This web page will be updated regularly. Check back occasionally for more details about the conference.

Last updated 5/03/07

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the conference cost and what does the fee include?
How do I register?
Will I receive confirmation of my registration?
What are IWJ's policies on cancellations, refunds and transfers of registrations?
When should I plan to arrive?
When should I plan to leave?
Which airport is most convenient?
How do I get to North Park University (the conference site) via car or public transportation?
Is there parking available at the conference site?
What can I expect in terms of accommodations and food service?
Can I request a specific roommate?
How can I find a union hotel?
Are there volunteer and scholarships opportunities available?
What opportunities are there for worship and prayer at the conference?
Is North Park University accessible to the disabled?
Will there be Internet access on site?

How much does the conference cost and what does the fee include?

Registration Costs
The registration fee covers all conference activities, including all meals and materials. There is a separate charge for lodging (see below).

Early bird registration (before April 30) is $150. Regular registration is $175. Leadership registration (for workshop leaders and speakers) is $125. Student registration is $100.

Daily rates follow:
$60 Sun 6/17
$110 Mon 6/18
$60 Tue 6/19

Pre-conferences are $40 each. Dinner will not be provided for Saturday pre-conference participants. Sunday dinner is included in the regular registration fee for the conference.

Lodging Costs
North Park University offers on-site, modest, dorm-style rooms with community bathrooms. Single rooms are available for $50 per night. Double rooms are $25 per person, per night. Make reservations via IWJ at the time of registration.

How do I register?

You can register in one of two ways:
Register online and pay securely by credit card. (Available the week of March 19), or download, print and mail a registration form.

Will I receive confirmation of my registration?

Your registration is not confirmed until IWJ has received payment. IWJ will send you a letter confirming your registration and a receipt acknowledging payment within two weeks of receipt of registration.  If you provided an e-mail address, IWJ will send confirmation via e-mail.

What are IWJ's policies on cancellations, refunds and transfers of registrations?

Cancellations
Cancellations made on or before May 1, 2007 will receive a full refund.  Cancellations made on or before May 15, 2007 will receive a 50 percent refund. No refunds will be made for cancellations on or after June 1, 2007. Cancellation notice must be made in writing via fax or mail. Registrants who paid by check will receive their refund by check. Registrants who paid by credit card will receive a credit on their credit card.

Changes to Room Assignments
Changes to room or roommate assignments may be requested until Friday, June 1, 2007 (two weeks prior to the conference). IWJ does not guarantee the ability to make changes to room assignments, but will accommodate requests as able.

Replacements / Transfers
If you are unable to attend for any reason, you may transfer your registration to another person without penalty. Simply send a copy of your confirmation letter, a cover letter stating your request and a completed registration form from the person replacing you to the address or fax number below. 

Mail or Fax Conference Registration Forms and Payment to:
Interfaith Worker Justice
Attn: CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
1020 W. Bryn Mawr, 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60660
 Fax: 773-728-8409

When should I plan to arrive?

Pre-conference Participants
Pre-conference participants should plan to arrive the night before their scheduled pre-conference.  Pre-conferences start at 9:00 a.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to pre-conference participants. No dinner is provided to Saturday pre-conference participants. Sunday dinner is included in the regular registration fee for the conference.

Main Conference Participants
Main conference registration opens at noon on Sunday, June 17.  Participants should plan to arrive no later than 3:00 p.m. on Sunday in order to register, check into your room and participate in the opening workshop session beginning at 4:00 p.m. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. The opening plenary begins at 7:30 p.m.

When should I plan to leave?

The conference ends at 1:30 p.m. following lunch on Tuesday, June 19. Checkout time is 2:00 p.m.

Which airport is most convenient?

O'Hare Airport is 12 miles away from conference site. Midway Airport is 19 miles away. The site is accessible to both airports by car and public transportation. See below for directions.

How do I get to North Park University (the conference site) via car or public transportation?

North Park University is located at: 3225 West Foster Ave., Chicago. Just three miles west of Lake Michigan, North Park is located at the corner of Foster and Kedzie avenues (5200 North and 3200 West) in Chicago. Registration will be held in the Gymnasium located on the southwest corner of the intersection.

Driving from the North
Take I-94 eastbound (Edens Expressway) to the Cicero (to Foster) exit. Take Cicero south to Foster Avenue, turn east (left) on Foster and continue to the 3200 block, about two miles. The campus is on the south (right) side of Foster.

Driving from the South
Take I-94 westbound (Dan Ryan Expressway) and proceed northwest on I-90/94 (Kennedy Expressway). Exit at Kimball Avenue. Travel north (right) on Kimball about two miles to Foster Avenue and turn east (right). Proceed two blocks, and the campus is on the right (south) side of Foster.

Driving from the Southwest / Midway Airport (19 Miles)
Following signs to reach I-55, take Cicero north to I-55 northbound.  Take I-55 northbound and merge onto I-90 W / I-94 W via EXIT 292A toward WISCONSIN. Take the Belmont exit- EXIT 45C.  Stay straight to go onto Kedzie.  Turn LEFT onto Foster.

