Frequently Asked Questions

blessed among the nations

720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605

Dear Soldout Family:

We are so excited about hosting the International Campus Leadership Seminar and other Northern Federation conferences in Chicago, and we are looking forward to seeing you all there! This FAQ sheet is to help you and your attendees navigate the Windy City and be as prepared as possible, so that everyone has an incredible time! 

Please let us know if there are any questions you may have that are not covered in the following list. The Chicago ICC Staff contact details are at the bottom of this sheet. Thank you, and we will see you all soon!

What is the group room rate at the conference hotel?

  • The group room rate is  $209 +tax, per night for King Bed and $209+tax, per night for two Double beds.
  • After the cut-off date of Monday, July 22, please call the hotel at 213-922-5240 and mention the Chicago International Christian Church.  Rooms and rates will be subject to availability but it still may be possible to get the conference rate. 
  • If you have any problems booking your room, please contact Dr. Jen Watkins at jen.watkins@usd21.org. 

Is internet access included with the hotel room rate at the Chicago Hilton?

  • Complimentary standard wireless internet in guest rooms and lobby wifi is $12.95.

Does the hotel have fridges and microwaves?

  • Hotel rooms at the Hilton have fridges.
  • A microwave with 24 hour access is available outside Herb N’ Kitchen in the hotel.

Can I park my car at the Hotel? What will the parking cost?

  • The Hilton offers parking for $69/night.  Unfortunately there is no discounted parking.
  • https://spothero.com is one of many websites you can use to find alternative parking downtown.

Can I stay with disciples?  

  • As of now housing with disciples in Chicago is full.
  • We encourage everyone during the conference to stay in the Chicago Hilton. 

Will I be greeted at the airport?

  • We wish we could greet visiting disciples at the airport, but given the numbers expected, this is not possible.

Does the Hilton offer an airport shuttle service?

  • Unfortunately, there is not a shuttle service from the airport to the hotel. We encourage you to either use rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft to reach the hotel, or public transportation.

How do I get from the airport to the Hilton?

  • Uber and Lyft are two car-service providers.
    • From Chicago O’Hare to the Hilton the price start from about $40-50 based on arrival time.
    • From Chicago Midway to the Hilton the price start from about $25-35 based on arrival time.
  • Public transportation is the alternative option.
    • From Chicago O’Hare airport, take the Blue Line on the CTA to LaSalle Station.  From there walk east on Ida B. Wells Drive to Michigan Ave., then turn right and walk 2 blocks down. The Hilton will be on your right.  The walk should be about 12 minutes. It should cost $5.
    • From Chicago Midway to the Hilton, take the Orange Line towards the Loop.  Get off at Harold Washington Library Station.  From there walk 2 blocks east on Van Buren St. to Michigan Ave, then turn right and walk 4 blocks down.  The Hilton will be on your right.  The walk should be about 11 minutes.

How do I get around Chicago?

  • CTA is the public transportation system that covers the buses and trains (known as the “L.”)  You can use Apple or Google pay or your bank card if you have the ability to pay by tap.  You can also pay cash on the bus. Otherwise at any transit station you can buy a “Ventra Card” and put money on it.  Each single ride on the train costs $2.50 (bus $2.25), and once you’ve paid you won’t have to pay again for 2 hours, regardless of whether you use your Ventra Card again on any bus or train.
  • A web-based map can be found here: https://www.transitchicago.com/maps/system/ (please be aware that the Red Line in particular is not recommended to be travelled late at night or by yourself).
  • Uber and Lyft are two app-based car service providers.

     

What is the conversion rate to US dollars?

What is the weather in Chicago in August?

  • Chicago has been experiencing an unusually warm summer this year.  Temperatures can range between mid 60s and mid 90s (16-35 C).

Who can attend the ICCM Chancellor’s Gala? 

  • Current ICCM students and ICCM alumni, along with their dates, are invited to the ICCM Gala 
  • Spouses and dates are not required to be ICCM students or alumni to attend the gala
  • Future students are also invited. (Please confirm with Evangelist/Women’s Ministry Leader before registering) 

If I haven’t registered for the Gala and want to how can I re-register? 

  • The link on the conference website will allow you to register for the Gala if you didn’t add it while registering for the conference. 

