Reservations
The workshop sessions will be held at the recently renovated, Renaissance Chicago Hotel located in downtown Chicago, IL.
A limited block of rooms has been reserved at the Renaissance Chicago Hotel for April 6 - 8, 2008 at a discounted rate of $239* for Single, Double or King rooms. Participants are required to make their own reservations directly through the hotel.
In order to receive the discounted rate:
Reservations must be made by phone by Friday, March 14, 2008.
(800) 228-9290. Reservations made through the hotel's Web site, will not receive the discounted rate.
Reference the “Blended Learning Workshop” hosted by the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Extended Stay
The hotel will honor the special rate of $239* if you extend your stay by arriving either prior to Sunday, April 6 or departing after Tuesday, April 8, provided rooms are available. Be sure to reference the workshop when making your reservation.
To reserve your room contact:
Renissance Chicago Hotel
One West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Phone:
(800)-228-9290
E-mail: blended@uic.edu
* Price excludes tax.
Air Travel
Airport Information
Chicago's two main airports are O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. The Renaissance Chicago Hotel is accessible from both airports; O'Hare is located 18 miles northwest of Chicago and Midway is located 12 miles southwest of the Renaissance. Both airports have a variety of transportation options to get to downtown.
10,000 West O'Hare, Chicago
(800) 832-6352
There are a number of ways to get to and from O'Hare International Airport. Located just 18 miles northwest of Chicago O'Hare International Airport is accessible via local mass transit lines, regional trains and buses, taxicabs, limousine service, and interstate highways. Most ground transportation access areas are located at the main entrance for each terminal.
Taxicabs @ O'Hare
Taxicabs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis from the lower level curbfront of all terminals. Shared ride service is available. There are no flat rates because all taxicabs run on meters. Expect to spend approximately $35 to $40 for a taxicab ride from O'Hare to downtown Chicago. Drivers can assist passengers with collapsible wheelchairs. Contact the taxicab companies for wheelchair-accessible vehicles:
American United – (773) 327-6161
American United Dispatch – (773) 248-7600
Flash Cab Company – (773) 561-4444
King Drive Cab Affiliation – (773) 488-8000
Wolley Cab Association – (312) 225-5411
Yellow Cab – (312) 829-4222
Chicago Transit Authority @ O'Hare
The Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) Blue Line provides 24-hour access between downtown Chicago and O'Hare International Airport. Trains run every 8 minutes from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and every ten minutes from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. Currently, a one-way fare for the 45-minute ride is $2.00.
The CTA station is located at the lowest level of the Main Parking Garage (next to elevator center 4) and is accessible by pedestrian tunnels located in Terminals 1, 2 and 3. From Terminal 5, take the Airport Transit System (ATS) to Terminal 3 and follow the signs. For additional CTA information:
Phone: (888) 968-7282
TTY: (888) 282-8891
E-mail: ctahelp@transitchicago.com
The Blue Line platform at O'Hare International Airport is accessible to people with disabilities. Other CTA stations on the Blue Line that are equipped with elevators from O'Hare International Airport to downtown Chicago are at the Rosemont, Cumberland, Harlem, Jefferson Park, Logan Square, Western/Milwaukee, Lake and Jackson stations.
CTA Special Services
Door-to-door, lift equipped transportation is available to and from O'Hare International Airport to both Chicago-area residents and to out-of-town visitors who need extra assistance. To use this service, Chicago-area residents must complete an application for certification, while out-of-town visitors are required to give one week's notice. For an application form or to make a reservation, call (312) 917-4357 (voice) or (312) 913-3122 (TTY).
Metra
The Metra North Central commuter rail line serves residents in Lake and northern Cook counties. This line consists of five daily inbound and outbound trains between Antioch and Chicago 's Union Station that run Monday through Friday only. Train fare from the O'Hare International Airport transfer stop to downtown Chicago is $3.30.
The train serves ten communities plus a transfer stop at O'Hare International Airport, Remote Parking Lot F. A free shuttle bus from the O'Hare transfer station will take customers to the Airport Transit System (ATS) that connects to all airport terminals. Customers using the train to access the airport should contact the village or city of their boarding station for long-term parking information.
All North Central Stations and trains are accessible to customer with disabilities. For more information, contact Metra:
Weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: (312) 322-6777
TTY: (312) 322-6774
Evenings and Weekends
Travel Information Center
Phone: (312) 836-7000
TTY: (312) 836-4949
Limousines @ O'Hare
Limousines are available to Chicago and the suburbs. Contact your company of choice near the ride boards to make reservations, or reference the listing of pre-arranged limousine services, which is posted near the airport information booths, across from Door C, located on the lower-level of each terminal.
Rental Cars @ O'Hare
Rental car agencies are located on the lower level near the baggage claim areas of Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Please look for signs and courtesy phones. From Terminal 5, rental car agencies are available by courtesy telephones located on the lower level. Many rental car agencies also offer courtesy buses to various automobile pick-up/drop-off areas. During the FACE construction project, please look for signs which may indicate a temporary relocation of the rental car areas or courtesy phones.
Alamo – (800) 327-9633
Avis – (773) 284-3640
Budget – (800) 527-0700
Dollar – (866) 434-2226
Enterprise – (773) 735-8860
Hertz – (773) 284-4804
National – (773) 471-3450
5700 South Cicero, Chicago
(773) 838-0600
There are a number of ways to get to and from Midway Airport. Located just 12 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, Midway is easily reachable by Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) Orange Line in just 20-30 minutes, as well as by regional buses, downtown and suburban shuttles, and interstate highways. Most ground transportation access areas are located at the main entrance area of the terminal.
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) @ Midway
The Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) Orange Line serves the Southwest Side of Chicago and connects Midway Airport with downtown Chicago in about 30 minutes. Currently, the one-way fare is $2.00. Trains run every 5–7 minutes during the weekday rush, 15-20 during early mornings and late evenings and every 10 minutes during all other times. At the airport, follow signs from the airport terminal to the rail station.
Phone: (888) 968-7282
TTY: (888) 282-8891
E-mail: ctahelp@transitchicago.com
Taxicabs @ Midway
Taxicabs are available on a first come, first serve basis from the lower level curbfront of the terminal (see chart below). Shared ride service is available. There are no flat rates because all taxicabs run on meters. Expect to spend approximately $25 to $28 for a taxicab ride to downtown Chicago. For wheelchair accessible vehicles, please call United Dispatch at (800) 281-4466.
American United – (773) 327-6161
American United Dispatch – (773) 248-7600
Flash Cab Company – (773) 561-4444
King Drive Cab Affiliation – (773) 488-8000
Wolley Cab Association – (312) 225-5411
Yellow Cab – (312) 829-4222
Limousines @ Midway
Limousines are available for Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Contact your company of choice to make reservations. A list of pre-arranged limousine services is provided at the Ground Transportation Information Booth located on the bag claim level near Door 3 LL.
Rental Cars @ Midway
Rental car agencies are located inside the terminal, Lower Level Arrivals. Rental car pick-up and drop-off points are located on Level 2 of the Midway Airport Parking Garage.
Alamo – (800) 327-9633
Avis – (800) 331-1212
Budget Rent A-Car – (800) 527-0700
Dollar – (866) 434-2226
Enterprise – (800) 867-4595
Hertz – (800) 654-3131
National – (800) 227-7368
Directions and Parking
Directions
The Renaissance Chicago Hotel Web site offers a dynamic map that allows you to get directions to or from the workshop hotel: Map & directions to/from the Renaissance Chicago Hotel
Parking at the Renaissance Chicago Hotel is $40/day. Additionally the hotel provides valet service for your convenience.
