SkAI Hub

Open SkAI 2025 will be held at the SkAI Hub, which is located in the historic John Hancock Center in downtown Chicago (Illinois).

Getting to the SkAI Hub

Chicago has easy-to-use public transportation (elevated trains and buses) via the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Metra (commuter rail) and since the John Hancock Center is in the heart of downtown Chicago, there are numerous transportation options to/from the building. Google Maps does a decent job in helping you plan your trip/explore the city using these public-transport options. CTA trains and buses accept tap to pay, using either your credit card or phone. To use the Metra, it’s easiest to download the Ventra App.

Getting to Chicago

Chicago has two international airports that are convenient for getting to downtown—O’Hare and Midway. Both serve most airlines and will likely have direct flight options if you book early enough. Each airport has dedicated CTA elevated train lines that will bring you close to the SkAI Hub.

Getting Around

In addition to public transportation options, Chicago has bikes and scooters available to rent via Divvy. These are a great option to get around the city and the Chicago lake path, which traverses almost the full length of the city, is easily accessible from the SkAI Hub.

The CTA has a general guide for how to navigate the different types of transportation and pay for fares.

• Buses 146, 147, 148, and 151 all run north/south in front of the Hancock building. Bus 66 runs east/west a block away on Chicago Ave. (which goes to the Red/Brown/Purple/Blue train lines).
• All the train lines run through downtown Chicago; however, the Red, Brown, Purple, and Blue train lines have stops that are within a 15-minute bus ride to the Hancock Center.
  
  

Lodging Information

There are a number of hotels located within a 30-minute commute—by train, bus, walking, or a combination—to the SkAI Hub. You may also prefer to stay at an Airbnb or a hotel not located in downtown. For easy access to the SkAI Hub (either by train or bus), we suggest staying in the Lincoln Park, West Town, West Loop, River North, Old Town, or Lakeview neighborhoods.

Hotels

Listed below are a few hotels within the General Services Administration (GSA) lodging limit for Chicago, Illinois ($223/night + tax for September 2025) near the SkAI Hub.

• The Westin – located across the street from the SkAI Hub
• Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
• DoubleTree Magnificent Mile—15-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride to the SkAI Hub. Note: please use this link to get the preferred room rate.
• The Drake – less than a 5-minute walk to the SkAI Hub
• Hilton Magnificent Mile – less than a 5-minute walk to the SkAI Hub
• Residence Inn – has a kitchen and so is a great location for those traveling as a family or those who would prefer to have a kitchen

Airbnbs

Airbnb may provide some affordable options as well.

Parking

If you are a Northwestern University, The University of Chicago, or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign employee, SkAI can provide you with a pink discount coupon for the Northwestern parking lots. Parking is available at 321 E. Erie St., Chicago, IL 60611, Garages C & D (Google Map).

Note: vouchers only apply for these lots.

Also, these coupons do not guarantee a parking space if the Erie/Ontario (Lots C &D) parking garage is full/closed. In that instance, people/participants must either find street parking or find alternative off-site parking.

• The limit is 1 voucher at a time, each good for 5 separate uses.
• Each usage provides up to 12 hours of parking for $15.00.
• When checking out at a parking kiosk, enter your ticket and then scan the voucher for the discounted rate to appear.

Please note:

• If you go over the 12-hour time limit, you will be charged the maximum daily rate of $50.00 at the Erie/Ontario parking garage.
• If you park at the Huron/Superior (Lot A) Parking Garage, the discounted rate will not be honored and you will be charged at the regular daily parking rates up to the $58.00 maximum rate.
• These discounted parking coupons are to only be used for university work-related purposes. They are not to be used for personal purposes such as going downtown or to the lakefront, etc. on evenings, weekends, holidays, etc. Abuse of the daily discounted parking coupon program may result in loss of university parking privileges.

In addition to the Northwestern parking lots, the SpotHero app has a number of other lots that have parking spots available for $16–24 in and around the Hancock Center, which may allow for more flexibility. Using the SpotHero app, participants can also check the parking lot for 186 E. Chestnut St. (which is the entrance into the parking lot inside the Hancock building). Reservations starting at 7:00 a.m. can lock in the ~$20 rate, with elevator access into the Chestnut Street lobby.

Special note for Northwestern University employees:
Northwestern University employees may also pick up the pink discount coupon on the first floor of Abbott Hall (710 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611).

• Up to 12 hours of parking for $11.00 if in salary tiers 1–4 and $14.00 if in salary tiers 5–7.
• If parked for 12 hours or more, regular garage rates will apply.
• Vouchers work in the Superior and Erie lots.
• You may pick up 2 vouchers, each good for 5 uses, at a time.
  
  

The SkAI Institute is one of the National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and Simons Foundation. Information on National AI Institutes is available at aiinstitutes.org.