General Information
Mark your calendars for October 17 and 18. As in years past, the fall meeting will again take place in downtown Chicago and enjoy the continuing hospitality of National-Louis University. Thanks go to local arrangements chair (and chapter president), Elinor Olin, for hosting our Chicago meeting yet again this year!

Registration
As always, registration for Chapter meetings is free to members in good standing--just fill out a registration form and pick up a nametag at the registration table outside the meeting room. You may pay your dues to the Chapter treasurer at this time, as well. To check your current membership status, visit our dues pages or email the Chapter treasurer at amsmidwesttreasurer@umich.edu.

Program
The meeting program will be available in late-August.

Accommodations
October is prime convention season in Chicago, so it is highly recommended to book hotel rooms sooner rather than later. Within walking distance of the meeting, rooms are available at the Congress Plaza Hotel, 520 South Michigan Ave., 800/635-1666, 312/427-3800 (FAX 312/427-7264). Their website lists a double guest room at $189/night. Also within walking distance is the Hotel Burnham, 1 West Washington,877.294.9712 | Hotel 312.782.1111. Their website lists a queen room at $239/night. Two less expensive alternative within walking distance of the meeting is Hostelling International Chicago (www.hichicago.org), 24 East Congress Parkway, 312/692-1560 with dormitory-style rooms for $35.00/night (members) or $38.00/night (non-members). The second is Club Quarters at 111 W. Adams (Adams and Clark). Call 312.214.6400 to make reservations, use the password “National Louis University.” Weekend rates from $124 are quoted online. For more alternatives, visit the sites for national chains or use hotels.com. They often have rooms available at nearby first-class hotels, including the Chicago Hilton, at reduced rates.

Travel
O'Hare International is one of the busiest airports in the world and as a hub for many commuter flights. Midway Airport is a bit closer to the meeting site and is a much smaller airport, although the frequency of flights is less. Airport Express (http://www.airportexpress.com/index.html  runs vans from both airports (888/2THEVAN); you may make a reservation in advance. Ask to be dropped off at the Palmer House (the hotel closest to National-Louis). The cost from O'Hare is $27 one way (shared ride); the cost from Midway is $22 one way (shared ride). Less expensive public transportation can be had from either airport. From O'Hare take the Blue Line subway; from Midway take the Orange Line (exit at Adams stop). Cab fare from the airports ranges between $35 and $55. Call 1-800/TAXICAB. (All these prices are subject to change.)

Inexpensive train service is available to Chicago from most cities in the Midwest. Check with your local station for times and fares or visit Amtrak online. Chicago's Union Station (next to the Sears Tower) in downtown and within a (healthy) walking distance of the meeting site.

Driving Directions

FROM THE SOUTH OR NORTH
If driving from the south on I-90/94 (Dan Ryan Expressway) or from the north on I-90/94 (Kennedy Expressway), take the Congress Parkway exit east. Follow Congress past Michigan Avenue, continuing past the equestrian statues to a left turn on Columbus Drive. (From points north or south on Lake Shore Drive, exit at Monroe Street, then turn right (north) on Columbus Drive.)

FROM THE WEST
From points west via I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway), you may also follow Congress east to Michigan Avenue, then north on Columbus Drive. If you're coming from the west on I-55 (Stevenson Expressway), exit on Lake Shore Drive north, then follow the directions above.

Click here for maps

Parking
The most economical parking close to the meeting site is the Millenium Park Garage (formerly the Monroe Street Garage) at $17.00 / 12–16 hours, the entrance for which is located just north of Monroe Street on Columbus Drive. Exit the parking garage (on foot) at the Monroe Street side, walking west to Michigan Avenue. National-Louis University is located in the middle of the block, on the west side of Michigan Avenue directly across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago. Look for the Bennigan's Restaurant at the corner of Michigan and Adams. The elevator lobby of the building is two doors north (i.e., to the right).

Alternate parking may be found at the Grant Park North Garage ($25.00/day), the entrance for which is approached from the north on Michigan Avenue between Madison and Monroe streets. Exit the parking garage (on foot) onto Michigan Avenue, and walk south one block.

Cultural Events

• Art Institute (http://www.artic.edu/aic/ or 312/443-3600)
• Chicago Symphony (http://www.chicagosymphony.org or 1-800-223-7114)
• Lyric Opera (http://www.lyricopera.com/Tickets/index.html or 312/332-2244)
• Millenium Park (http://www.milenniumpark.org)
• Harris Theater for Music and Dance (http://www.harristheaterchicago.org/ or 312/334-7777)

A more comprehensive listing of cultural events in Chicago can be found at http://www.networkchicago.com.

Food
There are quite a few food emporiums in easy walking distance of the meeting site. The Berghoff Cafe (17 W Adams) is highly recommended by your webmaster... Chicago Pizza is a must as well. There are also several less expensive eats near the meeting site (Panda Express, for example).

Links
For a complete index to restaurants, shopping, and other events,visit Yahoo's Chicago page or check the Centerstage Chicago site.

Weather
Fall in Chicago is generally mild (at least compared to winter). Be prepared from everything between 70 degrees and sunny to 50 degrees and rainy.

Local Arrangements
Dr. Elinor Olin is handling local arrangements.

Further details about the fall meeting will be added as they become available.