Clinical Skills Evaluation Collaboration (CSEC) Center - Chicago
8501 West Higgins Road, Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60631 USA
USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS)
Travel Information for Chicago
Travel and Transportation
The Chicago Clinical Skills Evaluation Collaboration (CSEC) Center is approximately 5 miles east of O'Hare International Airport, approximately 25 miles northwest of Midway International Airport, and approximately 15 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.
By Air
Chicago is served by two major airports: O'Hare International and Midway International, both of which are served by all major domestic carriers. O'Hare International Airport offers service to and from over 60 international destinations. For more information, contact O'Hare International Airport at (773) 686-2200 or Midway International Airport at (773) 838-0600, or visit the Chicago Department of Aviation's website at www.flychicago.com.
Airport Shuttle Service
Continental Airport Express offers shuttle service from O'Hare International Airport between downtown Chicago and north suburban locations from 6:00 am to 11:30 pm. Departures are every five to ten minutes. An information counter and pickup is located in the baggage claim areas of Terminals 1, 2, and 3, and outside U.S. Customs in Terminal 5. For more information, call (888) 284-3826 or visit www.airportexpress.com.
Omega Airport Shuttle offers hourly service between Midway International and O'Hare International Airports from 7:00 am to 11:45 pm. Allow at least one hour for the trip. Exact times and locations are available in printed schedules located in the information booths on the lower level of each terminal or on the Omega website at www.omegashuttle.com. To contact Omega Shuttle, call (773) 483-6634.
Most hotels near the test center offer free shuttle service to and from O'Hare International Airport. Contact the individual hotels for details.
By Bus
There are six Greyhound bus terminals in Chicago. The terminal most convenient to the test center is the Chicago Cumberland Avenue terminal, located at 5800 North Cumberland Avenue, within walking distance of the center. (See Public Transportation.) For details on fares and scheduling, call (800) 231-2222 or visit www.greyhound.com.
By Train
Amtrak Union Station is located in downtown Chicago, at 225 South Canal Street, approximately 15 miles southeast of the test center. Taxis are readily available on both the upper and lower levels of the station. The CTA blue line, which is within walking distance of the Amtrak station, runs to the Cumberland station, which is within walking distance of the center. (See Public Transportation.) For more information on Amtrak services, call (800) 872-7245 or visit www.amtrak.com.
Public Transportation
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) offers rail and bus service throughout Chicago and 40 surrounding suburbs. The adult fare for one bus or train ride is $2.00. Pre-paid CTA Transit Cards can be purchased at any CTA train station. CTA Visitor Passes are available for one day ($5.00), two days ($9.00), three days ($12.00), and five days ($18.00), and allow unlimited rides on all CTA buses and trains. Passes or transit cards may be purchased in advance on the CTA website, at www.transitchicago.com, or by calling (888) 968-7282.
CTA's rail system has seven branches, differentiated by color. From downtown Chicago, take the blue line to reach the test center or O'Hare International Airport. To get to O'Hare or the test center from Midway International Airport, take the orange line to downtown Chicago and transfer to the blue line. CTA's bus system is made up of roughly 150 bus routes, serving downtown Chicago and neighboring communities. The test center is within walking distance of both the Cumberland blue line rail station and the Cumberland bus station. From either station, take the stairs or escalator to the covered pedestrian walkway and follow the signs for "North to Higgins/Cumberland Ave." The stairs end in the parking lot of the test center building at 8501 West Higgins Road (First Midwest Bank building).
For a detailed map of the CTA bus and rail systems, visit www.transitchicago.com.
Metra (rail) and Pace (bus) provide suburban service. For more information, visit www.metrarail.com or www.pacebus.com.
Public Transportation for Individuals With Disabilities
Most of Chicago's rail and bus services are fully wheelchair accessible. Lifts and ramps on all buses of accessible routes are available for use upon request by anyone who has trouble with steps. For detailed information, call the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Travel Information Center at (312) 836-7000.
Taxis
Readily available outside the terminals of both O'Hare and Midway Airports, taxis are metered, with no set fares to or from the airports.
| American United | (773) 327-6161 |
| Des Plaines Cab Service | (847) 827-0110 |
| Flash Cab | (773) 992-0303 |
| Yellow Cab | (312) 225-7440 |
Car Rental
Rental car agencies are located on the lower level of O'Hare International Airport.
| Alamo | (800) 462-5266 | www.alamo.com |
| Avis | (800) 230-4898 | www.avis.com |
| Budget | (800) 527-0700 | www.budget.com |
| Dollar | (800) 800-3665 | www.dollar.com |
| Enterprise | (800) 261-7331 | www.enterprise.com |
| Hertz | (800) 654-3131 | www.hertz.com |
| National | (800) 227-7368 | www.nationalcar.com |
| Thrifty | (800) 847-4389 | www.thrifty.com |
Driving Directions to the CSEC Center
The test center is easily accessible from I-90 (Kennedy Expressway). From I-90 East, take the North Cumberland Avenue exit (exit 79B). Turn right onto North Cumberland Avenue / IL-171. Turn left onto West Higgins Road / IL-72. From I-90 West, take the North Cumberland Avenue exit (exit 79B). At the stop sign at the end of the ramp, turn left onto West Higgins Road / IL-72. The test center is located at 8501 West Higgins Road (First Midwest Bank building).
