I picked up my visa yesterday from the Los Angeles Chinese Consulate yesterday and they still have signs posted "no rush service".... In fact, they still have a 1 week wait (up from what used to be 3-4 days, according to their website) to get anything done. So I guess its YMMV based on location.

Although, I asked for a single entry visa on the application and they gave me (and my travel partner) a 1 year multi entry visa, which was a nice surprise, not that I have plans for more than 1 entry...