Is there a discounted rate for children at the ICCM Gala? 

  • There should not be any children coming to the gala. 
  • Please make sure that you have a plan for your children at this time. 

When will childcare (Kingdom Kids) be provided? 

  • Kingdom Kids will ONLY be provided for the Sunday Worship Services on August 4th and 11th from 10am CST to the end of the service.
  • Childcare will need to be secured for the other parts of the conference. 

How should I handle childcare/babysitting? 

  • It’s important to handle childcare/babysitting with people (whether family members of other disciples) whom you trust and have it organized for your child before the conference. 
  • Children are only allowed during Sunday’s worship service.

Can I send a check to pay the hotel? 

  • Unfortunately, neither the Chicago Church (for registration) nor the Hilton Chicago (for hotel rooms) can take payment by check..

Will food be provided at the event? 

  • Other than the ICCM gala, all meals are to be self-prepared or self-bought at nearby locations.

Can marrieds register as a couple? 

  • We are going to great lengths to make sure everyone has an easy registration process. 
  • However, marrieds must register individually with their own names as separate attendees.
  • Regarding hotel rooms, two couples can stay together to lessen the total room cost.

What is there to do in Chicago?

  • Navy Pier
  • Millenium Park and the Cloud Gate “The Bean”
  • Grant Park
  • River Walk
  • Shedd Aquarium
  • Adler Planetarium
  • Starbucks Reserve Roastery (largest Starbucks in the world)
  • Architectural Boat Tour (leaves from River Walk)
  • Chicago Cultural Center
  • Medieval Torture Museum
  • Museum of Illusions
  • Museum of Ice Cream
  • The Art Institute of Chicago
  • Chicago History Museum
  • Buckingham Fountain
  • The Willis “Sears” Tower
  • Water Tower Place
  • Chinatown

What eateries are close to the Hilton Chicago?

  • In the hotel: 720 South Bar & Grill, Herb N’ Kitchen, Kitty O’Sheas
  • Yolk South Loop (South Michigan)
  • Grant Park Bistro (South Michigan)
  • Niu B (South Michigan)
  • Giordano’s Pizza (South Michigan)
  • Burger Bar Chicago (South Michigan)
  • Lou Malnati’s Pizza (South State Street)
  • Epic Burger (South State Street)
  • Blaze Pizza (South State Street)
  • Panda Express (South State Street)
  • Jimmy John’s (South State Street)
  • The Art of Pizza (South State Street)
  • Eleven City Diner (South Wabash)
  • Harold’s Chicken Shack (South Wabash)
  • Subway (South Wabash)
  • Tilly Bagel Shop (South Wabash)
  • Lao Sze Chuan (South Wabash)
  • Chipotle (South Wabash)
  • Five Guys (South Wabash)
  • Jet’s Pizza (South Wabash)
  • Wingstop (East Harrison)
  • Honey Berry Pancakes (State and 9th)

Where do I go to get coffee near the Hilton Chicago?

  • Herb N’ Kitchen (in hotel – has Starbucks coffee but higher prices)
  • Paris Baguette (South Michigan and 11th)
  • Peet’s Coffee (South Wabash)
  • Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Roberts (South Wabash)
  • Sweet Bean (South Wabash)
  • Dollop (NEMA, South Michigan and Roosevelt)
  • Insomnia Cookie (South Wabash)

Where do I go for groceries or necessities?

  • 7-11 (South State and 8th)
  • Jewel Osco (grocery store) South Michigan and 11th
  • CVS (pharmacy) South State and Ida B. Wells
  • South Loop Market (grocery store) South State and 9th
  • Trader Joe’s (grocery store) South Wabash and Roosevelt

Important phone numbers

  • Dr. Jennifer Watkins, Associate Director of the Kingdom Conferences, (872-294-8221)
  • Kasey Christiansen, Conference Experience Manager, (503-884-1680)
  • Patricia Yadao, Registration (209-915-8594)
  • Joel Parlour, director of ICLS (206-393-7709)
  • Preston Inkley, director of IGNITE (508-965-5300)
  • Danny Garner, director of the NF Singles Conference (760-207-5511)
  • Jeremiah Clark, director of the NF Marrieds Conference (541-221-1262)

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