From O 'Hare International Airport Take I-190 East toward the airport exit and get on I-90 East to exit 79B, North Cumberland Avenue. Turn right onto North Cumberland Avenue / IL-171. Turn left onto West Higgins Road / IL-72. The test center is located at 8501 West Higgins Road (First Midwest Bank building).
From Downtown Chicago Take the Kennedy Expressway / I-90 West. Take exit 79B, North Cumberland Avenue. At the stop sign at the end of the ramp, turn left onto West Higgins Road / IL-72. Follow to 8501 West Higgins Road (First Midwest Bank building).
From the West Via I-88 (Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway) Take the East-West Tollway / I-88 East toward Chicago. Merge onto I-294 North toward O'Hare / Milwaukee. Merge onto I-90 East toward Chicago. See above.
From the Southwest Via I-55 (Stevenson Expressway) Take I-55 North toward Chicago. Merge onto I-294 North via exit 277A toward Wisconsin. Merge onto I-90 East toward Chicago. See above.
From the North Via I-94 Take I-94 South / Tri-State Tollway toward Indiana. Merge onto I-94 East. Take I-94 East to I-294 South toward Indiana / O'Hare. Merge onto I-90 East toward Chicago. See above.
Parking Near the CSEC Center
Free visitor parking is available in the west visitor lot adjacent to the building. Note: The signs in the visitor lot indicate one hour parking only. This does not apply to Step 2 CS examinees. You may leave your car there for the duration of the exam. Please do not park in spaces reserved for other tenants such as First Midwest Bank, Chicago Title, or Westwood College.
Lodging Near the CSEC Center
| *Marriott Chicago O'Hare ($$) 8535 West Higgins Road (0.02 miles from the center) |
(773) 693-4444 http://cwp.marriott.com/chiap/usmle |
| *Chicago O'Hare Garden Hotel ($) 8201 West Higgins Road (0.2 miles from the center) |
(773) 693-2323 www.hotelchicagooharegarden.com |
| *Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare ($) 5615 North Cumberland Avenue (0.8 miles from the center) |
(773) 693-5800 www.hiohare.com |
| Hyatt Rosemont ($$) 6350 North River Road (1.9 miles from the center) |
(847) 518-1234 www.hyatt.com |
| The Westin O'Hare Hotel ($$$) 6100 North River Road (1.9 miles from the center) |
(847) 698-8000 www.westinohare.com |
| Courtyard Chicago O'Hare ($$) 2950 River Road (2.4 miles from the center) |
(847) 824-7000 www.marriott.com |
| Sofitel Chicago O'Hare ($$$) 5550 North River Road (2.4 miles from the center) |
(847) 678-4488 www.sofitelchicagoohare.com |
| *Sheraton Gateway Suites O'Hare ($$) 6501 North Manheim Road (2.8 miles from the center) |
(847) 699-6300 Sheraton |
$ ratings are based on published rates.
Establishments marked with an asterisk (*) offer discounts for Step 2 CS examinees, based on availability. Since these discounts may only be available by telephone, it is recommended that you call these establishments to make your reservations. Ask about the discount for individuals taking the Clinical Skills exam at the local testing center.
Local Hospitals
Resurrection Medical Center
(773) 774-8000
7435 West Talcott Avenue
Chicago, IL 60631 (1.3 miles from the center)
http://www.reshealth.org
Gottlieb Memorial Hospital
(708) 681-3200
701 West North Avenue
Melrose Park, IL 60160 (6.2 miles from the center)
http://www.gottliebhospital.org
Important Telephone Numbers
| Police, Fire, and Medical Emergencies | 911 |
| Accidental Poisoning | (800) 942-5969 |
| Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities | (312) 744-7050 |
| Traveler's Aid Society | (773) 894-2426 |
For Emergencies on Your Test Date
The CSEC centers are test administration facilities and are not equipped to handle routine inquiries. However, in the event of a real emergency on your test date, you may call (773) 695-0079 to contact a Chicago CSEC center staff member during test administration hours. Please keep in mind that CSEC staff members cannot answer inquiries related to registration, scheduling, rescheduling, or general inquiries about the exam. For information on these topics, refer to the website of your registration entity.
Other Travel Resources
The following websites may prove useful in planning your trip to Chicago:
www.aaa.com
www.expedia.com
www.hotels.com
www.hotwire.com
www.mapquest.com
www.orbitz.com
www.priceline.com
www.travelocity.com
Additional Information
For more information on Chicago, contact the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau at (877) 244-2246 or visit www.choosechicago.com.
If you will be traveling to the United States to take the exam, refer to Additional Travel Information for Examinees Traveling to the United States to Take Step 2 CS for Chicago.
The information in this guide is provided solely as a convenience for applicants. It is neither a recommendation nor an endorsement. ECFMG® and NBME® receive no benefit from your use of the service providers listed, and assume no responsibility or liability for your use of these services or establishments, or for any problems encountered. All information is subject to change. You should verify all information related to travel and lodging prior to departure.
Rev. June 30, 2008