The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign straddles the border between the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign in downstate Illinois. If you are looking at a map of the city, Wright Street is roughly the dividing line between Champaign on the west and Urbana on the east. The Illini Union holds conference facilities and accommodations as well as a variety of eating and entertainment options. A short walk away is "Campus Town", featuring numerous restaurants, bars, shops, and a movie theater; thus, most participants will find most of what they need without a car. For those wishing to venture further, the local C-U Mass Transit System offers convenient, inexpensive ($0.75/ride) transportation to downtown Champaign, Urbana, and to local shopping malls. Additional information on Champaign-Urbana is available from the C-U Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
Weather
The weather in early November can vary significantly. Normal high temperatures is about 55 F (13 C) and low temperatures are a bit below freezing. It has been known to snow around this time of year and it possible to actually have good weather as well. The best thing to do check the forecasts a few days prior to the conference. Forecasts of weather information for Champaign-Urbana area can be found at CNN-Weather or The Weather Channel. Below is the current temperature
Special Air Fares and Car Rental Rates
American Airlines is the official airline of ADASS'98 and has agreed to provide special air fares for those attending ADASS'98. These are available for travel from the U.S. and Canada only (due to international fare restrictions).
The meeting ID Code AN number is 79O8UW, available from October 29 - November 7, either to Chicago O'Hare airport (ORD) or Champaign-Urbana airport (CMI). Please call American Airlines (1.800.433.1790) or your travel agent to take advantage of these low fares. AAdvantage frequent flyer miles will accrue on these fares. The sole role of this announcement is to make this information available to participants; contact American Airlines or your travel agent for further information and bookings.
Be sure to ask about their very low "zone fares" which are significantly discounted rates for mid-week travel. Zone fares must be booked and ticketed 7 days after booking or 7 days before departure, whichever occurs first. Booking must be in V class. These zone fares require only a 2 night minimum stay, no over Saturday night requirement. Examples of these fares (not including taxes) are $335 from Minnesota, $435 from California, $654 from Honolulu.
Also available are meeting discounts from regular advance purchase fares:
- 10% discount off regular advance purchase fares if booked and ticketed 60 days in advance: fare code APD10
- 5% discount off regular advance purchase fares if booked and ticketed 7 days after booking or 7 days before departure, whichever occurs first: fare code MGD05
Getting There
- From Champaign's Willard Airport
- Participants flying into Champaign's Willard
Airport can chose from several cabs and shuttles. The
services listed below will charge between $6 and $14 for
transportation from the airport to a hotel. Prior
reservations are not usually necessary for most of these
as they have often have vehicles waiting when flights
arrive.
Note that the University Inn has a complementary shuttle service from the Willard Airport. You should call them (384.2100) to request a mini-van to pick up you at the airport. There is limited seating and the single van may be inadequate if many ADASS participants arrive on the same flight. In that case, you will either need to wait for the shuttle van to return or take a private taxi.
Service Provider
Telephone Description and Prices Corky's Limousine Service
217.352.3121 $8.50 per person
Sedans: seat 4
Van: up to 10Illini Limo
217.384.5892 15-passenger van
Urbana $11/person
Champaign $10/personShannon Cab
217.344.7628 $6-9 per person, depending on destination and number of simultaneous passengers.
car-seats: 7
van seats: 15Yellow Cab
217.355.3553 Price Range $8-14 per person - From Chicago
-
- Chicago O'Hare Airport
- By car: Take I-294 south to I-80 west
and one exit to I-57 south. Proceed south from
Chicago on I-57 to
Champaign. Take I-74 east, take the Neil
Street exit, and proceed south toward campus, (see maps section below
for local directions, specifically the map to hotels). Allow 3
hours for the drive from Chicago to Champaign.
- By rail: Take the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line (which originates at O'Hare) to the Clinton stop and walk about one block to historic Chicago Union Station. The fare on the CTA is $1.50 one-way. Allow an average of one hour from O'Hare Airport to the Union Station. From Union Station to Champaign there are two Amtrak trains to choose from: the Illini and The City of New Orleans. Travel to from Chicago to Champaign is 2:25 for both trains.
- Chicago Midway Airport
- By car: Take I-55 west to I-90 south to I-57. Proceed south from Chicago on I-57 to Champaign. Take I-74 east, take the Neil Street exit to proceed south toward campus, (see maps section below for local directions, specifically the map to hotels). Allow 3 hours for the drive.
- By rail: Take the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Orange Line (which originates at Midway) downtown. Transfer to the Blue Line (heading toward Forest Park or Cermak) at Clark/Lake stop. Get off the Blue Line at the Clinton stop and walk about one block to historic Chicago Union Station. The fare is $1.50 one-way. Allow an average of one hour from the Midway Airport to Union Station. From Union Station to Champaign there are two Amtrak trains to choose from: the Illini and The City of New Orleans. Travel to from Chicago to Champaign is 2:25 for both trains.
- By rail: Take the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line (which originates at O'Hare) to the Clinton stop and walk about one block to historic Chicago Union Station. The fare on the CTA is $1.50 one-way. Allow an average of one hour from O'Hare Airport to the Union Station. From Union Station to Champaign there are two Amtrak trains to choose from: the Illini and The City of New Orleans. Travel to from Chicago to Champaign is 2:25 for both trains.
