accommodations

Conference attendees are responsible for making their own hotel reservations. Reservations can be made by calling the hotels directly at the numbers listed below. (See also Travel Info.) When making your reservations please be sure to mention that you are part of the "Linux Cluster Institute at the University of Illinois."

Hawthorn Suites
101 Trade Centre Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 398-3400
Fax: (217) 398-6147
 
Rates beginning 04/27/08: Single/ Double/ $89.99 per night.
LCI Conference reservations must be received by March 27, 2008.
 
Hawthorn Suites is a recently renovated hotel that features studio suites with pillow-top mattresses and efficiency kitchens. Hotel amenities include an indoor heated pool and hot tub, access to exercise facilities, an on-site guest laundry, valet service, and an evening lounge. A daily complimentary hot breakfast buffet is served each morning.
 
Hilton Garden Inn
1501 S Neil St.
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 352-9970
Fax: (217) 355-4682
 
Non-smoking King: $109.00 per night.
LCI Conference reservations must be received by April 13, 2008.
 
The Hilton Garden Inn Champaign-Urbana hotel is located within two blocks of the University of Illinois' south campus. All 99 hotel guest rooms include a microwave oven, refrigerator, coffee maker, iron and ironing board, hair dryers, clock radio, and 27'' flat screen television. All rooms have both wired and wireless Internet access with convenient connections at desk level.
 
 
Homewood Suites by Hilton
1417 S. Neil Street
Champaign, Illinois
United States 61820
Phone: (217) 352-9960
Fax: (217) 352-7890
 
King Studio NS rate: $119.00.
LCI Conference reservations must be received by April 13, 2008.
 
Homewood Suites' one-bedroom king suite has a fully-equipped kitchen that includes granite countertops, a full-size refrigerator, a microwave oven, a dishwasher, a twin-burner stove, utensils, and cookware. A dining area off the kitchen can double as workspace. The living area has a full-size sleeper sofa, a chair, and a 32" television. The separate bedroom has a king-size bed with and a television/DVD player. All suites have complimentary wired and wireless high-speed internet access.

Travel Info

The 9th LCI Conference will be held in the NCSA Building on the campus of the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Champaign and Urbana are located in the eastern, central region of Illinois at the intersection of Interstate Highways I-57, I-74, and I-72. The cities are conveniently located 135 miles (222 km) south of Chicago (2.5 hour drive from O'Hare International Airport), 120 miles (200 km west) of Indianapolis, and 185 miles (270 km) northeast of St. Louis.

Getting to Champaign-Urbana is easy: by using public transportation or by driving. (For more information about public transportation, see the City of Champaign's Public Transportation page.)

Getting to Champaign-Urbana Using Public Transportation

Air Transportation
The closest airport to the meeting headquarters is Willard Airport (CMI) in Champaign, Illinois (approximately 5 miles (8 km) south of campus). Daily flights are offered to and from St. Louis (by American Connection), Chicago O'Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth (by American Eagle), and Detroit (by Northwest Airlink). Willard Airport is owned and operated by the University of Illinois.

Getting To and From Willard Airport
The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District operates a city bus (#27 Air Bus) that runs between Willard Airport and downtown Champaign via the University campus, stopping at the Illini Union. Cost is $1.00 per ride. The MTD provides regular city busy service during most day and evening hours; all buses are equipped for riders with disabilities. Call 217-384-8188 for information.

Rental cars prearranged with Hertz, Avis, Budget, and National can be picked up at Willard Airport. Taxi and shuttle bus transportation from airport to campus costs between $10 and $15.

Taxicab service is available from Willard airport and around town; see the Yellow Pages for telephone numbers.

Bus Transportation
LEX Lincolnland Express provides bus service between the University of Illinois campus and airports in Chicago (both O'Hare and Midway) and Indianapolis. Advanced reservations are required.

Greyhound provides national and regional service to Champaign-Urbana and is located in the Illinois Terminal. The Illinois Terminal, which also houses Amtrak and MTD, is located in downtown Champaign about three miles northwest of campus. Taxi service is also available at the terminal.

Train Transportation
Amtrak provides daily rail passenger service to and from Chicago and points south through Memphis to New Orleans. For information and reservations call 1-800-USA-RAIL. The Amtrak station is located in the Illinois Terminal, which also houses Greyhound and MTD. It is located in downtown Champaign about three miles northwest of campus. Taxi service is also available at the terminal.

Campus Parking
As at most large universities, daytime parking on the UIUC campus is limited. Since most major buildings are located within a few blocks of each other, it may be more convenient for visitors to walk. Metered visitor parking is available at lots marked for visitors as shown on the campus parking map. Metered parking is also available along most campus streets. All campus meters require quarters. More information about parking may be obtained from the Division of Campus Parking, 217-333-7217.

Driving to Champaign-Urbana

Hallene Gateway photo
View of the Hallene Gateway approaching from the north, heading south on Lincoln Ave. (photo: Feb. 2008)

The destination for these driving instructions is the Hallene Gateway — the official entrance of the University of Illinois — at the southwest corner of Lincoln Ave. and Illinois St., in Urbana.
 

From the north via Interstate 57

  1. Drive south on I-57 to I-74.
  2. Drive east on I-74 to the Lincoln Ave. exit.
  3. Exit south on Lincoln Ave.
  4. Drive 1.7 miles until you get to the intersection of Lincoln Ave. and Illinois St. The southwest corner houses the Hallene Gateway.

From the east via Interstate 74

  1. Drive west on I-74 to the Lincoln Ave. exit.
  2. Exit south on Lincoln Ave.
  3. Drive 1.7 miles until you get to the intersection of Lincoln Ave. and Illinois St.

From the west via Interstate 74

  1. Drive east on I-74 to the Lincoln Ave exit.
  2. Take the Lincoln Ave exit south.
  3. Drive 1.7 miles until you get to the intersection of Lincoln Ave. and Illinois St.

From the west via Interstate 72

  1. Drive east on I-72. As you arrive in Champaign, I-72 becomes University Ave.
  2. Follow University Ave east through Champaign, into Urbana, to Lincoln Ave (about 3.5 miles).
  3. Turn right (south) an go six blocks until you get to the intersection of Lincoln Ave. and Illinois St.

From the south via Interstate 57

  1. Drive north on I-57 to exit 235, the junction with I-72. As you arrive in Champaign, I-72 becomes University Ave.
  2. Follow University Ave. east through Champaign, into Urbana, to Lincoln Ave. (about 3.5 miles).
  3. Turn right (south) and go six blocks until you get to the intersection of Lincoln Ave. and Illinois St.

From the south, and Willard Airport, via U.S. Route 45

  1. Drive north on Route 45 (if leaving Willard Airport, turn left off Airport Rd onto Route 45), through the town of Savoy, to Kirby Ave in Champaign. (Route 45 becomes Neil St.)
  2. Turn right on Kirby Ave and drive east into Urbana (Kirby becomes Florida Ave) to Lincoln Ave (four-way stop signs).
  3. Turn left (north) and drive thirteen blocks until you get to the intersection of Lincoln Ave. and Illinois St.