Venue & Accommodations

Getting There

O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the recommended airport for those flying to Connect. The Conference Center is approximately 35–50 minutes from O'Hare by car, depending on traffic.

We recommend using a rideshare/private car service from the airport. Once you arrive, everything you need for the conference, including lodging and meals, will be available on campus.

University of Saint Mary of the Lake

1000 E. Maple Avenue

Mundelein, IL 60060

Directions

The University of St. Mary of the Lake
1000 E. Maple Avenue
Mundelein, IL

USML is approximately four miles west of Interstate 94.

If you are heading North on Interstate 94:

To reach USML from Interstate 94, take the Hwy 176 exit and turn right at the foot of the ramp to head west (the ramp loops around). Continue on 176 to Route 45 and the entrance will be on your right at Dunbar/University street. Follow the path to the conference center and park in the Purple Parking Lot.

If you are heading South on Interstate 94:

To reach USML from Interstate 94, take the Exit 10 for IL-21/Milwaukee Ave. Turn right on to Casey Rd and continue to U.S. Route 45. Turn left and continue on Route 45 until you reach the entrance at Dunbar/University street. Follow the path to the conference center and park in the Purple Parking Lot.

Airports

The closest airport is O’Hare International Airport (ORD), which is about 28 miles south of USML.

Milwaukee’s General Mitchell Airport (MKE) is about 50 miles north, but is a much better alternative to O’Hare than Chicago’s secondary airport– Midway Airport (MDW). Note we do not recommend that you fly into Midway, as it can be as long as two hours away in traffic.

Pre-arranged car service or taxi options from Airport:

American Taxi: 847-255-9600 or best to download the app and make a reservation that way.

North Shore Limousine Service: 847-815-4900

M and M Limo 847-257-2111

Uber

Lyft

*Note you must call ahead or use the app to arrange pick up in order to get the flat rate from the airport. It is not advisable to simply step out of the airport and into a cab, as your rates will be higher:

Ridesharing with other Conference Attendees

Two weeks prior to the event, the conference committee will create a spreadsheet where attendees can opt to share their arrival/departure info in order to find others to share rides with to and from USML. This spreadsheet will be shared with all registrants via email. This will allow people who would like to share a ride to find others who may be arriving around the same time and in the same airport terminal. Note this will not be posted on the website.

Arriving at the Conference Center

Please enter campus from Route 45 (Lake Street). This entrance is just north of the Route 176/Route 45 intersection. In your GPS, enter “Route 45 and Dunbar/University Mundelein, IL” for directions to this entrance. Once on campus, please follow the signs or the direction of our Public Safety officers to the Purple Parking lot (see map attached).

The main entrance off Route 176 is usually closed. Even if it is open, DO NOT take this entrance, as the signage will not take you to the purple parking lot.

Once you park in the purple parking lot, look for the sign that says “Conference Center Lodging and Registration” if you are checking into the lodge.

If you are arriving right before a mealtime, follow signs to the Dining Hall.

If you are arriving just in time for one of the scheduled sessions, go to the Conference Center Meeting Hall, which is right across the path from the Lodge.

We will have a volunteer to check you in and give you your folder and name tag at one or all of these locations.