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.

If you are flying into Chicago . . .
Chicago has two international airports that are convenient for getting to downtown—O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW). 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.

From ORD, there are several options.

• For ride shares (Uber/Lyft), check the airport signage for “ride share location.” Typically, in terminals one through three, this is in the departures area on the upper level. The SkAI Hub (downtown) is about a 75-minute drive (via Uber or Lyft).
• Travelers can also board the Blue line train from O’Hare, which is $5 (USD)—look for the “Trains to City” signage at the airport (near Terminals 2 and 3). From the Blue line, check Google Maps regarding the fastest route. For more travel information, check out the ORD “Getting to and from” dropdown.

From Midway, the SkAI Hub is about a 75-minute drive (via Uber or Lyft). From Midway, travelers can also take the Orange line to downtown Chicago. From the Orange line, check Google Maps regarding the fastest route. For more travel information, check out the MDW “Getting to and from” dropdown.

If you are taking public transportation . . .
The John Hancock Center is in the heart of downtown Chicago and so, there are numerous public transportation options to/from the building. 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.

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.

If you are driving . . .
The John Hancock Center is surrounded by a few parking garage options that range in price. For Northwestern University (NU), The University of Chicago (UC), and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) employees, discounted parking is available at the Huron Superior Parking garages (Parking A at 222 E. Huron Street, or Garages C and D at 321 E. Erie St.). Please ask the SkAI Operations Team for more information. SpotHero also helps users find parking spots at lower prices, depending on nearby availability.

If you are coming on a campus shuttle (for NU and UC) or from Union Station (UIUC) . . .
NU’s Transportation Services operates several shuttle routes for students, faculty, and staff from Evanston to the Chicago campus. For more information, visit NU’s web page for shuttle information.

The UC downtown campus connector is available for those coming from Hyde Park. See web page for more information.

For those traveling into Union Station, the 151 North-bound bus will drop you off at the corner right by the Hancock Center.

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.