Illinois Weather and Public Health Response Summit 2025

Hotels

Transportation

Airports

Airports:

• O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

CTA Buses & Trains

Chicago Transit Authority - CTA Buses & Train Service
1-888-YOUR-CTA

Train Stops near venue:

• BLUE LINE - UIC / Illinois Medical District – 10min walk
• PINK LINE - Polk – 5min walk

Bus Stops near venue:

• Damen & Polk (#50) - 4min walk
• Polk & Wolcott (#157) - 2min walk
• Polk & Wood (#7 / #157) - 5min walk

Bikes

Locate bikes and docks | Divvy

Car/Parking

Parking passes may be purchased in advance for $12 for each day.
Parking purchased on-site at the conference will be $15 per day.

Visitor Parking Lots:

Amex, Bills, Checks, Coins, Debit cards, Discover, MC/Visa accepted on-site

• • Option #1: Lot B2 - 900 S Wolcott Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
  • Option #2: UIC Wood Street Parking Structure - 1100 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612

About the Summit

The Illinois Department of Public Health’s first annual Illinois Weather and Public Health Response Summit will bring together public health professionals, emergency preparedness staff, healthcare providers, administrators, and community-based organizations from across Illinois to examine the health impacts of adverse weather events.

The summit will include presentations and discussions on preparedness strategies, community-led responses, and public health approaches to weather-related emergencies. Sessions will highlight grassroots initiatives, partnerships, and programs serving vulnerable and historically underserved populations.

This conference is proudly Green Certified by the University of Illinois System, reflecting our commitment to sustainability. We’re taking steps to reduce the environmental footprint of the event and encourage attendees to do the same.

As an in-person attendee, you can help support a greener conference by:

• Bringing a reusable water bottle and coffee mug — hydration and coffee stations will be available on-site
• Using green transportation options, such as public transit, carpooling, biking, or walking whenever possible
• Participating in waste reduction efforts, including recycling stations available throughout the venue
• Minimizing printed materials — digital agendas will be provided via QR code

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Venue Amenities

Restrooms: Gendered restrooms can be found down the hallways along either side of the Thompson Room. One or more restrooms may be converted into a gender-fluid restroom upon request.

Water Fountain & Bottle Filling Station: There is a combined water fountain-bottle filling station down the hallways next to the restrooms along either side of the Thompson Room.

Lactation Room: The Lactation Room can be found on the second floor of Student Center West along the west corridor of the building in Room 216C. Room 216C can be found by entering the hallway just west of the Thompson Room, turning left down the second hallway. Room 216C is the first door on your right, across from Room 213.
The Lactation Room is only accessible by one user at a time using the designated key. The key for the Lactation Room must be retrieved from the Building Manager team in the Student Center Administration office on the east side of the second floor by leaving an ID card, or other form of collateral. Please do not leave Student Center West before returning the key and retrieving your ID card.

Wheelchair Lift: Student Center West offers a wheelchair lift to get from the main event space/second floor to Room 218/219, located behind the Thompson Room. The wheelchair lift is accessible by all building guests. To use the lift simply press the switch found directly next to the wheelchair lift door. The wheelchair lift door will not open until the lift has reached either the top or bottom of its track. If you have any trouble using the lift, please visit the Student Center Administration down the hallway to receive assistance.