other two applicants do not need to come with. Is this correct?

2. Is there no mail back service? I thought that I read somewhere that you can bring a prepaid US Postal Service express mail envelope for them to mail back to you.

3. What is the pickup form they refer to that must be submitted to be able to pickup your passports? Do I get them right at the consulate?