Driving from the West / O'Hare Airport (12 Miles)
Take I-90/94 eastbound (Kennedy) to the Austin (to Foster) exit. At the end of the exit ramp, turn east (left) and follow the curve to reach Foster. Turn east (left) on Foster and continue to the 3200 block, about three miles. The campus is on the right (south) side of Foster.

Driving from the East
Take Lake Shore Drive (from either direction) to the Foster Avenue exit. Travel west on Foster and continue to Kedzie Avenue, about three miles. The campus is on the left (south) side of Foster.

Public Transportation via BUS
The campus is located on Foster Avenue between Kimball and Kedzie Avenues. The campus is served by the Foster, Kimball and Kedzie bus lines. The campus is also three blocks north and one block east of the Kimball/Lawrence station of the Brown Line.

Public Transportation from O'HARE ($2.25 / 45 minutes)
Take the Blue Line to the Jefferson Park stop.  Take the #92 Foster bus eastbound towards Red Line/Berwyn.  Exit the bus at Kedzie Ave.

From Public Transportation from MIDWAY ($2.25 / One hour, 15 minutes)
Take the Orange Line to the Loop.  Transfer to the Blue Line at the Clark/Lake Stop.  Take the Northbound (O'Hare) Blue Line train to the Belmont Stop.  Take the Northbound #82 Kimball/Homan bus.  Get off the bus at Foster and walk 3 blocks to your left (east).

A taxi cab will cost about $25 from O'Hare Airport and $45 from Midway Airport.

Is there parking available at the conference site?

Yes. Participants may park in any lots designated for students or visitors. View a map of North Park University.

What can I expect in terms of accommodations and food service?

Accommodations at North Park University are dormitory rooms with a shared bathroom down the hall. Men and Women will be housed on separate floors. Meals are cafeteria style.

Can I request a specific roommate?

Yes. There is a space on the registration form to note your roommate preference.

How can I find a union hotel?

Participants wishing to stay at a union hotel should book rooms at Crowne Plaza O’Hare. Book rooms at the Crowne Plaza online or by calling 800-972-2494 and providing the three digit room block code: IWJ. Rooms are $99 per night plus tax. Parking is $10 per day. The Crown Plaza provides a free, 24 hour shuttle from O’Hare to the hotel. Wheelchair accessible rooms are available upon request.

Getting to and from the conference: Crowne Plaza guests can take a cab to North Park University (approximately $20, 15 minutes) or take public transit ($2.25, 45 minutes). The Crowne Plaza is located two blocks from the Rosemont stop of the CTA Blue Line Train. Take the Blue Line toward the loop to the Jefferson Park stop. Take the #92 Foster bus eastbound towards Red Line/Berwyn. Exit the bus at Kedzie Ave.

For a complete list of Chicago area union hotels, visit: http://www.hotelworkersrising.org/HotelGuide/

Are there volunteer and scholarships opportunities available?

There are limited, partial scholarships for the registration cost available to students and workers in low-wage jobs. Individuals are responsible for their lodging costs.

IWJ is recruiting a limited number of students to serve as Conference Stewards. Stewards assist IWJ staff before and during the conference with logistics, hospitality and other tasks. In exchange, Conference Stewards receive free pre-conference and general registration and lodging.  Stewards must be available to work from June 12-19. (IWJ's Conference runs from June 16-19.)  Click here for more information on becoming a Conference Steward.

IWJ also welcomes volunteers at to work at the office prior to the conference. For more information about volunteer and scholarship opportunities contact Kristi Sanford at 773-728-8400 x45.

What opportunities are there for worship and prayer at the conference?

There will be interfaith worship at the main plenary session each day. There will also be rooms designated for prayer. Muslim prayer times will be posted on the prayer room doors.

Is North Park University accessible to the disabled?

There are a handful of wheelchair accessible rooms on campus; however, bathrooms are located down the hall.  These rooms can be reserved on a first come, first served basis.   IWJ has also reserved a block of rooms at the Crowne Plaza O’Hare.  Crowne Plaza guests can reserve wheelchair accessible rooms.  To reserve a room at the Crowne Plaza, call 847-671-6350 and request a room with the Interfaith Worker Justice block.  Rooms are $99 per night plus tax. Parking is $10 per day.

All meals, workshops and plenary sessions are wheelchair accessible.  If you have questions about accessibility, contact Kristi Sanford at 773-728-8400 x45.

Will there be Internet access on site?

If you plan to bring your own laptop computer, you may use choose to use NPU’s wireless or Ethernet connection systems. A username and password will be provided in the welcome packet you will receive upon check-in at the conference site.

Wireless Connection: Your computer must be equipped to search for and identify available wireless network connections.

Ethernet Connection: Every dorm room is equipped with an Ethernet jack. Your computer must be equipped with an Ethernet card, and you must bring your own Ethernet cable.

If you do not have your own laptop computer, each dorm has a handful of computers that can be used to check email.  Because there will be many conference attendees, these computers are only to be used for to check email.

Neither IWJ nor NPU will provide support or technical assistance to those who wish to use the Internet during the conference.